Spring Fling Topic

If you had your most perfect dream home with all the land you want and no job(of course!) , what kind of garden would you have? Wow! All the land and the time to tend it. My home would first of all be a log home near a coastal area very close to a lighthouse or it could be the lighthouse I would be most happy either way. A small veggie garden with tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, melons. A little herb garden by my kitchen window with basil, chive and thyme and mint. It would have a rose garden with heirloom roses out the back door and the house would be surrounded flower gardens. Butterfly bushes to attract the hummingbirds and butterflies. And lastly tall trees for shade on the hot summer days. Sigh!

Dream on Mcduff!

Spring FLing Topic of the Week

When did you start drinking coffee? In high school or college- up for all nighters? I started drinking coffee in high school. My parents always drank it everyday so there was the morning ritual- coffee and the paper- sorry to say there were also cigarettes involved too. But that kind of started the taste for it. At the same time, my friends decided it was cool to hang out at a local restaurant( Frisch's) and drink and endless cup of coffee for hours! Remember when they didn't charge for refills! We thought we were the coolest, you know. Coffee was just coffee back then- no big cult following like now. Funny how your taste changes- and your ability to handle all the caffeine too! Back then a drank it for the social thing, wanting to look more mature etc. Now, I stumble to the coffee maker every morning and grind beans in my sleep just to hold that steaming cup of joe under my chin in order to pry my eyes open. Life- ever changing :)

Yarn store and vacation

My DH and I left for a spring break trip south a couple weeks ago with a laundry list of things to accomplish along the way. LIttle did he know that my list included a couple yarn stores. We stopped to visit our DD in Hunstville, Al to see her Wind Ensemble Concert on Friday March 28th. THey were playing in a very special venue with guest artists and special music. I was fabulous. The highlight of the performance was of course Rhapsody in Blue

. The picture is not so good but you get the idea. We snuck off to visit a local yarn shop that is fairly new in Huntsville. It is called Yarn Expressions. I highly recommend a visit if you are in the neighborhood. Friendly owner and knitters are welcome to hang and knit which is thing I always look for in a shop. Check out the pictures of the shop and their online shop too. http://www.yarnexpressions.com/

Lighthouse

I received a wonderful second package from Kat, my Longing for Spring swap partner. Kat lives in NJ and noticed I love lighthouses. She sent me a figurine of the Cape May Light a New Jersey landmark. I have visited this light which makes it even more special. Thanks again Kat for the super packages. I am enjoying everything tremendously.

Monkey Swap 4 questionaire

Here is the Monkey Swap Questionaire:

1.Shoe Size- 9 narrow
2. Foot Length- 9 1/2 inches
3. Circunference- 7 1/4 inches
4.What are your favorite colors? spring greens,teal,coral,pink,buttercup yellow,brown,tan,,red
5.Wardrobe clashing colors? Burgundy,purple, neon
6. Do you prefer solids or variegated? I like them all.
7.Favorite brands of sock yarn? Dream in Color, Snitches, Shi Bui Knits, TV yarn, Claudia- these are some of my very favorites.
8.Any new sock yarn you would like to try? Flat Feet or Austermann Step DUETT
9 Cookie A. pattern you would like to have- I saw a new one on her website called Mingus( that interested me being a jazz fan)
10.ANy Allergies? None
11.Will your knitting be exposed to any critters? Yes, dogs and guinea pig
12.Will your knitting be exposed to cigarette smoke? NO
13. What country are you from? USA
14.Will you be willing to ship international? Prefer not to.

Thanks

SPring FLing Coffee /Yarn Swap Questionaire

Here is my questionaire partner- please let me know if you have any other questions



Coffee



1.What is your preference? WHole bean or ground- Keep it whole please



2. What kind of coffees do you enjoy? A rich, bold roast;a light fresh one or something in between? Leaded or unleaded? I get bored easily- so I try many kinds of roasts. I prefer coffees with body though. Nothing too wimpy. I am currently in the no lead category.



3.If you were headed out right now to buy coffee right now , what would you be picking up? I would be headed to my local roaster for so cool new stuff(remember I bore easily). Last time I got Nicaraugan Coffee,Indian Mysore,and some Guatemalan.

