Pick Up Sticks

Finishing

I love the process of a project - be it knitting, cooking, sewing, etc.  But I have a problem finishing the small details that always need to be done to complete the project.

When I use to sew more often, I would finish a project up to the hem - or buttons.  Then it would sit.  I am having the same issues with knitting.  I have nearly a dozen projects that just need those last few finishing items done to be complete - ends woven in, blocking, etc.

I swear I need to take an afternoon and just work on finishing.  Here's my list.

1. Ruffles Scarf - ends need to be woven in and needs to be lightly steamed.
2. Vanilla Cowl - my super soft version of the honey cowl.  Needs ends woven in.
3. Plain Jane Socks - need to kitchener the toes.
4. Thermis - need to add buttons - which I have.
5. Chunky scarf - needs ends woven in.
6. Autumn Leaves Wrap - need to graft two ends together.
7. Star Pillow - my first attempt at intarsia made in 2008 at a class at my LYS.  Need to stuff and sew shut.
8. A variety of felted bags that need handles and/or lining sewn in.  I probably have 2 or 3 that need to be finished.
9. Blue Liesl - needs ends woven in and buttons sewn on.
10. Florida Bag - made this colorful cotton bag in 2007?  Just needs to be lined and handles added.  I even have all the materials to complete this.  And it is adorable.

Why is it so hard to do the finishing?  I think things piled up when I use to be the type of knitter that had 10 projects going at once.  I am trying to only have two on my needles at a time now - a smaller project that doesn't require a lot of thinking - for knit nights so I can still talk - and a larger, more complicated project.

My goal is to complete the last two projects - Liesl and the Florida Bag - this weekend.  Both are perfect for the upcoming warmer weather so I should concentrate on these two so they will be ready to be used as Spring approaches.

 

10 on Tuesday

Again joining in with Carole Knits for her 10 on Tuesday.  This week is much harder for me because I am not a pie person.

I really only like two kinds of pie - absolutely love pumpkin pie and lemon meringue - and that is about it.  I really do not like cooked fruit - hence my lack of love for pie.  Give me a dish of ice cream or a piece of chocolate cake anyday over pie.

The geeky, nerdy math side of me loves that it was PI Day yesterday!  My youngest son is a Physics/Math major with a chem minor and belongs to the Physics and Math Clubs at college.  They sell pies each year on this day for a fundraiser on campus.  So funny!

 

Disgusted

There was a devasting fire at the farm of a Mennonite family in our area this week.  Seven children died in this fire - 7 children from one family.  It has been so hard to read about this and see the pictures of these little ones...I could cry right now just thinking about it.

But there is another story surrounding this tragedy making the news today.  A church group from Kansas says it will protest the children's funeral. 

Sad News

This is the same group that protests at the funerals of servicemen and women because they say their deaths are because of the immorality of the US.   On March 10, 2006, they picketed the funeral of Marine Lance Corporal Matthew A. Snyder - a local soldier.  They protested with signs that read "Thank God for Dead Soldiers"  On June 5, 2006, the Snyder family sued for defamation, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.  While the Snyder family won their case in US District Court it was overturned at the Supreme Court level...who said the group was protected under first amendment.  While I believe in the first amendment, their actions overstepped the intent and was - in my opinion - harrassment.  Our right to the first amendment is protected by soldiers like Matthew Snyder.

This group protests all other religions - Catholicism, Judiasm, Islam - they protested the Haulocaust Museum, the funeral of the young girl killed in the Arizona shootings.  And yet they call themselves Christians.

And now they plan to disrupt the funeral for these seven children - innocent children - who were part of a Christian family.  And for what reason...because they are full of themselves over their victory in the Supreme Court and claims the fire was a result of God's wrath for Pennsylvania.  Disgusting!

My prayers go out to the family of these innocent children.  And prayers for this hateful group who call themselves Christians...who claim to speak in God's name...that they may rid themselves of this hatred and find peace and forgiveness in their souls.

 

Spring Break

My son is home for Spring Break and has been cooking.  Monday he made homemade pizza with whole wheat crust...so good.  It was funny because yesterday I posted that one of my favorite smells was fresh baked bread.  I came home from work yesterday and he had made whole wheat bread.  The house smelled wonderful!  Next up is cajun chicken and rice.  I could get use to coming home to dinner every night.

While he wouldn't want to admit it he idolizes his older brother...always has.  He and his fiance spent the weekend with our oldest son and DIL.  Our oldest is a great cook and bakes bread regularly...hence Matt's interest in cooking and baking.

