Fannie Pie

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suesothermail@yahoo.com (Sanders) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:25:00 +0000

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suesothermail@yahoo.com (Sanders) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 19:15:00 +0000

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suesothermail@yahoo.com (Sanders) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:27:00 +0000

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suesothermail@yahoo.com (Sanders) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:54:00 +0000

Festival of trees tonight!

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suesothermail@yahoo.com (Sanders) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:55:00 +0000

Baby socks

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suesothermail@yahoo.com (Sanders) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:54:00 +0000

Socks!

New finished objects and Olympic knitting!

suesothermail@yahoo.com (Sanders) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 03:27:00 +0000

I finished my Must Have Cardigan some time ago as well as a fuzzy Noro jacket. I still have a couple of loose ends to weave in and need buttons, but pretty much done!

V kindly took some photos for the blog... front and back

and a silly one that sorta shows the sleeves... I love this sweater!

Here is the Fuzzy Noro Kochoran sweater- super fast knit! I think this took me about 10 days to knit.. it was a month or so ago, could that be right? It's a knitting pure and simple pattern, top down with little seaming and took less than 5 skeins of Kochoran. I like the way knitting it top down makes the stipes match perfectly!

this yarn is so soft and fluffy, this will be wonderful once the weather cools off a bit. ( although I can't complain- it's been in the 70's and 80's !)

I've also started my first magic loop socks. I love dpn's but decided it was time to try this method. Turns out I love the magic loop too! I thought I might be a little faster knitting the magic loop, and I might be a bit. I'm reluctant to make that call based on one sock. These are Knit Picks Felici- super soft superwash wool- but very little stretch!

Finally, I've joined Ravelympics on Ravelry and have finished one sock for the sock put competition. These are Berroco Sox in a pretty purpley colorway. Also knitting up pretty quick! Barring any serious mishap, I should finish in plenty of time for the closing ceremonies!

Back to the Olympics!

where I become a weather wuss....

suesothermail@yahoo.com (Sanders) — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 02:17:00 +0000

I am not surprised at the wild weather in Oklahoma in the spring. Tornado, hail, highwind, thunderstorms are all common this time of year. What I don't seem to handle well is the frequency of power loss. Perhaps I thought we had had our quota of powerlessness in December, but I was wrong!

Sunday morning we, like many in Oklahoma, lose power. Temperature was pleasant and I am convinced that it would come on any minute. Even brushed off the fact that the power went out right before I made coffee, which would normally make me cranky. I remain, in Dorothy Parker's terms, 'the greatest little hoper there ever was...'

Monday morning - forced to go to work with what can only be described as a hair-don't, annoyed that there would be no coffee, but happy that we don't have an electric water heater.

Monday after work beginning to get irritated and sorry I hadn't done laundry on Sat. instead of my usual Sunday. Freezer thawing, so we grill up quickly melting stakes. All of them. Much warmer weather and stickier house to sleep in. ick.

Tuesday morning-wake really, very tired of no coffee when I wake, and getting concerned about the amount of clean, no-ironing-required, work clothes. Begin to lose my sense of humor.

Tuesday lunch -nearly abduct power workers I see working on lines on my way to my house, but refrain and find my power on when I get home!! Do a brief happy dance but quickly realize that it's too late for anything in my fridge. Wonder what in that fridge of perfectly ordinary groceries could possibly smell like that after 2 days of non refridgeration. ew. Turn on the a/c and go back to work and decide to deal with food later.

Tuesday night -throw out entire contents of freezer and fridge and clean both. Go to grocery store to by more groceries and wonder as I put each item in my basket what that item would smell like after 2 days unrefridgerated. Go home and restock fridge and take out trash. So thankful it's trash night. Rewash clothes in washing maching. repeat. dry so I don't have to work naked on Wednesday. Go to sleep in nice cool house instead of sticky humid air.

Wednesday- wake up to coffee and fresh clean choices of clothing. Leave for work feeling pretty good for having weathered the outage fairly well.

