I was reading a cookbook in bed last night

... and when I woke up I was a little chili. Bwah hah hah hah.

Actually- Sophanne The Delusional Cook had some success with white chili (chicken, Great White Northern Beans in a chicken broth base) in the crock pot yesterday.

I also attempted Chocolate Revel Bars (for those of you literate in actual recipe names). These were made with a store bought refrigerated cookie dough on the bottom, a middle layer of melted semisweet chocolate and sweetened condensed milk in the and another layer (but not complete covering) of cookie dough on top. They sort of tasted like chocolate chip cookie brownies. They have some potential as soon as I can get it so that the bottom layer cooks at the same speed as the top layer.

Mr. Sophanne declared success for both which is all a delusional cook needs to try again.

There is some errant knitting to show.

The glow in this picture is as much "cashmere glow" as it is poor lighting. I finally busted out the cashmere and having nothing I wanted to risk with it am doing a scarf like something.



Here we've got another attempt at a bear and some malabrigo mittens. The bear seemed easier to do than the last ones. I still need work on the embroidered face and the ear placement.



And a gratuitous Liza picture from my birthday last week.

updates on chicken and cookery

After a little consulting I was informed that chickens, even when they get really good at laying eggs, cackle afterwards as if to say "Look! Idid it again!"

With all of that egg production/release it makes me wonder if chickens are in a constant state of PM$.

I purchased this book at our school book fair (Fast Fix One Dish Meals : More Than 350 Comforting Casseroles and One Pan Recipes in case you don't feel like looking at the link)

Bloggers will be excited to know that Sophanne, the Delusional Cook (sounds like a superhoero a little bit)is making a reappearance. When I told Mr. Sophanne that I would be going to the grocery store today after school his only words of advice were "Be Careful."

On the other hand, short of getting friends and colleagues to bless the book with sacred karma, I'm having them autograph it so I won't be so alone in the kitchen when I try things. Just a little something to crack them up during the day.

crackmeup because what else can you do?

Other things that have had me laughing lately-

In a recent post, Gayle at Mangofeet was writing about her pullets laying eggs for the first time. She wrote-

I always picture that first egg as quite the surprise - the little hen spinning around to look, with an exclamation of "What the hell was that?!?"

That is hysterical.

Also knitnightJen wrote me a Ravelry message that said,

you left a big gaping yo at knit night.

I've had to miss a couple of weeks thanks to some bone fragments floating around in the Mr. Sophanne's knee. As I pointed out to her, I've made dinner twice in a row this week. This demonstrates just how out of kilter things are here at House of Sophanne.

And for the first time since I started this blog I have some stealth knitting. Yes, I am knitting for one of the 5 or 6 regular (or irregular- who am I to say) readers. It's actually stealth crocheting. And usually I hate it when people announce that but since this is the first time it's ever happened, I think I should get a pass.

Any predictions?

So this morning I arrived at school at the regular time to find that I was 15 minutes late for a faculty meeting. No biggie with the new boss but it still throws a girl off for a minute or two.

Then as one of my most favorite angelic-voiced 5th graders sauntered smiling into school she said, "Good Morning Miss Sophanne. Did you dye your hair white?"

um. no.

Any predictions as to what the rest of the day will bring?

Happy Birthday to me.

It's Mitten City around here. Mittens are my new socks. I'll be happy when the pattern is completely memorized. Almost there.

My birthday sharing friend got me a book called Loose Leashes that I had been admiring at a scholastic bookfair. HOLY ANN GEDDES OF DOG PHOTOS. My new favorite thing.

I picked up my balloons and birthday cake today. Mr. Sophanne's knee is once again under the weather. The pick-up could have been the most pathetic thing I ever did until I saw a favorite student and had her help me put 24 purple and lime helium balloons in the car and then put some on her mamaw's car. That was some fun. She wondered what I could possibly do with 24 balloons not understanding the man ordering world of "more is better."

Also now that I think about it, one birthday I was doing laundry and went to dinner with a guy doing laundry. Not in a Meg Ryan-Tom Hanks kind of way. More in a Helen Hunt-Jack Nicholson kind of way.

Some 3rd graders were making jokes about being birthday paddled 44 times. One kid very innocently said "We'll need a bigger paddle." You got that right. My 44 yr. old a$$ is likely twice the size of my 22 yr. old one.

Liza the Dog has been with us for two years now. Whatever did we do pre-Liza?

There were many thoughtful cards and gifts. I am a lucky dog.

nomoblopofowhoa

Today I wish that lettuce tasted more like french fries and that my bicycle seat on the trek trainer didn't feel like sitting on a desk corner.

Also Mr. Sophanne possibly wishes he could be age 9 again so that when one of his brothers said "I'm telling mom," he could say "yea, well I'm telling Jesus." Except his upbringing didn't really make that much of a threat and while I may not know everything about being Christian, I'm pretty sure there are some problems with that.

Naturally

the most ideal photo-ops occur when the camera rests happily at school.





The first picture is of the birthday-buddy mittens made for my birthday sharing friend at school.

The second and third are the "Let's Go Mountaineers!" sweater made top down from cascade. I've been chatting it up so much I thought I'd share a crappy picture of it. It's going to be a good fit and was the easiest sweater I've ever made. Although with the way the Mountaineers played football on Friday night, maybe I should rename the sweater.

I don't own any "be true to your school" clothes. This is as close as it gets. I'm not terribly fond of yellow gold in any articles of clothing. As I told the knitnighters- it's just enogh gold to say "go team" and the blue and brown are hanging out to say "shhh yellow gold- be QUIET!"

I "horsed up" (thanks knotmuchofaknitter for a great phrase) the decreases on the first sleeve preferring to think my brain knew what to do without looking to see which way the decreases were actually leaning. It was a mistake I could live with.

