A Trip

Today my day is filled with packing and organizing.  I am heading off to Franklin, NC tomorrow with my youngest and a friend of his.  We are going to visit our friends Lynda and Bruce.  As you can see my knitting is ready to go.  I do have my priorities you know.

 The Cardi Shrug is on the needles, I am under the arm so I have about 6 more inches to go on this project.

 The yummy apple green is for the second shrug, I hope to get it on the needles while I am away from home.  My friends live on half of a mountain.  I think two 15 year old boys might have a wonderful time exploring all by themselves.  I will get to visit with my dear friends.  Bruce is one of my friends battling cancer right now, stage 4 lung cancer with a horrible prognosis.  So it is really important I can go and see him for myself.

 When I get home I have this mess to deal with.  12 1/4 inches of rain leads to a lot of plant growth and may I add A LOT of weed growth.  I feel like the plants have been on a super growth cycle this week.  Plants on steroids!

Even the Mexican Petunia's have gone mad.  

We are heading out tomorrow at 7am for the 12 hour drive.  I am hoping to return Thursday or Friday.  If you live in the US, hope your 4th of July is safe and lovely.  And no matter what your political background is, with all the election craziness, I know you are all happy to live in such a wonderful country.  I know I am. 

See you soon.

What Will Happpen When I Am Gone?

I don't plan on going anywhere just yet, so don't panic or anything.  I have recently read several blog posts about finding lovely knitted or crocheted items in thrift stores.  After reading about the lovely blanket Kris at Simplify found, it got me thinking about what will happen to all my yarn creations when I am gone?  Will my family pack them up and send them to the Goodwill store?  Will they not understand how much work I put into each and every item?

 Here is a quick look at one of my closet shelves.  So much of my knitting/crocheting life is right here.  On top of the pile is the crochet vest I recently finished, underneath it is the blue crochet vest I finished before that.  The tropical shawls I made on vacation to remind me of the water in the Caribbean, and over to the left the gray Japanese Flower inspired shawl.  My new shrug is on the first shelf next to the really cool pinkish, crochet wrapped sweater I made last year.  I have so many shawls that are so beautiful  (see the right of the photo), that I never even wear.  Even if they are not on my body I still want them to be treated with respect and not given away.

 I have these small slanted shelves due to my closet being located under the stairs, even though they are small they can still hold the red wool wrapped vest (I have never worn), and the cotton Noro vest hiding underneath it.  I have a lovely green tunic made out of Berroco Glace to the right and an amazing black cardigan made from Glace underneath it.  These were all made years ago, but they still mean something to me.

 I do not have a craft room or even a craft space, my closet holds everything.  This is where I have my knitting and crochet supplies, my stash, my needles and hooks, and my project bags are all located here.  What will happen to all of this?  Will it go to someone who will love it as much as me? 

 I don't even have room for my latest purchases, they are still in the bags I brought them home in.  I don't intend for this yarn to linger out here on my closet floor, I just haven't got around to finding a place for it yet.  I find when I put the yarn in bins I forget about it.  If I had a craft room I swear all my yarn would be displayed so I could admire the beautiful colors and textures all the time.

I give many, many of my finished items away.  I know that a lot of them are never used by the people I give them to, but that is okay.  I was on a shawl kick a few years ago and everyone got a dropped stitch, knitted shawl for Christmas.  Then there was the year everyone got a felted bag, last year it was crocheted cowls.  I know these aren't used too much as I intimately know the people who received them.  But that doesn't stop me for making things for my family and friends, and for that case making things for myself.  I just wonder what will happen to all these items.  If they end up in a thrift store, I sure hope someone will find them and give them the love they deserve, and understand that a lot of time and love went into making them.

Do you ever wonder what will happen to the items you make?  And when you find and item, do you ever wonder about the person who made it?

Debby

Tropical Storm Debby has been visiting us here in Florida.  She is a lovely, wide and disorganized weather system that has sort of stalled near the top of the state.

 We were very lucky, no damage just lots of rain, 12 1/4 inches in 24 hours to be exact.  It was very interesting watching all the weather on TV, nothing like a good storm to send all the weather forecasters into a tizzy.  There was some damage near the coast but for us it was smooth sailing.  My husband was pretty upset the weather kept breaking through the Olympic Trials, to repeat what they had been saying all day, but that was really the only annoyance.  Because I was stuck inside all day I decided to start my new Cari Shrug and watch three episodes of the first season on Downtown Abbey.  This show is new to me, I am a bit slow sometimes on what is popular, and can I just say how much I love it!  The clothes, the acting, the scenery are all just wonderful.

