Untitled

Warning: this is not my usual blog post. Today we got some sad kitty news. Buster, our 9 year old domestic long hair was diagnosed with feline kidney disease. It’s a common condition in cats, yet chronic and irreversible. He’s pretty far along now, his left kidney function is almost completely gone and his right one is picking up the slack. He’s severely anemic, underweight and has no appetite, yet he drinks (and pees!) like a fish. Buster is sweet, yet very strong. Not once did he let us know that he was sick – he bears his burdens with grace. He never complains. Although there is no recovery in sight, we are trying to help him gain weight with a special diet, and regain some of his strength with electrolyte injections.

We have had the pleasure of loving Buster since 1999, when he came to us from an unhappy family. At first, he was timid and shy, only speaking up when he was scared or hungry. He has grown to be a very important part of our family. Chris and I couldn’t imagine life without him.
When we took him to the vet on Saturday, they did a “geriatric profile” for poor Busty. Chris was shocked that he has grown old enough to be considered geriatric…His entire life flashed before our eyes in what seems like a single moment. He’s lived in three apartments with us, endured lazy life with student Chris, rejoiced at the birth of a baby brother kitten who suffered major trauma, yet played the role of big brother flawlessly. All the while, Buster never faltered.

Now, we have to consider the future without our furry friend. Moving into a new house and children are part of our future. Buster may not be so lucky.
We plan to cherish every moment, but not let him suffer. He deserves to be peaceful. I just hope it doesn’t take him too quickly.

Thanks for listening.

There's a hole in my jaywalker...

...probably because I wear them every night to bed...

Good think knitty posted this tutorial for repairs.

I joined this KAL today (clickety)...

I'm excited to share and have one-derful yarn shared with me :)

Oh! and to my dear April Postcard Pal...I'm almost done! It should be in the mail tomorrow!

Happy Earth Day!

When you think of Earth Day, what comes to mind? Socks? Yeah, me too. Green ones.

I finished Pomatomus the first! I haven't cast on for the 2nd yet...and I refuse to get SSS.

That's the view into my backyard, I mean driveway. See all the leaves and pollen that fell to the ground. Yeah, it's all over my car now, but who cares? It's raining. I like how the driveway is completely green, although not as green as Sundara yarn in seaweed. Yum.
Have I mentioned this yarn is so unbelievable? Soft, dramatic color, and perfectly spun (not overspun, so that you have to untangle it...) Now you even can buy her spectacular superwash at Pure Knits.

Onto other sock-worthy news,

I received some knitterly goodies today! Knitpicks Sock Memories in Gladiolus and SweetGeorgia Speed Demon Sock in English Bay. I love the English Bay colorway so much that we're going to decorate the main bath in the new house in those colors. Ok, don't get too excited. We don't close until AT LEAST July, but the house is ours! YaY! Passed inspection and everything...now for a mortgage...

In other knitting knews, I joined Scout's Dye-O-Rama, in the "WTF am I doing?" group. Any other newbie dyers out there? Sorry, Marie - without you to guide me, I'm all up in the Kool-Aid...and I don't even know the flavor...
Also, decided i'm going to MSW! Hopefully, Bronxie, my Spider Pal will be able to join the fun! If you're going, head over to January One to sign up for the meetup! I can't wait to meet some new knit bloggers!


HAPPY 29+1 DEBBIE!! We love you!

Harlot + NJ = Crazy Delicious

Sorry this is 2 days delayed, but work has been crazy! Tuesday, the Yarn Harlot came to good ol' NJ! Karen, Pat and Evie (all blogless) from my office and I trekked over to the Rutherford Library to see her in action and to buy her new book Knitting Rules!

She told us a story of meeting her husband's high-profile, trendy colleagues, who would introduce her as "This is Stephanie. She's a knitter", and the awkward stares that would follow. However, it appears that since the sign out front refers to her as "Author and Knitter" that she has clearly made it into "author" standings. Congratulations Stephanie! You rock! There's nothing about knitting that should make you feel less cool than the cool kids!

I mean, seriously - this is Hardangervidda, her Knitting Olympics project. She knit this unbelievably complicated sweater in 16 days. That's So FREAKIN' Cool!

This event was also a social event for NJ knitbloggers! I met Jersey Knitter and her beautiful Sockapaloooza sock (no pics though - she's camera shy!). I also found, simply by reading other blogs, that also in attendance were Enchanting Juno, Annie Modesitt (and her daughter), Made by Ewe, Mary Beth Temple, Trek, Calling on Kahlo, and Forgetful Stitcher. I guess there are more of us in NJ than I thought! I hope the meet you all again some day soon - maybe at MSW?

