A Few of my Favourite Things

Amanda & I had a most excellent time with Sandra & Larry from Artisan Knitworks. Sandra told me that they've got a new web master tapping away on a keyboard to get a more extensive & shoppable website up - keep checking back. They opened their home & store to us with flawless hospitality - I can think of nothing that would have made our time with them better or more memorable.
We took the train down - perfect knitting time! It was our first train journey & it was quite fun. I might have to learn to pack lighter though. Nah!!

The ladies who came for the knit one below workshop all went away with Inside Outside Scarves started and/or mastered, a gleam of the endless possibilities open to them sparkling in their eyes & Elise's book in hand, favourite designs marked. Amanda was amazing - I was an excellent teacher but a wretched mother. That little girl sat quietly, starting and frogging her own scarf while I smiled at her and went on to the next student. We had our time later while we watched Prince Caspian and she's well into her 1^st K1b scarf.

Yes, I bought some yarn but there is no possible way to go into that store & come out without a treasure or two or more. I'll take some pics of the yarn tomorrow. I also bought some lovely felted mittens for all of the ladies at the office. I know, a bit of a short cut but they were handmade by someone and Amanda personally put a lot of thought into picking them all out. I'll take pictures of those tomorrow too.

It was wonderful to come home though. Back where there is real 18% cream for my coffee, where the speed limits are in kph, where the money is easily identifiable and where my heart is! But you have to go away to be able to come back & I'd go visit Sandra & Larry again any day - I highly recommend it if you're in the area!!

Same Old, Same Old

Thankfully I had the foresight (and banked hours) to take Friday off. It was brutal, and they called the high school buses in early so that the elementray runs wouldn't be late. Craziness!

I am still working hard on a new original design (nope, no hints), as well as a few other projects for Julie, Cindy's mom & Amanda. A slow cooker pot of hot buttered rum and next week off should help to that end.

Amanda & I are heading down to Artisan Knitworks on Boxing day for the weekend. Amanda is so excited - a train ride & getting to go to ; getting her passport was a special bonus! There will be some speed knitting & Knit one Belowing ... call the store for details & come join us if you're from/in the area.

Podcasts

I'm really not a podcast listener - I'm more about music if I'm in the car and at the office - there's no way that I could follow a podcast in the chaos that is my work day - and I'm a hard core TV addict at home. I do subscribe to a couple of feeds, but I mostly check out the topics then delete them a week later without even listening. Then this morning Webs Ready, Set, Knit podcast 109 popped up in my Google Reader and what did I see?? Elise Duvekot is being interviewed!!! OMG - it is so good to hear her voice again; I've really missed her. Have a listen, she's got a great speaking voice.

Do you have a favourite podcast? Why do you like it?

Watching TAR with Wannietta - The Finale

Nick & Starr are totally the favourites going into this finale, Ken & Tina stand a chance if Tina can reign in her not-so-inner bitch and the Frat Boys, well, they've made it this far so there's always a snowball's chance in hell that they can win it.

Back to the good old US of A!
Team D'Andrew's luck holds true - the only airport cabbie who doesn't know where Newberg is.
High & Dry or Low & Wet
High & Dry seems the better choice - at least your in a harness in case you fall.
Low & Wet sounds ... well, wet.
Geez Tina!! You might have wanted to mention/remind Ken of the scared of heights thing when you were picking out the task.
C'mon Tina - suck it up, finish the task and then an expert will help you get the helmet off.
Frat Boys should choose a cabbie with a text-to-speech GPS.
Ken knows that you're scared of heights but we know that you've got a mouth and aren't afraid to let your opinions be made known. Why didn't you go for the Low & Wet?

Starr's done Tina - you're in 2nd place.
The cab driver can be the make it or break it.
I'm almost feeling sad for Tina - another serious height task.
I would totally suck at these memory tests. I'm just a simple, live in the moment kinda gal.
Ken & Tina are rockin' this game of concentration thing out!
I love it when Ken is right!!
Yeah, I guess that that glance backwards was you not paying any attention to them, eh Tina?

