Sears Seriously Sucks

Sears called Monday and the part is still on back order. Where are they getting this part? Mars? That was the sixth time they called to tell us it was on back order. Terrible, awful, harrible customer service. Never buy from them.
The weather has been warmer and the dogs have been playing outside. Things are picking up at work. I'm scheduled to work overtime on Saturday. Hopefully, it won't be busy so I can get some knitting done.
I fell off the wagon and cast on for another pair of socks. These are made out of Noro Kureyon Sock Yarn. I'll have to snap a picture later on. I'm making them very long. So much for concentrating on finishing up those WIPs. Oh well.
I've been reading up on circular sock machines. I'm intrigued.

Short Week

I'm glad it was a short work week. Whatever order and tidiness went to hell in a hand basket. Probably because we cooked some more complicated dinners. I've got to remember to keep it simple stupid during the work week. It just feels like the entire house is a war zone.
Before we got the puppy, there was a balance with the pets. Now, everything is off kilter. I expected it, but sometimes it's a bit much to deal with. The other pets have been acting like I don't pay enough attention to them. I feel like I've been running around making sure that every one's needs are being met, when before it was quite peaceful and simple. I'm sure things will eventually settle down. Eventually.
The exercise pen (XPen) training is going fairly well with Nell. She has to stay in the XPen while I work. I take her out very often to potty etc. And, she eventually stops whining and settles down. The problem is that she starts it all up again when I walk through the room. So, I'm sort of a hostage in my office. I think twice before getting up to get a glass of water, etc. Also, The Beagle has been stealing all of the smaller chewies and treats from her like a vulture.
After work, I've been trying to take her on a walk to run off that Puppy Energy. She won't really walk on her own. She just cries and sits down. Then, I tried taking her with the Beagle. Sheer comedy. But yesterday, we went all the way down the block and up another. Nell likes to hold Daisy's leash in her mouth like she's taking Daisy on the walk. If Daisy didn't pull like a mother it would be wonderful.
We had our kitting club meeting on Wednesday. It had been some time since we had met. One of the gals was making socks using the two circular needle method in Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles. I had taken a class to learn this method when the book came out. The class was a flop because the teacher wasn't prepared at all. I left the class thinking that if she couldn't figure it out, then I probably never could either. But, seeing how it was done inspired me, and I cast on for a pair of socks using this. I have over two inches done on the cuff, so it does move a lot faster. I'm a bit annoyed at the dangling resting needle, so I may try the Magic Loop method next, which is just using one very long circular needle. I do love making socks. They are like reading a summer novel. Kind of predictable with just enough to keep your interest.
The one thing I want to do this weekend is go here. However, I need to clean like a Banshee.

Happy Anniversary

Today is our 2nd Anniversary.

We are going to Bluestem. We're going to do the seven course meal. I hope it's fantastic.

I started a vertical stripe crochet blanket. The directions are here. I especially like Brainylady's version.

I learned to crochet before I learned to knit from my mother. I was probably about 11 or 12. I remember my mother making tons of crochet things. Her hands moving swiftly while we were on one of those awful driving vacations or late at night when she was watching Johnny Carson. I was not allowed to stay up that late, but I remember hiding on the stairs and listening to it.

When I started the blanket, I felt as if i had two left hands. Nothing was going right. I could not remember how to do it. I certainly didn't remember it as being a hard thing to do. But, my hands were all tense, shaking and sweating. And each stitch took several minutes. Finally, I looked up some video tutorials on it and now it's going much better.

I'm going to use leftover balls of yarn. Here are some of the colors.

If it turns out crappy the dog can sleep on it.

Oops. I did it again.

I worked on the Hyde Park pullover yesterday while working. I have about 8 inches left of the last sleeve and then picking up the collar.

Here are some reasons NOT to send your sweaters to the UFO basket:

1) it's hard to remember where you are in the pattern.

2) your knitting is not the same tension as it was when you started it.

3) you feel silly that you didn't just get it finished in the first place.

4) it's wasteful to have a lot of half finished projects.

However, after knitting on the Hyde Park pullover yesterday, I cast on for Nereides using this yarn.

It's a linen blend yard that I bought several years ago from Webs when they had an anniversary sale. I originally started Nereides using Recycled Sari Silk. But the yarn was too thick and since it's overspun it doesn't lend itself to the lacy effects. Then, I remembered that I had this thick and thin yard in my stash. Instead of Nereides, I will call it "Nikko" as the color of the yarn is much like Nikko Blue Hydrangeas. My rationalisation is that I will enter it in the Art contest my employer has about the same time as the Plaza Art Fair. The wrap has beads and lots of embellishment.

Today, I baked this rye bread.

It's made from a sour that ferments for several days. I made the sour last weekend and kept it in the refrigerator until I had time to make it this weekend. Next time, I will make it in loaf pans. I also made a batch of Kombucha. I used PG Tea and organic cane sugar.

We also went to see the new Harry Potter movie, which I enjoyed very much.

Nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands.

Well, I fell off the wagon. I cast on, and knit, a pair of garter fingerless mitts from Weekend Knitting. It took one day. I made them for Tate out of one ball of Debbie Bliss Cashemerino Aran in a bittersweet color. I made modifications to the pattern. (I thought the mitts would be HUGE if I followed the pattern.) I was left with about 8 yards of yarn. This was a fun knit. A great last minute project, provided you have enough yarn. I would estimate that it takes just a little over a ball for hands that are normal sized.

My Tate has wee hands. Wee hands that are mighty artist's hands.

He who works with his hands is a Laborer.
He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.
He who works with his hand, his head, and his heart, is an artist.

--St. Francis of Assisi