sock-sock-sock

I finally got my new digital camera!! I cast on socks for the first time ever yesterday! They will be stripey knee socks for Vivienne-- purple stripes, no less!


Tomorrow I will actually play with my camera and try to take some good pictures. I finally have a day off after a hellishly long week at work followed immediately by jury duty. I got a lot of work done on Crumpets while on jury duty, at least. I'm this[]close to done with the skirt part. Miles of stockinette. It's torture! I can't wait to do the picot bind-off and the straps and chalk it up as done I'm soooo ready to move on!

idiosyncracies

I was tagged by Alecia! Fun! I don't know if I lack introspection, but I find these things sort of challenging, despite being someone many people regard as sort of quirky.

Five Idiosyncrasies

idiosyncrasy: a peculiarity of constitution or temperament : an individualizing characteristic or quality

1- I like to make things add up to the number 8. So, I don't microwave something for 30 seconds, I do it for 35. If I need to get up at 6 am, I set the alarm for 6:02.

2- I must have ketchup with grilled cheese and macaroni and cheese. Most people seem to think that's gross, but I think it's delicious. Do comfort food quirks count as idiosyncracies?

3- If I look up at a clock and it says 9:11, I have to watch the time change to 9:12 or I feel certain something bad will happen that will require me to dial 911. Oy. I'm sounding less and less stable here, aren't I?

4- Ever since my second pregnancy, I can't sleep facing anyone because I the feeling of someone breathing that close to my face makes me feel as though I am suffocating to death. It's a very weird, yet very real sensation.

5- I take a rather ridiculous amount of pride in my ability to free-pour a perfect, velvety, delicious cappuccino.

Ok, my turn to tag! karma, abbey, laura, erica, and lolly, you're it!

Q for sock knitters!

I'm about to embark on my first pair of socks! I have this pattern and this yarn:


I think that it would make some fab knee socks for Miss Vivienne! Here's the question-- can I just follow the basic sock pattern but make them longer? Or is there some special shaping involved?

sweetness follows

You absolutely must go check out Knit and Tonic today! She has her debut (I think?) pattern up, and it's deliciously cute!
Girlfriend Swing Coat Sweater

pal-y goodness

I received my final package from my Knitty Coffeeshop Secret Pal the other day-- no pictures, as my digital camera is in Albuquerque with half the family, but it contained a butterfly-laden container of sorts which I at first assumed was for wine, but then realized is meant for needles! Also, a fabric-knitting kit to make a purse, some choccie (of course!), and a cute little notbook for keeping knitting notes. My pal turned out to be Donna, and was she ever a sweetie! My sister bought me a ballwinder for my birthday, so I'll be able to wind all the lovely sock & laceweight yarn she sent me, too!
I've signed up for the broader, all-knit-blogger Secret Pal 6 this time. I'm excited to get my pal! I have actually yet to finish gifting my Knitty Secret Pal for this round, so I'll have to reign it in until I've managed to get my pal her fair share off to her!

happy birthday

to me...!
Yup, today, I am that much older.

sometimes you just have to do what you want

I admit it, I'm feeling a little sorry for myself. My husband and son are gone, I'm a little lonely and bored, and it's almost my birthday and I'm feel old and less than fabulous, so I just had to do it.
I ordered this:


and three of these:


from Jannette's rare Yarns.

I also ordered a bumper sticker for my new minivan. Yes, I said minivan. And despite the fact that it isn't exactly "hott", I do love it. It's just needs a little punking up. Here's the sticker:


I'll stop shopping now, even though I really don't want to.

she's alive!

Still here, in one form or another. I haven't blogged much here lately, mainly just because I haven't knit much. It's been a whirlwind month or so, what with selling our house, packing everything for Albuquerque, staying at my in-laws', seeing Todd & Silas off (they left Wednesday and arrived there today-- T starts his new job on Monday, which also happens to be my birthday, and Silas starts first grade on the 10th!) Vivienne and I will be here for another five weeks until my employer will let me transfer. Then we'll be Albuquerqians! I wonder if that's what they are called?

Anyway, I am still plugging away here & there on Crumpets, but my mind is straying to other things. I have given up on Cleo for my sister since I ran out of yarn, and I bought it over a year ago. The color no longer seems to exist. I'd love to knit this halter for her instead, but she has yet to decide. Why is that model making such a ridiculous face? It looks like someone just gave her a kick in the arse.
I also want to knit this lovely scarf from Rowan's Ribbon Twist collection, in this new colorway, which is soooo dreamy. I mean black merino! with pink ribbon!! Could I love it any more?
I also must knit myself this cardigan, eventually. I won't need it in Albuquerque until December, but nonetheless.

I've journaled at length about this big move on my regular journal, but most of the posts are locked and therefore not viewable. I just can't keep up with two blogs/ journals. I suppose eventually I should just consolidate.
I'll leave you with this, though. Silas (my boy) and Blair, who have met once at 21 months but were born five hours apart and if they are anything like their mothers, are destined to be friends for life and as close as twin brothers.