SHORTROW

Fall Planting

2011-08-10T20:31:00.001-05:00

While it's not fall yet in Tacoma it is time to start thinking about it. I wanted to some cool weather plants started to give them ahead start. We need all the help we can get around these parts. Also I had this pesky box from my CSA laying around that I did want to just break down.

How to turn a box into a greenhouse for planting seeds:

Gather the parts. Box, plastic bag, seeds and egg cartons. I cut the flaps off mine.

Fill up your cartons with dirt and moisten it so the seeds have a nice place to start out.

Press the little seeds into the soft dirt and arrange the egg cartons in the box.

Cover up with your garbage bag. Now place in a sunny spot. Water when needed. If you use a waxed box you can add a little water straight into the box. Just sit back and wait for little plants.

New Toys

2011-08-07T14:10:00.001-05:00

Frankie inspects talks to the computer "for me, right?"

I broke, and got an iPad. It's crazy!!! I'm looking forward to some great apps, like this one which allows for better blog posts!

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T16:29:00.001-05:00

Pumpkin Pile (Vertorama), originally uploaded by Panorama Paul.

Moving on up...

2009-06-06T11:05:00.002-05:00

to the new blog..... It's all the same stuff just a new look and a new name but imported all the old posts, www.eclaireis.blogspot.com.
see you there!

HOME

2009-05-27T06:55:00.001-05:00

Home and hanging in there. I'm going okay but rather sleepy. I have about 270 pictures from the trip, so I'm going to use this to say... NEW BLOG TIME! I love blogger but my new blog is very cool, links soon!

London Bound

2009-05-17T18:00:00.005-05:00

So Hub and I are London bound this weekend, for just the weekend. I know this is silly but its our starter Europe trip. We didn't want to commit to a huge trip until we got the feel of things. Maybe europe won't agree with us (HA, yeah right) but we figured we'd feel things out first. We've got a bunch planned so far, the museum, a concert (oh that's Eric Clapton), and my person favorite a big trip to iKnit London. After hours pouring over the tube maps and the interactive map of london I managed to plan most of our trip via the underground, and scout out some super yummy noms. The big thing, knitting. All that time just sitting. It's a long flight people, nine hours!

Granted I'm going to sleep mostly there and I'm not afraid of a little niquil either, but the way back is a day flight and I'm going to have to find a way to keep busy. Now I can't get a straight answer about knitting needles on flights leaving Hethrow. They're web site says nothing about, no sharpish pointish sticks with yarn on them but I've heard from some people that they're banded. Alas what's a girl to do. In come the socks. Almost to the heel they can be knitting and finished on the "over there" flight. Then I'll start a whole new project on the flight back. The needles detached from the cord and stored with the pens in my messager bag, the cord wrapped up in my knit-kit. A big ball of yarn and a pattern all ready for the 9 and half hour haul back to the states. We'll see how things go.

BTW: Have you seen this thing about Cheesu, the cheeto that looks like Jesus! Its almost as good as the Nun Bun. Oh and this little guy was hanging on my window screen for about a half an hour.

BREAD!

2009-05-10T20:09:00.006-05:00

So after knit night on wednesday, I picked up a book that I've been oogling for some time now. I just couldn't wait anymore, since Hub was going through two loafs of bread a week.
I was busy for most of the rest of the week, between big birthday parties and my neighbor graduating from college!!! Which mind you is super cool. It was Saturday morning before I could get started on the bread.

It's not a starter or a sourdough, it a super wet dough that you just take hunks off of when you want to make some bread. If you've read Kitchen Confidential, then you'll understand why I'm calling it "the bitch".

My first attempt looked promising....
But it turned out looking like an alien loaf!
Alien loaf or not it was super yummy,
Then the second loaf was picture perfect!
I've already used up the first batch, bought a better bucket for the bitch and have tried another kind of bread. It grows on you!

Man-esia

2009-05-09T10:58:00.002-05:00

So the other night while Hub and I were getting ready for bed (we've been watching the first two season of "How I met your mother" for the last month or so) I asked him about when he was going to clean up the stuff that litters his side of the bed. He looked at me with that "HUH?" look. "BUT, its a low wide shelf!" "NO, it's the floor". Just a few days before, the last of his month-o-vacation, I had assigned two things. The light in the bathroom which has been broken since we bought the house, and to clean up the million and a half books on his night stand. Well both are still not done, but he just forgot. The diagnosis for this just up and plum forgetting, a serious case of manesia. Symptoms include, complete and udder forgetfulness of things which were complete important to you, forgetting of dates, why things happened, why things need to happen, forgetting to tell someone else something important, where things where put, what time something is going to happen at, with whom these things are going to happen with, whether or not it's clean or dirty, forgetting to remove wet things from a dry place. These are just a short list of symptoms of Manesia and they vary from man to man. For some a simple list with important tasks helps, other need electro shock therapy to help them remember. It's un curable but treatment does help. It is not contagious to females but when two or more men are within a six foot radius of each other they're individual forms of manesia converge into one, and as a group things like time and bodily functions are forgotten. Just continue to monitor them so that breathing continues and that they don't loose any eyebrows.

New Computer

2009-05-05T18:01:00.002-05:00

Well it's here and it's great!

I'll be back

2009-05-04T06:46:00.001-05:00

I promise, I've got tons of pictures to share, projects and what not. The new computer is on the way my hard drive will be open!

End To End

2009-03-29T15:39:00.003-05:00

Pattern: Marialis End-to-End Scarf
Needles: US 3 options fixed
Yarn: Sundara Sock Yarn, Deadly Nightshade
Made For: ME!
Started: Jan 1st
Finished: Feb 25th

When I got this yarn in the mail I just couldn't bring myself to make socks out of it. The lovely way the color changes and that oh so perfect twist.

So far it has become one of my most favorite scarves even if it did feel like took a life time to knit.

Tasty..

2009-03-28T23:11:00.002-05:00

I love Orangina, but I never drink it. It's for a few reasons. Mainly because it's hard to find in C-ville but also because it very sugary. I know I've kinda forgotten about my blog, but my hardrive is 'bout full and I can't risk adding more pic until I can move some stuff around. In April I should be getting a new computer, all new bits and pieces. Spot the Younger has been with me for 4 years and its about time to replace the little bugger. I've got it all picked out just gotta wait a few more weeks. So I talked to a friend whom I haven't heard from in like 4 years. Lots has changed in those four years since I got this thing. Like he's married and has a kid, crazy. He's going over seas in a few monthes really for the first time, we're just finishing our second full deployment. Hopefully we'll get out to see them sometime before he heads out. I don't really know where time goes sometime.

BTW: We BBQ'd tonight and made cedar smoked Salmon and some grilled Sea Bass. Also I whipped up some white truffle mac and cheese to go with. Yum YUM. I really have been knitting too I promise!

Just A Taste

2009-02-08T12:22:00.002-06:00

All the regions have their special season. In the Northwest it's our late summers which cross into fall The days are as long and warm as they are going to get, and breeze off the sound is cool. By the time baseball calls it quits we're thrown into the short rainy days again. After four years I have come to love and long for a Tennessee spring. After an all but to short fall, we have winter with the ever changing cold to mild weather. Today the mini cooper told me it was 66 degrees! The wind is mild, the sun shining and the need for spring is very deep.

I picked these flowers up almost two weeks ago, during the snow storm. I had driven the Hub down to Nashville for his flight back to the 'stan in the snow. I wanted to do some grocery shopping while I was down there, so I went to my favorite place.... Trader Joes! They had loads of lovely flowers all waiting to go home.

I've been working away on my End to End scarf in Sundara Sock deadly nightshade,

I love knitting this pattern almost as much as I love this yarn.

Before Christmas I spent some time with my sewing machine and made this little box bag

If you'd like to make one of your own check out this Tutorial at Drago[knit]fly.

Oh and one more picture....

That's what I look like with straight hair!

Hit the Ground Running

2009-01-28T14:03:00.002-06:00

So I'm back from my vacation from the rest of the world. It was great. It started with a surprise early flight that got the hub into Nashville at 10 am rather than 5pm. There was a trip to seattle that included a dog bite and some oysters. Two BBQ's, indian food, a 1 TB drive, and the admission that I should be able to have a dog. We gained a tread mill too. It all ended with a drive in the snow to Nashville and a trip to Trader Joes for me. The Hub has just under 45 days left to go before I get him back for good and rather than contemplate the nature of snow and slippers I can just get him to take the trash out for me.
Hub was luck enough to catch the first flight out of Atlanta and made it to Nashville a whole day early. This was nice and not so nice because I had drive to work and wasn't even inside the door when he called to tell me. Mind you I just could run out the door and start to Nashvegas I had to change, really I was wearing a sweater, jeans and pair of hiking boots. We BBQ'ed that weekend and then went to the Acorn with Evan and Amanda. Took off for Seattle on Thursday wear we enjoyed a really great dinner at Salty's on Alki. The in-laws made us want to jump out the window and their super food posessive dog bit my food for trying to move him while I cleared the table. For the next few days all Hub could say was, grrrrrr. I've managed to be sick for almost two weeks, since I have a new germ in the house. Personally I think I have a sinus infection but going to the doctor is a real case of last resort.

