yep soon I'll be going to the land of Japan for my brother's second wedding. It's all a little intimidating, so much to plan and organize. I need to learn some phrases in Japanese, like "where is the nearest yarn shop?" Or, "do you carry sock yarn?"
As such I've been reading up quite a bit on the local customs and came across this, on the Gojapan.about.com website:
Packing Tip 4: Shoes
Since it's a Japanese custom to take off your shoes indoors, you might have to take off your shoes often in Japan. Bringing a pair of shoes that you can slip off and on easily might be convenient. Make sure to bring, and wear, a nice pair of socks or pantyhose to avoid any embarrassment when you take off your shoes.
I don't think a nice pair of socks will be a problem do you?
GG
Friday, January 26, 2007
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Friday, January 19, 2007
Stash Moment
I was looking at sock yarn on the internets and it occurred to me that perhaps I should fondle the sock yarn I already have.
Lord knows theres some lornas laces shephard sock in VERA in my to-be-knitted box.
But that would assume that I have finished the pair of socks I've been working on.
I'm going to finish a pair of socks this weekend so that I can have a new pair of socks to knit during the superbowl.
That's right. You heard me. The Superbowl.
I have been watching football. American football. It's as much a shock to me as it is to my coworkers and friends. But the Patriots are contenders and as a former New Englander I'm obligated to watch.
Ra Ra Ra
GG
Lord knows theres some lornas laces shephard sock in VERA in my to-be-knitted box.
But that would assume that I have finished the pair of socks I've been working on.
I'm going to finish a pair of socks this weekend so that I can have a new pair of socks to knit during the superbowl.
That's right. You heard me. The Superbowl.
I have been watching football. American football. It's as much a shock to me as it is to my coworkers and friends. But the Patriots are contenders and as a former New Englander I'm obligated to watch.
Ra Ra Ra
GG
Sunday, January 14, 2007
In Recovery
Must. Get. Rest.
No. More. Yarn.
I'm yarned out. I just got back from TNNA, the wholesale needlearts tradeshow, where I worked the booth for the Fabulous Yarn Company. Unlike my previous foray I spent the most of the time setting up and working the booth, which was great. However it required a lot more energy and hard work and I'm exhausted and need to recharge. But it was great to get to know my employers and coworkers better. And I got to visit some fabulous restaurants and cafes. It was a mini work break.
This was my first time to San Diego and it is a beautiful city. So well spaced out in relation to the ocean. It felt so light and airy -quite welcoming. The restaurants are just as charming.
Across from the convention center is Tin Fish, a seafood restaurant with some tasty crab cakes. The fish tacos were huge and yummy -the American version of the real thing. Usually when I order from a taqueria you get two small tacos, Tin Fish's is more likea Fish Burrito. The staff was friendly even if the atmosphere was a bit lacking. More like seafood restaurant meets airport bar, but considering it's proximity to both a ball park and a convention center it still exceeds expectations.
We stayed at the Horton Grand Hotel, an old haunted Victorian Hotel where Wyatt Earp once stayed. The accomodations were comfortable and cute. It reminded me of where Mr. G and I got married.
After setting up the show we went for dinner at the Dublin Square which is one of the best Irish Pubs outside of Ireland that I have ever been to. It was cozy having a dinner next to the fireplace on two couches and a coffee table. The music was loud enough to be recognizable and provided good conversation. I was still a little full from the seafood so I kept dinner light with a bowl of tomato basil soup and a dinner salad, which were both yummy and flavorful. Everyone shared their dinners so I also got a taste of the Guinness braised beef, which melted in my mouth with a taste of gorgonzola cheese.
mmmm. Gorgonzola.
And the fish and chips were crispy and we didn't have to ask for the malt vinegar.
The next morning the hotel clerk directed me to Cafe 222 for breakfast, which is just down the street from the Horton. The staff were super friendly, evenmoreso than at Tin Fish. They commented on my hat and scarf and even better they were quick to refill my coffee. The decor was supercute. Check out the photos
I like the lighting
check out the cups and saucers!
I ordered the Eggs Italia, very satisfying. Toasted foccacia with herbed scrambled eggs and creme fraiche and spicey home potatoes. Wish I could get that a little closer to home.
The complimented hat and scarf. Pardon the expression. It was cold.
A little more of the atmosphere.
San Diego is a rockin' place. Don't tell anyone but I like it almost as much as I like San Francisco. Maybe even more. The restaurants are remarkably more welcoming.
But I need to rest.
and maybe knit.
GG
No. More. Yarn.
I'm yarned out. I just got back from TNNA, the wholesale needlearts tradeshow, where I worked the booth for the Fabulous Yarn Company. Unlike my previous foray I spent the most of the time setting up and working the booth, which was great. However it required a lot more energy and hard work and I'm exhausted and need to recharge. But it was great to get to know my employers and coworkers better. And I got to visit some fabulous restaurants and cafes. It was a mini work break.
