Finally! I finally figured out how to add a picture.  That is a picture of my dog and the yarn so far.  Hopefully I can have at least 2 balls of yarn done soon and then it will be time to ply the yarn.  I will post again when after plying.  Have a great day!

Time Flies

What a lame blog!  I have not posted in almost a year. So many things have changed since I last wrote.  It would be a shame if it had not actually as it would be quite boring to have the same life a year later.

Currently spinning is taking up some of my "leisure time" as I am trying to spin up the fur I have collected from my dog.  Yes, I said my DOG!  Do you know where the sheep has been whose wool you wear or spin?  I know where my dog has been at all times.  He is super soft and fluffy (especially right after he is washed).  He is especially furry right now (and sleepy) so I should have another bag of fiber shortly when I take him for grooming.

Before you shout that it is winter and he will be cold, it is 78 degrees outside and he has 3 dog sweaters, a dog coat and several shirts.  Even if I could not find any of those garments I have quite enough yarn to knit or crochet him 50 more!

When I last wrote I was submitting patterns to a magazine.  That was an exercise in futility that I have no interest in repeating any time soon.  I rushed to get everything in, paid overnight postage fees, only to have the designs not used and the entire package of samples, drawings and patterns never returned to me.  They were either lost by the magazine folks or the mail.

I am currently finishing a shawl pattern that the company whose yarn I wanted to use so graciously sent me 3 skeins to make the shawl.  I am hoping to complete the shawl itself and move on to the edging today.  It should have been finished ages ago but there is the "little" thing called work that pays the bills and buys yarn that has been getting in the way of knitting time.

I will try to write again soon but I will not promise as I have learned better than making promises I may not keep.

Schlep

I said I would write sooner, I guess I was wrong!  It is already April and the last time I wrote was in February!  I have been slammed at work however I have been sneaking a little knitting in here and there.  I have had more shawl ideas so hopefully soon things can calm down at work and I can actually finish something instead of creating more UFO's.  I also better get started soon on my holiday knitting as it never got completed! :(
I have a few shawls in the works and one is inspired by my little furry buddy!

Principles of Knitting has arrived!

I got to work from home today and I went out to get the mail and I had a package from Amazon.  I did not remember ordering anything recently and then it dawned on me as I opened the box that my pre-ordered Principles of Knitting was inside!   I felt like a little kid with a new toy!!  My excitement could barely be contained!  That book is a must read for every knitter.  There were cast on's in that book I had never heard of.  What a valuable resource.  I have been chomping at the bit for at least a year maybe two since I heard that it was being re-done.  I have always known it was a valuable resource but the out of print copies were going for anywhere from $200 to almost $400 per copy.  A little bit out of my price range (smirk).

I have been very busy but my needles have not been still!  I submitted 3 design ideas to a magazine and I have been trying to finish gifts and knit a little bit on other designs in my head.

I promise I will write sooner!

Not much new

Today  - nothing much new to write, work during the day and knitting at night.  So much to knit, so little time.

A New Year!

I find myself with way too much to do and not enough time to do it.  Does that sound familiar to anyone?  I bite off more than I can chew with knitting Christmas presents not taking into consideration the other things I have going on.  Little insignificant things like WORK!  My dog has such an easy life, he lays around, sleeps, eats and lays around some more.

It is already January and I am still not done knitting presents and sending them off.  I am glad I have grace from the recipients.  I also have patterns I am writing and want to submit to a magazine that are in various stages of being knit and are due by the end of the month.

I think I will make some soup tonight, it is easy fast and can cook on its own while I knit away.

Fast and Easy Soup
1 store rotisserie chicken
No Salt Seasoning ( I like Kirkland Organic No-Salt Seasoning or Trader Joe's 21 Seasoning Salute)
Garlic paste 2 tsp (or fresh - couple of sections chopped)
Ginger paste 1 tsp
2 stalks of celery diced
1/2 red onion diced
Green cherry tomatoes or tomatillos cut up (about 15 or 20)
1 butternut squash
3 or 4 shakes of turmeric
3 or 4 shakes of garam masala (Indian spice)
A few leaves of fresh lemon verbena, lemon balm, sage and rosemary chopped (optional)
Fresh cilantro leaves if desired
1 to 5 shakes of sea salt

If the chicken is large and will mostly chicken and no soup then take away 1 or two of the drumsticks before boiling and set them aside or eat them.  Put the chicken in a large pot with enough water to cover the chicken.  Boil the chicken about 1/2 hour to 45 minutes.  Take the chicken out of the water remove the skin and bones, tear up the chicken and put it back in the water.  Add everything else.  Cook on medium until the squash is done.