One Scheme of Happiness

Not Sure Where to Start, So Let's Back It Up

I'm back, I'm home.  I know, I did a terrible job of blogging my trip.  You know I have a lot to tell you, though, as I get myself organized.  India was just so...much.  I ate everything.  I didn't get sick.  I lived through a terrible car crash outside of Agra, India (the driver of the other car died). 

While I sort my thoughts, my stories and my photos, I'll give you that Christmas FO secret knitting list that I never shared. 

First I knit for my mom.  Mom got my first stab at Dashing; although I flubbed the cable on this one, she didn't notice or mind. 

 

I used size 6 needles and two skeins of Debbie Bliss Donegal Luxury Tweed.

I kept going with the Dashing and soon had hand coverings for Ben. 

 

I used the Debbie Bliss Donegal Luxury Tweed and size 6 needles again, but in a soft green color rather than the red.

Then I realized my friend Len had asked for a handknit, so Len got Dashing as well.

 

These I create with size 5 needles and Jo Sharp Silkroad DK Tweed, 2 skeins of Serpentine.

My friend Andre?  Yeah, he got identical mitts.

 

Andre's wife Cheryl got...Dashing!  This time, though, in a colorful Noro Kureyon and on size 5 needles (they were very small until I blocked them over shampoo bottles).

You can imagine that by then I was tired, very tired, of Dashing (...through the snow...)  So, for my friend Sandy, I shook things up. 

I knit Evangeline.

  

These lovelies were once again from Debbie Bliss Donegal Luxury Tweed in a Natural/Oatmeal hue, on size 6 needles.

My friend Amy still needed mitts.  Why mess with a good thing?  Evangeline again!  I was on a roll.

 

I made the finger covering of this pair slightly longer so they could be worn long over the fingers for warmth or folded for additional finger agility.  I used size 6 needles and Jo Sharp Silkroad DK Tweed, in Asparagus.

Yes, it was Mitt Year here for the holidays, yet I myself still have no mitts in sight.  A few balls of lovely blue tweed are sighing from the stash, waiting for me to face yet another Evangeline, but I have other projects and other deadlines ahead, so my fingers may have to cool it for a while.  Let me tell you, this snowy, icy day begs for a warm and sturdy set of mitts!

Now that we've recapped, expect a deluge of travel post to hit forthwith.

The 2008 FO-down

I can't blog the cluster of Holiday Knitting yet, but I can re-cap the rest of 2008 for you.

We began the year with a nifty set of wash cloths for Amy:

 

Yes, I was running behind back then, too, with my holiday knits.  Next, I added a set of wash cloths for my mom:

 

...complete with larger cloth for when bigger is better (and with inverted colors).

 

Later in the year, I knit still more dish rags, these for me.

Yo, It's a Scarf tumbled along in February:

 

...and another Dragon Scarf, this one for little Jack.

 

Then I made myself another scarf as soon as I smelled autumn, just because I could.

I knit some socks for Ben...

 

...and some socks for me...

 

me, me!

 

...as well as a single Spider-swap Eleanora for Lisa.

I knit baby stuff...

 

...for all of those 2008 babies...

 

And then, the blankets!  Oh, the blankets!  I designed Diamonds and Pearls for Sophie...

 

...and worked on a group Circle of Friends blanket.

 

I went on a Pinwheel kick and knit one...

 

...two.

 

I tackled a Hemlock Ring.

 

I guess my greatest knitting accomplishment, though, was finishing a sweater I will actually wear.

 

Hopefully, I can hand off my last giftie soon and show you what I was up to in December soon.

Celebration

 

What New Year's Eve looked like at the 21 Club.

 

PS: That remote blogging had a few bugs.  I have two days to see if I can work them out.

Welcome 2009!

So HAPPY NEW YEAR, INTERNET!

 

I assume everyone had happy celebrations.  Ben and I hope that 2009 tops everything we've seen so far.

 

Since I last chatted with you, I've watched wool dry.

 

I cheered on 'Bama in the Sugar Bowl, to no avail (but you cannot imagine how proud Ben is of his little Utes).