Wednesday after work- cook fresh new food from cold fridge and go to bed in nice cool house. Wake suddenly to sound of battery backup beeping, signaling that the power had again gone out. I am distraught- leap out of bed and wail to DH that it can't be happening again. He seems puzzled at my state of mind and I nearly weep describing the shiny new groceries and clean clothes and cool air we currently have. I grab flashlight and stomp out to phone to call power company outage number. While typing in numbers to phone robot, power suddenly comes on, and stays on. I fall on the floor in stupid relief. I am a weather wuss.

New things....

suesothermail@yahoo.com (Sanders) — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:19:00 +0000

While I obviously haven't been blogging, I have been knitting! Since I last posted ( nearly 3 months ago...oops!) I have ....

Finished two pairs of Austerman Step socks...

Yes, that second photo is sideways.. and no those aren't finished in the photo, but they are finished and I don't want to go track them down to take a photo. You all know what finished socks look like... just like the photo above, only different colorway of my favorite sock yarn, Austerman step. I like the way it smooths my bamboo needles as well as how if feels while you knit it.

I have also finished a couple scarves...

This is a keyhole scarf in some supersoft alpaca and a mohair blend with something sparkly in it. Obviously I didn't keep the ball bands... this has already been gifted.

This one is a seed stitch scarf in Cashmerino superchunky. Soft simple and put away for gifting later.

I've also started two sweaters....

This is my 'Must Have Cardigan' - two sleeves and half the back are done. It's getting too hot to have this on my lap and even though the pattern is very easily memorized, you have to do stuff... like cables, so I started this.

This is a top down raglan short sleeved cardigan in cashmerino aran in tangerine.... it's the perfect compliment to a more complicated, cabled, wool project. It's so quick and easy that I hope to finish this soon so I can wear it. Spring is here and although the weather is lovely, I often want a soft sweater, so this should come in handy, provided it fits!

I'm off today so the knitting continues as I tidy my house and enjoy the day. I'll make an effort to post more often than every three months.. !

Dreaming of yarn and ... Lyndon Johnson?

suesothermail@yahoo.com (Sanders) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 03:20:00 +0000

I have dreams, like everyone else and remember my dreams, which seems less like everyone else. Lots of people I talk to about dreams tell me that they don't remember their dreams. It's possible that I remember my dreams because they tend to be on the strange side, very detailed and a little strange. I also have lucid dreams, but that's another story.

Sometimes I drift in and out of sleep in the morning and also in and out of a dream. Those tend to be the times when my dreams get a little unusual. I wonder at the strange things my brain comes up with when left unattended. This morning was one of those mornings.

That this mornings dream started with yarn isn't very surprising or strange. I'd been looking at all of the Kauni cardigans online last night. That I decided, in my dream, that this yarn was the perfect thing to use to knit myself the song, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, was a little odd, although I've seen alot of art based on sound and music, so odd but interesting.

It was when I couldn't recall how the song went and Lyndon Johnson and I were suddenly standing in a practice room with a piano, that things got a little wonky. He was going to play the song for me, and when he put his foot on the piano footpedal he realised that the front panel of the piano was gone. He asked me to look around for it. I looked everywhere but I couldn't find it in the small practice room. After a minute he guessed what might have happened to it.

He and his wife had a large party in that same facility recently and she brought ice cream into that same practice room. She was planning on serving ice cream to all of the children. Along with the ice cream, she had boxes of spoons, bowls and napkins... everything you'd need to serve ice cream. When President Johnson saw her setting everything up, he pointed out that the practice room wasn't the best option because of it's size and because of the piano. He thought kids would get the piano sticky with the ice cream. So Mrs. Johnson gathered up all of her boxes of utensils and ice cream and she probably just took the front panel off the piano with her by mistake.

At this point I woke up, and my first thought was...makes perfect sense to me, she must have taken it accidentally.

Even though Lyndon Johnson never did play it for me, I've had that song in my head all day long...