 The weather has cleared even though we have some remaining bands from the storm out in the Gulf which may give us some rain today.  Right now it is sunny skies with a lovely brisk wind.  Max is sure happy to be able to sit by the pool, even if it is next to the Cardi Shrug.  You know how he feels about photo shoots.

Between the weather, baseball, Olympic Trials and Downtown Abbey I managed a good 6 inches on my shrug.  I think my behind was hurting from being so stationary all day, those days don't occur very often so I took advantage of it.  Yesterday and today it is back to reality, work, cleaning and everyday normal life.  I think I could have used one more home bound day that is for sure.  Hope the weather is smiling on you wherever you live.

And by the way, thanks so much for the lovely compliments on the Cardi Shrug, I really love it.

A Yarn Party

Yesterday my knitting buddy Cathy and I made the trek over to Tampa to visit Knit n' Knibble, a very lovely yarn store.  They were having their Birthday celebration sale.  A yarn sale is not to be ignored that is for sure.  I have mentioned this store before, the owner and the people working there are really lovely.  We went last year for the first time and we were frankly amazed.  Not at the sale but at the celebration.  Every year the owner rents out the empty store next door and sets up tables and lovely women of all ages sit, and knit, and crochet together, they have door prizes, pizza and drink,s and a fashion show.

 Look at everyone having a great time.  People who work with yarn are so happy, put a bunch of them together in one room and you have such fantastic energy.

 We did not get there until after 12:30, so much of the fun had already taken place, but we still got to experience it.  The joke is everything was 10% off, with yarns ranging up to 70% off.  Everything I purchased, you can guess was only 10% off, but 10% is at least something.

 I wore my new Cardi Shrug.  Now I don't know if the knitters were just overcome by the yarn fumes in the room, but I got lots of compliments.  When I told everyone it was a free pattern on Ravelry they were thrilled.  The lovely woman sitting next to me even downloaded the pattern on her iPhone right away, and headed next door to buy more yarn to make it.  Lots of people had on gorgeous knitted and crocheted items.  One lovely woman I had to go up and talk to was making the Japanese Flowered Shawl, in Lucy's of Attic 24's colors, in lovely Debbie Bliss yarn.  It was so gorgeous you would not believe it.  I told her about the two I made, one was in cotton and  the other alpaca.  My flowers were much bigger than hers which really changes how the shawl looks.

 I went with a purpose.  To buy yarn to make the Nevis Cardigan, from Knit Scene Special Issue - Winter 2011.

 Sorry for the fuzzy picture, but I think the purple yarn above will do nicely.  It is Filigran lace weight, 100% Merino superwash. 

 And because I am loving this Cardi Shrug so much I thought I would make a couple more.    The colors above do not do this yarn justice.  I will try to take another picture on a sunny day.  This is Elizabeth Lavold, Silky Wool.  The green in more apple green, and very bright, and the red is more of a raspberry in color.

 They also had door prizes and I got one!!!!!  Hooray!!!!!  Lovely Cascade Kid Seta with a crochet shawl pattern I will not ever use.  Not that I don't love crochet, you know I do the pattern is just not for me.  I could definitely see another Nevis Cardigan made from this combination. 

 Before any swatching could be done I promised I would finish Monster # 4.  She is into all kinds of mischief as you can see.  She flew off my double pointed needles and climbed in my plant.

 She tried to make some calls on my cell phone.

 And drink my water.

 Here are all four monsters having a snuggle.

The reason for my very shoddy picture taking is this.....the weather is very wet out, dark and GLOOMY.  We have Tropical Storm Debby out in the Gulf of Mexico dumping lots, and lots of water on us.  It is heading off to Texas so we won't get a ton of wind, mostly rain, rain and more rain.  Perfect day to stay inside and play with some yarn don't you think?

How is your weekend going?

OSU

We are home and I am a bit overwhelmed.  The Ohio State University is a big, beautiful school.  It was a toasty 94 degrees there when we were visiting.    But the skies were sunny and the people lovely.  

All the freshman swimmers will be living here together in very teeny, tiny, dorm rooms.  A far cry from having your own room and sharing your bathroom with your brother.

