New Ideas

I have been one of those knitters who likes small projects - fast, portable and feel the semi-instant gratification. However, after looking at this website:

http://garnstudio.com/lang/en/soek_siste.php

I think I have changed my mind. It may be time to delve into longer term knitting projects!

If you have not visited this site before, go now!
There are the most beautiful creations for all.
I am thinking about knitting this one:
It is design no. 94-27.

Back to the old me: I have cast on the second Lacy Sock and have about 3 inches of leg done so far. I am hoping for a finish of Sunday (again.) We have symphony this week ~ boy, work sure cuts into knitting time!!

I will hear from the rest of my students this week to see how they fared in their solo competitions from Saturday. So far, those who have reported have done great. All have received the highest possible rating for the solos they played. I can't wait for the final tally... These kids are truly wonderful individuals. I am lucky to be able to teach them.

Halfway Home

Off the needles ~ hooray! I was getting worried about running out of yarn, so I ended the lace pattern at the end of the gussett. I figured it would be under my shoe anyway, so who's gonna know?

This pattern is from The Sole Solution 2003/04 Design Collection. It is Hatsuyo's Lacy Socks and I changed to a round toe.

I used (Hobby Lobby) Senseo cotton/acrylic (crochet) yarn and knitted on Addi #0 circs.

Gotta go to cast on #2.

Quick update

I am at the heel flap with 2 sets of heel pattern (8 rows) to go. Then it's time to turn the heel. I love getting to this point 'cos it seems like the end is near! If I can turn the heel tomorrow, I will be done by Sunday PM. Yippee!! It's easier to see all the colors in this yarn.

We sent my Mom her new cellphone and she received it today. I pre-programmed all the numbers she likes to call and took digital pics of the phone with commentary on how to use it while pointing at the buttons. She is, after all 85, and lives 1500 miles away so we try to make things as least confusing as possible. I just don't see her sitting down with the little direction book and understanding it all. Know what I mean?

Here We Go Again

After knitting a few more rows, I realized the sock fabric was just too darn floppy! I pulled it all out and restarted on #0 Addis instead of the original #1. This seems better - still nice and soft with both give and more substance.

Mozart, Mmmm, Mmmm, Good!

Last night's soloists were teriffic! What fun to hear good friends play so beautifully. Ah yes, all is well in the music world.

My poor, cracked oboe came home on Friday all repaired and I was able to use it in this Saturday's performance. When I first tried this new one, my husband (a cellist) commented on how wonderful it sounded. So as I have broken it in (no pun intended) and been using it, my colleagues continue to comment on the sound. I thought my old one was good, but I guess this one is great!

I started another pair of socks using some Hobby Lobby Senseo cotton/acrylic yarn. I read somewhere some sock knitter liked the result.

Anyone else ever try this yarn?

So far it seems to be a very smooth fingering weight that has a slight tendency to split. But I will continue and see what evolves. I thought the color was really sweet especially after the whole winter of knitting darker socks. The picture on the left shows more accurately how it looks.

It looks like this week will be busy with reed making. Many students will be playing their solos for contest on Saturday, so you can bet no one will cancel and they will all want reeds.

Friday is my husband's birthday and I have no clue yet what to do?!?!?! Since we are both working it won't be any major celebration. Maybe a nice dinner at home with candles and a yummy dessert ..... hmmmm, maybe Tiramisu?

Here is this great recipe I found in Cooking Light back in 2000:


Tiramisu Anacapri

"This tiramisu was a hit with our Test Kitchens staff, who agreed that it's one of the best they've come across. Ladyfingers can be found in the bakery or the frozen-food section of the supermarket. We used soft ladyfingers, which are made to be split."

1 cup cold water
1 (14-ounce) can fat-free sweetened condensed milk
1 (1.4-ounce) package sugar-free vanilla instant pudding mix
1 (8-ounce) block 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened
1 (8-ounce) tub frozen reduced-calorie whipped topping, thawed
1 cup hot water
1/2 cup Kahlúa (coffee-flavored liqueur)
1 tablespoon instant espresso or 2 tablespoons instant coffee granules
24 cakelike ladyfingers (2 3-ounce packages)
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa, divided

Combine first 3 ingredients in a large bowl; stir well with a whisk. Cover surface with plastic wrap; chill 30 minutes or until firm.

Remove plastic wrap, and add cream cheese. Beat with a mixer at medium speed until well-blended. Gently fold in whipped topping.