Finished !

suesothermail@yahoo.com (Sanders) — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 00:09:00 +0000

I'm starting 2008 off right by finishing up somethings! I've had this yarn, Jo Sharp Silk Road Aran, in my stash for a couple years but didn't know what I wanted to make with it... finally a project seemed just right for this yarn. I hope to continue this positive momentum by finishing up my chocolate chunk sweater this weekend.

I started this sweater in Jan. 2008 and finished it in Jan. 2008. I just sewed the buttons on today so technically I finished it in Feb. It's from a Knitting Pure and Simple pattern, and it was just that-simple. A very fast knit that is destined to be a birthday present for my grandmother's 88th birthday which is this coming Thursday, Valentine's Day.

I love these buttons. I didn't get a decent picture of them, but I do love them.

I leave you with an action shot of Scoutie and I wishing Grandma a Happy Birthday!

Knitting 101 ... or Scoutie's Knitting lesson

suesothermail@yahoo.com (Sanders) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 19:57:00 +0000

First, find some yarn and needles...

Next, carefully monster yarn all over the living room....

Get distracted by a pencil, lesson over...

With Scout's help, I've finished another version of the Cables in Chamonix sweater. I knit the first one for the Knitting Olympics. This version is in Debbie Bliss Merino Chunky and a pretty chocolate brown ( see photos above, under Scoutie's feet). I've completed all the pieces and just need to block it and sew together pieces and add the neck.

While I'm waiting for the pieces to be ready to sew together I've started another sweater. I'm trying a Knitting Pure and Simple pattern for a top down cardigan that is knitting up amazingly quick! I just started it on Monday or Tuesday and have completed most of the body. It's a pretty simple pattern, but the yarn is pretty so I think the result won't be too boring.

I've also been shopping! I did pretty good last year with my yarn diet, but I'm already making up for it this year. I've purchased yarn to make Elizabeth Zimmerman's Ribwarmer. That will probably be next... since I have been dying to see what it would look like and cast on earlier today:-) Just trying to keep up with my growing stash!

Happy Holidays

suesothermail@yahoo.com (Sanders) — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 15:05:00 +0000

It's seems like December zipped by this year. Spending a week without power certainly didn't help. Although some of my knit night friends made good use of the powerless week. I didn't get much knitting done because my fingers were too cold! I had light and after a while heat from the generator, but still didn't get much knitting done. I am done with all my knitted presents now- but this Christmas will always be remembered for being 'off'.

All in all I'm very happy that I didn't end up with a sycamore tree in my house or any other kind of damage. I realize that although the week was disorienting and annoying it wasn't the worst thing in the world. It has actually been very interesting to talk to everyone about what they did and how they coped. Some went to a hotel, some stayed with friends while others stayed home and hunkered down. I think this is something that people will remember for a long time.

I'm looking forward to a relaxing Christmas. We will see family and have great food and have a wonderful time. I hope you will too.

You Are a Gingerbread House

A little spicy and a little sweet, anyone would like to be lost in the woods with you.

What Holiday Food Are You?

Happy Thanksgiving!

suesothermail@yahoo.com (Sanders) — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 03:04:00 +0000

Hope you're having a wonderful fall!

The holidays mean Festival of Trees 'round here. Check out the exhibit if you get a chance!

I have not taken leave of the planet. really.

suesothermail@yahoo.com (Sanders) — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 03:53:00 +0000

I'm here and I have been knitting... really. Here's an 'off the top of my head' list of F.O.s with pictures I could easily locate...

-green cherry tree hill socks that I started in Mexico

-blue austerman step ( aka austerman crack) socks. I managed to avoid any knitting injuries this time.

-Orangey trekking socks

-Super softie Debbie Bliss Lara Sweater. I don't think I've even taken a photo of this yet. It's Aug. in Oklahoma, it's too hot to model sweaters.

