Bonnie's Passion for Knitting

I always say I'm going to blog more but I also want to change the layout. And since I haven't gotten around to doing that I wait to blog. It's ridiculous I know. So the format changes can wait.

I still knit everyday at least a little but having the puppies has certainly cut down on my knitting time. I try to take them swimming or for walks everyday. They especially love to swim and as soon as they see the water they are difficult to control. A few weeks ago they pulled me so hard and each of them went on opposite sides of a tree so I ended up making a huge crash landing into the tree. Ouch!

During all the dog food recalls I got really nervous and concerned as did many people. So I decided to make my own dog food. Deb of Chappy's Mom
recommended Sojourners oats as a base for the food. I make huge pots of stew using various meats and vegetables and freeze them in portion sized containers. I just defrost the stew and add it to their cooked oats. It's more expensive and requires more time but at least I know exactly what my pups are eating. And they love it! If I haven't mentioned it before my Sohia and Sarah have the same Father as Chappy.

Back to knitting! I finished a baby blanket for my friend's new grandson. It was a simple feather and fan pattern but came out quite nicely. The yarn was Sirdar DK Suggly which I've never used and was suprised I liked the feel of it even though it's synthetic yarn, Gasp! The Shame of IT.

I also finished a sweater for the daughter of one of my co-workers. For this I used Filatura di Crosa Zarina which I loved. I enjoyed making the lace edging around the bottom of this sweater as well. Rick and his wife are just elated to finally have a baby after years of trying. They named her Rebecca which I think is beautiful.

I'm half finished making a white baby blanket out of Cascade 220 washable. The yarn isn't as soft as regular Cascade 220 but I have a feeling a good washing will soften it up nicely. It's for a co-workers new Grandson due in the Fall. Initially they didn't want to know the gender......hence the color white. But for some reason they changed their minds and it's a Boy. Had I known I would have used a blue yarn. But I think the white will be good as well. Don't you?

And I just ordered Fleece Artist Silk and Seaweed yarn in the color Capri to make myself the Stormwater Shall. I can't wait untill it arrives. After all these gifts, it'll be so much fun to make something for me! I'm also curious about this yarn made with silk and sea weed.

Sarah and Sophia graduated from Puppy School in May. On the left is Sarah receiving her diploma. And this is Sophia on the right. Sarah always has the pink and Sophia the purple. It's how I tell them apart quickly

Most of my knitting is done when the girls are doing this.

Knitting with Puppies

Remember my Central Park Hoodie? Well this is what it looks like when puppies get a chance to run free!

They ate a few inches of the back and all but a few inches of one pair pf Bamboo needles. This was really not their fault because I know this is what puppies do. But my son left them loose in the house and went outside. Now he too knows what puppies do!

And as if that wasn't enough yesterday they ate the corner of my sofa with me sitting beside them! I heard a rip and jumped! When I looked at the sofa I just wanted to cry but instead I scolded Sarah and put them both in the cage for a little "time out."

I pride myself on my home surroundings and have bought expensive good furniture. Maybe I can have it repaired. What do you think?

Later I was taking a photo of my long awaited and finally completed Rowan Heather. It was on my guest bed and I quickly downloaded the pic to iphotos. The computer was less than a foot from the sweater. I heard a noise and there they were, Sarah and Sophie, playing tug of war with HEATHER! Now she needs major repair.

How can I stay angry with these adorable little girls?

I've always had puppies/dogs in my life and I don't ever remember this much mischief. But then I have never had two puppies at the same time either. So maybe that's the difference.

This is the photo before little teeth got to it. Rowan Heather in Rowan Kid Classic. Pattern from "A Season's Tale" by Rowan.

I need to rethink their "freedom". And we start Puppy Training classes in March. In the meantime I really am trying to train them. Yesterday, they both sat on command. (With the promise of a cookie of course)

So now I'm thinking maybe the chewing of CPH was an omen that says I should frog the Bartlett yarn and use another. Or is that just my excuse to myself buy more yarn?

In the meantime, I'm knitting a new pair of socks using Trekking Yarn #108 and Jeanie Townsend's "Lisas Lace" pattern. I've mentioned before how much I like Jeanie Townsend's sock patterns. I found her through a Canadian Yarn Supplier on Ebay. She has a group on Yahoo called TownsendSocksKnitALong . The patterns are free to group members and I've been quite happy with them.

