Knitwonpurltoo

Not my best effort………………………

knitwonpurltoo — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:54:36 +0000

Today is my boss’ birthday. The other secretary and I didn’t talk about it, so I decided to make him some brownies so that he wouldn’t be forgotten. I made one batch sans nuts and it turned out just fine
The second one turned out fine, but there was a small incident removing it from the oven. Grover and I made a mad dash for the fall out and I won (mostly). This is what was left.

That lump o’brownie is what’s left. So so sad. So so clumsy. So so over it. It’ll taste great over ice cream some time. For now, the freezer.

I promised to update. I just wasn’t planning for such a spectacular failure to share. You all have a wonderful Wednesday.

My soundtrack for today is Arthur Lee and Love with “My Little Red Book” from 1966. Yes. I remember this one and loved it (still do).

Have a good Hump Day!!

A Story With Pictures, and Everything

knitwonpurltoo — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:38:25 +0000

I got a package in the mail on Saturday (yesterday). It was a box from someone we know and love and I put it on the dining room table on the tissue paper to photograph it for this here blog. Upon opening aforesaid package, I had a Stinky on the table. The following is a pictorial of her discovery.

Notice she never moved far from the hat. Our Cookie sent me the beautiful purple hat (that is so warm and soft and beautiful and fits), but included a catnip minion for Stinky. I’m ashamed to admit that my little girl has a drug problem. She’s a stoner. It’s very sad.

As is so often the case, you really can’t tell by looking at her, but it’s true. While I was writing an email to Cookie to let her know that I had gotten the package and thanking her for the beautiful hat and catnip minion, Stinky was leaning on the dining room table leg. As I said. So sad. Of course, our Cookie had no way of knowing that Stinky could not handle the catnip. How could she know? We just don’t talk about it.

Thank you once more, dear Cookie!!

You all have a wonderful Sunday. See? Twice already. I really really am trying. My soundtrack for today?Ms. Etta James, the Grateful Dead and Tower of Power horns with “Hard to Handle” from 1982. It is great!!!

Have a good one!!

“You can definitely see your enthusiasm in the paintings you write”

knitwonpurltoo — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:28:47 +0000

That was a comment left by my good friend “Labeots”. I found it my spam folder. I love love love that sentence. When I read it, I thought it was brilliant! I read my spam. It is amazing and informational and fun. The grammatical and spelling errors are rampant. I might need a life.

So, how you been? I’m much better now. No. I’m fine. Have been. I just haven’t been posting. I find that I get bogged down with life and don’t feel much like iterating anything, much less reiterating. Besides, I’m finding my life a bit, how you say?……dull. Mundane. Routine. Reiterating. I do think I’m hilarious. I know, it’s so sad, but how many of us are capable of making ourselves laugh? I consider this a gift and I’m grateful for it because my audience is pretty much napping right now. No. Forgive me. Grover is keeping vigil on the rug in the living room and Stinky is protecting from her perch on top of the chair. I couldn’t get a picture because the instant my breathing patterns change or anything changes for that matter, they both come to full alert status and move. The alternative is a stuffed dog and cat, and although that would be quite a bit less expensive, it would also be boring as hell. Besides, who needs a full night’s sleep?

On the knitting front? I was about 3″ on the leg of the 2d Christmas sock for my BSIL and realized it looked like crap, so I ripped it. Back to square one. If it weren’t for the ripping, I would be quite productive. It would all look and fit horribly, but it would be done. I just got the sucker cast on and will prevail. I could just tell I was hurrying a bit and there were ladders in the ribbing and I just couldn’t let that go. I have been slogging away on the stockinette of the vest (remember that?) while watching television. I seem incapable of reading a lace pattern and watching television. Almost tragic, but not quite.

So, you all have a wonderful Saturday. We lost a gem yesterday. The great and humanly flawed, Etta James, left this world we know and I, for one, will miss her. Here she is with “Baby, What You Want Me to Do”

Have a good one!!!

