home again, home again

jiggity jig!

I wanted to post a few pictures from the beach....
sunrise

























sunset




























quickly fly the days.... the vacation went by so quickly.


Sad to say goodbye, perhaps only auf wiedersehen!

walking with whales

Yesterday while I was sitting on the beach, 2 whales came in close enough to see. Their acrobatic display was glorious. We could see the spray from their blow hole and tails and occasionally their entire body out of the water. My guess is that they were humpbacks because they were sighted in June off the coast and this YouTube video is almost exactly what we saw I'll post more later

oooo

Sunrise to a beautiful day at the beach. Just experimenting to see if this works

summer sun

It's perfect beach weather. Sunny, breezy, warm. The water was a great temp and the waves ere rockin. The kids LOVE their boogie boards. Can't say as I blame them. I rode a few waves in myself. I had my big sunglasses on. Wish I could show you the tan lines bt I cant figure out how to do that on the phone. Poo

delivered

clapotis #2

I took some photos with SIL and the clapotis... want to do more after the beach. (maybe we should take it to the beach!) Everything about this one is the same as the last except it's a bit bigger... I think I did more repeats on the increase (and henceforth decrease)


now to decide on beach knitting. We went to the library today and I took out 4 books Nicky Epstein Knitting a Kiss in Every Stitch, Melissa Leapmans' Knitting Beyond Scarves, Vogues Knitting on the go Felting and one I may have to buy... Sweater Renewal by Sharon Franco Rothschild... great for decreasing the felted stash from the thrift store :-D

I'll be quiet for a week.. have to finish packing... making empanadas and alfajores for the trip tmrw.... DH is making banana bread

as if....

I had all the time in the world. I add more stress to my life. I decided to go for something that I'll divulge later, but it's a quick deadline with lots to accomplish. Crazy, I am!

I finished the clapotis yesterday, but haven't taken pictures yet... it looks like the other one except a tad larger.

I walked alone today. 4.3 miles.. around and about town. The only interesting thing was the sound of a woodpecker, but I didn't stop to try to spy it.

Pool this afternoon with the kids. It was so humid today... I hate to think of seeing our electric bill with running the A/C and the deregulation. I have friends that told me theirs tripled this month... ugh!

hoping for pictures tmrw....amidst the craziness I create

bronx zoological park

was the 'fun' thing to do yesterday. That was after the 5 mile walk in the morning to which I saw a kingfisher and some whitetail deer!
I'm posting a few pictures but if you want to see more, surf on over to my Bronx zoo album on facebook... there are some decent shots in there as well :-)


this Andean condor didn't like when I said she had an ugly face. There was a lady that visits weekly and when she calls to the bird it comes running over to her. She tells it how pretty it is and I guess the bird really likes her. The woman said every time someone says that the bird is ugly she runs away or squacks... too funny.



The snowy owl IS beautiful I think. This reminded me of the owls in Where the Wild Things Are. Snowy owls hunt by day and night, unlike other owls, because of the length of the summer day in the arctic.





We saw the elephants were on the monorail. Unfortunately for us our fellow passengers were little boys from the boys club whose chaperone was as rude as they were and it was very difficult to hear the commentary. But I did learn that an elephant has 40,000 muscles in its trunk. It can pick up an egg without breaking it and they flap their ears to keep cool. I think this elephant looks happy.... (stop anthropomorphizing, right?)




They had camel rides, which we didn't do, but I went over to say hello. This one started to sing to me. You can see his lips in a perfect [u] formation.






VV is here so I may be shy on the posts (or not).

Working on the decreases of clapotis #2!

what are we doing fun today?

If I had a nickel for each time I've beard that.....

Watched the tour. Poor Lance. If it wasn't for bad luck he'd have had none at all today. But the last kilometer was very exciting! Andy is showing that he's something to be considered.

During lunch, we watched the Phils sweep the series with the Reds. Today's game only took 8.5 innings though. The shortest of the series. Between innings were filled with the world cup final. Congrats to Spain!! DH was happy (as much as he could be, that is).

