Disaster Averted!

Sorry it's been a little over a week since my last post. This weekend turned out to be quite busy. I had a kind of weekend retreat at school which ate up my entire weekend leaving what little free time I had to do...you know..work!
I did get a little knitting done though in the past week or so. I didn't get a chance to mention this, but I've been involved with this organization, Purls of Hope, which basically serves to knit items for teens with AIDS. So, last time I was there (about one month ago), they asked me to design a hat that the other volunteers could knit to keep the fashion conscious teens warm in this cold weather. I've been struggling a lot with it because I wasn't able to knit something that I was really happy with. I'm still not 100% happy with it - but the pattern is due tomorrow so it'll have to do. Anyway, here it is:

In case you're interested, it's basically increasing rows of seed stitch followed increasing rows st st. I should mention that I managed to avert disaster in the midst of my knitting - or actually, once I finished. I tried it on and it was just a bit too long. DH agreed that it needed to be shortened up a bit. So, I used the book, Knit Fix to help me..and it really did. I was able to detach part of the hem and reknit from the top down - which worked out much better. So, it is much improved and I learned a new skill. How about that!

By the way, does anyone know how to respond to comments via email? I currently get your comments in my inbox - but then I can't email you all back because it's a dummy email address (something like blogger@no-reply.com).. Just know that I love all of your comments and would love to respond - but haven't been able to quite figure out how!

Quick post for this week

For this week, I need to just post a quick message. It's been a crazy week! As I mentioned last tme, classes started this week so it's been busy. My classes have been going pretty well so far - but it's a little early. Other than that, lots of meetings with faculty, students, etc.

So, I didn't get much knitting done this week. I managed to work a little on the booties - but still need to finish up the second booty from the first pair.

That's basically it - work, work, and more work! Should be a busy weekend up ahead!

CAUTION!! Extreme Cuteness Ahead!!!

Well, happy weekend everyone! It's been a busy few days as I've been frantically preparing for the upcoming semester. I am so not ready to start! I could definitely use another week - but such is life!

I've also been able to get some knitting finished. I finished the seaming of the Bohemian Like Father Like Son Sweater:
I still need to sew in the ends - so that's why you see a few loose yarn pieces - but other than that, it's done. I'm a little nervous about the neck - for some reason, the neckline came out a little narrower than the Gingersnap version - I think it should still be large enough for a baby head to fit through - regardless, I'm going to block it and I'm hoping that since it's merino wool that it will stretch a bit further. I really just love the color of this one - it's a little hard to tell from the photo - but it's got the most lovely vibrant reds embedded in the yarn.

Okay, so you may be wondering...what's up with the title of this post? Well, I also managed to complete the first of the bear booties. It is beyond cute - if you can handle seeing it, it will most definitely be the cutest thing you've seen all week! No question!! So, here it is:


Don't you love it??!! It is so freakin' adorable - it gives me a sweet tooth!

So, I'm very happy with how it came out - I'm glad I like it b/c I have 3 more to do!!!

Anyway, so that's basically it for now! Enjoy the rest of the weekend everyone!

Back from Charleston

Hello everyone! DH and I are back from Charleston. We arrived late last night after a horrible flight back. Actually, flights back...our original direct flight was cancelled so we were re-routed..and didn't get back home until much later. This was a perfect bookend to our arrival which also was problematic...our luggage was detained for homeland security..so we arrived in Charleston..but our luggage did not..at least, not right away. We had to go back to the airport to get them. Anyway, aside from our troubles in travel, everything else was great. We had a great rest..saw much of the sites..and ate and ate and ate. I'll definitely be working on my eating for the next few weeks to make up for it!

While I was away, I managed to get some knitting in too! I finished the pumpkin hat! Check it out:

Isn't it adorable? If you recall, this hat is from the book Itty Bitty Hats. This one is made with RYC Cashsoft DK in Clementine - and the stem and leaves are in Rowan Handknit Cotton. I basically knit the pattern as is..but added a second smaller leaf.

I am very happy with how it came out..I think it looks great - so cute! Plus, it was a pretty easy knit and the pattern was well-written.

