Hellllooooo!

I'm just dropping by to amuse you with some knitting, wit, and charm!

Actually, that's a lie. It's been hot (98 today), dry and windy which means I have itchy eyes, a runny nose, and want to take a nap in the worst way.

But I have yarn!!! And new bags!!!

I've been really drawn to these beautiful autumn colors (probably because they're sorely lacking in my natural habitat).


The multi-colored one is from Earthly Hues and the other is a cashmere blend from Sanguine Gryphon. I'm seeing some handknit cowls in my future for possible Christmas gifts. (Shhh... I haven't told my inner self that we're going to consider knitting gifts again. I'm still pretending it might happen.)

I've been working on my cloudy grey socks...



It's a good thing I'm pleased with them because they aren't doing much for our weather. The pattern is Alana by Wendy Johnson. The yarn, bags and pattern are all from The Loopy Ewe.

Apparently the heat interferes more with my actual knitting than with my shopping.

Today was our annual Harvest Carnival at the Roller Dome (forgot camera) and tomorrow morning my 14 year old is participating in a mock presidential debate for his American Government class. He has taken on one of the main presidential roles so that has been taking up alot of our time. He'll have to deliver a speech and take questions from the townhall (his classmates) on different topics so he's had to watch the various debates with me (ha-ha) and gain an understanding of the issues. I'm looking forward to seeing what he and his classmates have learned about politics through the process... and hopefully I'll remember my camera!

Now I must go stand in front of the air conditioner and imagine what autumn feels like in more normal places. Hopefully, I'll be inspiring another day. :)

Knitting Clouds and Saving Texas

We have been fortunate... the winds have kept the smoke away so we only have to deal with the itchy skin and eyes from the hot dry winds. To lift my spirits, I am knitting my own clouds with some lovely grey Tempted Sock yarn, and imagining cool grey skies.



So I watched the final presidential debate last night... I think at this point I would've been fine if they had just flipped a coin at the end to determine the next president. It's not that I don't care, because I really do. But I'm also very cynical and know that only a small portion of promises made will ever see the light of day.

I'm admittedly a small government kinda gal and have no faith in the government to manage or redistribute my money. This is clearly not a job they're good at. I think experience is essential and what I'd really like the President to do for me... is less. I'd like the federal government to get back to their constitutional purposes...

'We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.'

(How many of you can still sing that?)

I think the biggest rub for me is being out here on the far west coast in a state that's so blue we practically have frost bite. We always know which way the state is going to go so no matter who I vote for I feel irrelevant. So I end up running to the polls first thing in the morning so I can at least vote before they tell me who has won. Someday I'm going to move to a "swing state" just so I can feel more relevant.

Anyway, the highlight of the debate for me, came not from one of the candidates, but from my 9 year old son who was bouncing around the room waiting to watch the new Indiana Jones movie. As the post debate pundits talked about taxes, Daniel stopped dead in his tracks and said,

"Texas?! I don't think they should cut Texas in half! Why do they want to do that??"

A-ha! Something we can all agree on!

Then we made popcorn and put on his movie. It was much more relaxing.

PS... I didn't know how to spell relevant. Bummer!

October Skies

Unfortunately, here in Southern California, we only get to see the colors of autumn in the sky.



As if the dry, pollen-filled Santa Ana winds weren't enough... fires, whether intentional or accidental, are always a part of the season as well.

If there's any question about the efficiency of wind source energy, talk to me... because nothing energizes a child more than some gusty wind. Unfortunately, the itchy eyes and accompanying smoke make it too miserable to play outside. So they stay inside. With me. (This is when all the rules about TV and video games go out the window.)

Science the Homeschool Way

With a little inspiration from The Big Bang Theory last night, we took on a bit of a science project today.

2 parts corn starch to 1 part water...



Plus 1 speaker...



And turn up the bass.

Ta-Da! Dancing Goo!

(It's a liquid concotion that changes between a solid and liquid as it's handled... and will entertain the kids for hours.)

Two of My Favorite Things

First of all, I must thank all of you who reassured me that I'm not alone in my spellcheck joy. I feel much better now. So on to my 2 things...

New books...


*A thick book of patterns from Classic Elite (that I haven't had time to look through yet)
*A new Agatha Raisin book (the latest in a mystery series featuring the abrasive middle aged Agatha set in the English Cotswolds)
*The House of Lanyon (recommended by Laura on her blog)

And finished socks!




Firestarter socks
Wollmeise Campari Orange
Size 0 & 1 circular needles



These more accurately represent the color.



I had to relax my knitting a bit to work the cables on such small needles, but once I got the hang of it, it was fun. The Wollmeise yarn is wonderful. The colors are deep and vibrant, and the yarn is very smooth and pleasant to work with.

And I could eat Cheetos while I knit them!

It's All a Matter of Perspective

Look at these beautiful sweaters...



Can you believe these are both crocheted? I couldn't!



Now some people may consider it foolish to acquire a collection of crochet magazines if you don't actually know how to crochet...



but I like to think of it as being optimistic. And as soon as I figure out what "ch2, dc in 3rd ch from hook, dc in next ch, *ch 1, sk next ch, dc in next ch; rep from *" means, I think I'll be off and running. Actually, I already understand the "rep from *" so the rest shouldn't be too hard.


And while it's probably true that I don't really need more sock yarn...


(New K1C2 Tye-Dye Socks.)


(Beautiful hand-dyed by Castle Fibers on Etsy)

It is getting more expensive, which means it's increasing in "value". I'm thinking it's a much better investment than the stock market right now.


There's a possibility that I might finish a pair of socks over the next couple of days... so that would be exciting. But it's also possible I'll simply remain non-productive couch decor. I seem to be quite good at that lately.

I think it's good for my self-esteem to stay positive and focus on my strengths.

PS... Does anybody else feel a sense of pride when they click on spellcheck and it says "no misspellings found"? No? Just me? Well then... never mind.

So....

My 16 year old is learning to drive.



What's new with you?