2/3's of a sleeve and a collar to go!

This must be my yearly treat

because usually any baking attempt of late is a "trick."

It's some mundlebread- a jewish version of biscotti is as close as I can describe it.

It's not burned. It appears edible. I might have something to make for the next faculty breakfast!

Maybe it's time to get some almond paste, almonds, and dried cranberries and fancy it up next time.

Why, yes, sometimes I am delusional.

in the interest of full disclosure-in desperation and appreciation of this rare event I used the video camera camera to snap the picture

Here's a cute puppy you haven't seen yet. Aunt's dog- Mac. I think he looks like Yankee Doodle so sometimes I call him Macadoodle. Except sometimes I call Liza Jane Lizadoodle and she looks nothing like Yankee Doodle. Doodle must be my dog suffix. I never call the cat Annabelledoodle. Inquiring minds want to know.

Aunt's face doesn't look like that. She has regular human features- it's just not the best picture I've seen of her so I didn't want it to be her blog debut.

The top down sweater has 2/3's of a sleeve but is on short-term hold so that I can whip up some mittens for my birthday sharing friend.

I conveniently left the camera at school so don't count on any pictures from the puppy parade at the fairgrounds tomorrow. I'm such a forgetful flibberty-jibbet.

But... if you go here you can see what it looked like at school today. I'm the webmaster and also the photographer so you'll kind of get to see what kids look like when they're looking at me. The first picture is actually my birthday buddy in her washing machine costume. The guy in the Yankees uniform is the new and awesome principal leading the parade.

housewarming gift extraordinaire

It was a nice Steubyville getaway though I am so regularly torn. I need to spend a weekend at home with husband and dog but my heart just wants to keep going back.

While asking questions about Uncle's family I learned of a peculiar housewarming gift Aunt received from an in-law on his side.

A cousin's wife brought her a bag of wishbones- real wishbones-and told her that if she painted them gold they would make for nice name tag holders at the dinner table.

Picture the thank you card. Dear ---, Thank you so much for the lovely turkey wishbones.

Crack-ed Me Up.

Still knitting on the top down plain old sweater. Ready for some ribbing on the bottom and some sleeves. Crossing my fingers that the amount of yarn I have will equal the amount of yarn I need.

All good things must come to an end...

and that's o.k. NYS (naive young student) finished his placement today. All was very quiet on the candy front. Perhaps he was waiting for someone to be thrilled at their not free candy. Didn't happen.

I am not terribly sad at the ending of this chapter. For as much fun as the candy was, the rest- not so much. That's how it is with young men and women finding their way in life. What they think they want to do and what they really should be doing sometimes don't interface. I will be glad to be teaching again.

It's another trip to Steubyville on Saturday. Trying to get as many in as I can before El Niño arrives.

There's a top down sweater that has about 5 more inches on the body and some sleeves to go.

House of Sophanne now proudly owns a Heavy Duty ShopVac to suck up the swarms of lady-bug wannabe Japanese Beetles that tornadoed our house.

We also found that Heavy Duty ShopVacs do a great job on the crevices that collect animal fur and dust in the corners of our home.

Mr. Sophanne has decided to do something to make the house nice for an hour every day. Yay him. I'm a little slow to join him but think I'm safe as long as I keep expressing gratitude at our shining home and keep the dog occupied.

The bug-catcher was purchased at the big box store that always makes you buy more stuff than you need. Liza got a frisbee. It's now chewed. Anybody have a recommended chew free frisbee source they want to share? I think we might be able to get her to do the BEST TRICK EVER in the doggie world if only we could find something that didn't taste so good.

Today at the candy machine....

before I even went in that direction he informed me that we weren't getting free candy but that someone was putting quarters into the machine. Imagine my surprise! I said "That's Hysterical!!! I wonder who's doing it?"

We questioned all of the likely suspects in the teachers lounge. He added up the amount of money someone must have spent to make it happen. We speculated that maybe it was the principal or the custodians. The mystery remained a mystery.

At the end of the day I confided in him (slightly fearful that he would be annoyed at being the brunt of it all but I can only hold a lie for about an hour or two before I fess up) that I indeed was the person who put the quarters in the machine. He asked me why and I said "Because I liked the idea of the magic candy machine." He said "I knew someone was doing it. It can be our little secret."

So he and I are tricking everyone into thinking that there is a little do-gooder in the building putting quarters in the machine and we aren't going to say who.

Shhh....mum's the word!

Oh the tangled web we weave...

Update on Candyland...

Machine refilled today. At first we thought there was no interest and the jig was up.

Then he revealed at lunchtime that he went in this morning and got a free KitKat bar.

Then he went to the custodian and told her he thought the candy machine was broken and that it was giving free candy.

Then, after seeing it's magic again at lunchtime when I got "free" M&M's, he later went to the secretary and said, "I think someone is playing a prank... I think there's money in there."

Secretary innocently replied, "Who would do such a thing?"

So now that it's taken this turn, I believe I will continue to be the "dupe" of the prank. I will fill it with money tomorrow once again and I can go in and get all of the "free" stuff and he'll think I really believe that it's free.

Bwah hah hah hah! Why does this make me laugh so much?

Foiled!

In an attempt to continue the candy machine ruse, I put quarters in all of the slots of the vending machine today just before lunch. Secretary got a "freebie." I got a "freebie." Physed teacher (remember Chicken Bob?) got a "freebie." And, while my naive protégé looked longingly at the machine, he refrained. I was most disappointed, as yesterday he turned every knob when we walked in. I plan on refilling the slots again tomorrow- just in case. This will be the best $15 I'll have spent in quite some time.

Knit night tonight. I'm still mad at the chartreuse vest. Instead I am just past the break for the sleeves on a top down sweater ala Barbara Walker with some subtle college team colors. It's leftover Cascade from when I didn't make the EZ adult surprise jacket. I might be able to make six more.

