Wonder Woman

It’s been a busy few days at work, then I got stuck into the Cormoran Strike series by JK Rowling under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, one more season of Master Chef Australia, then I’ll check out the TV series, Strike. So my knitting has been less than prolific. I am to the ribbing on Humulus, then because it was my birthday on Tuesday, I have decided to finish my Wonder Woman socks before returning to Lynn’s Humulus.I was just at the heel turning point when I realized I had two extra stitches in the heel. I ripped it out right away - it’s kind of just an instinct to me when I’ve made a mistake. In hindsight, the two sts would probably have been if little consequence, but done was done, so I just re-knit the back of the heel. 

Craig bought me more yarn and a really lovely shawl pin for my birthday. I’m personally not much for celebrating it, but how could I not be pleased?!? 

Potlucks - the pink is perfect, though I’m of two minds on the yellow. The more I look at it, the less I am loving it. What do you think?
I did make a cake though, and it’s keto!! The coffee cake has an almost soufflé texture, and it is so moist. Yum!! 
I was quite impressed with it, and Craig was totally blown away with how delicious it was! 

The puppies are little heat pad sucks. Petey has the decency to look a bit bashful, but Chica, the little minx, shamelessly slides over to my spot the second that I stand up!! Lol. 

Tonight I made an old fave for dinner - chicken with a mushroom and bacon cream sauce. 

So delish; I am literally drinking the sauce by the spoonful!! Dinner for days! 

The keto eating is working - I’m down 30+lbs and I actually had to go shopping for jeans. I loathe clothes shopping, but my other pants were beyond too big and while I would like to wear clothes just for comfort, I am conscious of societal norms and do also enjoy looking good in what I wear. So I spent the afternoon trying on countless jeans for work, and came away with a few pairs. With the washing machine at mine now, I don’t need as many pairs, so I’m set for a bit. 

I also had two links taken out of my watch - it was to the point that it was spinning around my wrist!! 

I am proud of myself for making this lifestyle change for me. I feel a lot healthier, and happier with myself. 

The End of That, the Beginning of This

So I had a week off of my secular job to knit. What better vacation could a woman such as I have than a stay/knitcation?!

So Mr Darcy is off to Mr Steve, who is a new friend courtesy my friend Helen. Helen makes friends everywhere she goes and she makes sure that her friends have the opportunity to broaden their friend-zones too!  That’s our Helen ♥️💞♥️

I cast on my Wonder Woman 🧦 with Turtlepurl yarn that was gifted to my be said friend Helen ☺️.

 O. M. G. the sparkle!!! I love knitting them so much, I don’t think it’ll take long. 

I have Trenchcoat to make as a gift for another friend (yes, I now have more than one friend ... it’s a slippery slope, I might have to start using toes to count them!) Serenity, Mistletoe Kisses, and Save a Horse are screaming their siren song at me, but I must be a bit good. 

This is the next major project - Humulus  I can’t wait to see how it knits up!! I’ve seen the Spincycle yarn at the last couple of shows, but I’m not personally a fan of knitting up yarn held together to make a marled effect, but I love the look and feel of this yarn; it maintains a hand spun feel in a mill-produced yarn. So excited!! 

I also have a special little project to work on for a special little girl, but that will remain a surprise for the mo. 

So, best put my head down and make some fabric!! 

Something New

Making excellent progress on Nicole’s sock; I’m ready to start the heel flap! 

I went and got a nice close cut!

I’m enjoying rocking the short hair and the ease of styling. I’ve promised Amanda that I’ll start growing it out again once the blonde has grown out and been cut off. 

So my stomach has been giving me gyp for a few days, and my lower back has been relentlessly nagging at me. Wednesday after lunch with Joan, I thought that maybe something had been off. It was a bit of a rough drive home, and I had a soda water while watching Survivor hoping it would settle; not so much. I normally take a hot water bottle to bed with for my feet; Wednesday night it was for my poorly tummy. 

I woke up Thursday and things seemed to have settled. When I’m at home, I try to keep a 16 hour fasting period, so I usually drink water until noon or so. The pain came back, but not as bad as the previous day, so I thought I was getting over whatever it was. Then I had lunch. Not super. So I took to Google. The pain was dull, kind of like a heated rock gnawing in my gut. Result - probably an ulcer. I wasted no time booking an appt with my Dr. 

Sure enough, an ulcer is confirmed. I’m pretty sure it’s from long-term ibuprofen use, aggravated by some recent stressors. So I’m off that for 6 weeks while I take the ulcer Rx. I’ll have to take Tylenol for pain and try to not inflame anything worse than it is at the mo. The pain should begin to subside in a few days, but knowing that I don’t have stomach cancer (yes, I go there right away), and I’m not making it worse, I’ll be back to work tomorrow. 

In hindsight, the diagnosis explains the most unladylike quantity of burps I’ve been experiencing. Every time I swallow water, burping. Eating - burping. I also think the stomach pains started earlier, but I tend to not pay too much attention until a discomfort becomes actual pain. 

