tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78934242137513959942012-01-23T12:16:12.872-08:00MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.comBlogger4371100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-70686933215470167982012-01-23T12:14:00.000-08:002012-01-23T12:16:12.893-08:00

I'm thrilled that Veera Välimäki from 100% Rain is having such success with her knitting designs:  my Stripe Study Shawl appears to be the 1,841st of the finished ones on Ravelry :)  She has many other shawl designs, and we are all waiting for a February release of another one. My Stripe Study (and there will be more) was knit in Malabrigo Sock yarn in Turner/Candombe colorways.  This is one of

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-18954409366348407542012-01-19T19:10:00.000-08:002012-01-19T19:10:16.745-08:00

I'm finding and listening to more "new to me"  knitting video podcasts: Knit1hearttoo Craft Stash Knitting in Circles

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-37524633838287810552012-01-19T18:09:00.000-08:002012-01-19T18:09:15.057-08:00

It is FINALLY raining here in the Central Valley (late afternoon today) and snowing in the Sierra ... whew!  It has been heartbreaking for the ski industry and "satellite" businesses connected with snow, but the cattle also need rain for grass .... it will be interesting to see how much "dump" we get AND hopefully we will get more.  The weather news was all anyone out and about has been talking

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-4945864497315039682012-01-15T17:50:00.000-08:002012-01-15T17:50:04.411-08:00

I"m going to try to get my SpillyJane "Polska" WIP mittens done by the end of the month -- I'm finding KALs etc a good push to really get stuff off the needles (well, so far anyway for 2012 LOL)  I worked on the mittens at my LYS sit and knit yesterday, and am hoping to get the first mitten finished tonight (photo tomorrow, I hope) I'm  working on a "Stripe Study" shawl by Veera -- there are so

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-70693274147692048552012-01-12T15:08:00.000-08:002012-01-12T15:08:02.049-08:00

Margaret from French Market Fibers gifted me a 383 yard "test" skein of MCN (merino, cashmere & nylon -- I had to look that up myself once) and it has been made up into a lusciously soft cowl. the pattern is Variance, by Lisa Mutch of Northbound Knitting The yarn is quite soft;  I was slightly surprised :) and then realized I usually knit with much tighter twist yarn that produces a "denser"

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-10416782782203404002012-01-07T13:37:00.000-08:002012-01-07T13:37:22.729-08:00

I've had the most fun with this pattern!  I'm actually usually squeamish around these sorts of creatures, but know I'm going to really enjoy wearing this scarf from Sarah Peterson in the Interweave Knits Accessories 2011 issue. So:  here is the Jellyfish Scarf.  Details are on my Ravelry project page. And now I must put the knitting away for a while.  We are winding up our winter holiday -

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-8335326246065348942012-01-06T17:30:00.000-08:002012-01-06T17:33:03.468-08:00

I need to take frequent breaks from the jellyfish shawl (see post below) so of course I'm always poking around on Ravely or someone's blog. I realized a couple of days ago that while up here in the mountains I have worn my Aestlight Shawl from The Shetland Trader practically non-stop.  I also have one skein of The Sanguine Gryphon Little Traveller left in my stash, so I'm thinking of using it

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-41126868375209175252012-01-06T16:11:00.000-08:002012-01-06T16:11:16.804-08:00

Thanks to a link on the aplayfullday podcast blog, Tami at Tami's Amis and other creations has a nice little plug for WIP Wednesdays and FO Fridays ..  we all think about these from time to time, but this is a nice way to put a little more structure into all our goals .... which seem to be everywhere in the knitting world:  WORK ON THE STASH.  (ps.  good luck!) I know I'm going to have a hard

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-29053596655090882612012-01-05T08:28:00.000-08:002012-01-06T11:59:02.157-08:00

I had actually thought I would put the blog on hiatus, but have reconsidered!  I've played around with putting knitting items I like up on Posterous, on tumblr .... there are just too many places and I just need to get organized LOL.  I also  try not to get on Pinterest too often -- I can spend an entire day there! SO.  I do have a few knitting goals for 2012:  work on finishing up my (many) "

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-30098746949017422182011-12-24T11:50:00.000-08:002011-12-24T11:50:50.291-08:00

I hadn't realized that hubby had linked my blog to our annual Christmas e-letter -- so if you have found me from there ..... Happy Holidays!  Still no snow for skiing in the Sierra.  Last year there was TOO much snow; this year ... well, maybe by New Year's? In the meantime, I'll going to eventually stop eating Christmas goodies and try and get some knitting in LOL 

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-54962339317069898142011-12-07T16:35:00.000-08:002011-12-07T16:35:35.126-08:00

So much for posting every day! But this week  I've been doing lots of baking, so I thought I'd post my/our favorite family recipes for cookies and candy. Each recipe is doubled or tripled, so there has been lots of mess, flour and butter and ... listening to great Xmas music.  Let's just say there haven't  been fancy dinners though! Peppermint Crunch Bark  (All time FAVORITE/move over