This was my first time to San Diego and it is a beautiful city. So well spaced out in relation to the ocean. It felt so light and airy -quite welcoming. The restaurants are just as charming.
Across from the convention center is Tin Fish, a seafood restaurant with some tasty crab cakes. The fish tacos were huge and yummy -the American version of the real thing. Usually when I order from a taqueria you get two small tacos, Tin Fish's is more likea Fish Burrito. The staff was friendly even if the atmosphere was a bit lacking. More like seafood restaurant meets airport bar, but considering it's proximity to both a ball park and a convention center it still exceeds expectations.
We stayed at the Horton Grand Hotel, an old haunted Victorian Hotel where Wyatt Earp once stayed. The accomodations were comfortable and cute. It reminded me of where Mr. G and I got married.
After setting up the show we went for dinner at the Dublin Square which is one of the best Irish Pubs outside of Ireland that I have ever been to. It was cozy having a dinner next to the fireplace on two couches and a coffee table. The music was loud enough to be recognizable and provided good conversation. I was still a little full from the seafood so I kept dinner light with a bowl of tomato basil soup and a dinner salad, which were both yummy and flavorful. Everyone shared their dinners so I also got a taste of the Guinness braised beef, which melted in my mouth with a taste of gorgonzola cheese.
mmmm. Gorgonzola.
And the fish and chips were crispy and we didn't have to ask for the malt vinegar.
The next morning the hotel clerk directed me to Cafe 222 for breakfast, which is just down the street from the Horton. The staff were super friendly, evenmoreso than at Tin Fish. They commented on my hat and scarf and even better they were quick to refill my coffee. The decor was supercute. Check out the photos
I like the lighting
check out the cups and saucers!
I ordered the Eggs Italia, very satisfying. Toasted foccacia with herbed scrambled eggs and creme fraiche and spicey home potatoes. Wish I could get that a little closer to home.
The complimented hat and scarf. Pardon the expression. It was cold.
A little more of the atmosphere.
San Diego is a rockin' place. Don't tell anyone but I like it almost as much as I like San Francisco. Maybe even more. The restaurants are remarkably more welcoming.
But I need to rest.
and maybe knit.
GG
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
More Movie Fun
A while back you may have read that I love the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth. It's a movie that I revisit once a season. Truly the best romance happens when two unlikely characters despise each other and learn to love one another. Because even if you fall in love with someone whom you admire, there is still so much that you need to reconcile; behaviors that you have to learn to accept that may be contradictory to your own. Both parties have to reevaluate their habits, customs, and expectations. This is not something that some people realize when their dating or in a relationship. The focus is finding Mr. or Mrs. Right, whoever is going to fulfill your fantasy of what a relationship should be. The truth is that no matter how much in love you are, no matter how much you admire someone, interpersonal negotiation and reevaluation is necessary for a successful relationship.
All this intellectual stuff makes for some prodigious knitting.
So imagine my joy at finding a new BBC drama: North and South the story of a family who is forced to move from their luxurious parsonage in bucolic Southern England to the harsh Northern manufacturing city of Milton. I went through the whole miniseries in one afternoon and enjoyed it as much, if not more than Pride and Prejudice.
Go on, get thee to Netflix and tell me what you think.
GG
All this intellectual stuff makes for some prodigious knitting.
So imagine my joy at finding a new BBC drama: North and South the story of a family who is forced to move from their luxurious parsonage in bucolic Southern England to the harsh Northern manufacturing city of Milton. I went through the whole miniseries in one afternoon and enjoyed it as much, if not more than Pride and Prejudice.
Go on, get thee to Netflix and tell me what you think.
GG
Saturday, January 06, 2007
The New Movie Habit
Still catching up on movies.
We watched Superman Returns, which was much better than expected. Superman was always too much of a goody goody for me. If he was a dnd class he would be a paladin, no doubt and I prefer rogues and bards.
Friends With Money was excellent. I enjoyed the simple quiet of it, the portrayals of different kinds of depression. One of the best character pieces of the whole year. I really do lean towards ensemble character pieces. It's in my top ten of 2006, which I will fully flesh out by early February.
but so far my favorites are:
Friends with Money
Scoop
The Prestige
That means I have to find another 7 movies to add and most of the good ones aren't on dvd yet.
Ugg guess this means I'll have to actually go to the movie theatre. Or we'll end up with my best of '06 list in '08.
GG
We watched Superman Returns, which was much better than expected. Superman was always too much of a goody goody for me. If he was a dnd class he would be a paladin, no doubt and I prefer rogues and bards.
