Wrapping up the Year (part one)

My Hubby and I went to a New Year's/Christmas party over the weekend, and I just couldn't help myself. I thought this napkin (circa 1995) says it all!

I finally finished them! My Embossed Leaves socks!

Pattern: Embossed Leaves, from Favorite Socks.

Yarn: Regia, sock yarn in pink.

Changes: none!

And my two-tone Fetching! I ran out of the blue, and when I went back to the LYS to buy another one, they were out of the blue! So, I used the brown! I like the way they came out.

Pattern: Fetching, knitty.com

Yarn: Brown Sheep, Lamb's Pride Bulky, blue flannel and sable.

Changes: Made four cable repeats at wrist (to make them longer) and used #7's to make a tight knit fabric (these are very, very warm!). They also match my blue flannel Utopia hat!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas Day and your Christmas Season is going great! A New Year is coming fast upon us and if I don't get back to you all by Tuesday, I hope everyone has a great New Year's Eve!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

My Favorite Cookies

Yesterday was cooking day, today was baking day. Some of these very cookies got made in the Cactus house today! Enjoy!

Raspberry Kisses (this one my aunt gave me, very, very tasty! If anyone wants the recipe, let me know and I'll post it!)

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Butter Cookies (this is the same recipe my Hubby has been using in his family since he was a kid!)

Chocolate Crinkles (here or here) (I use the one my mom had, but it's very similar to these.)

biscotti (look here for a bunch!) (Any kind, as long as it's not too weird!)

Chocolate Brownie (any recipie will do, the chocolaty the better!) (Are brownies really a cookie though? Hmmm, don't think it matters in this case!)

Cream Cheese Fold overs (the fold over recipe is the only one on this list that's just like the ones my Hubby's grandmother used to make -- I use apricot jam or raspberry jam (seedless).)

peanut butter cookies (especially the ones with the Hershey's Kisses in them!

Happy Baking!

My Favorite Foods

Today is cooking day in the Cactus household. It's raining, so it's a perfect day to start the Christmas lasagna, made with homemade sausage (one of our friends makes their own sausage! very, very good!), homemade tomato sauce and lots and lots of ricotta cheese! So, in honor of all that, here are some of my favorite foods. (Again in no particular order.)

1. lasagna
2. pizza (of course!, no anchovies)
3. spaghetti
4. a Ruben sandwich
5. roast pork tenderloin
6. turkey with all the trimmings!
7. a good hamburger
8. Shepard's pie
9. steak and baked potato
10. green beans (I love, love green beans.)

What are some of your favorite foods? Let me know!

On the knitting side, not much is being completed around here (see above cooking). I'm still working on Stella's Hat from Knitting School Dropout and my embossed leaves socks (why they're taking sooooooo long I don't know). And the Fetching, I ran out of the yarn that matches the dark blue Utopia hat, so I'm trying to figure out something...I'll let you know soon (I hope).

And the kids are home on their first day of Christmas vacation today, so...well, you know how it goes!

My Favorite Socks (and Scarves?)

These are a few of my favorite sock patterns.



Monkey Socks (who doesn't love this pattern!?)

Embossed Leaves (from Interweave Knits, Favorite Socks)

Uptown Boot Socks (from Interweave Knits, Favorite Socks)

Brigit (from the Socktopia people!) (but for some reason, the link is no longer there, but check here (thank you Misfit Knits for posting this great picture so we can see what they look like!) (I do have a copy that I printed out of this if anyone wants it, let me know!)

Twinkletoes (that Knitty.com, gotta' love it!)

Jaywalker (Grumperina has some cool socks.)

Pedicure Socks

Earl Gray (oh, you Harlots will love this one!)

Nine-to-Fives



Let me know some of your favorites! (I've got a lot of sock yarn that needs to be knitted up before I can buy any more!)

(Oh, and there probably won't be a favorite scarves -- I don't really knit scarves! I mean, I know I should, and I own the Vogue Knitting, Scarves (from the "On the Go!" series), and there are several in there that I like, but I've never, ever even attempted (and I've had that book for quite some time, I might add.) So...if there are some of your favorite scarf patterns out there, let me know. Who knows? I may even attempt one! (Oh, and before you ask, I do own four scarves, my favorite being a woven wool turquoise extra wide wrap/shawl/scarf that I bought at Old Navy last year on clearance.)

My Favorite Fingerless Gloves, Regular Gloves and Mittens

(Anyone see a pattern here yet? No pun intended ... or maybe...)