Anyone get the license number of that week that just hit me?

knitwonpurltoo — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 19:47:31 +0000

Hello, once again. I had every intention of blogging at least once this past week, but something happened. I had a meeting on Tuesday evening after work, then on Wednesday was choir practice and then Thursday I had my annual physical before work and then saw my chiropractor after work. By Friday night, I was shot. The best part was the 2.5 hour drive to the doctor’s office Thursday morning. You see, we had a snow “event”. That means that MODot got caught with their plow blades down. They didn’t pretreat the roads, so that when we got a lousy inch of dry snow, it would melt under tires and then refreeze, slick as all get out. I left the house on my trek, knowing full well that it would take a bit to get to the doctor and I might even be a little late. The doctor’s appointment was at 8:30, but at 8:30, I was still sitting in crawling traffic about 3 miles from my house, trying to get there (another 15 miles away). I called and left a message that I was running late and had absolutely no idea when I’d be there. I might have cancelled, but it’s my annual exam, so I just wanted to get it out of the way! So, anyhoo, basically, I just idled all the way out there. It wasn’t even frustrating. Just silly. I saw so many people banging on their steering wheels and even felt a bit sorry for them. I will say, I have never been greeted so enthusiastically by the doctor and her staff.

Knitting? Hasn’t happened due to said week. I am planning on posting this blog and then, sitting and knitting a bit. I feel rather unfulfilled without it.

I do wish I had gotten a picture of Grover just laying on the snow in the back yard. He has loved it. It was 13F yesterday morning and he was rolling and frolicking in the snow before I went to work. So dear. Then, this morning I tried to walk him and the salt on the street burned his pads, so we came straight home and washed his feet with cool water. He went out in the back again and laid and rolled on the snow. Hopefully, tomorrow we can get back at it. I can tell I haven’t walked for two days. I hate it.

So, this week I’m gonna give it another go. It shouldn’t be quite as busy (so far anyway). I might even have a picture or two to show. And, my soundtrack for today? How about some Janis? Here is the one and only fabulous Janis Joplin with “Tell Mama”

Have a great one!!!

Um, yeah. Where was I?

knitwonpurltoo — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 20:01:57 +0000

This past week was spent working and trying to get back up to speed (after flu weakness and whining). I did have choir and stuff, but really it was just the same without feeling really bad. I’m good and busy, but good. The day today is more wintry than we’ve had in weeks. It’s chilly with a dampness that makes it feel way colder. We are expected to have rain (maybe) this week and moderating temps and then next weekend cold again. Mark my words, people!!! By the 15th or so, we’re gonna have winter. It’s January. We’re due. And, I have a walking plan. You can toss out the January and winter parts and figure that since I have a plan to jack up my walking, it’s gonna snow and sleet. It’s a gift I have.

Knitting? Still working on BSIL’s Christmas sock. The first one is ready to Kitchener, but I’m going to do them both at the same time, so I’ve got a good start on the second sock. And, remember the sweater I knit my Mom? I found it. Lovingly folded and put away in a place she never would have looked. Lord, she was a darling. Anyway, I have it on right now, but my arms are longer than hers were, so the sleeves are 3/4 length. It’s warm and feels good and I plan on continuing to wear it around the house. I don’t have any more yarn and I’m not ripping this. Too many good memories and it feels like her hug when I put it on, so it’s a keeper!!

I also have no pictures. Not one. I leave when the sun is coming up and come home in the dark and my photographic skills suck anyway, so nothing today. I did put 3 solar lights in the front at the walk and a dusk to dawn spotlight on the big evergreen in front just so that I don’t come home in the dark. I’m not afraid, but I am clumsy. I need the light to avoid going down unnecessarily. Laugh if you will, but it’s true.

So, you all have a good Sunday and a wonderful Monday. I’ll be back later this week and for your listening enjoyment, I leave you with the Queen of Soul, Aretha, with “Respect” (love the dresses!!!!)

Have a good one!!!