This Just In......

2009-01-11T18:23:00.002-06:00

I'm interrupting my regularly scheduled life to take 18 days off from everything! The hub is in this time zone, this country, this indoor plumbing, beer drinking, real clothes wearing world again. Though only for a short time. We will be in Seattle for a few days and the rest of the time we're here.

A Very Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T08:16:00.002-06:00

Randolph The Butt-Nosed Reindeer and I would like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas!

Pay it forward

2008-12-16T21:55:00.003-06:00

Alissa recently asked everyone to pay it forward. Please do this people. Please go out and help people that may not even look like they need help. The simplest thing means more than you can even understand.

Deck the Halls

2008-12-14T19:36:00.006-06:00

So I'm not really decking the halls these day, not the upstairs one or the basement hall. I've been stupid busy at work and at home with the up coming holidays. Last weekend I put up the plastic tree and all the various christmas stuff. All week long I've typed, knitted and puttered along.

PATTERN: A Stork's Nest Scarf by Nancy Bush From Jan/Feb Piecework
START: Oh you don't want to know
FINISH: DEC. 7, 2008
YARN: Knitpicks Showdow Vineyard
FOR: ME!

I loved knitting this scarf. The pattern repeats three times then shifts. Its soooo easy to memorize and can actually be worked while you're at work. The yarn is warm and squishy. I would like to have some blocking wires to help get the pattern to show better.

After spending the week in Florida, ugh, my neighbor brought me back a gift. It was kinda a Homer Simpson gift. FISH. A giant bag of Grouper, with the stipulation that I cook for the weekly get-together.

A thick layer of sweet onions then lay the fish over it. Slather the fish in an equal mix of mayo and mustard. Lots of salt and pepper, more onions, think sliced lemon and parsley. All wrapped up in foil and baked at 350 until it was flaky. mmm de-lish.

My co-workers boys have been rounding up the eggs and selling them for $2.oo a dozen....

Toast and eggie!

Making the taste buds happy

2008-12-05T20:21:00.002-06:00

The other day I got a random email from a friend I had not seen in about 2 years. It seems to happen like this for me, people I know and rarely see pop out of the wood work. Case in point, thanxgiving. Well its been a while since I saw this person so of course I'll drop everything, which really wasn't anything, to drive to Nashville on a weeknight for dinner. Kevin (we sorta went to high school together, and he was kinda in my wedding) was done with work early and called his girlfriend, "I think I'll drive up to Clarksville, and we'll have dinner there." he says, she asks "where does Claire want to go to dinner." "some place called Margot" "STAY IN NASHVILLE!". Yes Kevin, keep her she's a wise women. I really did wanted to see Kevin, but given the chance to have dinner at Margot, that was really what I wanted to do. I had the tri-tip with an onion bread pudding and Kev had the Spegetti and meatballs. We ended the night with heavenly hot chocolate topped with homemade mashmellows. It was worth the 140 miles of driving I did in one day, but this is how we operate. Kevin once drove from Atlanta and back in one day just to have dinner and ice cream with us.

In knitting news the Storks Nest Scarf is off the needles and the 'lil clap is moving right along. I've ordered some "snowman fixin' " to make the little felted fellows from KnitPicks for a co-worker who is a self proclaimed "snowman ho". I hope that they arrive soon.

Turkey Overload

2008-11-30T09:45:00.003-06:00

Very Happy Belated Turkey Day! We had a great turkey weekend here, despite being one short. This is the Hub's favorite holiday (its a toss up with Fourth of July but that's because we can blow stuff up if you could some how get turkeys to go BOOM at the end of the night than T-day would be the hands down holiday winner) and this is first actual missed one. He's been super lucky to deploy minutes after and arrive seconds before the big day in the past but he missed this one. We had not plans to fly home or anything but I conned some friends in to visiting instead. Both Ian and Josh flew in as planned! It was like a little college reunion. We all picked up were we left off. For Food we trucked across the street with fried turkey, stuffing and yummy acorn squash in tow to the biggest thanksgiving blow out party I've ever seen. Two turkeys, and about 9 pies. The food was great, the weather not too bad and the fun was through the roof. Even my new knitting friend Peggy made a guest appearance. Now the boys are back on planes back the their posts and I have more messes to clean up than I though. I keep avoiding them too.

Nice Job Clarksville

2008-11-24T18:01:00.002-06:00

So the leads on the Mini Cooper's battery come off from time to time. This happened when I replaced the battery and its the right battery but not the outrageously expensive BMW battery. Thus it doesn't quite fit. Well long story short there I was.... (up to my waist in mud, oh wait thats not my story) its dark and really really cold in the middle of a crowded parking lot. DB's battery goes, pffft and I gotta get out pop the hood and get the leads to re-connect. NO ONE, not a one, Not one freshly returned solider, not one crusty old man, not one stupid fuzzy boot wearing girl, asked if I needed help. HOLY SHIT PEOPLE. Where is our sense of humanity. I had no problem fixing it my self but damn, what if I couldn't fix it, what if was super preggers, what if, what if, what if!!!! Nice Job stupid Clarksville.

Burrrrrr

2008-11-21T06:40:00.004-06:00

Its 26 degrees out side this morning.....

I broke out my new winter coat, which I'm very happy with. I can't live without a wool coat, its a thing left over from college and the constant threat of snow.
To go with the new coat I've been on a bit of a scarf kick. The Storks Nest scarf is growing. The repeat is easy to remember and is turning into a great at work knit (as I am typing this my neighbors ill behaved and extremely stupid lab is barking non-stop and setting my teeth on edge).
Working on a second less large Clapotis for wear with the winter coat too, since the collar is very high scarfs can't have as much bulk.

In other very exciting news our friend Ian is currently making plans to visit for thanxgiving, and Joshie (oh I'm sorry I just can't help calling him that) has already bought tickets. All told between four households there is going to be some 20 plus people this thanxgiving! Two turkeys!

Yarn Content To Return Shortly

2008-11-14T06:47:00.002-06:00

But For now enjoy these super-nifty needles that we saw at the Fiber Fair in October, I was very close to taking them home.

Remember

2008-11-10T18:52:00.002-06:00

My Vetrans

2008-11-10T08:00:00.004-06:00

This week we celebrate Veteran's Day in the states and Remembrance Day for our northern neighbors. I have quite of few veterans to celebrate this Tuesday. Starting with both my grandfathers, Navy, My grandfather-in-law, Army and Coast Guard, and my great-uncle, Air Force. Years ago it was me who planned to be in the military. I wanted to fly helicopters for the Coast Guard, but when my eyes got too bad that idea passed by. Then I met Ross, who has known since he was a child that he was going to join the military. It's been a long journey for Ross. He dreamed of being a pilot but the Air Force was not for him and he became an Army Cadet our Junior year of college. He never looked back. The Army has taken us all over the country. We've met all kinds of people and I've been trilled to meet them all. My veterans list is long and happy. Mike, our friend from high school and college who now lives here in C-ville with us, a pilot who always works too hard. Josh, our faithful friend and best man at our wedding, who rocks FA. Ian, a college buddy who can be mistaken for Ross' little brother, who has made SF his goal. Liz, the toughest girl I know with at least three tours under her belt assigned to the SF who just took on the biggest challenge of her life, motherhood. Kristie, my co-worker and what every army girl should be. Tom, my neighbor and the big brother I never had, a soldiers soldier who never forgets what he's fighting for. Eric, my neighbor who could make more money on the outside word but came to America at 7 and only wanted to serve his new country. Evan, a former SF medic turned photographer who's exuberance is infectious.
These are just s few of my veterans. Their stories and experiences are part of the American fabric. These are the people in my life.

Veteran's Day Parade

2008-11-09T11:36:00.003-06:00

Clarksville, is well a military town. It is, or more so, was a major shipping city since it sits on the mighty (stinky) Cumberland River. Now that is so very close to the army post, the main source of income is well, soldiers. Being that I had a friend in the parade I was sorta required to go. I was thrilled to find that the parade was great. Full of high school bands, JROTC teams, and lots of kids with flags. I snapped just a few pictures, some 149.

JROTC

5th Group!

The great state of Washington

Eye-Candy Friday

2008-11-07T17:31:00.002-06:00

Well at least thats over with now...

