Category: Miscellaneous musings

What Next?

Stitches Midwest 2015 is over for another year and I have a couple days off, so what to do?

I finished the ladies Sorrel on Sunday and I hesitate to show it to you unblocked but since here it is. I am waiting until I get home to wash and block it since I have only coin operated washers here at the hotel and it will be better handled at home. So, this is the best I can do for now. It will be much improved from a good blocking.

20150811_095711

So while I should be working on the pattern write up, and I will get to that soon, instead I picked back up my Summer Showers and started the right sleeve. :-)

20150811_095824

What else am I doing with my time here in Schaumburg? Well boring and geeky person that I am I first attempted to upgrade to Windows 10 since that came through over the weekend.

20150810_075605

I was able to get that done in a little over an hour yesterday morning BUT in the end spent many more hours trying unsuccessfully to find a workable driver for my Intel HD Integrated Graphics. I tried searching at Intel and Toshiba in Safe Mode with Networking but so far nothing for sure that will work. From what I could see of Windows 10 around the difficulty of a annoyingly flickering screen and barely responsive navigation (except for Task Manager which I could get up using CTRL_ALT_DEL), I am looking forward to it on the new computer I ended up ordering from Toshiba Direct. My current laptop is basically fine but it is 5 years old and I have been planning to upgrade this year anyway. This just convinced me it was time. Kyla will probably be getting this one later this month. :-) Oh, and I was pretty painlessly able to roll back to Windows 7 for any one out there who wanted to know. I wouldn’t have even attempted it this week if I didn’t know that was an option.

So yesterday afternoon I decided to get out of the room for a bit. There is a Half Price Books just down the road that I always hit a time of two while I am here. Not too much damage was done but I found a few vinyls and a CD.

20150811_095904

I think I’ll head out to Woodfield Mall just to get out of the room this morning while I am running a backup of my computer in preparation for my sweet new machine coming soon after I get home. Can’t wait! See you later.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

A mixed bag of updates

Hello! I have quite a few things to share so I will get right to it.

Why don’t we start with a pretty new shawl?

Glenallen 9-2014 (3)

Cassie finished the knitting of Glenallen on Sunday but I just got it blocked yesterday.

Glenallen 9-2014 (1)

The color is closer to the picture in the middle with Cassie wearing it.

Glenallen 9-2014 (4)

You can see it in person, along with all the other fabulous samples we have been busy knitting up for you this year, at the Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival in Berryville, VA this weekend. We are actually going to go one step further that that. Not only can you see the shawls and yarn in person, you have a unique opportunity to pick the brains of the designer! That’s right! We are hosting Dee O’Keefe of Designs by Dee in our booth this Saturday afternoon from 1-4 for a meet and greet. While you are there you can enter our little contest for your chance to win 5 DBD patterns of your choice (digital copy only). No purchase necessary to enter, we just need contact information. Sound fun?

In other news, I have kitchen remodel pictures to show you and man am I happy with how this is coming along? You better believe it!

Kitchen remodel cabinet doors (1)

This is what I found when I came home on Monday. :-) I am excited to see what progress is made over my 12 day absence while we are in Virginia for the back to back festivals. Talk to you soon.

Kitchen remodel cabinet doors (2)

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Last day in Chicago

Opening night at Stitches Midwest last week were they only pictures I remembered to take and that with my phone. Here are the excited knitters after the gates were opened on Thursday night. :-)

Chicago August 2014 (3)

Here’s a quick shot of my booth before they arrived.

Chicago August 2014 (2)

After the show and the booth was all loaded back I the trailer Cassie and I had three days with no definite plans. I guess I am a bit of a hermit even when I am on the road because we have just kicked around Schaumburg a bit doing some book and music shopping mostly.

This is a little of what I bought and we when we weren’t shopping we have been just reading, listening to new music, watching videos and a little knitting too. No doubt some would find this a boring way to spend your days off but I rather enjoy having nothing to do but bum around every now and then. :-)

Chicago August 2014 (1)

We are staying in a place with a kitchenette so we went to the Whole Foods and stocked up on good stuff so we haven’t had to eat out for the last 9 day at least. I feel better when I eat healthier.

Chicago August 2014 (4)

Today I went to Kohl’s and found a new hand bag and wallet to replace mine which I have been carrying for a long time and they were looking very worn and tired. What do you think? I love the color!

Chicago August 2014 5

We leave for Allegan, Michigan in the morning and will be setting up the booth in the afternoon/evening. Leisure time is over and it’s time to get back to work. Talk to you again from the eastern time zone!

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Mini vacation

Quick phone post today.

The weather is like early fall here in Schaumburg this week. Wehave taken in a little shopping and just kicking back.

I have finished the second book in the Dark Tower series and am about to start the third as soon as I finish this post.

