Tag Archive for 'holidays'Page 2 of 2

Being Ambidextrous Is Hard! 03Jul07

Thanks to everyone who left me well wishes on my burned hand, I appreciate them! Let’s just say that it’s not wise to touch the lawnmower exhaust 5 minutes after mowing the lawn…because this will happen:

ouch!

I spent Sunday evening holding an ice bag and attempting to do mundane tasks with my uncoordinated left hand, because my poor fingers hurt so bad. Let’s just say I hope I never break my arm, because it’s down right impossible to eat with my left hand, as evidenced by the stains on my shirts and shorts from that day. But thankfully, it doesn’t hurt anymore and I’m able to once again eat without looking like a 2 year old. Oh and reskein yarn too, cause that’s a fairly important task.

I haven’t tried to knit yet, but I think I’m gonna attempt some work on the secret stranded project tonight, since the herald of July signals that I don’t have too much time left to finish this one. I tried to enlist Dallas’ help to do a few rounds, but he seemed to be all thumbs when it came to holding both colors. And not to mention that he wasn’t too keen to be featured in another blog post after the last photo shoot. (My entreaties of “you’re an Internet superstar now, your public needs you!” didn’t seem to perk him up either)

dallas gets in a bit of knitting before bed

I guess that leaves it up to me to complete the hat on time ;) It shouldn’t be too bad though, I’m definitely getting better at holding one color in my left hand, and everyone’s tips were super helpful. For me it’s been a matter of just getting my left hand used to having some form of structure so I can tension the yarn, rather than sitting there like a limp noodle that occasionally pushes stitches forward. I’m able to wrap the yarn on the left without using my right hand to thread it now, so I’m making progress.

Speaking of progress, I’m also super proud of myself in the bike commuting arena. I managed to ride in 4 days last week, and would have done 5 if my legs didn’t collapse into a pool of Jell-O when I woke up on Thursday. But I’m getting stronger and losing weight (3 pounds last week!), so the results are very encouraging. It’s a bit hot for the ride home these days (today’s commute will be extra sweaty since it’s 97 right now!), but I seem to have managed so far. If anything, all the sweat just adds up to a pound here or there ;)

summer colorways

Be sure to go check out the Yarn Nerd site soon too, because this week’s shop update is live and ready for the taking. The new colorways above are inspired by some of my favorite summer time treats, and I think they’re pretty awesome. There’s still plenty to be had, but it might not last too long, so go check it out!

And tomorrow’s July 4, woo-hoo! I’m hitting up a BBQ/Pool Party and then checking out some fireworks, how about you? Whatever you do, make sure there’s knitting, and be safe!

Better Late Than Never 02Jan07

Happy New Year!
I know I’m a bit late, but it’s the effort that counts right? I hope everyone had a Happy New Year, and that you spent it doing something you enjoy, with the people you like to hang out with. I spent New Year’s Eve with my brother (who was very sad his fiancee was visiting a friend in TX) and another friend. It was fairly low key, we mostly just watched some movies and ate good food. Then at midnight I enjoyed a glass of cheap champagne and Emma gave me a kiss. It was a much better New Year’s than most, just like Christmas was better than usual this year. I didn’t really do anything different, I just suppose that my attitude on life has changed a lot recently. And even though I was still a bit bummed to be spending New Year’s without a lady companion, I was more optimistic than I’ve been in recent years. So to wrap the previous year up, and to help start off the New Year, here’s my recap of 2006.

Knitting

2006 Knitting Mosaic
  • 2006 was a bit year for me in the knitting world, as it was after the start of 06 that I really got into knitting. I began to be amazed by what I could do with my hands and some free time. Suddenly I could make scarves, hats, socks and blankets, and have lots of fun doing it!
  • Some of my favorite knitted items include Emma’s Dog Blanket, the Felted Apple Tote, and my first pair of socks. I also knitted a few scarves, some hats and a couple more pairs of socks.
  • For more details on my knitting exploits in 2006, check out my Knitting Recap set on Flickr.

Dyeing

2006 Dyeing Mosaic
  • 2006 was also big in another aspect of knitting…Yarn! I started experimenting with hand-dyeing and hand-painting yarn, and even started a little shop!
  • I learned a lot about dyeing techniques, and have evolved and refined my process greatly over the past few months. I have a lot of new stuff that I am working on too, and I can’t wait to debut it!
  • Also, as a teaser, I’m going to be opening up my own storefront and changing the business name fairly soon. I’m still working on getting everything just right, but I can’t wait to unveil the new shop for you!
  • Finally, thanks to everyone who has supported me, either through encouragement on the blog or by buying my yarn. I appreciate you guys a lot, and wouldn’t have gotten to where I am now without your help and support!
  • For more dyeing pictures, check out my Dyeing Recap photoset on Flickr.

