Making Up...

...not posting, for not knitting, for lost time!

Firstly, Liz got much better shots of Kiernan the alpaca, whose fleece I bought, when we were at Alpaca on the Rocks.  For a head shot of one of the cutest faces ever, and also of Kiernan talking to me about why I needed to make the purchase, take a peak here. We are about halfway down the post.

Secondly, I started the first Baby Surprise Jacket last night and...AND...it appears....it APPEARS! that I have done it up right...so far.  It was fun to knit with this stuff (Rowan's Cashsoft Aran), fun to knit in general, and fun to knit something that was working.  Look!  Over in the side bar...an actual progress bar!  I am so proud.

Thirdly, tomorrow is October, and Dearest Sister and I have made a bargain with each other for a shared Blogtoberfest.  I think it will be a sure treat.  Last year, in participating in the effort, I felt it turned into a blather-fest on my part.  Doing it this way will give us each something from which to springboard, to challenge us...hopefully.

More details on the morrow.

Quilt (and Others) Update

The quilt is pieced, sandwiched, and quilting has started. Progress is not only being seen, but is finally being shared.

Now that this puppy is sandwiched, a few good knit projects are hitting these Needles of Iron. I am starting with a couple of BSJ’s, and going from there.

Because, you see, I have new yarn. Yes, yes, I succumbed, but oh what a deal! 50% off Mountain Colors! I could not walk on by.

Also, I have this, gifted to me by the generous ~Wunx on the occasion of our meeting, on the occasion of Grandbebe Bean's early birthin’. Reach through the screen and pet. Pink and cashmere it is. Sillllky cashmere!

And this is the vintage cashmere and lambswool I recently received from Martha at Q is for Quilter. Lovely, lovely soft stuff, with these great vintage pattern books to go along.

Yes. I have me some knitting urges and there is only one way to tame them. My deal with myself is once the quilting started, I get to start knitting, too.

Also there will be…actually there IS….spinning! I think I might try the Yarn Harlot’s philosophy to set aside one day for spinning. Not that I get to do this sort of thing daily, having the mundane routine of a job and all, but for instance, if it’s Tuesday, or Wendnesday, or whatever day I set aside as ‘Spinning Day’, and I have the opportunity to do ‘something’, then I spin. Because, you see, I went to Alpaca on the Rocks and purchased more of what I already have, but which I could not resist. (But Liz bought some, too!) Dearest Sister has an idea of what I might be able to do to support this deadly habit I have.

Anyway. I think ‘spinning day’ might work. I certainly think it might be worth a try, now that the weather is turning. And turning it is. Oh, we will have more warm days, but this past week we were reminded that Fall. Is. Here.

I spun on this on Saturday.  Not sayin' that Saturday if for spinnin'.  Just that maybe the alpaca fumes got to me!

P.S. I am not ready for fall.

P.P.S Neither are my tomatoes. Of which I finally have some.

S is for…

...Sisters.

My mother and her sisters.

2 of my sisters and myself.

My daughter-sisters.

My grand-daughter-sisters.

My daughters and their cousin-sister.

Sister-friends

All sorts of sister relationships surround me, and I am amazed by them all.  I do not underestimate their power, only at my own risk.  With so many examples surrounding me, I count myself fortunate, indeed.

Where Have I Been?

I visited some alpacas, met up with Liz from Lizzzknits (again!) and see that guy in the back?  I bought his first shearing.  I will have it in about a month, completely processed into roving.  No washing or handcarding this go round.  He is the prettiest greyish whitish black, and that is the official description.  Stay tuned.  There just might be opportunities for the finished yarn.  I am just sayin...

Wonderful Guy and I headed to the mountains to view the glory that is Colorado in the Fall.  Aspens are at peak in Rocky Mountain.

I fought this pretty guy for my sandwich and brownie.  Seriously.  Such a beggar bird.  Swooping down for my peanut butter and jelly while it was in my hand.  Please!  Don't feed the wild things.  It is compelling, I know.  But not good for them or for us.

We picnicked by Bierstadt Lake.  It was a perfect September day, with bluest ever skies, and greenest evergreens.

And some reds, too.

I do believe I might have some interesting things to share, and some time in which to formulate these thoughts, and some additional time in which to put these thoughts into electronic format in this next week.

Ya'll come back, y'hear!

A Visit by Wisest Sister

Wisest Sister has been visiting. She is making a trip, seeing Favorite Aunt, the Grandbebe Girls and us older residents of the same state, and some old schoolmates at a class reunion. I think we are showing her a good time.