Here’s a view of my reading spot for the afternoon.

image

I was hanging out at the covered patio reading yesterday during a brief rain shower when I was joined by one if these little fellows.

image

In case you can’t tell he is literally inches from my foot. Here’s proof.

image

No doubt he was hoping  for a handout but he went away disappointed. 

I actually pulled out my knitting last night and worked a few rounds. Didn’t take a picture to prove it but maybe I can do one better and have it finished by next post. I am ever the optimist.

Maybe Brookfield Zoo tomorrow.  Later!

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Lazy days of summer

We are really enjoying our weeks off around here. I am still reading a lot and knitting a little.

The summer is in full swing. The trees are gloriously green and lush. The tomatoes are setting their fruit and we can hardly wait for the first harvest.

image

image

We need to get into production mode soon and the orders are in for yarn to dye. The wood shop will also be opened back up soon but for this one more week we take a small break and catch up on life.

image

The oldest five offspring are off to Holiday World today and then on to their grandma’s for a short visit. I am home with only the husband and the three youngest. I have visions of quiet evenings to read but I doubt that is very realistic. :-)

What am I reading you ask?  Well I finished the latest Dan Brown novel, Inferno. It was okay and certainly was surprising in the ending, but I didn’t care for the preachy way the “crisis” was handled. I give it 3 stars for pure entertainment value and for the fact that he did at least attempt to change up his formula some what.

I immediately started listening to Stephen King’s Joyland and even though I haven’t gotten far I can tell it is going to be good. I have the Audible version since it is only in paperback and I can’t stand reading them since I went digital. ;-)

I also started Age of Innocence for the Classics group on Goodreads. This is very readable and I am enjoying it so far as well.

Okay well maybe I will have some new knitting to show off next post but I hope you don’t mind my sharing my reading with you.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

The Robins are back

20130418_093403

I think the robins have made a regular nesting spot of our playhouse tower now. Do you remember my chronicles of our nest watch last year?

They built a nest and successfully reared 4 babies. I guess 4 must be their magic number because they have repeated it this year.

I think the color of Robin’s eggs is one of my favorite colors.

I am glad they like it here because it is fascinating to watch the process from eggs to fledglings in about 3-4 weeks time. I am also glad that ours is a much slower process. :-) I don’t think I would want mine flying the coop quite so rapidly. I wonder if they remember the grown ones when they are gone? Do they have extended family like we do?20130418_093451

Not much knitting progress to show today. I have gotten a few inches on the wrap I am working on but that’s it.

I have read quite a few books in the last couple weeks. I listen to audio books when driving and I have been doing a lot of that lately. Let’s see…I finished Rebecca and The Handmaid’s Tale (both excellent) and then started The End of the Affair . this last one I highly recommend. I have one more hour left in it and have enjoyed it immensely. I picked it up in a BOGO sale at Audible based solely on the fact that it was narrated by Colin Firth and because it is an Audie Award nominee with rave reviews. It has lived up to them in my opinion.

I have also been reading (Nook) the first two Jackson Brodie books by Kate Atkinson. These are okay for light reading. Ithink when I finish One Good Turn I will pick a more heavy book. I am thinking it might be An American Tragedy or maybe Sherlock Holmes . Not sure yet.

20130418_093534

Posted on by — 4 Comments

An afternoon off

We have one day at home, so we didn’t really unpack. I did some shopping this morning and washed acouple loads of laundry before sticking the bags back in the truck for the trip to Atlanta in the morning.

image

I found myself with a few hours this afternoon to sit outside and read while letting Elijah play. Spring is finally making a more encouraging appearance and I thought it wad goood to take advantage of it while we can. We will be inside most of the weekend again.

image

I imagine I will try to get in another post once we get settled in for Stitches South.

image

Posted on by — 2 Comments

Carolina Fiber Festival 2012

I know I have been neglecting you dear blog. I will be honest with you. I am an introvert. As a business owner I can do many things well and efficiently, but being “out there” is a big challenge for me. I was not raised to put myself forward, invite myself, or anything like that. I am of an independent spirit, a self-starter and have a good measure of self-discipline, which are good qualities I think but they aren’t enough in and of themselves as the “face” of a business that must sell to survive.

2013 04 05_3542004.jpg

Also while I am a voracious reader and lover of language I am not equally skilled in writing. In starting this blog I wanted to stretch myself and hopefully develop these qualities and skills. I needed a reason to hone my writing skills and try to come out of my shell some. I am not one to blather on about my thoughts, except to myself that is. I have this tendency to feel I must have something more “important” or news-worthy in order to communicate with those outside my family or my own ears. I am working on it, but it remains a challenge. So if I am sporadic in posting this is part of it. Other times I may just not have the time to get to it. You know how that goes, right? What with the online shop, shows, production, bookkeeping, family duties, home education, etc.. Something has to give some days and unfortunately the blog is one of those less essential tasks. I would love to be able to set a higher priority on it but eating tends to take a precedent, LOL!