I love that our boys are such good friends now...especially since theywere not 'friends' growing up because of the 5 years age difference.  When they were little they got along great...then our oldest hit middle school age and the 5 year gap became very evident.  But now that they are grown-up they are great friends and I love seeing them together.

10 on Tuesday

I love the list suggestion for this week from Carole Knits because I have so many smells that mean a lot to me.

1. The smell of baking bread - reminds me of my grandmother's house.  And now my oldest son is into making bread since I bought him Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day.  He bakes at least 3 days a week.  I have the book as well but have not tried it yet.
2. The scent of the garden soil in the Spring - I love that rich wet smell when working in the garden for the first time in the Spring.  I yearn for warmer days so I can get out into my gardens again.
3. The beach/ocean - I love the briny smell of the beach.  Brings back memories of family vacations in August.  Now my parents live at the beach and I could spend the whole day there soaking in the sun and the wonderful smells.
4. The smell of rain - I have always loved rainy days and the fresh clean smell of the rain.
5. Babies - does anything smell better than a baby's head after a bath...or when they first wake up...so sweet.
6. Lavender.  I have dried lavender sachets tucked in with my yarn.  They say it helps ward off moths - but I love pulling out a skein and smelling the lavender scent that has infused the yarn.
7. Lilacs and Mock Orange - I had these two shrubs outside my bedroom window growing up and nothing smelled better than the breeze blowing through my window and the scent of these flowers.  I have lilacs in my garden and so love their short lived scent in the Spring.  I would love a mock orange shrub but have not seen one at any garden centers in my area.
8. The smell of fresh brewed coffee - this is a funny one for me becasue I do no like coffee - but my hubby and boys are big coffee drinkers and I love the aroma - just not the taste.
9. The smell of my new favorite tea - Morning Juice - from a tiny tea shop in MD.  It is an herbal tea full of lemongrass, orange and grapefruit...heavenly!
10.  Philosophy Pure Grace - this is the scent I wear and it is so fresh and clean - reminds me of the beach.  I use the shower cream, body lotion and body spray - yet it never is overpowering.

Long Week

I traveled for work this week...left Monday night and drove nearly 4 hours to Washington, PA.  It is a quaint town with lots of old buildings with great architecture.  

I was there to monitor one of our programs fiscal department.  We were there until Weds evening then drove to Greensburg, PA to monitor another program.  Gone all week and living in hotels and eating out....not for me. 

I am a home body.  Vacations are fine...love them...but travel for work is not for me.  I missed my hubby and my dog and my own bed.

But drove home yesterday in time to meet my hubby for a lovely dinner. 

Today we are driving to our son and DIL's house.  They are having a crowd for an early dinner.  Our youngest son and his fiance are already there.  They started Spring Break and drove straight there last night.  We will head down early afternoon.  I was to bring dessert.  I made carrot cake and brownies...they smell heavenly!  After dinner we will all head down to Frederick MD for their First Saturday Celebration.  We visited Frederick several weekends ago and really enjoyed this historic town.  Tonight there will be a bunch of us - probably 20 - headed down. 

Tmorrow Matt and Jess will be back at our house and spend a few days before Jess heads off for a concert tour - college orchestra.  Matt will spend the week.  He has tons of school work to do so we will really only get to spend the evenings together...but we are looking forward to it.  Our house is way too quiet with both boys gone.

10 on Tuesday

Again participating in Carole's 10 on Tuesday.  This one is easy...10 things I like about March. 

1. My dad's birthday - March 6th.
2. Our youngest son's birthday - March 23rd.
3. Longer days - the daylight is getting longer each day which means I am not going to work in the dark AND coming home in the dark. 
4. Spring is coming!  Just the knowledge that Spring comes this month helps me get through this month which typically seems so long.
5. Spring bulbs - my tulips and daffodils are peaking out of the ground...and my snowdrops are blooming!
6. Spring Break!  Matt will be home for a whole week and his fiance will be here part of that time!  Can't wait.
7. Less snow - this is a hopeful thought  as we have been known to get blasted with snow in March...let's hope!
8. March Madness - I rarely watch college basketball except during March Madness.  Looking forward to it.
9. Garden Planning - My urge to garden always multiplies in March...garden catalogs and magazines abound in my house right now...can't wait to get into the dirt!
10. Getting outside more!  We are trying to get more walks in and I hope to be able to start walking on my lunch hour again along the river...craving fresh air right now!