Again, these are some of my favorite fingerless gloves, gloves and mitten patterns. Some (again) I've knit, and some I've yet to knit. Have fun! (Also check out this knitalong! There's some great patterns here!)

1. Fetching (I've made two, almost three pairs of these! Great)
2. Dashing (not yet)
3. Subway Mittens (from Interweave Knits, Winter 2007)
4. Little Gems Mitts (Interweave Knits, Holiday 2007)
5. Dragon Scale Fingerless Mitts
6. Armstulpen (these look too cool!)

Again, these are not in any particular order! Let me know your favorites! (Also, check out yesterday's posting, I've added some new hats!)

My Favorite Hats

The following are my favorite hats. Some I've knit, some I've yet to knit. Only one isn't a free pattern, the rest are (links included). Have fun!

1. Utopia Hat (I've made two, so I think I like it!)
2. Father/Daughter Hat (I've made about five, four for the Hubby and one child-sized one for the Munchkin.)
3. Droplet Hat (from Knitting in Nature by Norah Gaughan; check it out at your local library or this knitalong!)
4. Shedir Hat
5. Oddessa
6. Foliage
7. Anna of Green Cables Hat
8. Stella's Hat (I've just started this in a great purple!)
9. Norwegian Earflap Hat

These aren't in any particular order, but I do love my Utopia's!

If you've got some favorites, let me know!

Cactus Notes: Added on Wednesday, Dec. 19:

Jacques Cousteau Hat

Helping Hats

Dayflower Hat

Dependence

Space Helmet (from Vogue Knitting, Knit.1 magazine, Fall 2007) (For some reason this hat is oddly compelling.)

Dogs On Thursday

A birthday card MyHubby got from one of his friends. I think it says it all!
(card from Avanti Press, Inc., http://www.avantipress.com/)

Snow on the Mountains

These two pictures were the first we've seen of the mountains in about three days! I took these about an hour ago, and now the mountains are again covered in clouds!


Pattern: Utopia, from Smariek Knits.
Yarn: Lamb's Pride Bulky; color - blue flannel; 1 and 1/4 skeins.
Alterations: Made the bottom rib longer and used #9 needles.
Notes: I had the yarn in my stash, but had to go buy another whole skein to finish the hat! And to tickle your funny bone, I started another pair of Fetchings, and am going to have to buy another skein to finish those! This all started with stash yarn!!

This hat is great! I love this pattern! With the bulky yarn and the smaller than suggested needles, this hat is warm and toasty! And rain-proof too!

May I Present...

...the Celtic Tote!!!!

Before the bag was felted.
After felting, you can see the way the cable is softer and less defined. I had to go in and sort of pull at it a little bit and get it to stand up a little bit.
I love this fabric! It has a teal and brown color and was sort of patchwork. The wavy part in the middle is the bottom. (from Hancock Fabrics)
The lining all sewed in! I put a couple of pockets and a small zippered pouch too (not pictured).
The final bag! All it needs is the button closure.

Pattern: Celtic Tote, from Interweave Knits, Winter 2007.

Yarn: Cascade Ecological wool (1 skein - with a little bit left over); color #8087 (a medium brown); outline in Cascade 220 Wool; color #7822 (dark brown).

Needles: I think I used #10's.

Modifications: made the handle one more cable length than called for, and will probably re-enforce the handle with some cording sewn in when I make it to the fabric store (I don't have any in my supplies).

A Good Thing for the Season (and for always)

I was checking out the new knitting blogs, and came across this at A Knitting Knutty.

It's my challenge to myself to not take on other's garbage (sort of like toxic people).

Have a great night all!

Wow! What a Weekend!!!

This weekend went by soooooooooo fast! I can't believe it's December already! (I think I said that about November, too!) A busy weekend what with the last soccer game of the year, the Munchkin's team played the consolation round and lost, but they did a great job! To be 4th in a league with fifteen other teams is pretty good! It was so cold out there (8:00 AM), we had that winter storm move through last Thursday, Friday and Saturday. And we got lots and lots of wind, cold weather and much needed rain! So, me being the knitter, wore my hat, and my purple Fetchings (over other gloves)! It was great to be able to wear my stuff and be warm! Both kids had birthday parties this weekend, too. One on Saturday and one on Sunday at the park, but it turned out to be a nice day. The outside Christmas lights went up yesterday, too. It's easier with help! We also put up our tree on Saturday and the kids did all the ornament hanging! They did a great job!

