The Move- a docudrama

Those of you who have known me for any length of time are familiar with my propensity for clutter. I am to clutter what PigPen is to a cloud of dust. It's always worse in the summer because of the things I need to bring home from school.

My clutter lives in 4 places in the House of Sophanne. Most of it is in a small basement office, pictured below.




It accumulated here when I became Mrs. Sophanne and moved into Mr. Sophanne's house. If I didn't know what to do with it, it went here. Also compounding this collection was the amount of time it took Mr. Sophanne to realize that I had hobbies and they would take up space. His interests aren't so space intensive.

Of late this clutter has been spreading to here:


.

There is also a decent sized pile of clutter in the knitting in front of the t.v. seat and the next to the bed shelfy thing. The "stuff that makes me happy" is all over the house. Most of it in a teeny office next to the mud room. Before I collected yarn, I collected books. Before there were ipods, I collected cd's.

Today all "stuff" will be going to the "real" room and the extra bed will be going to the mini office. This entails moving books, bookshelves, and a bed up and down 13 narrow steps.

I've made a good start, but not without difficulty




Note to self- just letting the mattress (however soft it seems when used properly) slide down the stairs is probably not a good idea. Hey Claw- send an email telling me how easy this will be to fix.

OUTRAGE

I have political views. It's not what I blog about. The contrast between these two photos makes me so angry that I don't have words but need to get it out there.

Purple Velvet Malabrigo = Salt Peanuts

The LineUp

All right ma'am, calm down. Can you pick the suspect from the lineup?

No officer I can't, they all look the same in the daylight.

Look closely. Maybe there's one that you recognize as the instigator.

I told you before. If it had been just ONE I could have escaped. There were just so many.



Are you sure you didn't do anything to encourage them? Perhaps a suggestive sniff or fondle?

Well I may have accidentally brushed against one as I was passing by.

We have a witness who claims she's your sponsor and tried to discourage this behavior through a serendipitous cell phone call. Can you confirm or deny this?

Do you mean Yvonne? She was just calling to talk to Amy If she were REALLY trying to discourage such an infraction she would have suggested Amy do an intervention.

I see.



It appears this is your second offense. You may be able to shorten your sentence if you finish a few projects but I really don't see that happening. As it stands, you are suspended from all LYS until January or until at least 75% of your projects are completed.

zzzz..... oh hai...must have been napping. I got some new yarn. Do dishcloths count as FO's?

BFF and Creator of Cool Stuff.... The Claw

I've mentioned him before but now it's time for a tribute post and a sneak peak at the workings of The Claw.

What I don't have pictures of is the inside of his circa. 1950 house. EVERYTHING (including a working telephone) is of the period thanks to ebay. It is amazing, astounding, and beautiful down to the smallest detail. That will be the next tribute post.

Lately he's been playing with toy pianos. He buys them on ebay, takes the cool parts of old discarded beautifully woodworked "real" pianos and these are just a few of the results:





My real intent today though is to show all of the things I've acquired from The Claw over the years. Sadly, one of my favorites was lost in a bad break-up. I thought I'd cleared the house of all things "mine" and realized that the box he built around an antique post office box "door" is no longer with me. Oddly enough, the ex did not include it when he sent me a giant box of my belongings that included one stray sock. Moving on...

The Claw had some wicker seats that needed refurbishing. He purchased the materials (in bulk) and rewove the seats. He had plenty of materials left. What to do? How about some lamps? Both are woven around the top and base with the "stuff" he used on the seats. The brown one (can you see the jungle theme) is actually the wrapping paper from a souvenir I brought to him from South Africa. I'm not even going to try to explain how he did this. Water and stretching and stuff were involved.




It would have been really nice if I had done a little de-cluttering for these next piece but I thought that those of you with small children might be able to play "find the..." with the pictures as you admire the handiwork.

This is the most recent acquisition in the collection. I will be using it as a plant stand. Right now it's holding one of the earliest pieces- a music/sewing/notions box that plays "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" If the picture were a tad clearer you would see that the leg of this table is from an antique piano and as the Claw pointed out, the whole thing was made of discarded piano parts.



Did I mention that at one time The Claw was a masterful tailor? The kind where you look, cut and sew without a pattern? He made this for me during my "sewing phase." Pictured in front of it are the refurbished (with no small effort) real jingle bells from a previous post.


He also made me an authentic "clarinet" lamp from a discarded instrument (the kind people bring to the music store and say "Is this worth anything?") If I recall correctly he made a tidy profit on several of these creations (much more than if they had been sold as instruments) The trashy-a$$ed lampshade is my own- I'm on the lookout for just the right one.


The largest piece in the Claw collection is this dressing table (here is the "Find The.." game). It's really beautiful and the only piece of furniture that I own that I would be sad to lose.


In addition to his creative greatness, he's also a really really good friend that I know I could count on any time. He's very wise and has a giant heart with an authentic way of being. Here's to you CLAW!

Feel free to make him blush..let the comments commence

Narcolepsy and Band Camp

One of the biggest fears I have as summer nears its end is the fear of narcolepsy. Right now I can nap as I please, never worried about being tired at inappropriate times. It's difficult to believe that my body will accept being active for more than 5 hours at a time without demanding sleep. I've managed to make it work every other year but I fear it nonetheless.