And because I hope I've really learned my lesson about KNITTING WITH PUPPIES, I keep the socks tucked in this cute little knitting basket I bought from Knitters Review. I had tried to buy this basket a number of times but each time there was a new shipment, it was sold out within hours. Finally I got one in Dec. The lining has embroidered flowers and there are two inside pockets. I love it.

I've been knitting all along even though I haven't written or posted much about it. I guess you could say I'm not an organized blogger. You see I knit things and then give them away before I even take any picturess. And it's not that I don't use the camera. I've probably taken 400 pics of Sarah and Sophia. So I don't know why I knit and forget to take pics.

Sunday I started the Central Park Hoodie from the Fall 2006 Knitscene magazine. I vowed to use something from my stash and found 8 seins of Bartlett yarn in Bracken. The pattern is so easy but I'm not sure I'm liking this yarn. It's barn type yarn and it's just not what I enjoy gliding through my fingers. I prefer Cascade 220 or Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. The back is almost completed and I keep wondering if Bartlett yarn softens after washing. I sure hope it does becasue right now I'm feeling that its way too itchy.

I also completed two pairs of socks. My favorite is in Lorna's Laces. I don't remember the colorway because I bought it at the NY Sheep and Wool Festival a few years ago. It goes nicely with Denims. The pattern I used is Jennie Townsends Falling Leaves.

The second pair I finished is made with Austerman Step Yarn. That's the sock yarn with Jojoba oil and Aloe in it. This one of those self striping yarns which I find impossible to make the second sock
look like the first. In some blog (I'm sorry I can't remember to give credit for the term) I read that these can be called "fraternal twins" since the stripes on the two socks don't line up. I thought that was a good phrase.

As I'm writing this post, I suddenly realized that these are the first two pairs I've made for myself. Yes it's true. I've knit a dozen or more socks and given them all away!

I didn't make as many Christmas gifts as I usually do this year. Primarily because I was dealing with my Father's terminal illness. But I made my niece, Lindsey, a Booga Bag. I actually have another one made but not felted. The second Booga Bag I made larger. Once it gets felted, I'll post pics.

Felting in a front load washer hasn't worked well for me. I know some people have been successful but I can never get the felting process to really work well. So for the Booga Bag I washed it in my front loader 5 times. Then I boiled it and stirred constantly. That didn't work either. So I went to a friend's house and washed it 3 more times. And it finlly worked. The stitches disappeared and it looked like felted fabric.

The girls and I are settling into a routine together. Today I took them for a walk and they loved it! They found so many new scents, sounds and textures to explore. When we came home they fell fast asleep on Ryan's lap.

And when they woke up they were ready to play again. So they started wrestling with Maggie, who I must say has been great with them. Maggie and I are the Mature Ladies of this house. (I tell her we're the old gals) For a 13 year old she has handled the puppy invasion quite nicely!

My Dad

My Dad passed away on January 8th. It wasn't unexpected as he'd been home on Hospice Care since the end of September. I had a nice week visiting him in October and I really thought I had been dealing with the emotional pain of losing my Dad.....but that was an illusion. I was kidding myself. There is a huge gaping hole in my heart.

I could search the world and never find a kinder more honorable man that my Daddy. He taught me so much about life and loving. For example I was born and lived in the Roling Fork, Mississippi during the 1950's and 1960's. Prejudice ran rampant. But Daddy always told me that God created people of all colors and religions. God loved us all and we were all equal. He taught me to say Yes Ma'am and Yes Sir to all adults, regardless of race. My Mother's parents, who I was very close to, would get very upset when I said Ma'am or Sir to blacks but my Daddy explained although my Grandparents were good people, they weren't educated. As an adult, I realize how difficult it must have been for my Dad to live his beliefs back then. I am eternally thankful.

Another example of my Dad's faith and love is when his beloved brother was killed and left on the side of the road by a kidnapper/hitch hiker. I was about 11 years old and I said, "I hate that man."
My Father's response was, "Bonnie you should pray for him instead of hating him because he must be very troubled to kill another person. God wouldn't want you to hate him."

