Mists of Briarwood

Last night was the first night I actually got a full nights' sleep~ we went to bed around 1:00am, turned on Route 66 and then settled in for the night. The Naked City comes on at 2:30am and I don't remember hearing the start, I was already gone.

I woke up at 9am, totally refreshed. I got up to make a cup of green tea, my ritual every morning. I glanced out the front window to see how much snow had melted in our little corner of the world. We're nestled in an area that is both woods and wetlands, so we get to see a wide diversity of wildlife and fowl, especially across the road by The Pond. The pond is a remnant of a day when Lake Lauderdale and Wandawega were connected. Now they are divided by wetlands and a few houses that were plotted when the water receded several years ago as a result of local development issues, draughts and other natural causes. In recent years, the pond has risen, causing some neighbors to have to literally raise their back yards, in order to stave off the rising water levels. It has leveled off now, but the damage was done, a few sheds were lost and property values suffered as a result. The Pond is a thing to respect, never underestimate, as things can change literally overnight.

For the second day,  a thick fog blanketed the area, no, the entire region, and was so thick as we drive into town, we could barely see 50 feet in front of us in places.There were the usual wreckless drivers about- you know the kind: they don't comprehend the idea of safe driving under adverse conditions, instead driving like they are in an Indy Car race. We gave them plenty of space.

The mist rising in the kettle out back was so hauntingly beautiful. That is a very special spot of our property. It's serenely beautiful and eerie. Deer pass by here on a daily basis, and the occasional spirit can sometimes be glimpsed, a Watcher from days past. We live in what once was one of the most populated regions of  local tribes, and I sometimes contemplate how life must have been, back in the day. It was wildly beautiful, bountiful and you had to be tough to survive the winters. I'm positive a few of them stayed behind, even in spirit. Who could leave such a beautiful place?

The neighbor came over for "Beer Wednesday", the boys' regular weekly event. He asked me if I was ready for another 3-mile walk tomorrow- I said "YES!". It took me 2 days to get past the stiffness from the last 3-mile walk, but as time goes, I'll be back in shape. It felt good and I'm ready to do it again. It's suppose to get to the upper-50's tomorrow, with a chance of rain.

I'm enjoying a Marie Callender's Chicken Parmesan Pot Pie for dinner, in anticipation of Calorie Burn Thursday. noms!

I'm onto the toe of the LumberJill sock #3, it's going fast. I'm going to cast on Hunter's Camo Hat tonight as soon as I post this entry, and will update with pictures as soon as I get far enough into the Camouflage yarn to see a pattern~

LUMBERJILL SOCKS, OR PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD

My first 2-circ toe-up socks, YIPPY SKIPPY! Not hard to figure out, glad I watched those YouTube videos!

I used Knit Picks Options Nickel Plated Fixed Circular Knitting Needles by Knit Picks $4.99 a set. LOVE THEM!

NOTE: I started the pattern in a 2x2 rib, then switched to the hourglass pattern (very similar to the 2 needle mock-cable stitch, when my stitches were a little looser on the 2’s. I messed up the second twist, but not concerned- it’s a learning curve :)

 

NOTE: The first sock, she’sa too tight! Gonna rippit and redo, after finishing Sock #2 in just 2x2 rib, no hour-glass twist….will that make it Sock #3 then? hmmm…..

I used the W & T (Wrap & Turn) heel technique, I like the no-hole gusset a LOT!

NOTE: YES, Virginia, I has to make a 3rd sock, (expletive)...back to the needles I go...

I went to Ben Franklin Crafts, Delavan, and picked up two skeins of  Red Heart Super Saver, Camouflage for Hunter's Hat (and one for myself). I'm toying with an idea for a vest in this color. Let's see how this works up first!

I'm looking forward to working this one up- a break from tiny sock stitches.

Our First Artfire Sale!

Today we had our first sale since we began listing in Artfire exactly one month ago, TO THE DAY! It was well worth the wait!

Good Hair Days^® Grip-Tuth^® Side Combs

A unique combination of Grip-Tuth^® combs and Magic-Grip Hairpins gives you the best hold ever.  Our detailed instructions and illustrations make this classic hairstyle so easy for everyone.  They even work on medium length and layered hair.  Short ends won't slip out because Grip-Tuth®^® combs have touching teeth that grip and hold.
Kits come with detailed instructions in Spanish, French and English

 

You can view a wide selection of Good Hair Days^® side combs, chigon forks and pins, and many more items by clicking on our Store link:
 
We  hope our first Artfire Customer enjoys her new hair combs and we hope to see you all real soon!
 

Spring and Love is in the Air!

Today I went for a walk with the next-door neighbor, and as we turned a bend of the road, I heard a most welcome sound:  the Sandhill Cranes returned to Elkhorn, WI, announcing, "I'm back, baby I'm back!" It was a welcome sound and a sure sign spring is officially here! Let the celebration begin!!