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-46610226624441132822011-12-01T09:25:00.000-08:002011-12-01T09:25:08.498-08:00

Did you know there is a Yule Goat? I like to think the "bag" below is full of knitting yarn for knitters around the world :) All "holiday celebrations" aside, I'm almost stunned to realize today is December 1st. We've had a busy and complicated year, and I don't want to count the combined times hubby (mostly hubby) and I have packed and unpacked suitcases during the year. I'm hoping for a

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-34506686032032730072011-11-10T09:54:00.000-08:002011-11-10T13:44:26.191-08:00

We're back in the US - both the husband and myself!  Kazakhstan  this summer was wonderful to return to, and oh-so-bitter sweet to leave again.  After returning in late September, we both sort of got over jet lag, and then hubby was off again to Geneva for a few weeks. We met up last week in Virginia for a family wedding, and have just returned.  We had hoped to go up to the mountains

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-27368335533445903372011-08-31T21:24:00.000-07:002011-08-31T21:24:03.016-07:00

We are still in Kazakhstan, and it is the first day of school.  That means, like almost every place else in the world, summer comes to an end and we all get back to some sort of schedule or rhythm.  It also means we have about 3.5 weeks left here, and then we'll be back home!  Yay! Today I'm going shopping to get a few things that are hard to find in the US -- you know. like my favorite Faber-

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-30851603238564547302011-08-19T21:16:00.000-07:002011-08-19T21:16:55.215-07:00

I "belong" to a lot of groups on Ravelry, mostly to gleam information from generous knitters who have already knit a project that I current am doing or plan to do.  Periodically I go through my group list and "leave the group" if I really haven't checked it for a while. This morning, on the Art Knitters group I found a link to a 10,000 Hours project. Laura I. is taking the premise of it "taking

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-10680670873467658542011-08-17T22:43:00.000-07:002011-08-17T22:50:18.968-07:00

I joined the Google+ group on Ravelry as soon as I joined up with Google+, but honestly haven't had a chance to look at the threads.  I peek at Google+ as often as I can, but have had more time in the last few days.  I now see I've "missed" a Google+Rav KAL ... but it's making me go and read the threads on the group ... which is GREAT because I've discovered there is a database now for Rav/

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-42835442600920575712011-07-12T04:09:00.000-07:002011-07-12T06:50:15.232-07:00

Hubby took me to the National Academic Library recently to remind me about the yurt/tent bands hanging from the 2nd floor ceiling - they are glorious.  Amazon.com has a booklet that may or may not be available; my copy is at home. If you have nothing else to do this summer and want to put up a yurt in your back yard, here is one of many suggestions from the world wide web LOL We also went to

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-44318154898081204632011-07-12T03:11:00.000-07:002011-07-12T06:55:16.180-07:00

Knitting wise, there is not much to report as I seem to be, as usual, working on a ton of things at once.  I think I have 3 pairs of socks that just need to get "length compared" and then get the toes done.  I've spent part of this morning tidying up my "stash" that I have here and photographing some (ahem) new items for my Ravelry stash page. I have two garter stitch shawls going (shown below)

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-21676832160601206682011-07-12T01:00:00.000-07:002011-07-12T06:57:58.605-07:00

I have to laugh:  I joined up with Google+ this morning.  It will be interesting to see how/if the knitting community develops over there.  "We" already have our own site - www.ravelry.com that is actually getting attention in non-knitting parts of the media. Slate.com had a GREAT article about Ravelry this week.  There are a huge number of knitters, fiber artists, and knitting businesses on both

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-63376052472541486512011-06-22T06:10:00.000-07:002011-06-22T06:10:44.240-07:00

I think I'm pushing my limit on how much time I can spend on the internet trolling, but once you start .... links and more links. I've found (and joined) a fabulous site  that is dedicated to making crocheted flowers -- mostly the Japanese garden flower which I posted about below.  The posts/results of people's work are fabulous -- I've spent most of the day going through the site post by post.

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-42000149156586761592011-06-20T03:24:00.000-07:002011-06-20T03:26:29.969-07:00

I spent a lot of time yesterday trolling on Pinterest  (I'm MaryjoOrd there) and then wandered around Ravelry, looking at my latest "have to do" eye candy project by attic24 - her Japanese flower scarf.  I don't want to commandeer her photos here, so go to her link.  THEN I discovered there is a Rav group of followers of her projects  and I just couldn't get enough.  I have a ton of stuff with

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-53323630992923803942011-06-19T21:31:00.000-07:002011-06-19T21:31:35.627-07:00

Time is marching on already .... I sponsored a small World Wide Knit in Public Day event which was a lot of fun.  Too bad it was at lunch time and people couldn't stay long! At the same time, I took a few photos of the back yard here.  Since these photos were taken, the flowers have come out big-time so I'll try and take a few photos when the weather improves (today is overcast)  shopping is SO

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-64090251865958797482011-06-07T06:24:00.000-07:002011-06-07T06:24:03.561-07:00

