An Ode to Ellen

Dear Ellen

Thank you.

Not for being such a good and fun (new) friend.

Not for the kisses from Mr Cutie Jake when I'm having a particularly bad day.

Not for loving Crowded House as much as I do.

Not for allowing me to be part of your family and surrogate parented by your mom and dad.

No. Not for any of that.

Thank you for taking me, Elizabeth and Allison to Taconnelli's where, I'm pretty sure, I found my god. That is the most amazing pizza I've ever tasted in my life. Seriously. I will go anytime...you might as well put some dough on standing order for us.

For that I say, GRACIOUS.

White pizza with onions...YUMMMY!

10000...Blueberries and Losses

It was a lovely, hot, humid weekend here in Philly...what a better time for my sister Allison and her hubby Mike to visit. We were busy with eating at Allison's favorite Philly joints including The Ten Stone, MOTS and Rita's Water Ice. We also did some shopping and were lucky enough to be part of the Phillies 10000th loss. Above all, it was annual Blueberry Picking Weekend at Haines Berry Farm.

I'm one with the blueberry bush...

That is 13.5 pounds of solid blueberry goodness!

Maggie Loves Mike!!!

Ali and Mike at Citizens Bank Park

Sadly, the Phils did have their 10,000th loss on Sunday :-(

Allison is roped up with her blueberry belt and ready to go!

Ali becomes one with the blueberry bush...

YUMMMMM!

Elizabeth loves berries!

Allison took lots of "art shots" of the berries

Knitty update

Here is what I've been working on...

Cabled Socks in STR "Emerald Isle," finished the first sock at lunch today

My variation of Sarah Blanch shawl from "Folk Shawls." I'd guess it is about 1/2 way done.

Infant Placket Neck Pullover from "Last Minute Knitted Gifts" in Kersti...

Yummmm....Just have to graft the last sleeve and weave in ends...

Another Koigu shawl...this photo doesn't do the colors justice. It is a pattern from the Dale Of Norway Lace Shawls Leaflet...but I just really wasn't interested in knitting a shawl in Baby Ull. Does anyone blame me.

Oh PS THEY PAVED MY STREET TODAY!!!!

The Pain

Yeah yeah yeah...I know...no blog in a week.

It is HOT AS BALLS...and did we mention the humidity? I'm melting, my door is some swollen it has to be pushed open with force and the wood floors are buckling. It is very moist.

Today, I saw the foot doctor. I, indeed, have developed bone spurs on both of my heels. They look REALLY cool on the xrays, like little hooks hanging off the bone. At this time, surgical removal is NOT necessary. But, to treat the plantar fasciaitis, I got a cortisone shot in my right foot. I couldn't handle getting one in the left. Cortisone shots suck major ass. I've had one before in my shoulder...this was NO better. I'm all achy and swollen at the injection site. At this time, I'm icing my foot. Lucky for me (!) I can get up to two more shots over the next six weeks...somehow I doubt that will happen. Maybe after the initial trauma wears off, I'm hoping it feels better. I'll keep all of you loyal readers posted.

The other pain also has to do with feet...but this time with the pair of knitted socks I was making for my English pal Steven. I WAS making them in Brooks Farm Acero, which Brooks is marketing as a sock yarn. I love this colors and the quality of the yarn is wonderful. But this ain't sock yarn. I decided to try them on, just to check them out...I couldn't get them over my (ca)ankles. Yes, I have wide feet and an abnormally high instep, but I was getting gauge in the Fiber Trends "Peak Experience" Mt. Hood Pattern...and this yarn just doesn't work. It has NO give that you do get in other sock yarns like STR, Shepherd Sock...etc. I ripped this off the needles. I'm fricking pissed because I had already turned the heel and done all the gusset decreases and on first glance, they do LOOK great. Wasted knitting time...:-(

So, I'm going to start "Loskins" in Shepherd Sock colorway Devon. Have you seen this colorway. It is new and it is AMAZING!

Also check out TRKFLD bags. These were recently featured in the Philly Mag and I just had to check them out for myself. Let's just say, I purchased one last night at Philly Runner and it is hot! LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT. And I don't think it is the last one I'll be buying...

