Christmas Socks

So it's almost March and I'm finally posting about my projects that I made for Christmas. The only people left, who had not received socks in our family, were my brother and sister-in-law. They live in Dallas so the need for wool socks is not all that great, but they do travel North on occasion and I wanted them to have warm toes. Specs are below. I do have to say I loved the Berroco Sox yarn on the right. So sturdy and softens up nicely when washed. Not sure about the Trekiing pro natura on the left. It was splity to work with. I haven't asked my SIL how they are wearing. Will get back to you on that! Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!

Purple Socks

basic 3x1 rib

Trekking pro natura

75% new wool

25% bamboo

60 stitches

size 1 needle

Blue Socks

basic 3x1 rib

Berroco Sox

75% superwash wool

25% nylon

68 stitches (i think)

size 1 needle

I've Been Bitten...

Be back soon....

Happy Belated Birthday!

Whew...not sure where February went to. It's been a busy month around here. Hockey has been in full swing but winding down too. We had a Winter Recess that allowed us to tag along with my husband to sunny Florida and we celebrated Matt's birthday!

Matt turned twelve less than a week ago. This past year has all the hormones kicking in at high throttle. Emotions are close to the surface, friends are wonderful one day and mean the next and parents are slowly turning into knowing all to knowing absolutely nothing. It's exciting to watch, yet maddening, sad and frustrating all at the same time. Patience has become a staple in my vocabulary as of late. Some days it all works out for the best and others, well, we just muddle through.

We couldn't be prouder of Matt. He's a high achiever in everything he touches (well maybe not his room, but he can't be great at everything), has a great sense of humor, is sensitive to those around him (again needs to work on this with his brother) and just gobbles up knowledge at an alarming speed. His creativity astounds us. He love photography and making movies. He sets goals and sticks with them. Can't ask for much more from this kiddo.

So we wish Matt a Happy Birthday and for a year full of exciting opportunites, kind friends, and a smooth transition into the teenage years, for both him and us!

We love you Matt!

Mom and Dad

Random iphone pictures

Did you ever pick up your phone and wonder who's been playing with it? The other day I was waiting yet again and clicked onto my pictures to find some new wallpaper and found these. First up: Me driving in crappy weather yet again. I was probably trying to concentrate and yelling at the boys to put the new iphone down so it wouldn't drop in the slush that collects on the back floor mats.

Then there were the fish at the dentist's office. Lovely!

Hi Brandon! This is Ryan's good friend at the hockey rink. Taken by Ryan, of course!

Beautiful snow pictures taken on the way to another hockey game...I think the sun was just coming up and we had been driving for an hour already.

And then I found these. Me knitting...this one's okay. Look I'm even wearing a handknit scarf. Sorta clashes...but what the heck it's the hockey rink.

Then me again! Same color sweater...different style. I didn't realize until I saw these pictures that I wear this color so often. Forgot my glasses that night so I'm stretching my arms out to see the stitches.

But then there's this one! I'm wondering (and betting that the answer is yes) if this is the way I present myself for the world to see each evening at the hockey rink. Tired and waiting...waiting...waiting for the season to end!

Yay! Siobhan!

Hope you all get out to see the movie New In Town. Our friend Siobhan plays a supporting role in the movie. You've seen her as the bus driver in Forest Gump, the farmer's wife in Men In Black and the mom in Holes, just to name a few. Tonight, family and friends get to see a private screening. Hopefully the snow will stop soon so I don't have to drive through a blizzard to help Siobhan celebrate her latest accomplishment.

She stopped at our local TV station to do a promo. She is hysterically funny in person! She comes home every summer so her kids can get out of the city. We never talk about her acting, giving her the privacy that she needs, yet we all are dying to ask about certain people.

What I like best about Siobhan is that she's a great mom first before anything else. She picks her roles, so her kids can be proud of her and has turned many down because of the sleaziness of it all. She admits that she probably could have made a lot more money had she compromised her morals and values. Well done Siobhan! I'm looking forward to this evening!

Added later: Okay..I know the reviews are really bad, but please support my friend. Tough break for her...but she really is a good actress.

Friday Round-up

I'm here! Just busy hibernating! Attacking things around the house that have needed attacking for a very long time.

The sun finally came out this week, forcing me to dust.