It was just the two of us, my Dad and I, from the time I was 14 till he remarried when I was about 19 or 20. During those teenage years, I'm sure it was difficult for him. But I never got into any trouble because I wanted him to be proud of me. All he had to say was "You don't want me to worry, do you?" or "Do you want be to be disappointed?" And of course I'd chose to do the "right" thing.

He was married to Gerri for over 30 years and they had the best marriage I've have ever seen. Each morning he'd wake up cheerful and say to her, "How's my beautiful wife this fine morning?" They raised her two daughters together, which he adopted. And in his last few months of life Gerry, Donna and Denise took care of him and nursed him night and day.

Just a few days before he died, Father Paul asked if there was anything he could do or anything he wanted. My Father's response was, "No. I have everything I ever wanted in life. I'm a very lucky man."

All my life, people would say to me, "Do you know how much I love your Dad?" Or "Your Dad is just wonderful!" That love and respect was so evident at his wake and funeral which were both held in his church. Numerous people, from young to old, stood up to say what Bill Strickland meant to them. I know how much he meant to me but it was awesome to hear and see how many lives he has touched with his love of God and mankind.

I will always love you Daddy.

This was the very Best Christmas ever! Why? I have two new babies. Thanks to Chappy. I've been reading the blog of Chappy's Mom for a few years now. I remember it was at least before the 2005 Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival. Deb's blog is full of exciting knitting and spinning projects but it is also the home of Chappy's adventures. Chappy is a Boykin Spaniel.

They are quite rare up here on the East Coast but are more common in the South especially S.C where they are the State Dog. I fell in love with Chappy and have been looking for a Boykin for over a year now. Last summer I filled out applications at a few breeders in NC and SC and have been on their waiting list. But my name still hasn't come up. Last Thursday, I googled Boykin Spaniel Breeders PA because I knew Chappy came from PA. I found Randy Good in Kittatinning, PA. And guess what? On Randy's web site there he was! There was Chappy!

Randy had two litters; one of which was ready to go to homes. I e-mailed him and then called him. Randy had two girls which is what I wanted. My son, Ryan, and I jumped in the car and drove 7 hours.

Once there, Randy brought out two little girls. I said I'd take the first one he handed me...then I said no I want this one. But wait, I think I'll take the first one. It was way too confusing. Randy said, "Why not take both!" For a min. I thought" Oh I can't do that." Then Ryan said, "They'll keep each other company and Amanda will have one too. (Amanda is his girlfriend and they live with me.) I didn't have to think about it any more. I took them both. Randy also told me he has sold more than a few pups because of Chappy.

And that is how Sarah and Sophie came into my life via Chappy.

When we arrived home at 1:30AM Amanda was waiting to greet us. Even though we had spoken to Amanda a few times on the way home, we had not told her I bought 2 puppies. Ryan opened up the cage door for Sarah to bolt out. We waited and as Sophie's nose peeked out, Amanda began to squeal delightfully.

Of course we couldn't sleep, so we stayed up playing. And as soon as the stores opened we took them to buy bedding, toys, chews. food etc.

I've taken over 300 photos of them since Sat. but here are just a few.
They nap, wake up and are taken outside, Then they come in to eat and play then go outside and then nap again. I'm amazed they don't cry at night as all my other puppies have done. I guess that's because they have each other.

My daughter, Amy was home for Christmas with her two dogs. So between her two and my three, there are 5 dogs in this house. My hardwood floors may never be the same. But what fun was had by all.

I just realized I didn't take one photo of us on Christmas....only the babies.

May I introduce you to Sarah Jessica on the right in both photos. She's the smaller of the two (weighing in at 5 lbs)as well as the rebel rouser.

And this is Sophia Leigh on the left side. She is 7 lbs and calmer than Sarah (sometimes.)

They've had lots of fun unwrapping all the gifts, even the ones for everybody else. (Tomorrow I have a dozen gifts to rewrap.) They've also taken the ornaments off my tree but I figure they one step ahead of me so I'll have less to take down in another week. And they love my yarn. Now messing with my yarn could get them in trouble. So I packed it all up. No more leaving baskets of yarn around the house for me.

I feel so lucky to be a new Mom. Chappy, my Dear, you are the greatest. Thank you.