Did I mention that last Sunday after returning home from my Steubyville visit, Mr. Sophanne made a Pot Roast in the Crock Pot and it was AweSome? I love that guy. I'm telling you because I think he is wondering if I blogged about it and I feel a little "oblogated."

bloggy blogg blog

I still have not much to say but I do like to blog

What's made me laugh lately-

I'm thinking if I ever become a yarn producer I would call my company "Yahwn Yarn" then people from Boston or Brooklyn would sound like they're saying the same word twice.

Just a few minutes ago Mr. Sophanne used his nyah nyah boo boo voice and call Liza Jane "bone-eater."

We sang the theme from "Dallas" more than once at knit night on Tuesday. Also hummed quite nicely was the theme from the Andy Griffith show which I didn't recognize right away because none of us could whistle.

Finally- there is a naive young man under my tutelage who has been convinced (not by me) that the candy machine in the teacher's lounge sometimes magically dispenses candy if you just give the knob a turn. This illusion continued today when someone (not me) supplied the quarters to put in the slot ahead of time to dispense "free" candy. I think he's onto us but it's amazing what adults will do when surrounded by children.

I miscounted the number of stitches to divide in the neck of my chartreuse vest-to-be. Knit night Jennyfer offered a solution (making up the missed stitches in the middle thus creating a sort of not-v neck.) I finished it but am not in love and thus it rests in the "maybe next week" pile.

Finally- Country Music-I'm not a big fan of any kind. It's not my thing. And yet- while looking for angel songs to include in my upcoming holiday program I heard Alabama's "Angels Among Us." It might be my new secret favorite song-I'm looking forward to hearing 5th graders sing it- once I get past the narration/sort of singing at the beginning- I'll be adding a little melody and rhythm to that part.

a feeling of accomplishment

The hat is Ysolda Teague's Urchin It's not exactly the type of yarn she called for so it looks more rasta-like and less urchin-like. The mitts are from Ann Budd's how to knit everything book.

Except It is completely incomprehensible to me why mitten pattern writers believe that it's reasonable to add only one stitch at the thumb gusset.

I said- break all the rules and I picked up and knit 4 (FOUR) that's right you read it here first 4Four stitches. At the next go across that part I k2'd tog and ssk-ed to get back to a sort of normal stitch count. So there.

For the first time in a month all of the clothes in my house are clean as is my dog and the dishes.

Here's to a week that isn't full of CrazyTown.

some knitting

There's been a little knitting here and there.

The pink/green mitten is LanaGrossa merino using Ann Budd's formula. Two are done- one has a thumb that needs re-done. One is completely thumbless. Why is it that every mitten I knit feels like a swatch? The yarn was supposed to be felted clogs-a gift from Yarnhog but she understands that things change. I'm thinking about Ysolda's urchin as a matching hat.

The gray is LanArt alpaca- $5/skein on sale from the Waynesburg fiber festival. I wasn't going to post tonight because I can't find the pattern to tell you what it is but I'm thinking you won't mind. It's going to be a lace stole but with the knit side looking so much like the purl side I just spent the last hour tinking 4 rows. I've got a big ole pile of the yarn so I'll knit until I run out. I'm pretending it's going to look gorgeous once it is blocked-and I've planned for the alpaca halo so it won't make me mad.

The finished angoraish CPH that was finished last summer has been worn several times and wins the prize for the best knit ever when it comes to size, weight, and comfort.

Speaking of Yarnhog, her ringing endorsement of the kindle and the fact that she got it for her birthday led me down the path of gadget. I have to get used to the fact that unlike the itouch, there's no touch screen but I think it's going to be a good purchase. I have no room for shelves. I have no more room for books. I like to read. win. win. win.

Now I have a kindle and a spinning wheel because Yarnhog does. I hope she doesn't decide to jump off a bridge.

Mr. Sophanne

The best husband in the world is the one who, after spending several hours with your relatives says, "you're right honey, they are exactly the way you describe them."

moving on

Uncle died last night. He spent much of yesterday asking what time it was. I'm pretty sure he was trying to time his departure to make it easier for Aunt.

He visited today as Aunt tried to remember the name of the catering service she was trying to remember. She said, "I never remember the name, I always ask Uncle." I said, "Ask him now." Then she remembered.

Here's what I can tell you- when we were little he did magic tricks- when we went to the beach he bought squeaky bird puppets that made us laugh for hours- when he hid the afikomen at Passover it was always under his plate-when people needed a defense attorney in Steubenville, he was there and if they couldn't pay he would charge them less-

We are sad and going to miss him but that's the way life goes.

What a nurse shouln't say...

no matter how well meaning she is-

"if he dies while you're at lunch, God meant for it to happen."

Thankfully we have left that part of the hospital and have moved to palliative care.

Have you seen

this?

NPR story/picture on handwoven spider silk. Seriously no one could pay me enough to collect that!

Loretta Morgan

Yesterday was spent at the hospital. Uncle is refusing hospice believing that he will be walking out any day now. It's hard to watch aunt and uncle but knowing that so many of you have been through such times I know that this too shall pass.

I took a walk to the waiting room yesterday to call Mr. Sophanne and my weariness led to telephone tears. I pulled it somewhat together and hung up.

Loretta Morgan is the woman who empties the garbage and dust-mops the floor in his room. She was in the waiting room taking a break. I looked to her and said "can you hug me and help me?" and she did. Turns out uncle was her grandmother's attorney way back when.

The world is so connected.

There are good people in it.

time out

Favorite Uncle is heading to hospice- I've been busy- thanks for being blog friends. I'll be back later.

Health Care...

or things you would prefer not to hear on a visit to the local hospital.

"He's got good insurance, let's keep him for observation."

"He's probably allergic to food additives- we better not feed him."

