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August 19, 2007

Rain, mainly on planes, and plus~ Marcel models sound canceling swatches

Marcel has had a rough weekend, due to rain and also the Air and Water Show, which is our yearly torment, and boils our collective potatoes almost as much as the 4th of July. Probably more so, actually. Oh, which is worse, flag waving and simulated gunfire or a choreographed entertainment spectacle of weaponry? Do I need to carry on about the worship of shiny military death machinery and military recruitment as family entertainment!? Probably not!
But still, I'd like to find whoever is responsible for this Air and Water Show business and give them a stern talking-to. I would do it, too. You know I would!!
There's not much to be done about the rain, and I would enjoy it as much as the garden does if it weren't for the fact that it freaks out a little dawg. And lucky for Marcel, he doesn't even know! Today it saved his bacon, because there wasn't much thunder or lightning- the parts that make him shiver and drool- but enough cloud cover and rain to keep the planes from flying. So it worked out pretty well. Thursday and into Friday were another matter, as the planes were practicing and my boy had to have his doggy valium, and was somewhat groggy for about 16 hours. Its tough being a little guy.
Every loud noise can be your world caving in.

Despite being on the edge of panic, you have to admit the boy is handsome. (note right eyeball with expression of dawggy terror)
I thought it might help to cover his ears with some knitting.

But I forgot to turn off the flash, which is another thing that makes Marcel World just that much more unstable! Oops. Sorry Cel.

Of course the torment didn't end there!
Lest you think I am entirely evil, Marcel tried to be a sport-

And modeled a couple of other swatches-

Ones that tickled his ears-

And plus, he will let you know when he's completely had it with you and your shenanigans. Indeed.

Other than that, I am still cranking away at the Avast cardigan and have half of one sleeve, now that I've finished the back and sides-photos to come- and have been swatching with some lovely pink stuff (which was a gift from David-who is looking good in those kilt hosen, you betcha (may not be work safe!)- some time ago, which I think he got at Kid 'N Ewe)
which I think is alpaca of some sort,(I seem to have misplaced the ball band somewhere) although maybe it has mohairs because a.) it sheds thingies that tickle one's nose and b.) it sticks to itself. But its sooo pretty!

The stitches look funny but that seems to have to do with the stickiness. I am thinking of making this simple but pretty garter stitch shawl from Folk Shawls, which, if you are looking for it at the Sulzer Library, I am the problem patron who has renewed it 3 times and now still has it in spite of it being considerably overdue. And has one shawl gotten made? See? That's the thing! I am a bad, bad knitter, in addition to problem library patron. Oh, its true!!

Oh, and here is the various cotton I bought at Sea Needles.

One washcloth has been made. Enough with the washcloths already. I know. But you don't have to sew them.

Posted by pippypippy at 06:31 PM | Comments (1)

August 08, 2007

It is a fact

That Mr. Goddamn Sunshine came and collected me from Midway airport on Saturday, in style, as is his custom, with a beautiful and elegant lily,- shell-pink with the lightest lavender at the tips of the petals- carefully selected from his very garden to welcome me home. It was a sweet and romantic gesture, and its true the ladies can't resist that. (Luckily, I'm no lady!! Ha!!! Just kidding!!) Sincere thanks to Mr. Goddamn Hopelessly Romantic Sunshine for the lovely surprise.

And plus, more sincere thanks are in order- for the annual Bethany Beach vacation, which is always a pleasure and would not be possible without the kindness and generosity of friends!
This was, I believe, the 7th (?) year. We were in the funny little yellow rental house which has become quite familiar and comfortable, funny because it seems to have been designed and built somewhat randomly over time. It is a two block walk to the ocean, but often one is lulled into a profound laziness by long mornings of porch sitting, coffee drinking, conversation, knitting (some of us!) sometimes eating pancakes, doing puzzles, reading books, and whatnot, basking in the company of friends and the lack of pressing tasks. Making the actual trip to the beach requires effort! Swimsuits and sunscreen to be gotten on, towels gathered from the clothesline, books, water bottles, mats, beach chairs, umbrellas, toys, snacks, sunglasses, and children to be herded (4- all under the age of 5) it is not for the meek or the lazy!! I am both. But made it to the ocean probably twice in full on bathing suit mode, about 5 times in just taking a walk mode, the latter, I think, being my preferred mode. Particularly early in the morning, when the dolphins can be seen frolicking, and the sand zamboni is still straightening the beach in pristine rows,-which one can then press one's grubby feets into with the zeal of messing up a sand castle, although I admit I always feel a little pang of guilt! Its so pristine!- and funny long-legged birds are zig-zagging along the edge of the water.