Friends With Money was excellent. I enjoyed the simple quiet of it, the portrayals of different kinds of depression. One of the best character pieces of the whole year. I really do lean towards ensemble character pieces. It's in my top ten of 2006, which I will fully flesh out by early February.
but so far my favorites are:
Friends with Money
Scoop
The Prestige
That means I have to find another 7 movies to add and most of the good ones aren't on dvd yet.
Ugg guess this means I'll have to actually go to the movie theatre. Or we'll end up with my best of '06 list in '08.
GG
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Record!
I finished the sock last night while watching a History Channel doco about Marie Antoinette.
Yay!
However I didn't get to the 3rd dvd of Lord of the Rings. Apparently I had had enough of Hobbits.
Gasp!
GG
Yay!
However I didn't get to the 3rd dvd of Lord of the Rings. Apparently I had had enough of Hobbits.
Gasp!
GG
Monday, January 01, 2007
What Are You Doing New Year's Day?
Me?
I'm watching the entire Lord of the Rings Trilogy on dvd.
Yes, I'm a geek.
But I've been knitting like a fiend. I started a sock on Christmas Day and miracle of miracles I might have it done tonight, just one week later. That's a record for me. Usually it takes me weeks plural to finish one sock.
The Record One-Week-Sock
I suppose it helps that I've had this last week off.
It's knit with Crystal Palace Panda Wool, which is a dream to work with and feels fabulous on foot. I've decided my favorite sock yarns are the ones that aren't too thin in gauge. Out of the five pairs I've knit, the two favorites are knit with the Panda Wool and Fleece Artist Merino. So if you like the gauge of the Fleece Artist, you'll like the Panda Wool. Yum!
Not one to continue being entertained by one project I had to cast on another project, this time a hat of my own design to match the fingerless gloves I made for Mr. G.
This New Year's Day beats last year's when it was 110 degrees in downtown Sydney and Mr. G and I were madly hungover, wandering the empty city looking for water (there was none to be found!) and a diversion from the heat. (however NYE last year will go down as the best so far -come on partying on the steps of the Sydney Opera House?"
Perhaps one could hypothesize that you can't have both a rocking New Year's Eve AND a great New Year's Day.
Guess we'll try to prove that 365 days from now.
GG
I'm watching the entire Lord of the Rings Trilogy on dvd.
Yes, I'm a geek.
But I've been knitting like a fiend. I started a sock on Christmas Day and miracle of miracles I might have it done tonight, just one week later. That's a record for me. Usually it takes me weeks plural to finish one sock.
The Record One-Week-Sock
I suppose it helps that I've had this last week off.
It's knit with Crystal Palace Panda Wool, which is a dream to work with and feels fabulous on foot. I've decided my favorite sock yarns are the ones that aren't too thin in gauge. Out of the five pairs I've knit, the two favorites are knit with the Panda Wool and Fleece Artist Merino. So if you like the gauge of the Fleece Artist, you'll like the Panda Wool. Yum!
Not one to continue being entertained by one project I had to cast on another project, this time a hat of my own design to match the fingerless gloves I made for Mr. G.
This New Year's Day beats last year's when it was 110 degrees in downtown Sydney and Mr. G and I were madly hungover, wandering the empty city looking for water (there was none to be found!) and a diversion from the heat. (however NYE last year will go down as the best so far -come on partying on the steps of the Sydney Opera House?"
Perhaps one could hypothesize that you can't have both a rocking New Year's Eve AND a great New Year's Day.
Guess we'll try to prove that 365 days from now.
GG
Sunday, December 31, 2006
New Year's Moviethon
Once or twice a year I have enough time to knit on the couch and watch endless movies. I rarely go to the movie theatre. It's not much of a bargain if you think about it and you can't pause the movie to go to the bathroom (or to fix a dropped stitch). Funny how just 5 years ago I would watch this many movies on a thrice weekly basis.
So here's what we've caught up on so far:
Tristram Shandy A Cock and Bull Story
Art School Confidential
A Scanner Darkly
Little Miss Sunshine
Talladega Nights
Pirates of the Carribean 2 Dead Man's Chest
Clerks 2
The Family Stone
Tristram Shandy: It was just ok. Seems to prove that the film industry is full of wankers. However, it did reawaken my desire to write a master's thesis on the period genre*, using this film as an example of how one can skewer the genre in a comedic way (which also reminds me of Singing in the Rain -it too has a period film skewering comedic scene).
*note: I've decided that pursuing a master's thesis in the period genre would be rather wanky of me -it seems rather self indulgent and not too valuable to the rest of the world.
