A lot about nothing – Page 2

February 4, 2020

Finish or Frog part 2

Hello dear friends! I must say, the Finish or Frog adventure was one of the best things I did for myself, even though I was not the beneficiary of the finished projects. This next project should have been frogged years ago. And I mean YEARS. My son and I picked out the yarn together at the NYS Sheep and Wool Festival (aka. Rhinebeck) with the intention of my knitting him a set of socks. The yarn was very popular for socks at the time and we waited on line for quite a while to buy it. I cast on immediately and knit 3/4 of the first sock but I was not in love with how it was knitting up; it was stiff and the wool was discoloring my hands and bamboo needles. So the project sat there, in my closet for close to 8 years. You heard me. 8 YEARS! So out of the closet it came. I rewound the wool and decided it would make a nice hat that would showcase the yarn’s subtle color variations. I had forgotten how handsome the wool was. I chose the Barley Light pattern by Tin Can Knits The yarn is Blue Moon Fiber – Silkie Socks that Rock in Ravenscroft color way (black with yellow and green highlights)

In keeping with the habit of naming my projects after video games or characters. I named this hat Vivi after that black mage in Final Fantasy IX- the little fella with the big hat!.

Vivi also makes a minor appearance in Kingdom Hearts, one of my son’s favorite video game franchises. The word ‘vivi’ literally means “to live to see”. This yarn definitely lived to see the day when it became a fully finished object (FFO?)!

What’s going on at work? When surrounded by middle schoolers, it is never dull. The daughter of a faculty member created this beautiful bulletin board. These kids definitely help me find my wings. If they only knew.

And then there are days like this:

Fortunately, there are more quarters in the right jar!
My dog makes me a better human.

I think that’s it for the time being. It is always a pleasure visiting with you!! I enjoy reading your blogs, and I certainly hope you enjoy mine as well.

Naturally, this post would not be complete without a photo of Razz. When my husband has to be away for a prolonged amount of time, we all miss him, Razz included. The first night home, Razz climbs in Robert’s bag and beds down for the evening. It is the cutest h*cking thing evah!

Have a blessed week! Drop me a line, I would love to know how you’re doing. If you have a quirky pet, tell me about him!

I wish you peace in you lives, and endless hours of knitting!

Love,

Regina

Saint of the Day: Saint Joseph of Leonissa – As a boy and as a student in early adulthood, Joseph drew attention for his energy and virtue. He said “When we suffer anything, we give proof of our love.” Sometimes I find it so difficult to see love in the face of suffering. That’s something to ponder, yes?

In my mug: Earl Grey Tea

In my ears: Bill Evans. He is a jazz pianist. I had not heard of him before, but my hunny, shared this link with me. I hope you enjoy it! Portrait in Jazz – Bill Evans Trio

Favorite Tweet from the Super Bowl Half-Time Show: “This is the best Super Bowl themed bachelor party I have ever been to!”

January 23, 2020March 20, 2020

“My Wife, World Traveler”

You don’t typically hear from me more than once in the same week, but I thought this quote was very dear and worth sharing.

Do you ever look at your blog’s ‘Stats and Insights’ page? Being a self-proclaimed geek, I love reading this data daily. (data? barely know her!).

Yesterday, I looked at the map showing the home country of all my readers; it was so amazing that I just had to share it with my husband. His response was “my wife, world traveler!”. That got me thinking (a rare and sometimes frightening phenomenon).

We are so blessed to live in a time where relationships can be forged from hundreds or even thousands of miles away by celebrating that one singular worsted weight thread that we all share. I believe this connects us as makers as well as sisters and brothers of God.

Today, I will meditate on this while giving thanks for the graces I have received by knowing you and traveling with you on this journey around the world. Thank you for inviting me into your homes and hearts.

Peace in your day.

Love, Regina

January 20, 2020January 21, 2020

Knitting Forward While Tinking Back

Happy New Year, friends! I hope your holidays and holy days were blessed.

The title of this post is the brain child of my husband. I wanted to write about how my first projects of the new year were actually repurposed from WIPs that have been lurking on my shelf for way too long. And in one case, 8 years! As I explained this to him, he offered his ever-expanding knitting vocabulary as a suggestion for the title (very sexy). I am knitting forward into the new year, by tinking back old projects. Clever, eh?

During the Christmas break, I went into all the closets and dark recesses of my home where WIPs tend to lurk. I flushed them all out and took stock in the projects. To my credit, there were only a handful-maybe 3 or 4- with only one not worth saving. I made up my mind to stop what I was currently working on to finally finish or frog these long-forgotten projects. So over the next few posts, I’ll take one project at a time and share with you what they were and what they became.