I will be tested today as I teach clarinets for an hour of band camp this afternoon. I retired as a band camp instructor several years ago. Correcting kids about where they were standing (within inches of a 100 yard field) began to feel inane to me. This week and next I'm a "substitute" band camp sectional instructor for a couple of days (not nearly as demanding as full time.)

In band camps past I've been young, quick, hip, funny, clever, instructive, and patient. Today I am going to be happy if I don't fall asleep. Band camp stories to follow- if there are any.

and now for something completely different...

knitting.

This is a KnitOne kit- some kind of cloud scarf. (cashmere, silk, mohair and alpaca coming together as one) It's a Christmas gift for someone who doesn't read the blog


EZ's EPS. I started out with a plan for the yoke and then decided to "wing it" and do what looked right. I think I need about15 more rows for the yoke. Not sure how far up to take this next bit before I do the last decrease. It's waiting for bravery.


Alpaca February Lady Sweater. There's a miscount in the stitch count thanks to some late night vacation knitting. It's almost ready for sleeves but is a little too warm to work on these days.


This is some silk/merino handspun in a simple k2 yo pattern. Also a gift for a non-reader but I'm hoping to make some fingerless mittens to match.


This is the lettuce leaf scarf in Lorna's Laces. Between it and FLS, my lace comprehension scores are going up. Icarus is on the needles but not enough for a picture.


Sooner or later I'm going to finish one of these. As I try to mentally organize all of my WIPs, there is also a sock on the needles that I forgot about and some Noro for the Brooklyn Tweed scarf (another gift) that is "itching" to cast on.

If anyone has any EZ yoke experience as to where on the body to decrease, I'd appreciate it!

DECADENCE =

Chinese Take-out

Air-Conditioners Cranked

Lifetime Network made for TV movies

Husband happily occupied.

Sleeves attached to the EPS sweater- time to start the yoke.

BANNED FROM LYS

Did I get your attention?

No LYS has banned me from their store. In fact I believe that as soon as word gets out, I'll begin to receive personal invitations to come and shop. It may even behoove some to offer to pay for my travel expenses to go there.

No, this is a SELF-BAN. I'm seriously going to have to shun (ala Dwight) all LYS's until further notice.

Point in fact- Saturday at Yarns Unlimited. I did buy the Traveling Scarf* Koigu as needed. Also acquired was a skein of alpaca sock yarn and 4 skeins of Berroco Alpaca Light (the yarn actually called for in the Stag Bag which I still haven't given up on)

Yesterday I went here to try out a new knit night and came home with enough Noro Silk garden for Jared's scarf and a kit (it was on sale) of yarn for a mohair/wool scarf.

I am not even going to list the WIPS on the needles right now. In one week I have increased my future projects by four.

LYS, I Shun you. (at least until Thursday)

*Hey traveling scarf-ers- where are you re progress? I've sent mine to Marie and am 3/4's of the way done with Deborah's and will soon be passing it along. I have Kim's scarf as well and will begin that next. Let's get those scarves moving! I want to be able to wrap myself in my friends this winter.

Rain Day and Knit Night

In honor (or in spite of) Rain Day, Red853 (ravelry link) and I knitted on the courthouse square, hoping to gather some fellow knitters from the masses. No one came to our impromptu "booth." It might have been the fact that we were right next to the giant speakers blaring in front of the courthouse. (it was the only place with shade) We did however have a sit and knit and it was quite nice.

This was followed by a return to knit night at the Watersdam Commons Panera. Knit night oh how I missed you. I took some notes but after reading them realized that very few blog readers want to know that I think the word "smocking" is funny when used in the context of "When my smocking friends come over...", and very few readers SHOULD know the recipe for potato chips with cheese in the microwave- it's just a heart attack in a bowl.

Knitting with others is so much more fun and easier than knitting alone.

But I just want to stay home and kniiiiiittttt.....

imagine my dismay when I couldn't capture this with the "good" camera. The green blob to the right is a skein of Lamb's Pride, the blob on his belly is his scarf and if you use your imagination you can see the needles kind of pointing in his armpit.

At any rate- how cute is this little guy?

Grandkid #2 of Mr. Sophanne had just returned from a cross country visit with the other side of the family. While Mr. Sophanne and I were fresh and ready for adventure including the traditional "take your grandson fishing" time, this guy, EVERY time we headed for the car would whine, BUT WHY CAN'T I JUST KNIT?

He was also most annoyed with me when I wouldn't let him get his knitting out between turns at the bowling alley, knowing full well that, given his experience, we'd have to wait until the end of a row every time it was his turn.

Adventures with KnitNat

Yvonne and I went adventuring yesterday.

We went to Knit One in search of Koigu for the Traveling Scarf Project. As their stock is as unpredictable as the thermometer in my oven, we didn't find any. They sent it to their new Cranberry store which doesn't open for another month. With a marginally courteous staff and a mission, we ventured on.

Impatient Drivers reigned supreme through Squirrel Hill as well as yarmulkes (one had a smiley face on it)

We took a quick drive through the Strip District with plans to return in the future with coolers in hand. I think Yvonne will need the cooler- what do I know about fresh fish and meat? If I can't eat it there, chances are it won't happen.

We survived an inadvertent ride through the Hill District(p. 14)

We found our way to Sewickley but not before a stop at The Breadworks -oh the financial damage they could do if they only sold butter!