Art School Confidential: I love Daniel Clowes. His previous film Ghost World changed my life and introduced me to Mr. G, but Ghost World is 100 times better than Art School Confidential. Unfortunately the main character in Art School Confidential changes dramatically for not any particular good reason. The film tries to go dark, but without sacrificing it's light touch and it doesn't work. I actually stopped the movie at the point I lost interest and fast forwarded to the end. (another good reason to watch movies at home). I liked the ideas presented, especially about plagiarism and about the reasons why young men want to be great artists, however the follow through was lacking.
A Scanner Darkly: Better than the two abovementioned films. It's nice to see Winona Ryder back in the movies. I'm desperately awaiting her comeback. Even if the film's a bit slow, it's a familiar reflection upon the other side of suburban life. Despite that the film is set 7 years in the future, it seems that the film could be about the present especially with oxycontin and crystal meth taking the suburbs by storm. And Keanu Reeve's laid back acting style works for him this time. One of my favorite films of the year.
Little Miss Sunshine: There was a lot of hype around this film and everyone pushed me to see it. That's the silly thing about hype is that it hightens your expectations. And while LMS was funny with some remarkable moments and fantastic acting, the ending just fizzled out. Making it a good film, not the great one everyone was talking about. Still it's rent-worthy.
Talladega Nights: It was funny, but it poked fun at the south. And that's it. Considering how few portrayals there are of Southern America in our cinema it seems a shame that they couldn't balance it a bit with a little poke here and there at liberals*. It gives Hollywood a bad name.
*note I am a liberal democrat and as such I don't like to see any one region singled out for ridicule. The film needed some balance, and it's lack of one showed why Hollywood has such a bad reputation in this regard.
Pirates of the Caribbean 2 Dead Man's Chest: Too long. Too slow. Sequal. That said I'll still eventually rent the 3rd one.
Clerks 2: Glad I didn't see this one in the theatre. It was still funny with some touching moments -loved Rosario Dawson. And the progression of the characters made sense. Wow this movie, despite it's interspecies erotic comedy was better than Art School Confidential. Didn't see that coming.
The Family Stone: As far as all of these films go, this one had the best screenplay out of all of them. The familial conflicts were interesting and realistic. And it's the only film out of the bunch that made me feel good, which I suppose makes me a sentimentalist. Cute, funny and I was interested in all of the characters. And the story makes them come together in an engaging way.
And on this holiday week I've managed to read 2 books: Knitting Under the Influence and A Good Yarn, both books are worthy breaks from my knitting projects. I wasn't sure I was going to like them...
GG
So here's what we've caught up on so far:
Tristram Shandy A Cock and Bull Story
Art School Confidential
A Scanner Darkly
Little Miss Sunshine
Talladega Nights
Pirates of the Carribean 2 Dead Man's Chest
Clerks 2
The Family Stone
Tristram Shandy: It was just ok. Seems to prove that the film industry is full of wankers. However, it did reawaken my desire to write a master's thesis on the period genre*, using this film as an example of how one can skewer the genre in a comedic way (which also reminds me of Singing in the Rain -it too has a period film skewering comedic scene).
*note: I've decided that pursuing a master's thesis in the period genre would be rather wanky of me -it seems rather self indulgent and not too valuable to the rest of the world.
Art School Confidential: I love Daniel Clowes. His previous film Ghost World changed my life and introduced me to Mr. G, but Ghost World is 100 times better than Art School Confidential. Unfortunately the main character in Art School Confidential changes dramatically for not any particular good reason. The film tries to go dark, but without sacrificing it's light touch and it doesn't work. I actually stopped the movie at the point I lost interest and fast forwarded to the end. (another good reason to watch movies at home). I liked the ideas presented, especially about plagiarism and about the reasons why young men want to be great artists, however the follow through was lacking.
A Scanner Darkly: Better than the two abovementioned films. It's nice to see Winona Ryder back in the movies. I'm desperately awaiting her comeback. Even if the film's a bit slow, it's a familiar reflection upon the other side of suburban life. Despite that the film is set 7 years in the future, it seems that the film could be about the present especially with oxycontin and crystal meth taking the suburbs by storm. And Keanu Reeve's laid back acting style works for him this time. One of my favorite films of the year.
Little Miss Sunshine: There was a lot of hype around this film and everyone pushed me to see it. That's the silly thing about hype is that it hightens your expectations. And while LMS was funny with some remarkable moments and fantastic acting, the ending just fizzled out. Making it a good film, not the great one everyone was talking about. Still it's rent-worthy.
Talladega Nights: It was funny, but it poked fun at the south. And that's it. Considering how few portrayals there are of Southern America in our cinema it seems a shame that they couldn't balance it a bit with a little poke here and there at liberals*. It gives Hollywood a bad name.
*note I am a liberal democrat and as such I don't like to see any one region singled out for ridicule. The film needed some balance, and it's lack of one showed why Hollywood has such a bad reputation in this regard.