Then miniature golf. Followed by dinner at the oasis diner. Home for a short spell and the movie at friendship park presented by north by northwest. The movie tonight Where the Wild Things Are based on the book by Maurice Sendak. I have to say, I didn't get it. They had a hula hoop contest before the movie and DD and her friend each won a huge hula hoop :)


Home for showers and bed 6 am date for a 4 mile walk then off to the Bronx zoo and meet VV in Manhattan. Look for wild thing pictures tmrw.

klp

that's key lime pie..I made one for DH on MOnday. He replaced my garbage disposal so needed a well deserved treat. This time I used plain greek yogurt with some powdered sugar added for the topping.It is really too tasty....and even better a day later.

battle of the sexes and the big apple

the boys went to the Statue of Liberty (well it was more than boys but the immediate ones at least) and the girls to Manhattan (mostly to the American Girl store... nuff said, right?) We had fun but everyone is beat.

The girl and I went to the AG store and stayed for lunch. Forgot to snap a picture of the cinnamon buns but here's the rest.
appetizer

My entree (DD had pizza)

dessert

I couldn't finish my meal... neither could DD.

Then we traveled to Rockafeller Center and took in the Lego store Notice a theme in these 2 pictures?



Then we were headed uptown to the Disney store... completely passed where it should have been according to the Google app on my iPhone and decided to detour into FAO Schwarz Meandered around in there a bit oogling all the cool toys. They had a HUGE Chewbacca on display made of Legos

Headed uptown a bit more into Central Park. Try as I might, I could NOT convince the girl to go into the Zoo at Central Park with me, nor walk through much of the park. She was getting tired already. (well we had been walking/shopping for about 5 hours minus an hour for lunch) But I did catch a glimpse of Bruiser from outside. He was swimming around and showing off for the crowd. All the artists in the park were freaking her out cuz they all kept coming up to her to ask to do her portrait. I have to admit, she looked really beautiful today. I french braided her hair on the bus on the way into the city.

Then we went back to search for the disney store only to find that in it's place is the Coca Cola building. Disney closed the store in the beginning of the year and are opening around Thanksgiving at a new location according to the guy working at the coca cola building.

She was so bummed by this... but we went to the Gap they were having a sale on shirts. Buy one get one free. So I got her 2, to wear with a pair of capris that she was complaining last night she had nothing that matched.

She kept bugging me when were the boys picking us up.... we walked a bit and were just about to go to the MOMA but I got the brilliant idea of going into St. Thomas' so we could sit and be quiet, not much noise from the city (which she hates) AND a big bonus for the day AC. We got in as the organist was practicing All Creatures of Our God and King! Gave me chills.. we had this hymn at our wedding....took all the strength I had not to start belting it out. Boy, she would have KILLED me for that move! I believe the tune is Lasst Uns Erfreuen


well we got a text to meet them at 9th and 57th so off we went again. We got up to about 8th and they found us. All in all we trekked about 4 miles not to mention all the walking in the stores..my dogs are dog tired!

Dinner at Cracker Barrel on the way home... I had the wholesome morning sampler minus the meat. YUM!

The day was topped off by the Phils pulling out a win at the last inning...well tied in the ninth, won in the 10th with a walk off home by Ryan Howard. I wasn't watching until the 10th cuz I was so depresesed they were back 6-1 in the 5th or so.

And of course I knit on the way in and out of the city. Gotta love not driving!!!!

humidity..........

it's really really humid.. which makes it feel even hotter. Just wish it would rain already.

Just got back from a 4 mile walk... and along the towpath, we met Yertle

the snapping turtle. Eventually we backtracked and he had meandered off to the river... you could see the trail from his tail.

almost finished the increases on the clapotis... this one is going faster and I really love this knit!

Happy Thursday.

heat wave

Today wasn't AS bad as yesterday. There was at least a breeze at the pool. I walked 4 miles alone this morning. It was a lovely walk!

I started another clapotis today in the same yarn, same color, for a friend who was loving the first as I was knitting it. DD and I are headed to the city on Friday on a bus, so I'm hoping to get a bunch done then!