My Back and my Mac

I know I've been MIA for quite some time. There are a number of reasons and excuses and so many things going on. Most of all my health. The back has given me problems for quite some time. I was out of work for three months and then since I've been back at work, all I do is work and go for various treatments for my back. Like Chiropractor. Physical Therapy, Acupuncture, and Massage Therapy.

But finally last week I had a nerve ablation of the pinched nerve in my back. Hopefully this will help. I have been knitting all along even though I haven't been blogging and as I get my files transferred over to my new Mac I'll post some photos!

Yes I did it...finally switched to Mac OS. Been thinking about it for quite some time. My daught loves hers. Now that I have it home I'm so confused about getting files switched over. I need help with transferring of data. It's way ovr my head. I was going to buy the Powebook Pro but once I got into the store and saw the iMac 20" screen I fell in love. I don't need a laptop for portability so this will work.

Lately I have found myself knitting lots of baby items as many of my friends are having Grandchildren.

One of the sweaters I made was out of Handpainted Cascade 220 yarn from Seacoast Yarns on Ebay. I love Holly's colors and of course Cascade 220 is one of my all time favorites.

I really love the way this turned out and the pattern is so much fun. It is the Knitting Pure and Simple Neck Down Cardigan for Babies. I have now made it 4 times....some with hoods and some with Hats, I vary it also with stripes and designs.

And as always I have way too many projects going at once. That is something I need to work hard to tame.

The yarn stash is bursting out of the closets as well as the attic. It kills me to have to store yarn in the attic but we started making an apt in the basement for my son and everything had to go. I had limited choices of where all the STUFF would go; THE DUMP, the attic, the shed or stuffed in the house in nooks and cranies.

Hopefully I will start to post more once I learn how to use this MAC.

See ya!

Life Throws a Little Curve!

The past two months have been interesting, if nothing else.  From Thanksgiving to Christmas always finds me in a whirl trying to finish Christmas gifts, shop for more, decorate and bake.

What did I do this past Holiday Season?  Not very much! 

I've been on disability with a back injury since Thanksgiving.  Not only could I not work out of the house, I haven't been able to work at home either.  This has meant learning some lessons on patience that I never wanted to learn.  I couldn't knit for any length of time.  I couldn't shop at all and I certainly couldn't decorate.  My decorations are in the attic and I couldn't get them down so my only trimming was a wreath for the front door.  This was difficult as normally I have decorations in every room and every nook and cranny.

Christmas Eve Dinner which is normally a BIG celebration was take out Chinese Food!  Decadent I know! 

Christmas Dinner was a Standing Rib Roast, baked potatoes, broccoli and carrots prepared very simply.

Tim and Michael joined me for Christmas Dinner and Michael even washed the dishes. 

(My children were with their Dad) The English language doesn't have a word to describe grown up offspring.  They're certainly not children, or kids and offspring sounds rather cold.  I can't think of another word that would be appropriate and I even checked a dictionary and thesaurus.  Any suggestions?

Never having experienced back problems this has all been new to me.  But looking back I have had the problem for a few months (since last summer).  I just didn't recognize it or acknowledge it for what it was.  Last summer I joined the gym and started a circuit training class too soon.  I remember leaving that first class limping but thought I'd pulled a muscle and assumed I needed to work harder to get into shape.  When that didn't work, I took a break from the gym but then I started having generalized weakness in addition to the limping.  Typical of a nurse, I thought I could ignore it  but that didn't work for long either because my left leg started to feel like I had electric jolts running through it and I would just crumple or have to drag it along. 

An MRI revealed some disc bulging and thankfully the neurosurgeon feels surgery isn't necessary.  But from favoring that leg and ignoring the problem for so long my range of motion is quite ltd. and my muscles are tight from spasms. Physical Therapy is slowly helping along with muscle relaxants, pain pills and Ibuprofen by the truck load.  Chronic pain has become a norm for me now.

Being out of work had some advantages though.  I was able to spend more time with Amber before she died than I would have had I been working.  They say we can almost always re-phrase anything negative in our mind to change our outlook.  I'm practicing the theory!

So this is what I did for the Holidays! 

