Happy Birthday Big Boy!

March 25, 2002 

January 25, 2002 my big boy was born. Little did I know at the time I would totally fall in love 3 months later and be wrapped around his little "finger".

I went to pick him up at 3 months of age and stopped by my parents house before going home. On the trip home my nameless little bundle crawled into my coat and fell asleep on my chest (18 lbs later he still does this!) When I brought him into my folk's he went right to Dad and played with him then went over to Mom and fell asleep on her lap. This little boy really knew how to get people to love him quick.

All my cats have been named after family members so, while we were trying to come up with a name Dad said the kitty had total control of the family just like "The Chief" did. And - a name was found. Grandpa was a Chief Petty Officer who was always in command of where ever he was. The name was turned out to be perfect because this little boy has always been the chief.

He's always demanded to be close and cuddle so when I needed to spend time on the computer I had to come up with a way to cuddle but keep working. I found my old arm sling and it worked perfect - we were both happy.

Time passed and he grew into a very handsome Big Boy. 18 pounds of love and good manners. So - Happy Birthday Big Boy. Thanks for picking me when I came to visit your birth home!

Happy 4th

We all celebrate in our own way.

I planned on writing a post about celebrating the 4th because I haven't been on here in a week or so but then I saw the last date and it was the middle of June. Where did the time go!?!

Many people in Minnesota all but live at the cabin in the summers. We all go "up north" or "to the lake". There are well over 10,000 lakes - actually 15,291 lakes over 10 acres in size. We love our cabins. My family was no different.

Grandpa built a cabin in the 1940s that would house the family when the big bomb hit )people did that thing back then). It was 2 hours north of Minneapolis and had multiple buildings for all of us to stay at. The main cabin had 2 bedrooms, a porch and a large main room/kitchen. Then there was the guest house and the screen house. Many weekends would be my grandparents; my family, Mom's sister and brother's families. Six cousins to hang out together and enjoy our freedom.

July 4th weekend would include going to the local small town that had fireworks on the beach at night. July 4th has always been a family time for me and the changes in my family are most noticeable on days like today. But the 4th is still a day to celebrate what we do have.

I'm so grateful to grow up in a country where we can celebrate our freedom and families on a day like today. For the most part we don't worry about bombs going off in the neighborhood. We may disagree about the "other" political party but rarely do these disagreements turn to violence or the government throwing us in jail. I know our country is filled with flaws and problems but I also know we have it so much better then most of the world. We just assume we'll have enough food and fresh water. We assume we can complain about the government. We assume our life will be basically a good one. We are a very lucky country and today we can celebrate and remember how lucky we are.

(sorry everything is all mushed together - blogger isn't letting me format properly)

Where's the Humidifier?

I'm thinking I should add water to the humidifier.

What was your first clue Mom? - Chief

Any Horizontal Surface

Sunday I put up the ironing board to block some past projects - a couple were on last post. As usual I didn't quite get around to putting it away. The rule in our house is: if there is a horizontal surface it will be covered with my junk or a cat or both. I couldn't believe that all of Sunday the board remained clear.
Monday same thing. The board remained clear.
Tuesday things started to happen. Every time Chief would walk past the board he'd put both front paws up on the board and check it out. He'd then walk away.
Tuesday night he finally found out it was a horizontal surface.

Mom, why didn't you tell me this was a place to sit? - Chief

Yea, fine. Whatever. - Bert

You know I could get used to this. Long - padded. Good to stretch out on. Good kitty rest. - Chief

Well, here it is Wednesday. This new kitty rest is JUST right! Thanks Mom. - Chief

I hate to tell him I'm taking it down tonight. Poor Chief.

FYI - Bert still hasn't figured out its a place to stretch out. Cute but slow.......

Best Sleeping Positions

Every once in a while you look at your world and decide some changes need to be made. You have an old car that costs more to fix than its worth. You have piles of things on the table so it can't be used. You're in a loveless marriage and need to get out. My world is not so dramatic.

My big thing I need to change is my wardrobe. I think its time to make a new night gown. This one is over 15 years old and looks everyday of it. Mom is probably rolling over in her grave seeing me wearing something this raggy!

I may not have made a new nightgown lately but I have made progress on some knitting. I found a Lace Edge Hat pattern I liked and made it out of Malabrigo. It's yummy and wonderful. After I made the hat I decided to come up with some gauntlets that would match. First one is done and of course I didn't take any notes on my increases and such so I've been going a little slower making the second one. Turns out I have enough Malabrigo to make a small scarf also. Once I get the scarf finished I'll write these up and share them with you all. I'll also hunt up the hat pattern source so you can make a complete set.

While I've been knitting the Boys have been doing what they do best - sleep.

Bert likes to sleep on top of the TV cabinet. Here's his favorite pose. I know its because the the heat that comes from the cable box in the cabinet but its still pretty funny.

