Desert Knitter

Sunday, January 07, 2007

We're still here!

Can you say S N O W ? We had a total of 24 inches of snow over New Years. This picture is of my driveway in the morning. The night before, it had been shoveled clear but it was still snowing. The morning brought another 8 inches that had to be shoveled out.

We don't normally have this much snow. In fact, we broke a 50 year old record for the amount of snow. It has stayed cold so the snow actually has not melted all that much. Schools and businesses were closed. We didn't have trash pickup or mail service, either.

Here is what the driveway looks like after I got it all shoveled off again. Oooooooh, my aching back! No snow blowers around here. One thing for sure, if anyone in the neighborhood had had one, people would have been paying for its use!

The part that has really upset everyone here is that we have to have our driveways and sidewalks cleared withing 24 hours of a storm. Unfortunately, they didn't clear the streets! I know the next meeting of the neighborhood association you will find standing room only cause there are going to be lots of very upset people complaining.

Now, with all this snow, I had to go out and shovel potty areas in the back yard for Karli. Unfortunately, I didn't get pictures of that. Sure wish I had but the battery was dead after the first two pictures. I cleared off nice spots for Karli and she goes "bunny hopping" through the deep snow till she was one huge snow ball. Took her back in side and ran warm water over her till she was thawed. After blow drying with a hair dryer, she collapsed in her bed beside my computer desk. All nice and comfy.

On the knitting front, I have done a couple of scarves. One for a nurse I work with and the one I'm currently working on is for my Dog sitter. Both are sparkley but surprisingly warm.

Hope to hear from more of you and I hope you all had a wonderful start to your New Year!

Jan

posted at 1/07/2007 12:22:00 PM by Jan

Sunday, April 23, 2006

Sunday Afternoon Guest Poster

It's a beautiful Sunday afternoon! I've had a haircut and a bath and Mom and Auntie Lynda trimmed my face sooooo pretty! I look like a Schnauzer!

I'm 17 weeks old now... hehehe 4 months and 1 week but who's counting!

Mommy is trying to knit with me in her lap but there's no one to take a picture of that so you will have to take my word for it. She really is knitting... when I let her, that is. I'd rather have Mommy play with me than mess with all that yarn. Well, unless she would let me have the ball of yarn to play with. I've already gotten one old ball of yarn that Mommy didn't really care about but I sure made a tangled mess of it. It was soooooo much fun!

Okay, Karli, it's Mommy's turn at the computer! In the world of knitting, I"m thinking of seeing if I can get the time off from work in October to take a Lace Knitting class at the Taos Wool Festival. Last year, I just went for 2 days and shopped but I fell in love with the Russian Lace and a 2 day class is being offered. Now I just have to figure out where the class is held, if I can get the time off from work and if I can afford the hotel and class cost in addition to all the things I know I'll want to buy. Isn't that always the problem!?

posted at 4/23/2006 12:43:00 PM by Jan

Sunday, March 19, 2006

I'm too busy to pose!

I'm too busy to pose for that silly ole camera! I'd rather sharpen my toofies on my chew toy!

Karli actually had a haircut and bath and I really wanted to have a picture to share but she had other ideas. heheeh I debated between using a professional groomer and doing it myself. Doing it myself won out as my sister-in-law taught me how as she does her two Mini Schnauzers and said it was easy.

It wasn't too bad... though Karli wanted to wiggle around and play with the clippers. The noise didn't bother her a bit.

On the knitting front.... QUICK! Karli is napping...gotta get the post done so I can do a row or two before she wakes up!

Hugs and puppy licks to everyone!
Jan

posted at 3/19/2006 08:57:00 AM by Jan

Sunday, March 05, 2006

NAPTIME KNITTING

Yes, I really have been knitting... well, maybe only a row or two at a time when Karli is napping but I have been doing it. I really want to get this blanket finished cause I have another to knit after it then I can get back to knitting socks.... and/or spinning.