Thank goodness I had started making my Christmas Gifts last summer.  I had made two Flower Basket Shawls for my nieces and socks for my sister-in-law and Mother-in-Law.  (Technically I guess they are my ex in-laws but who cares)  I also made a Morehouse Farm Gigi lace scarf for my Acupuncturist.   MF Gigi Lace Scarf

This was the simplest pattern which was easily committed to memory and a fun to knit scarf that I purchased at the NY Sheep and Wool Festival.

And this is an evening bag I made for my daughter out of Karabella Diamonte which is a stretchy ribbon with small diamond like beads embedded in it.  This was the first time I made an I-cord which I found to be so easy.  It had been dreaded by me for a long time after reading some bad experiences other bloggers have had but once I saw it done by someone else, I found it a breeze.  This little bag cost a fortune to make but it was fun and Amy does like it. And that's what counts.

There are so many other projects I had hoped to make and just couldn't finish because of the back/leg pain.  One was for my youngest niece, 2 Year Old Kylie.  (who by the way looks remarkably like my daughter)  I'm making her the DB red dress I made for my girlfriends daughter. It's about half way done. 

And DesignedlyKristi makes a customizable Sock Wrapper that I purchased.  It's so much fun to give socks with your own label.  Thank you Kristi.  I wanted to take photos of the socks all ready to gift but I forgot.  So you have to take my word for it that they looked really nice.

  These are the Cascading Leaves Socks by J. Townsend made in Cherry Tree Hill Supersock.  Color: Spring Frost

And these were made from yarn I bought at NYS&WF from Oak Grove Studios in Pink Ribbons by Lisa LLoyd.  They were designed with the breast cancer ribbon down both sides.  Next time I think I'll make them in a solid color yarn so that the ribbon shows up more clearly.  But my Mother-in-law is a Breast Cancer Survivor so they were for her.

When giving hand made gifts,I wonder if the receivers feel the thought and love I put into their gifts even half as much as I do.  For me it's a way to say I really care about you. And if I haven't given you a gift...it doesn't mean I don't care...just that there aren't enough hours in my day!

And to prove that even if there are no Christmas Decorations, few gifts and no baking the sun still comes out every day here on Mountain Road.

Goodbye Amber

One of my four dogs passed last Tuesday Dec. 20th.  Amber Louise was a beautiful soul!  She was the best cuddler I've ever known and even at 65 lbs., she'd curl up in our laps with her head nuzzled in the crook of our necks. 

Amber came into my life Jan. 27, 1996 quite by accident.  I wasn't looking for another pet as I already had a dog and four cats.  But someone abandoned 9 puppies in a shopping cart of a busy supermarket on cold freezing day.  Luckily 3 teenagers found them and stuffed them in their coats then stood at the market door offering them to all the patrons.  As one of the girls slipped Amber out from under her coat, my first reaction was, "Don't even show them to me!"  But I saw a beautiful little puppy with big brown eyes and the longest eyelashes you can imagine.  She was frightened and shivering from the bitter cold.  I offered to warm her up for the kids and well that was the beginning of a wonderful friendship.

Amber came home with me where she melded into my menagerie quite nicely.  Although at first Maggie, my English Springer Spaniel completely ignored her thinking, "If I ignore IT, it'll go away."  But they became best buddies, running, playing and sleeping cuddled together.  Just before taking Amber to the vet to be euthanized, Maggie had her paw around Amber's shoulder and her head resting on Amber's neck.  Somehow she knew.  They all knew;  Raven, Taio, Maggie and Abby. They are also mourning Amber's loss.   

Last summer I found a small lump on Amber's snout.  I thought for sure it was something benign so I was thrown into a panic when the vet declared.  "I don't like that. We have to do a biopsy right away."  After a needle aspiration, then a biopsy I learned the terrible news that Amber had neuro fibrosarcoma throughout her sinus cavity, which was inoperable.  Radiation and chemo also don't help with this type of cancer.  So the only thing I could do was make her life as happy and comfortable as possible.  I contacted a well known herbologist in New Zealand who sent me herbs to support her immune system and I started making all her food.  Michael, my ex, had a very special bond with Amber,  so he brought her Delmonico and Sirloin steaks about four times a week.

The Cuddler!