"I never said that."

"If you leave now, your insurance won't pay for anything." (which was a lie.)

from the doctor at 6:30 PM-after waiting for 9 hours to be seen "I'm still on my morning rounds."

A swollen tongue, some steroids, and 12 hours later, and all is well with the Mr. Sophanne- I'm glad for that but a little peeved at missing the big Celebration Weenie Roast at school.

In Search Of...

a crack me up post. Maggie and I are adventuring this weekend so there may be that.

In the meantime here's a little story. It might be a "you had to be there" story- consider yourself forewarned.

They are reconstructing the entrance to the school where I work. Because it is the entrance, work takes place in the evening when there is less traffic. Essentially we don't know what it will look like when we arrive in the morning.

Discussing this at lunch today, my favorite kindergarten aide said that she imagines little trolls, 2 ft. tall, coming in at night in their elf-like costumes, standing on each others shoulders and deconstructing and reconstructing the doorways. The art teacher began to sing "Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work I go." When I, with my raspy-just-finished-having-a-cold-voice, began to sing the monkey song from the Wizard of Oz, the kindergarten aide laughed chocolate shake out her nose.

I consider the day a success.

I phoned her this evening and left a message on her answering machine singing the oompah loompah song.

It just goes to show you that not all teacher's lounges are full of cranky-a$$ed complaining teachers.

and the winner is

throwslikeagirl74!

I sent you a message on fac3book

You too...

could pay $20 to learn that the check engine soon light comes on if you haven't closed your gas cap with three clicks.

Or you could read it here first. But you'd still have to pay $20 to get them to turn the light off.

Cast on for chicknits mondo cable shell/vest in some Louet gems superwash willow. After you've knit on 1's and 2's for a while, 8's feel like some serious cheatermaneater.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway. I'll randomly select a winner on Monday!

wave goes up?

There's a kid in kindergarten who I'm supposed to call "Pony."

ETA birth certificate middle name IS Pony. You'll understand that I've forgotten the first name. I was busy trying to call him Pony.

all about me.

I walked the dog and gave her a smelly-good bath.

I don't hate my job.

I don't hate my boss.

I have miles of lace knitting on size 3 needles- on three different projects. I have a second koigummmm sock to finish.

The most exhilarating thing I have to report is that the "Service Engine Soon" light came on in the car today.

Kindergarten starts tomorrow and knit night is tomorrow night so there might be an anecdote or five to relate.

In the crack me up sine wave of my existence, we seem to be in a valley and that's o.k. with me.

Macro-ni

It was the first day of school and I have no complaints. In fact I went to work with a smile and came home feeling the same way.

Last night Jen and Ursula brought me some lemon balm and white lavender. No sunlight for these photos but I told you I was going to play with the macro setting on the camera.



Of the other 10-15 pictures I took, the Queen Anne's Lace pleased me.




Chatting about imaginary friends last night, it dawned on me that blogging isn't the only place where there are imaginary friends. While I have met a few of them, I certainly wouldn't recognize any of Mr. Sophannes co-workers on the street but when he talks about them, I know them. He knows the whole knit night community, regularly asking who was there and fondly remembering that one who could do the killer Italian accents and tell hysterical jokes- he never even met her.

Rock on imaginary communities!

What's Wong with this Picture?

Dr. Harry K. Wong is an educator turned publisher embraced by our county school system. While I had never heard of him, his quotes seemed relevant (if not slightly commonsensical) and I have no real opinion of him one way or another.

What I do have is a quote from this afternoon's staff development session where our academic coach said- and I quote- I wrote it down word for word- "Who here has experienced Harry Wong?" I'm 12 in my head- what could I do?

Other than that 30 second quote, the rest of the day was full of what Mr. Sophanne called the Kumbyah of back-to-schoolness.

"Think back to your favorite teacher- what were the qualities that made him/her your favorite? Share them with the people at your table. Now think back to your least favorite teacher and do the same. What qualities do you want your students to remember you as having. Make a list- staple is shut- I'll give them back to you in January and you can check your progress."

This was a meaningful activity the first time I did it. I even remember reflecting a little the second time I was asked the same thing. Today I just reached back into the file folder of previous answers and watched everyone else reflect.

As I recall, "jaded" wasn't one of the redeeming qualities but brutally honest may have made the list. I scored a 50%.

That being said, I wanted to put a positive spin on the wasted day so I'm having a give-away. I like that better than the word "contest" Tell me a story in the comments about your best or worst teacher and I'll randomly draw on Labor Day. The prize? I like to make it easy on myself and fun for others so it will be a $25 gift card to my favorite crack Namaste dealer Scout's Swag

I can't really keep track of the "if you post it on your blog-send somebody-extra entry" business so everybody gets one chance but if you spread the word, there will be more stories and that might be nice.

A Fresh Start

I may not be fresh and ready for the new school year to start but my fruits and vegetables will be.

Oh what a difference one leader can make. The thing about the Michael Scott that left that was unlike the "real" Michael Scott (as if there actually were a REAL Michael Scott) was that she lacked sincerity. The New Michael Scott did in 45 minutes worth of usually useless meeting time what she was unable to do in 4 years.

He said essentially "Hey- I'm here. I'll do my best. I care about you and the kids and the school and the community. Let's have a weenie roast! I don't like them steamed- I'll do the grilling. I like to cut grass- I'll take care of that. Help me learn what I don't know. I'll be here before you get here every day. You can count on me."

I Don't Have A Stomach Ache About My New Boss. That can always change but it's a seriously MUCH better way to start the year. (If you're reading, my condolences HRDL)


Helping the situation is some luxury yarn. This is trying to be the Lacy Prairie Shawl from Folk Shawls- malabrigo lace-weight forest green. I also cast on for the same project in cascade marled eco-wool for something big and warm to do later this winter.