Low key

knitwonpurltoo — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 14:47:45 +0000

We have had a very low key New Year’s holiday weekend here in Middle Earth. The family is sick and I’m am recovered. I did manage to go to church on Sunday (it was so nice to be with people again) and then to the office to get in a couple of hours of work. I went home and caught up on the laundry (I’m actually finishing up today). The wreath is off the front door and the lights are off. Now, we hunker down for winter. It finally showed up yesterday. This a.m. when the pup and I went out for our walk, it was bloody windy and cold. I’m still in wuss-mode, so it was really miserable. I’ll be fine if it sticks around, but it takes some getting used to. We’ll just see what happens. This has been a strange weather season. Too warm. I think that’s why the flu is getting around so splendidly. Everyone is out and about.

This morning while I was sitting at my computer, this was what I was greeted by…………………

Can you tell what it is? It’s really hard because it was about 3″ from my face. It’s a Grover nose! He comes and stands next to me for huggles.

Here we are. My arm resting on his neck and him leaning on me. It doesn’t get much better than that. He’s such a snuggy-boy, plus he’s really warm.

I have been knitting and am getting close on one SIL sock for Christmas. I suffer so much over what to knit people that I just don’t get it done, so I’m not gonna do it. Not unless the spirit hits me. Besides, I’m so darned slow. Here’s the sock as it is this morning.

Knitting helper, Stinky, is there for gauge (and, shear nosiness). I really love it. It’s sparkly, so it looks like snow. I should finish it today or tomorrow.

Also, I got knitting for Christmas. I wanted to share it with you because both are beautiful and knit with love which makes them powerful stuff. These are the socks my BSIL knit for me. They are so very soft!!!

I just noticed it was blurry. Blame the cat. That’s what I’m gonna do. Aren’t the socks lovely? Stinky gave them a good smelling, too.

Here are the mittens Peanut knit for me. It took her a year or so to finish the second one, but I held onto the first one so that I had at least the one. Thankfully, she is very tolerant of her bizarre aunt. I love them. They are warm and very soft and very dressy.

The only reason Stinky wasn’t in this shot was because she was doing this.

And, on that note of inelegance, I bid you adieu for today. Have a wonderful Monday. And, my soundtrack for today is Billie Holiday and “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm”. Enjoy!

It’s so nice to be back among the living……..

knitwonpurltoo — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 17:39:43 +0000

That flu came up from behind and hit me hard. It appears to have hit my brother’s family hard, too. I’m hoping you can avoid this one. Sucks the life right out of you. Anyway. I was completely down and out for almost 36 hours. This morning, I decided that I was weak and the only way to rebuild my strength was to tough it out. That meant, for me, the unthinkable, S*m’s Cl*b. I go there for work and might buy one or two things for myself while there, but those things can easily be purcashed elsewhere. I buy the breakroom supplies and toilet tissue, etc. After S*m’s, I ventured to Tr*der J*e’s for my grocery shopping. It’s so handy and small and user friendly, plus I love their choices. Having successfully avoided a complete collapse due to said weakness, I went to P*tsm*rt for the kidz. I made it fine, but sweaty, which for me means still a bit weak. I plan on hanging here today and, by tomorrow, I’ should be back up and running full speed. That, plus my NYE plans are to stay in, broil salmon and asparagus and enjoy with a glass of sparkling grape juice. Nobody says party like I do.

I’m not much for yearly resolutions or ruminations. Never have been. But, I do wish you, one and all, a safe and happy 2012. See you on the other side!!!

My soundtrack for today is Zoey Deschanel and Joe Gordon-Levitt doing “What Are You Doing for New Year’s Eve?”. It’s really good. Enjoy!

A recipe for disaster, or, maybe no

knitwonpurltoo — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 13:09:25 +0000

As I have iterated and reiterated ad nauseum, I’ve been baking cookies. This might very well be the last Christmas I bother. Do you know about Magic Bars or Hello Dollies? They’re graham cracker and butter crusts with sweetened condensed milk and coconut and nuts and chocolate chips,etc, bar cookies? I can’t make them to save my life. No clue what I’m doing wrong. The last batch were runny and when I let them set, I had to practically chip the suckers out with a chisel. I call that a big fail, don’t you? And, I don’t have pictures. My photographic skills are pretty lousy to start out with and adding in the failure aspect makes it just annoying as h*ll. It is a bit humiliating that I screwed up the easiest cookies to make. le sigh.