I saw the tumors enlarging and Amber's face becoming distorted.  Then the tumors started growing through the roof of her mouth.  She slept more but continued to happily wag her tail and eat.  The vet had told me that it would be time when she stopped eating  and stopped wagging her tail.  Those simple actions became my gauge of her well being.

Next, she started to bleed from her nose and mouth.  Her teeth repositioned and loosened   But she was happy to give and receive love right up to the end.   

Finally, Dec. 19th her breathing became labored and I was forced  to make the decision I'd been dreading.  When I realized it was time, even though she still wagged her tail so hard her whole body shook and eating was never a problem, I called Michael and he rushed over at midnight.  We spent another three hours saying goodbye and together we took her to the vet.  Both of us held her, soothing her as she was injected, both of us sobbing uncontollably.   Amber left us Dec 20th at 3:45AM but her spirit lives on..

I miss you Amber and hope you're no longer in pain. You were a much loved friend.  I hope you're chasing balls and eating steaks in Doggy Heaven. Mommy and Daddy will always love you.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Rhinebeck was Fantabulous!

I know I'm always a day late and a dollar short.  Regardless, the NY Sheep and Wool Festival was stupendous!  The weather held out....we'd had over a week of rain and lo and behold that morning the sun came out.

Almost immediately I ran into these adorable creatures.  Their owner almost had me convinced I could buy 5 of their brothers and sisters and legally keep them on my 1.1 acre property.  I was all set to pull out my checkbook when Michael said, "Hey what about the bears in your neighborhood!"  Yes I have bear here and so I don't think it's a good idea.  But a girl can dream can't she. Of course there are other complications too.

My next stop was  Spirit Trail  I knew from last year her tent gets so crowded early that you can't get near it.  Plus there is nothing left in a short time.  I acuired some gorgeous sock yarn.  I'd also looked forward to meeting Stepanie Pearl-McPhee  aka The Yarn Harlot who planned on being there to autograph her books.   Unfortunately Stephanie had a death in her family.  I'm so sorry Stephanie!

My next urgent stop was Brooks Farm Yarn.  I wasn't going to buy much from them because I still have some left from last year even after making hats, scarves and three shawls.  But who can resist those colors!  I bought this.  And this and this!     Michael wants a hat and scarf out of the darker blue on the far left and I have some ideas for these other skeins of yarn.

Then we went in search for food.  Some place Michael saw a sign for Fajitas when we came in but we just couldn't find it. So we chose Artichokes with Escarole and Bean Soup, which Italians call Minesta!  (One of the first things I learned to cook from my ex-husband's Italian family).  It was superb but the longest line.  That's OK though because I met some very nice knitters from NJ while in line and we ended up eating with them and talked knitting of course.

From lunch on is a blur!  I wanted to hit every booth and was on a mission. 

This lady delighted the crowd with her music.

At Morehouse Farms  I purchased 3 kits.   The Barbizon Jacket Kit is a beautiful sage green for myself. (I think on their web site it is called Silver Birch) It's just stockinette stitch but the lines are simple and very smart.  The 3 strand yarn is soooo soft and feels great when knitting up.  I just had to swatch even though I can't start on it yet.  I also bought the Lace Camisole kit in Coral.  And I grabbed a lace scarf kit in varigated colors of purple, pink and orange. After looking at the vaiegated yarn samples on their site, it is called Zesty.

I visited a lovely vendor I met last year, Jewel.  She is always a delight.  This year she had a huge collection of yarn she'd spun herself.  Quite beautiful! So I had to buy some green heavy worsted weight from her.  She's a  Master Chef by trade and is quite interesting.  I can't wait to see her again next year.

One thing that amazed me is how many knit bloggers I recognized just from reading their blogs.  I was a little hesitant to talk to many of them since I don't know them.  I was afraid I'd be looked at as a stalker. Is that wierd or what?   Sometimes reading blogs feels like snooping, as so much of it is personal.  But one of the many bloggers I recognized and did speak to was Theresa at Knitting the Blues We were at Carodan Farms booth looking at sock yarn.  I took a chance and said I recognized her.  And she was absoltuely delightful.  She even helped me with some Mountain Colors Mountain Goat I bought for socks in a blue colorway of course!  It was so nice to meet you Theresa!