Combine hot water, Kahlúa, and espresso.
Split ladyfingers in half lengthwise.
Arrange 16 ladyfinger halves, flat sides down, in a trifle bowl or large glass bowl.
Drizzle with 1/2 cup Kahlúa mixture.
Spread one-third of pudding mixture evenly over ladyfingers; sprinkle with 1 tablespoon cocoa.
Repeat layers, ending with cocoa.
Cover and chill at least 8 hours.

Yield: 12 servings (serving size: about 2/3 cup)


It looks really pretty in a clear glass bowl so all the layers are visible.
Please let me know how you like this one. I love comments

Off the needles and onto the feet

Here are the Broadripples all done. I realized on the second sock I goofed on the gusset, but decided to finish as I did the first sock and wear them anyway. They are a bit wrinkly (can't tell under my jeans!) but otherwise just fine.

Please don't tell the knitting police!

We have a rehearsal for tomorrow's Mozart concert tonight: Symphonie Concertante for winds, Symphony 29, and Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. Our principal oboist in the orchestra is playing the solo part, so I get the principal orchestral part. I can't wait to hear it tonight, the soloists are wonderful musicians and good friends. There are few things that are better than good music played by friends, good wine, Symphony bar chocolate and my cozy knitting corner with my husband nearby. Tonight however, the wine, chocolate and knitting with dear hubby will have to wait until later.

One finished, one in progress

Yippee - I finished the first sock of the pair of Broadripples and have the second on the needles.

I did change the pattern toe to a round toe - I like it alot!

I realized there is no way this swift will fit in the yarn cabinet, so I decided to make a bag for it.

It is far too beautiful to leave in it's bubble wrap and cardboard box!

I just felt it deserved a more dignified container.

It is a bit hard to see, but there is a small bag attached to the front for the adjusting screws.

On to the next project for today: my students.

I am so lucky to have a wonderful group of kids.

They study hard and make (mostly) good grades, they are polite, they practice their instruments and come to lessons with a nice attitude.

I think our future world will be in good hands when I see that these kids will be our corporate heads, doctors, business men and women, and will be the ones running the country.

It must be me!

I am sitting in rehearsal wondering why I cannot play any low notes. Why, it must be my reed. No, I must have forgotten how to play - oh no - they will realize I cannot play the oboe and fire me!!!

Scrambling madly working on reeds between the dress rehearsal and concert, I finally came up with something that halfway worked. Whew! My job saved!

But - oy vay!! The stage lights come up. I look down and see that my black pants look horribly faded! I didn't realize how faded they had gotton. Wow, I really must buy new concert wear. Feeling like a fool - I suddenly realize I am wearing dark blue pants!!! My colleagues then regaled me with all their clothing stories - tuxedo with white socks, two different shoes, forgetting various parts of their clothing, etc.

Thankfully, no-one in the audience noticed. And none of my orchestral colleagues could tell I was living in oboe hell.

So Sunday at the next rehearsal, I am thinking - okay, I have this great low note reed so all is well. NOT! By second hour, I can't play a thing. Notes cracking and not responding all over the place. After three horrid hours, we go home. Could there be a new crack in my oboe??? I mean, I can't be that bad a player after all these years, could I?! When I got home I took the keys off to see if there was a new crack in the wood and Lo and Behold - there they were. Not one but two cracks! I super glued them and they seemed alright but I am sending the instrument to NJ to my favorite repairman so he can make sure I didn't miss something. This is the new oboe - only 7 months old. Thankfully I have a second I can play this weekend.

In addition to music woes - our washer went out! So any profit from this weeks work is now in the laundry room.

Next week will be better - 'specially since I am almost done with this first sock.

The Better News

The good news is that a friend is finally getting better. He went to the hospital for some routine surgery but with complications it almost killed him. The doctors finally found the cause of the infection and made repairs. He is not yet out of the woods but is already much better than yesterday. We are continuing to pray and send positive healing thoughts to him and his family.

My Swift!!

It came yesterday - it is beautiful!
I had no idea!
I am really thrilled.










I like the workmanship.













And it folds up quite nicely.

Gusset Time

The cuff and leg are done.

I just finished the heel flap turned the heel and am ready to begin the gusset.

Here is the latest pic:

Lots to do this weekend - symphony for the next four days in addition

to the students.

Must get some knitting time in to finish sock #1 and get started on it's mate.

The fish are asking to be tended to as well.

There is too much algae and too many snails cohabitating with the fish.

Too much to do and not enough time .....

So back to work for me!