Everyday Mr. 18 year old will walk by this beautiful scene, Mirror Lake on his way to practice and classes.

 Isn't it gorgeous?  I bet it is amazing during the Fall foliage season.

 This is the Aquatic Center where you will be able to find my son from 6-8 AM and 1:45- 5 PM daily.  When do they fit classes in?  Well that is the tricky part, they manage with the help of some pretty amazing academic advisers. 

 Some of the buildings were quite incredible, very stately, old university feeling about them.  Some are those garish newer building that have no character at all.

The main thing is that Mr. 18 year old is feeling like this is the place he wants to be.  He fit in nicely and feels comfortable.  Now his Mother, well that is another story.  I only had to control myself once because I thought I was going to cry.  I am just trying to be excited for him, and not let my Mom feelings overwhelm me.  But that is a tough one isn't it?  I know many of you have been through this already.  I will be leaning on you in the next two months that is for sure.

A Quick Post

We are heading off to Columbus, OH in a few minutes to go to my son's orientation at The Ohio State University.  Before I left I wanted to leave you with a few photos of my latest projects.

The shawl I made for my friend Amy who is moving away.

It is hot off the loom, the edges have a crochet border, and it was left at her door step.

I am sending this hug she can wrap around herself when she is feeling lonely.

The Cardi Shrug is done.  The pattern is free on Ravelry, by Jennifer L. Jones.

I made mine a bit longer as I am very tall and I did not want to waste this beautiful hand spun yarn.  I like it a lot and just might make another one.

I am usually not a raglan sleeve kind of gal as I have very wide shoulders, but this seems to fit, probably because it does not have long sleeves.

Have to finish packing and catch my plane.  Wish me luck.

Tired (If you do not want to hear me whine, please pass on by)

 I. Am. Tired.  I am plum tuckered out.  This year is really starting to take its toll on me.  Lots of stress, some of it good and a good portion of it bad.  I am tired.  This graduation and all the festivities have put me over the edge.  While I am so proud of my son, I worry about him too, as all Mother's do.  Mr. 18 year old had a bit too much fun on the evening of his graduation, so he is now grounded.  The worry never stops does it?  We had a party for my son and his best buddy at our house Saturday evening.  All the cleaning, prep work, organizing, smiling, conversation, more smiling and clean up afterward has worn me out.  For some reason I am having trouble bouncing back from all the activity.  Maybe it is the dreaded Menopause, or my thyroid is low, or I am out of shape or I have just plain hit the wall.  

My MIL has been visiting this past week to help us celebrate.  I have written about her before and you know how absolutely amazing she is.  Imagine being almost 94 and traveling to Florida for your grandson's graduation.  But now she requires a great deal of time.  Time that I love to give her, but time none the less.  She now has really terrible short term memory.  Most of the time it isn't an issue as you just repeat the same conversations, over and over again.  What makes it more and more difficult is now her feeling are getting hurt.  If you tell her you are going to work, an appointment, or to take a shower, she forgets and feels like you have left her.  Even if you remind her several times, leave her a note, etc., her feeling get hurt.  She is so wonderful and has been such an active, loving participant in my kids lives that the last thing I wan to do is hurt her feelings.  It is funny how she remembers negative emotions even if she doesn't remember what really happened. 

So while we have been sitting and chatting, I have been working on this.  The Cardi Shrug by Jennifer L. Jones.  This free pattern can be found on Ravelry.  This is the lovely hand spun yarn I bought a while back.  With only 465 precious yards to work with, I thought a shrug might be a perfect project for this yarn.

It is worked from the top down, with raglan sleeves.  I like that as I am tall and can really make the most of the yarn I have making the shrug as long as I want.  To my total surprise, Jane over at Hook and Yarn just completed the same project.  Pop on over to her blog to take a peek.  Of course in true Meredith fashion I do not have the correct yarn, gauge, needle size, etc.  Another fly by the seat of my pants project.  My yarn is much too thin, I had to go up a needle size and still do not have gauge.  I have added more repeats, and I am going to hope for the best.  It is an easy knit, so that has helped me tremendously this past week.

So now I am off to work and hopefully will be able to catch my breath this weekend.  Sorry for whining, but as I said before I am worn out!

Here is hoping you have a lot more energy than me.

Isn't He Something!

Congratulations to my amazing son.  A High School Graduate!  It happened a day later than expected due to poor weather.  It happened with only his Medical Magnet Class due to limited space, but none the less it happened.  