The Mexican War Streets Historic District is explained here. Contrary to what we were conjecturing, the Mexican War did not travel up to the Burg.

In Sewickley, it was mission accomplished at Yarns Unlimited. Plenty of Koigu and a rearranged store made for some spacious shopping (one of my complaints in the past)

I like adventuring with Yvonne. She's a gracious chauffeur and I'm getting my "city legs." We were two easy-going knitters taking in the sights. (including the guy in the pink spandex leggings- you'll have to figure out which district we saw that in!) When in search of delicious yarn, it is so much better to have a friend to share it with and say "hey lookit this!"

yin yang of vacationing

It's funny how easy it is to "package" a vacation on a blog. Doesn't it look great? Isn't my life fabulous? It's really all a matter of perspective with the daily shifts that life has- vacation or not. Some examples:

There were the coffin like sleeping quarters on the train or the fact that kmkat serendipitously mentioned David Sedaris' new audio book and it made falling asleep in a coffin much easier.

There were the vast and beautiful vistas (how cliche, eh?) observed while eating in the dining car as well as the community dining which involved 2 strangers at every meal where the mandatory questions were "where are you from?" and "where are you going?" Can't I just give you my blog address and you can get to know me that way?

There was the fact that the train was too bumpy to do any Icarus knitting as I had originally planned but not too bumpy to work on the EZ February Lady Sweater which gave me plenty of practice on k2tog, ssk, and yo's.

Once on San Juan Island, there was the bald eagle that was no more than 10 feet in front of me. There were also the bald eagle noises made by the g-children which occasioned the second official "rule" of the trip. (The first was "only one root beer a day.")

There was the smile on Mr. Sophanne's face as he enjoyed the happy gathering of his children and grandchildren. There were the tears that he could not help but shed when it was time to go.

There was the lack of tv and internet and bloggy friends but the reality that I could function without them and might consider being less compulsive about it all. That seemed like a good idea when I was on the island. I've reconsidered since coming home and am trying to figure out how I can move my desktop to the couch.

There were the alpacas crias, guard llamas (only for show) and even a camel spotted daily. There were also the $25 skeins of alpaca that I accidentally bought for g-children only to have them cherish the Lamb's Pride we found at the LYS on the island.

There was the Orca Whale watching at the corner of the Island. O.k. there really was no flip side to that one (other than fearing we'd lose a g-child off a rocky cliff) It was just really really cool.

That's what I know. Vacation is like life. It's just in a different place and you're really glad once you get back home with some stories to tell. Although Mr. Sophanne pretended he was on the show Survivor once we were alone with the g-children for 5 days.

and then there were puppets

We also made a quick stop at theOregon Historical Society in Portland. Mr. Sophanne visited the research library checking on some family history and my mom and I enjoyed some of the work of Michael Curry- the puppet designer for the Lion King. I know it's two posts in a day but I'm thinking no one will mind because it's mostly pictures.

Abundance

Also a stop in Portland for the fiber savvy is Abundant Yarn and Dyeworks. Larissa Brown mentions this shop (and frequents it) in her book from whence the traveling scarf plan came.




It is a beautiful, friendly and GIANT LYS. I'm told they just got their liquor license for the cafe last week. Mr. Sophanne happily worked on his laptop at one of the many cafe tables and eavesdropped on a "knit day gathering." Uh oh. Our secret has been revealed. I bought some locally dyed sock yarn (ptf-pictures to follow) and was glad to have it when I had only sock knitting faculties available in my head.

Another not-to-be-missed Portland venue is Powell's bookstore. Store is a bit of an understatement. It's a great place to go if you have unlimited funds and are not confined to one bag on the flight home. Since neither applied to me, I had to use a good bit of restraint. I did get No Idle Hands-the social history of American Knitting and I recommend it highly. In addition to being chock full of a bunch of stuff I didn't know, it gave my sock mojo the little kick it needed.

Food, family, and a trip to a casino (a reward to Mr. Sophanne for his yarny-book patience- can you believe I married a guy who doesn't just LOVE bookstores and can't carry a tune- truly opposites attract) finished off the Portland visit and sent us on our way to Seattle. Stay tuned.

I'm not sure where this next tidbit of information will fit in, as it was sort of a theme from this point on. Let it be known that I have a children's cd in the works called "Dog" with a punk rock "Dog in the Bed" and a bluesy sort of "I gotta bury my bone." There are other titles pending. Blog readers may get the first glimpse of these songs once they are written and I convince Mr. Sophanne that he really does want to tape them for me.

just a leetle longer

So, for those of you keeping tabs on the Sophanne vacation (and really who wouldn't want to) Three nights on a train two nights in Portland, one night in Seattle, eight nights on San Juan Island, one more night in Seattle, and two nights (tonight being the second) in Portland.

Mr. Sophanne and I have been holed up in this Portland hotel enjoying the USA networks new season, going on-line, knitting and decompressing. Occasionally we go out foraging for ice.

There are stories to tell and pictures to share but the clever posts must wait until I'm home with some reflection.

I hate really long vacation posts anyway. I leave you today with some photos from Day 1 in Portland at the Farmers Market. With the number of pictures we took, I may have posts well into October.





