Dualing Cellos : Stjepan Hauser and Luka Sulic - Smooth Criminal

These guys are truly amazing; not surprising to see the strings literally flying off their bows, I almost expected flames to start shooting out of their finger tips~

I've gone half-way up the gusset of Nancy's Sock #2:

 , and realized I will have to undo and re-bind off the cuff of Sock #1; even though I purposefully made the bind-off stitches as loose as I possibly could, I still wasn't able to get my foot in the stock. *le sigh....always, why must everything be done 3 times, to get it right~

I'm going to try LiatM's video: Invisible Ribbed Bind-Off - One or Two Socks at a Time


I really like this sock pattern, with it's little mock-cable pattern, really cute!

Teh Babeh's Birthday Bash, Part II

Looky what I got today!! My Amarylis in bloom, 10th year running.

My older daughter, her husband, Mother-in-Law and their 2-year old daughter came up this weekend, and we celebrated Baby Rhonda's second birthday! She takes center stage in the middle of the dining room table as she opens one of her presents:

 I received sad news yesterday, from a dear knitting buddy; her father has been diagnosed with lung cancer.

I had to go through the pain and suffering with my own dad, back in 2000. While I go about my day-to-day activities and try live a normal, productive life, I thought I had put it all away, all the pain, anguish, feeling of helplessness to do anything, yet this brought it all back out in plain view again. I feel helpless to do anything but be a good listener, and hope I can help her through this; she will be going through some very stressful days ahead. When I got up and began my morning ritual, I could think of nothing else. There is so much that goes through a person's mind, when they have to come to terms with the reality of our mortality. Time stands still for just a moment, long enough for us to believe in wishing on a star, just this once, to ask for a miracle that will give us a little more time together, with those we love.

I've learned through the loss of a loved-one, that the time we do have here on Mother Earth is a gift and we are obligated to share it with everyone around us, because one day, we'll be just a memory to someone else, and what we leave behind will be our legacy for shaping their futures. You choose your own path in life, and every step you take creates a ripple that flows out from your center, to everyone around you. How firmly you walk determines how far that ripple will reach others.

Sam and Laurena Ranelli

My Dad, in Garage World, listening to the S.F. Giants on his transistor radio

Me and Mom, two giddy girls, peas in a pod

I am determined that what I leave behind will not be measured by tangible things, because I am not a piece of furniture. I am soul and spirit, and I will continue to be, even after my body dies, when I will become like a ripple on the surface of still waters for someone else.


Book Reviews and other up-coming reading
I can't wait to read Troy Taylor's next book coming out soon: Suicide and Spirits, the first book ever written with cooperation from Lemp family descendants and features previously untold stories about the family, as well as rare photographs, detailing life among the tragic, St. Louis elite! Learn of the myths and misconceptions that have plagued the Lemp story as the real story as revealed in a way that only Troy Taylor can tell it!

Available to Order Starting February 25!

I once spoke with a relative who was living in Hannah House Indianapolis during a visit, back in the 90's. The part of the whole Haunted House tour that really wigged me out was the basement, where the fire took the lives of several refugee slaves. I still get a chill when I recall that. Someone may have written a book about that; note to Self: Look up Indianapolis legends and tales of spirits.

I'm reading Death in a Prairie House, by William R. Drennan, the story of Frank Lloyd Wright and the Taliesin murders, right now; it's pretty good, so far. I'm getting into the historical stuff that precedes the murders-I hear the second half is morbidly grotesque, when they get into the details of the murders. But I can sorta see how the Locals would have contempt for a person like that, back then....bringing his paramour to live in such a fine house as he had built for her, Taliesin, with a family back home and all...

Time to rejoin the living-DH is hollering for me to bring up a Coke when I get done blogging my life's story~ :P

Birthday Bash for Baby!

and now the snow is over, but WAIT! there's more to come on Monday.

DD35, Hubs, MIL and Baby are on their way to spend the weekend with us, HURRAY! DD20 and I went birthday shopping yesterday, in preparations for the big #2 Birthday Bash tomorrow. I was up at 7am this morning, ready to clean the house from top to bottom, while DH was out running errands with the neighbor. I finished cleaning the upstairs at 11:20, then decided to color my hair before jumping in the shower. I love the new color, L'Oréal 5AR Medium Chestnut Brown; it turned out purrrrrrrr-fect!

