Purling Oaks

Breaking Hibernation

I had not intended to wait so long to post this weekend but I got busy. The lengthening days with the extra minutes of daylight are having the desired effect of waking me from my hibernation*. After running errands, getting a massage, and general galavanting in Madison on Friday, Saturday found me in my studio---cleaning and straightening. I should say starting to clean because the winter (it wasn't me, it was WINTER) left that room a Mess. I cataloged more of my stash and entered it into Ravelry. I have several (ahem) sweaters' worth of stash....which are now neatly tucked away in little plastic bin/drawers that were on sale at Shopko on Friday. I still have a ways to go on that room today but I can see most of the floor now.

I took time out from finding the studio's floor to walk around outside. We have some crocus blooming on the south side of the house.

DH told me that one of our new crabapple trees is budding, which is excellent news. My garden boxes are beginning to thaw.

The soil is still rather wet and cold, so I won't be planting any seeds for a few weeks. Even with the wait, I find it heartening that the raised beds shed their cover of snow and will be warming up as they were designed to do.

I also started my Forest Canopy Shawl. I'm Knitting with Nora in a very relaxed, no rules KAL. If you are inclined, please join us! I'm using Fleece Artist Sea Wool in the most appropriate Woodlands colorway. I've knit up through row 12 of the set-up. I am enjoying the yarn and the pattern. Good pattern campaign suggestion, Stacey!

*Now if I only had come out of hibernation a few pounds lighter, like a real bear. *grin*

No Pink Carnation required

I left work yesterday and ate a quick supper at Cosi.  As I was contemplating my sandwich, it occurred to me that Nora and I had not set up a way to recognize each other.  No pink carnation in my lapel!  Then, I remember that she knows what I look like so I don't have to approach every likely looking woman in the St*rbucks.  I would have had a dilemma.  I didn't see any knitting anywhere.  Does this woman look like a likely Nora?

If you said yes, you would be correct!

I enjoyed a great conversation with Nora last night.  We covered a lot of ground for a first meet-up.  Sanity was discussed.  (I believe it is relative.) It was an enjoyable evening and I hope our next meet-up is sooner rather than later.

She had started Forest Canopy all ready!  "Just" 15 rows yesterday.  I still have to buy my pattern and find yarn to KAL in Knit with Nora.  The KAL is definitely a no rules, unstructured, no pressure shawl knit-a-long and promises to be fun.  I'm counting on it since this will be my first lace shawl.  Please join us!

Waiting for Wednesday

I'm working in Milwaukee this week.  So far, the weather has been pretty nice and the rain missed us today.  I'm enjoying the view of melting snow banks because it means that "real" Spring is on the way.  Unfortunately, the potential for flooding has increased dramatically so I should hope for a very slow thaw.  (I won't EVEN talk about the coming snowstorm.)  The potholes are multiplying like rabbits and there are even a few that look like a few bicyclists could be lost in them, forever.

There is some very good news though here in Brew City.  I'm going to meet with Nora tomorrow after work!  ::bounce, bounce, bounce::  She's still camera-shy so we'll just have to settle for another form of blogger meet-up evidence.  I just caught up with her latest post.....how many KALs?!?  I'll be able to get the details Wednesday if they are settled by then and the rules (Nora's rules) haven't changed (again). 

PLUS, in less than two weeks I'm going to be meeting up with Stacey!  ::bounce, bounce, bounce::

LIfe is GOOD!

And there was knitting, too!

The weekend was full of family, good food, fun, great conversation, a bit of driving and there was even knitting.  Saturday, we visited with DH's family in Watertown.  It really has been too long since Christmas.  I made a little progress on the second Jaywalker sock.   DSIL Anne was working on a cardigan.  (I'm hoping to have Anne guest-blog soon.  )

There was plenty of stuff to keep the younger members of our family busy.  My youngest nephew enjoyed the cake.  See the cute little finger imprints?

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Today we visited with my mom and enjoyed a yummy Easter dinner.  Mom also found a shawl she knit in early 2001 when Dad was in the hospital for a major event.  The shawl was knit and put away without blocking due to more important stuff going on.  She's planning on blocking it soon and I know it will be lovely.

I'm going to have to go through my Interweave Knits magazines to find the pattern.  I think it was a newer issue when Mom chose the yarn and pattern.  Any one recognize an unblocked shawl? *g*

Happy Weekend!