I flew a ga-zillion miles it seems a few weeks ago to be with hubby for the summer, and had a pleasant loop around the world from  Sacramento-San Francisco-Frankurt-Astana. --  about 9,000+ miles and 13 times zones.  We won't talk about what those time zones do to me, but I'm over all that "jet lag thing".  Hubby was very smart to get me here in time to get over the jet lag for my birthday --

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-24542188081280833612011-05-15T18:54:00.000-07:002011-05-15T18:54:21.310-07:00

I'll be joining hubby soon in Kazaksthan where we lived before -- it will be fascinating to see how things have changed in the two years since we've been gone.  It's very exciting to think about seeing some people -- somehow, whenn you travel so much, you don't often "get back."  This will be a rare opportunity to travel 13 times zones to go back to a placce we enjoyed very much.  I've spent the

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-21405041314188047002011-03-01T09:36:00.000-08:002011-03-01T09:36:54.906-08:00

to mail the finally finished pair of gloves for niece Maggie Margaret -- how I love the patterns written by Julia Mueller from Laris Designs.  These were made with Miss Babs Yummy sock and baby yarn using 2.0m and 2.25mm Addi needles/magic loop method, and a metal blunt darning needle for the cable needle :)  Now I just have to give my hands a break and then start some other pattern from Julia.

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-16522832882459046192011-02-20T18:42:00.000-08:002011-02-20T18:42:19.682-08:00

I used to quilt, then put "it" away for quite a few years.  Now, after 2 household moves and at least 4 years, I'm reading to start reacquainting myself with my fabric "stash" and my UFOs and WIPs.  I'm going to "take out" 2 machine piecing projects and one hand paper-piecing project, and try and stay on task. So ... some ANCIENT blocks that I want to continue on:  I have plenty of fabric, and

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-64949798856165550332011-01-23T14:09:00.000-08:002011-01-23T15:08:11.198-08:00

Knitters always "percolate" their next project as they are knitting their current one -- my "next" project is actually to get back to doing some quilting. Never mind that I need to attack my sewing room, but that will get done.  And I need to get my niece Margaret's gloves done that she wants: Eisblume - without beads -  by Julia Mueller - yarn by Miss Babs  But I'm giving myself until the end

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-54063111506918065872011-01-09T20:08:00.000-08:002011-01-09T20:08:49.396-08:00

I knit, but I used to quilt for a long time.  My fabric "stash" is starting to call my name, but I'm not quite ready to answer back yet. This was the 2nd quilting project I ever did -- no one told me that the mariner's compass was supposed to be "hard."  It is all done by hand, although I eventually made my peace with machine piecing.  I still hand quilt though -- not beautifully, but I need

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-43227343029944675732011-01-08T14:15:00.000-08:002011-01-08T14:15:21.845-08:00

Our family loves calendars, and over the years we mostly get "themed" one from Cavallini & Co. and some other version of a Sierra Club/California wild flowers type. I always get a "Russian Icons" one -- the imprint of icons they choose is excellent and the colors wonderful. I was in Borders Bookstore today and got a "Birds & Nests" one for my desk, and it is charming to look at.  I got an early

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-14358316595231554442011-01-07T20:37:00.000-08:002011-01-07T20:37:53.440-08:00

I've "stopped" for the day.  Errand running twice, laundry, putting holiday things away and more ... I'm "done". But one of my errand stops was at the bookstore, where I bought a stack of current quilting magazines.  I won't allow myself to even LOOK at them until I get some order back into my life, but I sure would like to think about maybe getting into the "other half" of my sewing closet and

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-5187090860728203792011-01-07T16:25:00.000-08:002011-01-07T16:25:44.579-08:00

I stopped at my LYS - Babetta's Yarn and Gifts in Fair Oaks, CA - and was thrilled to see she had been Yarnbombed right before New Year's.   So colorful and cheerful, esp. on a foggy January morning!  I had a "million" errands to run, but needed to check in with her to see if she had the latest Vogue Knitting yet -- yep, thankfully she did!  I send some every once in a while to international

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-19265660523795866492011-01-01T10:19:00.000-08:002011-01-01T10:19:12.891-08:00

We're up in the mountains ... with a LOT of snow.  I did get ONE Julekuler ball knitted though before New Year's ... but we forgot to bring cameras up here, so I'll have to figure out how to take an iphone camera and then get the photo up here.  I'm not on my regular computer, so all bets are off on a huge success.  Ahh, got it done ... and then realized that I hadn't steamed the ball yet LOL ..