And here is this weeks, "Oh how I love this city" post; thanks for ripping up my street 5 weeks ago, subjecting my car to the new and fun game of manhole dodging and posting "NO PARKING" signs all over the place for the last week and NOT PAVING ANYTHING...GREAT JOB!!!

I told you the heat was getting to me...

Day off in the middle of the week

Every Christmas Eve, we Bach's cozy up in front of the TV and watch a classic, favorite movie of ours, "Holiday Inn."

It's about an entertainer (Bing Crosby) who decides to open an Inn in Connecticut only on the Holidays, complete with holiday themed entertainment. The most amazing scene is on the Fourth of July, where Fred Astaire does an amazing solo dance using firecrackers as props. Well, guess what I found on YouTube today...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlgAj_29Z7U

It's awesome.

I'm going to be lazy some more...but I need to get the camera out for a knitting photo shoot...this will follow soon.

(oxy)MORON

The murder rate in Philly is now over 200. It isn't even July yet. They are dropping like flies. So what does our esteemed mayor decide to do to combat the violence?

Set up a lawn chair on 16th Street outside the AT&T store and wait in line for an IPHONE.

Seriously, is there NOTHING more pressing he could be working on?

A**HOLE

500!

This is my 500th post!

CRAP!

I took very few photos as Stitch and Pitch last night because IT WAS HOT AS BALLS and for some reason all the knitters, with all their yarn, were in the sun.

I sweat out at least 6 pounds including the bulls bbq pork sandwich, crab fries and ice cream that I ate.

It was fun! Lots of knitters putting our craft (and selves) out there for the world to see. Little Petey was watching the game and informed me that Sarge and Harry K were having fun commentating about it being Stitch and Pitch night. He said they mentioned Macrame, but not knitting...interesting.

It is too hot to be witty, sarcastic and enlightening for my 500th post so this will have to do.

As promised:

The Scotland and Ireland yarn!

Yummy cashmere from Shilisdair Yarn, Isle of Skye

Periwinkle Shetland, also from Shilasdair

Tweed Aran from Dingle, Ireland

YUMMY SILK from The Handwpinner Having Fun
Isn't the color luscious!?!
Lilac Cashmere from the Handspinner Having Fun

All I can type is yum...

My guys...and weekend update

Where has the weekend gone? It's 11:03 on Sunday night. My anxiety about the work week has already set in...don't worry the bottle of Advil PM is also right next to the bed. Pups are tucked in...news is on. Seemed like as good of a time as ever to be blogtastic.

Friday I dined with my "old school girlfriends, " Jane, Jen and Susan at this lovely little cafe in Chestnut Hill called, "Cafette." I can't believe I have lived in Philadelphia for 12 years and never been there. The atmosphere is perfect; we sat on the outside patio drinking wine and chowing down. It was great to be together with the old HUP posse. I miss you ladies! I'm the only one left working at HUP all these years later...I know, I know...you had to have kids! HAHA

Saturday, I met up with Ellen and her Maltese, Jake. Jake isn't a big fan of other dogs, but Ellen and I decided we would try to socialize him with the beagles. Things actually went pretty well...sure Jake tried a few times to nip at Gus and Maggie's hind quarters, but quite frankly, they could have cared less. We had a lovely walk around University City including a stop at a moving sale where I purchased an antique wicker rocker. It's so comfy, but needs an upholstery overhaul...anyone know anything about this?

Congrats to Trish on passing her driving test with flying colors! Good job Bud! T and I went to see Celtic Woman last night at the Mann. They are very entertaining, but frankly I would rather listen to them sing just traditional Irish songs rather than all that Enya crap.

Finally, today I visited with a few of my boyfriends. First 10 day old Jacob.

He is a very sweet little noodle. After chowing down (thanks mom!), he fell asleep on his Auntie Bach's shoulders. We snuggled hardcore. His real Aunt, Dina, was visiting from California and brought him his cute little Jimmy Hendrix tshirt. SO CUTE!

And then, there is Justin.

What can I say about how cute this kid is? He is melting hearts at two years old. And the kid can eat salsa, let me tell you. We had fun playing in and around the pool and hot tube and wishing that his mommy feels better soon!