2008-11-05T17:34:00.003-06:00

Ahhhh, I can't say I'm thrilled but at least its over with now. I can't say that I'm angry or upset either. I feel kinda funny all over like something would be different about the world when I woke up, no nothing. I crossed my lawn and pulled my yard sign up and that was that. The very first time John McCain ran I was in high school and I trucked all over the state (oops, sorry Ross, THE GREAT STATE OF) of Washington, to see him speak. In the end he didn't get the nomination and I was left with the legacy of being called "CLAIRE MCCAIN". My maiden name is McCann, thats 2 C's, 1 A and TWO count them TWO N's. NO I people. It never failed that someone would say "MCCAIN". In fact the hubby said something to the effect of you "mccain women" are all the same, meaning mccann but slipping up. I got to cast my vote for one of my personal hero's last week (I love early voting) and it has been a great thing but now its time to make history. Its time for things to "change" and things to happen. The only thing I can say is, do it right. Don't make my husband, and my friends return to the middle east in 10 years because you fucked this thing up. Don't make promises that you can't fulfill and disenchant the young wide eyed voters who have put their faith in you. Do this soooo very right that you make us all, the red's and the blues, feel proud to have you as our president. Oh and don't take away my Sig, I'll be really pissed if you try to do that.

Yarn Blow out

2008-10-26T13:44:00.002-05:00

This weekend was the annual fall Fiber Fair just outside of Nashville.

Lots of yarn, and lots of good food.

Weekend Craft Blow-out!

2008-10-07T18:52:00.003-05:00

This weekend was the crafty blow out weekend. I pulled out all the stops and got a bunch done. Knitting, no not so much, but crafty none the less.
I worked hard on Alissa's Halloween costume. Lots and lots of fabric, and lots and lots of skirt. I will not show the finished product. That's for Alissa to show. I spent lots of time cutting and sewing and piecing together.

I did get some yarn though. Three colors to make little crochet candy corns. They're very cute we had a test run at afternoon break. Trust me things like this can be done at afternoon break because they go fast and well we also, kinda, are a little slow getting back to work in the afternoon.

Between sewing I painted this weekend. I managed to finish some paintings to go into the bedroom.

I blocked Basic Black.

I also put a vanity together, from Target. It looks great and is super functional.

Thanx Evan

2008-09-28T20:44:00.002-05:00

Good-Bye Paul

2008-09-28T00:46:00.002-05:00

Since I was a child I've loved Paul Newmen. From Butch Casidy and the Sundance kid, to the Sting. But when I worked at the Health Food Store in Bellevue as a teen it was then I learned how special he was, all the money he and his daughter gave to charity through his product line. So today go out and buy something, cookies or chips and dip (the organic oreo's are great or the black bean dip) anything but go buy something in his memory. Good bye Paul Newmen.

I saw the silliest thing today

2008-09-21T18:39:00.003-05:00

While we were in Nash-vegas today tooling around the big-ass fancy mall I saw two of the silliest things I've laid eyes on in fashion in sometime. Both in the men's department at Macy's. They have these new more life like models like at Victoria's Secret, and there amid the men's overly priced jeans was a plastic guy with a half sleeve tattoo! WTF! The best part was that to get him in to his lounging possition they had to turn his wrist and it messed up the tattoo. Oh and one of these plastic dudes also had what I could only describe as dreds but they looked more cat sucked then anything. The other strangeness was a lovely pair of dress pants with phesents all over them. Little flying, walking, rousting upland game birds all over your ass! Nothing says I have too much money like fowl on your rump.

New Converts and New Projects

2008-09-20T08:11:00.003-05:00

Normally at work I knit. Knit at morning break, lunch, afternoon break, the sheer boredom of the new pay chart has kicked in and the once thrilling buzz of a busy fall turns into us out in fields shoot cows just so we can have something to do (ok this would never happen. Only cows that die of unknown causes come to see us and because we love animals that's why we are underpaid and treated like cow pies). All this knitting has going some of my scrap-booking co-workers to at least be more interested in the dark side than before. One friend went online and printed some directs then came to work holding up what looked a little like a cat sucked blue hair ball. The cat had gotten a hold of the ball of yarn, but attached to the hair ball was a wee little knitted square! So the BVC is starting to breed knitters and not just I have yarn show me how to make this into something knitters, they are I can do this myself kind but what is gods name did I do here could you fix it please knitters.
I stuck my head into the lab one afternoon, while I was busy out and about somewhere's else and waiting for me was our building's big guy in maintenece, fearing that one of my incubators had gone down or worse the air handler had shut off and I'd have to spent the rest of the afternoon in a 80 degree oven. Nope. The building is frightfully old and painted with a color most closely resembling fuzzy silly putty, hang on I'm getting somewhere, so they are repainting. They want a mural, and they want me to paint it. WOW! Um I'm kinda shocked and very flattered. Plus I'm helping Alissa make her Halloween costume. Right now I feel so very crafty, and needed.
Plus I've got some new projects to tackle in the not so distant future.
Yarn for the Hemlock Ring, It will be a little small.

Yarn for a baby sweater.

Yarn to make a Sheldon, which I started and about took an eye out with my DP's so I will come back to the little guy one day after I get better with those silly things.

When do people grow up?

2008-09-17T06:49:00.002-05:00

We all say, "when I grow up." as little kidos. That we might be something, or do something or just get to sit on our butts while watching TV because we can. The funny thing is that it seems that fewer and fewer people are actually growing up. While they get bigger and get jobs they still act like sullen twit children when told they have "to do" something. They get pissy, they get rude and do silly immature things. Take a co-workers half-ass comment, as we were leaving work. LEAVING WORK, all day to say this, all day to just say, "hey why didn't this get done?" or all day to reflect on the fact that it totally her job too and she never once lifted a finger to work on it. "If someone had just done this in her down time it would have gotten done". You gotta say it all snarky in you're head too. You know that making microbiologist mad isn't really a top shelf idea. Whatever, is all I have to say. I admit I kinda dropped the ball, I kinda didn't tell anyone that I was working on the computer system at a snails pace but shit people it's not just my job its all y'alls. Plus I'm not a "senior lab tech" soooooo ergo NOT JUST MY JOB. So everyone out there today, take the high road, do something mature and good. Tell someone they look good, they did a good job and then get back to work. Then apply for a job at Books A Million!

Home Sweet Home

2008-09-09T22:54:00.002-05:00

Home! Seattle home is good, clarksville home.... the best since its my bed, my stuff and my house. Budgie lives here too and I miss the little guy. Got some good pictures, some good stuff (no yarn or fabric) and well some good treats for the neighbors. Gotta get up and go to work in the morning so I should call it a night.

Long weekend

2008-09-02T16:48:00.003-05:00

Ahhh I love a nice long weekend. I love them even more when they aren't because I took a day off. This means there isn't extra work for me to un-f@#k when I get back. I took full advantage of my extra off day by getting crafty. I'm stilling working hard on my Basic Black Sweater. I've finished the two fonts and the back. I will cast on for a sleeve tonight.
See I'm going to Seattle for a few days. I plan on eating and eating, and getting in some Seattle-y-ish-ness. Its a long flight so me and my iTouch are planning on a few things. The First season of Mad Men for one thing, at twenty bucks this is steal for some 13 hours of tv watching. Of course I will be knitting the whole time. Sleeves, just knitting sleeves. I didn't knit much over the long weekend but I did indulge my other crafty habits.

The Big Bag, with the trip coming oh so close I actually got cracking on this. I was a little put off by the instructions and the use of interfacing, but once I got started it went really fast.

Bad lightly I know, but it was like 10 at night.

I also got out the beads...

Made a few necklaces, which this one will be featured in The Big Seattle trip.

I promise to write while I'm in the emerald city (yes that's what its called) while drinking lots of good coffee, nibbling on fried clam strips and crab cakes. The D40 is going with, so lots of pictures! A little yarn, some fabric and seafood what more could a girl want for her 4 year anniversary. Oh that's right HER HUSBAND! Oh well the Hub should be in the states and in my possession for our 5 year!

No good reason.

2008-08-24T09:47:00.002-05:00

I admit it, I have had no good reason not to blog. No major events, no trips to Europe, no pressing projects that required every second of spare time I could find. Nope just me being lazy and one two hour phone after another. It seems like every night for the last 2 weeks and been me fielding calls or running around like a recently beheaded poultry. My eye appointment (which thankfully was a big NO CHANGE, because I have currently have 3 pairs of glasses and a pair of Rx sunglasses) took well over an hour. I had veg to round up since it was a veg thursday, and right as I undid my pants to finally change into some comfy clothes, PHONE! Turns out that some times its ok, since it was the Hub.
I have been knitting, still on the basic black and the storks nest lace. I've been cooking, mac and cheese for work, chicken for neighbors. I've been burning myself on the bbq and cutting fingers while making pasta salad. We hit Nashville yesterday for some new furniture and a little clothes shopping, funny how boys are worse then girls when they actually get into the shopping groove.
Besides all this silly stuff I also caught some pictures of the Humming Birds. I was super busy last week and didn't get to fill the feeder ONE DAY, just one. When I finally filled it up it didn't empty I found out why..