The first project I dealt with was the Shawl Collared Cardigan by Erika Knight. I started this for my oldest son last winter (as in 2018). As soon as the wool arrived, I cast on and went full steam ahead until I had 6 pieces that required blocking then seaming. It had been so long since I knit a garment flat that I forgot how much I dislike seaming. None the less, this was made with super bulky yarn and it worked up rather quickly. The primary challenge was finding a place on the edges to insert my needle without creating a large hole. Once I got in the groove, it was smooth sailing. Until the zipper. Have you ever been faced with a new technique that you avoid for no rational reason except fear not knowing exactly what the h*ck you are doing? Fast forward a few months and I finally put the time aside to sew it in. Took me a few attempts, but after about two hours, it was done. One more final blocking and an hour of pulling off Razz’s floof and the sweater was complete. I wrapped it and put it under the tree for Ben. I am very pleased with the final product and it definitely falls into the “Mommy Hug Sweater” category! The wool is Rowan Big Wool in black. http://knitrowan.com

Isn’t he handsome?

Super cozy, squishy, super bulky wool

I used to be a monogamous knitter but with the advent of knitting video podcasts, I found myself downloading and casting on way too many projects. I never realized how this habit hindered the joy of the project I was actively knitting at the time. This exercise in finishing or frogging was a great reminder of the freedom I feel when I am not bogged down by too many projects. I have since made it a priority, upon finishing a knit, to block, snap a few photos for Ravelry and Instagram, then I completely unpack my project bag, returning all needles and notions to their proper place, dropping any left over yarn into a bowl for a scappy project. There is less clutter around the house and much less clutter in my head! And, I am actually getting things done! win-win-win!

So, does this post fall into the “a little about knitting” or “a lot about nothing” category. Not sure, but I do think it is time to wrap things up. I want to thank you for stopping by. I look forward to sharing time with you in the months to come. If you have a moment, drop me a line in the comments and tell me what you are working on, who you are rooting for in the Super Bowl or what your best fur baby has been charming you with lately.

Be sure to peek in on Razzle, he would love to see you.

What I am listening to: Nice and Knit podcast

In my cup: Tea in a sweet little tea set from my boys

Saint of the day: Saint Sabastian. St. Sabastian had a rough go of things toward the end. He was not popular with the emperor Diocletian who had him beaten and thrown in a sewer. Does it surprise you that he became the special protector from the bubonic plague? He is the patron saint of archers and pin-makers. Today, I will say a special prayer for all the wonderful knitters and creators whose little enamel pins adorn my project bags and totes.

Love to all,

Regina

September 21, 2019September 21, 2019

September 21, 2019

To members of a certain Tribe, you know who you are…

I did not write on my birthday, so I am declaring this day – September 21, 2019 – ‘Birthday 2.0’.

I have some traditions on my birthday. The most curious being the tiara that I wear ALL. DAMN. DAY! I don’t plan anything for my birthday, rather I let the day come to me. I follow my heart and do whatever comes my way with a sense of the divine, handing me the most beautifully wrapped gift. The day always includes my husband, Razzle, my boys and a whole cluster of people that I love and who are a part of my day because they want to be, not because of some self-inflicted, guilt-riddled sense of obligation. That is what I love most about them.

This last birthday, I turned 54yrs old and to be honest, I haven’t felt this young since I was in my twenties. My youngest son has a client who is a masseuse. (I think that is how you spell it, but I am too lazy to look it up.) He treated me to an hour of total pampering, followed by a light lunch at our local health food store. As we sat in the cafe we were being observed by a table of older women. I chalked it up to the tiara. As we left, one of the ladies did inquire about the tiara. My hunch was correct. As I explained that it was my birthday and my son was treating me to some pampering, the looks on their collective faces changed! “He’s your SON? We thought you were a cougar!!” True story.

The older I get the younger I get. I could chalk it up to working in a middle school, or it could be the side effect of being knocked down a peg, assuming that peg-knocking has a reverse affect on one’s degree of maturity. Or, just maybe it has something to do with living life with eyes wide open. Stay with me on this one. Not to long ago, I sat down with myself and took a long, hard look at some things in my life that were just not working for me anymore. It is very difficult to change habits, whether they be behaviors we do on auto-pilot, or those thoughts that have been residing in your brain for years, undermining your confidence and self-esteem; taking up real estate, rent free. Ironically, we can all attest to the fact that our thoughts influence those behaviors, right. So, there I sat…and there they were-those unproductive habits. I made up my mind right then and there that I would try to look some of these habits squarely in the eye and serve them a notice of eviction.