Hey kids- name this yarn- koigummmm- too easy. I just found the macro button on my camera. There's no real light this evening but consider yourself warned oh those afraid of closeups.

It's a wonderful town...

This is what Coney Island looks like on a hot day in August. It took every bit of effort to remain vertical in the heat!





I highly recommend West Side Story. Tony was a bit of an acting/singing disappointment but Maria and the rest of the cast made it worthwhile.

I don't understand. The mom of 4 kids in front of us bought skittles- sour gummy drops etc. for her children to crackle throughout the first 40 minutes of the show, stopping only when the German man behind us said, "Can't you find another time to eat? Stop It." Yay for the German guy.

It also begs the question- why the hell do they sell such things at the theater? My theory? People believe that the movies are now like their living room at home and the theater is like the movies. Ugh. It was a similar experience at The Lion King only it was running commentary in Italian-even that was tolerable because it is a sort of "for kids" kind of event.

After the show we went to Maxies on 48th and 7th. We both ordered Maxie's Classic Rueben which was essentially a pound of corned beef smothered in sauerkraut and swiss cheese. There might have been some bread underneath. Neither of us really got that far. It was a little more than I was hoping for (and how often do you get to say that?)



Today I worked on the HP bag. It'll do. Tomorrow I'll attempt inserting a lining. Having never done that, I'm happy for any advice you might send my way.

speed knitting

How's this for some lazya$$ blocking?



I also should have followed all good advice and stretched the stitches out regularly on the rh needle when switching colors. I'm not going to win any patience prizes for this one. There is some crochet finishing to seam the bottom and add form to the sides, some fringe and a strap. I was so obsessed by this that I feel like I wasn't even at last week's knit night. Busy counting red and yellow-gold (which also happens to be my two most not favorite colors together-I can admit that now that I've gotten through it)

I'm taking another train ride tomorrow to NYC- meeting the mama somewhere out there. We've go tickets to West Side Story on Saturday. I think this trip's "one new thing" will be to go to Brighton Beach/Coney Island. If it stays this hot, we won't be alone. Back on Sunday with hopefully no bad stories to tell (you may recall that the last time we tried this trip it was only for one night and the stagehands went on strike that very night.)

more knitting

My friend Maggie is going through a Harry Potter phase of epic proportions. Given that it's likely to last 6 months at best (she's entering 9th grade you know) I thought I'd better get this one on and off the needles as quick as I could. The HP FairIsle pouch bag can be found here. This much is done since about 11:00 this morning. I may even be able to have it finished by the time I see her on Wednesday. O.k. now that I've typed that it's certain that I won't but it will be close.

oh, there's some knitting

and as soon as I recover the misplaced camera, you'll see it. ETA-found it. : )

Daffydil forest canopy is bound off and blocked- thanks to those who suggested I do this sooner rather than later. Artful yarns' is a little twistier than what was used but it didn't really matter on the last 5" of bind off.




Angora/wool Central Park Hoodie is seamed with the ends woven in- could use a good blocking- may or may not get it.

On the needles? Wool Peddler's Shawl in Noro sock yarn, Slinky Ribs from Custom Knits in gold Elsbeth Lavold (though my dye lots don't match and I'm pondering solutions) and another Forest Canopy shawl in Lorna's Laces laceweight.

Each project on the needles has a different goal. The wool peddler's shawl is a new lace pattern- trying to expand my ability to read charts. The Slinky Rib is another attempt to follow written directions, and Forest Canopy in laceweight is an attempt to manipulate the thinner fiber into something beautiful. I know the pattern well so that the only issue will be the yarn weight.

Last night we took the dogwatchers to a Washington Wild Things baseball game. I entered the Tickets for Kids basket raffle. The first winner didn't claim the prize and my ticket was called as the back-up winner. Prizes included a terrible towel, an ipillow with a speaker inside, and various bags and lunch boxes. As the Wild Things lost, the prize basket became more and more exciting.

The dogwatcher drank a gallon and a half of beer in 4 hours. A gallon and a half. He seemed unaltered by this which was a good thing as far as I was concerned, but a damn gallon and a half!

not always the angel

This is a picture of little Miss Thing the night the kids stayed up until 2:00 am. I show her not at her very best because this afternoon as I was taking one of the NY'ers to Red Lobster and Harry Potter, she chewed into my fabric sock knitting bag and chewed every last size 2 wooden dpn I had.

In better news- a skein of "Artful Yarns" canary bound off forest canopy the Two. It will block tomorrow along with an EZ BSJ that's been done for months and will be part of a silent auction.

multi topic post no title applicable

Knit night- popcorn and m&m's mixed as a snack food. Must. Try.

Stray-Much to Liza's delight and Annabelle's dismay, there is a stray cat-very loving- hanging around the house. I mention this because Neghbor Marilyn told me that it and another neighborhood cat went "a$$ over tincups" down the hill in a territorial dispute. "A$$ over tincups." That cracked me up.

Yesterday was Rain Day here in the 'burg. For the 5 years that I've lived here, it's not really rained any significant amount on Rain Day. Usually around 4:00 pm you'll hear someone say "I think I felt a raindrop." or "Someone said it rained at the airport." (why yes, we do have an "airport" of sorts.)

This year it was pouring in the morning. Threatening around the afternoon. Mr. Sophanne and I discussed going for street fair food and he said "but it's raining" and I said "but that's the point." It was all very confusing.

We went with Liza but were stopped abruptly when I saw the "No Pets" sign. He got some fair food and I listened to the "wife calling your husband with a rolling pin" contest. This mostly consisted of screaming and the words "Get Your Butt...." etc.

As we sat at the side of the courthouse finishing dinner two young girls (7-10ish) approached to pet Liza. Then they turned into the "Look what I can do!" kind of kids. This "do" consisted of falling to her hands on the pavement and kicking her feet up in the air.