I forgot to mention in my WIP Wednesday review about the Embossed Leaves socks. I'm still working on them-- I did most of the leg, heel and turned the heel over the weekend. I'm going to try to finish them this week.

I'm still working on the Celtic Tote lining (actually I haven't had time to start at all).

This is the start of a baby-sized hat based on my Hubby's favorite hat (the Father/Daughter, of course)! The LittleOne's god-mother is due any time this week. There's nothing like knowing for eight months that the baby's coming, but putting it off until the week the baby's due! Oh, well...it's small!

(I've got to change that date stamp!)

Dogs on the last Thursday of November!

These were taken of Ella last Friday (again the date stamp is incorrect!), when she went for her walk with dad! It was quite cold that day, so she was wearing her sweater!

What about my ears?

Today it's raining and cloudy and a little bit chilly! A great day for curling up on the couch or the chair!

Have a great day! Be sure to check out the other Dogs on Thursday!

WIP Wednesday...

Ready? There's some WIP's here as well as some finished goods!

Hubby's Hat #3

Pattern: Father/Daughter Hat, from Dropped a Stitch

Yarn: Plymouth Yarn, Plymouth Tweed, color #5313 (orangy/brown), I skein with a little bit left over

Needles: Size 7, 16" circular and dpn.

(Hubby's Hat #2 is the same, but uses Cascade 220 wool in sapphire blue. He just loves this hat!)

Utopia Hat, from Smariek Knits

Yarn: Bernat Alpaca, Natural Blend, color #93143, sky (very, very pale light blue); 1 skein with a little bit left over

Needles: #8, 16" circular and dpn.

This is a great hat! Very, very easy to knit! I did it in one day! (It's finally cool enough to wear a hat in the morning!) If I knit this again, I'd probably make the ribbing longer!

Dog Biscuits for Ella.

From DIY Network, Creative Juice.

I used my mini Christmas cookie cutters in angels, candy canes, gingerbread men and (not pictured) tree and bell shapes. These were very simple, and at least I know what went in them! She's had two so far!

The Celtic tote is waiting to get it's lining. I'm waiting until I have that done before I post any more pictures! I will tell you that it came out great! I really like it! Hopefully I can get to the lining tomorrow! When I sew, I like to devote the day to it, so tomorrow seems (at least right now tonight) to be the day!

I also started the Anna of Green Cables hat! For some reason, Dropped a Stitch's patterns appeal to me! I had started the Foliage hat from Knitty, but frogged it, and decided I liked this hat a lot better! I still will probably knit the Foliage, but later, when I find the right yarn for it!

I also frogged a sweater I was making (it was a two-year old project) today! I love the yarn, it's some vintage (and it is!) Paton's chenille yarn my great-aunt gave me in a great maroon color! The pattern I was knitting just didn't call to me anymore! It was quite cathartic to rip, rip, and rip! I'll have to find a better pattern for the yarn.

(Cactus Note: I just now realized that the date stamp on my camera is wrong! These pictures were taken today, and over the weekend!)

Turkey Tales...

A chocolate pie for the LittleOne's birthday. We did a combination of turkey day and her birthday, since everyone was there. (Don't fret for her, she's getting another party tomorrow and then on her actual birthday, I'll take a special snack to school!)

This, I believe, is self-explanatory.

The table.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We had a great one! My in-laws (that's the table)cooked the turkey (see above), we brought the stuffing, creamed onions, pumpkin pie, apple strudel and a chocolate pie. The chocolate pie (see above) was the LittleOne's birthday, since we were all together we decided to celebrate yesterday! She did get presents too! And, no, she wasn't upset that she had to share her day with a Turkey!

I did hit the stores this morning, okay it was only one, Target! I just love that place! I'm there way, way, way too much! The one in my town wasn't that bad, there really wasn't much of a crushing crowd.

Okay, so the other night we had the owl barking in the tree. Today, as the family and I were driving out of our neighborhood (about 1/2 mile from our house) a bobcat ran across the street (you'll have to take my word for it, the camera was at home -- of course), jumped up on the six foot block wall, stood there for a second, arched his back, and jumped back onto the road side. We are in the car! He (I'm assuming) hid behind a prickly pear cactus and then scooted behind it and was just sitting on the sidewalk when we drove away! He looked just like a stray dog just waiting for his owner to come by!