Petey has been a most excellent companion, steadfast and watchful, never more than an arms reach away, guarding me jealously. 

Chica came to sit with us one point, but kept her bone in her mouth, lest Petey or I decided that we wanted it. It’s gotta suck being at the bottom of the pack. But she’s a fighter and guarded that bone well. 

I tried a single-serving keto brownie tonight. Wow!!! I have fairly low expectations of sugar-free/low carb/keto desserts, and I really haven’t been craving any since I started this way of eating, but I had a hankering tonight. 

This recipe was seriously delicious, topped with a dollop of whipped cream, and will be my go-to dessert. As I’m generally not a fan of cooking in a microwave, I baked mine in the oven. 

We’re getting down to the wire and I’m going to have to stop putting off blocking my Veronika Cardi. Don’t worry - it’ll be ready for the Frolic!! 

Done, done, started

I met my deadline; taking a vacation week was certainly key! 

Before I started on the next Top Secret Project, I took the opportunity to finish a pair of socks for me! 

Because socks for me kinda take the back burner, I don’t have as many new ones coming into the rotation, and since I wear them every day, it’s taking a toll. I have a number of pairs getting holes in the repairs. I think that I may have a go at cutting them off at the ankles and knitting just new feet. 

But before I embark on that, or my next assignment, I have started a pair for a colleague. We have a great management team and I have agreed to knit socks for my friends. They understand that this may take awhile 😏  Except for knitting socks for the Elise’s Knit One Below book, and my children, I don’t knit socks for other people, so this is a significant demonstration of my regard for these women. They make my job easier and more enjoyable. 

I am knitting this pair for Nicole. Her pair will be slightly bigger than mine, so to head off the dreaded Yarn Shortage Anxiety, I am knitting contrasting ribs, heels, and toes. It’s not as black as the pic looks - it’s a lovely dark, heathery blue. My fave reinforcing yarn is Kidsilk Haze. 

A labour of love balances everything. 

Change

The last time that I had my actually cut, not just trimmed, was before I went in for treatment, and I cried. 

Since my hair grew back after chemo, I have trimmed it, but I wasn't in an emotional place to truly cut it. 

Lately, it's been driving me bonkers. I have to put it up every day for work, and I seem to clip it up at home because it's in my face and just hot on my neck. The tension on my scalp of having it up gives me a headache. Craig or I are always rolling on it in bed. The list goes on. I've been looking up short hair cuts online. I wanted to have it cut this time. 

So today was the day and I had it done. 

 

I had it coloured to cover the odd bits of red that didn't get cut off, but going forward, I'd like to forego the colouring and go back to natural, greys and all. 

I got quite a bit accomplished on my socks today; laundry day is for more than just clean clothes! 

  

I love the stiletto Point on my Signature Needles - sock knitting is extra pleasurable with them!

I'm on to the 2^nd half of the last Starting Point MKAL clue and I'm quite pleased with how it's come together.

 Clever construction indeed! 

The puppies were whining and this is what I saw when I went to see what was up. 

 I am tempted to release the wee beasties and see if they could catch the bunnies! I'm concerned at how far they would go on the chase though, and how long it would take them to return home. 

I did all sorts of cleaning and errands today, so tonight I rest and tomorrow is relax, Netflix and Knit day. 

Oh - and wow!!! I ordered the case for my Kobo Aura One from Amazon.ca on Saturday, they sent a shipped notice on Sunday, and the case was in my mailbox on Monday!!! That's service!! I love the case even more in person ... imma be reading all the time!! 

 

Rainbow Prep

 I have wound, weighed, and bagged the first 3 colours for the Rainbow in the Gorge sweater by Sarah Keller. I also wound the last colour to use for swatching as it's a collar colour.  

 I barely got started on the swatch, but a start is a start. 

I finished my Neon Dove socks last night and have cast on a new pair! 

 

They don't quite match; it was close and I considered cutting off the few rows worth of grey to make the match, but I just couldn't do it!! Lol.  

I'm going to take advantage of this paid knitting time while I have it!! 

 

Ok ... 1/2 hour of knitting before I have to prep for work. Gonna get some swatching done!!

More

Despite some uncertainties in my life, which is the definition of living, I am having fun!!  New socks on the needles!! This yarn has a softer hand than most commercially produced yarns. It doesn't have the machines stiffness; it almost feels like an indie dyed yarn. I'm impressed with that and the colours fill me with much joy!! 

I got up this afternoon with a mini cooking urge. I whipped up an onion chutney by Dan Toombs.

 

 I am excited for his upcoming cookbook; I might even pre-order!! 

 

Pappadums to go with the chutney and the curry I made Sunday. 

 I made a balsamic glaze to go over the pressed cottage cheese. I love that stuff - the best of cottage cheese without the wetness. The glaze is delicious - tangy and sweet; a perfect counter to a flavourless sponge. 