Here is the Harlot taking a picture of me taking a picture of her...hope to see the other side of this photo (a not-so-subtle hint to the Harlot!)

Well, better get working on Grumpecue, Pomatomus and reading Knitting Rules!

Cheerio :)

Knitters Connect Via Cherry Blossoms

It's SPRING in New Jersey. Yesterday DH and I went to Branch Brook Park to their annual Cherry Blossom Festival. It wasn't really a festival, but a lot of people walking around looking at the trees as they spring into bloom. (More photos here).

I even saw a couple taking pictures of a green sock still on the needles! I thought "I wonder if she's a knitblogger"...well, long story long, I left a comment on Mason-Dixon Knitting's blog (incorrectly, I might add!) about them coming to NJ for a book signing (umm...they're not), and I got an email from Ina from Jersey Knitter asking for more information on the signing. I then noticed on her blog a link to the park I was at yesterday, and a familiar green sock...

...IT WAS HER at the park! Small world this knitblogging community, huh? I was wrong about Mason-Dixon, but the Yarn Harlot IS coming to NJ tomorrow! So, if you're in the area, come on down to the Rutherford Library...but call first and make sure there will be a seat for you!

I'm bringing Pomatomus. Here it is after the first repeat. I've gotten a bit further since this photo was taken (yesterday!).

I'm using Sundara's superwash in "seaweed". This yarn is so dreamy. It's soft, perfectly spun (meaning I don't have to dangle the sock and untwist it every 5 minutes), and the colors are so amazing!

I also know you've been dying to see the progress on the Grumpecue...Well, here it is (CLOSE YOUR EYES DEB!) I really hope I can finish this before she gives birth! I have about a month, and this is so slow going! This is a project I DO have to untwist every 5 minutes...and since it's so large, I untwist the yarn, not the project.

Lastly, don't forget to check out the Spring Knitty. I don't think I'm going to knit anything this season. I'm just not impressed. My "to knit"queue is also way too long...

Buster and Niblet say...

just love us. we're cute. give us yarn to play with.

2006 Knitalongs

Since there are still no worthwile pictures to post of any sort of progress, I thought I'd list the KAL's I joined! Thanks to Xavier Knits who updates the KAL blog!

Knitty's Pomatomus (I even cast on for this with my lovely Sundara superwash!)
Ferragamo Knit Bag (Craftster)
Sexy Knitters Club (duhhhhh!)
Knitty's Starsky (Yahoo Group)
Eunny's Deep V Argyle Vestalong (not on her list...but it should be!)

I catch up on my reading, but I've been a really lax post-er...with no knitting knews :(

Oh...OFF TOPIC! Does anyone who has a REAL blog belong to Myspace? Anyone over 21? Just curious - I have some friends who joined and want to know if it's possible to find someone other than college binge drinking frat boys to chat with...

Will the real stash please stand up?

Left to right, top to bottom.
(For larger sized photos, here is my Flickr photoset)

1. All the crap barely fit to post - acrylic baby yarn, etc
2. My vice - SOCK YARN!!! Vesper, Brooklyn Handspun, Sundara. Also in this photo...the coveted way too expensive Joseph Galler Pashmina.
3. Balls. Just Balls. Most of them left over from previous projects.
4. Rowan 4-ply cotton for Orangina, some cheap cotton and 4 skeins of KP Dye your own... enough for Starsky? (I may not even dye them!)
5. KP Merino Style for Eunny's Vest...still waiting for my asparagus...
6. Noro Silk Garden 205 (i think) for Lady E
7. Sundara Superwash...it was so nice I had to flash it twice!
8. DB Baby Cash...I bought it for Marilyn's NSS Cardi, and I think I'm gonna frog it for Green Gable. (I already got the pattern!)
9. Goddess Isabella for Colchique... will I ever get to her?
10. Skeins. Some old, some new...some left over...some blue!
11. Cashmere blend from frogged poncho...use? who knows!
12. DB Cotton cashmere...for Grumpecue, still WIP! ARGH!

It looks like I haven't done any knitting since Christmas...I stink. All I have done was successfully purchased sock yarn. Use it? NO! it looks prettier all skeined up and in a box.

Spring is coming, so the list is now (in this order):
- Finish Grumpecue. It is taking forever! Mail to Deb, since it won't get to her 2nd shower tomorrow.
- Finish orangina (April's pattern for SKC)
- Eunny's Vest
- Green Gable
- Starsky
- Yeah, and those gloves...haha!