On the knitting front- expectations were not met. Plans changed. More will be revealed. The traveling scarves appear to be traveling.

HELLPP!

I'm on an island and haven't had tv or internet for six days!

We saw the alpaca farm today.

"grandson" fell asleep with knitting needles in his hand last night (age 5 3/4's)

I'm good at this business, but I've had enough.

Home on the 23rd. Think patient thoughts for me please.

Get in on the ground floor

Raining here.

I did pick up several decks of cards in case of rain on San Juan Island. Mr. Sophanne, however, had brilliance of his own a-brewing.

Whilst vacationing (rain or shine) we will be videotaping scenes for a movie. If you remember that cartoon in Highlights Magazine about Polite Pete and Rude Rufus (o.k. someone out there will remember their real names), you'll get the movie concept. It will be a sort of What to Do and What Not to Do video essay.

The working title is "Fireworks" because that was the example Mr. Sophanne came up with. I suggested that if we share that particular example with the kids, the examples will only escalate from there and that simpler "situations" will allow for a little more kid creativity.

How to eat your food- How not to eat your food was one I thought would be a good example. We also thought we'd have the kids act like parents- How to discipline your kids-how NOT to discipline your kids.

If you'd like to contribute ideas for this upcoming film and we use your idea, you will get some title credits. This film is scheduled for release in December of 2008.

Also come to find it's just the rental that doesn't have internet. The island does. I anticipate a few trips to the Library

Am I making you crazy yet?

We're staying on San Juan Island (of the San Juan Islands)

Home of the famous Pig War (the pig was apparently the only casualty) and also Krystal Acres Alpaca Farm!!!!"


Can I get a WOOT!

I Can Has Bug

A Sophanne update-

Tomorrow's will be another wip post. There has been a request from my two best knit night friends for such a post so that it will be really exciting to see the progress I've made when I return.

The House of Sophanne Big Summer Adventure begins late Saturday evening when we catch a train to the west coast. We'll arrive in Portland on Tuesday, take a car to Seattle on Thursday and go to some island that DOESN'T HAVE INTERNET or CABLE TV on Friday, with at least three grandkids (ages 3, 5, and 7) in tow.

Knit night Darla told the story of her 5 yo grandson saying "I don't particularly care for using my imagination." That's what came to mind when I discovered the specifics of our vacation home.

Perhaps it will mean that the blog posts following the vacation will be well-crafted brilliant essays, as I will have so much time to construct them. Paper? Pencil? getouttahere!

I've packed and repacked my knitting about 4 times already.

There may be double-posts again tomorrow and Friday-maybe I can "fill up" ahead of time.

After Saturday the 5th I may not know what everyone is doing until JULY 23rd. If I forget to say so before then, please be careful while I'm away. I am really going to miss you when I'm gone.

To the Sir Robin of the Traveling Scarf KAL I say, "READY SET GO!"

Inspiration Day 2

We have our 8. Robin of the Traveling Scarf can officially begin. I will send an email this afternoon with more info. Playing this round are Yvonne, Kim, Sonya, Deborah, Marie (red853 on Ravelry), Ruth, and Rachel. I was confused that that was only seven until I counted myself. doh.

I'll send an email out this afternoon with details. THANKS!

Inspiration

So the knitalong book has been in my hands for less than 2 hours and I'm already inspired.

There is a project called the "traveling scarf." You knit with 2 strands of sock yarn (koigu is suggested-and given that it's one skein I'm assuming it's with a center pull ball using the outside and inside strand)) size 7 needles 44 stitches, sl 1, p2, *k2 p2* across when you finish the skein you send the scarf to the next knitter. After 7 people add to it, it's finished.

That's all well and good but then there's only one scarf (which I'm sure could be donated somewhere but not what I'm looking for right now)

My thoughts. Eight knitters. Each starts their traveling scarf and mails it to the next knitter on the list. When it comes back to you, your scarf is finished. Each knitter would knit the equivalent of a scarf but exciting colors and packages in the mail would be involved as well as a memento from your favorite knit bloggers. Small knitting gift/accessories could be included as scarves traveled from one person to the next.

They should be done just in time for cold weather. Leave a comment if you want to play and also email your snail mail address (blts ATT alltel Dotttt net) if I get 7 more people we'll do it. If there are extras in multiples of 8 I'll set up those addresses too.

My mom's family used to write letters this way- they called it a "Round Robin" Maybe it should be "Scarfin' around Robin" or "Scarface round Sophanne" or possibly send your own clever moniker for this possible "internets event."

I took it as a sign that the author is from Portland and listed no less than three cool places to sit and knit in Portland and in a matter of a week I will BE in Portland

Designer Bags- the truth shall set you free.

What's wrong with me? Don't I know that there are knitters in South Carolina that don't HAVE Namaste bags?

Given that MaryBeth so dedicatedly left three comments on the last post, I feel inclined to answer at least one of her questions.

Pictured below are my "designer knitting bags." Mind you, all of my clothes, shoes, underwear, etc comes from Gabriel Bros. (who now only puts the damaged stuff in the sidewalk sales -thanks KNQD who knows all) While I yearned for designer jeans through the 80's, Lee jeans were as close as I got. Clearly I am over-compensating.



