Easter Sunday Knitting Projects

I’ve been diligently working away on my “Zombie Teeth” knit shawl, I’m using Malabrigo sock yarn and sz.2 circular “knit-picks” needles. I’m not a fast knitter…I feel like I’ve been working on this project for 6 months or longer…I think it’s only actually been 4 weeks, but still…

I like this pattern, the lace edge is is easy to remember and the body s worked in garter stitch.

I can’t wait to finish and get my shawl blocked, the eyelet detail on the edge will look very pretty!

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I’m also working the same pattern in Elann “Camila” with sz. 3 circular needles.

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Minnie by Annie Lee of http://www.jumpercablesknitting.com is one of my most favorite shawls to knit. I’ve made many of these as gifts. My favorite yarn to use is malabrigo, it’s soft and warm.
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This is “My” Minnie, I wear it all winter! The thing is though…I need it in a few more colors. I love my sunshine color way, but I just need a few more for variety.

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Question of the Day
Does anyone know what kind of plant this is in the photo below? Let me give you a little info about it, it’s a houseplant, the leaves are thin and smooth. It’s got these long tendrils all over it. The leaves are smooth and it bloomed a few years ago, the bloom was red and it was quite fragrant. The bloom only lasted a short time, 2 days. So if you know what kind of plant this is pleas email me, thanks!! Yarnfreak0208@gmail.com

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Photos from the Country

Country Store

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Sunset

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Country Roads

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Spring Thaw

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Snow

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I hope you’ve all enjoyed my photographs

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Much Ado About Nothing

Well here we are… deep into the month of February. Looks like snow is going to skip us again, last winter was chilly with an over abundance of “threat” of snow.

Well, I’m not sad because we didn’t get any snow but…it’s just that I’ve got so many really cool warm knitted scarves,hats & gloves. If the temps linger in the 40′s, well…it’s just not cold enough to sport all the lovely knit things I have… O-well

We did get a dusting…

The snow was deep enough for the birds to make tracks in, that snow was gone by the end of the next day.

I celebrated another birthday in February. Yippie!! =|. Well, I should be happy, I am…it’s just… O hell, I don’t know what I’m trying to say. One thing was for sure, I enjoyed spending the day with my daughter,nephew and Mom.

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This scarf is called “Minnie” it’s pattern is by Annie Lee.
My hat is my own, I didn’t write any notes… But it’s cables and bla bla bla.

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This is what it looks like in small town America when they roll up the sidewalks after sundown…

So, I was walking over to Starbucks and I looked down and there was a $1 bill…

When I look at this photo it makes me think of that song by Meatloaf… Paradise by the Dashboard Lights. =0
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This post is mostly (all) photography and me rambling on about nothing particular…that’s a well and fine. I hope everyone that comes by my blog for a visit enjoys my photography and all the other things I ramble on about…

Weeeeee…Weeeeee…Weeeeeeeee

Winter

I have a ton of this yarn, it’s called Lopi. It’s a chunky Icelandic wool…too scratchy for an article of clothing but perfect for say…A Rug! Funny thing is though, it’s making my nose “itch”, you know…just handling it is kinda giving me a bit of allergic reaction. Weird…right? =)

I will have to figure this out…maybe I’ll have to wear gloves when I knit with the Lopi yarn.
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Not a regular grilled cheese Sammy…
So I got this artesian bread from the grocery store, it’s a sour dough bread.
Cut big chunky slices, drizzle extra virgin olive oil on both sides.
Put some deli sliced honey ham, a slice of Swiss cheese, a couple slices of tomato
Another drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, salt & pepper…
Place on a cookie sheet then into an oven,per heated to 400 degrees. Give them about 10
Minutes, remove, let cool…then Enjoy!

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Coffee Break!

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I’m back to work on my Bee Keepers Quilt, I’m using Madeline Tosh DK. Right now I’ve probably got enough pods to make…a very small lap blanket.

I began this project in August 2012, I’ll keep at until I’ve used all my yarn, my Madeline Tosh that is.

