Monday Nov 12th

I don't have pictures, but Sat we visited another Alpaca Ranch not too far from us. Who knew that these Alpaca farms were so close, I figured if you had livestock that would require living outside the city limits but these folks don't.
We are visiting these farms so we can get an idea of what becoming an Alpaca farmer entails. So far it is so doable, and we want to do it. Since we don't have land (yet), we can agist or board our Alpacas at another farm.
I hope to meet with yet another Alpaca farmer soon, who has the most Alpacas in our area and boards all of them, she doesn't have land of her own.
Our long term plan is to buy some land, build a much smaller house, and raise Alpacas.

On another note, I guess my SP has sent a package of Oct, but not sure. I have not received it as yet.

What I did today

We visited this Alpaca ranch not too far from where we live. It was so cool.
She had some great fiber, from roving up to the finished knitted or woven item.

Day to Day

How often we turn minor challenges into monumental barriers by giving them undue attention, forgetting that within any problem lie its solution

I read this on another blog and felt it had meaning not only today but always.

Bad Blogger

I have no excuse except life itself, sometimes the day to day just gets in the way. I have been reading blogs, just not posting on my own.
I have been knitting, and finishing stuff. I am working on a 'Lucy Bag' for my oldest daughter, and finished socks for my youngest daughter.
Here is proof.

Stash

Stash, originally uploaded by purlyknit.

Part of my yarn stash, my goal (not sure when) is to organize ALL my yarn.

Secret Pal goodies

Pictures of what my secret pal sent, my familiy had to try the chocolate bar, so we dove into that first and it was Yum-O.
The yarn is a great wool, it will be perfect for felting. Everything was great. Thanks SP, your the best.





BTW, the placements on the table, I wove several years ago. They last and last and last and last.....

OMG

OMG, I was so excited when I went to get my mail, there was a package, and not just any old package but the one from my SP, and it had a customs label on it which you know what that means, not from within the US. I couldn't wait for my family to be home to watch me open it. SO... I opened it, and there was such cool things inside. I will post a picture later tonight. Thank you, thank you to my secret pal.

Pictures of DH's birthday

Here is DH opening his iPhone


The gang, minus me, I am taking the picture. DH is in the back on the right, the 'old man'

Sept 22nd

A blanket to knit

Yarn for above blanket

I know, I know. I haven't been blogging. I have had internet difficulties which I abhor. It can be quite frustrating since that is something I have no control over.
However, I am back on line now. I have been checking out a few blogs when I can while at work, it is frowned on though to be on the net while at work if it isn't work related. Anyhoo. I am anxiously looking forward to my invite to ravelry, I am closer than I was, duh, I think I am now about in the 3000 number. Like I said closer than I was. I guess they are really on the ball over there and adding hundreds on daily, if not more.
I was looking around my stash and thought I would include some pictures. I also have FO's pictures.
Today is my DH's birthday, yup it is. I bought him the coveted iPhone. He loves it. So much, I have hardly talked with him at all today. He has been playing with the new gadget.
We did go to dinner with the kids (he left the iphone at home) There were 8 in our party our 4 kids, our son-in-law and our sons girlfriend.

First day of September

Okay, Sept 1st. Fall is sneaking up. The temps have dropped dramatically at night, last night it was in the 60's. We opened our bedroom windows which was a nice change.
DH surgery was yesterday morning, all went well. He was up and walking around by the afternoon, so we were able to come home. I did switch into nurse mode to take care of him, he was a bit uncomfortable thru the night, if we could re-do I would have had him stay the night. Oh well, hindsight.
While waiting for him in the surgery waiting room I continued knitting on my cable scarf, if you haven't figured me out yet, I am a slow knitter.
All for now.

Which card are you?

You are the World

Completion, Good Reward.

The World is the final card of the Major Arcana, and as such represents saturnian energies, time, and completion.

The World card pictures a dancer in a Yoni (sometimes made of laurel leaves). The Yoni symbolizes the great Mother, the cervix through which everything is born, and also the doorway to the next life after death. It is indicative of a complete circle. Everything is finally coming together, successfully and at last. You will get that Ph.D. you've been working for years to complete, graduate at long last, marry after a long engagement, or finish that huge project. This card is not for little ends, but for big ones, important ones, ones that come with well earned cheers and acknowledgements. Your hard work, knowledge, wisdom, patience, etc, will absolutely pay-off; you've done everything right.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Saturday

This is what I made Friday.