Top right (black) is a Jordana Paige Bella and was the first "designer knit bag" I ever purchased. I was certain that once I had this bag I would never need another. Little did I know. It's a good bag for a little project. The zipper pouch inside works for purse items and keys. More of a "light duty-I have a crappy-ass meeting to go to" bag.

The black bag below that is the Namaste Messenger Bag. Of all bags purchased, I have used this one the least. I think that perhaps there is a certain amount of "breaking in" required to make it a comfortable bag. I took it to MDSW and ended up using instead the Joanne's "So much yarn, so little time." IKEA-like bag. I think if I were a commuter, this would be the bag to have. Large enough for a train/bus and the right size for a lap.

The turqoise one is a Namaste Jetsetter. This bag is an excellent knit night bag. It can carry several projects (though it gets a little chaotic if they're not in their own mini-bags) and one does feel like a "jetsetter" when traveling with it. The color is decidedly not me but this one was on sale (Joanne's again) and I couldn't pass it up. Ironically, right now it's carrying the Medallion Bag from Noni which is on the needles and if it's ever felted and finished I will consider my own handmade designer bag.

The prize of the collection is the Namaste clutch (BTW I would have called it a "clutch" yesterday but I couldn't think of the word and I knew that "snatch" wasn't it)and the Namaste Laguna. These will be the summer vacation on the train travel bags. For now, in my mind, I have found the perfect bag combination in colors that I love. I'll have 3 lace projects, some potential socks, the FLSweater, and the Montego Bay scarf in there as well as needles enough to cover any potential projects found while in the Northwest. One of the appealing aspects of this bag is the "vertical nature" of it without being "satchel"

Finally the cute little "leftover" on the left is a DellaQ Mary Ellen. This bag is deceptively convenient in that the handles are metal and "bracelet-like" and not as likely to become entangled in fiber.

As for the quantity of laceweight additurbo needles in sizes 6-9 that I have recently acquired, I am not ready to leave denial and will not be taking a personal inventory any time soon. Apparently I need them whether I need them or not. Perhaps in a former life I had to put all of my knitting on stitch holders and only had one set of needles.

And finally, as if you need any more proof as to the state of my mind, I leave you with this It is the actual reason I went to the LYS yesterday. They did not have this book. I went to amazon and realized that for $30 (total) I could have it in my hands today. (as opposed to waiting until the end of the week when I might not be here to get it for a mer $16.50) Someone help me. I need an intervention!

addicted you say?

So while at the LYS there was a namaste "pocketbook" thing. No one was admiring it other than myself and yet as I perused the addi turbo laceweights, I kept my eye on it making sure no one picked it up. I also did this as the other customers looked at the needles I wanted (which they had plenty of.) These things were not on sale. There were only 2 other customers there. The odds of them purchasing the last thing of everything I wanted was minimal. And yet... I'm pretty sure this is a sign of some sort of addiction.

I came home with the bag, some needles and one of those groovy cool magnetic things to keep track of charts. How could I possibly buy yarn with at least 6 projects on the needles and as many as 3 in my head. How could I possibly leave the LYS without a purchase? Fortunately one can never have too many accessories (though I ask you, what do you consider an excessive number of additurbo laceweight #7 24" needles?)

just pretend it's Thursday.

No 8th grade day would be complete without a visit to some puppies.

what?

An update on my 8th grade adventures.

I picked up MissMags from a softball game on Wednesday Night.

Thursday began with a trip to the grocery store to purchase Diet Coke and Mentos. We dropped these off with The Claw (Mr. Sophanne wanted us to have adult supervision. Claw was the closest I could come) and headed to a Chinese Buffet for lunch.

Then we saw "The Love Guru." It might have been funnier if there were other people in the theater. Not too many takers at a 12:30 showing.

Return to the Claw. Mentos experiment complete. Not quite as nice as this one but amazing nonetheless. The Claw beat MissMags to the first bottle. My favorite line of the day was when he said "It won't happen right aw...phphphphphphphphphphphtttttttt."

This was followed by a trip to the grocery store to purchase taco stuff to make for dinner. Made only slightly annoying by the discovery of a laser pointer by the real eighth grader.

The late afternoon was spent with video games, the dog, and making tacos. The evening was topped off by the Last Comic Standing.

I think I'm done being an 8th grader for a while. I'm glad other people have kids.

Whispering update- I discovered that my problem with me as the chew toy was that I didn't have the strength to really subdue her with just my hands. She thought I was playing. A gentle and calm body slam around 8:00 pm has been settling everything down.

Other good news on the dog front is that we've found a lovely and kind vacation home as we travel acroos the country. While I know I will whimper at our departure, I feel really happy that she will be extremely loved while we're gone.

Knitting update- all train projects have been started. At least that's my excuse for startitis. I have some skeins to wind for the journey. I think I may be able to bring everything that I'm working on except Medallion. After all, who needs clothes?

ah and did I mention...

While I was distracting you with adventures, I cast on for yet another project (see this post if you need a refresher) and wound some 100% silk laceweight which might become Icarus on the Train if I can find my Best of Interweave book.

Yes, I am the knitter who is working on an alpaca sweater in the summer. It was crying from the stash saying, "WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? YOU LOVE ME!!" What's a girl to do? I'm going with that I Knit What I Want philosophy.