Nothing else much to speak of... lots of work drama, but I rather not dirty up the blog with that!

two in one day?

While reading Kristyn's blog,I was reminded of 10 on Tuesday, which I haven't done in forever. Yanowhatimean isn't doing it anymore but I found one here

1. If given the oppotunity, would you choose a mediocre job that paid well or your dream job that paid poorly?
Ideally, the latter.... realistically probably the former. Having 3 kids makes you change priorities.....

2. What is your favorite thing about the 4th of July? (For the foreigners: What is your impression of the 4th of July?)
Fireworks.. although the memory of making homemade vanilla icecream at my grandma's house ranks at the top... with freshly picked raspberries from her garden... ah!

3. What’s the most random fact you know about American history?
George Washington liked to dance. Learned it on the history channel last week while sitting in the dentist's office.

4. What is the best fireworks display you’ve ever seen?
Probably right here in my town. They do a bang up job! (pun intended)

5. Who taught you how to put on makeup?
Who said I know how now?

6. Have you ever gone through a financial planning process? Tell us about it.
Hmmmm not really

7. What was your favorite outfit as a kid? Bonus points for pictures.
I made this pink gauzy top and embroidered a rose on the front... really loved that thing.

8. Do you prefer a beach, lake, swimming pool, or no water?
beach hands down

9. Do you recycle? If not, why?
I wear the queen of recycling crown TYVM!

10. What are your thoughts and feelings about the Twilight Saga?
Not interested, except to impress my soon new to be JHS students LOL

hoT hOT HOT

I would pick the hottest day of the year to be working on the last stitches of this:


Pattern: Lizard Ridge by Laura Aylor
Yarn: blocks Noro Kureyon, seaming and attached i-cord recycled Abercrombie & Fitch sweater
Colors: 40U, 52P2, 95, 102Y, 116D, 134C, 147A, 148A, 149F, 153A, 157A, 156B, 163D, 164E, 165C, 170, 172E, 175C, 178C, 182D, 184E, 185D, 188D, 194C and charcoal
Needle: US8 and US10
Modifications: I made it 6x5 instead of 6x4 in order to wrap my body in it.
Recipient: Why ME of course!

I skipped walking yesterday and opted for sleep... today i walked 6 miles... and it's super hot.. I probably had a slight case of heat stroke while waiting for the kids at swimming lessons.

DH replaced the garbage disposal... I promised him a key lime pie, so now that I've recuperated from the heat, I guess I best get moving on that... squeezing all those little limes... jeesh!

Have to look for cording to either cover or head out to Joanns to buy some covered so I can make the window seat pillow.. want that done b4 the SIL comes.

last night we had a decadent life. Watched the Phils win, put the kids to bed then took the laptop in bed and watched Must Love Dogs.. that movie is really to cute..we laughed so hard!

I decided not to go in to work this week. No one cares and frankly, it's too bloody hot to be there with no A/C.. I'll start plans from home.

Stay cool!

these feet were made for walking

today was 7 miles... yesterday 6. the rest of the week 4 a day.

I've spent far too much time at school and there's no end in sight. So much for summer break.

Phils...well we won't go there.

I've decided on attached I cord for the lizard ridge. I've rounded one corner and nearing a second.

Occasional spinning outdoors.

Kids to swim lessons.

kind of boring, no?

Oh I can add this:

Pattern: Clapotis by Kate Gilbert
Yarn: Knitting Fever King Tut
Color: Green
Needle: US9
Recipient: SIL

wasn't there, but.....

the phillies game had a rain delay yesterday



The guy who made this video found the perfect match of soundtrack for it! What a great job he did.

Me, I'm walking up a storm.... avg a bit over 4 miles a day. Yesterday was 6, today was just shy of 5.

Between that and getting my head in the junior high game, playing with family and knitting one or two stitches, my summer is occupied.

pie, anyone?