I've finished Baby Mommy's Kitty Hat, just in time for their planned visit; prepare for a SQUEE moment:

Knit Picks pattern: Meow! Cat Hat by Adrienne Enriquez.

 I'll be off and on all weekend; catch you all on the flip-side, Monday!

Lights! Cameras! Socks?

This lovely knitter is Jane Leverenz of Mankato, Minnesota. Jane, along with fellow Mankato knitter Melissa Seitzer, were commissioned by the Coen brothers to knit socks for actors Jeff Bridges and Peter Leung for the critically acclaimed film, True Grit.

Lights! Cameras! Socks? - Fiber Arts - timesunion.com - Albany NY

You can bet there will be a mad rush to purchase the yarn, however,  the article provides a direct link to the yarn shop the knitter bought her supplies from, and we could find neither of the yarns listed.

I went on a yarn hunt for Plymouth Galway, and didn't not have much luck finding any available stock, in most websites listed-Yarn.com offers it but was out of stock.  Marisol Akapana did come up in several links as well, . I've found it available here.

I use the Wisconsin Winter Socks pattern which is similar to the sock style shown in the interview. These style socks were used by loggers in the 1800's, to help keep the menfolk's feet warm and dry during logging season. Many a logging camp could be seen with lines of socks drying around the wood stoves, at night.

I got my copy of the book at Paradise Fibers, a great place to find yarn and supplies!

Hats off to the Blizzard of 2011!

Last week's storm was one for the books- we got a total of 18 inches. I finally got a cell phone pic downloaded.

This was taken from our bedroom window. The curtain partially detached itself from the gutter today. Luckily, DD20 wasn't standing or parked under it.

Last night, I finished Baby Rhonda's #2 birthday pressie: The Froggy Hat!

DH got such a big kick out of it, he played with taking pics of it for the rest of the evening!

The Froggy Hat is my adaptation of Meow! by Adrienne Enriquez

I'm hoping teh Frog fits;  I will get Baby Mommy to send a pic of the hat in action soon!

These are next on my list of to-do's, for Easter:

Marshmallow Bunnies Socks by Debra Baker


I wanted to join the #silentwriters on Twitter last night, but DH had other plans, which included pestering the carp out of me.
I was hoping to have an hour of  uninterrupted silence with which to blog. It wasn't going to happen, and this was the end-result of my evening. And nope, I did not get to blog.

Looks like a Frazzle-tini is in order!

What's on tonight's menu: Near East falafels with cucumber yogurt sauce! Awesome and good for you!

I had a cucumber and some fresh yogurt, grated up the cucumber, squeeze-drained it, added a clove of chopped garlic, a dash of salt, a tsp of vinegar (lemon-juice is nice too) and sat back to the bestest meatless burgers in town!

Now, all I need is an Espresso, La Preferida-style!

Bon Apetite!

KNITPICKS KNITS PATTERN: Marshmallow Bunnies Socks from KnitPicks.com

Hippety Hoppety, Easter's on its way! Time to get busy and whip out a pair of Marshmallow Bunnies Socks. I'm going to get some yellow and make a pair of Marshmallow Peeps Socks© too!

Marshmallow Bunnies Socks from KnitPicks.com Knitting

What To Do With a Book (Besides Read It) | Away with Words

I found this blog post interesting, and it reminded me of the Flower Vase my neighbor made me for Christmas, using a book~

Make a pocketbook out of a pocket book? check this out!
What To Do With a Book (Besides Read It) | Away with Words

RIPPLES IN THE SNOW | Baby Granny Stripes Blanket

Caron International | Free Simply Soft® Project | Baby Granny Stripes Blanket

As some of you may know, outside of my current knitting craze, I'm a HUGE crochet fanatic, with mostly doilies in my Portfolio. If you are a member of Ravelry, you've likely seen some of the many doilies I've made over the years, and there are even a couple blankets I've posted.
I haven't put everything in there yet, but I have been known to make quite a few Ripple afghans in my day. My mother was big fan of the Ripple pattern, and together, she and I have probably made over 100 afghans, in every possible 4-color combination, for family and friends.
So, when I saw this baby ripple, I had to grab the link, so I can come back to it later.I love the soft color palette, and the ease of construction. Makes me want to pick up my crochet hook again, and start one. They go so fast, one can easily be done in about 2 weeks, give or take.
So, if I get bored or need a change in routine, I am thinking this one is right up there on my list!