Distant Shores

I have been absent from the blog a little longer than expected, but I return with good news. Our
vacation was prolonged because the talented Mr. M got a job interview as soon as we returned from NY - so we took a few more days off and headed to the coast. It all went well and it looks like we will be relocating there ASAP. We are very excited about this opportunity - it really is Mr. M's dream job - but it was a difficult decision to move further from our family. Thank goodness for airplanes! We will be able to turn the 10 hour drive into a 4 hour trip. So many other things are still up in the air though - the sale of our home here, finding housing there, packing, moving, and a new job for me. Our life together is never boring!





In crafty news: I Andean plied a single on my drop spindle and it came out nice and squishy and soft! I have about .5 oz here, as that seems to be all I can do on the spindle at one time. I was aiming for worsted weight and I though I would probably be a little on the light side, but the yarn really bloomed. I have another single that is "relaxing" a bit. I was thinking that I need to not spin the singles so much because they seem to kink up. However, I like how my first single plied. Overall I think consistency with the thickness of the yarn will really help me - then I won't have so much variation in the amount of twist needed.




It is about bed time here (I know, I know... I'm getting old and boring) so I'll leave you with a shot of some great vintage buttons that I got at a flea market in Ithaca, NY. There are some glass buttons, shell buttons, and even bone buttons in there. All for a dollar! The lady also had a big box for only $10, but I chickened out thinking of all the things I already have to move. That may prove to be the one that got away...

I'll try to post tomorrow, I'm looking forward to sharing some great pictures of new knitting books, new roving and some blog contest loot that all arrived while I was out of town.

Eye Candy Friday

Not yarn this time but still knitting related. This is my DPN needle case. (Small editorial sidenote: DPN's forever!) I saw one like it in a craft book from the library (title long forgotten) and worked out my own pattern based on my needs. I'm not usually into floral prints, but JoAnn's had several that were so cute together I couldn't walk away. I finished it of with some cream gross grain ribbon and a rich burgundy lining. I was concerned my bamboo needles might soak in some of the color, but it's all worked out fine so far.

Yes, I have been knitting, but it is SECRET knitting for friends and family. Speaking of which... congratulations to my dear friend SCB (blogless) who is graduating from my Alma mater WSU tomorrow. Some of that knitting has been in cougar colors :)

Well, I'm headed up to P-Town this afternoon and I can't wait to see everyone!

Dogwoods For Mom

Spring is much more lush and complex here than I remember it ever being before. I was quite curious about the Dogwood trees before they bloomed. The buds look like little grey buttons and one would never imagine what they were about to become.





Right before they bloom they look like paper lanterns, or some mysterious origami.







They come in several colors... a bright white, blushing white (above), a white tinted with a spring green, and several shades of pink. I didn't quite get them all on my walk today.

I couldn't resist the "wrong" side either.

I think this is the best picture. I am teaching haiku right now and this struck me as a quintessentially haiku moment... the floating white petals, the peeling picket fence... I might have to see if I can actually do something with it. The lilacs are coming next... ah, the smell of spring.

Where Am I?

Had to climb a few stairs to see this...

And walk a few miles to see this. Any guesses?

In other news, made quite a haul at the LYS here; some destined for future Christmas presents. Thus, photos may not be forthcoming. I am thrilled about the yarn though :) Now if only I had more time to knit!

Crabapple

The crabapple tree down the street suddenly burst into blossom.

Spring is lovely here.

Friday

2 oz, 390 yard ball of 2 ply alpaca lace weight from American Alpaca Products
Their description: brown
Mine: milk chocolate

Cyclamen

Had some fun the other day taking pictures of this lovely plant that Mr. M brought home for me.

I love how the petals start out so demure

and then within a day or two they look like some sort of fabulous medieval wimple.

Not too much progress on Fetching. I’m pretty much back to where I started before I frogged the first time. Today the phone rang for Mr. M at 4:30. By the time I got called at 6:40 to go sub middle school language arts it felt as if I had slept in! They had me cover for the science teacher during my prep, so it was a 7 period day. I’m not entirely sure that nature intended a ratio of 26 middle school age children to one adult ;) However I am grateful that it went much better than last time.