Pirates of the Caribbean 2 Dead Man's Chest: Too long. Too slow. Sequal. That said I'll still eventually rent the 3rd one.
Clerks 2: Glad I didn't see this one in the theatre. It was still funny with some touching moments -loved Rosario Dawson. And the progression of the characters made sense. Wow this movie, despite it's interspecies erotic comedy was better than Art School Confidential. Didn't see that coming.
The Family Stone: As far as all of these films go, this one had the best screenplay out of all of them. The familial conflicts were interesting and realistic. And it's the only film out of the bunch that made me feel good, which I suppose makes me a sentimentalist. Cute, funny and I was interested in all of the characters. And the story makes them come together in an engaging way.
And on this holiday week I've managed to read 2 books: Knitting Under the Influence and A Good Yarn, both books are worthy breaks from my knitting projects. I wasn't sure I was going to like them...
GG
Friday, December 29, 2006
With No Further Adieu
Christmas came early this year, but I was so busy that I didn't get a chance to properly post anything about this fabulous secret pal package.
The most awesome thing about this secret pal package is that it's based upon one of my favorite movies: The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
It included the dvd, some beautiful custom-dyed sock yarn, some scissors with a gingerbread man, a beautiful handmade card with knitted motifs, a little knitting reference book, and a sock pattern -as well as some gorgeous stitch markers.
I can't help myself. I'm going straight to my favorite part of the package. The custom dyed yarn. When I first opened it, there was something familiar about the colors in the yarn, but I couldn't put my finger on it, but then it occured to me that they are the same colors that Clementine dyes her hair in the Endless Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. That's some one of a kind, original yarn. I can't wait to make socks with it.
Have a closer look:
I also love love love the mini knitting reference book. It's permanently stashed in my knitting bag. And I might buy some of the knitting books recommended inside!
Let us not forget the cute miniskein keyring and the adorable stitch markers.
Look closeley -you'll see that they're mittens and snowballs!
And the cute gingerbread scissors. Secret Pal, how did you know I needed another pair?
And last but not least, the wonderful handmade card. Makes me so happy to be a knitter...
Again SP, you were super thoughtful and imaginative in creating this package. It was absolutely wonderful and I can't wait to start the socks. I can't wait until you're revealed and I can thank you properly!
Since my houseguests are gone I'll finally have time to write decent posts. I've been off work all week and I've been catching up with movies. It's pathetic for this film school graduate but I've only gone to a few movies for the last year so I had a lot of catching up to do. Since yesterday I've watched: A Scanner Darkly, Tristram Shandy a Cock and Bull Story, Little Miss Sunshine and Art School Confidential.
Reviews on those later.
GG
The most awesome thing about this secret pal package is that it's based upon one of my favorite movies: The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
It included the dvd, some beautiful custom-dyed sock yarn, some scissors with a gingerbread man, a beautiful handmade card with knitted motifs, a little knitting reference book, and a sock pattern -as well as some gorgeous stitch markers.
I can't help myself. I'm going straight to my favorite part of the package. The custom dyed yarn. When I first opened it, there was something familiar about the colors in the yarn, but I couldn't put my finger on it, but then it occured to me that they are the same colors that Clementine dyes her hair in the Endless Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. That's some one of a kind, original yarn. I can't wait to make socks with it.
Have a closer look:
I also love love love the mini knitting reference book. It's permanently stashed in my knitting bag. And I might buy some of the knitting books recommended inside!
Let us not forget the cute miniskein keyring and the adorable stitch markers.
Look closeley -you'll see that they're mittens and snowballs!
And the cute gingerbread scissors. Secret Pal, how did you know I needed another pair?
And last but not least, the wonderful handmade card. Makes me so happy to be a knitter...
Again SP, you were super thoughtful and imaginative in creating this package. It was absolutely wonderful and I can't wait to start the socks. I can't wait until you're revealed and I can thank you properly!
Since my houseguests are gone I'll finally have time to write decent posts. I've been off work all week and I've been catching up with movies. It's pathetic for this film school graduate but I've only gone to a few movies for the last year so I had a lot of catching up to do. Since yesterday I've watched: A Scanner Darkly, Tristram Shandy a Cock and Bull Story, Little Miss Sunshine and Art School Confidential.
Reviews on those later.
GG
Saturday, December 02, 2006
shawl
ok i look like the wrath of god, but the shawl looks pretty good.
Apparently I have a thing for hats.
thanks mom
GG
Apologies to my Secret Pal
I feel very sorry for the lovely secret pal spoiler I have because I haven't written much here in a while, and she has been so sweet emailing little greetings here and there. I hope she knows how much I'm looking forward to her next package and I hope she has an awesome weekend this week!
