Rainbow Chills

Vacation Continues

Day 5 of vacation (it is Wednesday, right?).

Michelle is sleeping in today. I'll wake her in a bit to make sure she's up in time for her massage appointment today.

We're having a great time. We've done a bunch of outlet shopping as well as tons of browsing (and a little buying) in the boutiques on the main street. I've finished two books- Whistling in the Dark by Lesley Kagan and The Magician's Assistant by Ann Patchett. I loved them both. Today, I'm going to start The Kite Runner or Water for Elephants. Haven't decided yet.

I can't quite get enough of the beach. Michelle said to me yesterday "I don't think I'd ever get tired of this" and I agree. In all of the years I've vacationed at the shore, the weeks I spent with my grandparents as a kid, I have never once woke up in the morning and thought, I don't feel like going to the beach today. Michelle's going to drop me off before her massage appointment today. We'll see if she makes it down. It doesn't matter what Michelle does- she has gotten sunburn every day this week- multiple applications of sunscreen, a cover-up, sitting under a towel, under an umbrella- she still gets burned somewhere. She may need to take a break today.

We're planning on seeing a drag show tonight at one of the restaurants/bars in town. There's nothing like live entertainment.

I've been knitting a tiny bit- more squares with the sock leftovers. I brought a sock with me and the aran sweater but haven't worked on either one. I stopped at the yarn store in town and, for the second time, was disappointed. I was hoping to find some sock yarn but the pickings were slim- one colorway of Lorna's Laces, one colorway of Trekking, two colors of Tofootsies (one of which I have in my knitting bag with me) and a few balls of Fortissima, none in colors that appealed to me. Bummer. I left empty handed. I gave it a shot. I had the same experience two years ago when we were here.

Speaking of two years ago, my thoughts today are with those families who are still living with the fallout of Katrina. God bless them.

Magnificent

I am currently enjoying one of my favorite life experiences. I'm having a snack after leaving the beach. I'm in a tiny cottage in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, listening to the Hairspray soundtrack.

Michelle and I started our vacation yesterday. After arriving, unpacking, and having a late lunch, we went to see Hairspray. We smiled through the whole thing (except for the part with Queen Latifa singing during the protest march- we cried at that part).

We hit the beach early today, took a few dips in the ocean (much warmer than when I went to the Jersey shore in July), and read the day away. I finished a really entertaining novel, Whistling in the Dark. I love a spunky, young narrator. I don't particularly enjoy crying on the beach but I did just that today while finishing this book.

We'll be heading out soon for dinner and shopping the little boutiques and shops.

I have lots of knitting updates including pictures of the Mystery Stole which I finished last Tuesday. It rained in Philly all week and I just couldn't get a decent picture. Updates when we get back next week.

See you in September.

Wing update

I feel like I owe you pictures of the wing but frankly, I think the wing looks much the same as last week.

Non-pinned pic:

And a close-up:

This is what I've been doing when I haven't been knitting the wing:

Don't ask me what it is. I have no idea. It does, however, use up my sock knitting remnants. It's very mindless knitting and I love it. I just grab a ball and pick up stitches and go, without regard for what will go well with the rest (obviously). I'm trying not to be bothered by the two miters that are facing the wrong way. Seriously, is that what I should be worried about? Who can focus on that when I've used that many colors in a square foot. This thing could go on forever. The edges of each square are 20 stitches per side. You can do it too. I know you have leftovers like I do. I like this better than doing log cabin strips with sock ends. Too many stitches to pick up that way. I did most of this while watching the first season of Friday Night Lights on NBC's website for free. It's a great show and I can't wait for the new season.

What else is up with me?

Well, I'm at home now with WORK to do but instead, I put iTunes on Party Shuffle and I'm blogging. So far, I've heard U2, Raffi (yes, that Raffi), Beck, Jump Little Children, and Alanis Morrissette.

Coming up:
Elton John
STYX
Dave Matthews Band
Gwen Stefani
Peter, Paul and Mary
The Killers
Indigo Girls
Ani DiFranco
Madonna
Colbie Caillat (was an iTunes free download)
Aimee Mann
Dixie Chicks
Tim McGraw

Weird, huh?

Monkey business

My Sockapalooza 4 socks arrived on Thursday- a great surprise when I got home after a LONG day of work.

Sarah from the Knitting Bee made me a great pair of Monkey socks in Knit Picks Essential Tweed. I love the color. Michelle said that they remind her of the yarn from my Santos sweater.

The socks fit perfectly.

I love new socks.

In other Sockapalooza news, Jo received the socks I knit and says that she'll post pictures next week. I'm so glad she liked them. I have had good luck in each round of Sockapalooza. I'm so grateful to Alison for everything she does to organize this wonderful knitalong and swap.

I am a happy knitter again- the new Mystery Stole clue came out yesterday. I'll be sad when this project ends next week. I love the wing.

Wings and baby feet

We had a visit with Baby N last night. Michelle took this picture of his baby feet in his booties.

Then his mom gave me permission to put his picture on the internet. His father does not get the blogging thing at all but he did not protest.

I adore this kid and he's only been here for a week!

The wing

I finished knitting clue 5 (the start of the wing) on Monday night. Since then, I've been a restless knitter. The only thing that keeps me occupied is booties. 

I love the wing. I can't wait for the next clue. 36 hours, I think.

More bootees for baby

Specs:

• Pattern: Slip-Ons
• Pattern Source: 50 Baby Bootees to Knit by Zoe Mellor
• Yarn: Louet Gems in Willow, held double
• Needles: US3 Clover double points
• 1st Bootee knit- August 2
• 2nd Bootee knit- August 6

I started another pair last night. These are so much fun.

Stripy Bootees from the same book.

New Releases

Melanie posted the newest clue and the theme for Mystery Stole 3 this morning at 7:30. I was on the computer and refreshing the files page beginning at 7:00. Sick? I think so.

I love the concept for the rest of the stole (a wing) as the theme is Swan Lake. Melanie's interpretation of the theme is really strong and she provided an explanation of the elements of the stole that echo the theme. She's clever, that one. I knit the first 23 rows of the new clue this morning (short rows so they went quick) and can't wait to knit some more.

This is what I knit last night while waiting for the clue to come out this morning:

I met and held the newest Curlicue baby yesterday. He is darling and I couldn't resist casting on for some booties to fit his tiny skinny feet. These are from 50 Baby Booties to Knit which I ordered from Knitpicks in their summer book sale (40% off). Incidentally, this is the first of the three Curlicue recipients who is a boy. 

For scale:

My copy arrived yesterday. I think Eunny did a beautiful job with this issue.

Clue 4 finished

I finished Clue 4 on Tuesday evening. I still love knitting this project.

 

Close-up of the bizarre lifeline. Why is there a lifeline there? I have no idea!

Why do the final rows look like a picot edge before sewing down? I have no idea.

Jody asked if the pattern created a scalloped edge or if I created that in the pinning. I just pinned it that way. When I do the final blocking, I plan to run yarn through the edges and pin out straight edges. I may put blocking wires on my Christmas list (yes, I still make one) but this works fine for now.

The theme of the mystery stole is being revealed tomorrow. I don't have any guesses although I've read many.

At some point, someone mentioned Othello as a guess. Last night, we watched Stage Beauty which features Shakespearean actors performing Othello. I can't help but think of this any time I think of Othello. Cathy, can you believe this is on Youtube?