Wow! I wonder if he was looking for turkey scraps...



On a knitting note: I got the Celtic Tote all seamed up and I felted it this morning! It looks great. When I post the pictures (I want to line it before I show it off), I'll let you know all the details. But I've had people leave comments about the outline on the cables...I think you should do the outlining. It takes a little time, but the detail is well worth the time. Otherwise the cable (think of all that work) gets lost in the background.



So, of course I started something else...can anyone guess what it would be? A: baby sweater; B: hat (for me of course); C: a cake; D: A and B; E: C and E; F: B and A...hmm...tough one!



Have a great day!

Turkey Day

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Tote(n) Good Tuesday

Before we get to the pictures of the Celtic Tote, last night we had a visitor in our tree. It's a little hard to see (Hubby had giant spotlight on him and camera tried), but it's our friendly neighborhood owl! He sits up in our tree and makes weird sounds (sometimes he barks like a dog!). The arrow is pointing to him as he turned his neck to look at me! He's pretty big, for an owl, that is!

Next up: The tote!

This is the back side. (ha, ha, ha!)

And here are the back and front, with the outline in the dark brown. I'm working on the gusset bottom right now, it's a little tricky at first, but once you get going, it's pretty mindless! Looking at the dates on the pictures, it only took me about two weeks to finish the pieces. Pretty good, if I do say so myself (plus another hat thrown in for good measure -- those pictures are coming! I have to get the model wearing them!)

Hope all have a great Night Before Thanksgiving (there is a book). (Although technically, it's the night before, the Night Before Thanksgiving!) It's a great one for everyone!

Thankful Thursday, the Friday Edition

Taking a cue from NH Knitting Mama, this will be a thankful Thursday post, the Friday edition.

1. That my Hubby understands my need to create with yarn, even though the yarn seems to take over some time! (He's getting lots of hats this year!)
2. That my kids (the Munchkin and LittleOne) are happy, healthy and have some good friends!
3. That Ella (the dog), has blended into our family after we adopted her a couple of years ago.
4. And finally, that I have the ability to create things from string!

Hope all have a great Friday!

Festive Fall Cookies!

It's finally cool enough to bake during the day!

Festive fall cookies! (Recipe from here.) This is a great recipe, very multi-purpose!

Monday (Catch Up, Catch Breath)

Wow! It's Monday (again). And a Holiday to boot. Only a week to go until Thanksgiving! (Got a Turkey yet? no, not even close!)
Today's been Catch Up Day around here, since the weekend days were spent at soccer games and the Munchkin had a birthday party to go to. Loads of laundry (and I do mean loads -- I think 6) and the kids are home today, sort of helping -- they did change their sheets today! Yeah! They really can learn how! And they did help sort the laundry (well, most of it was theirs!).
I tried to catch up to all of my blogs that I read, some days it's hard to check in and see how every one's doing.
I'm about 15 rows out of completing the first side of the Celtic Tote from the new Interweave Knits. I'm still working on the Embossed Leaves socks. I started another hat for me last night (this one). And the hubby wants another Father/Daughter hat. Not to mention I still have some Holiday knitting to do (you know those pesky teacher gifts!).
But enough rambling, back to work. (I think I caught my breath!) No, maybe a snack and some tea...

(Edited on Tuesday Morning -- the hat (for me) was completely frogged last night! So...it's a do-over!!!)

Dog on Thursday

Pose number 1.

Enough of this Mom...I'm out of here!

Yes, that's Ella's ear.

And Ella's eyeball.

And a pretty picture.

It was a long, long day for Ella. A long walk with Dad this morning, sleeping on the couch, the floor, and the couch again. Guests (my parents and aunt) for dinner. And it's still hot here! She really wasn't up to posing for pictures tonight, but I think I got a good one!

Couldn't Help Myself

I got my issue of Interweave Knits in my mailbox yesterday, and I couldn't help myself, I cast on for the Celtic Tote last night (after I finished Hubby's #2 hat -- a Father/Daughter again) and have gotten about halfway through the chart/side.
I had the perfect yarn (see here) and, for some reason, this pattern called out to me.

I've been looking for a brown bag, just a plain brown bag, and when I couldn't find one, I took myself off to the LYS and bought that yarn, not really knowing what I was going to do with it. I looked at it for the past two weeks, researched some patterns, but I guess I was waiting for this particular one!

