This is my Noro Striped Scarf: DH actually wore it today before going up in a cold small airplane. Daring of him, isn't it?

This is another view,

And another. the next one is the beginnings of my Calormitery:

using Art Yarns Reality. And this below is a shot of the fun we had yesterday. I even wore the striped scarf for that one. It sure has gotten a lot of use lately.

Not enough weather, we gotta make more

Ok, most people in Southern California are hiding inside because of the torrential rain we have been receiving. My kids and their cousins didn't think there was enough rain. We've got the dryer going quite often because they want to be out in it and need more dry clothes every couple of hours.

I got out the camera catch the fun. I keep seeing them in the trampoline so..... I went with a smile on my face and found:

They didn't think the rain was enough.

They had to make more. I let them. I smiled.

It was one of my good parenting moments.

Donna from Quiet Life asks questions every Friday on her blog. Last Friday she asked a question about laughter. How many times a day do I laugh? Hmm. Well, I know I need to laugh more. Somehow I veer toward the more serious things of life and I think I need to lighten up a little.

So yesterday, I paid attention to the laughter. I was surprised.

I laughed all the time.

I am so encouraged. Thank you Donna for asking the question.

This is my progress on Lady Eleanor. This stole is still going on: I just can't give up!
The first picture is without flash, inside at night. The colors are more true. The second photo is with the flash which makes it more clear, but the colors look more saturated than they really are.



My mom is trying to get me to read War and Peace. Tolstoy. I've always wanted to read him, but been daunted by the reputation this title has. Looooooonnnnnnnnggg. Anybody want to do it with me?

Some Weather

We're having some real weather here today. This weird wet stuff started falling out of the sky today, a sky that was gray,silver and dark. Then some white stuff started falling out too. I went out to examine this new thing....it was cold and wet. Then some huge bombs must of been going off somewhere nearby because I heard a huge boom or two or three.
See? ANY IDEAS WHAT THIS STUFF IS?

I'd like to thank my producers and the crew...

...because I've won an award. I've always wanted to be awarded something and I've gotta say that it feels good to make someone's day. I've just got to wonder, was it the recycled kids that put me over the top to win?

Thanks to Tammy for the award! She also passed on a Book Meme, in which you take out the book on your bedstand and go to page 161 and copy down the fifth sentence from the top.

I am reading "The Gun Seller" by Hugh Laurie and here is the scintillating sentence, "And another half-a-million will build the roads that the Nissan (curse word deleted) Micras run on, and pretty soon, you've got two hundred and fifty million good democrats, needing America to go on doing the last thing it does well: Make guns."

Now I am to name 5 people for the You Make My Day award.

Tammy - because you make me laugh and keep me pointed the right way
Nan - because I just found out you love Mount Hermon
Kristen - who emailed me when I stopped blogging for a while :)
Krissy - who is so young and so fun and wise all together
Gail - who has so much creativity in life and homeschooling too

Congratulations ladies, now it's your turn to award five people and comment on their blog that they've won. (anyone at all who wants to do the Book Meme may do it; I'd love to hear what you are reading!!!!).

This is my Noro Striped Scarf. I am making mine just the way Jared Flood described here.

And this is a preview of my Branching Out scarf from Knitty, Spring 2005.

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!

Spiders and Foliage

This is what #2 saw when I asked her to come sit by me. The view you see here does not in any way reresent the huge, gargantuan nature of this BLACK WIDOW. I was sitting here:

And Knitting and listening to a book on tape and she saw it right there between the wall and that end table. I went quickly into action, admonishing my four terrified children to "stay!" and wait for their heroic mother to quell this foe with decisive action. Ok, they weren't afraid, but I did quickly get the hair spray and kill this beastie. I then took it outside to get a photo of it's red belly for you all to see. It didn't cooperate. It was all shriveled up and looking mighty timid and...well, dead.

This is what I began last night at 9:30. It's the Foliage hat pattern from Knitty Fall 2007 using Malabrigo Chunky. It is very quick. And nice. Two of the beasties here are vying for it when it is done. I wonder, though, if it will really get any wear here in windy, oops I mean sunny California.