Finally coming up for air

After a very hectic week without Dear Husband here, I am finally getting some time to make progress on some projects. I plan to spend as much time as possible this weekend working on Christmas knitting.
I have a friend at work who knits occasionally. She told me this week that she ordered herself and me both a complete set of bamboo knitting needles. She wanted to thank me for helping her workwise. And since I turned her on to bamboo needles some time ago, she thought I would enjoy a full set. Isn't that nice?
I still haven't figured out what I am doing wrong to put pictures into these posts. Anyone who used blogger have any tech advise?
Happy knitting! I am off to enjoy my husband being home.

Weekend Knitting

Not much weekend knitting going on. Husband got called out of town for business unexpectedly and this single mom thing is too hard. My admiration to those who do it full time.
I did start a new red cardigan for daughter when I saw that last year's everyday school cardigan is getting a little short in the sleeves. I had some red Wool-Ease in my stash and have the first front piece almost done.
I am stalling on my Christmas knitting. It is getting boring. I need to finish something so that I can move on!
I am planning a trip to LYS next Saturday so I can get some wool for a French Market Bag. I used the last of my Cascade 220 on the last one. I want to make 2 French Market bags for Christmas presents. I trip to the LYS always gets me moving on projects. I just wish I lived closer than 45 minutes away.
Now if I can just get all the usual Sunday afternoon chores done to get ready for another busy week of school/work/soccer/stuff, I can get back to the knitting.

Happy knitting!

Stress, bicycles, lifelines

Today was one of those stressful days at work that seems to never end. I even snuck out an hour early. Since I haven't taken a lunch break in about a month I think it was justified!
I came home and fixed a huge dinner and then had a long bike ride with Madison. I think that if I did that more often I could get back in shape. The bike ride -- not the huge dinner.
I finished Madison's pink/orange roll brim hat. And if I could figure out what I'm doing wrong to post pictures, you could see it. It's 2 strands of Wildflower DK held together. Super simple and quick. Just needed something finished - so that was my instant gratification item for this week.
I found a new technique online (well - new to me) that I am going to try. I want to try intarsia on a sweater front for Cullen and am not so confident about how I am going to do. So, when I get to the point of starting the intarsia I am going to put in a "lifeline" so that I can always pull back to that point and start again. Why didn't I think of that before? Just run a thread through a row and keep on going!
Tonight I am going to print off the pattern for the rug featured in Interweave Knits. I would like to make it in blue and yellow for my kitchen. Should I do it in Lion Kitchen Cotton so I can wash it over and over?
I am also going to go this weekend and get the interfacing to start on Madison's T Shirt Quilt I am making her for Christmas. I have 26 of her old T shirts from all kinds of places we have visited, etc. I am doing a floral for around the squares and chambray for the border/backing. I hope it comes out as cute as it is in my head.
Must go!

I am getting things done!

I have a ton of pictures of my summer knitting to add to this post and can't figure out how to do it!
I took M's pink/orange hat to soccer practice today and got it almost finished. Just had to stop to wait until I got home and moved it to the DPN for the last few rows. I'll finish that and move on to one for C out of the self-striping sock yarn I bought. I am thinking I might as well make them mittens to match their hats. Then they will be set for the little bit of cold weather we get here.
I made my Christmas knitting list today. I have already begun work on my sister's sage green afghan. It's about 70% finished. I will make some hat/scarf/mitten sets for the nieces. I would like to find the perfect brick red to make another afghan for my stepmother. And I want to make both the kids a new raglan sweater. The sailboat sweater in the Adorable Knits book I bought the over day would be perfect for C! Is that all? I will probably try to get in one booga bag for best friend. That's enough!
I have to try another bottoms up bucket since the first one came out so huge it would fit a giant.
Must go! It's getting late and I should get backpacks/clothes/lunchboxes ready for tomorrow.

One of My Favorite Things

The fall Knitty is online! There are many patterns that I like. I will have to seriously consider putting some on the To Do List.
After dinner last night and before the ball game I made a quick run into Michaels. Had the 40% off coupon so I bought Adorable Knits for Tots, by Zoe Mellor. Such cute things! Bought the Fall Cast On magazine also. I like the new format. A couple of nice things.
Last night at the game M told me that it was perfect poncho weather. Do you think that was a hint? So -- I guess I need to get going on a poncho for her.

Take me out to the ballgame

Today was opening day of soccer. Now we're off to the baseball game in Lancaster.
I had about an hour between opening ceremonies and M's game this morning so I took M's pink/orange hat to work on. It was so hot, I was in slow mode.
I'll take the hat for car knitting tonight.
Tomorrow I'll post some pix of recent projects.

Here we go . . .

Well I finally started a blog after months of thinking about it.
I hope to make a place to visit to see what's up out here in crazy California.
Where am I going to find the time to keep it current? Who knows!
But I'm going to have fun!