Knock, knock!

Who's there?

Ether!

Ether who?

Ether Bunny!

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Knock, knock!

Who's there?

Nother.

Nother Who?

Nother Ether Bunny!

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Knock, knock!

Who's there?

Stella.

Stella Who?

Stella Nother Ether Bunny!

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Knock, knock!

Who's there?

Cargo!

Cargo who?

Cargo Beep Beep, run over Ether Bunny!

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Knock, Knock!

Who's there?

Boo!

Boo Who?

Don't cry, there'll be another Ether Bunny next year!

A little happy dance

I'm almost giddy.  I sat in front of my spinning wheel last night and we (Margaret Rose and I) actually got along.  Fuzzle did a bit of supervising but she didn't have to break up any fights.

The yarn probably isn't all that uniform but it appears to be yarn all the same.  I spun some more this evening and finished off the bag of fiber.  I used what I think is the long draw for the the first time and it works well for me with this fiber compared to doing the inch worm technique.  Very satisfying, I must say.  Now, I'm still a bit of a poser for NaSpiMoMo but progress is being made.   I know I'm spinning wool but I don't remember the sheepy origin except that I got it at Susan's Fiber Shop a year or three ago.

It is rather nice to spin for an hour or so before the evening meal.  Of course, it is nice to be HOME so I can spin on my wheel.  Teleworking is such a wonderful idea.  Next week, I'll be back on the road but I certainly don't lack knitting projects to keep me busy.

A shadow and her cat

Stacey is having a contest!  Go visit and tell her what job you would like to have if education and money were of no significance.  I'm still thinking what job I would love.  There are a number of areas where I would like more experience  Crafting.  I suppose my ideal life would be to delve into all the crafts that I've only tested the waters, which is essentially all of them.  I would love to attend conferences and classes.  Maybe, once I gain some skill, I could teach and foster crafting.   Gardening.  I would love to spend a lot of time in my garden and develop a dyer's garden and expand my kitchen garden.  Writing.  I would love to work on my writing skills and expand on the little stories that roll around in my brain.  Music!  I would love to learn how to play my acoustic guitar.  Hmm.  I suppose I know what I'll be doing with my free time.  Not much of an answer for Stacey, though. 

The sun was shining for a few moments over Chez Purling Oaks late this afternoon.   We have signs of life in the gardens!  Well, the gardens that aren't still covered with snow, that is. 

On the left is the start of a tulip and on the right are crocii coming through the leaf debris under the lilacs. 

White Dot joined me on my stroll around the green parts of the yard and we did a little goofing around.

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I also finished the wash cloth on Sunday.  Here it is, posing.

Saturday's bits

I made it home with no problems Thursday night...late Thursday night.  Yesterday, a few loads of laundry were done, bloglines were caught up with, saw my hairstylist (can you say "Spring Gold"?), chopped some of the ice on the driveway, and did a bit of knitting. We also had salad, mashed potatoes, and fried squirrel for dinner.  *ahem*

I've been thinking about myself as a WIP after seeing Stacey's post with her works in process and adding a picture of herself in the mix.  I've changed physically (certainly) (not improved, just changed) over the first part of my life and I believe I've improved how I interact with others.  I just know I'm not finished yet, not by a long shot.  Then Norma posted today and I thought my results from the very in-depth quiz  *snort*  were interesting.  *g*   

 

What Angie Means

You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. You are deeply philosophical and thoughtful. You tend to analyze every aspect of your life. You are intuitive, brilliant, and quite introverted. You value your time alone. Often times, you are grumpy with other people. You don't appreciate them trying to interfere in your affairs. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Hello from Gate 29

I'm waiting for my connection to Madison which won't leave for about 2 hours. Good travel weather just poor luck with flight timing. The sock on the needles is the second Jaywalker...the socks on my feet are not standard business attire, believe it or not. They're my reserve socks when my feet get tired of my shoes

The daffodils and magnolias are starting to bloom in Washington, DC, the grass is green, and it was sunny. Can you see me smiling?

Spring must be coming...

Another Saturday road trip rediscovery:
My mother's Easter Egg tree (or branch).  It is great what memories can be made with several breakfasts of scrambled eggs for blow-out eggs, some crayons, pipe cleaners, and Haas' egg dye.

With the egg tree out, can Spring be far behind?  I think not.