We watched the Grandbebes on Saturday, and had some interesting moments. Some important elements were left out of the diaper bag supplies, but we managed a recovery before distress was reached. Grandbebe Girl stepped on a bee coming back from a good time at the park, but she doesn’t hate me for it. A knickknack was broken but Wonderful Guy applied his super superglue talents and ‘Dating Cow’ is good as new...almost.

Wisest Sister worked on some pants hems while I worked on the quilt last night. She asked if I had a seam ripper, which I did. Then she asked if I had a new one. Seems the one I gave her was dull. One holiday, she set about to peel potatoes in my kitchen. Guess what. She deemed my potato peeler dull. I think the holiday must have been Thanksgiving. At Christmas, I received a new potato peeler from her. This time, I happened to have a new seam ripper. By chance. Maybe I shouldn’t have admitted to having it, though. Maybe she would have bought me another!

Anyway. The quilt piecing is coming along. I am putting together 9-patches, embroidered patches, and the in-between strips/squares. About two-fifths done. We purchased some fabric to use for the very outside sashing. It is nigh on impossible to match vintage colors without going to reproduction fabric! But progress is being made, and it is looking good. I promise photos forthwith, but, well, I have been really really busy!

But seriously? It is fabulous!

Win-Win-Win

A couple weeks ago I had a week that was just like Christmas. I am just now getting around to writing about it.

First, I was Winner With Most Points at Bunko (or Bunco). I fill in with the neighborhood group, but fill in almost every month, so I am a regular, at least when it comes to filler-inners. But being a filler-inner, I don’t have to clean house, or fix treats, or keep score. I play the ‘but I’m not a regular…’ card every chance I can! And it works. They love me! However, the regular regulars noted this was twice in a row I had won this /most points' honor, capering away with the big bucks, all $13 of them. They may not ask me back. Until they need me.

Next, I had an email from Martha, who is the incredibly talented Q is for Quilter. She offered me some vintage 30% cashmere/lambswool blend and two vintage pattern books. (Thirty per cent!) For one reason or another, she wasn’t going to use it. Go ahead and take a peak at her quilt work. Like she needs a reason to not knit? Anyway, would I like it, since I had real grandbebes to knit for. Hmmm…let me see. Yes please.

Then I heard from Cha Cha at Noodleroux that she liked best of all what I had described as my ‘Cultural Heritage Costume’ in a contest over at her place. Which...where I'm the sheriff...is all jeans/shorts and tees/sweats! After she gets back from her worldly travels, I look forward to receiving a prize package worthy of someone winning such a contest!

Lastly, Dearest Sister and Sister’s Mister determined that her remaining days of vacation, previously spoken for a now-defunct trip, are up for grabs, and that we might just grab them for a get-away really exotic and special. Somewhere that just might require a passport!

All this in just a week.

See. Just like Christmas!

R is for…

Renamed.

While Eldest Daughter was visiting a couple weekends ago, we made it a goal to hike…alot. And we did.

Our first day’s outing took us to a county park favored by the locals for it’s availability, dog-friendliness, and multi-use trails.

Wonderful Guy and I had hiked Horsetooth Mountain Park earlier this year, taking the Falls trail, and seeing lots of good flowers. That is an easy trail, but rewarding, especially when there are lots of flowers, and when there is lots of water coming over the falls, both of which we saw.

This Saturday, we hike Horsetooth Rock (R!) which is longer. And steeper. And more notable, as one can pretty much see Horsetooth Rock from anywhere in our little burg, and certainly from our house.

Which brings me to ‘renamed’. Like many landmarks, Horsetooth is not the original name.

According to Native American legend, Horsetooth Rock is what remains of the heart of the Great Red Warrior slain by the Great Black Warrior in a long ferocious battle.

And the information at the top of the trail and base of the rock reads: “Bands of Native Americans lived and hunted in this area as early as 10,000 B.C. Longstanding legend tells of an evil giant who terrorized the region. A strong, heroic warrior killed the giant by slashing out his heart. The rock is said to be the heart of the giant.”

So rock, renamed, renewed, relax, after our home renovating, it was a grand day for a great hike.

And with my R, I believe am still close to on schedule with this.

Really remarkable.

The view from the top.  Yes.  The top.