I know you are wondering what that has to do with feeling younger as I age, and the only thing I can say is that to me, breaking bad habits or changing unhealthy patterns is much like learning to walk. There are forward steps, backward steps and fall on your ass steps, but with perseverance and support we keep at it until we can walk. On our own. Always forward toward our destination. We walk alone, with family, with friends and in my case, with a Tribe.

Thank you all for your companionship.

Your sister in Christ,

Regina Mary

In my glass: Saranac Diet Ginger Beer

In my ears: The beautiful sound of my husband at the piano, and Auburn Football.

Saint of the Day: St. Matthew. Little is known about St. Matthew. except that he was likely born in Galilee. He worked as a tax collector, which was a hated profession during the time of Christ. According to the Gospel, Matthew was working at a collection booth in Capernaum when Christ came to him and said, “Follow me.” With this simple call, Matthew became a disciple of Christ.

Talk about learning to walk!

Yes, the tiara is “A THING”

February 15, 2018February 18, 2020

When Lent and Mid-life Collide

My husband is so freakin’ adorable. He is a really wonderful man and he loves his faith – we both do – and Lent is a very meaningful time for us. So, imagine my surprise when he lamented the fact that he was exempt from the prescribed days of fast and abstinence because he was a ‘man of a certain age’. But what a wonderful way to view aging. To him, though, it is not about what he has ‘lost’ rather, about what he has to gain. Does that make sense? To keep it real, even Snoopy had his moments!

On to knitting…

Oh boy am I enjoying the All-Ways Cowl. I am also enjoying the compliments I am receiving! Mind you, for all the years I have been knitting, I still look at my work with hyper-critical eyes. Sure, I have made some oops on this project, but I am reluctant to rip back because the yarn is single ply and with too much fuss becomes wild and crazy! Honestly? The beading is really the focal point and if I get that part correct, it will be a stunner. Wanna see an updated photo? or two?

Moving Along Nicely

Growing Leaps and Bounds

The photo on the left reflects the colors best. Regardless of the outcome, I consider a project, knitting or otherwise, a success when I come away with a better understanding of how things work. With this one, I have learned I must be very ginger with single-ply yarn. I have learned that there are multiple methods for adding beads to your knitting and there are reasons for each. I have also learned that leaving my knitting out at work attracts the curious, which results in the dropped stitches that immediately follow the cry of “oooh! let me see what you’re working on!” :cue the sound of beads bouncing off the desk: I don’t have to tell you that the reason employers use that speckled, low-pile carpet is because it hides a multitude of sin, and in this case, teeny-tiny beads.

Other fun things on the needles include two pairs of socks, and a baby sweater for a little girl. I will post more on these as I make progress; right now they are in their infancy.

In my glass: Coconut water and frozen fruit cubes. Delish!

In my ears: INXS Original Sin. You can read about this tribute album here.

Saint du Jour: St. Berach, an Irish Abbot. He is the patron saint of Kilbarry, County Dublin. I’ll drink to that!

In my heart: These guys…

February 6, 2018February 6, 2018

The Measure of a Man…

The True Measure of a Man

There is an unpublished version of this quote. “The measure of a man is directly affected by how much snow is expected.”

I had such a nice post for today. I wrote it bright and early this morning. OK, so it was dark o’clock, but still lovely. It had photos and links and everything! I interrupt that post to bring you the following rant.

I live in New York. Not Southern New York where they get a possible ‘wintry mix’, or Upstate New York where your eyelashes freeze when you get the mail, but the Mid-Hudson Valley where, in the summer we have warm weather and thunderstorms and in the winter, we have snow. SNOW people…SNOW! We don’t need dog sleds or skis to get us from point A to point B because we have plows. Big trucks that move snow, destroy mailboxes and render lawns impossible to mow in the summer. Oh sure, we have blizzards and other extreme weather, but a foot of snow 12 hours from now, does not warrant jackass behavior! Driving to and from the supermarket this afternoon was a daredevil act not worth repeating. Listen up. In my humble opinion, nothing warrants tailgating. Some drivers took it to another level. If you want to drive THAT close to me, there better be a tornado chasing you. At the supermarket, as if cashiers we Zombie Minion ren’t already at a premium, some dear soul in her haste, dropped a glass jar of some awful smelling somethingorother, requiring that line to shut down while another one opened, as customers argued about who was in the line first. (This is a perfect example of why liquor should be sold in supermarkets). The one humorous moment came when an elderly woman on the line next to me, inquired if the Zombie Apocalypse was real. I want to kiss her whole face!!