Mr. Sophanne calls the bone in yesterday's post Liza's dinosaur bone. I'm preferring to ignore what it might actually be. In other summer projects, there is an ongoing quest to photograph decent roadkill for Yarny Old Kim. After missing several opportunities of rare and exotic exhibits, the camera is now essential to each walk. This morning we saw a live fox (as opposed to Thursday's dead one)

I must say that while I haven't been able to get Liza to cooperate in the 10 minutes that Cesar would be able to, there is a new pecking order here in House of Sophanne and it's been much more pleasant. That guy is brilliant.

Vanfox23 Visits Vanquishes Vexing Socks

Vanfox23 came over with the kids today and learned how to assemble a sock. Wanting to get "the basics" we skipped most of the leg and the foot. It looks like the dinosaur mistake sock for the club footed person.

Meanwhile her two girls showed Liza the time of her life and when they got tired of that, took some awesome pictures!



Congrats to Vanfox23 and thanks so much for the sleepy puppy!

Adventure Update

My efforts at magically becoming the Dog Whisperer Pack Leader have been met with mixed results. In spite of this picture, "the walk" is going relatively well. This one was taken at the end of a second walk of the day and enough was enough. We have our nightly battles as to whether I will be the chew toy. They've become a little shorter. This is definitely a worthwhile summer adventure. There has been progress.



I think Mr. Sophanne looks like he's fighting hazardous waste. Really he's just pimped out for weed eating. What a guy.



The adventure to the big 'burg was a moderate success. We caught the trolley in South Hills Village and rode it to Gateway Center. As Magalena pointed out, the science center looked a lot closer on the map. Here I am on the Ft. Duquesne Bridge. The Science Center and Heinz Field are off in the distance. The Titanic exhibit was good if you like that sort of thing. I would have been fine watching the whole business on a Discovery Channel special.



Carnegie Science Center is just a little "young" for the 13 yo set. There was a Lionel Train exhibit that held our attention and a tour of the U.S.S. Requin which reaffirmed what I already suspected- submarine life would not be for me. The Three Rivers Arts Festival was going on but our dogs were tired and we headed home.

The best part of the adventure WAS adventuring and laughing with the eighth grade sense of humor. After seeing "How's My Driving?" bumper sticker things deteriorated into imagining kindergarteners with signs that said "How's my coloring? Call 1-800-BITEMEE" The worst part of the adventuring was watching her "shut down" as she saw the day coming to an end. Thus, there will be more adventures.

Meme Answers

Thanks for the funny guesses. Also, there is no story behind the tuna casserole except with lots of noodles and cheese, even tuna can be good and is something I can cook. We made it to the Big 'Burg today but I'm beat. A report and a few pix tomorrow. As for now, the "answers" to the meme and the pictures that accompany them.

1. What is your first name? Becky- the name of the dog, bottom right
2. What is your favorite food? ice cream
3. What high school did you go to? Wheeling Park - the car wreck- how appropriate
4. What is your favorite color? green frog and the leaf photo
5. Who is your celebrity crush? Mr. Rogers
6. Favorite drink? The clock says "Bromo Seltzer" We love seltzer at The House of Sophanne
7. Dream vacation? Peru
8. Favorite dessert? Boston Creme Pie
9. What you want to be when you grow up? Buddhist nun
10. What do you love most in life? nature
11. One Word to describe you. The bird's came up with the keyword grace. Not being willing to describe myself, I used the word I would hope to describe me
12. Your flickr name. Nothing came up for sophieannabelle so I just used annabelle and that's the cow's name.

My creation

My creation
Originally uploaded by sophieannabelle

I saw this meme today on byflutter. I've seen it before and wanted to try it with flickr. I don't have it exactly right and the pictures aren't in order but I like the collage it made. That being said, it might be funny to try to figure out which picture goes with which question! But only if you're bored and with nothing to do.

What is your first name?
What is your favorite food?
What high school did you attend?
What is your favorite color?
Who is your celebrity crush?
Favorite drink?
Dream vacation?
Favorite dessert?
What do you want to be when you grow up?
What do you love most in life?
One word to describe you.
Your Flickr name.

another summer blog post- just because I can

Lorna's Lace scarf has 61 stitches instead of 60. Montego Bay stole has 44 instead of 43. I hate it when that happens.

Another summer plan that I failed to mention was that each day I have set myself the goal of doing something that I either really hate to do or that I haven't done either at all or in a long time.

I went to a new yarn store, took Liza on a new trail, had company at my house, bought clothes for myself, drove to South Hills Village before going to knit night, and made tuna noodle casserole. I also ended 2 months worth of procrastinating and got my car inspected. I swear my therapist must have called the car inspection guy to tell him to make it as pleasant as possible. He didn't even check the lights! We talked politics instead. What a trip.

Having managed such greatness with only 6 actual days of vacation, I'm moving on to a bigger risk. Tomorrow night I'm picking up Magalena (a former student going into 8th grade with a crappy-ass life history-none of it her own fault) after a softball game in the 'burg. She'll stay the night here and early Friday morning we're going to catch the Trolley in South Hills Village, take it to the Gateway Center stop, WALK across the Ft. Duquesne Bridge and go see the Titanic Artifact Exhibition at the Carnegie Science Center. She saw the tv ad for the exhibit and said it was something she'd like to see. Go figure. It fit in with the whole "do new stuff" business, so I've committed myself. Just another small step into the land of "grown-up-ville." Hope I remember my camera.

oh yeah, it's summer vacation.