I have a watch-bird. He sits, he waits, he drinks, but don't try anything this feeder is only his.

MINE!

Sundays

2008-08-10T15:58:00.002-05:00

Ah Sundays... Since I didn't get a move-on until noon I felt I should make up for it. I cleaned out the old veg bin. Since we've (Jen, Blue-Bird, and I) have been getting our bi-monthly organic veg bin I've been struggling to eat all of it. Its just me here these days and I'm lucky if I make dinner let alone prepare a veg to go with it. So I rooted around in the cupboards and in the crisper, pull out everything that looked like it was still half alive and cut it up.

Then it all went into a pot with the some chicken stock....

BOOM, soup is born. I hope it turns out ok. Besides soup I've been knitting too.

OUCH!

2008-08-05T07:17:00.002-05:00

I think I just fell off the wagon. The great big diet adventure (GBDA) only really lasted a good week before a stood up and the fell off. Lots of reasons none of them good enough to justify my lack of mental fortitude that I've been exhibiting. I lost about 2 pounds and forgot to post. So here we go again, I've flagged down the wagon and am climbing back on.
I've also been really lazy. I find that I the less time I actually have the more I get done. The more time I have the less I get done. This reversal of the norm stems from my high school years when I was at school and working and volunteering and seeing the boy (the hub before he was the hubby) and cleaning houses and, and, and. I can manage 20 minutes but not 6 hours. So I find myself making lists just to make lists and feel like I got some where. So now its time to buckle down and work my butt off. Both with my workouts and with my work.
keep you posted!

Projects and Progress

2008-07-26T12:42:00.002-05:00

I'm a little house bound this morning, waiting on the neighbors cable guy while he takes his fam to lunch plus the impending visiting of a friend. So I figured I would just clean up a little and show you what I've been up to. For starters it was veg week for us half box CSA people, and we got WATERMELON...

After I consumed most of that I had some knitting to do. I might be moving slowing on it but I can't wear it for a few more months any way, I finished the back of Basic Black.

Of course this is just the shoulder shaping.
I've kinda lost my knitting mojo these since the summer has arrived. I've been trying to stay away from the tv and when I do watch I'm at home so my knitting has suffered. I figured I could do with something more engaging then basic black for my evening knitting. The sweater will be my "take to work" knitting.

So I rummaged through the stash, and pulled out some magazine. The Stork's Nest Scarf from Piecework was perfect. Plus I had yarn!

Tomorrow after I clean the bathroom, I'll start some sewing.

Thanx Jeff

2008-07-22T20:35:00.002-05:00

While my Mom visited when got manicures and pedicures from the great ladies over at Gist. One of the ladies is a TN/KY boarder native and gave us the skinny on some of the stranger and cooler things around this parts. One of these strange things is a huge ass monument to the one and only confederate President.

So we drove out, I took some pic's and we went to Hoptown for lunch at a kickin' little place called Lic's.

Well this all comes back to Jefferson Davis because today while I was cruising along highway 41A after drinking a whole soda and having frozen groceries in my boot (trunk for non-mini drivers). I came to a full stop. All of us where forced to turn around. I was dangerously low on gas and was forced to return to Hoptown. Now I'm stuck, the little highways were full up with big ass trucks and mini vans. MMMM Wait! The monument! I just drove back there and then home. If I had never ventured out to see the old guy I would have spent an hour in first gear. Instead I zipped home with the windows down and the AC off listening to my music very loud.
Thanx

Great Big Diet Adventure!

2008-07-20T21:17:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone out there in blog land! Tomorrow begins day 1 of my great big diet adventure. I'll weigh in and measure up tomorrow and then we'll get this thing started. I've got to get down to about 135lbs. So you're all going to help to keep me honest. We'll start this in the morning for now its bed time.

Welcome New Friend

2008-07-10T20:54:00.002-05:00

I've always loved odd old things. 1963 Chevy Nova's, single stitch Singer Sewing Machines, Sets of vintage red bakelite kitchen canisters. While out on a mission to find a new pressure cooker sealing ring (long story that has nothing to do with me) and while on company time I found this.....

A 1935/36 Royal Touch Control, in its original case. Still works too,

No idea what I'm going to do with it other than type poorly, but it'll be fun. Plus its very photogenic. Smile!

'Maters

2008-06-29T12:12:00.002-05:00

Yumskie....

I couldn't wait any longer so off the little guy came, and into the house.

I chopped it up with some fresh basil and popped it into my pasta dinner.

I've got plenty more on the way.

In other news, I finished a little project..

Un-tagged MEME

2008-06-27T06:44:00.003-05:00

1) What was I doing 10 years ago?
OOOO thats a good one. I was like two weeks out of my sophomore year of high school. My best friend had just graduated and I had met the man (then teenager) that would become my husband. More importantly than all that I was recovering. I was 16 and had just had a breast reduction. I had given up buy new bra and started wearing two, a sports bra and a regular one. This might be the strangest and bravest things I've ever undertaken. I've had the new ones longer than the old ones, but I still have some back problems. I can say that I've inspired more than one friend or family member to follow suite.
2) What are 5 things on my To Do list today?
-Make Brownies, for the ice cream fun extravaganza at afternoon break tomorrow.
-Pick up Veggies from the CSA! Yummmers
-Water the plants, basil, tomatoes, egg plant, pepper and the budgie plant
-Run the dishwasher, yuck its stinky, it takes a lot of dishes and its just me
-Mildlessly read my book on the back porch, which leads me to wonder why the neighbors lawn furniture has moved.

3)Snacks that I enjoy
- Chips (kettle chips), sugar snap peas, cookies, cheese and crackers, cheese and apples

4)Things I would do if I was a billionaire
Pay off the college loans, the house, and the cars
Pay for the cousins to go to college
Quit
Start my own yarn/art/fabric store
Spend the next year traveling
Buy my parents a place on the beach and in the mountains

5)Places I've lived
Baton Rouge, LA
Bellevue, WA
Moscow, ID
Lawton, OK
Clarksville, Tn

6)Jobs I've had
House Cleaner
Clerk @ Nature's Pantry, a health food store
Office Girl/ Yard Manger - neighbor's Repo Lot (best ans crazy job I've ever had)
Waitress Lefty's Cafe (started as a short order cook, and moved to waitress, my boss said I was "bubbly"
Sub Teacher in Lawton OK
Office Worker for the Red Cross
Waitress at the now closed Cafe 541
Medical Technologist (lab girl) Horizon Hospital
Microbiologist Breathitt Vet Center

There you've learned something about me

oops!

2008-06-19T06:33:00.002-05:00

Well sorry about that. I have been here this whole time but a combination of busy, nice weather and friends have prevented me from sitting down for more than like 10 minutes. In fact on Monday I was taking out my garbage and before I new what was happening I was at Cheese Burger Charlie's and going to see the new Adam Sandler movie. When did I go back to college?
So now then, The Budgies who live in my plants has two babies! I bought fabric and a purse pattern. One tomato is quite red and very salmonella free. I finished up and started some projects. Had a great weekend and plan on having another.
Here are some pictures of the fleece project that Bluebird and I worked on two weeks ago.

Pre-wash (and kinda out of focus)

Mid wash

Final wash

All done out in the sun

I was amazed at how little work it was to wash the wool but we have a ton of it and its going to take a while. Sunday afternoon might be carding day.

Happy Blog

2008-06-06T23:47:00.002-05:00

So I was ready a rather well known blogger who just celebrated her 3 blog-birthday. Which got me to thinking, I've had this blog for 3 years too. And I'm not near as cool. I did take a huge chunk of time off to spend with my vox. Oh well kept trying then shall we.
Happy blogging. and happy fridays!!
ps Beer, friends and a nice evening are a great combo.

Down the Rabbit Hole

2008-06-02T17:23:00.002-05:00

At 2:55 this morning I rolled over, opened one eye and looked at my super large digit'ed clock. "ahh good, he got a ride home and I can sleep out the last few hours in peace" as soon as I rolled back over and found the cool side of the pillow my phone rang. DRAT! Even if you know that a mid-night phone call is coming it still scares the piss out of you, and you can never not sound like you're stuck in a watery cave. The Hub and I make a rule of making sure friends never have to go to post by themselves or return from the international date line alone. So up I was at the ass crack of dawn. This was were while driving in the dark I slipped down the rabbit hole. I didn't notice it had happened until the morning light.
All seemed normal, but as I was driving in to work happily drinking my french press coffee a guy starts waving at me from his jeep. WAVE WAVE WAVE, window down. Mmmmmm this is worth the laugh lets see. After a brief stop light conversation with a man who thought "he knew me" and wasn't sure "I was from around here" both answers were NO! The light changed and I nearly wet my pants laughing. All was going well at work until my mid-sixties bossman came into the lab and stood there by my bench and stated for all those who could here (he talks very low) "I need my ears swabbed" WHHHHHAT, "Claire does that human stuff" was the boss lady's reply. So there I was swabbing my bosses old man ears. The man is a PhD is Micro I sure as shit hope he knows how to collect a sample on his own. It only went down hill from there. The bursting out in laughter for no reason from lack of sleep and strange events. The fact that we ran clean out of usable blood plates, followed by my clinching of the May Quality Star award.
My advise to anyone is, take the beer. When someone offers you a beer at 4am take it. Say "work sucks, I'm calling in sick" and drink the beer and maybe another one. Go home get back into bed and tried to start the day all over again much latter. Because if something as strange as beer before breakfast is offered you know its not going to be a normal day.