Phew! Well fed, and ready to work. And knit. 

Top to Toes

Born Trippy is trippin' right along! I'm on to the last colour, Coral. It still is a remarkable thing how  blocking transforms wrinkled, undefined stitches into ordered loveliness.

 

 

Another bit of knitting magic that I shall never grow weary of. 

I finished Marks first sock, but I gave it to him last night to take home and try in before I thought to take a picture. Sigh. Hopefully his narrower leg translates into as narrow a foot. 

But I had a fantastically productive night on dock last night and am to the heel flap! 

 I don't know how it happened, but I have a slight bend on the tip of one of my Signature needles!!  

The needles were in the socks, which were in my TARDIS sock bag, which was in my backpack. I certainly don't use these tools as pry bars for anything. It's really a mystery!! Fortunately it doesn't adversely impact my knitting; it's an odd feeling on the tip of my finger as I shift the stitches along, but the knitting clearly goes on. 

We celebrated Craig's birthday a week late because we were both feeling so sick the previous week. The Keg had a prohibitive wait time, so we chose Montanas. Good thing too - there's a Birthday helmet tradition there!!Craig is utterly immune to embarrassment and soaked up his moment. 

 

 

It was a lovely meal and a memorable one. 

So Not Boring

So I blocked out Born Trippy last night. OMG - the magic of blocking rivals only the magic of turning a heel on a sock!!

 

 Here it is folded upon itself to show the colour progression. I am thrilled with how it's turning out, and I rarely get so excited for a project before completion! 

While it was blocking, I got a bit more done on Marks sock. I'm loving it as well!! 

 This is the one that I had thought he would pick; there's no way this is going to be considered boring!! I'll have to hit up the stash to find a heel/toe yarn; I don't want to run short.

I had to run out, do a couple of errands today and make a Costco run. I had really been hoping for a whole weekend of couch-surfing rest, but needs must. 

I am home now, wild rice and pot barley simmering for the soup that I made yesterday. 

Ah yes, shit got real. Cold 2.0 vs Wannietta has been stepped up a notch and I brought out the big soup pot. 

Frozen chicken carcasses, celery and extra onions.  It turned out well, even without carrots, but needs the carbs, fibre and toothy bite that the wild rice and pot barley will provide. 

Okay ... now for hopefully my most difficult decision of the day; sock or scarf? 

Magenta

So I got started on Marks socks last night. I got this far into them,  

he inquired about what I had started on so I showed him. "Well, that's rather boring."  

So. Clearly since I know him only in a work capacity, and his wardrobe is ALP standard, I clearly made an inaccurate assumption. He said he loves wild and crazy colours. He named his first child Magenta as it's his favourite colour. 

Ok. Back to the stash. 

I have made some selections, significantly less sedate boring, and I will give him the choice tonight. 

 I've got my guess about which one he might choose ... 

Fret not, my evening was not spent idle! I pulled out Born Trippy and set to.

 It's coming along nicely, if I do say so myself. I was getting tired from the relentless coughing that this cold has gifted me with, so the last 1/4 was spent on being exhausted. Can't wait to get to Sorry, not Sorry, because pink!! 

If I had not had a back up project, like if I was a rookie or delirious from fever, I'd've just restarted the socks in my size. Hey, I can be sedate. Maybe not boring, but totally sedate. 

Great Week

It's been a productive knitting week!! 

I have finished a sock, started the 2^nd one AND gotten through the increase sections of the Born Trippy scarf.

 

I also used the bread maker that Craig bought me for Xmas. It won't get used overmuch with just the two of us, but he was well impressed with the initial offering. 

 

Born Trippy has a section using just the MC, and I considered starting with it - that would have eliminated a few ends that are created in the increasing. I might still, but I'm going to need a scale (which is at mine) to track my usage of the MC. Having the solid MC section inside the scarf will also break up the length of the striped sections. There really is more to this than one would initially assume. I'm quite certain that I'm overthinking this ... I shall sleep on it and let

My subconscious be my guide. 

Craig and I are going to have a lovely evening in for New Years Eve. I had asked him if he had any plans or thoughts on what he'd like to do and he said no, we could do whatever I'd like. I just gave him that, "Really? You know what I wanna do" look, combined with a lopsided grin, and he picked up what I was putting down and said, "We can stay in and knit". He really is a keeper!! 

Mama Needs a New Pair of Socks

So I totally finished Jennifer's Hitchhiker just in time! It was off the needles and blocking before bed last night and ready to wrap this morning. 

  

It was well received today. Jennifer knits so she appreciates the work that went into it and knows how to care for it. I didn't get a picture of her wearing it tonight, but I'm sure I will soon. 

I started a new sock tonight because it's easy to do whilst chatting up family.  

 It was a lovely evening, I got to know Craig's family better. Food and wine were enjoyed; I'll sleep well with a full belly tonight.