This Episode of the Stash Haus is Brought to You By Meg, Joyce, Amy and the Fine People at Schoolhouse Press

If, by chance, you had heard an odd, faint wailing earlier this spring - that was me.

When I realized I couldn't go to Knitting Camp.

Fast forward to this weekend and there I was - in Marshfield for an all too brief period.

Martha and Maureen had suggested I come up for Saturday night to hang with them. After clearing it with the authorities (I didn't want to be charged with being an interloping knitter), I headed out on Saturday, loaded down with more knitting than I could ever get done if I had a month of Sundays. Traveling by car has it's advantages for those of us who tend to over-pack.

I arrived after "class" had been dismissed, but, as usual, most everyone was in the conference room knitting.

Hello, Martha and Maureen!


Hello, Lynn and Austine!

(Ha! Bet you didn't think I'd post these, did you?)

We had a decent dinner at a local mexican restaurant, then more chatting, some knitting, some eating of chocolate*, and before I knew it, it was 1:30 a.m. before Maureen and I collapsed in her room.

Six thirty a.m. came awfully early.

Meg invited me to hang out for Sunday morning's session. Oh, the show and tell! There are amazing knitters out there, people - amazing! Half of the room was like knitting paparazzi, photographing everyone's show and tell projects and making the knitter/model sashay up and down the aisle between the tables. I was a bad blogger and had left my camera in the room.

The highlight of my day - aside from seeing my camping buddies?

Hearing Kristi say "Good Morning, Campers!"

Seriously - I need an MP3 of that so that I can play it in the morning and start out my work day on a good note.

Hello? Schoolhouse Press? Merchandizing idea here - I'd pay to download that!

Having to get back for family obligations (plus having a 3+ hour drive ahead of me), I left when camp broke for lunch.

Before I left town, I took photos of a couple of things that caught my eye.

This was puzzling. Click on this to photo and look to the left of the restaurant sign and the pine tree. See it?


A passing shot from the car.


And a close up.


What I can't figure out is why it's placed at that spot. There is no sidewalk or trail that leads to it. There is nowhere on the road to stop and get out of the car to see it. (I should know - I had to pass by it 3 times to get these photos.) The only way to access it is to park in the restaurant parking lot and cross an unmown field.

Is this a comment on the restaurant? Are the lines so long that supplicants/diners are calling for the help of the Lord? Sweet Jesus, when are they going to call our names for a table?

Or for those who still use the King James Version: I will lift up mine eyes until the hills. From whence cometh my help? Oh, Lord, prepare a table before me and alert the waitstaff of mine presence.

I think if I lived in Marshfield I'd get my appliances from here. Really, as a knitter, how can I ignore the name?


Safe travels to all the campers heading home tomorrow. Hope to see you in 2010!

*If any of you happen to see Coconut M&Ms and are feeling charitable, please buy a bag and send it to Amy Detjen, care of The Sow's Ear. Or, if you are not feeling terribly charitable, they would work for bribery purposes. Just saying.

Random Thought

When did the architecture for new schools and the architecture for prisons become so eerily similar?

Click here, then click on DAI Bureau and Institution Links, then click on Stanley Correctional for an official photo of a prison.

Now compare that to this photo of a high school.



All it needs is a fence around it with razor wire on top.

Your thoughts?

It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year!

And, unlike the song, I'm not referring to Christmas (as much as I love that holiday).

No, my dears, it's that time of the year when fiber festivals are happening - and I happened upon one. OK, I must admit it wasn't as happenstance as that sounds. It wasn't a case of - Gee, I was in my car, just driving as one does in a car, and after a few hours I realized I was in Illinois and then - WOW, I saw this sign for a fiber fair!

Exchanging the chance to sleep in on a Saturday morning for the opportunity to be overcome and addled by yarn fumes, I headed to Crystal Lake, IL to meet up with Sue B at the Midwest Fiber and Folk Art Fair. We spent a wonderful afternoon shopping, eating food with very little actual nutritional content, knitting, and gabbing. (I know, perfect day, right?)






In addition to vendors, they have exhibits



and also offer classes.

Oh, there was some wonderful fiber there...

Want to see for yourself? Here are some of my favorite vendors there: Knitting Notions, Briar Rose Fibers, and Brooks Farm Yarn.

The community college where the fair is held has an interesting way of keeping students informed. This was in the bathroom stall.



As I was traveling to the fair, I kept seeing what I thought were roadside memorials. (And kept thinking to myself I'd better be extremely cautious because these appeared to be very dangerous highways and intersections - I've never seen so many roadside memorials.)