Fiber Fair (not Prunes)

2008-05-30T20:17:00.002-05:00

When asked last week, "soooo Claire what are you doing this weekend?", "Fiber Fair" I say. By bench-mate goes back to her work "Really?", "yeah". Streak a few more e.coli. "Fiber, like, fiber?" , "yeah fiber, like alpaca, and sheep". BUSTS OUT LAUGHING. My dear bench-mate was a little confused. She was thinking prunes and dates, not wool and sheep. Now I can't stop a giggle when I say "fiber fair". I see a bunch of little old ladies trying out the newest in prune ice cream. But enough stories about peristaltic action, PICTURES

We followed the fiber with plants and a quick trip to Boobies Diner in Charlotte.

A wheel I could Love

2008-05-25T07:53:00.002-05:00

I've been resisting the urge to buy a wheel, hell to even spin. I have a drop spindle that I bought a year plus ago and it was used about twice and then stuffed away. The sheer cost of wheel has kinda put me off, and that I really didn't want to pay for something I wasn't thrilled with. Either too busy, too big or just down right ugly I have never seen a wheel that combined usefulness and beauty (the way I see it). I grew up with a cabinet maker for a dad, everything from the bedside tables to the bathroom vanities where custom and beautiful. This weekend at the Fiber Fair I was smitten. The Schacht Matchless, but at the cost I nearly fell over. To my joy there is a little baby Schacht much like the MINI Cooper. DB is all BMW under the hood and affordable fun on the outside. The Ladybug will be mine by the end of the summer.

Why Hello!

2008-05-23T17:53:00.002-05:00

While watering the tomatoes and the pepper...

They've grown since I took those pictures last night.
Tomorrow, The Dickson Fiber Fair, and we're not talking Prunes.

OH Baby!

2008-05-17T07:46:00.004-05:00

We've got a cases of the babies around these parts. I can count 4 mama's to be, and 2 more who just popped. Baby knitting is one of those great things, little cute projects that don't use much yarn and don't require a soul sucking amount of time. Recently the draw of the Peaches and Cream was just too much for me.

Winterberry, Fiesta ombre and Earthtone. The Fiesta Ombre will become a shopping tote so I may do away with my sad plastic grocery bag turned lunch box.

HeartBreakingly Cute Baby Kimono, from the Mason*Dixon Knitting Book. Finish products plus their recipients to come soon.

The spoils of war

2008-05-16T17:35:00.005-05:00

Its been a busy week. Since we last spoke I've gotten lots done. Nothing really important, I haven't replace the broken mirror or saved any animals but just the little things that make you feel like you really, just really are getting some where. Saturday was to be the neighborhood block party but it was canceled due to the threat of inclement weather. Bummer. This at least freed me up too work on the floor beds that where in dire need of attention. Weeding and new plantings did the trick. Fresh mulch arrived today to finish things off around the grass patch. The inclement weather, I hope you didn't forget about that, it came. The wind blew ALL sunday. Not joking. My freshly freed, from little white packages, tomatoes spent their first full day battling the wind.

They came through and are happily soaking in the sunshine on the back deck as we speak.

DB had his appointment on tuesday. We needed down to the Nashville to stake our claim to a comfy chair. You'd think that when you own a car that can only be serviced in one place that they'd have more seating for you, and all the other nut jobs who bought german auto's too. After spending most of my teenage years aboard the public metro I love a good wait, so to spent the afternoon knitting and drinking free starbucks until my bladder bursts is like old times. I was not disappointed. For starters there was a fellow who was slumped over his clutched briefcase snoring. If this wasn't a strange enough sight for you, another guy was giving me the "ewwwie" eyeball about every 10 minutes. The rich white kid next to me with rasta dreads followed closely by the two blond girls who fell out of MTV's The Hills. One who's pants were so tight she had to walk funny. Now I adopted DB, a lost orphaned MINI abandoned by his owner for a VOLKSWAGON. While at the BMW place I have to contend with brand new buyers. The kind of people who order their autos. I applied all of my charms and just about lunch time, the MINI guy snagged me and stuffed a loaner key into my hand and told me hit the road. I lunched, I shopped, I cookie-ed (lemon ice cookie). I returned to claim my little DB and go home. And back to work.

Thursday brought a new ID card and my new shoes!

Thanks to a big ankle sprain in the 7th grade I have a issue with supination. As I'm getting older I'm begin to get heal pain and well no one wants that. So in steps the "old lady" shoes. The Dansko's are a nice combination of old lady and cute that I can live with.

The final arrival of goodness this week, a little envelope in the mail, with chicken scratch handwriting. I made out my name and address, and the senders. MIKEY! The Hub has know him since he was 14, me since I was 15-ish. He went to high school and college with us. My spoils from a war zone.

The lapis I think will become a necklace, the bracelet is already on.

The rest of friday brings, five yards of bark, baby knitting for the some 4 pregnant women I know who are going to pop in the next two weeks, and the adult beverage of choice on spring evenings.

Working away

2008-05-09T06:47:00.003-05:00

With the Dickson Fiber Fair just days away, like 14 or something, I've been working away on my "Something Red" sweater. I really don't need a red sweater but I really need a black v-neck. And I know that knitting in black seems to defeat the purpose and all that jazz but I'll wear the crap out of it.

With just a few more inches on the body, I'll be working on those sleeves very soon. Mostly while I'm waiting for the front bushings on the Cooper to be replaced. They call us "waiters" and we get lunch and all the coffee we can drink while we wait for them to fix our over priced german (or British in the coopers case) autos. We mini's are the red headed step children of the BMW world.

I love bugging them.

Budgie Bribery

2008-05-07T20:58:00.003-05:00

I wanted some bird pictures so I got out the big lens and sat at the dinning room table....

Lab Week Wrap-Up

2008-04-27T17:26:00.002-05:00

We had a great Lab Week. Almost everyone in the building helped out and had fun. Monday started with "MEGA" break goodies. I should have taken pictures but forgot until it was too late. The food went very fast. We handed out contest rules and got our first look at the baby pictures. Wednesday was the Bake-off and birthday BBQ. Super good food and some super creative birthday cakes. My Pear Custard Pie didn't get eaten, but I wasn't expecting it to. Next year I'm not going for fancy, but creative. As we waited for Friday's sack lunch exchange all the labs worked on the Door decorating contest. While we didn't win for our door, we had the most lab produced art. In the end it was great, we all had so much fun and we're ready for next year! Oh and Friday was the 50th anniversary of the Double Helix, at least so I heard on NPR.

Other than that, I've worked on my lawn and planted some things. Working away on the "something red" sweater. Also trying to will my yard to stop looking silly. I mowed it just to get the weeds down. I then patched it with this funny green blanket stuff. If this doesn't work I may pull it all up. Next week BARK!!! I'll be ordering my 5 yards some time this week. After all this its time for pizza.

HUMMINGBIRDS

2008-04-19T09:37:00.002-05:00

I have Hummingbirds!!!!! I didn't think they had made it TN yet. I still put up my feeder up on the first warmish day of the year, but knew that the little buggers wouldn't be up until we had warmed up. I guess we have some early visitors. I hope that sugar water isn't really nasty, its been up there a while.

Budgie-man says...

2008-04-14T21:13:00.003-05:00

see more crazy cat pics

A long time coming

2008-04-13T17:27:00.002-05:00

So I started my leaf tie cardigan last year. I was hopping to wear it while we were in Las Vegas. That didn't happen for either of the trips. I finally got around to finishing it completely.

PATTERN: Leaf Tie Cardigan, "Fitted Knits"
YARN: Deddie Bliss Alpaca Silk DK, Celery
NEEDLES: US6 Knit Picks Options
MODIFICATIONS: -Longer, -2x2 Rib, -No leaf lie.
I even wore it to work this week. Wow it was a week at work too, we had a major outbreak which needed instant results. Well instant doesn't exist is my line of work. I spent 13.5 hours at work on Thursday.

I ordered some Ultra Alpaca from the big WEBS sale.

My weakness, Lion Brand, shows up again. I was in Nashville at a Michaels and there it was and I needed yarn for a project. I know you don't want to hear it.

FINALLY, I said give me a week and I'd show you some results.