Even when he hears something he manages to check it out without losing "The Pose".

Once he's sure everything is safe and there's no real live person coming into our cave he relaxes and settles down to some serious sleeping again.

Don't ya just love the hind foot action!

Meanwhile, Chief sleeps where Chief sleeps best - on the recliner between my legs.

The black thing on the bottom of the picture is my laptop. I can handle Chief on the right arm of the chair, Bert on the left arm, the lap top of (of course) my lap and knitting in front of the computer. What else do you need!

Life is good around here if you ignore my nightgown!

Let sleeping kitties lie

Two days off with rain and dark skies meant I didn't go work at the other house cause there's no electricity up there and it's hard to see what you're doing in the dark. So, I hung out with the boys and did some knitting and working at this house. I managed to fill a large garbage can sized recycle bin and half a garbage can. Maybe some year I'll get through all Mom & Dad's stuff. but - I won't hold my breath!

I see you down there big kitty! - Bert

ZZZZ zzzz- Chief

Mom, I don't think this thing is big enough to be a scarf or shawl yet. Guess you have to keep knitting and letting me sleep in your lap. - Chief

Yup, Chief has been very good at keeping me company while I knit billions and billions little sock yarn squares to make a scarf or shawl or ??? we'll see what this thing grows up to be one of these days.

I give that meal one sniff.

I got a call this afternoon from my cousin. He had heard about a concert tonight on NPR and thought I might be interested. Yup. A couple hours later I got to Coz's house and we headed over to a church by his house for a Celtic Harp and Wind concert. It was 2 ladies - one played Celtic harp and the other played multiple wind instruments (1/2 dozen different bagpipes, whistles and other flute like instruments). The wind player also sang. It turned out to be part of a concert series that this church puts on during the year - one a month. Unfortunately the crowd was somewhat small - about 100 people. But everyone seemed to enjoy the concert very much.

While we were waiting for it to start I was telling Coz about the gathering next April of some of my Net friends here in Minneapolis. I told him I call them Net friends because it's easier then trying to explain these are friends I've never met- they're all knitters- etc. Coz decided they should be called "Knit Nets". He thought this was a great idea then decided the place we met is the Knit Net and the people are Knit Netties. I should also mention this is the same cousin who couldn't decide if Knitting is a hobby or a cult. Whatever if is he supports my obsession and has even gone so far to hunt up a book about knitting culture for me after seeing a review in the paper - "I knew you'd like it." - What a guy!

After the concert we headed to a vegetarian Indian restaurant for more conversation. Food was okay but I like "our" Indian restaurant better. When I got home Chief gave me his official review of my supper.

You see, Chief has this bizarre habit of having to smell my breath after I eat. His review of my meals consists on how many times he has to smell my mouth, the more sniffs the better the meal. Tonight's Vegetable Korma got 1 sniff. I think he was excited because he could smell the korma but, at my restaurant I get Chicken Korma, tonight no chicken smell. It may be a bizarre habit of Chief's but at least he's never tried to get his nose in my mouth!

For the record - chicken korma at my favorite restaurant gets 3-4 sniffs easily. Chief has good taste.

State Fair - part 1

We had a little accident in the house last night. I turned off the light in the den to go to the bedroom. I never bother to turn on other lights cause I've lived in the house forever (it's the same one I grew up in). I know the house and don't need lights, the den is actually the bedroom across the hall from mine. Straight shot, don't need lights. Except -

I have 2 cats. They hang out on the floor like most cats do. Last night as I was walking to the bedroom I took a step and the carpet cried out in pain. I had stepped on Chief's tail and when he jumped out of the way a big chuck of his tail stayed under my foot.
Poor baby! I felt terrible but Chief, being a wise kitty, knew I didn't mean to hurt him and within 2 minutes he was back with me purring away like nothing ever happened. This morning when I saw the big hunk of fur on the carpet I felt bad all over again and he scored some special kitty treats.

State Fair Preview

I went to the State Fair today. I'll be posting many pictures of the knitting and other crafts but I took so many I need to get them in the computer and sized up for the blog. That's gonna take some time!

To amuse you until I get them ready here's a few pics of crop art. Last year I didn't get over to the crop art area so haven't posted any for a few years.

For anyone who doesn't know what crop art is - people take all sorts of seeds and glue them to a backing to create pictures. Some of the pics are very easy to tell they are seeds, some are insanely well done and without getting up close and personal you would never guess they were seeds.

This year had a few topical items...

Obama in seeds

Frank Sinatra -not totally current but so well done I had to grab a pic

Farrah remembered

I didn't see any Michael Jackson seed pic. Maybe there was one but I didn't find it.

Before I close here's quick view of the crafter's mecca - The Creative Activities building.

This building holds the hopes and dreams of many crafters and a LOT of hard work and talent.

