Secret Pal 12 Question #2

In many parts of the US and abroad, school's out. Take a walk down memory lane for Week Two's question: As a kid, what did you look forward to most about summer vacation/break/holiday?

Memories! I grew up on a small dairy farm, where we also had a farm stand with corn, cukes, strawberries, and such. I loved, loved, loved working at the stand and seeing the "city folks" come by and take home the best fresh veggies around! I fondly recall the whole farm atmosphere, and helping my grandfather with the chores. When I was younger, it was the little things I remember...catching the lightning bugs, swimming at the lake, summer camp, homemade ice cream, sleepovers at friends, and such. No TV was blaring (yes, we had one, but who wanted to turn it on with so much else going on?) and such. I wish my own children had that kind of summer, although we do spend time at my parent's lake house here in the Sunapee region of NH. I'm sure there were rough spots, but oddly, they don't stand out in my mind. :)

Attention! I Have Gauge on First Attempt

What a pleasant surprise. Yes, I obtained correct gauge on my first attempt with the Shire Silk yarn for the Lace Hem Topping. What a nice feeling! I didn't PLAN on casting it on yesterday, but I did. Yes, I do feel a bit guilty for putting aside my Tangerine Twist for a day or two, but the feel of the silk swatch just put me over the edge, so I cast on the silk. I couldn't help myself!

It's interesting to me that I obtained gauge on the recommended size needles (US 7) for this project, as usually I'm a very loose knitter and go down 1-2 needle sizes automatically. However, I find that this slightly textured yarn has me knitting tighter than usual (I'm using Addi Turbos as my Knit Picks are in use right now) and the swatch is soft, drapes well, and lovely to pet. If you are a knitter, you KNOW what I mean.

Last night was the first evening since last week where it wasn't raining, so hubby and I lit the "Tiki" type copper torches (citronella) on the new deck, lit the patio table candles, and sat in the rocking glider...and I knit. The youngest rocked on the hammock. Our teen was at Driver's Ed (so house was quiet).

Due to the citronella, we weren't eaten alive by the mosquitoes, and I was able to observe our early evening visitors to the bird feeders...the hummingbird to the nectar, and the cardinal pair, the chickadees and chipmunks stuffing themselves. I had to but a squirrel baffle on the bird feeder (which holds 6 different feeders, actually) to deter the ever so cute, but voracious chipmunks who recently discovered that they could climb the pole to obtain a never ending supplyh of sunflower seed. :)

Emergency Knitting

Today's Mail: Emergency Knitting Bag, from illiane's corner.
Nice bag, however, an impulse buy. Still deciding whether to keep it stocked in the car, or to be nice and give it to a secret pal. Hmmm...

(Next to the bag is a skein of Noro Sock Yarn, that is for a secret pal. I'd love to try this yarn, but I've already promised myself too many things to cast on right now.)

My Ice Cream Personality

Your Ice Cream Personality:

You like to think of yourself as a fairly modest person. And it's true that you don't talk yourself up... but you're also pretty happy with who you are. You have a wild reputation, but you're not as wild as you seem. You take risks, but only measured risks. You are a fairly open minded person with a wide range of tastes. You are quite accepting of unusual ideas and people. You are a natural multitasker. You feel alive when you're doing more than one thing at a time. You can be a big dramatic and over the top sometimes. You are bold in every way

The Ice Cream Personality Test

SP 12 Question of the Week

What is your favorite summertime drink?

I'm fairly boring in this department...it's one of the 3 below:
1. Iced Dunkin Donuts coffee with cream
2. a bottle of Poland Springs water (cold, of course)
3. homemade ice tea (unsweetened) or lemonade (sweetened)

The Postman Strikes Again...and so does a "Bug"

The postman arrived with another package from WEBS to me. I must order yarn when I'm in a fog sometimes...because I'm truly surprised when the box arrives, and I think...hmmm...what is this?
OK, this time: I ordered a few knitterly accessories and yarn for the SP12 swap...along with 9 skeins of Plymouth Shire Silk in a light/med. green colorway. It's softer than I expected. Shire Silk specifics:
Content: 100% Silk
Care: Hand Wash
Weight/Yardage: 50 Grams/109 Yards
Gauge: 4.5sts=1" #7 needles
Knitting Weight: Worsted

I plan to cast on the Lace Hem Topping by Zoe Valette from Creative Knitting Summer 08.

I've been in bed sick with something (head splitting headache, nausea and vomiting, etc. since Friday evening, and have slept almost solid since then. This morning (Sunday) I begin to see the end of it...whatever the bug is. :) God is good. The ginger ale is by my side. The house looks like a bomb hit, and that's OK). :) I missed my local WWKIP event, but things happen. :)

Enjoy Father's Day with your loved ones. I'm heading back for a nap while I can. :)