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-11628511157940147212010-12-24T14:50:00.000-08:002010-12-24T14:50:51.001-08:00

Our family had a interesting year this year with my husband traveling a lot, but I did get to join him in Prague for a month.  Prague was our first overseas Foreign Service assignment 32 years ago, so to go back and "work" again was a privilege.  We still have some Czech friends there, and a best girl friend from high school in Greece also lives there, so I was not bored or lonely.  What I

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-15800998130270451942010-12-09T08:50:00.000-08:002010-12-09T08:50:28.101-08:00

I think we are on our second or third day of "snowrain" up  here -- strange, and wet.  But we will be tidying up today to go back to "sea level" aka home today or tomorrow, so I need to get off the computer and get with the "clean up". But just wanted to add my Gretel hat and mitts I finished the other day.  I LOVED the Gretel pattern (by Ysolda) -- the cables were easy but fun, and the hat is

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-52423447571574704772010-12-03T16:24:00.000-08:002010-12-03T16:24:41.132-08:00

We had friends for dinner last night .... fun, but as usual, are always left with a lot of dishes (we are up in the mountains).  After we got through the "gunk" this morning, John left to go skiing and I decided to spend the day on the computer, on http://pinterest.com/ It is a combination of Flickr, trolling on a ton of sites to find things you like, and more.  It has made me want to really

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-50315582465607952652010-12-01T19:07:00.000-08:002010-12-01T19:49:21.139-08:00

I hate to use "that" term, although trolling the internet does often take up a lot of one's time.  But I don't mind -- I have the time, and I'm always finding something new/interesting/informative ... you can fill in the blanks! But two new sites have come on-line this month ... RockMelt web broswer and Pinterest.   Rockmelt combines using a web browser simultaneously with Facebook and Twitter.

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-80786178752082921012010-12-01T18:45:00.000-08:002010-12-01T19:51:49.243-08:00

There are SO many knitting projects I want to do. Here are two -- one from 2008 and one finished this week by a knitter that I follow on Twitter. The socks from puralana remind me of winter cranberries and lingonberries -- I need to find the right shade of yarn.  Any suggestions? Rosekimknits' Celaeno spoke to me so much that I hounded her for the purchase info -- and hey, the Schaefer Anne

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-66711274140309165752010-12-01T18:33:00.000-08:002010-12-01T18:33:46.464-08:00

For those who celebrate Christmas, Advent this year started on November 28.  I'm "thinking about" 3 mystery KALs -- Stephanie van den Linen socks, and two scarfs here and here . I've started the socks in The Woolen Rabbit Harmony sock yarn but find the chart "too easy" LOL to keep my interest for very long.  I'm sure I'll continue it, in spite of the "rose" color.  The second clue will be

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-21336159573196413242010-12-01T17:48:00.000-08:002010-12-01T17:48:31.681-08:00

I was here on the blog looking for some photos, and had a great trip "down memory lane" of projects, photos, moving angsts and our "past life."  It was so much fun to "look back" that I think I'll try and resurrect some blogging. The internet is moving so fast that for a while it seemed that social networks would totally take over blogging.  I know I spend a LOT of time reading knitting related

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-86383643808562896022010-06-28T03:28:00.000-07:002010-06-28T03:28:25.940-07:00

seems like I am not here much -- doing some traveling, and then will be heading up to the Sierra for the rest of the summer. And it looks like I'm on Ravelry and Twitter mostly these days ... join me! 

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-46478520517154990352010-04-23T10:53:00.000-07:002010-04-23T10:57:23.916-07:00

and some wonderfully soft cotton yarn  for a dishcloth

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-19836919016360810232010-04-15T13:44:00.000-07:002010-04-15T13:44:02.123-07:00

Spring in Sacramento was actually in almost-full-force in March, but we were up in the mountains in a LOT of snow. Now that we are back, I'm slightly overwhelmed at my self-imposed "to do" list, including trying to make some order in the scruffy green "stuff" we have in our garden. But we were thrilled to come home to Aunt Cornelia's irises blooming! The bulbs came from my husband's late

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-41835423312937999222010-04-07T11:08:00.000-07:002010-04-07T11:14:46.942-07:00

  We're up in snow country and have survived some huge dumps but it is beautifully sunny now, so the skiing family member has a great morning each day out in the 20+ inches of fresh snow.  Spring will come soon enough, but right now,everyone seems to be enjoying this last gift from Mother Nature. We were also able to have our annual roast lamb dinner up here, too, along with the mandatory

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-34207998788047377942010-03-12T08:57:00.000-08:002010-03-12T08:57:50.741-08:00

It is March now, with strange weather -- blossoming trees here in Sacramento, but still needing the heat on. We've been traveling, so to speak -- to Santa Cruz, the Sierra, and then to the East coast for a family funeral.  Then back home for a few days of  "house" catch up, with a 2 trips to IKEA to get a dresser and chair for the guest room, which now needs to stop being the "dumping" "back

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-67075689379178628832010-02-12T11:00:00.000-08:002010-02-12T14:11:36.626-08:00

The traveling family member is back from "around the world in 42 days" and somehow I've persuaded him to not have us dash to our beloved Sierra and stay "home" another week or so before we shovel ourselves in for a fun time up there. Ravelry always rises to the occasion, and this time of course it is the Ravelyompics.2010.  We all get to "cast on" this evening when the opening games start --

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-3701442168597562792010-01-27T22:13:00.000-08:002010-01-27T22:13:25.038-08:00

Friends of the Forest Mitts  by Katrin Silvius  Elsbeth Lavold Silky Wool one skein! I HAD to make these to help with wrist recuperation, but now ... back to the afghan squares!