Some of the items are serious works of art.

Some of them are - well - pretty silly but really fun to look at.

I give you the crocheted..... first place winning...........

Turkey Hat.

Welcome to Minnesota. We take ourselves very seriously!

Next post will be some of the knitting. There's a lot and its all beautiful!

Kitty Intervention

Mom, I'm worried about you. We need to talk. You're spending so much time on this knitting project. - Chief

Look at that! It looks like you're not even taking time to care for yourself. You need a kitty intervention.

I guess I have to do everything for you. Even give you a bath.

Take care of yourself, Mom. We love you and need you to feed us!

Knitting project took a turn for the worse this week. My math skills took a vacation and I managed to design a vest with a 1 inch back neck opening. Guess there will be more kitty baths before I get this right!

It's A.......

The project is in the hands of its new owner so I can post pictures but first I have to say a HUGE Thank You to Deb - LosetheMittens on Ravelry. A couple weeks ago Deb was in town for a class and as it happened my Ravelry knitting group was meeting the one night she had available. I drove past downtown on the way to the group and picked up Deb. We had a quick supper at Culver's cause there aren't any where she's from and everyone has to try Culver's at least once. Then - on to the knitting group. We had a great time. I got her home.

This week I got a surprise in the mail. Deb sent it a new book. I absolutely love reading topical books - knitting mysteries; quilt series; etc. This book is "The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club" by Gil McNeil. It's a novel about a lady who is newly widowed and in need of a fresh start. I know I'm going to enjoy it and THANK YOU DEB!!!

It's a....... Afghan

I hang out on the She-Knits Podcast group on Ravelry a lot. Sharon started her podcast a while ago to create a cyber-knitting circle. When Ravelry came along she started a group where we have small talk everyday and -well- we are a chatty group. Over the past year I've come to know several of the ladies and had a chance to meet some, including Sharon, in person. We all care about each other as much as we would if we lived in the same town. When all this latest financial garbage hit Sharon's family I decided she needed a hug from the group. I send messages to several of the ladies and asked for 8" squares out of a cotton blend (wool itches her).

Within a short time I was receiving mail from all over the country as well as Germany, Japan and Puerto Rico. Chief helped sort the mail and he thoroughly enjoyed checking out the packages with plastic or tape.

Num, num num. I can't get enough plastic to chew - This is good stuff. - Chief

Once all the squares arrived, I crocheted around each one to give them a border and make it easier to stitch together. Lorri (LJWT on Ravelry) came over one Sunday afternoon and helped decide where the afghans should be and helped stitch it together.

All the squares have special meaning to the maker - there's a tree of life with 9 leaves- 2 for Sharon and her husband and 7 for their kids. There's a square on the top using the design of one of her bag patterns. There's one with 9 hearts for her family. I made her She-Knits logo.

There's a Queen Owl square because through some silliness on the forum Sharon became our Queen Owl. There's a fish because Sharon tells everyone to -keep on swimming.
Each square - a special meaning.

We needed one more square so Chief got in the act and knit his own square to add to the afghan.

Sharon opened the package Thursday. Part of the instructions were to turn on her podcast equipment before opening the box. If you want to hear her reaction you can listen.

It's amazing how connected we can be to people we don't even know in person. The Internet has created a new version of pen pals. What great is- I get a chance to meet some of these pen pals in person. Stitches Midwest I met some and I'll be seeing them again this year. I'll see Sharon again. In the meantime - she has a hug from the whole group.

Naptime

The boys have started taking naps together again. This spot is Chief's napping place. I guess Bert decided it was pretty comfortable and Chief is such a loving boy he'll snuggle with anyone.

He'll even give Bert a good bath in the morning. Bert is such a baby!

It's More than just Sock Yarn

Like a lot of us I have sock yarn. More than I need. A lot more than I need. So - I decided to start hunting up projects to use the sock yarn. Projects that may actually be used or at least are good to have as gifts.

Project #1 - Knit Picks Essentials Gloves.
These are a basic glove pattern because the colorway is too busy to add cables and things that would take extra time to knit but get lost in the striping. Plain works for me. I started this glove yesterday and have worked on other things beside this glove. It's a quick knit. The yarn came from my cousin who winters in Tucson and surprise of surprises the Color is Tuscon Multi. Isn't she clever!
Project #2 -Opal Zirkus Socks
OK. So I didn't say I wouldn't knit ANY socks. Just start knitting some other projects beside socks. The yarn is Opal Zirkus color 2007. It's another busy striping yarn so I decided to start a pair of plain garter rib socks. These make a great knit for times when I don't want to have to pay attention to what I'm doing. The color is actually brighter than the picture shows.

Project #3 Mitered Squares that may actually become something someday.