I wanted to make something special for DH for father's day. So I thought oooo a key lime pie. He'd love that. So I did... those little limes are such a pain to squeeze... there must be some kitchen tool that does the job... so the entire bag later plus the juice from squeezing 1.5 regular limes and voila:

A slight diversion of Emeril's key lime pie. His topping calls for sour cream with a pinch of sugar mixed in.. which I'm sure would be fab but I had 6 egg whites to use up from making tiramisu last week, so merengue topping won out. If you read the comments on the recipe page.... it really is VERY good. DH was in heaven. Next time I try the sour cream topping... and I'll find something to squeeze those little limes before then too ;-)

happy father's day

Missing my dad, appreciating the father of my own children!

well it's official

i've been moved to the junior high...
i'm speechless
i got a letter in the mail. no phone call to let me know. DH read it to me as i prepared the potato salad.

i have my summer work planned for me...............



DS birthday is today. We had about 24 people over for a party.

nature's lace

The blocks on LR are together.. now to seam the columns and learn to crochet!

Clapotis is coming along nicely. Although I was knitting last night while watching a streaming school board meeting on the internet (a 4 hour very heated meeting) and forgot to drop in the repeat... went on another 14 rows before I noticed... so in went the lifeline and back I ripped... it's ok... no worries, it's summer!

The kids started swim lessons yesterday. So I get some sun while they swim.

This morning I walked 4 miles with a buddy. We left at 6AM... felt great. Gonna make it a daily activity. That's the time I can escape the house without anyone caring.

Tonight, my own district's board meeting (as in employer). Hot topic...uniforms. I could care either way but some folks have some very strong opinions against it. Personally, I think if they can't enforce the guidelines they have now, they're mistaken that a uniform code will make a difference... those who want to dress inappropriately will find a way no matter what....

summer, ah!

We're all off from school now. Swim lessons start tmrw. Kids finished Friday. I was done Tuesday. I'm forgetting all about the place. I still have no clue where I'll be come Aug 24 so I really am not going to waste any of my summer planning... phhhhhhhhhhhbbbbbbt!






I've been spinning up a storm... did some sheep and cheingora, reclaiming wool from sweaters, knitting and trying to finish off a project or two. This is the latest accomplishment. All the lizard ridge squares are now blocked and I've begun to sew them into strips.. I hope to have the blanket assembled by next week, so I can work on the border. If it's complete in time, I *may* enter it in the Allentown fair... we'll see.

I've started a clapotis for an unnamed recipient.

And we had guests for dinner last night. I made this yummo Rachel Ray recipe with lemon pesto on penne with asparagus, zuchinni and french green beans. Very fresh and summery. Finished the meal with homemade tiramisu. There were other yummies to munch on as well, but you get the drift! I sent the lady of the evening home with my cloth experiment:


Yarn: Elmore Pisgah cotton
Color: Potpourri
Pattern: my own unvention
Needle: US7
Recipient: Boksans

Here's the pattern as I remember:
CO 45
K 1 row
k2, [knit 3 pass first knit stitch over other 2, YO] repeat to last stitch K1
purl
k1 [knit 3 pass first knit stitch over other 2, YO] repeat to last stitch K2
purl
bind off when length desired is reached.
Not terribly exciting
Use it if you'd like for whatever but please don't call it your own. You can link back here although I'm sure I didn't make up the stitch myself... It's unvented

how we spent memorial day

Guess what we did as a family? Or better yet what IS this picture?

Give up?? Here's the rest of the animal.

We had a great day. I knit a little. Especially while waiting to go up on the zoo balloon. Yes, we've been members for years and it is never working when we go. So today, it was. We stood in line for 40 minutes... only to have them tell us when we were once ride away, they were closing the ride because of the wind. ARGH! Oh well... maybe next time.

Here are some more pictures from the zoo that I uploaded to facebook.

It was a great weekend. The end of school is near and my grades are done! 5 student days 2 of which are half days (not that it matters, I teach 4 classes instead of 5 on those days) but I am SO looking forward to summer. Have heard nothing regarding the plan for the music dept. not that it surprises me.

