BEHOLD GEYL!

Holy s*** I finished Geyl!!

Cream of Geyl Soup

I blocked Geyl on the sofa bed...which was a good choice. It is HUGE: almost the size of the entire queen sized mattress. I'm hoping to wear it to Lori and Mike's New Year's Party...

More photos to follow

An Ode

Today is a sad day for me as a knitter and a social worker.
It is with sadness that I write about the death of a patient and a knitting pal, Melody.
I met Melody earlier this year when she was in the midst of her battle against Leukemia. She had heard about me from other staff members and always referred to me as the "knitting social worker." Just last week, Trish and I helped Melody plan color stripes on the sleeves of a sweater she was making for her husband. In a parallel universe, without leukemia, Melody would have been a strong member of our knitting circle and likely a good friend. Even though her cancer brought us together, our bond was through knits and purls.

This one is for you Mel. We will miss your strength, grace, optimism and beauty. Above all, I'll miss sharing the joy of the yarn with you.

Harry got FOUR RAWHIDE!!! 

Dad got a GIANT REMOTE!!!! 

All of my wildest dreams have come true: I got a foam phanatic hat!!! 

Its never a good sign when there are more dog stockings then human stockings... 

Maggie decides it would be fun to sit on top of Luther. However, she would like us to not give her "that look."  

Here is Geyl, wadded up on top of my computer during a barf break. I'm just two pattern rows from finishing. Should be working on the garter stitch border knitting circle tomorrow night 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Joyhouse South! It's been an extremely eventful weekend. Thank god for that extra day off as I spent all day Saturday making love to the porcelain goddess with a case of food poisoning vs. 24 stomach flu. By Sunday, I was HUNGRY and 5 lbs lighter. While nursing myself back to health with diet ginger ale, low salt saltines and lots of beagle loving, I was also entrusted to babysit St. Bernard Hamilton. Thank god my parents are here and were SO helpful with the care and love of Hammy. Oh, yes, my parents are here, which means there were 6 beagles and a Hammy.
Hammy is in one word, Massive.





This dog drools in gallons and his poops require a shovel for adequate clean up. But he is also a love who truly believes he weighs but 12 pounds and would like to sit on your lap. Special thanks to Little Petey for sleeping in the lounge with Hammy after he cried in the kitchen.

Mom and I have also been busy cooking; blueberry scones, brunch bake, butternut squash, spinach salad, prime rib, baked potatoes, crescent rolls, fresh squeezed OJ...oh it goes on and on.

We enjoyed Christmas Eve at the Wynne's. There was much merriment, screaming for Santa and "Christmas Tree Time" with Alex.

Mom and I also checked in at Rosie's, where mom purchased some Koigu for her Sarah Blanch Shawl from Folk Shawls and I delved into some new sock yarn...yes Wendy, I am a slut.
Wendy will also tell you that I purchased two skeins of Anne in a gorgeous varigated green for Parthenope. Wendy, I'm going to rehab with the rest of the celebrities.

Christmas was gift filled and joyous. I cleaned up on kitchen goods, including a food processor and a stick blender. I also got some new books, the Christopher Guest 3 pack DVD set, a lovely necklace from my sister, some Vera...it goes on and on. It was unreal.

Cleaning up for the second year in a row was Little Petey. He scored his Ijuke Jukebox complete with disco lights and subwoofer. Sadly blogger has decided NOT to cooperate with photo loading AGAIN (anyone have any suggestions for this ongoing issue???) and I cannot share the joy. But imagine my father deciding to set the ijuke up in the kitchen which is below my bedroom. Yes I was napping, but not for long, as soon the floor began to vibrate thanks to the power of the subwoofer. Dad is clearly in his element with the Ijuke.

The pups enjoyed the day too. They had lots of greenies, rawhide and yes, even some prime rib.
All in all, we had a lovely holiday---hopefully the Eagles will seal a victory against Dallas, which would just be a cherry on top.

So Merry Christmas to all from the Bach's and the Beagles...tomorrow it's back to the grind...

Justin hangs out in my fridge... 

Heather and Merrill show off my 2/3 finished North Sea Shawl...I've got one month to finish it for grandma. 

Merrill bonds with her inner beagle as well as Maggie and Gussy 

Molly laying in front of the tree before the festivities begin 

Heather tries the fountain...making sure it isn't poisonous for the other guests! 

Wendy, Trish and Janet knitting feverishly! 

Beverly and Allison spend some quality time with the swiff 

BEHOLD THE GLORY OF THE CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN! 

Wendy bought me a GREAT ornament: it's a ROMNEY!!! (no not Mit!) 

The Party Favors: Sheep Cookies made by Carolyn "Crocker." There were Jew and Gentile Sheep too! 

Annie gets kinky with the fountain 

Knitty D got run over by a reindeer...

Other than a few hoof marks, I'm recovering.
Its been a busy few weeks, with holiday parties, shopping, Christmas cards, decorating, visiting, collecting gifts for our "adopted" family, playing with beagles, going to the post office, teaching two classes, grading papers, working...blah blah. Oh and yes, I've been knitting...Geyl is HUGE and nearing completion. I've also started "argosy" from the winter issue of knitty.com and yesterday, I took out the 2/3 finished North Sea Shawl to start working on again (will need to be done and blocked by January 16th if I want to give it to grandma as a late xmas present).

This week I shift the focus to wrapping and preparing for the coming of the parental units and the beagles in four short days. Oh and of course, KNITTING.

Yesterday was KNIT O RAMA, holiday style complete with chocolate fountain. I'll post a play by play and photos tomorrow...now I've got to finish watching the finale of Survivor.

Peace to my loyal readers...sorry I've been so non bloggy for the last few weeks.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

An Elf in the form of Trish came over yesterday and helped me put up my Christmas tree. It's hard to imagine that one would require directions to set up a PRE LIT tree---but we did and of course, I lost them. Then I found them...not in Maggie's mouth. After that, it was a piece of cake.

Here is the hearth, where the "stockings were hung...with care" and the fire was keeping me toasty.
The tree: a 7.5 foot fake from Target. Note to dad, we've got to pack it up again like this for storage (HAHA)
Trish and I worked forEVER to "fluff" the tree and get the top on straight.

Then came the ornaments...and VOILA! Here is the finished product! I LOVE IT!!

Christina's decorating tip- excess Christmas Balls (I said balls) make a great centerpiece. Pile them haphazardly in a vase and you've got a great looking table!

I've completely given up on Holiday knitting...I just don't care if you guys get anything knitted this year...I need to knit Geyl for me...so there!

I keep freaking my secretary out everyday because I've done all my shopping online and I'm getting about 5 boxes a day delivered to work. Makes getting home LOTS of fun...not. So it's busy and crazy and there is lots to do...but I think the Christmas cards, and wrapping and baking can wait...I need to feel the fiber between my fingers.

Luther and Gus checking for strange scents in the backyard 

Molly takes a snooze out back in the sun 

super photogenic beagle Gus-topher