Weekend Wrap-Up

The retreat is over and all worked through nicely.  I was apprehensive.  This year I am the board chair.  It will give me good practice to not do things as I have done in the past.  So far so good.  Still alot of work to take care of details that I think are important for things to run as smoothly as I like.  And our board is smaller than normal, so the work is being doubled up.  But we soldier on!

Nothing got scheduled on Sunday! And some catching up got done!

I might be ready for Wisest Sister's visit.  After a trip to the grocery store.  Actually, the trip to the grocery store is necessary before her arrival.  I need lunch fixin's and toothpaste.  That is how behind I have fallen. Toothpaste!

But her room is ready for her.  Just like the Marriott...without the maid service.  Sort of.  Cleaning Gina does come on Wednesday.

Don't laugh.  It's a perk I have earned.  And it helps her out, too.  And that's my story about that.

The biggest thing though?  I got the nine patches for Grandbebe Bean's Quilt pieced.  I have to cut the sashing pieces (pressed and ready) then will piece the nine patches with the embroidered Mother Goose pieces from 'Great Aunt' Dearest.  Of course there are steps after that, but I am just looking at a few at a time right now, to keep from being overwhelmed.  I think it's the best way to get this task finished.

And I think I have decided, once I have this quilt sandwiched, I am going to allow some spinning and/or 'real' knitting to go on the needles.  And by real, I mean, not dishclothes.  Which I love, and need, but oh so wanting to something else!

OK.  I am biking to work, and have to hit the trail.  See how back to the regular routine!

A Day Of Service

Well, I needed this.

Sometimes I wonder where my head is. I know I have been busy and may have missed the news for…several days…but generally I pay attention the internet.

I missed remembering the events of Nine Eleven through a day of giving back rather than a day of mourning.

Eight years ago, the Dee-vorce was not yet filed, but the Dee-cision had been made by the X. He remained at the house. I was devastated by his final take on the matter of our marriage after months of trying to reconstruct. Laid waste, reduced to my lowest denominator, dee-molished. Yank out your own thesaurus…life was over as I knew it, and I could not see the future.

I knew it was there. I knew I would reach it. I just couldn’t see it, or what my place in it was going to look like. I had no point of reference for me being me without him.

So on that morning, I was getting ready for work. And he was not, not having work to go to, which is another post. He comes up the stairs and tells me what has happened. I come down to watch the news, and the second event occurs.

And I was Just. Done. In.

Overload.

No more room.

Too much.

I went to work, and heard about the Pentagon and Pennsylvania, but while others were glued to the TV and the internet, I had to perform work tasks. Had to.

I couldn’t handle it all emotionally and intellectually, the twin towers along with my falling down life. And the events will be interlinked from now on, I think.

But life is about moving on, growing, learning, and changing, at least for me.

Not forgetting, but building on. And making better.

Not dwelling on, but remembering where and who we were, and how far we have come, and assessing how we feel about the results.

Serving others in remembrance is a remarkable idea.

So happens my retreat plans have to do with service work, and maybe my outlook towards the whole thing hasn’t been spot on. I have been tired, and my efforts have been sprinkled with a bit of resentment.

No more. I have had my wake-up call.

Flowers and Berries

One of the many purposes of hiking this past weekend was to have a chance to play with our cameras.

And we did that!  The mountains and the beginning of fall provide ample opportunity.

I was expecting the alpine gentian (below) but the columbine in September (above) really surprised me.  And there were several of them.  I was telling Eldest, 'last time I was here was in the spring, and along this slope there were hundreds of columbines...and look! there's one!'

These are DYC's (darn yellow composites).

And these are pretty.

Juniper berries, I think.

Larkspur.

So there are some photos of the hikes.  I hope to get some scenery photos posted next, and maybe even some with people in them!  Eldest Daughter has traveled on to see Grandbebe Bean in Utah, and I am missing her already.  I have had so much of my girls in the last month.  I could get so used to having them around.


This weekend I have a retreat for which to finish preparations.  I would just like to get through this week at work, and make it to the weekend, but no.  There is no rest for the weary.  Fortunately, it is not a grandiose affair, and mostly I have taken care of most details already, knowing the September schedule, and also? Because that is the way I roll.  It will only last through Saturday, and if Sunday does not remain unscheduled, I might shoot someone.  Just sayin'.


In other news.  I am looking forward to a visit from Wisest Sister next weekend! She is coming to meet her great nieces, and since I live the neighborhood, I get to see her, too.  Oh, it's not like that.


Very much...