I told Neighbor Marilyn about this and she said "Where do these people come from? It's just not the same group of people there anymore" (or something to that effect.) Later I asked her if she had seen Neighbor Ellen and she replied "She's probably at Rain Day." Crack me up? yes.

And in news that is yet to be seen as good or bad, my Michael Scott is leaving. In an effort to list all that we've been through she mentioned that we didn't meet AYP standards (classy) and that we were no longer the county's best kept secret. She was tearful and apologetic about leaving. Most had no reaction as we had already learned this from the county's job-posting site. Best wishes Michael. Now I might friend you on Facebook.

Tomorrow I'm adventuring to Mountain Mama's house to pick blackberries and maybe play the flute. She lives way out there and going over always feels like a secret vacation. Last year we accidentally planned lessons for the start of the school year so anything is possible.

Seriously?

eta- there was not enough yarn to bind off-in spite of my best efforts. I believe at some point I will undo the bind off and go for the single purl to make sure I get to the end!




Angry KG must have moved East. Maybe it's just the Wicked KG of the East.

What you see here is the Forest Canopy Shawl in Stitchjones' one of a kind only skein sold Daffodil. The second photo is where I thought I saw trouble ahead and switched from the pattern bind off (which called essentially for twice as much yarn for a heavier edge) to a regular purl bind off.

I will fix it someday. Go back. Take out two rows from the bottom edge. Put it back on the needles. Reknit. Cast off. Not today. For now, it's in Time Out.

Friends, this is much worse than running out of yarn on a long-tail cast-on.

Though secretly I am impressed that I came this close when guessing when to start the bottom edge which means this will likely happen again and that's just sick

A week's worth

Seven pairs of socks so far. Although I'm not sure I'm counting the first pair on the left. They're made of AlpacaSox and may or may not be superwash- hence not appropriate for the weekly washing cycle.



The way I see it, I have maybe seven more pairs to knit and all sock yarn will be accounted for.

Also in progress is the incredibly colorful and warm though possibly not at all attractive Sockghan.

I don't love long socks. A six inch top means that I can half it and do the heel so I stick with that formula. As a result, there is usually about a sock's worth of yarn leftover. I could cast on a third (as suggested by a knit night friend) for those just in case times but really, who wants to cast on for a THIRD sock?

This is a work in progress. I'm pretending that the black will "pull it all together" and make it looked like stained glass. It's the basic granny pattern from Babette- only I'm not paying attention to square sizes and ragtag attaching them as I finish.



Central Park Hoodie the Two has one front ribbed band completed- left to do is the other side, some sleeve attaching, side seaming, and blocking.

This Just In

Girl and Dog Reunited.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Rewards for Survival

We found the rental car place- a short 7 mile drive with a google map on the itouch. Too bad the cab driver that took us back to the hotel didn't have it. He turned it into a 15 mile drive on highways at 90 mph. I'm sure he's now thinking "those people from out of town NEVER tip." Cabbies should think twice about scamming the tourists with all of the techno-gadgets there are revealing their dishonesty.

It's a 7:00 am flight and we'll get the dog on the way home (around 7:00 pm tomorrow)

With an afternoon to kill, Mr. Sophanne's bloodhound-like nose found a casino a block or two from the hotel. His reward for a week survived. (and yes, there is an apple pie in the hotel fridge and some sushi for lunch for me)

I plan on working/finishing my daffydil Forest Canopy Shawl- what a nice break from socks it will be. I also downloaded myself a little reward for the flight home. For $23.99 I got all of season one of"Flight of the Conchords". Hotel internet made for speedy downloading and I've divided them up on the itouch, the ipod and the computer to make the battery life last. I'm actually looking forward to the long flight!

It's second best only to your reassuring comments and stories that got me through the week!

Fairfield is Good

We are in a hotel near SeaTac. Last night I slept on a couch and Mr. Sophanne slept on a twin bed mattress. We made an executive decision to spend two rather than one night in a hotel.

Ten days of family seemed to do it for everyone. Three of the five may come to swim at the hotel tomorrow. I may have understated the meltdowns. Or else maybe they are looking bigger in hindsight. Full-blown screaming temper tantrums may be a more accurate description. And now we are done for the year and maybe they'll grow out of them next year. Democratic versus dictatorial parenting. Democracy leads to temper tantrums when the rational breaks down. Someone's probably written a graduate thesis on this but having lived it, I think I'll pass. Sometimes "because I said so" should just take precedence.

As the non-parent in the mix, I still have a little eye twitch that I'm sure I'll recover from by October or so.

There were plenty of good and smiling times and like many other adventures I've had, I'm sure eventually I'll remember this one fondly. Right now, I'm going to knit and try not to think about finding the rental car place, finding our way back to the hotel and getting on an airplane for hours and hours. Maybe it would be best to watch some video of the dog.

Issaquiet in Issaquah

We've left the beach house and 3 of the 5 youngun's behind. We're now at son and DIL's house. I am decompressing. I imagine they are too.

There is a distinct difference between parenting techniques between the two families. There are advantages to both but I'm glad we're ending our visit in this quieter place. Any more whining crying meltdowns and I was pretty sure I would throttle someone.

Two nights here- and some quality time with Walter Longfellow the dog- part retreiver part Great Dane- what a mix! Head like a lab- body like a Dane- ball chasing skillz of the lab- relative stoicism of the Dane. He's a most peculiar pup.

I am beginning to return to my own body.

T

T-ball and Tacos and lots of sun. Two more socks to add to the mix.

some poetry

I forgot momentarily that in between refereeing we found some time to write a poem based on two favorite phrases of Lily (9) and Levi (7)

Lily went off to the ocean.
Levi went off to the sea
They thought that they would catch some fish
But neither did succeed.
Lily said, "Whatever."
Levi said "So What."
Becky said, "What's wrong with you kids?! I'll give a big kick in the butt."