Flashing My Stash...

Here you go!

Niblet says, "April Fool!"

Yous guys gotta hold yo' ho-ses till I take-a da pictyas! (said in my NJ Guido voice).

This sure takes my mind off of real estate!

I was tagged by Emmie!

Place an X by all the things you've done. This is for your entire life:

(X) Smoked a cigarette
(X) Drank so much you threw up
( ) Crashed a friend's car
( ) Stolen a car
(X) Been in love
(X) Been dumped
(X) Shoplifted
( ) Been laid off/fired
(X) Quit your job
( )Been in a fist fight
(X) Snuck out of your parent's house
(X) Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back
( ) Been arrested
(X) Gone on a blind date
(X) Lied to a friend
(X) Skipped school
( ) Seen someone die
(X) Been to Canada
( ) Been to Mexico
(X) Been on a plane
(X) Been lost
(X) Been on the opposite side of the country
(X) Swam in the ocean
(X) Felt like dying
(X) Cried yourself to sleep
(X) Played cops and robbers
(X) Recently colored your hair
(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't
(X) Made prank phone calls
(X) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(X) Danced in the rain
(X) Written a letter to Santa Claus
(X) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(X) Watched the sun rise with someone you care about
(X) Blown bubbles
(X) Made a bonfire on the beach
(X) Crashed a party
(X) Gone roller-skating
(X) Ice-skating

This feels good...I wish I could go ice skating and kiss my furry under mistletoe right now! Who am I kidding? Spring is around the corner!!!!

The waiting game

I wanted to take this oppportunity to thank you for all the positive vibes you have thrown my way with regard to the house. I just heard from our realtor that the sellers accepted our offer, and signed a contract. And thus begins the long and arduous process toward home ownership. Yes, I am well aware that there can be many broken stones on the road to closing, but we're ready!

Unfortunately, I have nothing knitting-related to post. This weekend was busy with a dinner with friends, wedding and baby shower (and my Grumpecue is still unfinished!) So I convinced 2 friends to split the most embarrassing gift ever...a breast pump kit! Hey, those things aint cheap!

I guess maybe, since there are no pics, I can try and thrill you with a few links?

On Flickr? Join The Biggest Group! Goal is to take over the most popular group on Flickr, which currently has 23,503 members...

Stolen from Amy, this game is really addictive!

Need your daily dose of cuteness? Click here. (check back later...youtube.com is down)

House Hunting

I can't believe March is half over already. We've officially been house hunting for 4 months. It's a long and arduous process of rushing through a house, going home to think about it some, then calling or emailing the realtor for next steps. Most often we're not interested. 40-odd houses in 4 months. Today, we went back to a house for the 2nd time. The only other time we did this was in December when we put an offer out. And lost it. Today, right before our trip to potential-house-candidate #2, I found out that the house we didn't get sold for $5k LESS than we offered...WHY??? Just when I was beginning to understand the market, I get thrown this wrench. What does this mean??? I shouldn't care - move forward. Not back. Don't think about what you can't have only what you can. So...keep you posted if we offer on house #2.

For now - KNITTING! Yesterday, I came home to 2 packages and a postcard!

It's for the Project Spectrum Postcard Swap! Thank you my darling Postcard Pal! it's beautiful! Yours will be out later in the week...it's been tre busy at chez Peony this week!

I also got my Silk Garden from Hot Designer Yarns at ebay! So excited to start Lady E, but that won't happen for a Y-L. A LOOOONG Y-L. Hmmmm. Pink and Red. I think this qualifies for Project Spectrum, whadda ya think?

I also got the first half of my knitpicks order...

The petal (pink) merino style is 1/2 of the necessary yarn for Eunny's Deep V Argyle Vest. The other 1/2 is asparagus green, and is on backorder until 4/7. Boo! Hiss! I am excited though, because Kathy Ruth and Eunny have both used these colors...and they look FABOO together, and so spring-y! Now...to start swatching in (2 handed?) fair isle...but not just yet.

Must. Finish. Grumpecue. Due for the shower on 3/26. I don't have a whole lot of time! AAAAHHHH! Only 33% done. I don't even want to figure out how long it will take me at this speed...I'm further than the photo now, but not much. Any advice on how to knit faster? PLEEEASE??? Sorry for the cryptic photo...babymama may be peeking :)

Enamored with Grumperina

I just realized something...I have been knitting three of Grumperina's patterns at the same time! Kathy really has an eye for texture in her patterns, and I think that's what I've been craving in my knitting. Here's some progress on my second pair of jaywalkers - this one will go to my mom (eventually). It's the "Spring Chicken" colorway of my Spiders' handpainted!