Will be interesting to see Karli's reaction to a spinning wheel in use. Right now, she barks at the Dust Buster and the Spot Bot. Thank heavens for a Spot Bot for those little accidents that occur when playing too hard or when I'm not paying total attention to her. hehe

Right now, if Karli is playing and I reach for my knitting she scampers over and starts trying to chew on it. ::sigh:: Therefore the need to knit when she is napping.

Having a puppy is almost like having a baby. They take lots of attention and love but the return they give you is sooooooooo worth it. Don't you think?

More pictures of Karli in the next post!
Jan

posted at 3/05/2006 02:14:00 PM by Jan

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Snnnooooorrrrrrrrr ! ! !

Nothing like letting it all hang out! Here is Karli sound asleep in her playpen. Sleeping on her back. I'm glad she is feeling so comfortable in her home.

Now, if only she would stop biting my hands! I have nips on both hands from her little sharp puppy teeth. I definitely think she is like a 2 year old... NO is her favorite word and she like hearing it often. I try and keep a chew toy handy when she starts getting nippy. I put that in her mouth as so chews on it instead of my hands.

Knitting? What's that??? ::sigh:: Little to no time for knitting as I had to work on the schedule for work even though I've been off for the last month working on stuff for Mom's estate. Everything is getting done but Karli requires the majority of my attention right now.

Does anyone know when Karli will be out of the terrible 2's??? and she's only 11 weeks old!!!

Jan

posted at 2/28/2006 08:34:00 PM by Jan

Monday, February 20, 2006

What knitting time?

I actually keep forgetting to knit a little during each of Karli's nap times. I have been doing laundry, moving things around in the storage shed outside...and all sorts of other things. I'm going to have to make a list of what needs to be done and include some knitting time.

How could you resist this!? Karli is chewing on her rope toy. I try and keep an eye on her even when she is out of her playpen or kennel just to make sure she's not getting into anything she shouldn't. hehe Maybe I'm being over protective but I don't want her getting into any electric cords and chewing on those.

Right now, she is chewing on anything she possibly can... fingers, shoe laces, chew toys, pillows,.. whatever she can get into her mouth. Typical puppy.

For knitting, the pattern that I'm using for the current baby blanket is a basket weave pattern. Same yarn as the other blanket but the pattern is slightly more complicated. It's not the enterlac pattern that I have seen that gives a two color basket weave; this one uses just knit and purl stitches to give the pattern and it's really coming out nice. Even the back side is interesting! It looks like vertical waves... sorta.

Well, it's puppy nap time and time for me to get some errands run.

Puppy licks and happy knitting.
Jan

posted at 2/20/2006 10:18:00 AM by Jan

Friday, February 17, 2006

Blankets and Puppies ! !

This is the baby blanket that I made for one of the Techs I work with. It's not wool... it's good old Caron Simply Soft. I wanted something super soft and washable.

Think of a day at work, super busy as usual for a Friday on December 30. Pregnant tech still has her back ache as her baby is pressing on one of her nerves. Well, the rest of us look at her... err.. are you sure you aren't in labor? She said it definitely wasn't labor.

Okay... busy day finishes around 1pm and her back ache is still pretty bad. She calls her Nurse Practitioner who tells her to come in so she can be checked.

She goes home, waits till her hubby gets home, they eat a good lunch, then she packs a bag and they head off to the hospital. I'm sure you know where this is heading...

They got to the hospital around 3:30pm and she delivered at 4:43pm. It was all back labor. This was her third child but the first back labor. heeheh Mom and baby are doing well.

This picture is a close up of the pattern... just a simple 5 stitch by 6 row pattern alternating knit and purl stitches to make a block pattern. Garter stitches around the edges.

Okay...you know I couldn't go without posting another puppy picture!! Here's Karli being held by my Sister-in-law. She's definitely a puppy who has wrapped everyone around her little paw.

I was over at my brother's house last night. We watched the Olympics once their dogs decided that this little wiggly thing wasn't going to bother them. We each wound up sitting on the big couch with a dog in each lap. We traded off every so often till all the dogs decided it was nap time and curled up in their favorite lap. Fortunately, Karli curled up in mine.

