lots o' knitting and a little crochet too

Been crazy busy with the needles this week. I actually cast on the same sock 4 diff times before I got it the way I wanted it. First I couldn't decide what pattern to use, each needed a different # of stitches to cast on, then I couldn't get it to be the right # of stitches for who. knows. why. It's such a challenge sometimes.
So I have another Cookie A's Summer Sox cast on, finished the Belgian Chocolate one I was working on...








love this pattern and how the sock fits. The new sock is knit with Crystal Palace Mini Mochi color #103. My good friend Deb brought it to me from her vacation up north. It's sort of a bribe so I'll teach her how to knit socks, LOL. The yarn is so soft and beautiful it seems a shame to put it on feet but I'm gonna anyway!

There is also a little crochet project going on here...Little Button Loafers, for a friend's new baby. So cute I can't stand it, just the soles made me go awwww.I actually got to hang out at City Knitting most of the day yesterday...first time in a long time and I've really missed all of my CK peeps. I'm hoping for some interesting classes this year, I could use some more motivation and inspiration.

I've been hearing The Saint's Big Ass Sweater calling me. I'm hoping to have it out and rockin again by the end of this week. With Tuesday being the official first day of Fall...it's time...

...and Happy Fall everybody, the trees here are already turning pretty colors and dropping their leaves.












What are you working on for Fall?

Mystery of Life #13

cause it's my favorite #, that's why

Setting the scene:

It's noon-ish, Ally is sitting at her credenza with her back to her desk and anyone who would happen to enter her "area" aka "AletaLand". There is a yummy lunch of Massaman Tofu w/white rice spread out in front of her as well as a book propped on a stand. She is obviously on her lunch - which she is allowed to do every single day at about this same time.

Enter AE #1...can I just sit with you and have a couple bites of my lunch while I ask you some questions about client "so-&-so"? blah-blah-blah...five of my lunch minutes later...walks away with a promise of sending a follow-up email...

5 or so minutes passes then...

Enter AE #2...I know you're at lunch but - I'm leaving something on your keyboard and you'll see what needs to be done - when you're done with your lunch...blah, blah, blah...



It only takes a couple of days eating lunch in my "area" to remind me why I go home for lunch most days. By the time I get finished actually eating my lunch I'm so aggravated that it's difficult to find the creative juice to knit...and knit I must! I have just a few rows of a sock toe to finish and I want it done today!

Why can't they just leave me alone? sniff

Grace, You Rock!

There was a box on my porch when I got home from work today.









When I got all the tape off (snicker) opened it and unwrapped the pretty turquoise tissue to find these goodies!







Isn't this the sweetest cupcake you ever did see?








The tea smells great, I can't wait to try it out. And the little tin fits perfectly in the once-empty space between the Cajun and Mexican...






Thanks Grace, you're too kind.


ETA: linky

Party Time! #53

First off, thank you for coming. I feel honored that you continue to visit my blog.

And thank you to Audra for making me this cute knitting themed birthday cake!



Yesterday we celebrated with friends and family...birthday celebration for me, old buddies get-together for James and the "old-heads" and James' rapidly approaching retirement - on the 25th. James fried many pounds of fish and it was awesome as usual, thanks Honey!Great fun but lots of work too.





And it was nice to see our friend Ronnie that you all so kindly sent good thoughts too during his time of the coma. He's doing great now...



It's such a nice day today and I can relax on the deck this afternoon, after the sun reaches the other side of the house, and do some serious knitting.

I've been doing a lot of knitting but not remembering to take pictures of my knitting. Since it's a beautiful, sunny day today here are a couple photos of the projects I'm working on lately.

I'm attempting to finish the first Cookie A Summer Sox this week so I can get started on the second Coquette sock for my little friend Ashley.







On Monday, last, we spent some time at Labor Fest and Boomer got to meet a bunch of peeps and get lots of pets...he was a happy little doggie.
May you get lots of pets this week and be happy peeps! Have a good one.

Please bare with me as I attempt to master this new format...it's very frustrating but I think I'm getting there...

on the water before dawn...

In case you were wondering, a full moon gives light but no warmth so we were freezing our butts off!






An hour trolling in the dark, navigating by the moon over Lake Michigan was amazing.
The sun rose and was spectacular. A light fog burned off and the landscape began to materialize.






The stack at the power plant at Port Sheldon appeared on the eastern horizon and made it a bit easier to navigate.

Like a fire in the sky the sun was climbing fast and we were looking forward to the heat it promised to bring.


The lines sang in the trolling-speed breeze
















We had electronic evidence that there were actually fish swimming somewhere below us
(those two blips are supposed to be fish!)











but the net stayed idle this day




perhaps the salmon don't like to eat when the lake is like glass but it made for a nice boat ride












we had to high-tail-it back to the launch so we could get to MickyD's in time to still get breakfast, LOL














Thanks so much for visiting my blog. I hope you enjoy the photos and commentary. Please have a safe and happy Labor Day holiday.

An artful day...

My grand-daughter Jasmine and I spent some time together seeing some beautiful things around town today. There was beautiful yarn out at City Knitting and the new mural on the side of The Grand Rapids Children's Museum is awesome!

I got some great shots of the mural and Jasmine.






It was a truly fun day for us both.





















Isn't she beautiful?




















The ice cream was good too, LOL





































ETA: rearranged photos do accomodate new format.

One of these dogs has some organizational skills...

When I came home for lunch today this is what I found in the living room...

a nice neat row of dog toys.

I'll bet it was this one...he's fittin in real well, LOL

Have a great weekend!