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-88781860745789548622010-01-26T10:59:00.000-08:002010-01-26T11:00:38.969-08:00

http://www.themorningnews.org/archives/galleries/compulsive_knitting/ wow.  Make sure you see the little box at the upper right that says "next" to scroll through to more photos. But I'm impressed ... with the knitted candles!

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-9538720446814563772010-01-19T15:11:00.000-08:002010-01-19T15:20:32.834-08:00

I have a pile of library books that I need to return tomorrow, so I pulled this from the "need to return pile" and am spending the afternoon reading, and thinking about how much baking is like knitting. Confections of a Closet Master Baker:  One Woman's Sweet Journey from Unhappy Hollywood Executive to Content Country Baker by Gesine Bullock-Prado Gesine Bullock-Prado had written a lovely and

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-1728527948529192232010-01-16T10:06:00.000-08:002010-01-16T10:06:36.038-08:00

I'm still working on "wrist" recuperation and while wondering how I can really improve things for the future, found a set of great exercises from the Berrocco site:  5 Exercises in 5 Minutes for 5 fingers. AND installing my husband's blue-tooth wireless keyboard, and putting it on a pull-out shelf here on my desk will hopefully make all the difference!  The keyboard sure feels great on my hands

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-13752905406040475842010-01-10T15:35:00.000-08:002010-01-10T15:35:58.641-08:00

Knitting has been around a LONG time. And luckily, it has generally been a fluid craft, in all manners of speaking. Much has been written recently about the social phenomenon of “knitting on-line.” There are groups, knit-alongs, classes on-line, knitting how-to-videos, and more. Ravelry has brought MUCH under its umbrella, and continues to expand. We are very fortunate right now to still have

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-86159878224843919072010-01-09T10:18:00.000-08:002010-01-09T10:20:18.185-08:00

It seems that Europe is in the midst of unexpected cold temps and totally unexpected snow, as is part of the US, too. We have FOG.  Days worth.  And no, I don't live in San Francisco.  The good news is that it is not pouring down rain at the same time (although the news says we could use the rain).  And fog does provide a tiny bit of precipitation.  But I'm still thinking of friends in England

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-19872175698385141322010-01-02T14:54:00.000-08:002010-01-02T14:54:54.529-08:00

.. ...

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-16774038498764710742010-01-02T09:54:00.000-08:002010-01-02T09:57:51.608-08:00

I'm trying to make a cup of coffee last as long as possible so I don't have to get up and face the "taking down of the Xmas" tree. But I think if I put on Santana or something I might make it. Anyway, I am enjoying "reconnecting" to blogs that I used to read. Cornflower often has fabulous books to recommend. But what caught my eye this morning was a reference to a present she got at Christmas

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-79818018475885535242010-01-02T09:11:00.000-08:002010-01-02T09:11:46.193-08:00

I spent the ENTIRE day yesterday on the computer, going through hundreds of blogs that I "read" through the Bloglines reader. Because Facebook and Twitter can now give you an "instant fix" if you are pressed for time, I had really not read many blogs in a LONG time. So yesterday I whittled down my reading list to something very manageable, and this morning checked again to see what had been

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-77012398984213074802010-01-01T18:21:00.000-08:002010-01-01T18:25:00.480-08:00

I need to spend a few days decluttering after Christmas, but decided today was the perfect day to go through hundreds of fiber- related blogs that I may have looked at in the past.  I use Bloglines as my blog reader. It has been MONTHS since I have last looked at "my" blogs. Many of the old favorites are still there; many others have had "slim pickings" in their postings.  It is very obvious

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-14782347149860772262009-12-31T15:27:00.000-08:002009-12-31T19:30:21.872-08:00

It is almost New Year's here in California, so I want to wish everyone a wonderful and Happy New Year! (postcard from my Russian postcard stash) and speaking of "stash," do read Carol Sulcoski's guest spot on Webs' blog:  "2009: A Knitter's Look Back" PS found another good end of year round up from Clara Parkes of Knitter's Review. and here's to more knitting time for all of us!

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-43314955658605827702009-12-28T19:41:00.000-08:002009-12-28T19:43:10.636-08:00

I need to sit down and crochet on Julia and Ryan's wedding afghan, but am just sort of "brain dead" from Christmas/carbo loading/delicious eggnog, so I spent some of today finishing a fun and VERY "light" book: from Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/y973wqs now, sigh, back to the laundry...

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-53150594004390203672009-12-28T18:32:00.000-08:002009-12-28T19:32:28.396-08:00

Family has scattered to the winds, but I am the proud "sitter" of my daughter's cat, Dharma, a Maine coon. So far, it has been a lot of fun having an animal in the house again. One of the sad parts of Christmas is the leftovers of things that need to be put away, so for the next week I'll be tackling that job little by little.  The washing machine is busy, too! But the most fun is going

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-81318422327097139222009-12-24T10:32:00.000-08:002009-12-24T10:32:28.787-08:00

to all from us here in "central California" -- lovely day in the neighborhood!  And luckily, snow in the Sierra.