Honestly though, this has been a busy couple of weeks.
My brother got married in Los Angeles the weekend before Thanksgiving.
Here's the lovely couple. I'm so proud of my bro. I have a new sister in law and she's so sweet and her family's absolutely wonderful.
I knitted a shawl special for the occasion, you may remember it as the never ending shawl, countless rows of stockinete and 500+ stitches to be picked up and increased.
Unfortunately no one took a picture of me in the shawl so you'll have to settle for a photo of me in my beret.
The truth is that the shawl didn't get 100% finished. I was supposed to pick up stitches on each side of the long stockinette rectangle, but I only had enough time to do one side. And since I've been knitting Christmas presents like there's no tomorrow I haven't really been too keen on returning to it. But eventually I will and the shawl will hopefully be finished sometime in 2007, hopefully in time for next fall.
On the Christmas present front, I've already knitting two scarves and I'm almost done with a flower shaped washcloth. However I won't get much knitting done today because I'm going to the Dickens Fair. I'm going with my mother in law who's in town from Australia to experience the American holidays. We'll be meeting my mom there. Hopefully we'll be able to get in for a Devonshire tea.
Thanksgiving itself was fabulous. We had our first organic free range turkey. And it was unbelievably delicious. I think it may have even shown my mom how much better organic products are. Who knew that turkeys were actually quite succulent? That organic turkey is proof that it's all about the bird. Mom didn't do anything special, she just roasted it with stuffing. But it was the most flavorful bit of turkey I've ever had. Top that off with interesting family, guests and good scotch and you have a festive holiday.
Hopefully Christmas will be the same.
Oh and tomorrow there's Alex Marshall's Studio Sale in Mill Valley. She has the most unique line of tableware, linens, lamps and candles, with lucious colors and glazes. Get there early because she has a big following in these parts and she'll be sold out in a minute.
happy knitting
GG
Honestly though, this has been a busy couple of weeks.
My brother got married in Los Angeles the weekend before Thanksgiving.
Here's the lovely couple. I'm so proud of my bro. I have a new sister in law and she's so sweet and her family's absolutely wonderful.
I knitted a shawl special for the occasion, you may remember it as the never ending shawl, countless rows of stockinete and 500+ stitches to be picked up and increased.
Unfortunately no one took a picture of me in the shawl so you'll have to settle for a photo of me in my beret.
The truth is that the shawl didn't get 100% finished. I was supposed to pick up stitches on each side of the long stockinette rectangle, but I only had enough time to do one side. And since I've been knitting Christmas presents like there's no tomorrow I haven't really been too keen on returning to it. But eventually I will and the shawl will hopefully be finished sometime in 2007, hopefully in time for next fall.
On the Christmas present front, I've already knitting two scarves and I'm almost done with a flower shaped washcloth. However I won't get much knitting done today because I'm going to the Dickens Fair. I'm going with my mother in law who's in town from Australia to experience the American holidays. We'll be meeting my mom there. Hopefully we'll be able to get in for a Devonshire tea.
Thanksgiving itself was fabulous. We had our first organic free range turkey. And it was unbelievably delicious. I think it may have even shown my mom how much better organic products are. Who knew that turkeys were actually quite succulent? That organic turkey is proof that it's all about the bird. Mom didn't do anything special, she just roasted it with stuffing. But it was the most flavorful bit of turkey I've ever had. Top that off with interesting family, guests and good scotch and you have a festive holiday.
Hopefully Christmas will be the same.
Oh and tomorrow there's Alex Marshall's Studio Sale in Mill Valley. She has the most unique line of tableware, linens, lamps and candles, with lucious colors and glazes. Get there early because she has a big following in these parts and she'll be sold out in a minute.
happy knitting
GG
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Toeing Up
Ok so I'm still working on the endless shawl. I'm almost done with the straight section. But there is a consequence to such knitting project monogamy, especially when it's endless stockinette stitch.
You end up teaching yourself how to do a short row toe-up sock in bed at midnight. I also taught myself how to do a crochet provisional cast-on in the same sitting.
I should do this more often because there were significantly fewer mistakes than when I've ever tried any other new knitting technique.
photos of this miraculous achievement to come.
GG
You end up teaching yourself how to do a short row toe-up sock in bed at midnight. I also taught myself how to do a crochet provisional cast-on in the same sitting.
I should do this more often because there were significantly fewer mistakes than when I've ever tried any other new knitting technique.
photos of this miraculous achievement to come.
GG
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Holiday season is already here.
Did I mention my mother in law is coming to visit? She's arriving the day before thanksgiving and will be here through Christmas. Thankfully I have a great relationship with her. We're going to have a great time. We're going to go wine tasting, to the Dickens Fair. We're going to buy a christmas tree and decorate the house. There's going to be cooking and movies. In general, this just spreads the whole holiday season. I'm really looking forward to it.
