FFBE Weekly Question

As of this weekend, the season has officially changed on the calendar - but what makes Autumn feel like Autumn to you, and why?

Here in New Hampshire, Autumn to me incorporates: the briskness of a cool sunny day, the colored leaves on trees and lawn (which then end up in the house between the kids and dogs), apple picking, pumpkin farm visits, the need for a sweater, a rake, and a hot coffee or cider. Autumn is my favorite time of the year...perfect temps (no need for air conditioning or my sub-zero outerwear), a perfect excuse for knitting while watching outdoor soccer games, and if it's cold, dreary and rainy...it's a good excuse to bake that apple pie, make a wonderful large pot of homemade chicken (and pastini) soup, and knit, knit, knit.
Does anyone remember pressing Fall leaves between sheets of waxed paper as a child? I love the smell of the leaves! Which reminds me...the teen at home needs to rake the yard. :)
Enjoy Fall, Ya'll!

Knitterly Ramblings

In my knitting world, I'm enjoying working on my Forest Canopy Shawl. I've learned to use "lifelines" in my knitting...that is a SMART thing to do, not a waste of time. I learn things the hard way. :)
This past week, I've become addicted to knitting podcasts. I can't believe I haven't used my iPod for these before now! I can even download books of the Bible, so I can have the word of God in my ear while doing housework, chores, etc. Back to knitting podcasts...I'm very new to these, but my FAVORITES are Sticks & String
and Cast On.
I also listen sporadically to CraftLit, Stash and Burn (podcasting about all things knitting and life under the weight of the stash),and She -Knits (talks about knitting, designing knits, family life (7 kids) , and balancing it all)... these free podcasts that suit my style. I subscribe to my podcasts through iTunes, so it's easy for me to use. Since no one in my family "gets" Knitting, or why I enjoy it, or enjoy touching various fibers and yarns, it's nice to have a venue to where I feel accepted and understood. I love knitting! Of course, don't get me wrong...my love for my Lord and family come first, but you know what I mean. :)
I hope to put up my projects and notebook entries (stash, WIPs, etc.) soon on Ravelry (find me as KnittyKris).
On the homefront, we're off to New England's oldest family fair...the 131st annual Deerfield Fair
On Friday, it's up to Norwich U we go, as it's Family Weekend at Son's college. He'll be home for 24 hours, and I can't wait! on Thursday. You KNOW I'll be heading to the fiber crafts, animals, and all such related areas. Oh, and for the deep fried pickles. And Kettle Corn. And Fried Dough. Enough said.

FFBE Bits of Bag Info for You...it's a Secret!

I apologize for the lack of clarity in this photo...but it's of Manos...a favorite felting wool of mine.
I can't show you the pattern, it's an Indie pattern that I need to check with the designer with, before posting...but I LOVE the pattern, which I picked up on vacation while in NC at Knitting Addiction. Could this bag be for you? Is it YOUR color palette? I can't tell you, but soon the bag will be finished. Enjoy this last day of summer 2007.
P.S. Please congratulate Mary on opening an Etsy shop!...not open yet, according to her blog, but we should all go check it out when it does! Congrats, Mary! I've been following her blog from the 3-2-1 Contact blogging from earlier in the swap. :)

New Yarn to Try...and Frogging Completed...

Yes, I did it. I bought myself a skein of Windy Valley Muskox Qiviut. Yessiree. See here. So soft.
The pattern for this Feather Lace Scarf came with it.
OH MY...I can't wait to cast on and see what all the hub-bub of qiviut is all about. Of course, after reading Arctic Lace from front to back cover, I'm hooked already! Also there's Arctic Diamonds from Interweave Winter 2006 here, to start with, if you need convincing to trace these truly gorgeous patterns by Donna Druchunas.

On the other side of knitting, I "tinked" my Forest Canopy Shawl...don't cry though, I tell myself...because I'm re-casting on today with another size needle...I didn't care for my gauge on size 6 US needles, so I'm going up to a 7 with my Knit Picks Options (I'm a loose knitter...8's didn't work for me)...and I'm using Great Adirondacks Silky Socks in the Eggplant colorway. Photos...will follow!