Yesterday was Christmas day and it was sunny and 50. Delightful. Because it was Sunday, I went to church, and because it was Christmas, church was quite relaxed. Our pastor (who rocks,by the way) and his lovely wife (who rocks, by the way, as well) hosted a pre-church smorgasbord of delights and brought their puppies, Max and Bear. My D and J brought their little guy, Y, and I brought Mr. Massive, the Grove. Does this picture look blurry to you, too? Me, too. The puppy pre-church greeting time was seriously blurry. Three young dogs and Grover. He greeted them all and wandered around a bit, and then, in typical Grover fashion, started working the room and greeting the humans. After the initial shock of the “big dog”, the puppies pretty much accepted Grover and played with each other. That is, all but Bear. Bear decided to challenge Grover for “Big Dog” status. It was so cute. Lord, I love puppies. His big challenge was to kind of nip at Grover and bark like mad. Cracked me up. After the pre-church puppy greeting time, we all traipsed into the sanctuary. The little guys were amazingly well behaved (except for just one time when Bear was in the aisle and caught sight of Grover and just absolutely HAD to bark at him). When Grover was finally so exhausted he couldn’t keep going. He laid in the aisle with his Christmas bow.

That is one exhausted pup. Poor Sweetie. We came home and he went outside and had a snack, and hit the night-night bed for a long winter’s nap;-D

I will leave you with my favorite picture of the boy (I’m thinking Christmas cards next year…..hahahahahahahahahahaha…a joke since I’m notoriously bad about sending out cards)

And, since I have the day off work (YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!), I’m going to go take my big boy out for a nice walk in daylight. You all have a wonderful Monday. And, my soundtrack for today? “Monday Monday” by the Mamas and Papas. Enjoy!

Just celebrate

knitwonpurltoo — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 01:08:36 +0000

And, have yourself a merry little Christmas………

This is not from today, but a year ago today. Today it was 36 and sunny. I’m grateful for today. I’ll see you in a day or so. Lots of cookies to bake, presents to wrap and songs to be sung. Hugs to you all!!!

My soundtrack for today isn’t much of a soundtrack. It’s another Calvin and Hobbes, but this time it’s a piece called “War and Peace” and this is the season that marks the birth of the child that was the hope for peace, so I do believe it is apt.

Have a good one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The best laid plans of mice and men require a better memory than I have

knitwonpurltoo — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:10:40 +0000

You know that whole Sunday afternoon baking thing? Didn’t happen. First of all, I completely forgot that my D (of the world famous J & D) had a concert Sunday afternoon. I thought I would have time to make a batch of cookies before going, but after finally reading the recipe, realized I was missing important ingredients for both of the so-called fast cookies. In other words, I screwed up…………..again. Ah, well. I’m of a mind that music and hearing my D sing is more important and that I should be able to get my cookies baked in the evenings this week. Of course, then it hit me. When I don’t blog, I’m not held accountable for my lack of planning and awful memory. Do I feel bad now that I’m back blogging? Nah. You all are way more forgiving of my monkey brain/bad planning than I am and as time wears on, it’s not bothering me as much.

The concert was beautiful, well executed and very timely (meaning it was music for the Advent Season). There was a beautiful Magnificat (song of Mary) and a nice version of O Magnum Mysterium (not my favorite one, that one will be my soundtrack for today). I enjoy the music of the Collegium Vocale of St. Louis and they give occasional concerts at my church. Before the concert I was given my Christmas gift from my D, potholders. Look at these beauties.

They are solid and gorgeous. Now. How do I keep them clean???????? I am the messiest cook in the world. This is a huge concern for me. Of course, D said it’s no big deal and they’re gonna get dirty, but they are just so pretty. Perfect for cookie baking, don’t you think?

Gotta get going. Here are The Cambridge Singers and my absolute favorite O Magnum Mysterium by Thomas from the late 1500′s.

Have a good Monday all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!