Monday Musings

Here are the petunias and begonias in their new pots.

And you can see where they sit in the front of our house.
















In the back yard, there is a long, narrow strip next to our garage where I put in some marigolds. They are a little hard to see, but here is the picture:

I also got in a few more rows on my sweater back. I have finished the increases and am ready to knit another 4 or so inches before beginning the shaping for the sleeves. Woohoo!

Sunday in Suburbia

After getting up in what seemed like the middle of the night (it was 5:45a.m. - that is the middle of the night, isn't it??) and playing three Easter services in one of the larger local churches, we came home and put on our yard clothes.

Off to Lowe's we go for more cedar mulch and once home, put on the gloves and weeded, trimmed and raked old leaves etc. out of the beds.

I also planted some pots full of begonias and petunias, but they are still in the back and I didn't take a photo yet.

We were too pooped to cook, so for our Easter dinner, we went to an Indian resturant and ate curry. That might sound strange, but we knew it would be open - and hey, who says we have to eat traditional Easter fare? It was yummy and we brought home enough for tomorrow's lunch. Heh, heh, that curry should be really hot by then!

So much for Easter eggs and bonnets from us - but there were a few bonnets at church this morning!

I did knit a few rows this morning in between services. So I feel like we had a productive and rewarding day.

Friday!!

The weekend is almost here which means we are almost finished with our rush of Easter work. We still have a Requiem (by John Rutter) to perform tonight and three services to play Easter morning. Then ~ we can breathe.

Here is the yarn I decided on for the Embossed Leaves socks from Interweave Knits (Winter 05). It is a cotton/microfiber blend named Senso I got from Hobby Lobby. No, it is not any name brand, but it sure comes out beautifully smooth and yummy! It is not too stretchy, so the socks won't come out too tight ~ I realize I prefer a softer fit rather than tight around my feet. They may even be bunchy at the cuffs. For me, that is just fine. This is the same yarn I used on the Lacey socks (last month's postings).

Gee - I just realized it is almost the same color as the book! I was actually looking for cream, but they didn't have any.

Then I have a few increases done on the back of my Drops design sweater:

It is coming along steadily. I am not a fast knitter and have had only a minimal amount of leisure time these past few weeks, so progress is slow. I guess I am a turtle - but it will get done. My goal is June - think I'll make it??

If I haven't visited your blog lately, please forgive. My time becomes more flexible after Sunday, so I'll stop by after the weekend.

Happy Easter To All!

What a Weekend!

Whew! It feels like December and all the Christmas gigs!!

Wait a minute - it is April! Why these must be Easter gigs! I drove 310 miles from yesterday morning 'til tonight rehearsing and performing way too many services.

The performances all went well, especially Dvorak tonight.

I am quite exhausted and happy to be done for now.

I was too pooped to knit yesterday - just napped on the sofa between jobs.

But today I got in a few more rows.

Since I have no project to share, here is a family photo. This is one of my favorites of my Mother when she was around 24 years old

(yup - 60+ years ago!) Whoever shot it had a great eye and imaginative composition.. And I love the dress!!!

14 Rows

All right then - you wanted to see sweater progress, so here it is.

Fourteen rows done on the back:

We had rehearsal of Dvorak Stabat Mater this morning, then drove like maniacs to the symphony hall for rehearsal of Walton's Balshazaar's Feast.

These are both huge choral works requiring lots of concentration.

The other oboist and I are hoping we still have some brains in our head for the Walton tonight.

And then we both have early morning church services to play and the Dvorak tomorrow night.

So I am sitting at home trying to veg out for a bit before going back to work. It is quiet in the house since my husband is out playing two weddings and I am alone.

Maybe I'll knit a row or two ....

Swatch

I made a swatch using #5 Addi Turbos on this beautiful cotton/acrylic/viscose blend (Maldives yarn) - yummy! But it turned out too big a gauge (19.5 instead of 21). So I zipped up to my favorite yarn store - The Woolie Ewe - and picked up some #4s.

And guess what?!

I have the gauge! Woo Hoo!!! So I will cast on for the back of this delicious sweater after rehearsal tonight.

Another One Done

Another one off the needles. I have been on a quest to get all these WIPs done before beginning my gorgeous Drops Design sweater. The only one left now is Dainty Bess, and she will be in the wings until I can get with Mary.

I just love the texture of this scarf - leaves of any sort seem to draw me in. I wonder why? I used another one of Caron Simply Soft "Brights" in Lemon Yellow (yarn from my Mom - I don't know if I would have picked this myself) using #5 needles.

I realize that I wanted to tie up loose ends before beginning a larger project. I have never knit anything but small items and this sweater scares me a bit. I hope I can get up the nerve to sit down and swatch for a gauge in the next couple of days. Actually I think it is more a matter of finding time.