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-65225258932190885992009-12-19T08:12:00.000-08:002009-12-19T08:50:45.501-08:00

I don't seem to get back here much, but December has been moving along at a rapid pace ... and before I know it, it will be 2010! My daughter Julia got married a few weeks ago to a wonderful guy in a simple ceremony in Santa Cruz.  My sister in law made the cake, and we had fun decorating a table for "the kids" with the cake, some small gifts, and a Christmas tree "plant."  My husband and I

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-40464513603182727042009-11-28T16:10:00.000-08:002009-11-28T16:10:24.227-08:00

Here are some fabulous photos taken of our beloved Mosquito Lakes yesterday .... before the snow and wind started up here at Bear Valley.  I'm sure this is the last we'll see of the cabin until spring and the road will open again!

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-25952370402042164822009-11-26T11:31:00.000-08:002009-11-26T11:31:39.450-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!  We all have so much to be thankful for!

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-55017728842843119592009-11-25T17:37:00.000-08:002009-11-25T17:43:00.474-08:00

Tomorrow is American Thanksgiving, where we will all eat too much and then get to eat more as leftovers; we do enjoy it though.  Thanksgiving also seems to be the "kick-off" for holiday planning, shopping, cooking and baking. My husband and I made a few lists today, including which cookies I'll make in the  next month.  I did start the season early with a wonderful recipe for layered peppermint

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-57483130976171302132009-11-21T08:55:00.000-08:002009-11-21T08:55:44.572-08:00

We were "waiting" all day it yesterday (it seemed) for the forecasted snow to appear -- it finally did, starting at 2:00 pm.  But thankfully we can still drive our car down the hill! And when I should have been working on Christmas knitting and crochet projects, I finished the Wast Side Shawl from The Shetland Trader, and used my KnitPicks blocking lace wires for the first time. The yarn is

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-73628230845190907242009-11-14T09:50:00.000-08:002009-11-14T09:53:59.148-08:00

The resident computer guru (aka husband) is now back from traveling/working, and spent 1.5 days putting Windows 7 on all the computers.  Whew -- what a job!  But he also brought back the most gloriously beautiful Bulgarian slippers socks the slippers socks have a dark dark green background, and feel like they are made of "steel" -- very stiff and strong! But now that our household has

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-3621852359663826392009-11-10T11:19:00.000-08:002009-11-10T11:22:05.569-08:00

thanks to great in-state library borrowing, I'm finally getting to look at some out-of-print items.  Recently also borrowed Magnificent Mittens by Charlene Schurch, which is scheduled to be republished this fall. Wonder if Fancy Feet/Simply Socks (Simply Socks is the paperback name of Fancy Feet) will ever be re-printed? But thankfully, we all held out for this .... and the reprint is

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-63568354588730603122009-11-05T11:32:00.000-08:002009-11-05T11:32:12.667-08:00

that I NEVER was a fan of, but it seemed like my mother may have given all the women in the family one or more over the years -- funny how some memories come back in a flash. What made me think of this was this You-Tube short -- now admit it, haven't you seen one of those sweaters in your past?  (found via a Twitter tweet)

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-62972105874226451272009-11-01T09:57:00.000-08:002009-11-01T09:57:35.727-08:00

And that means the house is cool when I get up.  So, AFTER Xmas knitting (that is going to get really boring to keep saying that), Fetching or Very Tehri are definitely on the "to do" list(s).  Never thought I would want to make fingerless mitts/gloves, but now know my ummm .... aging hands and fingers need them.

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-56836800483865681762009-10-30T14:00:00.001-07:002009-10-30T14:00:40.738-07:00

Happy Halloween from one of my favorite knitting bloggers

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-83296797838381104892009-10-29T14:15:00.000-07:002009-10-29T14:15:41.507-07:00

I'm finding that quick looks at Twitter tweets by favorite knitters seems to help my insatiable need to read about knitting.  Now Twitter has given you a "make lists" option where you can list tweeters under categories and then just bring up the ones you feel like reading at the moment.  And then ... of course you find "new" or rather more knitters' blog pages to look at. Like:  The Shetland

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-27166610711588071262009-10-28T17:32:00.000-07:002009-10-28T17:32:47.311-07:00

at thankyougourmet.com, and on Facebook and Twitter. We should find some good favorites there, I'm sure. and the last issue is available on newsstands now

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-52688855386972960122009-10-28T17:06:00.000-07:002009-10-28T17:06:28.705-07:00

I got some local honey (from about 1.5 miles away) recently -- but have to remind myself to use it! 

