Happy Happy Happy

Well, the week is finally over - and it was another busy one - one filled with many many meetings. I promise I won't bore you with the details...but on the one hand, I now know what classes I'll be teaching for next semester so I'm quite happy about that.

In knitting news, I've still been working on the baby blanket...not quite done with that though. I did happen to finish the hubby socks. I had some extra motivation to do so - it's DH's birthday tomorrow! So, I really wanted them to be finished in time. I am very happy with them, and I hope he will be too! I'll be sure to get a glamour shot from him after I give them to him.

Yes, his birthday is tomorrow! I've got lots planned..but unfortunately, I can't share any of it with you for now. You see, my husband and I are into surprising each other. He always plans these huge surprise bonzanas for my birthday...and although it isn't quite on that level, we've got to keep those plans quiet for a little while longer. I know he reads my blog so I can't give him any hints!! But, I'll be sure to fill you in in a few days.

Lastly, I joined another swap. I just couldn't help myself. I had such amazing experiences this summer with SP8 and my one skein pals that I had to sign up. Anyway, it's the Knitter's Coffee Swap!


I'm pretty sure that there are still slots open so if you're interested sign up! It's a short-term swap with only one package which I felt I could handle..as much as I'd love to do a more extensive one like SP9 - I just don't have the time. So, this seemed like a much better option.

Well, that's it for now! Enjoy the weekend!

Busy, busy week

Sorry it's been about a week since my last post. It's just been so busy over here! Now that school started up again this week, it's been non-stop. I've had tons of meetings all week, one of my classes had an exam that I had to grade, and a variety of other school related stuff. So, I'm just so happy that the week is finally over!

I did get a little knitting done this week though! Specifically, I finished one of the hubby socks:

It's a simple six-stitch pattern - again, from Sensational Knitted Socks. It's a slipped stitch rib pattern. Anyway, I was a little nervous about it while I was working on it and especially once I finished it because I was concerned that it wouldn't fit my husband. Afterall, it is only my second full pair of socks, and it's not for me so it's not as though I could try it on as I go. But, the good news is that it fits and my husband..and he likes it! This is his first pair of handknitted socks so he was surprised at how different it felt from the machine made socks. So, it's all worth the effort. Now, I've just started up on the second sock. I just need to get myself past the cuff and leg - I find that the most annoying part. After that, things get more interesting and it goes a little faster.

I also finished the second skein of the baby blanket and am working on the third and FINAL skein! Hooray! Here's the current progress:
As I mentioned before, I like the feel of the knitted blanket so far - just not that yarn. I'm sure that the parents and hopefully the baby will appreciate it - I'll just be so happy to be done with it!

Well, that's it for now - have a great weekend everyone.

I see London, I see France...okay, just France

So, I'm back from France - and it was fabulous! Such a nice break from the daily grind. It really felt like we were a million miles away. Just to give you a sense why, I thought I'd show you a few pictures of the places that we visited in the Loire Valley.

We stayed in a small Chateau - named Chateau De Vau. Here's what the Chateau itself looked like from the front:

Isn't it beautiful? Can you believe we stayed there? It's a little B & B that was very special. Now, here's the view from our window:

I don't know if you can tell...but those are sheep!!! Yes, we could actually see sheep from our window. We would wake up each morning to the baaing of these sheep. I kept trying to make friends with them...but unfortunately, they weren't the most friendly of sheep.

So, for our trip - the Loire valley is known for having all of these amazing chateaus (castles). The most famous of which is Chateau de Chenonceau:

It is very beautiful - but because it's the most famous of all of the chateaus, it was overrun with tourists. It was very crowded. Plus, we made the mistake of going on a Saturday so that didn't help things. So, we didn't enjoy it as much as we had expected because of all of the crowds.

Our favorite chateau, by far, was the Chateau de Villandry. The castle itself was quite lovely from the outside as well as the inside:

But, it was the gardens that were truly spectacular. Here's an image of part of the gardens that's particular gorgeous:

As I mentioned, this is only PART of the gardens - there are other parts that are equally beautiful, but I can only post so much!

Anyway, this is just a small taste of our experience in France. We went to so many chateaus - and saw so many little towns. We also ate the most amazing food - very rich and delicious food. It was really all very special and magical - and now it's so difficult to be back to reality!

Quickly, in knitting news, I'm almost half way done with the baby blanket. I still HATE the lion's brand homespun yarn - it keeps squeaking and bunching..yikes! But, I know that when it's done it will really make a lovely soft blanket..so I'm putting up with it. Also, I've been working on my hubby's pair of socks - it's on size 2 needles - so it's taking a little while - but I'm still enjoying it.

So, I still have off from school until next Tuesday. It'll be hard going back - but I'm trying very hard to get a lot done in the next few days - lectures, writing, recommendations, etc. etc.

A bientot, mes amis!

Unfortunately, my post has to be a little brief today. In a few hours, we will be heading to the airport to go to France! I promised that I would do my best to post before we left so I didn't want to go back on my promise. Anyway, I'll be sure to take pictures of our trip and fill you in on all of the details when we get back!

In knitting news, I've been working on the baby blanket diligently and making good progress. It's knit with Lion Brand homespun - and I must say that I'm not really digging the yarn - although it's soft and will make a lovely baby blanket, but it's not so fun to knit with - it's a little squeaky and snags a little on the needle. Luckily, it won't be a WIP for too much longer. I'm also taking yarn on the trip with me to make DH a pair of socks.

So, that's it for now - I'll send France all of your best wishes!

P.S: If you don't speak French, the title says: See you soon, my friends!