Joanna is the best swap partner ever! This is my first swap and I could not possibly be happier!!

Ok, these are crappy pics from my phone. Our dog picked today to escape from the fence so my gf is building a new and cannot take pics. Also I have no idea where the camera is. I will try and post better photos as soon as my gf gets the fence completed. Why am I not building the fence too? Besides being nellie as heck, I pulled a muscle in my back from catching the dog. So I am exempt.

Here is an over view picture:

I got a cool quilted bag with tons of pockets, a springy memo pad with a magnet to put it on the fridge, a frog stitch marker and Yankee tea lights – meadow mist scent:

Mary Kay Satin Hands and Body, and Ferrero Rocher chocolates:

Super cool yarn with soy and corn:

And too cool pot toppers for my plants!

I love it all!

So you may have noticed that after my post about the rebirth of my sock, I haven’t posted another word. I have, in fact, made progress. and yes, I’m mad at it again. The leg went along fine, the heel, and at turning the heel the amount of stitches didn’t meld with the instructions. Why? Well, I still have some leftover of “not really paying attention” floating around.

The direction had me place 28 stitches on one needle, said nothing of the odd number on the other 2 needles (except for the fact there should be a total of 32). Or at least that’s what I saw when I read it about 4 times. Then I read it again when the stitch count seemed off, and yes I was supposed to be knitting the 32 stitches for the heel. I missed that part – the knit the 32, instead of plunging in with both hands and knitting whatever found its way on to one needle. From my single mindedness you would have thought it was 5:00 on Friday and that needles of 28 stitches was a frosty top shelf margarita.

So the plan is to not frog the sock. If I frog at this point no more socks will be cast on my needles and I have sock yarn for at least 5 more pairs. I will try to improvise from here and get the pattern right for the foot. Unfortunately this is my first patterned sock, so I have to put on my big girl pants and get it done. Yes, the second sock will be a little different. At least it will if I can learn from my  past mistakes! Unless I make them again on purpose… I don’t think I can cope with that right now. The plan is these socks will be mine to wear, and while the mistakes might bother me a little I will be happy having non-perfect hand knit socks on my feet. And maybe the next pair I make I can actually give to someone.

Dinner last night was not the best. It was my first time trying Indian Cauliflower and Kidney Bean Stew with Coconut milk from the Vegetarian Slow Cooker. I added some Thai curry paste after we ate to doctor it up, so maybe I will buck up and eat the leftovers. It was kinda bland – even when I added more spices.  So hopefully it won’t meet its fate at the composter. I make no guarantees…

On the bright side the white chili was smelling yummy before I left the house – I have high hopes for it. and I’m getting a massage tonight, so I may actually relax!

I have the top ribbing done (again), and tonight I will begin the leg – again. But I’m not nearly as bummed out as yesterday. I think my yarn order coming in from eat.sleep.knit certainly put me back in the sock mood.

I was lucky enough to catch the valentine sale at Eat.Sleep.Knit and got 20% off most pink/red/burgundy yarns, plus the 10% ravelry discount (RAVROX). I got Smooshy, Lornas Laces, Supersock and Noelles Noodles. They tucked away a couple of surprises in my package – a cute purple ruler with their logo and a couple of mini tootise pops. I though it was very sweet and the turn around time was super fast. I’ll try to post a picture of my yarn, if I can stop petting it long enough.

Now all I can do is think about trying a new sock pattern with each one of my new beautiful yarns. I have enough sock yarn in my stash to last me all summer. And if I frog every sock as much as the one I’m working on, it may just last me the rest of my life!

Last night I had the whole leg of the sock down and was starting to work on the heel, when I realized I didn’t repeat row one of the leg pattern before I began. I tried to rip it to that point and, of course, messed it up even worse. So I frogged the whole thing – all because I stopped paying attention. Ugh!

It is my and C’s 2 year anniversary, so that makes the day a bit better. I’m taking her out to a surprise dinner at the Melting Pot. They have a vegetarian entree with tofu, artichoke, and portabella. I’m very interested in trying it out, and between cheese and chocolate fondue it must be good. We’re going at 6:30, so I have some sock knitting time before we leave.