I'm trying not to embrace it too too much because as one blogger pointed out, it's only 90 days (more like 70 for us.)

The summer plan as I've set it this year involves a daily routine of doing one thing I don't like that makes our lives better (laundry dishes etc), one thing that Mr. Sophanne needs done so he won't be jealous of summer vacation, one thing for the dog and then knit. The details are not worth writing about but it's been pleasant thus far.

I've watched one episode of the Dog Whisperer and now delusionally confidently believe that I will be able to wean Liza of her little annoying habits (primarily the one where I am the chew toy-come to find it's the way pack mates play together. ) I'm going to work on being leader of the pack. The click training is awesome for teaching new things. This morning I bought a "choke" collar (I hate that name) to correct bad habits. She's a smart smart dog so if it doesn't work, it's not her who's to blame.

Part of the summer knitting includes making use of the many resources I have at home and perusing my knitting library. Last night I picked up Mindful Knitting by Tara Jon Manning.

It prompted some reflection on the "kinds" of knitting (insert your favorite fiber-related activity here) there are. I'm thinking it goes on beyond the standard process vs. product. Actually I think there are likely some subdivisions in the process category.

The book encourages mindful knitting; embracing each stitch, living in the now of each stitch and very likely as a result living more mindfully outside of the knitting space. I've gotten to that place maybe once while knitting.

Usually though I am "frantically knitting" (monkey mind knitting) hoping that mindfulness (and ease of mind) will magically appear. Sometimes it does sometimes it doesn't.

Compulsive knitting is one I do now and again. Knitting because I feel I have to. I have a slightly compulsive personality and have to keep this one in check every now and again. I can tell when I'm in that zone when I find myself pretending that I'm paying attention to some comment Mr. Sophanne has made about something on t.v.

Avoidance knitting occurs when there are things on my "must do" list that I don't want to do. This one has a partner called "Reward Knitting" which is what I do when I've actually accomplished something on the "must do" list.

Knit Night knitting has less to do with knitting than with the people I'm knitting with. It's also a good time to learn new stuff. Progress on any given project is less important than the forward progress of the community.

Having only given this idea an hour or so worth of thinking, I'm sure I'm missing some. What say you?

WIPS to KIP- an Inventory

Lest you think there has been no knitting in these parts, I thought it was time for a photo session and a WIP update.

First up- the pattern is Montego Bay Scarf from IK (summer 2007 I think). The yarn is a silk/merino handspun from the Waynesburg Sheep and Fiber festival 2 summers ago.

My knitting modus operandi is to buy the yarn I love and hope that the pattern will come. Of late I've also been trying to realize that keeping it simple is not always wrong. Although it's amazing how easy it is to turn 43 stitches into 42 when working a K2tog yo pattern.


Next- My first attempt at a basic EZ EPS system pullover with some colorwork. The yarn is from MDSW. The coloring above is what I hope to be the yoke pattern when I get brave enough to move on.


The pillow (Royal or Regal something) from Holiday knits is slowly making progress. I bought some reading glasses (argh) this weekend to aid progress. This chart is so itty bitty and I've not really mastered the enlarge button on the xerox machines. I'm about 1/3 of the way through the chart.


This is the Lettuce Leaf scarf in Lorna's Lace. I've made it through 6 repeats of the pattern and it's been getting easier as I go thanks to index cards. Again- I think it's all about finding the right pattern to match the fiber. We won't talk about those 8 stitches that slipped off about 10 minutes ago that may not have been returned to the needles exactly so. We also won't talk about the dog thinking that Lorna's Lace was "a crime" and taking a bite out of it, requiring me to bring in yarn in the middle of the row.


Now it's time for "true confessions." I really didn't think I was going to win Ruth's Medallion contest. I had already decided that I was going to make that bag and was not willing to wait. Then I won so I have a green one started and enough yarn to do a dark blue/light blue one (thanks to Ruth) Honestly I think this was why I haven't posted knitting pictures. I've felt guilty that I started it and then won enough for another. The truth has set me free.



And finally. I'm thinking I've found the pattern for this alpaca from MDSW.


The February Lady Sweater -raverly link- (EZ's baby jacket for grown ups) I hate that name. Maybe I'll call it the "Febulady Sprize" I need something with some holes in it for this heavy alpaca and the pattern recommends a 2 color sort of fiber for good effect.

We will not discuss the many socks that are on the needles. There is an internal struggle to do magic loop (or at least socks on 2 circs) that has left me in limbo in the sock world for the time being. Babette has 2 more panels that need to be sewn together. One of these days there's going to be a Big Ole FO Bonanza.

Suddenly!

It was in the car.

Right next to where I took the lunamoth picture.

Thanks for the finding thoughts.

Uh. Oh.

Can't. Find. The. Camera.

It. Was. Expensive.

Send. Finding. Thoughts. PLEASE.

Enough?

Really, what is enough?

My BuddhaNature tells me I have enough. The bins of yarn from MDSW suggest I have enough.

And Yet.

Bought 12 skeins of Cascade, 800 yards of some gorgeous laceweight, and some sock yarn at a LYS that I had never been to before. (We won't talk about books or addi turbo laceweight needles)

Now it's enough. I'm sure of it.

