Gina Guessed!

Isn't it adorable? Sorry Ericka - you won't be getting this yarn. (She thought if I frogged the sock one more flipping time I would pitch the yarn to get rid of the bad juju...)

It isn't quite perfect, besides not being quite done. I have to have someone show me how to graft the toesies.

Also, on the decreases after picking up all the stitches, I only realized about halfway through the decreases that I should have been knitting a round plain between each decrease row. But, I pressed on. I'm framing this sucker anyway. It's going on my wall, so who cares if it wouldn't fit anyone!

The yarn is superwash merino, hand painted by the voluptuous Gina herself.

The pattern is from the Yarn Harlot, her plain vanilla sock recipe. You can get this pattern at the Knitty Gritty website.

You'll Never Guess

In a million bajillion years, you will NEVER guess what I finished. Well, to be honest, almost finished - I only have 8 stitches left to deal with. Will just need a few minutes instruction to learn how to wrap this project up.

Here's the deal. I will post a picture of this work of art when someone correctly guesses what it is. Type of project, and the yarn used. If you know me, you can figure this out.

Wanna guess?

Doncha?

Come on, I know you do.....

I Be Tagged

I've been tagged by Gina. Oh, goodie.

Here's the deal: Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write in their blogs the 7 facts, as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog.

Here's my 7 facts.

1. When I was a kid, I had an inch+ overbite. Spent two years in braces, nightgear, retainer, the whole works. Think little girl in Little Shop of Horrors.
2. My B.A. is from the American University, in Soviet Studies from the School of International Service, which gives me the unique education and perspective I need to be a technical writer and trainer for accounting software. Sigh.
3. My #1 not-so-secret-TV-vice is /was Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. OK, now you all know. And if you don't harass me about it you can borrow the entire DVD box sets.
4. I am a Mary Kay consultant, but not the kind that bleeds pink and gets in your face. I'm the kind that has a few loyal customers, and wants to take advantage of the discount. And ladies, my skin has been near FLAWLESS lately. Nuf' said.
5. I hate to talk on the telephone. Face to face is best, then email - but too many years of inbound call center sales and software technical support killed any urge in me to live on the phone. I don't leave my cell phone on. Leave a message and I'll get back to you.
6. All the cats I have had in my life have been my babies, and every single one has been special - Cleo, Daisy, Rosie, Boris, Puddy, and Abby. One of these days I will dig out pics of all of them and do a kitty blog.
7. I snore. A lot. Loudly. With enthusiasm and concern for a job well done.

Now, I am not sure if I know 7 more people to tag who haven't been already. I can tag Jess, but she's too busy right now to blog. No one in my family blogs. As far as I know. No one else at work blogs. As far as I know. And is it polite to tag strangers, just cuz you read their blog? Probably not. Let me think about it and add more names if / when I come up with them. If you are reading this and want to volunteer to be tagged, speak up!!!

Vacation 2007 - Weirs Beach PART FOUR

Eating and Shopping and Knitting - Oh My! (Or, What I Did on My Spring Vacation)

And yes, we went to many of our favorite places, and tried a few new ones.

George's Diner in Meredith is a favorite for breakfast. Big omelettes, nice waitresses, good coffee. And the regulars are funny to listen to as they harass the staff. There was a table of State Police in there when we went, but that didn't seem to slow down the bickering back and forth.

We drive by Christmas Island Steak House on the way to the condo, and for a few years have been meaning to try it out, and never did until this year. It's OK, but we probably won't go back. The prices are a little steep for the quality - it's like they are trying to be too gourmet for the area and their food doesn't quite make it, even though the prices do. And it's silly to put on airs when half your clientele wears leathers and straps on a Harley. Just my humble opinion.

Our absolutely favorite-est place is JT's Ribs (up the street from the condo, across from the Fun Spot), followed by Patrick's Pub (Gilford) in a close second. JT's BBQ is pretty good - worth the gastric distress caused by all the beans and sauce and garlic a few hours later. You HAVE to have the Texas Toast.

Patrick's knows how to pour a cold beer, and their food is really good, with a wide variety.

Almost forgot - we started our vacation with a fantastic meal at Fratello's in Laconia. EXCELLENT Italian food. Mark was in Alfredo heaven. We both had haddock specials - his with alfredo, mine with spinach and a fantastic light cheese sauce. My tumbly is rumbly just thinking about it. Even the cappucino was perfect.

Vacation 2007 - Weirs Beach PART THREE

Eating and Shopping and Knitting - Oh My! (Or, What I Did on My Spring Vacation)

What a freakin bargain! Donna, don't hate me! Went to Patternworks first thing last Monday, and they had KOIGU in the sale bin! HALF OFF!! I grabbed all of it. Starting my Koigu stash - will never hit Donna's 200+ stashyness, but I am on my way.

My favorite place to shop at while up at the Lake is the Long View Country Store on Rte. 3, Meredith. The place is full to the rafters with yummies, games, consignment antiques, retro repros and just plain fun stuff. They even have a sour pickle barrel. Every time we visit there is something new, and the owner is very sweet. Check it out - don't just drive by.

This time, I got some Stonewall Kitchen Blueberry Syrup and some blueberry pancake mix, a few pickles, a fighting froggie pen for Gina, some Kettle Korn, a surprise for Chet and Anita's campsite (can't tell you until we give it to them..), and a surprise for my sister (can't tell you that either).

Vacation 2007 - Weirs Beach PART TWO

Eating and Shopping and Knitting - Oh My! (Or, What I Did on My Spring Vacation)

Didn't have many ambitious plans - stocked up on magazines, brought a few almost done projects - this one is yet another Booga bag to go into the stack for a felting frenzy. I found this yarn on EBay - a gorgeous butterscotch with some dark green for the bottom and base.

Vacation 2007 - Weirs Beach PART ONE

We're back, back to the daily grind, after a week of doing nothing. Really, nothing. We slept, we made tough decisions like where to go out to eat, or whether to nap now or later. I made a feeble attempt of doing some work for the office, got a few hours in - but that was the most strenuous thing I did, at least mentally.






How can you exert yourself with a view like this?

Where I Knit

Monkey See, Monkey Do.
Lora
Jackie

Me - Pending.

Vacation!

For the next week I will be up at Lake Winnie-pee-sock-ee, soaking up the not-having-to-drive-two-hours-a-day-and doing-whatever-the-bloody-hell-I-wanna-do vibe.

We will be meeting ManchVegas knitters at the 2007 NH Sheep and Wool Festival on Saturday, the 12th.

Until then, or until I can find decent WiFi coverage up they-uh, have a lovely week and try not to miss me even a little bit!