9:52 a.m.
9:58 a.m.
10:12 a.m.
Darn. Life speeds by.

I sort of hesitate to show you what is on my needles. Back in June, I tried on a sweater, fell in love, and ordered yarn to make it. Then I waited. And waited. And waited. Finally my VOGUEKnitting arrived and I could cast on for my new project. But wait. When I flipped to the pattern, I wondered if I still liked it. You see, I don't think that I would have ever made this sweater from this photo.

The boys and I went to "Bach and breakfast" in the park on Sunday morning. As Charlie and I hung out listening, Andrew played with my camera.
Life through Andrew's eyes:

I love this one.

I giggled when I downloaded these. It's pretty clear this boy has one thought on his mind these days.

I take a lot of photos. Mostly for this life of mine. Therefore, I have a bunch of out-takes. I could fill an album with just out-takes and maybe one day I will.  A few out-takes from last week:
A jar of daisies left on the patio.  We came back from our trip to find them in this state.  I thought they were spectacular.  Yes, I did.
A new skirt for Libby, handmade (by someone else) from vintage fabrics.  Layered and embellished in just the right way.
A handmade cupcake to celebrate a little life.  I wanted to celebrate the maker.  She made thirty of these.  Just because.  

Hello, there. Happy August!
I would love to tell you all about our trip to tahoe. And how envious I am of all that get to experience that on a daily basis. And share some photos, considering I took 991 of them. 
However, I am more excited to share the empire waist cardigan which includes a little of this magical spot.
I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this sweater.  Do I say that a lot?  I think I might. But seriously, this one!  This one has moved up to my number one spot.  It was a piece of cake to knit, the construction was totally fun,  and talk about wearable.  Heck, you can throw this on at anytime with anything.  
I seriously am going to make this in another color.  I would love to make it out of a wool for the fall. 
Pattern:  empire waist cardigan

I've been meaning to remind you about nest.  I love this.  I really, really do.  Knitting for others that are in need is such a great thing.  I knit a bunch of fingerless mitts last year.  I had declared last July my "knitting for others" month.  This July I was pretty much a selfish knitter, knitting only for myself.  But I plan on changing that.  Really, I do.  I want to make hats soon... and into August.  Hats for nest.  

This is my new project.  I became completely obsessed over it after seeing the one spiralstitch made.  And it just happened to be Classic Elite design by Pam Allen.  Bonus.  You know how much I love their pattern/yarn combination.
The construction is really interesting and I am loving it.  Starting on the right sleeve, working around the back and to the left sleeve.
After you finish the top, you pick up and work the body of the sweater.  Very little finishing. Another bonus!  Knit in all stockinette out of 100% cotton, this makes for an easy knit while clocking the hours at the pool.  If it is as cute as it is as fun, I can see this in another color in my wardrobe.  I'm thinking grey.  Or black.  Or olive.  Or brown.  Or........

My girl and I spent one simple evening. 

Alright. Back to the rickrack rib pullover. 
I guess some of you didn't think it looked terrible before.  And, I thank you for that.  However,  I didn't give you the full view. It really was way too big after I blocked it. Too loose and boxy and baggy.   And it was entirely my fault because I initially thought it was too tight.  However, after re-blocking I got it exactly how I like it.  

I received this book last fall and immediately earmarked several projects.  The book then got placed alongside my knitting books and was sort of forgotten until Libby started reading a book she thought she couldn't read around her brothers.  The back cover had some "girl content" and she knew they would see it.
I remembered the book cover project which was perfect for concealing what she wanted to hide.
We picked out some fabric and used a contrasting brown linen scrap for the lining.  A ribbon saved from a gift from my sisters travels to Italy.  Gusto: Vigorous enjoyment.  Perfect.
There are several other projects in the book I would love to make.
A new apron may be in order.  I'm thinking brown linen would be nice.
And maybe a new set of summertime coasters.  

Have you ever made something, that you thought was too tight, so you block the you know what out of it, and then it is too big?  Yeah.  Me, too.  I'll be back after I re-block with all the specifics.

The beginning of the summer pretty much kicks my butt every year.  I have visions of days like this saturday... but they are anything but that.  I will get used to all this running soon.  I am sure of it.
Last Sunday was a bit of what I had been wanting.  A day at home.  I mean ALL day at home.  I spent most of the day in the kitchen, with an occasional helper floating in and out.  There was a fathers day breakfast of challah french toast, granola and bagels (didn't make them) with vegetable cream cheese. Then, hummus, pita chips, lots of  raw vegetables, grilled shrimp with mango salsa, grilled vegetables, a huge salad, corn on the cob, sour dough bread with garlic scape pesto, and warm peach cobbler.
I marinated the shrimp in lime juice, olive oil and cilantro.  For the mango salsa, I used 2 mangos diced, 1/2 red onion, minced, lime juice and a pinch of cayenne.
My absolute favorite was the bread.  I posted a photo on flickr asking what it was.  I have never seen a scape.  Seriously! I know! And Julie mentioned Brian's post and the next thing I knew I was making this.  I spread the scape pesto on sour dough bread, sprinkled feta cheese and criss crossed roasted red peppers on top.  Baked at 350˚ for 20 minutes.  Sliced on the diagonal about every 1 1/2 inches.  Seriously delicious.  My sister makes this bread with an Italian loaf,  basil pesto and jack cheese.  Still including the red peppers.
It stayed light until around 9:15 pm.  Love that.  It was just long enough to knit two rows before falling into bed.  Not nearly enough knitting time, but I plan on changing that this week.

Last friday, after I put my kids on the bus, I hopped in the car and headed for Columbus, OH, for TNNA. Meeting my sister and mother there for the same reasons as before.  If you don't know anything about TNNA, it is where the retailers go to buy for their shops.  When I tell people where I am going, most look at me like I have lost my mind.  They can't believe I actually enjoy this sort of thing.  My kids call it the "knitting show" and I do believe they still think that I am on the stage, knitting.