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-87154510411328819302009-10-28T16:32:00.000-07:002009-10-28T16:32:31.167-07:00

although we (California) needs it, I'm happy we've had a couple of days of .... dry .... wind.  So the leaves are coming down gently and will be easy to get up. I finally "got" the pattern/wool needed for a scarf for my son for Christmas -- Tipsy Rib Scarf -- it took a lot of trial and error to get 1) a pattern that I liked and 2) wool that would hold the pattern. This is just about "

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-39424137086339799922009-10-26T14:41:00.000-07:002009-10-26T14:49:58.395-07:00

check out this clever interactive "ad" from Canada's "You've Got Milk" program -- click on the ball of wool icon that will show up on the lower left side to play "the game" -- suddenly, I realize that I am NOT a member of the "thumb" generation but the French version is SO much better :)  (click on the TV)

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-3422013575007966212009-10-15T11:53:00.000-07:002009-10-15T11:54:24.921-07:00

check out thefuntheory.com for a smile today -- there are two videos!

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-25921293447140209702009-10-14T15:14:00.000-07:002009-10-14T15:14:08.535-07:00

We all love getting presents, and I got a super one today, just in time to keep my feet warm and toasty and comfy ... with a springy sole and cute tassels and a perfect fit ... wow.  Thank you Jackie!  I'll have to ask her if I can put up her Ravelry ID up ....

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-69341627003505008322009-10-14T13:46:00.001-07:002009-10-14T13:47:05.728-07:00

who doesn't love these wonderful paperbacks?

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-85444700283747140872009-10-14T13:21:00.000-07:002009-10-14T13:21:57.228-07:00

I just wonder when Cat Bordhi sleeps -- but she knits and walks here I have decided she is one of my favorite knitting "personalities" -- she seems to enjoy things so much!

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-49596987468342213652009-10-14T11:09:00.000-07:002009-10-14T11:09:08.150-07:00

We had three inches of rain yesterday and a LOT of wind.  We were very lucky with only two tiny power outages -- others in the area have had HOURS without power.  Garbage cans set out managed to stay put though. This morning, things were sort of balmy but by 10:00 am, rain has returned with very dark skies.  I'm reading, and of course managed to find a fun knitting gadget -- wonder if this does

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-79165700905661483822009-10-13T09:02:00.000-07:002009-10-13T09:02:33.226-07:00

Autumn has started here  ... with two days of rain forecasted.  I hope to spend most of the time knitting! Like many others, I seem to be neglecting to even thinking of blogging -- we're all over at Ravelry!  But I continue to work on lots of projects at once, and will finish a hat from the fall Vogue Knitting magazine this morning.  Then to decide to make some gloves or mittens to go with it.

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-84778517353965295392009-09-23T12:31:00.000-07:002009-09-23T13:25:48.040-07:00

Stamps is traveling the world, and is now in Bear Valley with me so now to figure out how to add MY photos on HIS blog :) Stamps is sort of the knitted version of the US school "Flat Stanley" project 

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-49262352932664720142009-09-23T09:30:00.000-07:002009-09-23T09:30:23.747-07:00

Still working on the Bandelier sock, but got waylaid yesterday by Cat Bordi's new book and will look at her online videos today.  But must finish the Bandelier sock so I can continue on the Miss Sophie's Gloves. So I'll put up photos here to remind myself NOT to start anything in Cat's book :) and

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-47310745575288144022009-09-13T09:29:00.000-07:002009-09-13T09:52:16.953-07:00

Where did August go? All in all, I was busy enough enjoying nice weather, a two week visit from my son, a Labor Day weekend drive to Santa Cruz to see family and surprisingly not getting a lot of knitting done. Hmmmm... My sister-in-law and I did have a fun time teaching ourselves how to do Wendy's Generic toe up socks on dpns though! And she also made a knock-out belated birthday dinner for my

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-54498366091086451652009-08-15T11:29:00.000-07:002009-08-15T11:40:18.015-07:00

I have a great job this summer in the Hamptons -- errr -- the MOUNTAINS in the CA Sierra.My job: just enjoying the cabin/home we have up here.The weather has been quite strange: very warm, then cold, then warming up, then cold enough last night to have to bring the plants in. Booming wind gusts yesterday with a name that I've never heard of: brontides.Today I'm trying to warm up a little (

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-18780077339059527672009-08-09T13:40:00.000-07:002009-08-09T13:41:13.891-07:00

and no translation needed!Enjoy!

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-8304877829941820662009-08-04T15:50:00.000-07:002009-08-04T15:54:56.548-07:00

I'm in the mountains for a while, and brought up multiple LARGE (XXL Ziplocs) bags full of knitting projects. Many of the bags frankly are a mess --- full of long forgotten notes, pencils, stitch markers and "stuff."Life can be cruel though :) -- the SPECIFIC yarn I needed to start a KAL somehow got put "away" instead of put with the "take with" pile. Serves me right for having so many WIPs in

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-68345937440192260882009-07-27T18:34:00.001-07:002009-07-27T19:15:16.800-07:00

Our family has a glorious house in the California Sierra. We love the place, and it is plain and simple. This year the house is 40 years old, but it is still referred to as "the cabin."So of course there is always the dreaded "upkeep." Upkeep has a time-constrained meaning, as most work can't be done in the winter, which can be 5-6 months long here. This summer, my husband and his brother