And then my brother is getting married next weekend. And I've been working on this shawl to wear and making good progress. I hope to have the length of the shawl done this weekend.
as such i have a lot of work to do! I have to get crackin'
GG
And then my brother is getting married next weekend. And I've been working on this shawl to wear and making good progress. I hope to have the length of the shawl done this weekend.
as such i have a lot of work to do! I have to get crackin'
GG
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Retreat in detail
Okey dokey there have been a few comments and emails bemoaning the brevity of my retreat post, so here's some details and some photos!
The cool thing about the retreat is that I made my mom go with me. In my world everything is better with your mom, especially if it involves knitting. So mom came up to my house and my husband came home from work and we all went out for dinner at Chili's. I pigged out on the southwestern cobb salad and fries and even indulged in a Dr. Pepper.
Then mom and I headed out to the retreat which was only 10 minutes away. I know not so far for a retreat, but far enough. We stayed at a gorgeously remodeled victorian house. I felt like I was suddenly on that Real World reality show, you know the part in the first episodes where the cast sees the house for the first time and they go running around checking everything out. Yeah I did that. It was a pretty awesome house. Plenty of room for everyone to get comfortable and knit.
Unfortunately since mom and I were the last to sign up we were stuck with the den room with fold out couches. But that was the only room with a tv -a tv with cable. Not that I'm so tv crazy, but I do enjoy watching David Letterman.
So once everyone arrived, Warren introduced us to the yarn that we would be playing with. We got twelve boxes of Lana Grossa yarn. They have now moved up in my favorite yarn company list. Soft and versatile. There really was a yarn for everybody. I fell in love with the Pashmina (and managed a sneaky trade to get an extra ball) while my mom liked the Luxor. There was this other soft green one that I really liked, but can't remember the name of. There were some yarns I didn't like so much, but I was on a mission to horde the ones I liked. Eventually I ended up going home with a bunch of pink Maxi (aka that big pink stuff) and two balls of pashmina, as well as a couple of sample balls of Jo Sharp's new yarns (yay!!!!). So yarn wise I was a happy camper.
Not that I did a whole lot of yarn tasting anyway. I've been on a feindish knitting mission to finish this Lana Grossa shawl. And I really wanted to get those odd duck socks done.
The other ladies were fabulous and everyone got a long pretty well. It was nice spending time with women of all ages. It seems all of us have a tough time with doctors. For people that spend so much time and money getting education, they can be pretty stupid sometimes.
Anyhoo after an evening of knitting and new yarn (and irish coffees too) I went to bed and watched Letterman. Unfortunately I should not have had that Irish Coffee because I didn't sleep well at all. I usually have a tough time getting aclimated to new sleeping arrangements. So I got up at 6am. It was nice to watch the sun rise and the fog lift. It was very relaxing and nice to have a bit of quiet alone time.
Soon enough everyone was up, but I couldn't stay for breakfast. I had to go to the grocery store to get the last fresh ingredients I needed to make dinner and dessert. I made a deal with Warren that I would provide dinner and dessert in exchange for attending the retreat. I actually like cooking for people and I needed to get some practice before Thanksgiving. Anyhoo I made spaghetti bolognese and vegan bolognese, greek salad, garlic bread and apple-cranberry crumble. It took me 5 hours to put it all together, but I was well organized and knew how to direct people when I needed help. You would think that something like this would stress me out, but I was odly relaxed through the whole thing.
Anyhoo that was the weekend in a nutshell.
I did manage to finish the socks
yay!
GG
The cool thing about the retreat is that I made my mom go with me. In my world everything is better with your mom, especially if it involves knitting. So mom came up to my house and my husband came home from work and we all went out for dinner at Chili's. I pigged out on the southwestern cobb salad and fries and even indulged in a Dr. Pepper.
Then mom and I headed out to the retreat which was only 10 minutes away. I know not so far for a retreat, but far enough. We stayed at a gorgeously remodeled victorian house. I felt like I was suddenly on that Real World reality show, you know the part in the first episodes where the cast sees the house for the first time and they go running around checking everything out. Yeah I did that. It was a pretty awesome house. Plenty of room for everyone to get comfortable and knit.
Unfortunately since mom and I were the last to sign up we were stuck with the den room with fold out couches. But that was the only room with a tv -a tv with cable. Not that I'm so tv crazy, but I do enjoy watching David Letterman.