The clematis in the back yard (actually it's the neighbors but grew through the fence) It's spent now as are the orchids but the roses are out. We planted some flowers, herbs and veggies this weekend.

I was spinning this weekend too... and my two forefingers are killing me... i wonder if it's related. I mean doing simple things like opening my wallet hurts so much.... I'll spin with my middle fingers from now on.

phillies

11 years have made DH and I think too much alike. This morning, i was gifted for our wedding anniversary with a Phillies cap and sweatshirt, Polanco t-shirt and tickets for us for tonights game!

Part of his gift, a Phillies hat and t-shirt... I contemplated tickets for tonights game, but didn't have the time to get it all together with a sitter....

What a guy!

My last concert for school was last night... 3 concerts in 9 days... WHEW.. I'm so glad it's over even though they're fun while they're happening... it's a TON of preparation work that has nothing to do with music. The music preparation is enough in and of itself.

Now to finish out the year... and wouldn't it be nice if I knew what was happening with me and work next year???

maybe I can resume knitting now!

happy mother's day

wish I had more to say. I am totally SWAMPED with work.. no time to blog, knit or sleep.

hearty wishes

will be given to the happy couple at the shower, April 24th.

Pattern: 2 Heats as 1 by Cathy Waldie
Yarn: Sugar and Cream
Color: White
Needle: US3
Recipient: Heather

We were shopping with the kids yesterday and I saw this sign at Sears. Do you see the problem with it??? Needless to say, I didn't take advantage of the sale.


Picked up 3 silk ties at the thrift store to try the egg dyeing again. DH claimed the one from the MOMA so it's hanging in his closet now.

love, love, love

all you need is love

Pattern: Love by Rachel van Schie
Yarn: Circulo Yarns
Color: red
Needle: US3
Recipient: Heather

I used small needles so the design would pop. This will go along with the red and white ball bands. I'd love to do a checkerboard one.. I wonder fi I could figure that out.. maybe double knit potholder.. hmmmmmm

PSSAs started today at school. Had 19 knitters to teach... ouch... and it was over 90 degrees today with no A/C at the school or in my van either for that matter.

Sitting watching the Phils; love those boys!

a different celebration

for us this year. Kids up before 6AM.... got baskets... piled in car....off to church. 90 minutes later,....drop DH off..... take kids to starbucks for breakfast....go to mom's...visit....pick her up .....all pile back to car.... church....rehearse... service.... Easter dinner at Carlucci's with kids, DH, mother, brother, nephew and brother's MIL....head back home..... chill for 30 min... hide eggs in yard... kids hunt (takes all of 5 min)..... make dinner....watch newsies... sleep!

Oh and I got to knit while in the car. Finished this:

Baby Hoodie by Hannah Garcia
Yarn: Grace by Paton's
Color: Spearmint
Needle: US6 (kind of...)
Recipient: baby William Bott
Mods: left off front pocket, changed construction of hood.

Now to pack it up and mail it off... so he can wear it at least once before he outgrows it!

Must. do. school. grades.

happy easter

The bunny was a very busy girl today. Went shopping for baskets... not candy, but some last minute goodies, like bike helmets a movie, etc. Stopped at the thrift shop to donate a large bag and went in and came out with a large bag... hahaha cashmere sweaters, wool sweaters to felt for a Christmas gift project, a pizza stone, pants for DS2, a movie for DS1 and a silk tie.

I wanted to try my hand at literally tie dyeing eggs... It wasn't too successful... I'm not giving up though!

Speaking of dyeing... this week I dyed some handspun in colors that remind me of tulips...The green is the leaves and stems and well the rest is the flower itself.

My SIL was admitted to the hospital today with double pneumonia. We usually have Easter at their house, but I knew she wasn't feeling well so had thought we'd stay home and I'd do the dinner thing here for the family. My other SIL is sick as well, so I wanted to make sure that mom had someone to celebrate with. We're all heading down very early in the AM and bringing her to church with us then going out for lunch. Fortunately, I was able to get reservations for us at a favorite Italian restaurant between church and her 'village' and not far from the hospital that my SIL is in. So I convinced my brother and nephew to join us, since they still need to eat! DS1 will be just as happy not to see his dog cousin!