The Portland Building ... sounds like something that a cabbie should know.
I wonder how fast Team D'Andrew will be able to burn through the memory game?
Dueling cabbies!
Nick & Starr get lucky again!
I wonder if they'll have enough time/money to grab a snack at the Russian shack.
And Ken is right again - in your face Tina!
I feel a bit bad wishing against Ken & Tina just because of Tina.
You guys just got out of 2 legs of the race in Russia & you don't remember what the flag looks like Nick?!
Starr just lost all of the sympathies.
They got lucky shouting out "Magic in the Hole? Can anyone tell us where the Magic in the Hole is?" I mean, there are a lot of places where asking for that in the street would get you into some trouble.
Ken & Tina got even more lucky that that other lady overheard and is still there.
Yeah Tina - your partner in the race (and life) is trying to slow you up.
I couldn't even understand a word that Nick said he was reading so fast.
Ken & his could save the day!

You're back in the States - people don't just give up their cabs.
"This is the last time that I'm gonna run in my whole life". Ken is funny!!
Who is it???!!!
Of course - Nick & Starr!
I wonder how far behind Ken & Tina are ... and how long they'll have to wait for Team D'Andrew to show up.
Ken & Tina left it in God's hands - I wonder how they'll take a 2nd place finish?
Besides, Mom & Dad should be happy for their race children.
Ken is such a sweet heart - Tina doesn't know how good she has it.
Well, at least it wasn't dark when they rolled up.
Where are Dallas & Tina? OMG - what if they're still in Russia because they couldn't find their passports?!?

Swatching Heaven

I've been swatching & knitting on a design of my own the last couple of months. I can't share the swatches but I will show you some of the yarns that I'm working with. I just knew that there was a reason why I have been collecting so many wonderful indie-dyed yarns!
Tempted Yarns, Dashing Dachs & Lorna's Laces are just a where I've started, I've got a few more to swatch up and source then get going hard core on the project.

I ventured out early on a frigid Saturday morning to pick up a package at the post office only because I was certain that it was my 2^nd Wollmeise sock club shipment. And it was!!! I love the Yarnissima pattern and can't wait to get started on it (yeah, any day now ) with the Jultomte colourway. Amanda got busy straight away knitting up the tiny ball of yarn to see what's in the centre. (it's a stitch marker) She's knitting a super-skinny scarf - I've got a couple more sample skeins of the worsted weight Wollmeise so that Amanda can make it a usable length.
Isn't she cute - and she knits like me with her RH needle anchored in her hip!!!

Watching TAR with Wannietta - X

If Team D'Andrew can overcome an additional task they totally deserve to be final three.
Dallas must be an accomplished Pictionary player.
Either the picture is good enough or not Tina. I think that repeating words that the man doesn't understand isn't going to be more helpful.
Saying that your track record has been "spotty" Dan is like saying that the ocean is a bit big.
Wouldn't it have been the bomb if Sean Connery would have been actor from The Hunt for Red October giving out the clue?
Awwww - that almost makes me feel sad for Andrew & Dan - no pedestrian deserves to be drowned by street water.
I wouldn't have thought that Dallas was the more cerebral on their team, but maybe Toni knows something that I don't.

Have we ever seen a more pitiful team in the final four?
"I need a jacket". "I need a hood". "Just stop". "I love you too". "Just go away".
God, what a bitch.
Good on ya Nick!
Poor Dallas ...
Will Tina actually help Dallas? I think not so much.
Ride the Rails or Ride the Lines
Ride the Rails looks freaking complicated ... and I'm sure that at least one of the teams will eat the pastry if the clue doesn't say not to.
I think that I'd go with Ride the Lines, but looks confusing either way.
Moment of truth for Tina - and she comes through. I think that she's good with men who are not Ken.
Poor Andrew ...
Tina tooting her own again.
Oh Snap!!! Losing the money would be bad enough, but how does he figure he's going to get out of the country without a passport? I'd've been chasing down every black cab in sight!!