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-68250231745290451022009-07-27T17:42:00.000-07:002009-07-27T18:15:13.816-07:00

The "projects" (latest: deck staining) were stopped for a few hours this morning, and we made our annual pilgrimage to nearby Highland Lakes, which is an alpine lake at 8600 feet. The drive up there is always an adventure: the road is closed in the winter. But it is not that much of a road, and with twists, turns, rocks, driving through water and often "washboard" conditions, one is always very

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-62801694346170173182009-07-21T22:11:00.000-07:002009-07-21T22:26:42.455-07:00

After a very busy 6 days of an East Coast family wedding, seeing immediate family, and 2 trips to IKEA to get some dining room chairs to replace 40-year old Dansk chairs, we hope to have a week+ of some down time -- and escape some heat in Sacramento.But each time I come up here, I check the "blooming" progress of the much-loved mountain thistles along the path to our mountain place.

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-31866379985568692002009-07-14T11:21:00.000-07:002009-07-14T11:42:34.668-07:00

Summer is quite brief up here in the mountains, so major "jobs" have to be done NOW.Today, there are two guys under the house putting adding more insulation, as almost 40 years of "stuff" down there is no longer really much good. Hubby (along with his brother, when he was here) has been attacking mountain nettle, which is really sort of a low-growing tree-bush, so there are mounds to be picked

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-50208700558486869372009-07-13T12:05:00.000-07:002009-07-13T12:25:11.969-07:00

My beloved mountain thistles are just starting to come out! But they had a late "spring" up here, so things are very green.Meanwhile, for a few days, I'm working on an Ishbel shawl in Sublime (merino DK), bought at By Hand Yarn in Sonora, CA. Of course we all know that the Ishbel shawl has (as of today) a 1,832 project count on Ravelry...

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-22627040050346004062009-07-04T15:42:00.001-07:002009-07-04T15:56:43.506-07:00

It is so wonderful to be in the US for the 4th of July ... and we are just BBQing for ourselves with steak, corn, and European style potato salad. While our past 4th of Julys have been wonderful, they have also often involved multiple official receptions, sometimes even having to fly to another city to host one!But in the spirit of things, here is the returned traveling family member in a "

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-47438885993350248322009-06-27T13:04:00.000-07:002009-06-27T13:14:16.473-07:00

We're still in a learning curve in regards to our "new" house and how to "run" it. But I'm trying!Summer is now officially here, and I've learned how to keep the place cool for as long as possible during the day, bought a crock pot so I don't have to start cooking at the hottest time of the day, realized gardening must be done before 11:00 am and think I finally have enough stuff that we have

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-19599847625952314402009-06-15T18:10:00.001-07:002009-06-15T18:12:32.247-07:00

spent 1/2 the day in the garden "pruning." And taking a shower at 6:00 pm :)And one day I will get caught up with blog reading -- I haven't read The Yarn Harlot in about a month (shock!)

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-10193098774538404212009-06-12T17:43:00.000-07:002009-06-14T08:45:18.290-07:00

Had a lovely trip last week to attend a niece's wedding in Houston. The wedding of course was lovely, and .... so was the weather!This was taken with my new-and-oh-so-much-fun iphone, can you believe it?Tomorrow is worldwide Knit in Public Day. I've decided the only way I'll really get any knitting done is to stay home. I SHOULD stay home and take advantage of the moderate weather we've been

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-60828571139082969162009-06-03T19:35:00.001-07:002009-06-03T19:37:23.326-07:00

talking to traveling family member and thanking him for the birthday roses!

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-4390069654245941612009-06-01T07:02:00.001-07:002009-06-01T07:10:57.284-07:00

from the traveling family member(a hard-to-translate-directly sentence: handwork "makes"/gives you enjoyment/fun)

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-40991677452883807352009-05-31T12:44:00.000-07:002009-05-31T12:48:00.801-07:00

I'm having a lovely day off today -- no roofers, no noise, wonderful temperatures.So I'm catching up with "knitting reading" on line. And then imagine my shock at the price of this book -- YOU TOO could have a copy for between $139 and $500. Imagine!

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-60041320966283651992009-05-27T11:45:00.000-07:002009-05-27T12:11:47.469-07:00

I hope I will be sane by the end of the week. You don't have to read this if you don't want to: it is just whining about computer issues. We are getting a new roof, and the roofers come at 7:00 am, bang like #@$%%^, shake the ceiling and house, and make a huge racket. They work for 4 hours, by which time my nerves are shot.And this morning I was afraid my computer was fried or dying -- it

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893424213751395994.post-12616760088835113492009-05-24T11:52:00.000-07:002009-05-24T12:15:12.340-07:00

I'm back from the lovely and now clean cabin, and hope to spend the rest of the day knitting. It is a three day weekend here in the US to celebrate Memorial Day, formerly Decoration Day. Americans do honor the past and their loved ones, but they also use this weekend as the "first official day of summer", and try and get outside. I did my bit by taking a nice loop walk in the nearby area by

MaryjoOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861945604000052572noreply@blogger.com1