It's a little difficult getting in knitting time as Karli wants attention with a capital A. As I'm typing this note, she's taking a nap, so, once it is posted, I hope to get a bit done before she wakes up and needs a potty trip.

Hugs, Everyone! I've missed you and hope to hear from you! That's what the comments area is for. Honest!

Jan

posted at 2/17/2006 11:09:00 AM by Jan

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Is she really posting again?

I know, I know.. it's been ages since I have posted. Life has been absolutely crazy. Mom, who lived with me, started getting sick in December. Was admitted to the hospital in the middle of January and passed away on February 3rd. I've taken some time off from work to get things settled and my head back in order. That is the short version of what happened but I didn't want to bore you all with the details

So I'm not as alone, I now have added Karli Jo to my life. She's a Miniature Schnauzer. Born on 12/9/2005 so she is just shy of 10 weeks old. She comes from a breeder in Texas and flew here today, arriving at 1pm.

I was soooooo excited and anxious for her to get here. The winds had picked up and I was worried that she wouldn't tolerate the ride here but she did fine. I picked her up at the cargo area of the airport where I met a couple who were picking up their new Briard puppy.

Off to home we went and I took the front off of her little kennel and then waited patiently till she felt like she was comfortable enough to come out and see the world... of course, a few Cheereos helped. heheeh

Here is Karli in her little pink kennel liner. I hadn't put it in the kennel yet. My sister-in-law called to her just as I took the picture so she is looking up at her.

Would you believe that I've actually still been knitting? I have! Honest!! I actually finished a baby blanket... the very day she had her baby. Then I started one for my brother's Grand God Child... and I have 2 more to do! I'll be posting pictures of my knitting a heck of a lot sooner than I have done my last two posts..... I hope. Life has to start getting back to normal soon!

Okay... go ahead and leave me a comment! I've missed hearing from everyone.

posted at 2/15/2006 10:14:00 PM by Jan

Monday, December 26, 2005

Where did all that time go?

It's almost 2006 and I can't believe it's been that long since I posted!

Lots has happened. I went to Taos Wool Festival and had all the best intentions of taking pictures there and of the things that followed me home.... Er... has anyone seen my computer cable and charging cable for my camera????? Yup, they both are missing in action. I'm hoping that they are in the computer bag I used for that trip.

As for spinning... I'm still working on the red roving. I did have to take a pause in spinning because I had a baby blanket to make. Used Caron's Simply Soft in a really pretty mint green... will have a picture to share once I find the computer cable for the camera. ::blush::

I'm hoping that everyone had a great Christmas! I was on call so actually wound up working all 4 days of the 4 day weekend. The pay check will be very very happy but I'm pooped! I've been doing a lot of overtime at work due to lack of staff which is why all my Christmas shopping was done via the computer this year... what a wonderful invention! The extra work is also why this poor blog hasn't been updated in ages.

Hang in there and I'll be back to posting pictures once I find those errant cables.

posted at 12/26/2005 04:15:00 PM by Jan

Sunday, August 14, 2005

RED ! ! !

I did get started on spinning my red roving and it's turning out nicely. The color is pretty darned close to what it looks like in real life... at least it does on my monitor.

I want to ply it tighter than I did the purple so I'm actually spinning the singles a little tighter. It's all an experiment since I have no idea what I'm doing. I'm just practicing and hoping that what I'm doing will turn out the way I want it to!

Oooohhh, and I even stopped into my LYS Saturday. They now carry CherryTree Hill supersock yarn. A tad expensive at $22/100grams but I love it and was at the counter with three hanks when the co-owner of the store whispered to me.... if you are off work next weekend; it's our yearly 15% off sale... off EVERYTHING in the store with the exception of consignment stuff. HEHEHE I put the hanks back and am hoping that they will still be there next Saturday. Can't beat 15% off :)

Now for the questions of the week... Do I really have to go to work? Can't I just stay home and spin?

posted at 8/14/2005 09:16:00 PM by Jan