Okay so it's not a record, but there has been knitting along with the occasional trip and mini trip. Since I last posted I've been to

Alma, MI to the N. American piping championships, the Oklahoma boys won again this year- in a higher grade than last year.

Au Gres, MI, home and family and a stay at the cottage. Wonderful way to spend time.

Chicago, Il visited with lululibrary girl for an amazingly crazy tour of city. Love the bean thing and the crazy locals, cubs game, art institute as fast as I could, and more.

Oklahoma City, Ok just a quickie to see Wicked. It was wonderful.

Dallas, TX another quickie for work. Lots of very nice libraries there.

It's fun to get away even if it's quick,it seems like I've missed something and I probably did.

In non knitting and travel news, we seem to have finally convinced the cats that, despite their personal love of chasing and harassing them wherever, whenever, mice do not belong in the house. One of the perils of having a cat door.

While it is delightful to give the cats the freedom to come and go as they please, it also allows assorted other smallish creatures to come and go as they please ( other neighborhood cats, raccoons, oppossums, etc.) and also allows the cats to bring inside with them any creature they would like to torment and or eat.

Recently one, or both cats have decided that having a mouse in the house was just about as much fun as a cat could have. They would bring in a mouse and let it go to be chased around the house merrily until they either lost the mouse under a large appliance or under a piece of furniture. At this point they would go eat some cat food or find a good place to have a nap while the mouse made itself at home in it's newly adopted abode and the cats owners frantically tried to capture the new resident and remove it from their home.

Despite having brains vastly larger than our rodent roommates, and our use of incredibly complicated rube goldberg inspired devices and tempting peanut butter, we had an extremely difficult time ejecting our tiny squatters. They seemed to love both catfood and peanut butter, and seemed to have the incredible ability to remove every tiny greasy trace of peanut butter bait off every single trap set for them, without being caught. I have a new respect for the survival instincts of mice.

In the end we did prevail and our house is temporarily mouse free. I've spoken to the cats, and for now they are complying with my wishes for cat only access through the cat door.

I hope you're all having a wonderful end of summer.

Tagged!

suesothermail@yahoo.com (Sanders) — Wed, 16 May 2007 04:01:00 +0000

I've been tagged by Amy... who was tagged by Emma...

Here are the rules:Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write in theirblogs the 7 facts, as well as the rules of the game. You needto tag seven others and list their names on your blog.You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note intheir comments so they know that they have been taggedand to read your blog.

1. I was the first child born in the Tawas Hospital, January 2, 1967.....

2. I'm left handed.

3. My undergrad degree is a BFA in weaving (no, not underwater basket weaving) and my graduate degree is an MLIS ( I'm a Librarian ) .

4. I can say my parent's phone number in Finnish as well as a smattering of other phrases ( hello, excuse me, french fries, talk, thank you) and I think Finnish is one of the most logical languages ever. Mitä kuuluu? Hyvaa kiitos!

5. Before I learned to knit, I made quilts and have even more fabric than I do yarn... ( I still work on quilts from time to time.)

6. I almost never follow directions as written (or even read them all) I read enough to get the general idea and then jump in... my brain doesn't do the linear thing very well. Although this sometimes makes for complications, I think by the time I've finished with a project I understand the project better than if I'd just followed directions. big picture.

7. I can write forwards and right side up and backwards and upside down at the same time. This is a perfectly useless skill ( if you can call it that) but probably a further indication that I might be wired a little differently than some:-)

Ok, that's about as random as I get... I'm gonna have come up with 7 people to tag... watch your comments!

Knit Night!

suesothermail@yahoo.com (Sanders) — Wed, 09 May 2007 02:53:00 +0000

Tonight was the first knit night I've made in a while. It was so good to see everyone and think knitting again. I've been distracted from all my yarn and knitterly things by all my travel and catching up on other stuff, so good to be back.

