Great to Be Home

We had a fabulous time in New Orleans, but it's good to be home! The flights were fine, weather was perfect and we walked until our feet hurt. Doug's co-workers are a lot of fun (much more than us.. we were in before midnight each night.) Judy, who's in charge of arranging everything for the meeting did an amazing job (as usual). The last meeting was on the Riverwalk in San Antonio. It was fun as well, but I was pregnant with Lainey.

One of the highlights (can't say the best, but only because I don't want to hurt Doug's feelings! ) was meeting up with Christina to knit at Cafe du Monde. She emailed me about some yarn that I had for sale on Destash. When she sent me her address I realized that SHE LIVES IN NEW ORLEANS! I emailed her and asked if she'd be interested in meeting up and I could hand deliver the yarn. Luckily, she didn't think I was (too) weird... We met up and had cafe au lait and beignets while we both worked on our STR socks. I'm so jealous... she's in the Rockin' Sock Club. I just didn't get into socks in time to sign up before it was closed for the year. Her socks are beautiful and I love the yarn and pattern... Maybe next year! After we knit for a while we walked over to Quarterstitch, the LYS in the French Quarter. It's a tiny store, but they have some beautiful yarn. I ended up with some Koigu (above) to make socks for me (browns/pinks & solid pink) and Doug (blues/solid blue). The top skein is some Mama E's C*Eye*Ber Fiber Sock yarn in Indian Corn colorway. (It didn't come from New Orleans, but I hadn't shown it yet.) Christina got a skein of recycled sari yarn. It's beautiful stuff! As we were leaving the store we saw Jerry Springer. We stood outside the store debating.. him, not him. We were pretty sure it was him, but our suspicions were confirmed when some guys working next door started yelling "Jerry". He waved just a bit and another woman snapped a picture as she walked by. Unfortunately, neither of us had cameras with us. You should definitely check out Christina's blog! She was planning to go Saturday night to get a tattoo and there are pictures on her blog. It's amazing! I didn't get as much knitting done as I thought I would, but I did make it to the gusset on the first Jaywalker.

We found cute t-shirts for the kids. Hayden's is a pirate shirt (cartoonish skull and two pirate ships - pillage. plunder. pillage. plunder). Lainey's is a cartoon crayfish and says "Who's your crawdaddy?" And, of course, we brought home pralines (for us and the grandparents).

We also stopped for a couple of hours in KC after we got back to visit Greg and Sara. They're due in July and she's just so darn cute! We don't get to see them often, but they are always fun. Sounds like they (or at least Greg - just depends on how she's feeling) will be coming to the CD release party on June 2 for Doug's band, Celandine. I think it's going to be a great time!

Jenn

MMMmmmmm, yarn.....

I cast on for my Sockpals socks. I'm using the Waving Lace Socks pattern from Favorite Socks. (They're the ones on the cover.) I hope to show some progress soon. I had a little help removing one from the needles (L loves yarn!) I didn't have the brain power to work on it last night, so I started a Jaywalker with STR in G-Rocks using Magic Loop. I haven't started Doug's socks because I need to go get some dpns in a different size. The colors in the picture are much brighter than they really are. No morning light, just foggy and grey here at the moment.

I started my Clapotis a few days ago (since I couldn't start Doug's socks). I'm using Brooks Farm Four Play in Nantucket. This yarn is so soft and beautifully colored! It's going well. I'm trying to get one dropped row done each day. It's good knitting while we watch TV after the kids are in bed or when I have an odd moment during the day.I'm finally getting over this crazy sinus infection. I've been sick for almost 3 weeks. Hopefully, I'll be completely over it by the time we leave for New Orleans! (Next weekend)

I hope everyone has a wonderful Mother's Day. Mom's make the world go round! H said he wants to get us and come crawl in bed with me while Doug gets up with L. I haven't been able to lounge in bed since I had H over 4 years ago. I'm all for it! We'll also be seeing my mom and my grandmother! They're both great women (and mothers).

Jenn

No Sahara Yet

I'm sure I'm just biased, but are these not the sweetest feet you've ever seen! I could just eat those little rolls on her ankles. The Sahara has been sidelined for a few days because I decided that she needed an equally sweet pair of socks for those toes. I'm using a pattern (changed for a larger size, etc. Basically I just used the idea and went from there.) from the latest Debbie Bliss book and some baby cashmerino that I had in stash. I know a lot of people have problems with DB patterns, but this is the first one that I just haven't liked. I wanted a little something before I knuckle down and work on Sahara. I figure I'll wait until I can have some alone time this weekend to get started.

Here are the finished socks... (They're cuter than they show in the picture. I had trouble getting her to hold still long enough to snap a picture.) They'll keep those piggies warm and feel so soft for her. I'm sure she'll outgrow them quickly, although there is a bit of extra room, and I'll have to make another pair for the Fall, but they were pretty quick so I don't mind. H wants a pair of socks as well. He's requested that his be red (it's all about red.... red sheets, shoes, sweats, t-shirts. Our house would be red if he could convince me. I keep thinking he'll outgrow the red phase, but it's been this way for 2 years. Half of his life has been devoted to his search for red... He cracks me up!)

Also, still plugging along on my pair of Opal socks. I'm ready to start the heel, but just haven't done it yet. Maybe I just need to get it done before I start my Sahara... then, I can start another pair of socks (for my secret sock pal??) before we go on our trip to New Orleans in May. Usually socks don't take me this long, but I think it's just the plain stockinette. I'm looking forward to something with a pattern and trying toe-up.

Jenn

A Little Progress...

Oy, mama is knitting again! I just had to share this picture since I'm quite infatuated with this little, squishy baby. Unfortunately, her brother doesn't want to hold still for the camera lately. Here's my progress on the Wine and Roses Mitts. I can't wait to see it once it's blocked! I hope the recipient likes them as much as I do (and I've got yarn to make a pair for myself as well.) These are definitely an "after the kids are in bed" knitting project. I'm slowly finishing my sock and Doug's mitts when kids are up, but not needing me at the moment.

I had a nice little break from the kids yesterday. Mom came and watched them while I went to see the ladies I used to work with and have a knitting lunch. (I was at the same place of employment for 15 years - although not the same position). It was great to get to catch up. Most everyone brought their knitting or crocheting with them. We had a pair of fuzzy feet on the needles, a couple of scarves and a hat. I've been home for 2 years in July and I still miss everyone!

As for the picture below, I believe she's trying to gnaw off the store bought socks so mama can make her a pair worthy of such sweet little feet. I've got some Gems Opal in pink panther and a pattern picked out. Good thing she'll be able to go barefoot soon though since she may not have them before fall. Does anyone else find themselves dreaming about knitting on current WIPs? Between L being up last night and weird knitting dreams, I didn't get much sleep. Maybe they weren't dreams... Maybe they were just hallucinations.

Well, off to get L up from her nap so we can run around before H gets home from grandma's house. (It's a great thing to have my mom so close! I did manage a short nap before the phone rang today.)

Jenn