Progress on the needles

Because inquiring minds asked, AND it's the shortest subject on my list of posting possibilities, here is what my current knitting project looks like. A week after I started it, the Baby/Little Boy Surprise Jacket is halfway done - woo hoo! I DID get to knit in the car both directions last weekend, thanks to someone else volunteering to bring two of my mom's suitcases back with them. (I shudder to think how we would have managed without that offer; my husband would probably have insisted on buying a roof rack....) This pattern is in a couple of Elizabeth Zimmerman's books; the book I have is Knitting Workshop. I think I'm going to have to track down the modified adult pattern to try, too.

By the way, Shetland sheep can read minds - from a distance! This morning I got the Polled Shetland Yahoo list daily digest from yesterday, and read a message about two very nice yearling ewes that would go to auction (read slaughter) if no one speaks for them by today. Since I'm contemplating buying a ram lamb with polled genetics, and since I'm looking to make some changes in my ewes to get richer color and increased softness for spinning, I made a phone call. Talk about bad timing; I have too much on my plate to be making any major decisions right now! But anyway, back to sheep ESP. After a long phone call and a flurry of emails, including some "advertising" two of my girls (I have to keep my flock at four, remember?), I went out to do chores. Feed horses, lead sheep to pasture, clean stalls.... I could hear Bella baa-ing from the sheep pasture, something she never does. Concerned that one of the builders working on the house going up to the south brought a dog along (it's happened once already), I went out to check on the girls. EVERYONE - not just my lover Valentine - crowded the fence for attention. In fact, Rechel and Bella, the two that would most likely be sold to make room for any newcomers, were the most demanding of scritches! Scary, huh?

That's it for now at . . .

Too many subjects, not enough time!

Hi there. Yes, I'm still here. My folks left today after a jam-packed visit during the most perfect weather I think they've ever experienced here. (But then, they usually visit during the winter, which is not the best season to visit the Willamette Valley unless you're a salamander.) We had a great time!

But how to get back into blogging? I have photos of assorted family family fun, photos of sheep, photos of flowers, a photo of the BSJ on the needles, and photos of miscellanae to share. I was also nominated by Tina for a Thinking Blogger Award, which deserves a response (meaning I am to list my own five favorite thinking bloggers). If there's anyone out there reading this who has an opinion, let me know. I'll accommodate those kind enough to give me some direction as quickly as I can. (You just need to be aware that SOMEONE has cut the hours in my days in half, leaving me busier than ever and about half addled.)

Waiting for input at . . .

On the needles

Believe it or not, I've taken the leap from accessories (scarves, hats, handbags) to CLOTHING! (I know, you experienced knitters are wondering what the big deal is, but you've probably also forgotten how exciting your first solo bicycle ride without training wheels was - like I remember, but still....)

This is the start of a "Baby Surprise Jacket," that marvel of knitting engineering by Elizabeth Zimmerman. I'm knitting it for Brian, who has enthusiastically endorsed the color selection, out of Naturally Tussock Aran 10-ply that I purchased on eBay. This is my way of getting my feet wet; if successful, I also want to knit him a BSJ out of the brown Lincoln lamb locks I'm flicking and spinning as I have time.

This evening we're driving to Auburn, WA, so I hope get in a couple hours of knitting in the car before it gets too dark. It's grand to have something productive to do on road trips, and yet still be able to interact with one's companions! I have a feeling it will be too crowded to knit in our little Honda on our way back on Sunday; in addition to Rick, Brian and me the car will be holding my mom and step-dad and all their luggage - and my mom is not known for packing light. We took one trip with them and my sister (pre-Brian) in a Lincoln Continental with the trunk full, a luggage rack on top, suitcases and boxes wedged in around us, AND we had to hold boxes and platters of food in our laps! (We started eating in self-defense; it's one of those family experiences my mom will never live down....)

While in the Auburn area, I'll get to visit Franna Pitt's EverRanch. She's been holding my fleeces that didn't sell at Shepherds Extravaganza for me, and I'll get a "lamb fix" while there. I can hardly wait!

That's it until after a busy weekend away from . . .

Brain color

My friend Lauren has a purple brain. She wanted to know how others came out on this little quiz. Here you go, Lauren!

Your Brain is Green

Of all the brain types, yours has the most balance. You are able to see all sides to most problems and are a good problem solver. You need time to work out your thoughts, but you don't get stuck in bad thinking patterns. You tend to spend a lot of time thinking about the future, philosophy, and relationships (both personal and intellectual).

What Color Is Your Brain?

That's it for now . . .