The hoodie is almost finished.. making the hood now... I think I realized a kind of major error, but it looks ok... so I'll let it slide. IF I ever make this pattern again, I'll be using the yarn it calls for... just didn't have it in boy colors and I want to knit from stash this year only (if at all possible)

At any rate, enjoy your holiday... It's my favorite one of all (actually my favorite church service was Friday... something about that tenebrae service really hits me.)

yikes

I think it's been 10 months since I've been sick... I remember now I hate it. I broke down and took the day off from work today. Slept in and have been dozing off and on the rest of the time. The low-grade fever is finally gone after 5 days and now it feels like a croupy cold..blech.

On the knitting front, I finished a second cloth for my exchange on Saturday
Pattern: Springing up Flowers by Kris
I think you can find it on ravelry too
Yarn: Peaches and Cream
Color: mint green
Needle: US3
Recipient: it's a secret

My 1st cousin once removed just had a baby boy.. what should I make??

Still working on wedding shower gifts too. Saturday, I'm actually singing! Helping with a Good Friday recording. Hope the voice is back to 100% by then.

wearin' the green

Pattern: A little Lace kitchen cloth by Carol Bristol
Yarn: Peaches and Cream
Color: lemon/lime
Needle: US7
Recipient: a secret

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

searching

for photos from the zoo for DD's Pennsylvania alphabet book on my external hard drive, and I came across these photos.














I remember taking this series. DS2 woke up very early one morning and to prevent him from waking everyone, we went down to the beach to watch the sun rise.



Such a peaceful start to the day. Makes me long for summer and the beach.

tulips

are a girl's best friend...
Thought I'd show you mine. I really love the color. Perfect pick me up from a sweetheart











Including a couple of better pictures of the cloths... these are taken with a real camera.

shower time

and I'm not referring to the weather... although that would be true as well.
I have 2 cloths finished for a bridal shower I'm attending in April



Ball Band warshcloths from the Mason Dixon Knitting book
Yarn: Lily's sugar and Cream
Colors: Red and White
Recipient: Heather H
Needle: US7 They're old metal one I bought at a flea mkt.. I love them, they're perfect for making cloths!
More to come


sorry about the lousy pictures.. when I finish all that I'm planning on making for her I'll take some pretty pics. No energy for that right now.

This week at school was one of the worst I can remember and NOT from the students. DH brought me lovely orange tulips on Friday to cheer me up a bit. And we watched a flick together Friday night and took the kids to see Alice in Wonderland in 3D.. I'm not sure the 3D was worth the extra $4/ticket. In fact, I know it wasn't. The best part was the blue morph butterfly att eh end... that was the kin of 3D you can get used to... and the rest... well I won't be buying a 3D version of it when it comes out.. but I will get the blu-ray cuz the movie itelf was really wonderful.

It's late, I'm tired... happy new time!

last block

complete

color 164E

Now to block and sew... (my least favorite part!)
and search the stash for the edging :)

time

is $ so this hat is winding up to be an expense

I frogged it down to the band... decided to put in the blue as duplicate stitch (no I had never done that before)
Reworked the top into 6 sections instead of 4
Started duplicate stitch... takes me longer than intarsia.
So far.....



guess it'll be ok when the other trees and reindeer are complete but wow.. talk about eating up time!

Finished another lizard ridge block. Sorry it's sideways. And made from scraps of leftovers from other blocks

I have to count but I think this is 30 which would make the blanket 6'x 5'. Time to block and sew me thinks!

eta: nope #29... so I'm knitting #30 now

didn't finish

this hat in time
But it's on it's way. I'm reworking the top to be in 6 sections rather than 4... I'm kind of bummed that the blue carry shows through the white... I think I prefer the ones that people duplicate stitched the reindeer on. (next hat)

This is my first foray into intarsia...and I'm pretty happy.