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On another set of needles I’m working On a shawl called Zombie Teeth, it’s an easy knit, short rows mixed in with yarn overs…I’m liking it! More pictures to come…
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Same yarn in the 2 photos, lighting was odd I guess…

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Last of all…my baby lemon trees are on their way! Everyday seems there is another green stem poking through the soil. I think I’ve got 9 now… I really didn’t think that any would sprout…so I’m pretty happy with the lemony events…

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Gracey came by to pay me a visit….

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I knit up “Just Enough Ruffles” over the weekend, the pattern was written by Laura Chau. It was an easy knit, just what I’d been looking for. I used Malabrigo yarn, it’s sooo soft! It’s nice against my skin!

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I’ve been noticing the sun is staying up a little longer in the evenings, I do love a beautiful sunset!

Bye-bye for now….

Another New Year

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Happy
New Year

Hi everyone! Lots and lots of knitting projects on my agenda for 2013,
This past December was a BIG knitting month for me, not necessarily big projects but more in the line of many things started and finished and just in time for gift giving.
This knitted Chapstick cozy was very popular! I saw the pattern on Ravelry, it looked like a fun knit project and I was certain I could cast-on and finish in a few hours…

I posted a few pictures on FB, that’s when the request started rolling in! I knit up 15 of these little Chapstick cozys! http://www.shadkittypatterns.blogspot.com/2009/02/dirty mouth

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Next up was my enterlac scarf, ever since I first saw this stitch pattern worked up with Noro yarn I was hooked! Hooked on the colors of the yarn, hooked on the stitch pattern just plain hooked!

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These cute fingerless gloves, aka “Susie Rogers Reading Mitts”, are so feminine…I loved the picot edge and there is just enough lace in the pattern…

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Rachel’s Slow Curve, pattern available here…www.nobleknits.com
The photo below was knit with Poems chunky yarn.

I knit mine with Noro Nadeshiko yarn, it’s a chunky yarn and delightful to work with.

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That being a small taste of my “End of 2012 Knit-Projects”

” Beautiful Sunset”

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I knit 2 Irish Hiking Scarves, both were knit using Caron Simply-Soft yarn. Its an acrylic yarn, very reasonably priced. I did a test swatch and loved the stitch definition. Cables really stood out!

These scarves were gifts, I’ve been a bit slow getting them mailed out to my cousins… =0
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We spent Christmas Eve at my Mother-in-Laws, she had her home beautifully decorated!

“Merry Christmas”

” Lisa & Brian”

“Lisa & Emily”

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On our way to Lake Anna to spend Christmas Day with my Mom. It was so foggy, thankfully traffic was very light. Looking out over the Potomac River…fog…nothing but fog!

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It felt as though Brian and I were the only ones out on the road…
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It usually takes us about 2 hours to reach my Mom’s house at Lake Anna, finally the fog was lifting and the sun was beginning to burn through the fog.
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10 minutes away from our destination, blue sky was smiling down on us, the lake was like glass…
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I made my favorite pie, well one of my many favorite pies…, Lemon Ice-Box pie. It’s made using Greek yogurt and fresh squeezed lemons. Topped with a dollop of whipped cream. YUM!
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Soon it was time to head home…the moon was not quite full. It sure looked like a full moon night!

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See You All in 2013!!

Hey…where have you been??

Good Morning Sunshine…

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It's been a crazy whirlwind here, the hurricane blew through the end of October, we didn't suffer any damage. I was sure we'd wake up and and be in the midst of mass destruction. Lots of rain and wind and a few branches strewn about…

Monday morning was windy and rainy, we only worked until noon. The news stations were telling everyone to stay home. The roads were getting treacherous…

Sunday was a windy day, I think everyone was having a hard time believing a major hurricane was hearing towards us…at the end of October! The trees were in full autumn splendor, it was beautiful.

The storm, hurricane Sandy, made its turn into land further north. New Jersey & New York took the brunt of the storm. =(.

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KNITTING
I’ve been working on several knitting projects.
First up are these adorable fingerless mitts.

“Susie Rogers Reading Mitts” I used Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light in a cream color.