Its very small but very cute, and it only took an hour or so to whip up. You make your own pattern for this project so I think I'll make a larger one next. Up next PILLOWS!

Sew Sew

2008-04-06T08:32:00.003-05:00

I've been knitting, in fact I've finished two projects this weekend. I've order two sweaters of yarn, thanks to some really good sales. I've also been sewing. I broke out the little sewing machine that the Hub bought me for my birthday *Cough* um that was the last birthday, not this one.

Its a good little machine, I'll see how I feel about it when I really get going. I've got my eye on a little fancier one. I would fell a little guilty about buying a new one, seeing as this one was a gift.
Sooooo while we were in Nashville one night to blow through a mess of gift cards that the Hub had accumulated from various gift giving holidays I found this book.

Its like the "Stitch and Bitch" of sewing. If you already have a wee knowledge of sewing (thanx mom) its really good at getting you up and running. So here it is, my first project since high school. Back then I made a mess of super ugly purses out of some lime green wide whale corduroy.

After getting that done, I searched town for pattern paper. This mythical thing doesn't seem to really exist. So I just bought big graph paper and stuck them together with tape. I also got some fabric for my next project.

Give me a week or so I'll show you the results.

Snip

2008-03-16T21:42:00.002-05:00

Snip, snip went the scissors. On Saturday I went and had my hair cut. I needed shape and well its hard to not trim too much off. I would have liked to have kept some of the length but I'll go with it.

Send happy thoughts to.....

2008-03-13T18:36:00.002-05:00

An APO in one of those countries that end in 'STAN. The Hub packed up and headed out this week. Budgie and I send our love. On the plus side, while he packed and packed, and packed, the hub said "you know you could knit me a blanket" YES!! Finally something that he might use and actually wants. Long long ago I began a pair of red socks for him, this is long FA story and I might reward a reader with some sock yarn if they can relay this story. Well he said "they're too girlie" somewhere around the heel flap. Those went in the frog pile. Before he left in '05 I got out the old measuring tape and found what size sweater he'd wear, but promptly lost those measurements and was reminded that he is a human space heater. There went that knitting gift. Promises of handknit gators and helmet liners have be received with "mmm I'm ok" loosely translated "I don't wear the one they issued me, why would I want a fancy one", there goes that one too. But finally something asked for, something I know will get used in the sometime sub-zero high dessert of the 'stans. I picked a nice crochet pattern because a knitted blanket is akin to hot wax and leg hair. I'll be starting that beauty tonight after pad-thai and "The First 48". Honest if you want to send anything over seas to any one please let me know, we have many guys who need support.

We'll do lunch

2008-03-07T22:32:00.003-06:00

Girls often say funny things to each other like "I'll call you, we'll have lunch" however we rarely mean these things. Oh we mean them at the moment, but it never really happens. We forget or something comes up more important. Sometimes cell phones are crushed under car wheels other times we just plain don't want to ever speak to, see, or be bothered with these people ever again. Well when I told my blog, "I'll call you" I actually meant it, but I kinda got side tracked. To begin with the mother-in-law came for a slightly un-asked visit. I managed to stress about the 48 hour visit to a zit inducing level and have remained in this pimply state of being for the past week. The Hub is packing and repacking to hit the not so friendly skies. But on a much happier and knitty-ier note I've got some finished things and some started things.

Pattern: Eyelet Cardigan, Lion Brand
Yarn: Lion brand Wool-ease 2 balls, some bluish cooler
Needles: Knit Picks Options
Size: 2 YO
Made for: Co-workers Daughter

I've also started the dread, brain sucking THERMAL!!

It's slow going but I love it, the yarn is so soft and silky. I get tons of compliments on it and I'm no were near finished. Can't wait until I work up enough gumption to finish it in a timely manner. All is well, but check this shit out....

Thats like 3 inches that has fallen since 5pm in Clarksville, and its going to keep on falling all night.

Vegas! A week late.....

2008-02-23T16:12:00.002-06:00

Here just a few pictures from our trip.....

The Fountains at night

Old Town

Not really Paris, but it'll do

Hub

Our room looked right out on the sphinxes ass

A short re-cap.....

2008-02-20T18:16:00.002-06:00

Before I launch into anything new, lets recap everything from the Super Bowl out.....
That was a sunday....I drank too much, ate too much salty food and went to bed too late. I just kinda was there on monday. Tuesday we had another storm, this time no power outages just a few Tornadoes. Wednesday Ross came home from bragg so I skipped out on work and puttered around the house all day. Thursday was nothing special that I remember. Friday we sent the neighbor off with a far well dinner and beer. Saturday I loaded up the mini and drove to Nashville with Tom to send him back (he made it safe) and went straight home to to continue with the post Bragg laundry. Saturday we had the not so usual suspects over for BBQ chicken and what have you. This puts us into the pre=trip preparations which are all dull.
So its tuesday night, Shonday has stopped by to get the keys to watch the Budgie, and its snowing. Not only is it snowing there is this layer of ice on the porch. Do we drive to nashville now or wait until the morning? Oh hell live dangerously and leave in the morning. This turned out to be the right choice, there was no ice or even water on the roads. The fact that there had been ice since the night before was lost on the airport which took an hour to de-ice our plane causing us to miss our flight out of Denver. We used every once of luck for the day, which was alloted for slots and black jack, to hit a pair of stand by seats on the next one out. I would have liked to see the Airline-esk melt down the Hub was planning if they couldn't get us out of there. Then we hit Vegas.......

BURN, BURN, BURN....

2008-02-04T06:37:00.000-06:00

In a lake of fire, Tom Brady. My dearest wish has come true, Tom Brady has died. Ok figuratively but I'll take what I can get. I have no voice left, and don't ever what to see a chicken wing again, but I'm happy. I didn't spend all season watching football at other peoples house not to watch the hell out of this game. So we screamed, yelled, jumped around the room and when it was all over we ran across the street to celebrate with the neighbors. There we rehashed the game, much to the shame of the one New England fan, and then talked about it some more. It was a good clean win, without any New England bullshit, not cheap shots, no close calls. it was good

"there is a great disruption in the force"

2008-01-31T09:11:00.000-06:00

Not to give away my super-geekie-ness. My chi, wah, zen, what ever you want to call that great leveling factor that guides my universe is so out of whack that I can't remember what day it is. To start off the Hub is in NC, and he must be having a hell of a good time blowing the hell out stuff with the last remaining 155 in north american because he hasn't called to check on me. My normal work pattern has be thrown off since I've started to visit DNA three days a week and was also pushed into conscripted chicken-killer service on tuesday. You don't want to know, but yes I had to kill them. Then the power went out ALL NIGHT. From about 6:30 um til like 10, no power, plus rain, plus not at the house with any food. That equals a hungry claire. To further disrupt the universe those who should not be here are, ie neighbor Tom. Back for two weeks of paper work fun, and getting muddy foot prints on my clean floors (I'm currently staring at one right now wonder how best to seek revenge). Then as the kindly voices of nashville public radio told me there was a chance of snow, I looked out me window and then got right back into bed. SNOW DAY!!!!! Thinking I might be a huge snow driving wussy right? Nope my other TN dwelling co-worker called and side not to even try, the cops were turning people around at the KY state line. yippie!

Scarf Seasons

2008-01-19T16:37:00.001-06:00

So for x-mas/birthday, leaning more toward birthday, Amanda got me a big ol'ball of yarn from Woodstock Wool Company. The yarn is called EGO and in the Lake Hill colorway. This is rather funny and she doesn't know it but I grew up in the Lake Hills area of Bellevue, Wa.

I'm making a 1X1 rib scarf mainly to give my fingers something to do while I get motivated for the year.

After much looking and looking I went to the MALL, the sole sucking mall to find new shoes. I've been nursing my pair of Dankso clogs for all they are worth and at two years they've about had it. They may be supper comfy but they are super ugly. I picked these

All the comfy and little of the cute.

Goodness, me

2008-01-15T19:27:00.001-06:00

Well then, Since we last spoke I really haven't been up to much. We had a great New Year with Evan and Amanda, we enjoyed Krug with popcorn. To make sure they had a safe trip home we celebrated the new year a wee early, Chilean new year in fact. The following weekend, 4th, 5th and 6th the Hub and I headed north. Upstate New York, for a friend's wedding which was in great need of uniformed folk. It was a surprisingly fun time. I spent all week playing catch up from laundry and cleaning. This weekend was a complete waste with football and neighborly house cleaning plus a few minor home improvements. I did get a chance to make this.....

I wear it alot, a while I look like a knitwear muffin I LOVE IT. so poooo
Send a happy birthday Jen's way today too.

Ummm

2008-01-15T06:45:00.000-06:00

Yeah I have no good excuse for my delinquent-ness. Nothing. I've just been lazy and boring, but still here.

Big X-mas Wrap Up, Part II

2007-12-30T13:51:00.000-06:00

Well all the gifts that needed returning have been taken back, the gift cards spent and the prime rib digested so I should get to putting us pictures and taken down christmas.