I didn't realize until driving home what they were -

real estate advertising. Yeah - obviously I hadn't had enough Diet Coke at that point of the morning to get my brain fully working.

What?

You want to know what yarn just happened to fall into my bag and come home with me?

You'll have to check back - I can't put everything into one post.

And That's The Way It Is

And so we say goodbye to America's most trusted man.

Ave atque vale, Walter Cronkite.

Payback's a Bitch

Back on Sunday evening, I wrote about how I realized my parents are officially "old." Well, like the title of this post says...

Today I stopped at a national chain drug store to buy a pair of cheap reading glasses to wear with my contact lenses. I can see things clearly in the distance with my contacts, especially when driving a car, but reading documents, papers, and looking at my computer screen - not so much.

For the past few days, I've been putting the contacts in, taking them out when I get to the office and wearing my glasses to do work, putting my contacts back in before driving the car. The only drawback was that it got a bit cumbersome as I am often in and out of my office and car numerous times per work day. Last night I tried driving with my glasses - bad idea - I couldn't read signs that less than a block away. Someone suggested buying a cheap pair of reading glasses until I can get to my eye doctor at the end of this month. So far, the reading glasses are working - I just can't scan my desk quickly or abruptly turn my head without getting a tad nauseated.

I'm not looking forward to my eye appointment at the end of the month because I know what I have to look forward to...Bifocals!

We all know what's coming next.

I wonder what tomorrow's weather forecast is for Prague.

Quote of the Day

I view Jesus the way I view Elvis. Love the guy but some of the fan clubs freak me out.
- John Fugelsang

Round Up

Food
Shall we start with food rather than fiber?

I threw together some ingredients and came up with this -

which is pesto, pasta, spinach, and pine nuts. Delicious warm or cold and, better yet, ready in 15 minutes.

Recharging
I spent the weekend with my folks.

While it was a relaxing time and fun to be with them, I was struck by the unpleasant realization they are officially "old" because the two most popular channels on their TV are The Weather Channel and Fox "News." Maybe I need to order this T-shirt and start wearing it when visiting them.

Fiber - just not what you were expecting
While there, I took pictures of the cross stitch items I've made for my parents. These were made on 28 - 36 count linen. As always, click to enlarge to see the detail.

This one was relatively simple to stitch, with the exception of the gold thread, which was stiff and had a tendency to break.


This is my favorite - and looks so simple but actually had well over 50 colors of thread in it. The trees alone had about 10 different shades of thread in them.


A close up.


This is my favorite. It took me the three years I was in graduate school to complete. It is one of my father's favorite bible passages.


Proof that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree (ha!)

I've mentioned before that my mother is an extremely talented quilter. She made this one a number of years ago. This is her own design. The size is at least 6 feet by 8 feet and this hangs in their church's narthex.


She has two more designs in her head. I know. Frighteningly talented, isn't she.

Knitting
The baby blanket continues. I believe I've only got three more repeats of the design. (No photos as it's probably as exciting as watching paint dry.) DH and I moved the furniture in the dining room so that I have floor space in order to block a number of projects. Maybe by the end of the week? If not, we've got friends coming for dinner on Sunday, so I'll have to put our table back temporarily for the weekend.

I'm looking forward to this coming weekend as Friday night and all day Saturday will be devoted to knitting and fiber accumulation. OK, it won't all be for me - mostly for my lucky Spoilees from the swaps I'm involved in.

Will I revert to childhood - one for you, one for me...?

All It Takes Is One Word

Instructions are to type only 1 word answers.

Here we go.

1. Where is your cell phone? Purse.
2. Your significant other? Upstairs.
3. Your hair? Colored.
4. Your mother? Quilter.
5. Your father? Retired.
6. Your favorite thing? Knitting.
7. Your dream last night? None.
8. Your favorite drink? Soda.
9. Your dream/goal? Travel.
10. You’re in? Deep.
11. Your fear? Spiders.
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Remodeled.
13. Where were you last night? Home.
14. What you’re not? Uptight.
15. Muffins? Please!
16. One of your wish list items? Yarn.
17. Where you grew up? Midwest.
18. The last thing you did? Drive.
19. What are you wearing? Clothes.
20. Your TV? On.
21. Your pet? Begging.
22. Your computer? Laptop.
23. Your life? Complicated.
24. Missing someone? Yes.
25. Your car? Dirty.
26. Something you’re not wearing? Skirt.
27. Favorite Store? LYS.
28. Your summer? Short.
29. Your favorite color? Emerald.
30. When is the last time you laughed? Today.
31. Last time you cried? Hmmm...
32. FOUR PEOPLE WHO E-MAIL ME? DH, Mom, Deb, Roni.
33. FOUR OF MY FAVORITE FOODS: Indian, Nepalese, Chinese, pancakes.
34. FOUR PLACES I WOULD RATHER BE RIGHT NOW? London, Budapest, Stockholm, Paris.
35. FOUR PEOPLE I THINK WILL RESPOND: Maureen, Martha, Sue, Susan.