Sandhill Crane parents and chick, Aug. 2009

I began the day early, as usual.  I didn't have to worry about a shower, so I putzed a little, then sat down to work on my Mary Jane's Pithy hat and got it finished and off the needles~#5 is completed.

 Mary Jane's Pithy Hat

I'll be going to Ben Franklin Crafts next week to get some Red Heart 971 - Camouflage worsted for a hat for my Grandson, Hunter. DH saw it last time we were there for their Grand Opening, and he liked it enough to tell me about it on the way home. A good reason to go back! 

I got caught up in a movie later this morning,  Chance of a Lifetime, with Betty White (LOVE HER) and Leslie Neilson, Ed Begley, Jr. If you are in the mood for a Romantic Comedy, then definitely check it out. I am so glad I watched it-it was a Hallmark moment, I cried a couple times. I'm sentimental that way :D

I'm needing to start a new project, must go contemplate while I post project updates in Ravelry~

Ciao!

Me

An Early Birthday Present, 32 Years Later...

An amazing thing happened a couple nights ago.

I logged into Facebook to post an add in the Many Horses Jewelry Supply Fan Page. While I was putzing around, I noticed a new notification said there was a new message in my Inbox. I went to check it out and noticed the name-I didn't recognize the last name; it was the FIRST NAME that caught my attention immediately. There was a pause, not more than a millisecond, then I clicked to open it.


The message began with:

Hi Sandra,
I don't even know if you remember me, but I have thought about you more than once over the years and glad to run across you on facebook.

The rest I will leave out, because in that moment, I realized a dream I had for so many years, was just about to become reality. In a matter of a few minutes, 35+ years were melted away, then I hit the Reply button and we reconnected again.

My 10th birthday Party Entourage.

I've given her my email address and we're writing now, although it is a bit awkward, and I don't want to rush in and pour out my soul in one fell swoop. Too much at once just might scare off someone you haven't see or spoken to since grade school...

I am just happy to finally hear from her, after all these years. It's not  important to know why we fell apart, as kids often do during their growing up years. We all move in different directions, and we never know where we'll end up.  Some things are worth hanging on to, and one more of my wishes has been realized. I'm a very patient person that way.

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I've got another hat on the needles- this time, it's the Mary Jane's Pithy Hat, with the cable stitch, for variety. It is going to fit more snuggly, as the stitches are tighter, not so knotty and loose.

I like the look, and the pattern is very easy~the yarn, Red Heart Super Saver. Needles, 7 and 10.5 US.

Baby Mommy called last night to say she thinks we have a TOOTH!  

Another milestone to add to her list of accomplishments: Baby Girl is just a step away from taking off on her own, is pushing about with help of mobile upright toys.

I got a new picture of Baby Girl with her Baby Turtleback on~ SO cute! She is such a good baby~ ♥♥♥

Time to place an order at Kohl's for DD19. They are changing the work cloths and she has to get a specific color polo for winter now, "Hypnotic Blue", and some new khaki pants. Thank goodness for the 20% code we got in the mail~offset the shipping, every little bit helps!

G'night~

Babeh Sports her Baby Turtleback

Heavenly Fireworks Hat

This hat is for the oldest of the April Girls, hope she likes it, it's named for her. I've learned not to expect to hear one way or the other.

So I will model the hat....not that I like taking my own pix, just saying....

I got to speak with my older daughter on Skype today! We have pictures of Baby Turtleback!

Skype + dark room + not-so-great shot, but I'll take what I can get~

The Baby Turtleback fits with room to spare! Not bad for long-distance guesswork!

We had a riot playing Patty Cakes together via web-cam. Rhonda's attention held longer than the last time we attempted this, and we had a riot! Igor even got in the picture when he heard us playing, and you should have seen her eyes light up when she saw the Doggy! I do believe she remembers him and gets the biggest grin on her face when he comes into the room, just like when they were here back in November.

I've got a renewed confidence now, from seeing how this actually fit her. It looked so small when I packed it up to send off in the mail.

Back to work, I am making yet another hat, this one for.....to be announced.

Elliott Hundley - Culture Monster on the Head of a Pin

We are proud to announce a collaboration of efforts with artist B. Elliott Hundley.

We have been working on gathering supplies for Elliot, for an upcoming show next week, and are happy to say, we met the deadline, by a nose hair.

You can view some of his artwork on the Andrea Rosen Gallery website here: Andrea Rosen Gallery - Elliott Hundley - Biography

Elliott Hundley is best known for his work, " Hekabe". A blood-drenched tragedy from 2,000 years ago is brought up to the minute, its heartless vengeance and searing anguish making a month of the nightly news look like a walk in the park.

More of his works can be seen at this exhibit: Review: Elliott Hundley at Regen Projects II

Although we don't work in the studio with Elliott, we have had the pleasure of coordinating with him and his team in order to expedite his most immediate needs on his upcoming show next week.

Bravo, Elliott!!