These sisters were my favorite gift this year

Pull them back and watch them race.

Here's dinner, it tasted just as good as it looked. But after all the messing around in the spice cupboard we went out and got one more christmas gift, thanx to the gift card Mac got us

All the important ones are stuck to the wall now.

While I didn't get yarn or any yarn gift cards, I got two books for Christmas. I've even managed to start another quick project that I hope to get done so I can get some use out of it. le Slouch!

Big X-mas Wrap Up, Part I

2007-12-29T07:46:00.001-06:00

We had a good old time this Christmas with my folks here. From cooking too much food to silly gifts. The days leading up to christmas where filled with trips the grocery store and BBQ fun. The Hub and the Dad had way to much fun with grilled meat and open flames.

We made ribs two ways.

Did yummie BBQ chicken and then Ross tried his hand at the art of sausage making.

These are the "fresh" unsmoked sausages, both spicy and not so spicy before they went on the grill and a few hours later...

Here they are all smoked and ready to eat.

The holidays are all about food in my family!!!

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-24T09:26:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas everyone, just a day early!
ps it's my birthday today :)

Almost Christmas

2007-12-23T18:21:00.000-06:00

Well its almost here, we've gone to the grocery store everyday since my parents arrived. Tomorrow is birthday and then christmas!!! Yippie

That sinking feeling.

2007-12-13T06:41:00.000-06:00

It could be all the rain thats causing that sinking feeling and my house is finally slipping down the hill side or its the impending doom of the seattle trip. I'm generally in favor of flying the friendly skies and hitting up the evergreen state but its only a four day trip and then we turn around and have christmas. I'm a little stressed. Oh bother I'll be ok, the trip will be great, you can't see me but I'm making that if you take my picture I'll kill you smile, great just great. People I don't know or care about that much on the married in side of the family here I come.

Flat as a pancake

2007-12-10T17:38:00.000-06:00

So this morning my "butt Light" went off while I was driving. No this isn't a warning that my butt looks big in these pants or that the driver of the car next to me is not paying attention because they are scratching their butt, but that I have low tire pressure. It looks more like a butt then a flat tire. This is quite normal when we're having bad or abnormal weather (tomorrows high is 72, Baghdad's is 67 just to put in perspective) so I just turned the stupid flashing beeping light off and drove on. After lunch though Steve called the lab to let me know, that it was in deed flat. Very very flat. UGH!!! So steve pulled the air compressor around front topped it off and I drove off, about two blocks until it started to loose pressure again. A nail was all it was, all patched and fixed for 14 bucks. But it just goes to show you that even your car will cry wolf.
Tomorrow, the hubby's birthday!!!

“Men seldom make passes At girls who wear glasses”

2007-12-09T08:35:00.001-06:00

Thank you Dorthy Parker for that gem. It was new glasses day for me saturday. Big deal seeing as thats how I see. No contacts for me any more, they really bug me. So me and super high prescription popped into Lenscrafters to escape the terrors in the mall (grrrrr to x-mas gifts) and there they were on the wall..... still there waiting for me to take them home.

They have little black sparkles all along the top and on the sides. I finally have sparklely glasses.
I also got a second pair (ummm I have a special account from work to pay for this, so stop thinking I just won money off a scratch ticket and didn't tell the Hubby.) These are my "normal" glasses...hahahhaaa

Love them both, and since my prescription hasn't changed, or I'm in denial about it changing and haven't gotten my eyes checked again, I have 3 pairs to wear!!! this is fun.

Rules are meant to be broken

2007-12-04T17:54:00.000-06:00

Out of complete and total boredom I broke my own "no knitting where coffee can not go" rule.........

thats my super high tech lab I work in. Hiding behind the knitting is a stack of old plates labeled "s. aureus, FREEZE" that hasn't happened nor will it, thats what grad students are for and I don't see any.

Not to jinx it..

2007-12-04T11:45:00.000-06:00

...but come on already. We're super slow these days at the lab, and I don't know why. Its been cold and rainy, though not at the same time. Cold and dry one day and wet and mild the next. I guess the cows just aren't getting E.coli from each other any more. Here we test samples from both living animals, sent in from vets offices, and DEAD animals that we process here. Normally the bulk of work comes from the dead critters. We were to have this major "fall rush" which never seemed to happen, except from a brief push in October. mmmmm so that leads me to my next question what should I do with myself. Write out christmas cards, hit up amazon.com for gifts, or just sit here with blogging at work. I would knit but I do draw the line some where when it comes to big nasty germs and hobbies. I used to knit at the hospital but that was different, no bacteria just blood products and bodily fluids. I make it a rule not to knit where I wouldn't drink coffee, but x-mas cards they're fair game so don't lick them ok. Stayed up to watch the football game last night, grrrrrrrr I really wanted the tom brady to loose, grrrrrr. Oh well they'res always next week. Time for lunch!!

Updates...

2007-11-25T19:36:00.001-06:00

Leaf Tie Cardigan

The Social Disease

Mint Chip

2007-11-25T13:54:00.000-06:00

As promised the Mint Chip Pattern

Size:

One Size

Materials:

2 or 3 balls Lion Brand Lion Wool or another 100% wool worsted weight yarn

US 101/2 needles

4 Stitch Markers

1 button of choice

Gauge:

Not really a huge issue

Cast On: 39 Stitches, K in garter for 40 rows.
Pick up 20 stitches along left edge, 39 across CO edge and 20 sts along right.

Sides:
Join the sts and work in the round.
Round 1: PM, K 39, PM K20, PM, K39, PM, K20.

Continue until the bag reaches desired hight, remember it will shrink by about 25%.

Decrease before and after PM on the last 2 rounds

BO: BO the front 39 sts, place the next 20 sts on a holder, K39, place the last 20 sts on a holder.

Flap: K39 in stockinette until you're flap in large enough, keep in mind it will shrink a bit.

Strap: Pick up one set of 20 sts and knit in garter until you're strap is large enough for you. Graft the the other 20 sts.

Pocket: CO 39 sts and work in garter for desired number of rows.

FELT!!!!!, felt pocket unattached

Finishing: Sew pocket in to purse with tapestry needle and matching yarn.
Make short crochet chain for button and attach the button to the front.
Stuff full of goodies and wait for people to complement it.

Aftermath

2007-11-24T09:10:00.000-06:00

Well the major November holidays are all over with. Thanxgiving, the real thanksgiving, and black friday. I hit the shops for about 20 minutes yesterday, drifting clear of the toys and kitchen area and was in and out with ease. Came home entertained Mikey's folks, laughed, and watched the look of motherly horror spread across Mom's face as they say things like "we saw a lot of action in (insert combat related story here)". We cleaned up, and sent the guest on their way home and waited.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, the food, the chatter and the laughter, but its also the time of year when people go away. It also marks the return. Two years ago was Ross' turn to go but with great luck he returned the weekend before his favorite holiday. This year was Tom's turn, well after dinner we took him and team mate to post and sent them on their way with a short goodbye, hand shakes and hugs. Wish them luck and keep them in your thoughts.

Today we indulge in turkey sammies with Evan and Mu and a little Nashville time tomorrow we CLEAN!!!!

Mint Chip

2007-11-22T12:31:00.000-06:00

Its really been done for a long time I just never got around to adding the pocket and putting the button on. Well Sunday was a lovely 65 degrees so I sat outside and knitted, as well as finished my purse.

I will write the pattern and get it up this weekend.

Thanxgiving with a X

2007-11-18T09:33:00.000-06:00

Well thanxgiving has come and gone, the damage has been done and the food on its way through the jujunum. As previously stated I wrote instructions for the party goers. Rule one was 10 lb turkey and pumpkin pie, instead I got a 19.96 lb turkey and dry pumpkin loaf. Grrrrrrr, we won't name names but come on people.

It was a beautiful turkey though. It took and hour and half for the oil to arrive, once again grrrrrrrrr. It arrived with the question of, "did you need this" No we were just going to bake a fried turkey.

After a good binding Edweena the turkey fit snuggly in her basket and went for a 400 degree dip. Out she came crispy and tasty. I miss the crap shot that is an oven turkey and the great ego boost when it comes out all nice and tasty, but I left this part of the meal to Hubby.

So even the great Evan as run into this strange food phenomenon too, the easiest thing you make is the biggest hit. I made cranberry sauce, one bag of the little red things a cup of sugar and some vinegar and ginger turns into......"ooooooo you MADE this" Yes and the stuffing, the potatoes and the gravy. People it doesn't always come in a can.

In the end it was all worth it though, or it just seemed like it after all that wine.