Maybe I just need to use skeins of yarn as home decor. And needles as hair accessories. It's not like I do great things regularly with them. I just like having them.

I know. Preaching to the choir.

Enough.

Chicken Bob or Maybe it's the heat. (cmus friday edition)

So I'm not going to say anything bad about our physical education teacher. He's not one of those cocky jock-types. He's not the kind and nurturing type (much anyway). He gives out more discipline slips than anyone else in the school. He was a substitute teacher for about 15 years before he got this job. Those of you with good line-in-between-reading skills probably have an accurate portrait.

He'll "do you a solid" when you need it and I don't hate working with him- even when he does explain the Marmaduke cartoon to us in the teacher's lounge presuming that because we didn't laugh when he read it to us that we didn't get it.

Today in the teacher's lounge two other colleagues were talking about a construction tractor that was stolen from a site nearby. They were discussing crime (of the rural sort) in general and comparing notes.

Mr. Gym inserted himself into the conversation at a paused moment and said, "It doesn't matter how many times I tell those teachers not to do it, they still let kids into the equipment room to get things for recess. I have things on my desk and my records in there. Now if someone would have asked I would have probably given it to him but when I came back on Thursday the rubber chicken that's been in there for years and years was missing."

me- "someone stole your rubber chicken?"

him (reflecting and a little doleful)- "yea."

I was kind of waiting for him to add "It was my favorite chicken."

At that point I had to leave. Maybe it was the heat. Maybe it was the anticipation of the school year ending. Maybe you have to know him. Maybe you had to hear my internal dialogue, but I was about ready to spit out my food and eat some more and spit it out again from trying not to laugh.

I went directly to the office and said "We need to call Sheriff Dare. Mr. Gym's rubber chicken is missing." (insert secretary spitting food here.)

I made two signs for him (as if I had nothing better to do on the last day of school but really, mostly I didn't.) One was a Wanted poster with Colonel Sanders' picture and another was of a rubber chicken asking "Have you seen me?"

I went in to make sure they didn't make him mad (you never know) and I was laughing laughing but never really said at what. I figured he knew. He laughed heartily with me and then said, "you should go look in my office, someone put up a wanted sign for Colonel Sanders." I wonder what he thought I was laughing at.

Later that day he went to the secretary (in all serious and I'm not even kidding-I kind of wish I was) and asked her to announce over the intercom that if anyone has seen "Chicken Bob" to please return him to the equipment room. I give the end of the day announcements and did as was requested. It may have also been me clucking on the intercom after the kids left and calling "there he goes...."

Z is for Zimmerman (however predictable)

I've read various accounts of those knitting with Elizabeth Zimmerman. My opinion is that if you started with her guidance and it's all you knew, you'd be a knitting genius. If you learned about knitting stuff in the more traditional learn to knit, make a scarf, learn to purl, learn to read a pattern sort of way, she can be a little intimidating.

Yesterday's comment about finding a series you love and watching it on DVD called to mind my EZ videos and books. I did begin working on the EPS sweater. I am a little nervous about it all working out. I feel good at the start but clearly as you work your way up the sweater, things get a little more complicated.

I think one summer goal will be to work my way through the two dvd's- particularly the knitting glossary one. Who knows what I might learn.

June of Spinning, July of Lace with EZ sprinkled throughout.

I cast on another lace-like thing last night- the Rose Lace Stole (Ravelry link) from Vogue Knitting Shawls on the Go in some cobweb misti alpaca. Steps I have taken to overcome obstacles-

1. I swatched a little bit with worsted weight to become acquainted with the pattern.

2. When I swatched I only put in one of the pattern repeats to ease my confusion.

3. I read and will continue to read Romi's tutorials of late.

4. I realized the advantage of stitch markers when it comes to pattern repeats.

I can't tell you how many times I've tried a provisional cast-on. I think I've got it (I put the provisional yarn where the "long tail" woudl be and the "real yarn" over my forefinger. What I don't know is what happens when you try to take it out because I have never gotten past three rows that far.

Hey kidz- it's the end of the alphabet- I wish I had taken it more seriously at the first letter. I could have won another one of Ruth's contests. As it is I'm sure I'm disqualified for the entry "A is for Knit Night" as well as the two posts in between A and B. It was a fun endeavor. My entries weren't nearly as profound as others I have seen but at least it gave me a goal in coming up with titles.

y is for yo mama and yo mama and yo mama

Those are the folks that will be at the 5th grade graduation today.

The elements of a decent blog composition have escaped me lately as I have been busy breathing my way through the snits and snats of the last few days of school.

One thing to make me laugh is that at knit night last night Darla said, "Someone could fart crossways and Canonsburg would have a parade." Apparently the parade mania has been featured on Good Morning America but I have no time to find a suitable link.

Sheepish Annie describes using index cards as her summer organizational tool. I too think it's a good idea to have some summer goals-even if I don't meet them. Mr. Sophanne's latest idea was a "things we need to do around the house list." Number one on the list was to figure out what to put on the list.

That being said, I'm open to creative suggestions (as in stuff other than knitting and household chores-the former being obvious and the latter ridiculous) as to how to entertain myself this summer. Let your minds roam free. Just remember I don't love to drive-and thanks in advance.

Now, everyone quietly chant "go home with yo mama, go home with yo mama."