 

And we went to the movies!  A LOT!  In fact, this much ~

 

Of the FIVE movies I've seen lately (more, I'd venture, than I saw ALL of last year) here's the OSOH ranking:

1) Slumdog Millionaire

2) Defiance

3) Revolutionary Road

4) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (seen prior to baby blanket project so no mention in the photo)

5) Quantum of Solace

Yet all were spectacular movies I'd recommend for a look-see.

I plan to report back with a summary of 2008 FOs, books read and recommended and MORE!  I have to start packing and I haven't even told you about my trip!  Stay tuned.

New Year's Eve

And it's snowing outside again.  I hope you all have lovely plans for the evening to ring in 2009 (it has to be better than 2008, right?)  We'll be celebrating at the 21 Club with friends, dinner and a champagne toast (but not too much champagne ~ I hate starting a new year hung over).

As for Benjamin Button, I quite liked it and highly recommend the movie.   We saw Quantum of Solace last night~ it was your usual Bond action flick.  I thought some of the chase scenes were confusing (wait ~ who is chasing who now and why?) but the Bond girl was awesome. 

I realized that I needed some knitting I could do without looking for when I'm attending these movies, so I cast on for my all-time favorite no-peeking knitting project.

 

(can you see the snowflakes fall?)

That's how far I got during Bond.  I have a few more movies that are must-see this weekend, so I might churn out another Modern Log Cabin Baby Blanket post haste.

Happy New Year everyone! 

Still Here!

Sorry for the radio silence ~ once my routine is broken, it takes a while for me to hobble back into it, and holidays seem to always throw me for a loop.  I hope your holiday was nice, whatever you celebrated.  We had a quiet yet lovely week with friends and we are looking forward to another fun New Year's event.

Also, it seems to be pomelo season ~ the stores are full of them.

I'm back at work and it's as deserted  as a post-housing bubble Las Vegas suburb.    I still need to knit ~ I have just one late gift to finish up.  I almost made it, and would have made it, I think, had I not run out of yarn.  Guess who will be visiting the LYS store this afternoon and working like a fiend to finish up that last little pressie.  But we're also off to see Benjamin Button tonight (anyone seen it yet?  How is it?)

Since I haven't distributed all of my knits yet, I can't post FO pics, but if you're really curious (and don't expect to get a present from me in the next few days), check them out on Ravelry (I'm katieny).  But I can show you this monster:

 

The Lacy Chunky Throw.  Size 15 needles.  Whatever possessed me?

Mondays of Short Weeks are Pretty Good

What made me happy on Monday, December 22, 2008:

1) Snacking and drinking margaritas at Toloache.

2) Getting holiday presents shipped away.

3) Starting my holiday cards, finally.

4) Finishing present 5; under way with number 6 now.

Happy Weekend

What made me happy on Saturday, December 20, 2008:

1) Making candy all day with Amy.

2) Hairspray with Harvey.

3) Amazing sushi.

4) More snowflakes.

5) Another paper done.

What made me happy on Sunday, December 21, 2008:

1) Going to a movie with friends.

2) Pizza.

3) 4.75 presents done; 3.25 yet to go.

Caloo, Calay

Things that made me happy on Monday, December 15th:

1) Finishing one of my papers due for finals (and turning it in on time).

2) 64 degrees!  

3) Sweetriot!  OMG, why did you not tell me about these?  I grabbed a tin at Whole Foods as a spur of the moment craving thing and just about died when I tried one.  And only about two calories each?  I must be dreaming.  My life will never be the same.

 

4) Wool-silk-cashmere tweed.    And 3.5 done.

 

5) Finally watching the first two episode of Tru Blood on HBO on demand.  What took me so long?  (Ben seems less impressed than I am.)

Nom Nom Nom

 
11/27/08:  Relief on the side of St. Mark's in Venice.  Beware the shoulder munching lions.

***************************

Today: The knitting is still secret.  The Mom is recovering well (thanks for all of your sweet comments).  I got to see old friends this weekend.

 

Now I am writing a final paper.  Get thee away from me, Internet, until the writings be done.  Then bring me a cocktail.  And cheese on toast.