Isn't he something!

Sister

Today my amazing sister Claudia wrote a moving and sad post about our other sister L.  If you want to take a look you can find it here at Mockingbird Hill Cottage.  It explains why I love Claudia so very much.

I am off to work.  My MIL comes in tonight for graduation festivities and my oldest graduates tomorrow, outside in the football stadium, chance of rain 90%.

Wish me luck.

Crochet Vest

 Do you remember this basket full of yarn?  I started my crochet vest in the beginning of March.  I was so excited and a little apprehensive as I could not get the correct gauge for the squares.  I ended up having to go up two hook sizes and doubling up the yarn.  I knew this was going to be a fly by the seat of my pants project, because I did not know if I would have enough yarn to complete it.

 The yarn I found that was comparable to what the pattern suggested is actually used for weaving.  Buying the suggested yarn was not happening at almost $200. I initially tried this with one strand and it was not working at all.  Doubling it up and hoping for the best is all I could do.

  This is the Abelia Jacket by Judith Swartz from the winter issue of Interweave Crochet. Obviously this is not going to be a jacket due to lack of yarn so I went for a vest instead.

 After the border, this is all the yarn I have left.  I really enjoyed the pattern.  153 squares, join as you go,  holes left for the arms, and a border, simple.  I decided to make two extra joins on each side of the squares as just 3 joins seemed too loose for me. 

 I will try to get a picture of me in it sometime in the future for your honest opinion.  Here I go again, but I just don't think you can tell if something is really nice or not if you have made it.  Is it really cheesy but you are not seeing it because you have spent three months working on this project?  It will definitely hang  loosely and have a bit of an artsy feel to it.

Aren't these gorgeous.  A friend of mine handed me these bulbs a year ago to plant.  Bulbs  do not usually do so well here in Florida.  These sprouted right away and continue to flower every few months. 

Hope you had a lovely weekend.  And for all my friends in the UK, hope the Jubilee is all you had dreamed it to be.

Friday Thoughts

 What two posts, two days in a row???  I know I am feeling a bit crazy today.  I had all sorts of cleaning plans for outside today, but I woke up to this.  Rain, rain and more rain.  It was lovely.  There was a gentle rumble of thunder, just enough to set the mood, but not scare the pants off you.

 The rain went on for several hours.  Really, I was so happy, I get so sick of the sun and the intensity of the heat here in Florida.  A dreary, cloudy, rain filled day sounded perfect to me.  I really should live in the Northwest where days like this are common.

My oldest son was at school, my youngest taking a test on the computer, my husband riding his stationary bike upstairs, so I had a bit of time to myself.  To celebrate I lit my Mother's Day stress re-leaving candle from my oldest son, who by the way causes me a great deal of stress.  I poured a second cup of tea, and ate my breakfast while crocheting the border on my vest.  Ah....peace.  Not much of that around here, so I grab it when I can.

After a wonderful talk with my sister Claudia, I decided the blissful time had to stop.  I grabbed old shorts and a raincoat, and went outside to clean and de-mildew my outside furniture.  Rain just means I have to spend less time rinsing everything off.  So a peaceful morning and a big chore completed, not bad.

Today is my parents 66th wedding anniversary.  When I went to visit my Mother she didn't know what day it was and really did not seem to care.  Sad.  But 66 years with the same person is frankly amazing if you ask me.

Claudia told me I had to share my computer crashing story with all of you.  Do not download any email with UPS in it.  I did and my computer crashed and it took everything with it.  My computer repair guy, Andy said it is the worst virus he has seen, and it took a really long time to clean up the disaster this virus left.  I guess this info is all over Facebook and such, but since I am rarely on Facebook, and we do UPS things, I got caught.  We were not online for two days, so my youngest had to miss several classes that he takes online.  Beware of UPS anything on your computer!!!

I will be crazy busy this next week as my kids are taking exams, and my oldest son is graduating on the 7th.  We are having a party for him on the 9th, thus all the cleaning that is being done.  If they already have their cap and gown, there is a good chance they are actually graduating, right? Just kidding.  

Life is changing so fast.  Good friends are ill, best friends are moving.  My oldest leaves for Ohio State in 2 1/2 months.  Change is good, right?  At least that is what they say even if it isn't feeling so good at the moment.

Happy Weekend.