I can't believe no one told me I spelled Rhinebeck wrong in a previous post!  I know how to spell it and have spelled it correctly before but in a headline I spelled it so wrong!  Shame on me. 

Linda MacMillan at Oak Grove Studios is a very talented lady.  It was nice to see her again.  She has beautiful hand painted yarns and stunning hand made beads and buttons. I bought this yarn from her last year which I love but just haven't gotten around to using yet.  So this year I bought sock yarn from her in the colorway Antique Roses.  It is gold, teal, rose and gray. (I even ordered more yesterday) I already started a pair of socks in it using  a Lisa Lloyd free sock pattern called Pink Ribbons that she designed free for national Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  I had planned on using it in the Soctoberfest Lolly is running....but again I'm late.  She closed the list.  Of course  I'm still making the socks and thinks it's kinds neat that I am making a pair of pink ribbon socks in October for Breast Cancer Awareness.   I'll post a pic as soon as I pull out the camera and the sun is shinning.  When will that be, I wonder!

Thanksgiving weekend there is an Artisans Festival in Putney, VT.  I'd love to go but am scheduled to work.  If any of you get a chance to go, look up Linda MacMillan of Oak Grove Studios.  You'll love her and her creations.

There were more acquisitions and more knitting updates but I have to run into town now so more later. 

Did I ever mention that Knitting is my Passion?  No I didn't think so.

Sherry at Brooks Farms and I were talking and she agrees with me...."She has has the most yarn wins."  Well I'm trying!

Autumn in New York

This is my absolute favorite time of year.  Autumn in NY State is exquisite!  Most days have been crispy clear with gorgeous blue skys.  It makes me think of apples and baking and nesting! It's also the very best time to hike.  One of my favorite places in the world is right at my back door..or almost. It's Mohonk Mountain House and less than an hour away using back roads.  It's also on the same mountain ridge that my house sits on.  They have wonderful hiking trails and rock scrambles.  They also have rock climbing but that's not my thing!

Amy and I went to the annual Warwick Apple Fest last Sunday which I always attend.  There were many vendors, some bands and so much food!  They even sell roses made out of dried apples.  I brought my camera but forgot to take any photos since I was having such a good time.  We had a great day and ate apples till we were ready to burst.  I love crispy slightly tart apples that are only this good in Sept and October.

On the knitting front, I finished my first sock of the Cascading Leaves pair and started the second one.   I also finished knitting my second Flower Basket Shawl also in Brooks Farm Fiber yarn.  I haven't blocked it yet...maybe today.  ( I use my dining room table for blocking and so I have to plan around when I am not going to be using it to eat).  This is an unblocked pic.

Do you realize Christmas is less than three months away?  Oh my!  I'll never get done what I had wanted to accomplish.

Amber went for her biopsy Wed.  They wanted to keep her overnight.  But I argued that I am a nurse and I would be with her and at the vets she'd be alone.  Finally they agreed and I was to pick her up at 9:15 PM.  When I arrived the fire alarms were blaring and as I parked two fire engines, the fire chief car, and two state troopers pulled in.  Needless to say, I was a bit frantic.  They wouldn't let me in the Vet's office nor would they tell me what was going on.  I wanted to just rush in and grab Amber and run.  After an hour I was finally allowed to go in.  My curiosity got the best of me and I asked what the commotion was all about. 

Did you know that baby goats have their horns cauterized to prevent them from growing and curling back into their heads?  Well I didn't know that.  And apparently the Vet didn't know there was a smoke detector directly above where he was doing this procedure since he just moved to a new building.  So all that panic was due to burning of the horns! 

Amber was quite woozy and her face was swollen so she had trouble breathing.   I had to lift all 70.1 pounds of her to get her in the car. (She's lost a pound in three weeks and about 5 pounds since June) Then once home, I carried her in and the first thing the poor thing wanted was water.  But they told me she couldn't eat or drink until the next afternoon.  So using my own instinct I gave her small amts. of shaved ice every couple of hours throughout the night.  Amber tolerated that fine.  And then the next afternoon I made her fresh chicken and broth. The best cure for any illness.  It takes two weeks for the histology/ cytology report to come back.  So now I wait.  And pray.  I just can't imagine my life without her!