2013 04 05_3546008.jpg

Anyway, we made it home safely from our last adventure with only a one day delay. We set out yesterday for our current locale of Sanford, NC for the Carolina Fiber Festival. You can find out all the pertinent info by clicking the link so I will reserve my comments to the fact that it is our first year at this show. The organizers are lovely and do their jobs very well so we are sure it is going to be a great show.

2013 04 05_3547009.jpg

We set up the booth this morning and will be returning this evening for the market preview from 4-6pm.

2013 04 05_3543005.jpg

I remembered to take the camera today so for now I will leave you with some shots of our booth.  2013 04 05_3539001.jpg

2013 04 05_3540002.jpg

2013 04 05_3541003.jpg

2013 04 05_3544006.jpg

2013 04 05_3545007.jpg

2013 04 05_3548010.jpg

Posted on by — 6 Comments

Under the weather

I know it’s been a little longer than I expected it would be since my last post. This is due partly to the fact that I have been under the weather since before Thanksgiving. Which leads to the other reason for my delay; lack of content. Knitting progress has been slower than I would have liked but more on that in a minute.

What started out on late Tuesday as a minor breast infection, which for all of you who have breastfed know is common and easily dealt with occurrence, at least IME, progressed to something else altogether. On Wednesday and Thursday I had a low grade fever and symptoms of the afore mentioned breast infection. By Thursday night that was clearing up and my temp was back to close to normal. As Friday wore on though I started to get a weird swollen feeling in my throat. I figured it was my lymph nodes from the infection, until I lost my voice. My temperature went back up for the next 4 days and the upper respiratory symptoms worsened. My temperature was down some finally today but not totally back to normal. I have an annoying cough and still can barely talk. That is really frustrated I can tell you. I was really beginning to get concerned about the fever going on so long. I hate taking antibiotics unless they are absolutely necessary. I also avoid going to doctors if at all possible, but I knew I was going to have to go soon if my fever didn’t break. Hopefully I am on the mend now and it will continue to clear up on it’s own. I have been using vitamin C, zinc, and Echinacea to help boost my own immune system.

Well anyway that’s enough about that, I am sure I will be fine. On to the Sprossling update. I finished the knitting yesterday. I apologize for the pictures since I was forced to take indoor shots last night and this morning, but I figured they would be better than nothing for now.

2012 11 28_2332.JPG

I soaked and got the sleeve blocking while I set to work seaming the left side last night. By about 9:00 pm the sleeve was dry enough and I got it set in too before quitting for the night. So all that is left to do is the arm and side seaming on the right side, as well as buying and sewing on buttons, and it will be finished!

2012 11 28_2334.JPG

I am very pleased with it. The next post will most surely be of a completed Sprossling. Yay!

2012 11 28_2330.JPG

On a sad note; I was very grieved to hear of the sudden passing of Karrie AKA knitpurlgurl. I met her several years ago at the Pittsburgh Knit & Crochet Festival and have followed her blog ever since. She always stopped in my booth and was very friendly. I guess we are always taken aback when one so young and full of life, with a young family to raise especially, is taken so suddenly. My prayers go out to her family and friends. I saw on her Ravelry group that they are doing a little something for the family if you are inclined to help out.

Take care friends. Until next time.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Fall colors

Sticks and Stones progress shot from today. I am only a few inches away from the armhole bind off in the second front piece. The color is just right for this time of year and a vest is also just right for fall days when there is just a little chill but not quite enough for a sweater. I can’t wait to wear this!

2012 10 24_2286.JPG

It’s been in the low eighties this week and sunny but it will be cooling off by the weekend again. I wish I was going to have this done for SAFF this weekend, but I think that is not going to happen. I will have a few hours to knit tonight possibly but since I leave in the morning and it will be a full day of driving and booth set up it’s not likely I will even finish this piece much less knit the edging and seam it. I will take along the finished pieces just in case though. I can dream can’t I?

fall colors

fall colors

The fall colors are already past their peak which is unusual for this early. I took a few shots last week fortunately of the trees before they started shedding.

fall colors

I love the rusty orange color of these on the ground too.

2012 10 24_2291.JPG

Kind of looks like the color of my vest doesn’t it?

2012 10 24_2290.JPG

Ian got some new glasses this week. It’s hard to see in this picture but they are a cool green color in the inside and a nice navy on the front. He picked them himself, and no I didn’t talk him into the green ones at all. Really. :-)

2012 10 24_2295.JPG

Okay I took one of just the glasses to show you.

ian's new glasses

Bye for now. We’ll see you in Asheville!

Posted on by — Leave a comment