4.Do you drink for caffeine or pleasure or both? Right now it is for pleasure- no caffeine, please

5.Do you drink flavored coffees? How about add-ins or flavored creamers? No flavored coffees or add ins .

6.A large ,lovely mug or a dainty, small cup? Pass me the big booster cup ,please. Tiny cups run dry too fast!

7.Describe your perfect cup- not just the coffee but how you would enjoy it. First of all it is a freshly ground cup of something dark and sutlry in a mug big enough for 2 hands. I am curled up in my big, big reclner with a little dog on the left of me and my knitting on the right, all covered my by a lap throw. All is well.

8.You are sitting down to enoy a nice cup etc. I normally would have launched into a swan song about chocolate things right about now but I am beginning a new diet program that has no room for such things. Alas. I must forgo the goodies . Buy some for yourself and nibble in my honor! Thanks for understanding.

Yarn
1.Do you knit or crochet? Both - I knit more often

2.What are your fav. types of yarn to work with? I love wool. I enjoy cotton, soy maize, and bamboo too. I use acrylic for baby blankets and stuff needing frequent washing . I especially enjoy sock yarn. I love to knit socks.

3.What do you have on the needles right now? I have 2 pairs of socks, a slipper to felt and a baby sweater. Looking for though!

4.Waht are your favorite colors? What would you never find in your stash? I like many colors- I enloy variegated yarns and solids- greens, teals blues, light yellows, pinks,coral, brown and tans. Probably won't find burgundy,neon,or purple.

5.WHat sort of needles do you enjoy? Detest? I knit most of socks on the magic loop now- that makes circular needles with at least a 32 inch cable my fav. I do like the bamboo needles dps. I don't care for plastic needles.

6.Any notions you do not need? I am good with tape measures but do enjoy collecting markers from swaps as it is a ncie memory from the swap.

7. Ok the 2 for 20 yarn question? I have to go for the squishy sproingy sock yarn that by the way, smells wonderful too!

Spring

1.Is it truly spring where you are now? No but there are some signs- robins- tulips pushing up in the garden.

2.What is your fav spring flower? I like to see the bulbs- tulips, daffodils,and my lovely tre azalea in bright orange. I know spring is here when that blooms.

3.What do you look forward most to about spring? Getting outside again, cleaning up the garden
bringing out the patio furniture and longer daylight hours.

4.65 and sunny tomorrow - how would you spend the day- I would start my day sitting outside on the patio with coffee and a good book. Clean up the leaves and flower beds and make some ice tea. Then grill some nice steaks or chicken outside. I love to smell the grills going.

5.The day after- it is cooler and rainy- how does that impact you rmood? What would you do? How would you cheer up? I guess that is a good day to knit a new spring colored dishcloth. Watch a funny movie and sip on some special coffee or tea I have been saving. Maybe buy some flowers.
Odds and ENds

1.Do you colect anything besides yarn and needles? Yes- lighthouses- I love to visit them and clollect things pertaining to them.

2.Allergic to anything? Nope

3.Pets? Yes- 2 dogs and a guinea pig

4.Is this your first swap? No Last 2 swaps I did were longing for spring and the cocoa swap.

5. 3 favoirte blogs and why? I enjoy the yarn harlot- her sense of humor is grand. I also check Allison at simply sock yarn- nice to check on new stuff and how fast her baby is growing. Also Jen at woolgirl too.

WOw that was the longest questionaire I have ever done. Hope that answers all. Let me know if it doesn't.

It's Friday!

It has been a long and difficult week. New challenges at work- one of my little students lost their mom this week and I have grave concerns over the stepfather being able to care for her medical needs. I think of her often and wonder how she is doing. They have not contacted the school and I worry. Good news though- my DD got home at 3:30am today. I am happy to have her home for a week. She sounds like she is sick though- voice is hoarse. May have to take her Redi-Med in the am. She has been Knitting- look what she made her lighthouse loving mom. It is a little hard to see but it is warm yellow cloth with a lighthouse . I love it! Looking forward to a restful weekend.