I don't plan on making a mitered square afghan as it would take about a bazillion squares but I'm making squares out of my leftover yarn until I come up with something to do with them.

Meanwhile, while I'm knitting sock yarn stuff Chief has been busy discovering the serger cover. I often wonder why people bother to buy things for their kids and pets because the best toys are usually the wrapping and boxes things come in.

Well, it's time to get ready for another work week. Only 5 days till the weekend and counting!

I'm ready for my close up

Some days Bert sleeps all day, some days he hangs out in the hall crying for attention and some days he checks out every single corner of the house nonstop all day.

First he checks under the chair to see what's there.....

Then he goes out in the hall (running 90 miles an hour) only to return a few minutes later and leap up on the TV stand and collapse into a bizarre sleep position a second later.


Meanwhile Chief likes to show off his beautiful winter chest. With winter comes a lot of extra fluff in his chest and tail. The main problem with this extra chest fluff - it keeps getting stuck in his mouth when he cleans himself because the fluff is longer than he can raise his head. But - when it's clean doesn't he take a handsome picture!

After fluffing and running around like an idiot, all kitties like to take a rest and these two buddies are no different. Chief cozies into the kitty chair. Yes, they have their own chair. I was going to throw it out but they laid claim to it and I don't have the heart to take away their chair. Just don't try to sit on it if you ever come to visit - poor structure and a LOT of cat hair! Back to the story - After Chief settles in Bert usually comes up to join him for their nap.

Once they get settled in I can go into action and take "poor abused kitties wearing knitting" pictures.

Bert has never been great at posing which is why you rarely see him in a knitting picture. This is about the best I've ever gotten out of him.

Chief however was born to pose. This is the Elizabeth Zimmermann Heart Hat. It's all garter stitch and made by knitting the heart and then picking up stitches to create the body of the hat. It's finished with i-cord around the front and bottom making the ties. This one is out of Paton's Merino Classic I had sitting around the house.

I've made several of these hats including one for myself out of Lopi about 20+ years ago. It was the warmest hat I ever had and kept me warm even in below zero wind chills. I've started a new one for myself out of alpaca (brown) . This little red and black one will be headed to a charity once I make a few more hats.

Thank you Chief for posing so well today. Kitty treats for you. Bert, you get treats too for not immediately running away as soon as you saw the hat.

Bags, Socks and MItts

As I've mentioned before Chief likes plastic. He lives for me throwing a bag on the floor to play with and chew on. Well, now he's started something new. He doesn't just play with them - he is now picking them up, carrying them places to sit on and protect. I'm not sure if this is "just because" or because I cleaned up all the extra bags when I was getting ready for Thanksgiving. Whatever the reason, he is being very careful to keep me away from the current bag which includes carrying it to the bathroom in the middle of the night to sit on.

"What!? It's my bag and you can't have it! - Chief

In knitting news, I finished the Eagle's Flight socks last week and finally got a pic of them. It's really hard to get a picture without showing massively white legs and scaring everyone. As I mentioned last post - I increased the stitches on the last row of the leg (I knit toe-up) so that the edge would not be too tight. This sock fits perfect.


For my birthday Christine gave me a kit to make Cat Bordhi's Flying Carpet Socks. They're made with Mountain Color Bearfoot- Mountain Tango colorway and Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport Yarn- Tahoe colorway. They're made using techniques from the New Pathway for Sock Knitters book and are lots of fun. I have the first sock done but the pictures just don;'t show the cuff properly. Head to the link and you'll see a much better pic!

In other knitting news, I've been pining over the loss of one of my patterns. Back many, many years ago I got Elizabeth Zimmermann's Woolgathering with several mittens in it, including the mitten below. A garter stitch beauty that hugs the wrist, has a mitered thumb and just plain fits and feels great. I made tons of these including the one below that never quite got finished. Fast forward 20 years and I decide to make some more which was prompted by finding this guy when I moved and sorted out boxes of "stuff".

I found the pattern which included 3 mittens but the page with this mitten - missing! I looked, I cried, I emailed Schoolhouse press and got no answer. I put a message up on the EZ group in Ravelry- everyone was interested but no one had the pattern. I've counted stitches on this one and come up with what I think will be close but - there's some special fitting to the mitten and I can't quite see how I did things.

If anyone has this pattern I'd love to hear. I believe it's Woolgathering #6 - Mittful of Mittens. The other 2 patterns include the Norwegian mitten. It's one of the WG that were 8.5x14 paper folded in half.

In the meantime - Chief has decided his plastic bag is safe and decided to join me at the recliner.
Bert? - he's running around jumping on things right now. Oh to be young and energetic!

Let them entertain you

Not much going on here except cleaning the basement. So - to keep you happy, I'll leave you with some pics of the boys to entertain you.

The "right arm stretch" seems to be a popular pose these days.

Maybe I'll get my blogging mojo back tomorrow......