Thursday, September 27, 2007

Boys and Beautiful Butterflies

Boys will be boys.....that's what they say, I guess. Here is my dirty boy taking a dirt bath.

Luckily, I have a backyard full of beauty.

Monday, September 24, 2007

A Great Trip


Las Vegas Mosaic
Originally uploaded by UpNAdam
It is well known that my "Love Language" is Quality Time and boy did I get some quality time with my family this weekend. We went to New Mexico...all of us this time....daddy included. We spent our time hiking, playing, talking, playing with ladybugs, wheelbarrow riding, practicing photography, visiting galleries, and much more. The weather could not have been more beautiful. Here are a few pictures of our great trip.

Monday, September 17, 2007

Chronicles of a New Knitter: My First Hat

I have been working on a hat out of the First Knits book. It is the Hat with Flaps Pattern. Things have been going pretty well, but there have been a few "hiccups":


1. I found the pattern and bought the yarn specifically as the pattern called for (first time ever)....I should have the right amount, right? NO!

2. I did a gauge swatch....another first. The gauge was about ten stitch's off. I had no idea how to fix this so I decided I would just knit more loosely and hope for the best. If it is way too small, Adam can wear it.

3. I Knit and Knit and finally I was almost ready to start the decreases and I obviously did not have enough yarn! Aargh! That's okay, I always save my yarn wrapping. I CAN'T FIND THE RIGHT ONE!

4. I start guessing which yarn to buy and I keep buying an off color. At this point, I am too embarrassed to take my partially finished hat in...I don't know why, but I am.

5. I FIND the right yarn (3 weeks and 6 trips to different stores later).

6. I get started on the decreases (I didn't realize that I was knitting too tight to k2tog with ease) and start watching the football game, enjoying some wine, and forget to refer back to my pattern. What now?

7. Since I don't know how to partially frog, I set out the next morning on a mission to pick up a coffee and get my hat back on track...NO MATTER WHAT!

8. Surprisingly, I was able to get back to the correct number of stitches and finish the crown. Unfortunately, when I flat stitched the hat together it was HUGE....and I have a big head. (Please refer back to #2 where I mention that my gauge was Too Small.) Frustrating.

I have now finished one of two ear flaps (also huge) and I plan to finish the hat tonight. I will let you know how it works out. I am going to try to wash it to see if that helps. I can say that my first hat taught me a lot, and, believe it or not, it turned out way better than my first shawl.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

I Got My Invitation

I am sooooooo excited. Yesterday I received my invitation to join Ravlery. I am still finding my way around....more to come later!

Celebrating Oklahoma's Centennial

I was born and raised in Oklahoma. While it is not the most glamorous place to live, there are many things my "great state" has to offer that I take for granted. I read a lot of blogs. (Sometimes I think it is my way of getting off the Great Plains.) I am always a little jealous of those who live in the mountains or near the ocean. One way or another, I am always interested to read about people's (and their children) adventures around home. I make a lot of jokes about being an Okie, but in lieu of the Centennial, I thought I would post some of Oklahoma's bright spots!

#1 POPS 66

Route 66 (a.k.a The Mother Road....how fitting) runs right through the heart of Oklahoma. Historic Route 66 was established in 1926 originally running from Chicago to Las Angeles (a total of 2,448 miles). Route 66 was a major pat of the migrants who went west and the travel supported the economies of the communities through which the road passed. US 66 was officially decommissioned in 1985 after it was decided the route was no longer relevant and had been replaced by the Interstate Highway System.

POPS 66 was built in Arcadia, OK. It is a gas station, convenient store, soda fountain, and landmark. It is a futuristic building filled with colorful sodas from all over. Out front is a 66 foot tall pop bottle that lights up at night. It is a sight to see. Even more impressive, my brother-in-law can claim this as his first construction job for which he was the primary manager. Go Devin! We were impressed.

Monday, September 10, 2007

Favorite Podcasts

I traveled across 3 states three times this summer with my children. My company: my iPod! I discovered several podcasts and a couple (actually 3 to stay with the theme) of them I really have to mention because I LOVE them.

Creative Mom Podcast
: Amy does a great job covering all types of art, creativity, parenthood, etc. I look forward to this every week and I love all of the creative promts and book suggestions. I have also participated in a Artist Trading Card exchange hosted by this group. I have to say I have also listened to almost all of the archive episodes.

CraftSanity: Another great podcast. Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood does an interview show. She interviews current creative minds...many of them fellow bloggers. It seams like every time I discover a new creative person that I enjoy they appear on her show.

Writers on Writing
: Barbara DeMarco-Barrett interviews writers, editors, publicists and agents. LOVE IT! Again, I have listened to a lot of the archive episodes, but there are sooooooo many....I think over 300. Anyway, I have plenty to keep me busy and I have learned so much about the writing industry. We will see if it helps :)! I have also discovered some of the best books that I would not necessarily pick off the shelf without hearing the author discuss it on this show. I can also recommend, if you are interested in writing, Barbara's book, Pen on Fire.

These are just a few of the ones I listend to...all great and all pretty popular! Let me know if there is a Podcast you can't miss.

Friday, September 7, 2007

Inspiration of the Week



link

"Your soul is oftentimes a battlefield, upon which your reason and your judgment wage war against your passion and you appetite.
Would that I could be the peacemaker in your soul, that I might turn the discord and the rivalry of your elements into oneness and melody.
But how shall I, unless you yourselves be also the peacemakers, nay, the lovers of all your elements?"
Kahlil Gibran

Thursday, September 6, 2007

A New Knitters Dream

I am tentatively planning a knitting "get away". I have a vision of a small group a knitters from all over the country with all different skill levels meeting in the mountains, at Casa de Maria, to meet, knit, share stories, and visit some "fiber stops". So, while on a recent trip out to Las Vegas, NM, I stopped in at the visitors information place. I asked if she was aware of any local yarn spinners, retailers, etc. She suggested Ironstone Yarns...gave me directions, a map and a phone number. I was off. She neglected to mention that this was Ironstone Yarns' warehouse. I found the building and there was no sign. I called the number and asked if they had a retail area where I could shop...the woman said no, but suggested that I come in and look around.
Link
What a treat! There was more yarn then I could have ever dreamed. Jan, showed me around, let me pick a project and then sold me the yarn at wholesale price. I mentioned my possible trip and she said to just give her a call and she would set up a tour. What a great day! I will post more pictures on Flickr.