I did S**T for knitting this weekend. I screwed up Maude, AGAIN and so I've put it away. It's an easy pattern, why must I keep F***ing it up? While at Rosie's the other day, I came upon some new Dale of Norway lace patterns. Now, they are written for Baby Ull, but I don't really see Baby Ull as a lace shawl yarn. Courtney and I discussed some options and decided Koigu would be a good choice for the shawl I have choosen. I swatched and knitted about 10 rows of it tonight; not enough to photograph just yet, but so far, so good...knock on wood.

I received my Socks that Rock Sock Club installment. The colorway is called "Firefly." I love it and the pattern...I've just got NO clue when I'm going to get to knitting them as I am working on a time frame to finish Steven's socks before the second week of August.

I know, the vacation yarn has yet to be posted. Tomorrow I promise...

See everyone at Stitch and Pitch Tuesday night!!!!

Go Phillies!

Prickly

Today is the first day this summer (truthfully it ain't even summer yet!) that the heat has made me feel prickly and itching and gross. Yuck.

I'm waiting for a family to arrive for a family meeting and have a few minutes to blog.
I keep forgetting that I haven't photographed my Scottish and Irish yarn yet ---so note to self, TAKE THESE PHOTOS AND POST ASAP. I need to share the luxury!

I picked Maude up again and promptly screwed it up. The edging is so NOT hard and yet I keep doing the same stupid things over and over again. So I'm off ot Courtney again for a repair job.

I've also started Peak Experience Socks (not the lacey version) in a very manly colorway of Brooks Farm Acero. They are for my English Pal Steven who will be visiting us later this summer.

Maggie opened the fridge last night and managed to eat an entire tub of (Part Skim) Ricotta Cheese. She then proceeded to carry the tub around with her as if it were a trophy. She needs help and I need a strap on the fridge.

How long did it take you to figure out The Closer last night? For me it was around 9:18. I still really like that show...

My summer life is boring

Welcome Jacob!

Congrats to Julie, Jim and baby Jacob Karl born June 13, 2007...

I met my new boyfriend this evening:

I LOVE BEING AUNTIE BACH!!!!!

Negligent blogger

Okay, so I finally think I've gotten myself back on track after returning from vacation...only took a week to finish unpacking, doing laundry, get over jet lag and rebond with doggies...not to shabby. Here is what I've been up to:

First, Kudos to my secret pal for the awesome birthday themed box that was waiting for me at my mom and dad's when I returned from Ireland.

I love it!!!!! muchas gracias! I can't believe secret pal 10 is almost over!

I knitted this cute little baby set for a coworker over the weekend.

It's Morehouse Merino's Hat and Booties for the new arrival. Very fast and easy. I'm thinking of stockpiling a bunch.



Maggie has been busy; last night, she played with (ate) the cordless phone.

The Phillies continue to play decent baseball. Shock and awe. I will try my best not to play hokey today and go to the "businesspersons special" at 105pm.

I'm knitting lots of stuff and just realized I need to post photos of the yarn I bought in Scotland and Ireland. Projects in progress include my take on the "Sarah Blanch" shawl from Folk Shawls. I'm doing it in yummy koigu's. I love it, but 310 stitch rows really wear on you after a while. I'm also starting a pair of socks for my friend Steven (who'll be visiting from England in August) in Brooks Farm Acero. So far so good...I'm knitting it on 1's and getting about 7 to the inch. It is interesting yarn, yummy actually, just has a tendency to split a bit. Also in the knittng bag is the Hunter's Safety Stole, which will never get done.

So more regular blogging to follow.

A couple of shout outs to JULIE AND JIM on the pending birth of "JJ." Jules is at Pennsy right now...I expect an update soon...

And to Heather, on her way to spend the summer in Malawi doing research. I miss you already booboo.

More Photos...Ireland

Me and Ali, Killarney National Park, County Kerry

Lake Anashul, Dingle

Conor Pass, Dingle Peninsula

Powerscourt Waterfall, County Wicklow

Cliffs of Moher, County Clare
Portal Tomb, The Burren, County Clare

The Rock of Cashel, Cashel, County Tipperary

Me shearing the sheep, County Kerry

Ladies View, Ring of Kerry, Killarney National Park