And Odessa...this was such a quick knit - I started it when Furry was napping on Saturday, and finished in the car on the way to Avenue Q yesterday (which if you haven't seen...you really should - so funny!) This was knit up with one ball of Rowan Wool Cotton on (get this): size 3s for the ribbing, size 6 for the "body" and 2 size 5 DPNs and my 16" 6 circs for the decreases...now that's improvising! Yay - completed my Project Spectrum Project for March!

What's the third Grumperina knit you ask? Well...it will go in this room some day soon! This is the future nursery of my friends Deb and Dave - they're expecting a boy and he's due in May!

In case this scene looks slightly familiar, but you can't really place it...let Maurice Sendak lend a hand... here's the back cover. Still don't get it? Click on the photo...

Oh, and I can't forget to tell you about the wonderful yarn I got from Sundara today! It's her sock yarn in colorway seaweed. It's so bright and green - and the superwash is SOOOO soft! I was thinking of Pomatomus...Any other suggestions?

Catching Up

Helooooo faithful blog readers! I haven't posted in a while, but I've been reading a lot of your blogs...so here's the news according to me!

No knitting updates since Angelica. I've been working on a new pair of Jaywalkers for Mom, and the Grumpecue...but no pictures yet.

I just ordered some of this beautiful sock yarn from the Secret Dyer, Sundara Yarn...No longer a secret! YAY!

Oh...and here's my gold medal for finishing Angelica!

I wore her to work yesterday, and I finally heard from a coworker, "that's a nice sweater". I'm used to the "did you make that?" comment, and yes, got about 15 of those...but finally, finally someone complimented the sweater, not the talent of the sweater-maker. I should be happy regardless, but too many people know I knit! I can come into the office in a Banana Republic sweater and I'll be asked if I made it. I guess I should consider that a compliment...But I don't.

I have some great pics from my weekend in Mass. My friend Deb painted her baby's room like the back cover of "Where the Wild Things Are". I can't seem to get the pics off my camera, so you'll have to wait for those...BUT! I noticed a recurrent theme of on-the-fly photos that my cameraphone seems to enjoy...

BIG FOOD!

Dave enjoying his "Magic Apple" Jess enjoying her GIANT Matzo Ball

Hee hee!

Edit: I forgot to add that I must make the modified version of Forecast and Starsky very soon. And, Furry, if you're reading...I think I need this knitting bag by Jordana Paige (the designer of the latter "this") for my birthday, or Easter... The spiders will be more likely to see me in public if I have something other than a ShopRite bag to carry my knitting in!

Goin For Da Gold!

Howdy peeps! Tonight, I completed Angelica, my Knitting Olympics project! I finished a sweater in only 2 weeks. Unfreakinbelievable! I'm goin for the gold!



Pattern: Glampyre's Angelica, available at HipKnits
Yarn: 6 1/2 balls (approx 700 yards) Plymouth Suri Merino (50% merino, 50% alpaca), color 2174
Needles: Susan Bates Quicksilver, size 8 and size 6 for keyhole trim
Start: Olympic Opening Ceremonies - 2/10/2006
Finish: 2/24/06
Modifications:
- 4 decrease rows in the "bust darts" instead of 6 to make up for my lack of waist!
- additional plain rows to add length
- added 4 increase rows before beginning hip shaping
- added 3 inches to sleeve length

The story of the yarn
My SIL bought me 5 balls of different boucle yarn for Christmas. She's not a knitter, so although the thought was there...the yarn was not my style. She also lives in Delaware, so I had to drive 3 hours to the LYS she purchased the yarn from to exchange it! Furry and I drove down one afternoon in December when we were off from work. We left our apartment around 2 pm...and got to the store at 5:15...they close at 5! Luckily a phone call was all it took to keep them open a few extra minutes, so I didn't have too much time for browsing. I picked the first soft, relatively inexpensive yarn I could find...Plymouth Suri Merino was $6 for 110 yards.


I think this yarn was a bit too thin for this pattern. The gague was pretty close with the recommended size 8 needles, but the stitches are not as crisp and firm as I would have wanted, like Illanna's or Bronxie's. But, the yarn is soft, and warm, so I will get a ton of wear out of this one!

Keyhole:
My row gague was off a bit, so instead of 2o rows/4", i came in at 23 rows/4". This made for a slightly smaller keyhole, which is fine by me because I don't have to wear something under the sweater!