Secret Pal 14

I'm participating in the Secret Pal 14 exchange. Regular blogging will resume tomorrow.

What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? I like natural fibers best.
What fibers do you absolutely not like? For myself, I don’t care for acrylic or cotton (hard on my hands), but I do knit with both for different projects.
What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have a fish tackle bag.
How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? I learned in 2003 by taking a class. I was interested in knitting, but was also looking to meet people as I had just moved to a new city.
Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I’m probably at intermediate.
Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? No, I don't. But if you are looking for ideas for non-knitting books, I'm starting to read the Rumpole of the Bailey books. So far I only own Rumpole and the Reign of Terror.
What’s your favorite scent? Vanilla, citrus, cinnamon.
Do you have a sweet tooth? Definitely! Favorite candy? Milk chocolate.
What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? In my pre-knitting days, I did counted cross stitch. I still cross stitch – just not as much.
Do you spin? No – and I want to avoid that black hole.
What kind of music do you like? I like most music other than country-western. I mainly listen to podcasts.
Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Yes, it can.
What’s your favorite color(s)? Autumn colors, jewel tones. Any colors you just can’t stand? For wearing for myself, I stay away from pastels and cold tones. But I have all colors in my stash – colors I wouldn’t use for myself are destined for gifts.
What is your family situation? Married, no kids. Do you have any pets? Two cats.
Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Yes, yes, yes, and no.
What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Currently on the needles – a couple of sweaters, baby items (cardigan, blanket), scarves, lace shawl. I’ve probably finished more scarves than any other item, but mainly because scarves are easy, knit-in-company projects. I don’t have any one favorite item.
What are you knitting right now? See previous answer.
Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes.
Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I prefer circular. I knit with all three types – for metal needles I prefer Addis and for plastic I prefer Inox needles.
Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes to both.
How old is your oldest UFO? From 2003. A sweater I was trying to design as a new knitter. Disaster. And it's made from wool that is not plied - impossible to frog.
What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe? Christmas.
Is there anything that you collect? Yarn, yarn, and yarn. I have started to accumulate old patterns (right now have a couple of pattern books from the 1940’s and 1950’s). In looking around my house, I realize I've started to accumulate sheep.




Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? I like Piecework magazine. If my spoilee is from a country other than the US, I’d be interested in any magazines or yarn that are from my spoilee’s country.
What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I subscribe to Interweave Knits.
Are there any new techniques you’d like to learn? Socks (I WILL learn!), entrelac, fair aisle.
Are you a sock knitter? Not currently.
What are your foot measurements? I have size 12 feet that are very– I would discourage anyone from knitting socks for me.
July 18thWhen is your birthday?
Are you on Ravelry? Yes. If so, what’s your ID? Stashhaus.

Hint to my spoiler - you may want to click here for the questionnaire from round 13.

Playing Catch Up

It's been a frustrating 2 weeks that started with a high fever and swollen tonsils. Four days later after no improvement, penicillin was started. Today's the last day of meds and my throat, while improved, is not completely better.

I've not gotten much knitting done during this time - when I've been home, under the weather, I end up falling asleep mid-stitch.

The bright spot during this time was a visit from my brother-in-law's family. Meet the newest addition.


And his oldest brother who discovered a fascination with tractors while visiting my friends' farm.


A bit of home improvement has happened in the Haus. We got rid of DH's bachelor days TV stand and stereo cabinet


for something a bit more sophisticated.


I overcame my fear of dealing with anything electronic and dismantled the CD player to rescue a disc.


I actually got it back together and it still works.

On the knitting front, this is a restarted project -the Lace Ribbon Scarf. I was originally using Creatively Dyed's Ocean. While the colors were lovely, the fabric was not as soft as I'd like for a scarf, so I frogged it. The yarn, which is sock yarn, will make a lovely pair of socks.

Instead, I'm using Fleece Artist's washable merino wool. The color is Rose Garden.


(If you click to enlarge the photo, you can really see the colors.)

I ordered two sets of blocking mats from Knitpicks. Now to block Girasole and the other projects that were too large for my dining room table.

Founding

Here we are, 233 years later - an ongoing experiment in representative government that rose out of a rebellion and turned into a revolution that finally ended with the Treaty of Paris on September 3, 1783.


IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

To read the rest of the Declaration, visit here.

Happy Birthday, America - and many more.