Snow day or not, I will share my previously written post with you all tomorrow.

If you are in my neck of the woods, enjoy the day…grab a bottle, hunker down and knit.

On the ears: Madden Football for the PS4

In the glass: Santa Cristina Toscana

Have a wonderful evening.

Peace to you all!!

Regina

February 1, 2018February 1, 2018

Day 4, Reason 4

Halloween 2017 – The theme was “SCARY” so I went as a basket of my son’s dirty laundry

I would not want to spend my free time looking at my face, why would you? I know that sounds dorky, but another reason I decided against podcasting is insecurity. That’s legit, right?

Did you know? Directions for laundering microfiber cleaning/dusting cloths specific state NO FABRIC SOFTENER. This is most likely because the effectiveness of these gems is in part due to static electricity.

Did you also know? Static electricity causes fabrics to cling to each other? You probably did.

True confession: My husband walked around NYC for business one day wearing a dust cloth under his shirt. He discovered it in the men’s room of a restaurant at the end of his day. He still loves me, bless his heart.

The fourth project I finished recently was a baby blanket for the knitting art club we have at the middle school. Every year, the art teacher provides yarn, needles and instruction to students interested in knitting a blanket for the NICU of a local hospital. It is remarkable what these kids can accomplish! Some take to it like a fish to water. This year she donated over 120 hand knit/crocheted items. We were blessed with a donation of yarn this year from local yarn goddess, Jill Draper. Please take a moment and visit her Etsy shop Jill Draper Makes Stuff Her yarn is beautiful and her heart is expansive.

The blanket I knit was from an existing stash. I don’t care for the yarn, it split easily, but the colors are so pretty. I did not use a pattern, and I added cables when knitting the purple parts. I did not take a photo of the finished blanket. I blocked it aggressively and the end result was less crinkly and more lacy.

Sipping: Lavazzo Espresso Perfetto Blend (don’t be impressed, it’s for the Keurig)

Listening: Jessica by the Allman Brothers Band – Brothers and Sisters (can’t. get. enough.)

Saint du jour: St. Bridgid, patron of Ireland, dairymaids, cattle, midwives, Irish nuns, and newborn babies. I like this lady. With Killian as a maiden name what’s not to love. Apparently, Bridgid’s mother was baptized by St. Patrick! Let’s keep everyone under her care close to our hearts.

Peace to all!

Regina

I posted an adorable photo of Razz here

January 30, 2018

Don’t Stop Me Now

I’m on a roll.
Two consecutive posts? I think this is a first. I named these “Dead On My Feet” because the yarn is part of Lolodidit‘s Pretty Little Zombies, in the “I :heart: Michonne” colorway on the plush sock base.

: Dead On My Feet

I did the usual 2×2 ribbing and generic leg, two at a time magic loop on a 40″ 2 US Addi Sock Rockets. I heard the Fish Lips Kiss Heel mentioned on a number of podcasts, so I thought I would give it a go. I completed the sock with a round toe and kitchener finish. If you don’t own the FLKH pattern, I recommend you do. The designer charges $1.00 (I know!!) and it is definitely something to keep in your bag o’ tricks. It is easy, quick and makes a smooth turn without any gaps. I don’t think it will replace the heel flap/gusset for me, because I am hard on my socks, but it is nice for when you want very little interruption in the pattern of your yarn.

On a different topic. I have been toying with the idea of podcasting for about a year now. I recorded my first episode the other day. At the risk of disappointing the knitting world, I have decided against it. For now. I think it goes back to yesterday’s quote about busy-ness. I do not fare well when my obligation/option ratio is out of whack and I certainly don’t want anything knitting related to be an obligation. One of the designers I follow put out an all-call for test knitters. I was not one of those selected. Later that day I watched one of my favorite podcasts, The Gentle Knitter, and she spoke of how little she knit for pleasure because she was regularly asked to be a test knitter-knitting to deadlines, taking copious notes and unable to share her work with those who follow her program. Not my kinda gig. Is it yours? If so, why? Has there ever been a time when you didn’t enjoy knitting? I can think of one or two times myself. I am curious to hear your experiences. Is this a ‘thing’?

Tomorrow, I’ll share another recently finished object and more observations on podcasting.

Trufax: Today’s Saint of the Day is St. Aldegunais (who I have never heard of…). She is patron of cancer suffers and wounds. Let’s keep those who are suffering in mind today.

Be well,

Regina

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