Harp Fire and an FO

Today was the first day of Harp Fire 2009. I didn't have enough time this month to practice as I hoped, but life sometimes gets in the way.

Our faculty gave an opening recital that was great!

FO

Here are Janet's Jaywalkers. They were knit in KnitPicks Felici, the colorway is Schooner. I used #1 Harmony DPN's. I wanted identical socks so I was careful to match up the colors where I cast on. Yes, I am happy with these :-)

Last week's concerts were a test of endurance and resilience for all of us. The temperatures were higher than normal and the intonation in the first concerts was difficult.

But the concert last night with Ft. Worth Symphony was terrific. Di Wu (a Cliburn winner) was amazing and the orchestral pieces were two of my favorites. FWSO definitely knows how to make the outdoor concerts the best around. From gigantic fans cooling us to ice water in small strategically placed coolers onstage to the excellent musicians who play beautifully no matter what the temperature. I feel so lucky to be called to play with them.

Have a wonderful week - I will try to update Harp Fire as the week goes on.....

Friends and UFOs

I can't believe an entire week has passed since Janet was here!

She is a friend of 30 years and was passing by our fair city. We ate, danced (well, the dancers did) and laughed a lot. She also got to see the ballet and hear me play in the orchestra for the first time in 25 years. I think she enjoyed it; I know I did.

Apparently so did the reviewer: "The evening opened with Leonid Lavrovsky's Paganini, a psychological study of the brilliant but tormented Italian violinist and composer Niccolo Paganini. Pianist Gleb Ivanov and the Metropolitan Classical Ballet Orchestra performed the Rachmaninoff score with vivid finesse." She even had nice things to say about the dancing :-)

Since Janet was so intrigued by my knitting, I decided to finish the jaywalkers for her :-)

I cast on for Juno Regina from Knitty with some Knitpicks Gloss. Here is my progress so far:

Broderie is still in the works, but has been resting since it requires mindful knitting and my schedule has been too busy for me concentrate on it. I will get back to it when things slow down a bit.

Have a great weekend:-)

Fraternal Jaywalkers?

I just started what I hope will be fraternal Jaywalkers.

The pattern is Grumperina's found here.

Well, sort of - you can download it from Ravelry or email her to get it.

The yarn is from that new sampler I just got - KP Felici and the color is Schooner.

The needles are KP Harmony #1 DPNs and I am knitting the smallest size.

The cardi is still in the works - the sleeves are pinned in and ready for attaching. My past few weeks have been too busy for me to sit during the day (with good light) and stitch them up.

I really hope I will have time next week.

My DH and I were getting tired of the old decor in our bedroom, so we made a change:

to this:

We are looking for a new comforter to join in the lightened and

freshened up look.

I am headed up to Wichita Falls today for symphony and the guest artist is

Ricky Scaggs.

Should be fun :-)

My only hope is that the hotel is better than last time.

The housekeeping and maintenance staff were unbelievably negligent - I had to change rooms do to the shower running - it literally would not turn off.

And then in the morning, I pulled back the coverlet to find a disgustingly soiled comforter.

It was really repulsive.

They gave me my money back, but it makes me question the rest of the cleanliness of the room.

This time, I am taking the Lysol wipes and wipe everything I can before touching it.

And I will check the linens as well.

I would not stay there again if it wasn't "the" hotel the symphony puts us in.

Oh well, this is the last concert of the season for this group.

Maybe the accomodations will be improved next year.