Have a great night - we're off to visit friends in Massachusetts tomorrow!

Feeling blue today

So, here we are, 12 days into the olympics. How's everyone doing? I'm a bit blue...I realized I have more blue knitting projects than any other color...and here's more proof.

Angelica, ala knitting olympics. Day 12. She needs a right sleeve, a seam for the left sleeve, neck detail and a button. Stefanie directed us to this site yesterday, so I felt it would be fitting to order a button for Angelica...but I wouldn't make the deadline, as they take 2-3 weeks to deliver...Gotta Go for the GOLD! So, off to the local buttoneria tomorrow!

Back to the blues...At Marie's I dyed this skein of Knit Picks "dye your own" sock yarn.

I couldn't figure out a good name right away - so I posed it with my favorite springtime candy...

And lo and behold...Spring Chicken was born (or hatched?) Doesn't a freshly wound ball of yarn look surprisingly like a bird's nest? It's less expensive and more knitterly goodness than this eastery option.

I joined Lolly's Project Spectrum, and the postcard swap. Mainly because the colors for March are red and pink. NOT blue!

Back to the olympics - 4 days left kids - let's get this show on the road!

too drunk to post...

I can't even type right now..furry has the real camera, so here are some fotos of the wonderful Brooklyn Handspun i received from Marie the other day...on the cameraphone, so don't try to blow them up - quality SUCKS!





pathetic photos...gorgeous yarn!

Finished the body of angelica today...but the size isn't really good. tomorrow, more intelligent post. promise...too much wine tonite - can barely see the keyboard!!!!

Peony loves Orchids

Furry was a sweetheart on V. Day. He bought me orchids (because Peony hates roses). So I played with the camera...
Displayed in the Waterford vase we got as a shower gift...I would never have registered for it, but it works.

Some of you would call this technique "macro mode", but my camera has a little flower icon...and i pushed the button...so here is a closeup. (I'm not THAT tech savvy...)

And then got a bit carried away...

Oh, and no progress on Angelica, but ake a look at the sidebar and feed and love the llama (LTL!)

Also - please tell me if you can read the Olympic Countdown...it's really fugly on my screen, and I can't figure out how to change the color of the text.

Finished Jayalkers...Finally!!!!

Nope, I'm not going to post a photo of the 16 inches of snow we got here in Northern New Jersey (I'm sure you've seen it already). I have much, much more important things to post tonight!

Hallelujiah! I FINALLY finished my Jaywalkers! I know you weren't waiting with baited breath (because you would most definitely have died from asphyxiation by now) . Just under the wire for Cara's contest AND during the knitting olympics too, whew.


Pattern: Jaywalker Socks, by Grumperina published in Sept 05 MagKnits
Yarn: Knitterly Things Vesper sock yarn, 100% merino wool in Knit and Tonic
Needles: Clover bamboo DPNs size 1
Time to complete: WAAAAY too long, but finished on 2.13.06 at 10pm!
Recipient: Mememememememememe! My first FO this year for me!

I love this pattern. I would make more jaywalkers if I had time. I have 3 more skeins of Vesper, and 2 skeins of sock yarn I dyed myself...plus one more on the way from Brooklyn Handspun!

But, I have no time to start another pair until after the Olympics! Team Spiders is kicking ass on their olympic projects, (I'm too lazy to post them but Lisa did). Here we are on Angelica after the blizzard. Doesn't she look like she has boobs (little mosquito bites???) I am loving this pattern so far, the combination of merino and alpaca makes this yarn so soft. I am a bit worried about the gauge though...we'll see.



I have the best husband on earth! (Sorry Emmie - I bet this ties your V-Day) Before the blizzard hit, Furry decided he'd cook me a romantic dinner! He went food shopping by himself, and wouldn't let me in the fridge all day on Saturday while he hid the "secret ingredients." By dinner time, I had gotten a lot of knitting done, but still had NO CLUE what he was making for us...I let him surprise me.

Isn't it gorgeous? We had the Valentine's Dinner for 2 from the Jan/Feb Cooking Light magazine. Rosemary Shrimp Scampi Skewers ,
Carrot Couscous with Fresh Chives ,
Bittersweet Chocolate Pudding with Raspberries
He even made the chocolate pudding - from scratch!

How awesome is that? We have a Valentine's day contest...we are only allowed to spend $3 (card not included) on each other, and see who comes up with the most creative gift...I'm running out of time - any suggestions? I couldn't stick to the limit, so I got us tickets to Avenue Q...ha! Happy Valentine's Day!