There has been a little knitting. very little. I managed to complete a piece for the Tulsa Artists Coalition's annual 5x5 show. It was a felted knitted thingy. Different than the seussian knitted thingy I did last year. Unfortunately I only took the 'before' pictures and have no pictures of it felted. (how is it that I always forget the 'after' pictures?) Here are two of the befores, for what it's worth it looked very similar after, but feltier. You knitter's know.

I also received an amazing gift from a newly married friend, she brought it back from her honeymoon for me. What a wonderful present, it's hand dyed, handspun silk... all the watery colors of a mermaid, with an amazing sheen..... I'll have to think of something amazing to make with it.... ideas?

I'm also getting ready to hit the road again. An actual road trip, and I'm ready. (I know, I just got back! I can still be ready!) I'm going to the US pipeband championships ( with the US pipeband champions thankyouverymuch) and they'll see if they can kick butt in a higher grade this year. I'll also be going home, which is always wonderful. There I hope to do a little knitting.

If I get busy I'll finish the sock I started in MARCH before I go...I knit about four rounds tonight at knit night. Well, it's a start!

drive by....

suesothermail@yahoo.com (Sanders) — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:08:00 +0000

You Are 72% Open Minded

You are a very open minded person, but you're also well grounded.Tolerant and flexible, you appreciate most lifestyles and viewpoints.But you also know where you stand firm, and you can draw that line.You're open to considering every possibility - but in the end, you stand true to yourself.

How Open Minded Are You?

Here and gone...

suesothermail@yahoo.com (Sanders) — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 15:21:00 +0000

I'm home for the moment. Had a great time in Mexico! Lots of family, lots of fun, lots of sun... beautiful place to relax and recharge, the biggest decision each day was pool or beach?

Here's a shot of the sock enjoying the view from my room.

I'm off again today for TLA ! Should be a great way to transition back into my real life, lots of new ideas and information to take back with me.

I look forward to catching up on everyone else when I get back!

I'm off...

suesothermail@yahoo.com (Sanders) — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 19:52:00 +0000

Well, almost off.... I'm packed and ready for back to back trips. One for fun and one for work ( fun first, I have my priorities straight:) I'll be home for about 15 hours in between. Hopefully I'll be rested and ready to hit the ground running when I get back.

In other news...

Scout turned two this week. She is actually growing up a bit, still a monster, but a mellower monster.
Finally made it to knit night and got to see my knitting friends. Lots of good stuff going on.
Went to see Earth Wind and Fire with DH and SIL.
Gonna be busy this spring/summer... more travel.
got a new phone so I won't be incommunicado in Mexico! and it has tunes... tried to put a book on it, but failed. I might actually read the manual, or not and just listed to the books on my ipod.

There has been knitting, I've finished another Cedar Creek sock ( like the Lucy socks in last post) and I'm more than halfway done with my Lara sweater. I took pictures, but the camera is packed! Someday soon, I'm going to sit down and post the ninety million pictures I've taken and catch up with this here blog deal. for real.

Hasta Proxima!

Photos!

suesothermail@yahoo.com (Sanders) — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 22:52:00 +0000

Actual visual evidence of my knitting...

New socks in Socks that Rock colorway Lucy. ( pattern is from Socks that Rock also... forget the name). The Socks that Rock yarn does indeed, rock. Love the feel of it, it's wonderful.

Here is the progress on my current sweater.... Lara from Debbie Bliss in Alpaca Silk. The yarn is wonderful and it's a pretty quick knit. I think I just started this about a week ago. Interesting construction, I'm enjoying the novelty of a sweater knit side to side.

I've still to post pictures of the Noro Silk Garden cardigan, but if you've seen me lately you've probably seen it. It's the perfect weight for this kind of weather, warm but not heavy. I've worn it a bunch.

Also need to post the Colinette jitterbug socks. Very soft, similar to the socks that rock!

In non-knitting news,

- tomorrow is my last Spanish class.

- turned in passport paperwork so I'm ready to go on vacation!!!

-weather is lovely! ( I'm totally blaming the nice weather for my abandonment of Frostrosen mittens)

Lots more going on, nothing blogworthy though. Hope to have more photos up soon!

