Missing Florida

Okay, I woke up this morning and it was 9 FRICKIN DEGREES!

I was in Florida on Tuesday...3 days ago...and it was 65 degrees
I know I know...we haven't had much of a winter...global warming...el nino blah blah blah.

But my lips are chapped and my skin is dry and itchy and my damn bulbs are already poking out...so I hope the groundhog predicts an early Spring next week.

Any how...T and I are back and barely surviving. Let's relive the experience photographically:

We are lost...again

Flamingoes are pink because they eat shrimp!

Dolphin eats Christina's hand!

Trish loves the dolphins

Mr. Seal 2007

Horny Manatee

Dinner with Shamu

Dolphins Fly through the air with the greatest of ease

Attack of the blue tongue

Shamu Breeching

Trish and Me at SPONGE O RAMA in Tarpon Springs

Trish knitting poolside

Sock at poolside

Gram and Me

Gram models her North Sea Shawl

On the knitting front, I finished my mom's "Peak Experience" Socks AND a Spiral Rib Hat in Silk Garden during the trip. I've since started my ultra secret knitting for Allison and Mike's Birthday's (THANKS CAROL!!!) and purchased some great Black Bunny Laceweight in colorway "Stop Sign" that will become the Hunter's Safety Stole from Rosie's Yarn Cellar. And even cooler!!! Knitty D and The City has OUR OWN COLORWAY of Black Bunny Fibers. So far, Carol has dyed it in the DK Superwash (sock yarn). It is SOOOOO cool. Carol is truly an amazing dyer of yarn...she simply asked Wendy and I what colors we liked, and then she produced it. I'm not sure if I can post photos yet, or what weight's Carol is willing to dye it in...More to follow.

STAY WARM !

Hola from FLA

Trish and I are living it up! We are enjoying the 75 degree sunny days and cool nights!
We just returned from Downtown Disney which was CRAZY!

We reall enjoyed Sea World and I have some amazing photos of our dinner with Shamu!
The conference starts tomorrow :-(

But maybe Monday we are going to swim with the Manatees...

More when I return!

Yarn Slut

It was a SLUTTY weekend for knitty d...I visited both Rosie's and Loop and did damage at both.

At Rosie's I purchased Rowan Felted Tweed for Highland Triangle from Folk Shawls.
I also replaced the Maggie eaten mohair for Allison's Purl Scarf...yes Ali, I'm working on it again-I think it will be good conference knitting!

At Loop, I found some ArtYarns Silk Rapsody in a SWEET green color...IN THE SALE BIN for 40% off. I had to give it a good home. Contemplating lacy scarf patterns for this.

Also became TOTALLY obssessed with Blue Sky diag. shawl pattern ( can't remember actual name and writing blog from bed where I'm tucked in with two beagles) which is knit in alpaca silk (a favorite of knitty d)...how could I resist. Also started this project tonight and it will also be great conference knitting. Choose a gorgeous purple/mauve color that screams me.

So, I embrace Wendy's mantra regarding the non yarn diet...I'm already on weight watchers and one diet is enough for me.

It's officially Martin Luther King Jr Day. I don't get the day off...though it seems everyone else does. So, if you are off, do some good---get out and participate in a day of service program or maybe just shovel your neighbor's walk, or do some charity knitting...it's all in the spirit of a man who has inspired me for years, even though he was gone long before I was born. I'll continue my career of service...

Oh by the way, has anyone else seen Jeff Garcia's "fiance?" Seriously, isn't this guy gay? Not that there is anything WRONG with that!

North Sea Shawl

Finally, it's done! Yeah! Five days BEFORE I leave for Florida and 8 full days before I see grandma and give it to her...I think I may be getting somewhere with the procrastination resolution.

North Sea Stock

Blocking in progress...thank god for the sofa bed

Fully blocked...albeit angled a bit.

Pattern Specs:

North Sea Shawl from Folk Shawls

Yarn Zephyr DOUBLED

I bought 2400 yards...I didn't use ANYWHERE near that much, but seeing as the beagle ate some and I have a fair amount left, I can't even come close to guesstimating how much I ACTUALLY used...maybe 1700 yards, but this is a very rough guess-timate.

Needles: Size 5 Addi's

I'm thinking about making another one (for me) in a solid Koigu. Waiting for a color to speak to me.

I'll post a photo of grandma in the shawl when I return from Florida...

Cry Eagles Cry

Mommy screamed, and sang and yelled for 3 hours...and they still lost. We are despondent...so is mommy. How many more days until Spring Training???? Oh did anyone hear, the Flyers are the WORST team in the NHL?

Elvis and Maggie

On this date in 2005, Maggie (aka CC Rider) and 18 other beagle pups were rescued from a Delaware research lab. They became known as the "Elvis Pups," as it is the King's Birthday. More importantly, HAPPY RESCUE-VERSARY MAGGIE!!!!

Cooking with Christina - Episode 1

After spending hours and a ridiculous amount of money at Wegman's today, I'm back on track with cooking at home and packing my lunch. This is all in an effort to continue the Weight Watchers "Back on Track" plan.

Tonight, I made Butternut Squash Risotto from Cooking Light's New Complete Cookbook. This was my first attempt at Risotto. I've always been nervous about trying risotto because of two words: "stir constantly." There is no way around it, you do have to STIR CONSTANTLY.
But the end product was AMAZING---rich, yummy, filling---all for 8 points! YUM!
Plus, the more I make risotto, the more buff my arms will be from constant stirring.

So, I'm ten days away from leaving for Florida and I'm on repeat 9 of 14 of the second (final) panel of the North Sea Shawl. I hoping to finish the tenth repeat tonight and maybe, just maybe I'll be grafting it at Knitting Circle on Wednesday...keep your fingers crossed.

GO EAGLES! BEAT THE GIANTS!

2007-Year of the Yarn

So, here are my resolutions, two days late
1) Stop procrastinating (already managed to f that one up)
2) Get organized and declutter (this was a resolution last year; if I stop procrastinating, may actually get to this one)
3) Be an "after" (see weight watchers ad's for more---i.e. I'm back on program)
4) Get Maggie to stop eating yarn; so far not so good, yesterday she ate two balls of kidsilk haze and some zephyr
5) Have a KICK ASS TIME IN IRELAND AND SCOTLAND!
6) Walk more
7) Apply for ACE program at City of Hope (advanced palliative care training program)
8) MORE LACE KNITTING

Happy New Year to all...new podcast is up at http://www.knittydandthecity.com
Thanks Wendy!

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.