Fall has fallen

I wanted to get these photos of a finished product before I start posting the winter stuff. Winter here really exists...and I think it started this week. Others who live here tell me this is still mild weather. I think they are just putting me on. It couldn't get down to 10 degrees for a month, could it?
Anyway, the mild weather photos here of of my long-term project, Lady Eleanor Stole from the Interweave Press book "Scarf Style". I used 12 balls of Noro Silk Garden and size eight needles. I almost finished it about a year ago and then came to the conclusion that it would have to go. It was the worst of times, for a knitter. Lady El was one of the first big projects I wanted to do. I cast on eons ago and worked slowly and steadily until I realized that disaster had struck. But now it is finished, in all its wrapping and warmth and color.

The colors of this season were stunning. This is one picture of a local state park which is at the end of the Fall season, but just before the snows. I loved it.

Faithful women and Yard Waste:

What in the world is that...a yard waste can?

Why does the DH want me to see inside...maybe a dead rodent or gross mold?



Nope, but I guess we are recycling the kids?!!!!!




This book was a quick read and perfect for inspiration.
Noel Piper, the wife of John Piper, is the author. She tells the story of several women who inspire her. I has previous knowledge of two of them, but the others were wonderful to learn about. I recommend this book because it is challenging to read of those who came before, those whose footsteps I would follow if I dare...


Foliage is done. It took only about three or four hours. fun, and I love the colors being so rich!

Moby Dick Almost Killed me

(I can't believe I never finished this post!!!! I just found it in my drafts folder from 11/15/07 - oops)

Yes, Moby Dick did almost kill me. It was NOT a joyous addition to my literary education. It was a knock-down drag-out war just to finish the weighty tome. Really. I would fight with myself just to convince myself to get through every page.

WHY?????? Why would I do this to myself? Well, it didn't start out that way. I picked it up with the thought of investing a little in the beginning, you know - pushing into the beginning a bit until the story really got going. So I pushed a little. It was fun at first, with plot furthering itself fairly quickly. Then it got bad; stupid. So I pushed some more. It was ponderous, with many long, hulking discussions of whales in general and whaling in general and many inane ideas and descriptions. So why didn't I stop????? WHY??? Silly me, I thought I had invested so much by then (half-way through!) that I couldn't stop. I started skimming the longest descriptive portions. Sue me. But I persevered. I did finish it. I emerged out of the watery depths with the famous whale and rejoiced in the killing of Ahab. At least his death meant the book was over. Thankfully.

Oh, and did you SEE the blog level I reached up there at the top of this post??? I was intrigued by Donna's Quiet Life when she posted about her blog's reading level. I thought it was so funny. She writes so very well.

When I received the reading level of genius, I laughed. I did actually test as genius when I was young, but I can't think very well , or remember anything of value anymore. I am actually the best joke around the house. It is sad, but true.

Anyway, I decided to make this post sound like it had a genius reading level. How'd I do?

Oh, and don't pick up Moby Dick. You'll be sorry...

Splendid Indeed

In a world with so many good books, I read for so very many reasons. This one I read because I wanted to know about Afghanistan.



I read the author's "The Kite Runner" and was deeply moved by the pathos of the city under several regimes and skirmishes. With class society and betrayal as themes, it was a dramatic book, grim and worthwhile.

A Thousand Splendid Suns is twice a illuminating to me. The author, Kahled Hosseini, has been living here in California since the 1980's but grew up on Afghanistan. He obviously has some knowledge of the situation in Kabul after he left. I was engrossed, following the political situation more clearly than I had before (I always have a hard time with straight info...a plot always seems to engage my mind more fully). There are two very different protagonists, both female. They reveal so many beautiful and terrible things about the Afghan culture as they negotiate the relationships they are confronted with. There is brutality but also loving sacriface. The burqa is both a repressive tool and a comfort. I recommend this book, although it is not for the faint of heart. I'd say his second book is the more Splendid of the two.



On to knitting: I stayed up late last night to finish my embossed leaves socks:



I still hate photographing my own feet. It is hard enough to keep the momentum when dieting...but with THAT kind of discouragment, ugh!

Tammy and I are looking to reading "The Robe" next I think. By Lloyd C. Douglas.

A Misty Soccer mom

Today we had to arrive at 6:50 am for group soccer photos. All ready. I've been thinking about being part of this sport and...
...I feel so very suburban: I am a soccer mom. I now have four kids in soccer for the 3rd year.

I become involved in the play so much that I have a mantra, "I will not cheer, I will not cheer".
Why? For me, cheering becomes squealing and even jumping and flailing. My children do not find this behavior becoming in a 41 yr old. Neither do the other more sedate moms. So I repeat my mantra and get a grip on things. My son today gave me a very nice gift. He told me I could cheer. He liked it. He wanted to be cheered for. So with a misty smile, I cheered today. I ran out of batteries so his game didn't get shot, but it would have been wet anyway.
Lady Eleanor has received some progress over the last month and yet it isn't really showing any huge progress, so I photographed it on my littlest kid. It makes the project look bigger, eh?

It was early on a cold morning, so she was happy, cuddly model.




I picture myself in it later in the year at the soccer games, saying my mantra.

GREAT Yarns

First, LOOK at that yarn. I sigh whenever I look at it. I know, it sounds silly to like this stuff so much and I realize it IS just some yarn, but ooooh, you should see it. It's Koigu KPPPM, my first. I think it is #502.

This love affair began with a yarn crawl, my first ever in Los Angeles. We hit Wild Fiber and A Mano Yarns and they had so many things.

This is yarn for the Tahoe cardigan at Knitty. Cathay in blue and Koigu to match for edging. And bleow is more #88 Silk Garden for the Lady Eleanor, which is progressing nicely.


then we have some Blue Moon "Socks that Rock" sock yarn. The picture doesn't do it justice. The greens are neutral, yes, but more colorful. and the browns, peaches yarn next to it is the Koigu from the top picture.



Some shopping trip, huh? More tomorrow.