Levi climbed a mountain
Lily climbed a hill
The saw a goat carrying a boat
take an awful spill.
Lily said, "Whatever."
Levi said "So What."
Becky said, "What's wrong with you kids?! I'll give a big kick in the butt."


Levi went to Pluto
Lily went to Mars
Fortunately for both of them they remembered
their peanut butter jars.
Lily said, "I like this."
Levi said, "Me too!"
Becky said, "Get Back here you kids I'm so lonely without you!"

from Frederick Galleries titled "Ice Cream Meltdown"

and for the record, no matter how good they are with kids, boys will be boys. Just as the peak of the tantrum subsided, Mr. Sophanne called the tantrum thrower a "baby" and said we'd get a plane ticket and leave tonight. Eventually apologies were exchanged and all is well with the world but, well... you know.

Blackjack anyone?

Nothing says "family vacation" like an early morning blackjack lesson.

Day is Done

I am glad. Called the dog. She's o.k.

We spent the afternoon at the pool.

I'm really not so much a people person.

new beach houses

Mr. Sophanne and entourage returned from the store with poptarts, fruitloops, and 3 bags of gummy worms ignoring the fact that they just had eggs, soy milk, and toast as per what the mama recommends.

This for children whose dietary sugar is limited generally to one small candy/piece of gum a day. I was not amused and almost became the tsk tsk'er but then figured- what the hell-it's vacation for them too. If we keep feeding them sugar, we can prolong the meltdown. So far so good but I feel really bad for the mama and the papa tonight.

After amply supplied with empty calories we explored at the shore. No crab was safe. I insisted that Bob explain the Buddha's "Hurt no Living Thing" premise to them and without complaint, when we left, the crabs were returned to their natural habitat. They may need some trauma therapy after being banished to the "punishment shell" within the rock circle of crabness.



Mr. Sophanne also introduced one of his favorite pastimes- "Nature Art."



We're looking forward to watching the tide slowly decimate this abode in "our" back yard. It was all we could do not to throw rocks at it to speed up the process.

We drove down the road a bit to explore swimming options for tomorrow and found more shore very similar to that in the back yard.

I learned that you can do the same thing in a different place with kids and to them it will feel different. (I knew it was true of the songs we sing in kindergarten-same tune-different words-only the very brightest will pause and say "hey... that sounds like...") The house building continued.




After the youngest said "I'm Hungry" we skipped the trip to the grocery store- I was oh so wary of the meltdown potential- and ate at a nearby Mexican Restaurant- a stroke of brilliance on the part of Mr. Sophanne and stupidly- something I wouldn't have thought of. And now here's the kicker... we didn't have a doggie bag. All kids ate all food (each other's and/or their own) and there was no food trauma.

A public thanks to all of the experienced mamas reading and commenting and joining me on this trip. It has reduced my stress level considerably to know you're out there and have got my back.

New Olympic Event

Much like its predecessor, Volleyshoe is an excellent beach game. Played with a size 2 purple croc (specs can and do vary) there are fewer volleys and skilled play is based on the drama of the hit more than the accuracy.

"Getting Under the Shoe" and "Setting the Shoe" is encouraged as is "Diving for the Shoe." To date the record number of successful volleys is three.

The advantage to Volleyshoe over it's more traditional Volleyball is that the shoe does not go rolling off into the water. Volleyshoe appears to have the effect of keeping seven and nine year old siblings bicker-free (and occasionally apologizing for poor volleys) for OVER FORTY MINUTES.



For those of you joining me on this journey, here is a map of where you are. The beach in the photo above is Alki Beach in West Seattle. Our cozy cottage is a few blocks south of here.



And now, because you are my friends and I feel I can trust you, I have to tell you that sometimes kids make me crazy and impatient. While I'm sure the impression I've often given is one of absolute patience and kindness (and I have maintained this external illusion thus far here on Fantasy Island), I may start to lose it pretty soon.

Mr. Sophanne is experiencing some slight reaction with some of his food allergies and and is certain that his heart will likely explode any minute in a way that only a man with some discomfort can be.

This left me large and in charge for about 3 hours this morning. While I know I should be the good and patient wife, I struggle. I forced him out of bed this morning and said "It's nine o'clock." He seemed distressed that I was more concerned with the time than with the pain in his side (NOT near his heart.)

He has now decided to push his way through the pain and I've got a little down time as they are adventuring in the car. If there is something seriously wrong, I'll have this post to make me feel guilty for the rest of my life. If not, then I'm guessing many of you know exactly where I'm coming from in the Mars/Venus world.

For the past 5 years of marriage, Mr. Sophanne and I have taken this family trip, visiting, trying to create good family memories etc. I am not the evil step-mother. I'm not even old enough to be the mother of his children- which in many circumstances could be (and in the beginning- was) slightly awkward.

I told him on our journey here that for the first time, I felt welcomed, loved and that family was looking forward to seeing me and that my only real anxiety was the air travel and kid overload.

I shared this with his daughter as well when we went shopping and we had one of those "yea, we're o.k." moments.

During the trip I took note of the lovely cut flowers and knew that while we were paying for the food, adding flowers to the mix would be considered less than frugal. No biggie.

This afternoon, when daughter's husband and smallest child came back from taking the mama to work, they delivered these.

They are the nicest flowers I've ever gotten with the most sincere sentiment behind them. I got me some in-laws and they're pretty awesome.

I found a more better vase but would feel a little self-conscious taking another picture of them. Know that they are now appropriately housed.





AND- I made pasta, sausage and toasted bread for 5 adults and 5 kids and there was enough and it didn't suck!

Also there was a dead red jellyfish in "our" backyard. Coincidentally enough- it looks like the sauce we had with dinner.