An Overdue Blog Update....Sorry, I'm Behind in Posting!

OK, Are you ready? Big long post ahead...a lot of to show you!...

C*Eye*Ber Fiber goodness from my KVVS pal, Tammy! Beautiful, just beautiful colorway!
Here are the Vulcan Ears that Tammy sent from Vulvan, Alberta, Canada..."Just a speck
(I mean SPOCK) on the map."




Greeting from the world's biggest procrastinator...yes...me. :) It's one of my weaknesses, unfortunately. I'm working on it, really.
OK...we're back from vacation. And I have some WONDERFUL swap pals to thank! On this lovely Autumn day (OK, today is actually the second to last day of Summer)...I took photos of the Knitting goodies I received.

First, a big thank you to Tammy
in the Knitters Virtual Vacation Swap...
for this lovely package from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada!
What a package! Many travel brochures for me to peruse over, Cuppers coffee from Tammy's favorite local coffee shop, a brown leather bag made locally from an elderly aboriginal woman who donates volunteer time at Fort Whoop Up., Japanese goodies from the Gardens in Lethbridge (which Tammy tells me is home to many different cultures), Ammolite earrings, dug right out of the ground in Lethbridge, Canadian playing cards, chocolate (already devoured), many local gifts which include: a huge handcrafted wooden pencil, planner book, Japanese bookmark, origami ornament, a scented candle, stitch holders, and many other gifts...I was blown away by her generosity...and although I've never been to Canada (except to go to the border and turn around many years ago when lost), I actually feel like I've been there! So, I guess I need to go and see Alberta!



Next, but just as important...
another huge thank you to my SP11 Pal...who is...I don't know...she (or he) is a secret! But she is from California...this I know. Why? Let's see...

I received a lovely Hershey Postcard, Hershey chocolate scented candle, Hershey lip gloss, some lovely scented soap, a magnet, and 2 skeins of sock Cascade sock yarn in Autumn colors. I am now going to open the lip gloss and enjoy. Yum! (No, I won't eat it). :) Thanks, SP pal!



OK, next...but certainly not least, I thank my terrific Football-along Swap pal, Kim!
Now...what a Football Package! Kim sent me plates, cups, party bags and treats for my whole family...no dish washing for me next Sunday night! Also, sent me 2 skeins of Claudia's Handpainted Yarn in a great orange colorway (Go Dolphins!), and some handcrafted fingerless gloves...a pair each in blue and orange. What an awesome gift, especially for those of us who are already chilly this Fall! She also sent 2 extra skeins of the blue colorway so I could knit another pair. Thank you! (P.S. The Twizzlers were scarfed down on Monday Night!) Hmm...along with the goodies, I noticed a lot of red and black Georgia Bulldogs stuff...that must be Kim's team. :)

Is My Vacation REALLY over...Already?

OK...I've been home for 6 days now...and I haven't "synched" back to real life yet! How long does it take?
Our vacation to Kill Devil Hills in the Outer Banks/NC was wonderful. My hubby, 8 yr old son, and I traveled down in our Suburban, and I knit ALL the way...all 13 hours...with an over the I-Sight over-ear book light (looks like a bluetooth, but with a tiny light)....in the car, I knit a pair of socks for my niece (Koigu...in a hot pink, picked by the recipient of the socks...she's 10) , a sock for my son (Cherry Tree Hill sapphire , chosen by my son), and half of my Branching Out scarf in Elsebeth Lavold's Silky Wool.

Beaches and most tourists seemed to clear out by Labor Day, and the weather was....perfect.
Our cottage had no major problems, and seems to be withstanding the winds of time well. OK...here's what was SO perfect...
Waking up...when I woke up....drinking DD coffee on the porch, basking in the sunlight early in the morning, reading my Bible and praying, then knitting until others awoke, and we went to the beach...every day. DPNs are very easy to misplace in the sand. I know. Ever rake a grid around your beach chair, looking for a size 0 dpn in the sand? not fun. And, sea spray makes bamboo needles...well...sticky. However, I knit...a lot...
Back home I am. Eldest son joined theVT National Guard while in his third week at Norwich University. He's in the Cavalry Company. Hmmm. News to me. He seems to enjoy NU's cadet program as a Rook...so far. He's carrying the flag in first photo, and on the right in second photo.