I also started working on the Bear Booties from the book, 50 Baby Booties to Knit. Here's my progress so far:

I think it may be a little hard to figure out from the picture so I'll walk you through it. The bottom cream color will be folded around for the sole - the dark brown above it is a very cute picot trim..and above that in the light brown is the main part of the booty - the part that comes out in the center will hold the foot..and the bear face will be embroidered there - and bear ears need to be knit. Right now, I'm working on the ribbing for the cuff.

Other than that, I'm freaking out a little because classes start up next week! So soon!! I have quite a bit to take care of before then - so, let's hope I can get it all done!

I've been tagged

So, while I was away, I was tagged by my SP8 pal, Linda. I know most of you have seen and/or done the 6 Weird Things Meme...but just in case:

THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with the "6 weird things about you." People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says "you are tagged" in their comments and tell them to read your blog.

1. Food weirdness: I have a couple of weird things when it comes to food. For one thing, I have this thing against food "contamination"...not contamination in the normal sense, but instead, when I have food on a plate, I don't like the different food items to touch..I like them to stay separate. For example, it would bother me if I was having chicken with a sauce that got on the potatoes on the plate. Second, I have a very strange relationship with cottage cheese. There have been times when I have been obsessed with cottage cheese - wanting to eat it all the time..and then something will happen and I won't want anything to do with it. I'm currently in the latter phase.

2. I can't stand being late - I'd much rather be 15 or 30 min. early for some event than to be late. In fact, I often feel that being on time is really being late.

3. I talk to my cats - yes, I will have full conversations with them. They may not answer back, but I know that they're listening. In fact, because of this, my cats are rather vocal especially for British Shorthairs who are supposed to be a very quiet breed. I think they've learned that I communicate with my voice so why shouldn't they??!!

4. I love beauty products such as body lotions, soaps, bath gels, etc. I can spend a tremendous amount of time in a Bath and Body Works just checking out the lovely products. On a side note, I have a hard time throwing away products that are almost empty or that I don't use anymore..because I just might get back to it.

5. I frequently will burst into song about anything mundane. My husband will also join me in this. One of our current favorites is, "I don't need no stinkin' ipod" (we do own an ipod by the way...it just doesn't get used all that often.

6. Although I recognize that techonology is important and useful..there are a few areas of my life where I do not like technological advances...for example, I still use a filofax planner - I tried the PDA thing..and it just didn't work for me. I also still write out all of my teaching notes in a notebook rather than moving to typing everything into the computer...I probably should digitize my notes...but I just love writing them out by hand instead.

Well, there they are!! For any of you who haven't done this yet, you're tagged!!

Quick update!

Happy 2007 everyone! Can you believe it? I can't believe that it's a new year...actually, I can hardly believe that we're in the 21st century - I never quite got that one...and to think that we're nearing the end of the decade is just ridiculous!

As I mentioned during my last post, DH and I celebrated New Years' Eve with a totally fabulous meal that we cooked together. What was on the menu?

We started with these things called Gougeres - the best way to describe them is that they're flaky cheese puffs. They make them at one of our favorite restaurants in the city, Artisanal, which is a French bistro that specializes in fancy cheeses. So, the chef at the restaurant published a cookbook..and of course, we bought it and DH was set on making them for our dinner...and they were amazing!!

Then, we made cauliflower soup with truffle oil and pecorino romano cheese - this was soooo good.

Next, we made these things called Gnudi - which are very popular at some of the trendy restaurants. What are they? Well, imagine ravioli without the pasta..and we had the Gnudi with wild mushrooms. These were unlike anything I've had before...but in a very good way - very decadent.

For the main course, we had cornish game hens with caramelized root vegetables - also very delicious.

Last, we ended with homemade tiramisu with champagne of course! A perfect end to a perfect meal. By the way, if these recipes are of interest to you, the soup, gnudi, and hens with vegetables are from the current Bon Appetit magazine. All highly recommended - not easy and not exactly low fat - but it was a holiday afterall!

In knitting news, I finished the red baby sweater - at least the knitting part...it still has to get sewn up...I also started the pumpkin hat, got the materials for the pumpkin hat in red (which will be instead an apple hat), and also materials to make the bear booties from 50 Baby Booties to Knit. So, I'm on my way to being closer to being finished with the first set of baby gifts!!

Lastly, this post is also to inform you that DH and I will be visiting my mom in Charleston for a few days while I'm still on break from school. So, I won't be posting again until next week. Until then...happy 2007 again everyone!!