This pattern was an easy knit. I love the picot edge! That little detail gives the mitts very feminine look.
next on the knitting agenda

I fell in love with this very versatile knit project!
I have the perfect yarn for it too…

Check out Three Irish Girls web site http://www.threeirishgirls.com/product.php?productid=354&cat=1&page=1
I love cowls, this pattern is so versatile! You can wear it half dozen different ways!
now…lets see what else I have on the knitting needles

I was at Walmart and of course I found my way over to the craft department…Caron Simply Soft yarn was a steal at $3.00 a skein. I got several in various colors.

Caron Simply Soft holds the cable pattern beautifully! This red is perfect for a Christmas cabled scarf!

These 2 scarves are gifts! I know my cousins will be very happy!
now for some Noro

Noro yarns have the most amazing color combos, it is hard for me to choose a few skeins, I want them all!

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I’m knitting an enterlac scarf for myself. I have loved that knit pattern ever since the very first time I saw it knit up…of course it was knit with Noro yarn! Mmm, luv it!!
This is an enterlac cowl knit with sublime cashmere yarn, very soft and very warm!

I had several skeins in complimentary colors.

last but not least…

This little Jem is a Chapstick cozy!

phallic Chapstick cozy
Click the link…you too can have your own cozy for your Chapstick!
I’m knitting lots of these for my girlfriends, perfect stocking stuffers!! =*
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Starbucks

I am a serious coffee drinker! I visit my local Starbucks almost every day! It helps that it is with in walking distance from my office. My fav coffee drink is the cinnamon dolce latte, vente please
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TEA, I like it too

My good friend, Diana has introduced me to the world of tea.
http://www.teavivre.com/ has authentic Chinese teas. My favorite is black tea. I’m acquiring a taste for green teas. I’m no too crazy for white teas yet…I have had a few that were very good…

Twinnings Irish Breakfast tea is my all time favorite….

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About those Doomsday Preppers
Have you seen the program called “Doomsday Preppers”? It on the history channel, http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/doomsday-preppers/
I feel as though I live in a bubble…a safe little bubble that protects me from all the craziness…but now my curiosity is peaked…what exactly is a doomsday prepper? What are these people preparing for? Is there something going on that I don’t know about? YES, there is…I must say I am more than a little bit worried. When I am out and about…happily purchasing my daily Starbucks latte or home sitting on my comfy couch knitting away or just day dreaming…watching the birds busily fluttering around my myriad of feeders…could there be something sinister lurking…

before I start freaking myself out, I need to educated myself what can I do to survive and protect myself should “something” catastrophic happen, hurricane,terrorist attacks,solar storm or some other natural disaster.
So much to think about….

The Spirit of Halloween

Halloween is almost upon us…unfortunately so is Hurricane Sandy =(
The storm has passed through the warm waters of the warm tropical waters of the Bahamas now the weather people are talking about this hurricane turning into a hybrid, kinda like the “Perfect Storm” of 1991.

Looks like the “eye” of the storm may move in over Delaware, but the Washington D.C. Area is going to get lots and lots of rain….looks like Halloween may be very dark ( electrical outages) and very wet! Well Diana and I still went shopping for foolish things and a few last minute changes to our costumes, oh…look who we ran into at ” Spirit Halloween Store”

YES, the Witch of the West, and she was looking for Dorothy!

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The Halloween store was stocked with everything you could want…foolish ghoolies and sexy maidens

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I was even placed in the “stocks”…only for a short time however… =)

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Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin Cream-cheese Muffins

It’s Autumn and the leaves are changing. That puts me in the mood for baking!

So while I was on my iPad this morning I saw that a friend had pinned a recipe for Pumpkin Cream-Cheese Muffins

The cream cheese filling was kinda thin, so I put it into a piping bag and filled the unbanked muffins. It worked like a charm!

I did make a few changes to the recipe. It called for 1/3C. Olive oil, I used vegetable oil. For the strudel topping I combined pecans and walnuts.

Here they are… Ready to go into a 375 degree oven for 20 min.
I’m taking these beauties to work with me on Thursday. It’s a busy day, 2 hygienist working and the Dr seeing patients too…

I got 20 muffins from that recipe!

Now I can enjoy a nice hot cup of tea…

A beautiful sunsets on another simply wonderful day,
Until we blog again…be well my friends. =)