Wish me luck on the sock. Third time’s a charm, right?

 I’m so excited! I am participating in my very first knitters/crocheters swap. And it’s about my favorite season – Spring. They are taking sign-ups through today at Longing For Spring Swap Blog.

Questionnaire

1. Do you knit or crochet? Knit
   How long have you been at your craft?4 years
2. What are your favorite yarns/fibers? Alpaca, bamboo, wool, cotton
   What are your least favorite yarns/fibers? Acrylic because it rubs my fingers raw
3. What are your favorite colors? Blue, purple, red, green, and earthy colors.
   What are your least favorite colors? Orange, yellow and any neon colors.
4. What ‘warm weather’ project are you looking forward to making this year? Socks and maybe a shawl
5. What are you favorite scents? Lavender/floral, musky, and “green” scents like eucalyptus or grass
   Least favorite? Food scents like raspberry or chocolate (unless I’m eating them of course!)
6. What is your favorite flower? All bulbs, but especially irises and crocus, sunflowers, almost all flowers really
7. What are you favorite spring time hobbies/activities? Gardening,walking, and sitting on my deck reading.
8. Do you have a garden? Yes.
   If you do, tell us a little about it.  I have 2 raised beds for veggies and some marigolds, zinnias, and nasturtiums to keep away the bad guys. I have lavender, rosemary, lime thyme, parsley and other herbs as well. I usually plant some bright colored annuals around int he yard.
   Do you like to plant flowers or vegetables? Both
9. What are your favorite sweets? Dark chocolate, chocolate with unusual flavors like earl gray or chili are a plus – just know I’m a vegetarian, so no chocolate with bacon. I just gave a bacon bar to a friend, so as weird as it sounds, it really exists! 
10. Do you collect anything? I like anything japanese, badtz maru, bento box containers, and silly garden art, oh and sheep!
11. Do you have any allergies? Dust and some pollen.
12. Do you have any pets? I have 2 cats and one silly dog.

I finished the garterlac bath rug and started a pair of socks with some yarn from knitpicks. I had about 3 inches done this afternoon and had to frog the whole thing. I’m trying to do something besides stockinette stitch and dropped a stitch and noticed it too late. Oh well, I need the sock practice I guess.

I got a craving with the temp dropping, and made a big pot of Hungarian mushroom soup. It’s weird that it was 70 degrees yesterday and tonight it’s going to be 20. This weather is nutty.

I started a small crockpot of blueberry apple oatmeal for tomorrow’s breakfast. And a big crockpot of super-easy sweet potato black bean chili (recipe). I love it served with a big dolap of lowfat sour cream and some Tabasco. I also love having dinner hot and waiting for me when I get home from work!

Before anyone gets the wrong idea, I am not looking for a husband. I already have a partner, thank you. And I don’t think badly of those of you that are housewives or sahm. In fact, I envy the fact you are at your cozy house right now, while I am here in my office.

Granted, I do have my own office and it even has a window that my back gets to ’see’ all day. We are not allowed to turn our desks so we could actually look out the window, I guess that would ruin productivity. I am a nonconformist, artsy person trapped in the corporate world. Just seeing exactly how far I can push the business causal dress code. Crocs anyone?

I just wish I had more time to do things I really want to do. And that would include sitting on my deck, working in the yard, knitting, all while a yummy meal was cooking up in the kitchen.

But in reality I am screwing off at work, writing this instead of working. And when I’m done here I think I’ll surf a bit at Ravelry…I love that site, it’s really brilliant. I am queuing up tons of projects that I want to make.

Tonight I should finish my garterlac bath rug from “One Skein Wonders”, and I have to decide what to try my hand at next. If my order from KnitPicks comes in today with a set of harmony dpn, I am sure it will be socks! My second pair, the first went over pretty well once I went to KnittingHelp.com to learn the kitchener stitch, the book I was using was not correct. There is always the chance that I just misunderstood it, but KnittingHelp was super clear and the second sock (in my first pair) will most definitely outlast the first one.