Whew

Eldest wanted to spend some time in the mountains this trip west, so that was a priority.

I need a day off to rest up from my days off.  We hiked about 15 miles this weekend!

We hiked Horsetooth Rock on Saturday. Which can be moderately challenging, but it was a gorgeous day for it.  Best Dog Ever came with us, and we had a day!

I had some fun with my new camera!

My idea was to follow with other moderately challenging hikes of the same nature.  Then Wonderful Guy mentions 'We were going to do Chasm Lake this year...'.  Eldest Daughter says 'Let's do that tomorrow...'

I am thinking 'We are so going to pay...'

Chasm Lake is a kicker.  Beautiful hike, but a 9 mile-ish (round trip) pretty steep trek.

We made it.

And we saw some pretty cool stuff.  A snowshoe hare.  An unfearful marmot.  Columbines blooming in September.

But it was sort of painful.

The next day we walked around Sprague Lake.  Yes, it is a flat, paved half mile walk.  Pretty and easy.

Pretty easy.

In between there, we finished moving and hanging stuff, and rewiring the TV stuff.  We visiting with some old friends at their cabin north of town, then fed a couple of them breakfast on their way home.

I have a ...few... photos of the hikes, but we are out the door for dinner with the kiddos, and photo editing has to wait.

Stick A Fork In It..

It's pretty much done!

The Room of Bayleaf

The TV still needs to come in, but we need the help of Only Step Son for that.  It's heavy and I am not that strong.

The Room of Slice

There are some photos, et cetera to be hung still, and a new faucet for this room that will match that towel hook.  Spiffy, huh?

New lighting!

The Hallway of Cattail

These rooms all sort of flow together, and it was important for me to be able to stand in certain areas where I see three rooms at a time and not be flummoxed by the combination of colors I saw.  I am not!  It is pleasing to the eye.  At least to these eyes, and they are the eyes that matter.  Well, and Wonderful Guys, but he likes the results as well.

She likes the new carpet!

New hall lighting!

The little nook in the upstairs hall.

More new lighting!  Which I just love.

So there it is! And a successful accomplishment by most of my standards.  But also, WOW! Tiring, even having someone else to do it.

But it has been a really fun and exciting week for Iron Needles.  Almost like Christmas.  I will tell all, because I am that way.  I have simply have to.  I can't keep it in.  It's a shortcoming.

But.  Alas.  I don't have time today.  Honest.  I wanted to post these photos, and now I have to get ready to hike with Eldest Daughter who is in town to visit her nieces. HaHa!  Not to see me, so much, but I do get her because she wants to hike!  So hiking I go.

Really.  Twist my arm.

There Be Color!

And I am playing Bunko...

So have to dash...

but wanted to share...

because inquiring minds want to know...

The painter brothers are still working at this hour.

Hope they are done before the carpet layers arrive tomorrow morning...

So there it is! I am loving it.

But I just told Wonderful Guy the bedrooms are now BORING!!!!

New All Around

With home improvement/renovation project (photos to follow), I thought I would try some improvement/renovation with the blog.

This is a try-out.

For a house update, I have color on my walls, and I am loving it! They work for me!! They all blend and go together and aren't overwhelming.

What a relief.

Progress

Since the walls were going to be painted, we decided to replace the light fixture in the hallway. That led to the ceiling lights, and while shopping for those, I saw the one I wanted for the kitchen a few months ago on sale.

There's a story here. See. It's just like the one that used to hang there, only bronze-ish instead of white. We didn't buy it before, because Wonderful Guy said let's just redo the other. Made sense until we realized one of the sockets of the old one was stripped out. So when we saw this one on sale, we made the purchase. I am fortunate that Wonderful Guy is adept at the electrical.

TV Room butting up to kitchen

Javier, the Painter Brother came over with paint colors for a look see last night, to make sure the colors they got were the ones I chose, and the ones I chose were the ones I wanted.

TV Room with new carpet sample

This also gives the exact look/feeling of what we are living with right now.

Entry/hallway butting up to front room

In addition to all this going on, I had two old fillings replaced last night. Upper jaw, so the whole side of my face was deadened for most of the evening.

In-process look!

Javier was understanding, and Wonderful Guy fixed me an omelette.

Laundry room/half bath

So there are the colors to be. Should be about 75% done by EOD, according to the Painter Brother.

PS I love the names of paint colors. So here they are...Bay Leaf, Cattail, Slice, and the trim (not shown) will be Vanilla Bean!