Work is insane - 2 services tomorrow, one each Thursday and Friday, three on Saturday and two on Sunday. It is either feast or famine in this music business. Since Easter is rapidly approaching, all the big (and small) churches are hiring musicians (us!) for their special music services. It is good but hectic. And the students are still expecting their lessons and reeds. Not this Saturday or Sunday though, thank you.

I will barely make it in time to symphony rehearsal Saturday. It is an hour drive from the first rehearsal to the location of the next. I already cleared it with the personnel manager, so if I am a few minutes late, the Maestro will not have a fit. Or maybe he will. Guess we'll just wait and see.

Here is the sweater: Drops design #27-1 shown in Garn Studio yarn. To me this is stylish and modern yet not trendy. I think of this as classic styling.

More Mini Shawl

Here are two pics that show the size. I had to wait for my husband to get home - taking pics of one's self is *very* difficult!

Mom's Mini Shawl

I am on my way to start my sweater. Yes, that means I have almost reached my goal of getting my WIPs finished first.

Only the Leisel and Dainty Bess scarves are left. I will finish Leisel tonight but have to take Bess to my knitting teacher to help me correct the entire repeat that turned out backwards! Since what I did was leave off a purl row at the end of the first repeat, we are going to rip out that part and reknit the border beginning there. Thankfully it is at the beginning of the scarf and not in the middle and will be an easy fix. But since my schedule is crazy for the next two weeks (Holy Week = lots of extra Easter related jobs) and I probably won't get to my knitting teacher's, I am not going to try to finish her right away.

Here is Mom's Mini Shawl:

The pattern link is on the right side - scroll down a little bit...

I used Caron Simply Soft Brights in Papaya on #9 needles. Since this is acrylic, I could not block it. I think Mom will like it - it really is quite small ~ just enough for her to drape over her shoulders while she sits and knits at night.

The Leaves Have Fallen

Yup - they have fallen off the needles and onto my feet.

Here they are:

I tried to finish by last night so I could wear them today, but I ran short of time.

If you are interested, the pattern link is on the right side of this blog, after the list of blogs.

I used 2 balls of Elann Esprit in French Blue and #1 needles.

Tomorrow we perform Mozart's Coronation Mass and Exaltate Jubilate.

Since we dress in formal black, I guess there will be no blue socks for me tomorrow.

It is Mozart, and some of his great works, so it really is okay that I can't wear them yet.

Have a fabulous weekend!

Here's the Foot, Where's the Sock???

Not yet ready for the foot. I just started the heel flap today.

So here is my foot instead.

I can't believe it is already Wednesday - with a rehearsal Monday and a performance Tuesday, and lots of students today, this week has already flown by.

Sock soon, I promise.

Halfway Home

One Done!

Socks and Pansies

Yippee - I am closing in on the toes and might even be finished tonight!

Here are some pretty potted pansies for your perusal.

And these are my favorite colors:

Sock Progress

Here is my progress on the Yukon Leaves. I am loving this pattern - easy, interesting, and moves fast.

This pattern does the heel in a way new to me: after the heel flap, there is a heel band which reduces the width from 30 stitches to 22, and then turn the heel. Is there some name for this method?

The link where I got the pattern from Zippiknits blog is:

http://www.woolandwood.freewebspace.com/yukonleaves.htm

And this color is closer to reality.

Photos!!!

Thank you Blogger! I am soooooo happy you are back!!

Here are my spring socks on happy feet.
They felt great yesterday -
I hope they wash as well as they felt.


And here are the newest ones from a pattern is called Yukon Leaves. I am using Elann Esprit (French Blue even tho it looks a bit green) and #1 needles. This one goes very fast - I am on the fourth pattern repeat already!

This Grumpy Monkey is happy again. (And the phone is working too!!) All is well in electronic, digital technology telephone and computer world ~ for now. The stars are back in alignment.

Grumpy Monkey

Yes, that is me! I am so unhappy with Blogger right now since I cannot upload any pictures of the finished socks currently on my feet (yeah, Momma) or the new ones I just started! It has been since Saturday that the upload is not working.

And to top it off, our telephones have been out of service for HOURS! Same with the neighbors phones. I called the phone company and the wait time to talk to a person was over 15 minutes! I got on line (thankfully it is fiber optic and not connected at all to the phone) and tried to report the outage. What was the response? "Sorry, you cannot report this trouble on line. Please call blah blah blah!"

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Whew, now I feel better. But still no landline.

At Last!

My socks are ready for my feet!

For some reason, I cannot upload the picture of the pair on my feet. I'll try again in the next post. For the pattern, yarn and needle size information, please see the post on Feb. 26.

On to finish Leisel and Mom's shawl.

I just ordered some Addi Turbos in the (US) #5 and #6.

When they arrive I will be ready to swatch for the sweater (see Feb. 28 and March 2 posts).