Don't you just love it when you have the ability to say, hmm, I think I need a new bag? Or, hmm, I think I would love a new pair of socks? Or, hmm, I need that sweater. Or, hmm, my puppy/dog/cat needs a new sweater...or a hat...or gloves...or fingerless mitts...or mittens...(for you, not the animals! although I think they'd look smashing!)

We knitters (and sewers) wield such power, don't you think?

Another Pair of Fetching and Another Hat

Well, this week went by so fast! What happened to October? How did November sneak up on me like that? And I can't believe that my LittleOne will be 6 at the end of this month! Wow!

Anyway, I actually did knit two things this week.

Top: Droplet Hat, from Knitting Nature, by Norah Gaughan. Yarn: stash yarn, something acrylic, I think, but I wanted it in gray. The only alteration to the pattern was that I forgot the first 2 purl rows after the cast on, so I just extended the ribbing (I read the pattern wrong).

Bottom: Fetching, from Knitty.com. Yarn: Brown Sheep (I think, it was from my stash) in light purple. Alterations: I made the ribbing at the bottom longer. The first pair I made (and gifted) were too short. These are much, much better.

Well, I'm off to a busy day of soccer here in the desert! Hope all take care, have a great weekend, and happy knitting vibes to you all!!!

November Dogs on Thursday

Although this picture was taken on Tuesday, that pesky date timer, this is how Ella spends most of her afternoons. I think she thinks it should be cooler outside. The glasses do not help her see the TV.

I'm not sure what she was doing here! Jumping on the couch, I think. (I didn't take this picture, I think My Hubby did!)

Go Dogs on Thursday!

Happy November!!!!!

Ode to Robert Goulet

My family and I love the Robert Goulet songs and still listen to original albums. (In fact, my hubby just bought one of his Christmas albums on Saturday at our local library's book sale for a quarter!).

So, we mourn the loss of this great American icon.

God Bless, Mr. Goulet.

One Sad Sock

Oh, you poor, poor sock.

All by yourself.

Waiting.

Wondering when your companion will show.

But, alas, there will be no such companion.

It will always be you.

One sad sock.

But, be happy,

A Christmas Stocking you shall be.

Pattern: Eesti Hiking Sock, from Favorite Socks

Yarn: stash yarn (I think it was Encore (green), Wool Ease (oatmeal and red)

Why only one: mutual agreement of hubby and I

Raverly

Okay. I've been looking around on Raverly! At first I was like, oh, okay, not really too overly enthusiastic. But...I will say that I've changed my mind. It's really, really cool. Now I know what you early birds were talking about!
My user name is, of course, Cactusneedles.
If you're on there, leave me a comment with your name and I'll add you to my list!

I've got to go back and see who already left me their Raverly names, but, if you think about it, let me know!

Have a great night!!!

My Hat (and some new yarn)...

My hat, based on the Father/Daughter pattern. I did a 4 x 4 ribbing for about 5 inches (I like a hat to cover my ears).

Yarn: Patons SWS (soy and wool) in geranium. 1 skein (just barely).

Needles: #7 circular and dpn.

And then I had to go back to the LYS. I like this store (as I've been back twice in two weeks, I guess so!). The lady who helped me loved the hubby's hat I took to show them and wrote down where I got the pattern! I like when that happens!

For another Hubby Hat (he wants a second one)! Cascade 22o wool, heathers, in color sapphire, it's almost more of a denim blue. (My poor basil plant!)

And for me-- the bottom skein is a Cascade , Ecological Wool, in chocolate (it's darker in person). The top skein is a Cascade 220 wool in a dark brown (I'm not sure of the color the label says "vandky", possibly Vandyke brown? I used to watch way too much Bob Ross.)

I'm going to felt a tote bag. The lady at the LYS said she hadn't felted with this yarn yet so she wasn't sure how it was going to felt. Has anyone out there in blog land felted with this yet? I've got a couple of patterns in mind, the Ecological Wool has 478 yards on it, plenty for a bag with the darker for the bottom, I think.

Still working on my Embossed Leaves socks, oh, did I not tell you guys? Oh, well, those are going great! I love that pattern, it just flows nicely!

Oh, and I got my invite to Raverly. I've got to take some time next week and figure that all out!

Anyway, have a great Thursday (check out the Dogs on Thursday blog). Ella says "hi" to all her doggy friends out there!