Dan is looking a wee bit pleased at Toni & Dallas's misfortune. And I don't think that Toni bought his lame-assed effort at sincerity either.
I don't think that taking the subway is a viable option - the clue said, "take a taxi".
Nick & Starr are rockin' out!
And it came back to bite Toni & Dallas in the ass.
Unfortunately, given the speed bump & Dan's (lack of) skills, Toni & Dallas may still have time to beg for money & get back in time.
Aw crap, Tina is never going to let Ken forget that she said, "Isn't it the one with the wires?".
Yes Tina, you were right.
The dance master should really give Team D'Andrew something for enthusiasm. There ya go!!
Who should be more offended - white boys or Jewish boys?
Nick & Starr totally deserve to run for the $1,000,000.00
Holy Shit - I can't believe that they actually edged out Ken & Tina!!
Toni & Dallas!!! It's not over yet!!!

Toni & Dallas gave it a good shot. Dallas will probably beat himself up for a while about this one; I hope that they find the passports.
I pretty confident that Nick & Starr will cross the finish line 1^st too.

Watching TAR with Wannietta - IX

Of course Andrew & Dan will continue to make crucial mistakes; a cannot change it's spots.
Ah - that's the earliest not necessarily the quickest.
Yeah, I mean who needs to negotiate Tina? I mean, we know it's a race but it's also a race on a budget.
Hey Dallas, if you get with Starr then everything that she's won is yours too.
OMG - I forgot about their lack of shoes! Too funny man.
Team D'Andrew - that's hilarious too!!!
It's an airport dudes - did you think that anything was going to be cheap?
"I mean, if you don't mind looking like an idiot". Yeah. Okay. An idiot in sandals compared to an idiot in hotel slippers. Battle of the Idiots!
That guy didn't even look at where Nick & Starr wanted to go.
"Looks churchy". Must be all of the crosses.
He's asking a bus driver 'cause bus drivers are da shit Tina!!!
Boots or Borscht
Not so much with me and the coordination.
I'm totally down with ladling out though.
Toni & Dallas are lucky that they don't have to march all day - those loose wraps are potential blisters.
I'm not sure that American marching is going to cut it with the Russians.
Awwww, bad luck sucks Starr.

I guess Andrew's more about the socks.
I don't know if they will appreciate Tina's flair.
You only think that it's a bad decision because it wasn't your call Dan.
Enthusiasm must count for something - that and I'm sure that being blonde didn't hurt.
Speaking of G.I.Jane - I wonder if there will be hair cutting Fast Forward.
Another critical mistake - and yes, a Frat Boys/Team D'Andrew blooper real would be hilarious.
It almost seems like it would be mean and bully-ish to laugh at Dan.
I fancy myself an adequate writer when the occasion calls for it, and yet I am struggling for words. Perhaps a comparison. He marches like Elaine Benis dances. It is sad and yet hilarious (even in Russian) making tears the perfect response.

I wonder if the are charging a flat rate or a time/mileage charge?
You go Dallas!!
I don't think that doing one bag at a time and having to make twice as many trips would be less work.
Back to the soup - deja vu all over again!
I don't know as how the are so much laughing with Team D'Andrew as laughing at them.
Good thing that their cabbie doesn't speak English - he'd have the Frat Boys out on the side of the road.
Dallas is young Toni - he'll be just fine. Sore tomorrow I'm sure, but fine.
Nick is going to have to do it one bag at a time.
She says "take a break, don't push it" but her heart says .
Dan.
Why do Nick & Starr always have such a hard time getting cabs?