Backstage

At the start of our youth concerts this week, three members of SAR

(Sons of the American Revolution) in full period dress presented the colors.

Since I am a DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution),

I struck up a conversation with these lovely gentlemen.

Here is the result:

The gentleman in the tux is the conductor and I am the chick holding an English horn.

Today Is My Birthday

And my husband gave me just what I asked for - a cargo net for my car!!

Woo Hoo - no more groceries rolling around in the back.
It is also my brother's 18th wedding anniversary.

Congratulations, Ed and Linda!

I am back to working on my sock while Mom's shawl is resting.

I just started the gusset decreases, so I hope to be done by tomorrow night or maybe Wednesday (gotta work tonight, tomorrow morning and tomorrow night and Wednesday morning too - during prime knitting time).

I am planning to wear them Thursday when the temp is a bit cooler, so I better finish soon!!

Marker Mania

This is my first attempt at handmade stitch markers:

I found it difficult to make the wires round, so I bought some toggle clasps and tried this next:

After thinking those were pretty good, I moved on to these:

Now I want to find some memory wire in the right diameter (so far I have only seen large at my craft stores) and see what I can come up with.

I also need to find some cool beads.

Instead of gouging cane and making reeds, I decided to have fun.

Tomorrow I will pay for the fun of today. Isn't that usually the way?

Must Finish

Oh my, I must finish that sock!

And Leisel.

And Mom's shawl.

Then I will let myself start the beeeeeeeeee-you-tiful sweater!

I know my personality: if I don't get these other projects off the needles, they will reside there for a very long time and we don't want that to happen.

Here is the shawl progress that I made last night. I had a lot more done earlier yesterday, but decided I needed a smaller needle so I started over. The pattern calls for #10.5 - these are #9 with Caron Simply Soft Brights. Here is the pattern link:
http://www.knitlist.com/2003/minishawl.htm

This weekend is not so busy, but we hit the ground running Monday. The upcoming week consists of 1 rehearsal for 3 children's concerts, 2 rehearsals for 2 Opera performances, 1 church rehearsal and 1 concert. Then we are on Monday again.

I am going to get these items done this weekend, since next week will be a busy one. Darn that work - It gets in the way of my knitting!!!

Oh yes- my friend loved her facecloths. She even knew what they were!

Quick update

A dear friend's birthday is Thursday, so I am knitting her two face cloths and buying some luscious soap to go with them. Here is first one:

And Mom wants a shawl that is pink or coral. Since she is a wash and wear gal, this is what I bought. The color is called Papaya:

The pattern will probably be the Weaver's Wool Mini Shawl. It looks easy and not too bulky. Pattern link to follow soon.....

A Little Bit Fried Tonight

We had a big concert last night: Mozart Symphony 35 (Haffner - written for the Haffner family wedding), Pokofiev Piano Concerto (I think maybe No.2?) , Dvorak Cello concerto and Resphigi Pines of Rome. The soloists were high school students who won the opportunity to play with a professional orchestra. The pianist was local, but the cellist was from Louisville. They were wonderful players that have a very bright future! The cellist was just accepted by the Curtis Institute (very prestigious conservatory).

Playing concertos is always a bit nerve wracking. Since you really never know what the soloist will do, you must be on your tippy toes at all times. And since the soloists were kids, you really don't know if they will perform the same way as in rehearsals. Our conductor is also fantastic accompanist, so all went well. The kids sounded great and the orchestra and audience applauded them mightily.

The Pines of Rome has huge solos for the winds - clarinet, trumpet, French horn (they played beautifully) and me on English horn (it's sort of a big oboe in a lower key.) This piece is an unusually a nervous one for me - unusual since I am not a nervous performer. But it went well; I was pretty happy with my performance, so today was the tiredness I felt from the release of all that adrenalin of Saturday.

I did manage to knit a few repeats on Liesel. She will be done very soon. I am at the gusset on the second sock and have been studying the Drops pattern. My knitting teacher is having a knit and stitch along at her home tomorrow, so I think I will go.

I will take Dainty Bess (remember her?) and see what Mary thinks. Since I left off a purl row near the beginning, the first repeat is one way and the rest are the other. I may just wind up starting over. We'll see.

New Yarn, New Project

WooHoo! My LYS was listed as one of the sellers for the yarn recommended in the Drops pattern 94-27. When I got there, they owner told me they no longer carry that brand. She was able to suggest 3 substitutions and I wound up with this:

It is a blend of 45% cotton, 45% acrylic and 10% viscose. I love the neutral color and sheen. And it was on sale for 50% off!!!!!

You can better see the little color flecks here:

I started the heel flap on my second sock this morning and plan (hope) to be finished by Sunday ~ if I can fit in some knitting even though I will be working the next 3 nights. Then I will be ready to swatch!!!!!

Okay, can you tell I am really excited about this one?!

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!