So once everyone arrived, Warren introduced us to the yarn that we would be playing with. We got twelve boxes of Lana Grossa yarn. They have now moved up in my favorite yarn company list. Soft and versatile. There really was a yarn for everybody. I fell in love with the Pashmina (and managed a sneaky trade to get an extra ball) while my mom liked the Luxor. There was this other soft green one that I really liked, but can't remember the name of. There were some yarns I didn't like so much, but I was on a mission to horde the ones I liked. Eventually I ended up going home with a bunch of pink Maxi (aka that big pink stuff) and two balls of pashmina, as well as a couple of sample balls of Jo Sharp's new yarns (yay!!!!). So yarn wise I was a happy camper.
Not that I did a whole lot of yarn tasting anyway. I've been on a feindish knitting mission to finish this Lana Grossa shawl. And I really wanted to get those odd duck socks done.
The other ladies were fabulous and everyone got a long pretty well. It was nice spending time with women of all ages. It seems all of us have a tough time with doctors. For people that spend so much time and money getting education, they can be pretty stupid sometimes.
Anyhoo after an evening of knitting and new yarn (and irish coffees too) I went to bed and watched Letterman. Unfortunately I should not have had that Irish Coffee because I didn't sleep well at all. I usually have a tough time getting aclimated to new sleeping arrangements. So I got up at 6am. It was nice to watch the sun rise and the fog lift. It was very relaxing and nice to have a bit of quiet alone time.
Soon enough everyone was up, but I couldn't stay for breakfast. I had to go to the grocery store to get the last fresh ingredients I needed to make dinner and dessert. I made a deal with Warren that I would provide dinner and dessert in exchange for attending the retreat. I actually like cooking for people and I needed to get some practice before Thanksgiving. Anyhoo I made spaghetti bolognese and vegan bolognese, greek salad, garlic bread and apple-cranberry crumble. It took me 5 hours to put it all together, but I was well organized and knew how to direct people when I needed help. You would think that something like this would stress me out, but I was odly relaxed through the whole thing.
Anyhoo that was the weekend in a nutshell.
I did manage to finish the socks
yay!
GG
Sunday, November 05, 2006
This kind of fun should be outlawed
12 Women
One immaculately restored Victorian house with a front porch over looking the redwoods.
Twelve Boxes of Lana Grossa Yarn for us to play with (one of which was cashmere)
Three dishes for dinner cooked by me (and an apple cranberry crumble for dessert)
for one weekend of knitting.
I had so much fun I need time to recover.
GG
One immaculately restored Victorian house with a front porch over looking the redwoods.
Twelve Boxes of Lana Grossa Yarn for us to play with (one of which was cashmere)
Three dishes for dinner cooked by me (and an apple cranberry crumble for dessert)
for one weekend of knitting.
I had so much fun I need time to recover.
GG
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Works in Progress...
This box by the couch is home to all of my knitting projects. I only just recently cleaned it out of all of my random bits of yarn that I won't be using (which I will be donating to a school)
So here's what I'm working on right now:
The Central Park Hoodie from Knitscene.
A shawl that I just started that needs to be finished in less than three weeeks:
And I'm making a pair of socks. I'd have them finished, but I left one of my needles behind at my mom's house the other week. doh!
I'm going to a knitting retreat this weekend so hopefully I'll get a lot done!
GG
PS: Blogger was a PAIN in the you know what today. Stupid photo program
So here's what I'm working on right now:
The Central Park Hoodie from Knitscene.
A shawl that I just started that needs to be finished in less than three weeeks:
And I'm making a pair of socks. I'd have them finished, but I left one of my needles behind at my mom's house the other week. doh!
I'm going to a knitting retreat this weekend so hopefully I'll get a lot done!
GG
PS: Blogger was a PAIN in the you know what today. Stupid photo program
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
For my Knit Nighter Friends
I can't tell which is worse:
That I'm watching Dancing with the Stars
or
That Joey Lawrence just danced to a bad version of the Rolling Stones Sympathy For the Devil
GG
That I'm watching Dancing with the Stars
or
That Joey Lawrence just danced to a bad version of the Rolling Stones Sympathy For the Devil
GG
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Secret Pal Package!!
Yay I came home the other day and there was:
A box! From My Secret Pal!!!!
It had lots of cute stuff in it.
A candle, 2 skeins of yarn, a ghost cookie cutter, and some Halloween stickers!!! Oh and some candy too! it was an early Halloween treat.
It also had lots of cute Halloween confetti!
It was like a party in a box, which was just what I needed after work. Thanks secret pal!!!!
GG
A box! From My Secret Pal!!!!
It had lots of cute stuff in it.
A candle, 2 skeins of yarn, a ghost cookie cutter, and some Halloween stickers!!! Oh and some candy too! it was an early Halloween treat.
It also had lots of cute Halloween confetti!
It was like a party in a box, which was just what I needed after work. Thanks secret pal!!!!
GG
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