Former selves

Dear Pre-Vacation Self,

Thank you for packing the BullFrog no deet and Benadryl

Love,

Vacation Self

p.s. if you ever need 9 year old "slightly aloof" kids to get all huggy and cuddly, tell them that you miss your dog and you need someone to take her place for some "I love you" time.

Puget Sound

Every now and then the camera can make things look more dramatic than they really are. Things aren't quite this dark but there has been some thunder and it looks promising.

Also missing are the sound effects of Mr. Sophanne talking about his ancestry and the book he's been working on about it, 5 laughing screaming children and one daughter-in-law talking about what she wants to do to her house next. You can filter the pleasant and unpleasant sounds for yourself

Steak, salmon, and an avocado salad with some water chesnut-like crunchy addition (that I can't remember the name of) for dinner with fresh green beans and bread. (now I feel like I'm twittering but I told you I was going to share the experience-and it's keeping me sane.)

Groceries for lunch and dinner purchased along with a small package of Fran's decadent award winning gray salt caramels. Daughter of Mr. Sophanne (not the house talker) is an herbalist and I'm not sure if this is a standard PMS cure but it certainly did not hurt.

we let the little people carry the bags.

A good night's sleep- some bagels and a walk to Miller Park a block away.



Heading to Puget Sound this afternoon.



We let the little people carry the bags.

The Zoo

I only carried one bag- Mr. Sophanne wore shoes- The hippo went in and out of the water.

Old Dog- New Tricks

Lessons learned from Seattle '08 and '07.

1. Get a hotel room the night you arrive and the night before you leave. This relieves all pre and post travel anxiety and keeps everyone fresh and happy for meeting and greeting. It helps if you're Mr. Sophanne and you search the credit card companies for bonus Fairfield Marriot night points. This hotel has wifi- yippee.

2. Don't quit reading and writing blogs. It may be the only thing that keeps you sane.

3. Not every flight is as bad as the last few we've had and we've arrived safely and in relatively decent humors. I recommend 50 mg of xanax and 3 ibuprofen to take the edge off.

Ya'll are coming on this vacation with me- not just reading about it later.

Another lesson from Seattle '09

When your flight takes you from Pittsburgh to Seattle via Dulles in Washington DC, the actual flight time to Seattle is extended by about the same time it took you to get to DC. doh.

Mr. Sophanne can find treats (ice cream, muffins, milk, chexmix, and yogurt) anywhere. If he were ever to go on Survivor, they would all have apple pie as a bedtime snack.

Let the lessons Begin-Seattle Adventure '09

As we prepare once again to trek across the country, I've learned a few things and we haven't even left yet.

1. It's much harder to leave your dog the second year than the first (when she was still doing annoying puppy things.) Can you say Niagra Falls? Oy. Didn't see that coming.

2. I can fit all of my leftover sock yarn as well as enough for 3 pairs of socks without even an extra bulge in the luggage. Much wiser than trying to haul a whole sweater from ocean to ocean.

3. It is possible to convince Mr. Sophanne that he does NOT need to pack Four. Pairs. of Shoes. for a ten day vacation. We've got it down to two. I may regret this later but at least he'll get a new pair of shoes out of it.

4. The cat doesn't look so bad when the dog's gone.

We're going to the zoo on Friday. If see you a Steve Martin/Herman Munster/Ralph Kramden sort of friendly looking guy playing around at the Seattle Zoo with 5 monkeys of his own, be sure to stop and say hi. I'll be the one carrying all the stuff. He'll be the one with no shoes.

Dear Winter Self

In addition to 5 pairs of socks, I knitted you some giant mittens. I hope you like them.



Debbie Bliss Chunky Cashmerino- size 10 dpns- cast on 30 stitches- used Ann Budd's How to knit everything book and the 30 stitches column.

The last few pairs I've knit (not with the same yarn) have been too short at the top. (nothing to do with her pattern- plenty to do with me not measuring accurately at all.)These are a little too long at the top. 23 rows from gusset to decrease was about 3 too many. Maybe summer self will make another pair.

The green is some duplicate stitching because that can be so enjoyable. Yea, the thumbs don't have any decoration but big deal.

Who says I don't knit for others?

If Mr. Sophanne says it, it must be so.

This afternoon, my dear husband called me a "bag ho." This is no surprise. It seems that the bag bug hits just before travel time when I am hoping to get the perfect travel bag bags.

I loves me some Namaste. I had three of these pieces- I just got the Hermosa, the mini-clutch and the needle cozy this week from Scout and man oh man does she understand the need for a bag fix. My order couldn't have arrived any faster if she had gotten on a plane and delivered it herself.

I'm not even going to try to justify these purchases- we're traveling again soon- the laptop fits in the big one. The miniclutch is a perfect wallet. All Completely Unnecessary. All I can say is that I had to label this picture bagho2 because bagho was already taken in the picture file.

insert *i could have had a v8 * sound- really loud

Remember how when I got a new computer I was too impatient to save for the MacBookPro and instead figured a regular MacBook would do the trick?

Remember how I was a little peeved at Apple for not mentioning that the regular MacBook did not have a firewire?

Remember how I was disappointed that my new computer did not recognize my dv video recorder?

A series of events (which included Mr. Sophanne getting lucky at his favorite casino and the acquisition of a compatible video camera) sent me to the applestore to find video editing software. Seeing that the software I was looking at was $400 (and slightly out of my price range) I clicked on "education store." There I found my school and discovered that I could get the same software at a 60% discount. I also found a MacBookPro for the same price as the lesser machine I am using now.

Aargh.

At any rate, August may very well bring some "amateur high tech" video editing. Something that I was not able to do with last summer's vacation video plans. I really don't know what I'm doing but I think it's all so cool.

In knitting news- Matilda has her third pattern repeat. I am on sock number 10.2.