It is so amazing how fast time can slip by, unless your sitting in a doctors office waiting room, or exam room. Then time seems to stand still. The past two weeks I have been waiting in different waiting rooms with my husband while he gets blood drawn, ultrasounds taken, and has an MRI done. Oh, and also an endoscopy, how could I forget that. He had to have conscious sedation for the procedure, so when they were done and he was 'coming out of it', he would say the most funny things. Later that evening when we were home, he had absolutely NO recollection of the procedure, the recovery, the drive home. The most recent waiting room was in the surgeons waiting room then his exam room, then the scheduler's office.
The MRI was fine,the endoscopy was normal, the abdominal ultrasound revealed gallstones, some adhered to the wall of the gallbladder so he is going to have that removed next Friday, the 31st. We were hoping a little sooner, like yesterday, as that is what would have worked for his and mine schedule but didn't seem to work for the surgeons schedule.
I have to say, I will be so happy for that gallbladder to come out, because it is making DH quite cranky. He gets fatigued very easily,doesn't have an appetite, not that he isn't hungry, he will take a couple bites and then is full. He burps all the time, and has a fullness in his upper abdomen along with a dull ache.
Yesterday, I made homemade chicken soup and butter bread. The butter bread was a recipe from a friend. She braids her bread, so I did too. I made the meal in hopes it would make DH feel better. Not sure if it worked, but it was good.
The knitting that has been going on has taken place while waiting for the tests that have been going on with DH. I have to start going thru my stash and find something to start a mans sweater, I really like the one in the Fall Interweave Knits. I think I may have some yarn already. I also need to finish the socks I have on the needles. Today is the 'Sip,Sit and Knit'. It is a group me and a friend started about 2 years ago. The meeting time is 1p-5p, and it is at a local coffee shop. (not Starbucks which would have been my choice-they have the best cafe mochas).
Anyway, better go.

Ravelry

Okay, patience is not my best virtue, this is where I am now in my wait for Ravelry.
aargh....
You signed up on July 24, 2007
You are #20314 on the list.
10867 people are ahead of you in line.
6144 people are behind you in line.
34% of the list has been invited so far

It has begun

So exciting, I received an email from my secret pal. I have been leisurely reading thru the participants blogs which makes it fun to try and figure out who my pal is.
I am at work, so I better get back at it.

Tuesday

Okay tomorrow is the beginning of the SP11, I am anxiously awaiting the name of my pal.
I appreciate the hostesses for all the work they put into the exchanges. Kudos to all of them.
My day thus far has been traveling to the hospital waiting while my husband has his tests done. He is getting a GI work-up. This morning was the abdominal ultrasound, this afternoon, an endoscopy. Since he is a physician himself he considers the worst case scenario as his outcome. I hope it is just his gallbladder and that can come out-no problemo. I have a book I brought with me as well as my knitting, I always carry my knitting with me, no matter what. The book I am reading right now, is called 'Eat,Pray, Love', a great non-fiction, if you haven't read it, it is really good.
I am waiting from the library for 'Crochet Inpiration', it has such great patterns, I will make copies of the ones I can't live without.
I don't buy many books anymore, it is so easy to get them from the library, that is where part of my taxes go so I should take advantage of it.
Cheerio.

New pet

adopt your own virtual pet!

Ravelry

This is where I am:

You signed up on July 24, 2007
You are #20314 on the list.
11839 people are ahead of you in line.
3817 people are behind you in line.
34% of the list has been invited so far

Patience is a virtue.

It seems like such a cool place, I will be glad when my number comes up.

My newest addition

This is a Schacht Wolf loom-26" weaving width. I am needing to make a trip to Lawrence, KS to 'The Yarn Barn' and pick up some fiber so I can warp my loom. There just isn't enough hours in the day.

SP11 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I like most wools, or wool blends and alot of the new natural fibers, bamboo, soy,etc.. I do not like synthetics/acrylics.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have a felted bag w/compartments.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I learned to crochet first and that was when I was in grade school so lets say 35 years ago. Knitting is newer to me, maybe the last 5-6 years. I consider myself intermediate, I knit for the relaxation and fun, not to win a contest.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I have an amazon account, but not a wish list.

5. What's your favorite scent? Patchouli, Have worn this scent since the late '70's.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Sweet tooth, yes, favorite candy, can't say I hae one of those, but I do love chocolate

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I weave, spin, , knit, crochet and felt.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I have an iPod, I listen to a variety of music. Kt Tunstall, Niko Case,
Bob Marley, Santana, Todd Rundgren, Pink Floyd, Mary Chapin Carpenter, that is just to name a few.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? No color I can't stand. I like fun happy colors.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I am married with 4 kids (only 2 at home now, and 3 dogs.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Yes.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I like to knit bags and then felt them.

13. What are you knitting right now? A scarf.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I prefer circular needles, bamboo or other wood.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? A crocheted baby blanket that I was making for my sister-in-law, that now her son is probably 8.

18. What is your favorite holiday? 4th of July

19. Is there anything that you collect? Not really.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? None right now, in the past I have had Interweave Knits, Spin-off, and Handwoven.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Mobius

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? I have knitted socks, I seem to only knit the first one, then never finish the second. I wear a size 10 shoe.

23. When is your birthday? July 20

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? No, I am on the wait list.

Knitting books

I just got back from the library, I had a couple books on hold. Every time I pick up a new book from the library, I want to buy it. The books I got tonight are 'Felt Frenzy', a new book put out by Interweave Press, the second book is Oneskein. Love them both. There is a knitted puffy in Oneskein I want to do, and Felt Frenzy I want to make the wrap on the front cover called Karoke.
So many projects I want to do, and so little time.

Last day of July

Hard to believe this is the last day of July. I just drove back from dropping off my youngest daughter at my oldest daughter's house in Columbia (Missouri). I drove past a billboard (I-70 between KC and Columbia is loaded with billboards-quite an eyesore), the billboard was advertising Hillcreek fiber studio which is a nice place to get yarns, knitting needles, all sorts of good stuff for fiber artists. The triangle loom was developed at the Hillcreek fiber studio
Another great place for yarns, weaving and spinning stuff, is Simply Fibers in Springfield, Mo.