Without further ado, I give you the vacation photo blog, in somewhat random order! There aren't any ocean pictures as how many ocean pictures does one need? That's the thing. Anyway~

On the way to the house from the airport, Molly, Hali (new knitting buddy! Woo-hoo!) and I stopped at a roadside produce place I keep forgetting the name of, but it was something like Ernie's. In any event, they had all these garden ornaments, including these fabulous chickens! Which were much to heavy to take home on the plane! Omg. But it was tempting.

Later, Molly, Hali and I bore witness to a terrible tomato tragedy on Highway 1~ behold tomato roadkill, more sensitive readers may want to avert their eyes-

(there was another, more graphic photo but I seem to have lost it. You'll have to take my word when I say it was dramatic!)

Caroline was pleased to eat cereal!

So was little brother Joey!

Joey was looking good in his carseat.

Ah, yes.

There are any number of bunnies around the beach house, in fact we also saw babies, and they don't seem terribly skittish around humans. I nearly tripped over this one on my way home from a walk one day.

It didn't run away immediately, but kind of hung around, doing bunny things, sniffing around and whatnot.

The cuteness of bunny butt.

Here's another thing about Delaware, there are any number of signs advertising chicken dinners. They are everywhere. For some reason I found this interesting.

There are several million miniature golf places in Ocean City, we never went to one, but I have to admit I was intrigued at the prospect of Viking Golf~

And they had this excellent signage~

Of course Hali and I dragged Molly out to Sea Needles, (The Largest Needlework Store On Delmarva!) where we spent the better part of an afternoon. I got 2 skeins of Cotton Classic and 2 of Louisa Harding Nautical Cotton, none of which match, and not because I have an actual project for them but because they looked so yummy and plus you have to buy something because its Sea Needles. (pictures to come!) Hali got a sweater pattern to make for her niece, and some lovely apple green cotton, I forgot which brand. Oh, Sea Needles. How I love you. Its true!

So that is the beach house wrap-up for now, again big big thanks to all involved!!!

More later including photos of Avast cardigan progress!

Posted by pippypippy at 08:59 AM | Comments (3)

August 06, 2007

I Don't Care About Your Blog.

I saw a girl at the airport on Saturday wearing a shirt that said that. I almost stuck my tongue out at her. But plus she didn't look like she really would so I didn't try to persuade her.
Well, we here at the Knit-A-Log sometimes forget, or have no brane, or go to Delaware and become incommunicado for a couple of days, but we care. We care a lot. Really!!!
So this is what happened before I went on vacation with the Helpy-Chalk family and others- more about that later.

First, there was this excitement in our garden-

These things bloomed and smelled really nice.

Plus, I was knitting these decorative leaf-vein borders from Knitting On The Edge
which I'm not sure what I am going to do with them, but one involves bobbles, and plus learning new things has given me all kinds of ideas so who knows.

Leftover Dale of Norway Baby Ull worked really nicely.

This is how far along I was on the Avast cardigan before I left~

(that's Mr. Goddamn Sunshine under there somewhere) Now, 2 plane rides and 5 days at the beach later, I've knitted 3 more skeins I am several more inches of stockinette stitch farther. Pictures of the chocolatey brown loveliness to come. One would think it would be dull, but its been seriously hypnotic, which I have enjoyed. You really don't have to think about anything, and it just keeps growing, and has become a rather nice lap blanket. I also was able to work on it whilst viewing quality cinema on DVD, once in the semi-darkness of the beach house back porch, which has Christmas lights at night, thus is not optimal for knitting, especially with dark brown yarn. (Big thanks to Molly's cousin Cody for the loan of his portable DVD player.)
More about the beach soon!!!

Posted by pippypippy at 04:35 PM | Comments (1)