The Hubby's Hat

Pattern: Father/Daughter Hat from Dropped a Stitch.
Yarn: Cascade 220, wool, in 'turtle' (only took about 1/4 of the skein).
Modifications: Made the ribbing 4 inches.
Model: The Hubby!

I also made myself a version of this with this yarn (in geranium) and a 4x4 rib instead of a 2x2. (I'll post a picture later this week.)

At Last, We Have Pictures!!!

Here are the picts from the previous posting:

The Cascade 220 wool. "Turtle" on the left (with partial hat -- which is done, but I need a model for it, tune in tomorrow); "celery" on the right (still deciding what to do with it!)

The sideways garter stitch glove before seaming.

Partially seamed.

Yesterday's project -- finishing the Brea bag I had knit ages and ages ago (it might even have been last year, BB {before blogging}) Done in, I believe, a Cascade 220 super wash, doubled, in an orange/rust color. This picture doesn't do it justice.

The lining. Let me tell you, it was a bear to do. This was my second attempt. I still have to decide on the handle (I made the one above) and the closure.
Happy knitting! I'm on to the next project...my pink socks I think.

Imagine the Pictures...

Okay...I'm trying to upload some picts of my recent WIP's, but Blogger seems to be having a problem with doing this function.
So, when it lets me, I'll show you, because I do have pictures.

In the meantime, I've decided to gift my fetching fingerless gloves to my great-aunt. She's visiting my parents and me from northern Maine and she had mentioned how she would like some fingerless gloves to wear when she drives. (And yes, she's 80 and still drives!)

Yesterday, my hubby and I went to the local Sam's Club, you know, picked up some pillows, some crackers, bagels, laundry detergent and on the way back, he stopped at the new LYS that opened near us! Isn't he sweet? This store was very nice. The people were friendly, the yarn was displayed and labeled in white shelves. They had a vast selection of sock yarn, wool yarn, cotton and the novelty yarn. (The pictures I want to show you all is the yarn my hubby picked out for himself.) I'm going to make him this hat. Don't you just love Knitting Pattern Central? So, he picked out a Cascade 220 wool, heather, in color 2452 (which on the label they have "turt", short for turtle perhaps?) If you scroll down on the linked page, you'll see the color. I also picked up color 9407 ("cele", celery perhaps?). I was going to knit the fetching gloves for my great-aunt in this, but decided to gift my brown ones instead. (I can make more!)

I also had a picture of the sideways garter stitch gloves I made. (This is not the pattern from the winter '02 issue of Spin-Off. My other aunt gave it to me when I was visiting and it has a different source.) I was making them for me, but when I started to seam them, the fingers are too short. So, I'm gifting them to the LittleOne who will probably need them in the next few weeks when we walk to school.

So there is the descriptions for the pictures I have waiting in the wings (once Blogger cooperates). If you close your eyes, you might be able to visualize...

Have a great day!!!

Ella's Sweater

Here is the lovely Ella modeling her warm new sweater.

"I like it Mom! Thanks!" (now when is it going to get cold enough to wear it?)

Ella's Sweater: Lion Brand Wool-Ease in forest green heather (2 balls); #7, 8, 9 needles.

Pattern: My own. (If anyone wants it, let me know and I'll write it up, but it is sized for Ella specifically.) Calling it Ella's Cable Neck Sweater.

Now, to the finish the hubby's socks...

More Yarn...

Okay. I know I wasn't going to buy any more yarn, but yesterday the kiddos, the hubby and I all went on a field trip day. Since the kids are off this week for fall break (which is feeling more like summer), we took them on a field trip. We went on a museum tour at the local college campus, one of which they wouldn't let us in -- my purse was too big and I might "bump into the artwork." That is a direct quote from the security guard! Can you believe it! She wouldn't let us in because I wouldn't leave my purse at her desk! There's just no way! I had all the stuff you would normally carry in a purse in there and there was no way I was leaving it with her!

Anyway, on a brighter note, I did get to go to one of the LYS's that I hadn't been to before because it's all the way across town. It was a nice store, small, but she had a good selection. And she told me that another LYS opened up closer to me, that's my next week's trip (when they're back at school!). All I walked out with though was this:

... Regia, sock yarn in like a pink, but not hot pink color.

I think I'm going to either do the Uptown Boot socks or the Embossed Leaves, from Favorite Socks. I think both would look great with this color. But before I can begin, I need to finish the hubby's socks (and Ella's sweater). Tune in tomorrow for DoT (dogs on Thurs.) and I might be ready to unveil Ella's sweater.