Now that I have new batteries for my camera, I'll be taking photos of my Branching Out scarf, and the 3 pairs of socks that I knit on vacation. Soon... :)

Christmas Around The World Questionnaire

1. Are you religious? I wouldn't use the word "religious"because it's not about religion for me...it's my daily life; and I am a born-again Christian and very active in my church.
   
2. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider yourself a Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced? I'm an intermediate knitter,I've been knitting since a teenager, but I've been knitting A LOT in the past year. It's cheaper than therapy! :)
   
3. Do you have any other hobbies besides knitting? Not really. Well, baking, reading, and I homeschool my sons. I quilt, but my quilting has been nil since I took up knitting again. :)
   
4. Favorite color(s)? Most! Reds, greens, most colors make me happy, except pastels and neons. I love jewel-tones as well. I also love brown and pink together. :)
   
5. Do you collect anything? Yarn (of course)...not much else. Shawl closures and unusual buttons for felted bags, too.
   
6. Are you allergic to any fibers or animals? No.
   
7. Do you have any pets? 2 dogs, 2 cats, a guinea pig, a chicken, and 5 cockatiels.
   
8. Coffee, Tea, or Hot Chocolate? All.
   
9. Cookies or Sweets? Both! :)
   
10. Do you knit socks? Of course!
    
11. If not socks then what? (tell us about your favorite knits) Socks and laceweight projects...shawls and scarves. I'm starting a pattern from Arctic Lace this week.
    
12. Do you put up a Christmas tree? Yes, right after Thanksgiving if it's artificial (the years when we're out of town for the holidays, or if kids or puppies are very young), otherwise it's approx 2 weeks before Christmas for a real tree...and we enjoy cutting down our own tree, if time permits. :)
    
13. Favorite holiday treats? Home-baked cookies, eggnog...definitely home made anything!
    
14. Favorite holiday smells? Christmas tree, scented candles, spiced cider...all holiday scents are wonderful!
    
15. Do you celebrate Christmas in a traditional or unconventional way? Please elaborate. Well, we have an early dinner with family and/or friends (depending who is where that year), and then to Christmas Eve church service...then it's home and more eating...and the children start guessing presents...although I still wait until they're asleep before I put gifts under the tree...and the kids are 8-18 now, but it's "tradition". We don't do Santa Claus, but we do everything else! I just love Christmas.
    
16. What are your favorite holiday traditions? Christmas Eve candlelight service, watching the kids open their stockings in the morning. Oh yes, I also watch Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" on Thanksgiving Day to get the season going. :)
    
17. Finish the sentence: “For me Christmas is all about....” celebrating the birth of Jesus, and letting family and friends know how much I love and care for them.
    
18. If you were a Christmas ornament you would be…….? Wow...um...an old glass Grape cluster (it's my favorite antique family heirloom from Germany)...or...I'd be... something delicate and fancy.
    
19. What was your favorite gift you've ever received? Or given? Favorite gift received...homemade childhood gifts from the kids, and a "shopping spree" at the local yarn store for a few projects (that was from my hubby last year), and another favorite was some family jewelry passed down from my mother. Favorite given gift: handmade items for family (quilted or knitted).
    
20. When do you start your Christmas? I start the day of Thanksgiving, as soon as my turkey is in the oven early in the morning...it drives my hubby crazy.
    
21. Do you send Christmas cards? Do you make them or buy them? I try to remember to send cards, but sometimes...I forget. I've made and purchased them in the past...depending on my mood. I think this year I'll do photo cards.
    
22. What is your favorite Christmas dish? Swedish Meatballs in a sour cream and capers sauce ...family recipe.
    
23. Carolers are at your door. What do you do? Open the door and enjoy!
    
24. When do you open presents? Christmas eve or Christmas morning? On Christmas morning. Kids may open stockings after 6 am (allowing me to sleep), then we read the Gospel story of Christmas from Luke, and the kids open presents one at a time...while I drink my hot coffee, of course!
    
25. Do you celebrate with family or friends or both? Both....sometimes we're home, sometimes at a family house in another state, and sometimes with friends at our house.