Pre-Turkey

2007-11-17T16:07:00.001-06:00

Today is the weekend before Thanksgiving, which is traditionally Thanxgiving. I make dinner for my friends who will be heading back to their family homes for the calorie laden holiday. I've been doing this on and off since I had an apartment in college. This year we're breaking with the mold of Jenny-O turkey loaf and making that old southern gut buster, THE FRIED TURKEY!!! We assigned each dinner guest a few necessary ingredients and we'd do the cooking and provide the turkey fryer. ETA for food stuffs was 1500 (3pm for non-military reference) its 4:15, no calls of "the grocery is packed, we're running late." or "We're running late for reasonable reasons." Funny how turkey can't cook without peanut oil! For once these guys aren't getting a fully prepared meal when they just show up. I've taken a mess of pictures of Edweena (our 20lb turkey) so if this thing ever gets off the ground you'll get before and after, if not you'll get before and Mexican.

VEGAS!!!

2007-11-15T19:51:00.000-06:00

A weekend in pictures

Ross at the Memphis Airport at about 8AM

We wrangled a Limo from the Airport to the MGM Grand since there were 4 of us in the first wave.

This is Mike's Default camera setting, I have about 8 pictures just like this.

I went to get a water and some BOOM, this was in the room. I was a little late to the game

Yes we're drinking before noon local time, it wasn't pretty.

The green stuff, absinthe.

MONORAIL, waiting the whole six minutes for the next train.

The weekend was great, lots of great photo ops, but this is the winner

GO, Mike.

Back Home

2007-11-13T13:31:00.000-06:00

All home from the Vegas weekend, in all it was a great time. Now the clean up around the house begins. I need more time off.

Getting better

2007-11-06T17:21:00.001-06:00

I'm getting better. This would be my answer to, "BRING OUT YOUR DEAD". I've got a nasty cough but my voice is getting there. I went to work of four hours to work up my 285 milk samples and hit the listeria enrichments (caution science talk) I worked up a few tests, assisted with the 48hr reads and then ran screaming from the building. Ok so it was more of a little mouse squeak. Went to target and blew a much of money for the vegas trip. OUch this thing is killing me. I came home, napped and then was extra lazy for the rest of the day. I have to be speaking on thursday because we leave to go to nashville and since the while lot are leaving early, its hotel room for us!!! Weeeee.

Lost.....

2007-11-05T17:41:00.000-06:00

i have completely lost my voice. This has never happened to me, I've been raspy or horse but never once have I lost the complete ability to form sounds into words. Its pissing me off. I've drank about a gallon of hot tea, a full bear of honey and a whole squeezie lemon, still no dice. The gin and tonics may not have helped, the overly chatty friends, or the staying up late on time change day but come on, NO VOICE. The best I get are little squeaks, and a rocking smokers cough. Alas I'll just get a big over coat and a blond headed friend who does all the talking.

PICTURES

2007-11-04T18:53:00.001-06:00

I have great light in my office, not as great as my kitchen, but not bad...

Lovely pinkish lace weight for a yet decided shawl

Ooooo this is my sale yarn, 500-ish yards of sportweight which itches to be made into something non-sock.

Finally I tried out my other lens from my film nikon and got this shot..

Fiber a go-go

2007-11-04T16:01:00.000-06:00

Last weekend the knitters and I went to a smaller fiber fair. I missed it last year because I was working at the hospital and had to work weekends. This year I wasn't going to miss it for anything, include and not limited to husbands returns from one month training events in other states. Lucky for him and me he was scheduled to return late that night, thus giving me a bunch of fiber time. It was a yarn group snowball, I picked up Jen, we drove to Phil and Judie's, who then drove to exit 11 to get Karen, we all squeezed in and drove to exit 24 and took Debs supermassive mobile down to nashville.

Beautiful canned goods that I forgot to go back and buy, I had so much yarn I really should haven't spent the money anyway.

SHEEP!
There were quite a few of these guys in all colors and breeds, it was neat to see them all. Some rabbits and some cats, no chickens that I could find.
I got some lovely bits at Fiber Denn, who never lets me down. Her colors and yarn is some of the best. I got some fiber too, silver baby alpaca and got to spend sometime with the wheel I want. Which I have been green lighted to buy, but will wait until at least tax return season to plunk that money down on a single item again, see last post.

We moved on from the fair after we had all made some purchases and then hit the yarn stores.
Naughty Knitter first. Since they are by far our favorite yarn purchasing place in the nashville area.
I got a few little things......(Pictures taken with Nikon D40 ahhhhh its so nice to have full control of things again)

I got the last Hippo they had, thanx to Rachel who made sure I knew they still had one left.

Finally a ball of my favorite artyarns colorway, 127. It stripes all pretty and I can hardly wait to knit with it, but I'm sorta at a crossroads of what to knit and can't decide.
Moving along, we concluded that we were all hungry, all that yarn can do that to you. Back in the beast and on to Threaded Bliss. None of us had been there since it was sold and we were all quite curious, so off we went.

Three balls of Dream in Color was the answer. It is much more green than that, but alas I have no photoshop......anyone, anyone. This will become the "social disease"of scarfs. I may start this before Vegas, or not.
Carrying on from there, Haus of Yarn once again peeved us all by saying they were closed at 10 'til 4 to a car full of knitters on a roll. This was my nap time, I had about hit a wall, having not gone to bed until about, eh 2am and then having slept poorly, and then getting up early. Napped until the weeeeeee hours of the AM and then picked up the Hubby. Spent Sunday washing every green sock, uniform and light brown shirt in the house.

More pictures later..

Random acts of gifting

2007-11-01T19:22:00.000-05:00

sometimes the husband just out does himself, this was on the kitchen table when I got home today...........

who's going to mess with my stuff.....

2007-10-31T06:42:00.000-05:00

Now that Robert Goulet has passed away who is going to mess with my stuff at 3 in the afternoon when my blood sugar is low. Damn.

ouch, ouch, ouch....

2007-10-14T08:26:00.000-05:00

Ugh, so I feel like a t-rex after weed whacking the yard. "My forearms are just as useless as yours" to quote an old Far Side cartoon. Since I have massive weeds rather than grass or landscaping to hold up the hillside it must be whacked not mowed. Yeah weed whacker not made for 5'2" girlie girl. UGH. Needless to say, no working out for me today. I plan to hit up Lowes for some house painting bits and pieces, drop off a load of crap at good will and plant a nice fall pot for my front door, so that it looks as someone actually lives at my house rather than a mini cooper.

Lawn down, weed whacking to go

2007-10-13T13:04:00.000-05:00

So I finished getting my front lawn, dirt, crap, in order about 20 minutes ago and now I'm pooped. I still need to start the weed whacking, that I'm a little nervous about though. Never done it but it should be funny. Think I'll start in the back where no one can see me, neighbors are gone. Speaking of neighbors gone, no one lives in Clarksville any more the whole damn army is gone, the units not deployed are at JRTC and the SF is about to go on winter cycle so if you want to go out to dinner, shop at walmart or just about anything without having to wait six months now is the time. Sorry there will be no action shots of me making a fool of myself.

It's cold

2007-10-11T06:42:00.000-05:00

Hot Damn, its 41 degrees outside right now. OOOOOO. In Idaho it would have snowed by now, and I'd be wearing my "big" coat to class, but as long as it was dry I'd still have some flip-flop days. I miss Idaho. I still have grass thats working on growing and plants that need planting. We'll see.
Coming up this weekend, Claire and the weeds, stay tuned to watch me mow and weedwhack the small jungle in my backyard. Giggle with my neighbors and wonder at how I haven't gone clean through the power cord yet. Cold beer and bbq to be served after.

All but the Zipper

2007-10-06T08:34:00.000-05:00

I finished the Zip cardigan last night,

All the crochet is on and the ends woven in. I still have no zipper for it and it needs to be pressed. I'm very happy because it fits great. Now I'm turning my attention to my perfect pie shawl. I'm on a knitting mission this October to clean out all my knitting projects and start fresh. I'm even working on killing my, cough cough... stash. Ok I have no stash, its like 3000 yards of some yarn that I got on sale. I do have a nice selection of sock yarn though. The sock yarn sits out in a pretty basket.

Gonna be on TV....

2007-10-03T17:59:00.000-05:00

HA, kicking! At about 10 they stuck their heads into out lab and yelled... "BE HERE AFTER LUNCH RIGHT AT 1, THE NEWS WILL BE HERE" Channel 4 nashville, 6pm there or be square.

The Zip Cardigan without the Zip

2007-10-02T17:35:00.000-05:00

When we bought our house, they said it was a split level without the split......um that wouldn't be a split level then. We have TWO stories, or a main level with a basement. Well thats how the Zipper Cardigan is right now, just a cardigan. I can't for the life of me find a zipper. I will in the end get from Zipperstop since they are the end all in zippers. I wanted to find one a little less plastic zipper-y and more fashion but eh.

I am super pleased with the set in seems they fit great.

I will need to block a little more, but my goals for the month are to get this thing done and wearable for the fiber fair on the 27th. I better get a cracking on that crab stitch.