Growth

Summer check-in. We have worked, planted, traveled, knit, baked, read, laughed, cried, and more. Doodle is saying so many words now I can't possibly list them all. His favorite word is blue.

I have 4 projects that are in my knitting bag. My main priority is a gift so no details. It is a big project and I have a fast approaching deadline. Second up is Insouciant. I still have a bit to do and the short sleeves. Then a shawl called Rushing Tide. It was a project from a class that had the best information about fixing mistakes in lace! And the fourth item is also a gift. It is sad how long it has taken me. Summer time is not a productive knitting time for me. I spend 99% of my time outside. This picture is from a bit ago, I am almost half way through the next lace section. Just trucking along slowly...

So that 99% outside has all been for good. The garden is not looking too shabby. Some of the raspberries, strawberries, snap peas, and lettuce that I have already harvested. Carrots, potatoes, collard, blueberries, aparagus, cucumbers, beans, tomatoes, peppers, onions, pumpkins, and watermelons are all going strong. I cannot wait until we have everything ripe at the same time.

We have traveled north to my stomping grounds twice now. I love getting to visit with my gram and mom. Doodle does pretty good in the car even though it is a long drive. We have enjoyed pork chops, butterscotch malts, huckleberry smoothies, the best chai in the world at the Leaf & Bean, time for all of us at a really fun Children's Museum, and a much needed couple weekends of fun. And nothing beats the view of the Big Sky Mountains as you drive east on I-90 to Bozeman.

The 'hood is having a party this weekend. We decided that a ice cream social was in order. I am hoping to make maple ginger (the best recipe from Kate Zuckerman's The Sweet Life) and a double batch of milk chocolate (from Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams at Home) with mini marshmallows. We asked everyone to bring a pint and then we will have everything else. Candy, cookies, sprinkles, caramel, chocolate, everything! I am so excited!

Alan even made me these sweet acrylic cone stands for displaying treats. Totally DIY. $1.56 for a piece of acrylic and just drill holes to fit the cones. Then a heat gun to warm up and bend the edges. Sweet!

Vacation, all I ever wanted...

Wow, where does the time go?! I keep thinking I will get to 'that' tomorrow and well, weeks go by...

I have been up to just about everything. Knitting, baking, cooking, parties, visiting, road trippin', and loads of eating!

I started a sock class on Tuesday. It is an easy sock pattern and I decided on Madelinetosh Tosh Vintage in the William Morris colorway. As Morris is my last name it only seemed appropriate! This picture does not do the colorway justice, it is a lovely red-brown with notes of lavender and teal. I realized I have been knitting for 10 years and not once have I made socks. Yep, in 2003 I met a nice lady at my first job out of college and she sort of taught me to knit. Knit badly and she didn't know how to 'stop' or bind off as I later learned. I ended up righting myself with books, other classes, and many scarves later. :)

I also took a class on magic loop and it really is magic! I am working on these socks two at a time!!! When I finish one, I will finish the other!!! Sorry, the magics have overwhelmed me.

So the majority of my time as of late has been taken up by my wittle baby sissy coming to visit. She is not like me. She hunts with bow and arrow (not for sport but for actual food), she fishes, and has gun(s). I asked her what she wanted for her birthday one year and she said "a new pistol." I sent her flowers. She is the mother of my wonderful nephews and married to the coolest guy (EB).

They came to Salt Lake all the way from Ranchester, Wyoming and then we all went in one car to St. George. It was a hoot! Hikes, ribs, ice cream, and sun. Then we came back to SL for some more food and fun. Corned beef and cabbage, the zoo, and yogurt. The food was tasty and tiny guy had all his cousins in one place.

Picture bomb now and more on Mardi Gras in March later...

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Well, another couple additions to my list...

1. Hike to Delicate Arch (May 5, 2012)
   
2. Run/walk a 10k
3. Dancing lessons
4. Make a croquembouche
5. Travel internationally while little man is still 'babe in arms'
6. Knit more. Knit a sweater. The first one I finish will be for Alan. :)
7. Music or singing lessons
8. Cook from 1 cookbook, all the recipes OR make 1 recipe from every cookbook. Document it and photograph it. Then post about it!
9. Swim. I've never taken lessons and I dislike water. I just need to do it. Get it over with. Swim like a fish.
10. Learn to knit two things at a time. Useful for gloves and socks... 
11. Take a Fair Isle/Intarsia class
12. Visit Bryce Canyon 
13. Visit the Grand Canyon
14. Visit Glacier National Park
15. Take tiny guy camping.
16. Read 50 books in 2013. No, not kid's books... although "I'm Not Scared!" by Jonathan Allen is Frankie's current favorite.
17. Listen to more music, take in a play, go see an opera, basically go enjoy what culture has to offer! I'll cross this off if I see at least 3 of the above...
18. ?

I'm back!

Well... I have been back a while but it has taken me time to adjust and well, blogging everyday in Europe was enough. If you want to read about the trip you can here. Pictures of the trip are here.

These days I am busy with work and friends but my next big trip with Alan is coming up at the end of August. We are off to the Canary Islands. My goal is to ride a camel!

A big hug goes out to the folks at A Photo a Day from Planet Earth for selecting a photo of mine to feature (third one!). It is from the big trip and Paris was my favorite.

Tomorrow night is the big Stitch and Pitch here and I will be knitting away as the Em's play their hearts out. BBQ and ice cream on the menu... mmm. It will be good to have designated knitting time because I have't been very good about it this summer. I still have one more pair of arm warmers to knit and then I can move on to my projects. I do have a plan for a Knitty submission but I am still working it out.

If you want to see some of my other favorites and pics from the Crab Feed at Marche Provisions (months ago) and the big trip, you can scroll through a select group of photos here. There is a photo of me staring at the most beautiful orange sunset in Venice. That is all for now. Thanks for the nudge Sarah. Hope all is well with you, M, F, and cats.