Especially considering that he doesn't speak English, I don't know how "understanding" that he's going to be. Team D'Andrew may be in between a rock and a hard place.
I'm so happy for Dallas & Toni!!
Amanda thinks that Kyle & I should do TAR. Yeah, when he's old enough to be not a jackass.
Maybe Dan should let the tears well up.
OMG - will they offer their shoes?
Even a simple Russian cabbie knows that they're not really worth what you paid for them Dan.
That cabbie knows a lost cause when he sees it.
Shit - I cannot believe the luck that these two have. This may be the end of them though - as much trouble as they have with tasks, having to do an extra task ... I don't know if there is enough Lucky Charms in the free world!

Looks like I'm going to have to break out the Elaine Benis video again

Now This is Tiny!!

Micro knitting indeed! click on the "Enter key" phrase, then the password is sweaterxxs. Enjoy!!! Coraline looks like a must see!!!

Watching TAR with Wannietta - VIII

10:14PM depart - can you even imagine how much this race messes with your sleep cycles?
A farm - my eyes are watering at the remembering of the smell.
Good idea Toni - get him away from that temptress!
Thrilled at going to Kazakhstan - why? Is there something in Kazakhstan that I need to put on my bucket list?
That green came out of Tina's hair really well.
Way to help Ken pick up his/your stuff Tina.
Which ticket agent can type faster?!? Poor Terence & Sarah. Poor Andrew & Dan.
"Don't count your chickens before they're hatched". Someone was bound to come out with it.
Oh snap!!! The chicken farm doesn't open until 7:30 - equalizing time.
Cool - even the Frat Boys made it.
Fast Forward - local delicacies scare me.
ass fat - homey don't play dat!!
While I'm glad that someone is challenging Nick & Starr for the FF but I don't know if Terence & Sarah have it in them to complete the task.
C'mon - scatter those chickens.
WTG Toni!!!
I wonder if they get to drive the giant crane trucks? That would rock!
I didn't really think so, it's just the bus driver in me that wanted to see them drive it.
Run with sliding feet - the chickens sense of self-preservation will kick in & they'll move.
Well at least Terence is true to his own self. Vegetarians everywhere are standing a little taller tonight.
Will Sarah bully him into just eating it or will it be a long cab ride back to the chicken farm?
Will Nick & Starr be able to eat the "meat"?

Apparently Terence's personal ethics are worth a 20% shot at $1,000,000.00 .
Vegetarians everywhere are making Terence the bull's eye on their dart boards and hanging their heads in shame because he totally couldn't pull it off anyway.
Play like Men or Act like Bulls
I'm a village idiot at music ...
Geez - that seems like a lot of travelling, in costume!
I think that Starr is going to totally lose it.
I'm sure that Kazakh is nothing like English and really, why would they care?
Just because they don't understand the words that are coming out of your mouth doesn't make them zombies or horrible.
And I'm sure that it's not a lack of desire to help you - or maybe they do understand English and they just don't like your Frat Boy attitude.

Nick & Starr must have packed their Crest - check out those gleaming white teeth.
It's not a "bladder" Dallas - it's an "udder".
Hmmmm, Dallas didn't have such a trouble finding someone to speak English.
The Frat Brothers are acting like brothers.
"Isn't that another team?" Really - do you think that very many Kazakhstanis walk around in cow costumes Tina?
Tina deserves to lose - not reading the clues at all this week.
I'm sure that there is a Nobel prize in there somewhere - the physics & weight distribution in costume wearing.
I like how Tina blames "we" when she bones it up.
Well, Dan & Andrew are going to continue the race in sock feet - that should be interesting.
Dan is going to take the heat for the cab & the - I'm sure that Andrew won't let him forget it.

I'm having a hard time to pick a team to cheer for. Terence & Dan are both such downers.
I kind of want the Frat Boys to win so that I can see them continue without shoes. I know, but it would be funny!

But ... Geez - Phil had me going there, I thought that it was going to be another non-elimination leg.

OMG - Dan is whiter than I could have imagined! He marches like Elaine dances on Seinfeld.