Five months later - they found her knitting.

Yes, it's been roughly five months since my last post. But, since it's mostly just me hanging out here, all I can do is give myself a strong talking to. And then promise myself to not do it again.

Since last April, I've been having fun running in local races.

We'll run anywhere for a brat and a beer!

Traveling for happy occasions . . .

She graduated!

and sad ones. 

My lovely dad died in June.

Cleaning up around here . . .

so I have room for new gear.

Yep, that's me.

Learning to skate has been a total eye opener for me!

More traveling - this time for fun and relaxation.

Beautiful sunset on Lake Chautauqua.

The Minnesota State Fair is not complete without a pickle hat.

And, of course, knitting.

A Color Affection Shawl.

A Playdate baby cardigan.

A Sagano Shawl.

But, still no purple sweater for Boy X! And I don't think he wants the cardigan, the shawl or the other (prayer shawl) on my needles, either. Oh, well, Maybe for Christmas. 

A little bit of winter

. . .  made me a little bit behind on the posting front!  If it's winter in Minnesota, it's hockey season. And that means I'm spending the weekend watching this kind of scene - penning and unpenning the youth of America.

Whose letting these dogs out?

Otherwise known as a hockey tournament. We're on our third game of the weekend right now and that usually means a lot of knitting for me. Unfortunately, I brought along my Owl Mittens by SpillyJaneKnits from my library.  A lovely pattern that I've had in my library for over a year. A pattern that I forgot to enlarge. 

Oh, my aching eyes! I'm just not able to knit in the stands.

I have been able to knit in my hotel room, however. I'm using a larger yarn than the pattern calls for - the Stone and Pepper Nature Spun color ways - and watching a few Japanese television dramas to kill the time between games. This one?  Atashinchi no Danshi - a crazy "anime style" drama about what it means to be a family. English sub titles, of course, but still quite fun. 

One more game tonight and then playoffs tomorrow! Onward!

Another road

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I —I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

- The Road Not Taken, Robert Frost

Can you sense me slowing down? Coming to a critical juncture?  Deciding what step to take next? 

For me, November is a month that represents just those feelings. Where do I go next? So many activities to chose from . . .

It's NaNoWriMo - National Novel Writing Month, so I'm writing as much as I can. When I can. And let me tell you, I'm not on the downward slope yet.

It's the pre-Christmas rush. Like most knitters, I have some holiday knitting to finish up. Actually, I'd need to start it first.

It's the start of hockey season for Youngest Child - lots of hoiking gear from house to car to rink, etc. This isn't as much fun as you might expect.

I'm doing a Knit-a-long - the 2 Knit Lit Chicks gradient shawl Knit-a-long. Goodness knows why but I'm inching my way to the bind off. I'm thinking this shawl might make a two-fer as a holiday knitting project.

And there is that *&%$#@ blue sweater hanging over everything. I can only knit on it when Oldest Daughter is around to try it on. Those sleeves are killing me!

But there is the bright side of November as well:

Yarn! 

I bought some Roubaix Wool sock yarn from Winterwind Farm in a lovely heather cream color - which I have now dyed purple for Youngest Child's second pair of requested socks. The boy's on a purple kick, what can I say?

Soap!

I've been experimenting with using herbs from my garden in home made glycerin-based soap. So far, I've produced a lovely fresh Lemon Basil soap.

Marmelade!

 I am a big fan of using things up and when I discovered the bag of oranges I'd bought was none too sweet, I used them to make marmalade. Yum! (And please, please set up!)

Quilts!

 I've been hacking along on my Craftsy.com Quilt Block of the Month project and I'm practically done. The last two in fact, are on my cutting table right now. 

Special Dates! 

Yes, November is my Blog-a-versery and my birthday month. Yes, this blog started way back on November 14, 2005. Some things never change - the first problem project profiled?

The first blue sweater for Oldest Daughter!

Happy November!

From zombies to college

Any week that starts with zombies might be a bad one - unless they are made from delicious cake!

It's been a busy week at Chez Daisy - and it all started with a lovely wedding and some tasty CAKE! I didn't get a piece of this one so I'm hoping they are using it for their anniversary cake.

Then, we moved onto hockey camp.

As I am not the one at camp - I thought I would get some time off. Actually, I've reffed more home patio hockey games this week than I could have imagined. And what with moving all the patio furniture and actually making goals out of drying racks and towels - I think I've done mothers everywhere proud!

Any of my own free time has been sucked into participating in the Tour de Fleece - and you know, my rear end really appreciates a well padded bike short right now. Those spinning stools just aren't as  comfortable as they could be.

But the results are coming along and I am dreaming of what I'll be knitting this fall out of the Mystery Shetland Fiber.

Youngest Daughter will going off to college in August - so there also has been a lot of college themed clothes shopping going on. It almost makes me long for the days of high school uniforms . . .

Busy, busy, busy . . . ah, summer!

Freezing cold but we're still here!

Oh, I'm still here alright! Still knitting - although on another pair of mittens by now - and still waiting out winter.

Although I meant to make the Ruth's Mittens from Norwegian Handknits: Heirloom Designs from Vesterheim Museum but I seem to have mislaid my copy of the book. This is driving me crazy! So I switched back to my old standby - Family Mittens from Homespun and Handknit.

Since then, I've started a pair of Quo Vadis mittens from Spillyjane Knits. I'm trying to knit multicolor mittens to match a scarf I wear with my new black puffy winter coat. I need more color to get through this winter!

This week's Saturday Seven was pretty simple - cleaning out a few cupboard brought out mugs, sweaters and a puzzle. Bye, bye clutter!

More outdoor hockey this week - here's hoping our sore throats all go away!

Let's go Gold!

What is a picture worth?

Thanksgiving has come and gone. 

There were relatives . . . 

pies . . .

eating . . .

Saturday Sevens . . . 

Knitting of Pop Up Paws (otherwise known as Flip Top Mittens), 

open . . . *

shut . . .*

And, starting today, hockey!

Naps will be taken!

* Repeat.

Hitting the Wisconsin road again!

Overheard in my kitchen -

"So, baby, let me tell you about my last goal . . ."
"Is that the one where you poked your own goalie in the eye?"

Let's Play Hockey!

Today is the Minnesota Wild's home opener against the Boston Bruins! Here's hoping Josh Harding's eye is all better . . .

I'm hitting the road again today with the Monday Night Book Club. We're off to Wisconsin and I'm only stopping by to blog for just a minute.




Middle Daughter cleaned her room and I found the Saturday Seven waiting for me. She does pick up the most eclectic sort of books!

For all those hockey moms (known and unknown)

Oldest Daughter doesn't play hockey anymore (the plate from her broken leg makes the skate boot uncomfortable), so I'm out of the category but we still have hopes for Youngest Child. Enjoy another Friday Film!