Book Lust

suesothermail@yahoo.com (Sanders) — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 03:01:00 +0000

Still knitting, also, annoyingly, still cameraless, so I'm unable to produce visual evidence of this....

Keeping busy, here are the highlights...

Saw Librarian rockstar equivalent Nancy Pearl and got BookLust and More Booklust signed.
Finished colinette jitterbug socks ( thanks Amy!)
Started socksthatrock socks in Lucy colorway, they're gorgeous.
Finished Marion Keyes latest- Anybody out there?
Had lovely long weekend, drank and ate with friends and went for long walk. ( also knitted)
Downloaded more audio books to listen to while knitting.
Also did boring errands that no one cares about.

That's it for now.. more soon.

Updates and a meme...

suesothermail@yahoo.com (Sanders) — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 02:49:00 +0000

Okay... it's been a while. Mostly I am without photos, so can't post the pics of my progress.

I have finished the noro cardigan ( as mentioned by Connie in the comments below) .
I started the cardigan for Arwen or whateveritscalled, by Kate Gilbert in IK issuesomethingorother.
I've almost finished a sock I started yesterday.
I've started a conversational Spanish class.
I've finished a big worky type work thing.
I managed to go the entire month ( thus far) without purchasing yarn. ( Ok, that's technically incorrect since I've ordered myself some socks that rock yarn as a reward, but it won't be here until after the month is over, other than that NO yarn purchases this month.)

Emma mentioned a fun meme, it involves books so I had to do it...

Instructions:

1. Grab the nearest book.

2. Open the book to page 123.

3. Find the fifth sentence.

4. Post the text of the next 3 sentences on your blog along with these instructions.

5. Don't you dare dig for that "cool" or "intellectual" book in your closet! I know you were thinking about it! Just pick up whatever is closest.

6. Tag 5 people

" As you design your costume, take your body type into consideration. Colorful leotards may be high on visual impact, but if it has been a few decades since your last trip to the gym, you may want to consider something with more coverage. Remember, spandex is a privilege, not a right."

I ususally don't do these, but by some odd coincidence the closest book to me happened to by How to be a Villian, evil laughs, secret lairs, master plans and more. by Neil Zawacki.

Consider yourself tagged.

Winter

suesothermail@yahoo.com (Sanders) — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 00:09:00 +0000

Once again we're having actual winter weather. In Oklahoma.

It's enough to make a yankee girl happy.

I already had a three day weekend, but there's something about a wintery weekend that makes it even better. I've baked something yummy, tidied up my house, worked on a grant, listened to some music and am about to move on to my knitting and a good book on my ipod.

I've finished the Noro cardigan and will block it this weekend, possibly wear it next week. I am half finished with my fancypants mitten and have started a pair of socks. I think the socks are headed for the frog pond, since they look like they'll be too big for me. I'm more in the mood for bigger projects anyway, so many sweaters lined up.

I wrote down all the sweaters that I have already bought the yarn and patterns for

( calculating for the knit from my stash project, so I could be sure I wouldn't 'run out'. *snort* NO CHANCE of that happening. none whatsoever.)

I have a total of 12 sweaters, ready to go. Yarn, needles, pattern, everything. If I can knit up 12 sweaters before Sept. then I will excuse myself from my yarn diet and give up my "knit from my stash" commitment. And I'm only talking about the yarn earmarked for specific sweaters. Not mentioning the mountain of sock yarn or other 'unassigned' yarn that somehow found it's way home with me, nor am I counting the enormous amount of weaving yarn recently rediscovered in my attic!

Well I'm off to enjoy the weather and try to knit a dent in my stash!

Stay safe and warm.

Happy Birthday to me!

suesothermail@yahoo.com (Sanders) — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 00:19:00 +0000

It seems like a bad sign when your 40th Birthday is declared a national day of mourning... however, I'm well aware that it's not about me!

I'm celebrating anyway.