Not sure when everyone thought that I was their maid, but things always need to be placed back in their spot.

With the sun, came extremely cold temperatures. That meant no walks outside, so now I have one bored and angry dog.

During hibernation I decided to make bread. It's time consuming, but so worth the wait. I can honestly say that I am amazed that I made this creation. Even my boys were flabbergasted!

I am knitting, but on small things: a pair of socks and a set of toasts which will be sent to my little sister in chilly NYC.

Speaking of NYC, I would like "Sully" as my personal pilot from now on. What a hero! I said to my husband that all the men standing on the wing looked like him. They were all dressed in my husband's standard work attire of grey pants and either a white or blue shirt. Today we found out that they were indeed from the same company that my husband works for. After years of spending time with them, I can even spot an auditor standing on an airplane wing in the middle of the Hudson River. Joking aside, I'm so glad everyone is safe.

Have a good weekend to all of you and stay warm!

Seaman's Cap

Ryan's modeling pose

Ryan's my hat kid. Ever since he was little he has worn interesting hats. Up until last year he would wear a raccoon hat to school in the winter. He always asks me to knit him up hats. So here's the latest. When he saw the picture he wasn't too thrilled with it, but my mother's intuition kicked in and I made it anyway thinking he would like it. He's happy with the results and put it right on!

We are home today in the midst of an ice/sleet/rain weather pattern. Happy Wednesday!

Specs:

Seaman's Cap

size 6 and 7 needles

Paton's Classic Wool

3/4 of a skein

We Got Mail

Actually, the boys did...from their friend in Texas, Miss Audrey. Audrey is the daughter of Joslyn over on Simple Lovely. And little Miss Audrey is in L.O.V.E with my oldest Matthew. She tells anyone who will listen that she is going to marry him. So cute...

Back to the daily routine today. As I was on my daily walk with our dog, I was catching up on my podcasts. Today's catch-up was This American Life -Music Lessons. Go download it, if you haven't heard it yet. It's for anyone that has ever: taken music lessons, been involved with music, wished they could play music or just simply enjoyed listening to music. The piece at the end by Anne Lamott is especially moving. So there, I just added something else to your to-do list. Enjoy!

Happy New Year!

I'm Two Years Old!

I thought my actual blog anniversary was January 1st, but when I looked back I missed it by a couple of days...as always I'm a day late.

I've been thinking about this post for awhile and can compose it in my head quite nicely,but I'm not too sure how it's going to flow through the fingertips. So with that warning I will give it a try.

I worry. Big time. About things that I can't control. Two events brought this into the forefront this past year. President-elect Obama's win and a visit with old friends.

With Obama's win I realized that I had grown into a middle aged cynic. Not sure how I got there, and wasn't happy with what I saw. Maybe it's raising kids, a husband that travels, economic woes, who knows...but it grew like an ugly sore. A conversation with my brother (thanks Tim) woke me up to the person that use to be. I still worry that all of our woes are too much to handle for this man but he has renewed my faith in myself...so I guess that's a plus.

The other night we spent time with old college friends. Friends that have seen all that we had to offer at age twenty and then are there for the rest of our lives. People that we can fall easily into a discussion about politics and then change quickly to recalling the night in that bar when so and so did that!!! And so the conversation began the other evening, but I wasn't ready for the information that followed: two siblings struck with heart disease, bosses dying, people moving...etc...Each one of us had a story. I went to bed that night and hugged my husband. Knowing that we were growing older, realizing we need to spend each and every day trying to be good people, teaching our boys about life and all the opportunities that they have in front of them. Hoping that we can support our friends in their happiness and sadness.

So I'm led here, January 30th, 2008. I already know things will be vastly different in the coming year. For our Nation and for our own home. But I'm not willing to have anyone dictate to us what that will be. I will live for my kids, my husband, my friends, but most importantly, I will live for me.

Thanks for stopping and spending your time in my small space of the blog world. We are all busy people and I appreciate your blog-friendship. To you and yours...Happy 2009!

A Surprise

What a surprise when I clicked onto etsy today and saw these on the main page. I'm officially on the wagon from spending money so I won't be purchasing, but many of you follow Leslie and she has made us all pine for wooden plates. (no pun intended)

So if you want to buy yourself a little present, skip on over to

JollyPollyPickens and enjoy!