Personally

ummm...
Dallas and Emma took a quick wrestling break to wish you a Happy New Year!
  • 2006 was a very big year for me personally too. In the span of a few short months, I graduated from college, started a new job and started work on my Masters in Electrical Engineering.
  • I also moved back to Albuquerque from Socorro, changed churches, and my parents moved from the house I grew up as they started a new chapter in their lives.
  • To round it all off, I adopted Dallas, my wonderful Standard Schnauzer who is the sweetest companion to both me and Emma, even if he can be a wild child at times.
  • Oh yeah, and one year ago yesterday I started this humble little knitting blog. Happy Blogiversary to me! And thanks to you for all the visits and comments!

Wow! I can’t wait to see what next year brings. :)

Christmas Hangover 27Dec06

Blarrrgh. I think I’m finally getting over the hangover from Christmas…there were lots of gifts, tons of food and much lying around. How can that cause a sleepy delirious state for the day after? It also doesn’t help that I have the week off, so I don’t have a whole lot to do other than lay around.

It’s especially difficult not to sleep lots, when my bed looks so awesome with its new bedding! My parents gave me new sheets, an awesome duvet, along with pillows and a very cool fur blanket. My old sheets were falling apart, and I was in much need of some updated stuff that matched my furniture. Isn’t it swank?

my new bedding! - 2

I also got a very cool gift from my Brothers and Victoria, Knit Picks Options! I was super excited to get these, as I’ve been hearing so many good things about them. Thanks guys, I love them!

Knit Picks baby!

My gifts went over well too. My Dad absolutely loved his socks, he wore them around the house all day. I have a feeling I’ll be replacing them before too long, but that’s a good thing. I gave Mom a few knitterly things, like a tape measure and Go Knit Pouch from Scout’s Swag, but those were just stop gaps since the real gift isn’t quite done yet. That’s right, The Project That Shall Not Be Named is actually A Garden Shawl for my Mom. I wrapped up the unfinished knitting in a gift box, along with a picture of the final product and gave that to her. Might not have been the best idea…now every time I call her she wants to know how much knitting I’ve gotten done. “You need to hurry up and finish!”, she says. It’s still going to be a while, I have around 60 rounds left, but there’s almost 400 stitches in a round now, and I’m not terribly quick at the lace knitting yet.

dad loves his socks!

I’ll take pictures of that today, so it can have a proper unveiling post, but I figured I should spill the details now that Christmas is over. That’s all for now, I’m going to see if I can’t get a few productive things done today…after I make pancakes (with chocolate chips!) for breakfast that is. Anyone want to come over? :)

Merry Christmas! 25Dec06

Merry Christmas! - 5

We’re having a lazy day in the Church house today, we actually just finished wrapping the presents an hour ago. (Yeah, we’re a bit behind today…) A slight crisis occurred involving running out of gift wrap, but thankfully we have friendly neighbors. My brother’s fiancee just got here so we’re about to get started. Lots of lounging around and eating steak and pie will occur, I can’t wait!

all the dogs (including my brothers ;)
is it present time yet?

Lots of knitting updates to come next week as the Project That Shall Not Be Named will be unveiled soon.

Have a Merry Christmas! And best wishes to you and your family. :)

Darlin’, Christmas is Coming 24Dec06

“Salvation Army bells are ringing. Darlin’, Christmas is coming, do you believe in Angels singing?”

Oh, sorry…I was just singing some Over the Rhine. :)

Anyway, Christmas is almost here, and the preparations are underway at Chez Adam. It’s slightly odd and out of character, but I’m actually looking forward to Christmas this year. See, I’m usually a total scrooge. I really love the idea of Christmas, but it seems that people get so caught up in the motions of the holiday that they forget why they’re celebrating in the first place. Not to mention all the shopping. That stresses me out big time.

But for some reason this year is different. Even though I’m not totally going all out (I don’t have a tree or lights up), I think I may actually enjoy Christmas this year. It’s been a good year and I have a lot to celebrate. My Dad has a job that he loves for the first time in years, my Mom is happy, my brother is getting married, and lots more. Not to mention all that’s happened in my life this past year. God has truly blessed me and my family, and that is certainly reason to celebrate.

And even if there’s not tons of decorations at my house (ok, none), I still managed to come up with some festive activities. I just finished making some tasty Tiramisu to take to the big family gathering tomorrow night. It’s funny because I’ve never brought food to the big family shindig before. This was the first year my Aunt called me to ask what I would be bringing. I’ve been out of the gift exchange for the kids since I was 18, but I suppose I’m finally a “real adult” now.

OMG! Tiramisu!!! - 3 OMG! Tiramisu!!! - 5
try not to drool…

So I’m bringing some Tiramisu and some Mulled Wine. If you’ve never had mulled wine before, you should definitely try it, it’s a real winter treat. All I do is poke some oranges with cloves and roast them in the oven for a bit, then cut them in halves and mix them in a crock pot with a bottle of dry red wine, one cup sugar and some cinnamon sticks. Let the wine chill in the fridge overnight, and then heat it up in the crockpot about an hour or two before serving. MMMMM!

oranges for mulled wine mulled wine - 2
mmm, gotta love the grown up drinks.

I hope that whatever you’re doing this weekend that you get to have a wonderful and relaxing time with friends and family. We all deserve a little break, especially from all the Christmas knitting. Make some mulled wine, that’ll help you unwind ;)