tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-202413872024-03-07T13:58:11.147-08:00Purly Victoriouscarlita deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12275266663950634890noreply@blogger.comBlogger539125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20241387.post-87856044141365822012011-06-05T07:38:00.001-07:002011-06-05T08:17:24.974-07:00traveling on, but here's been goodWell, ol' Purly Vee and I, we go way back now. The sign of a good relationship is an amicable parting. I'm moving on, but <a href="http://purlyvictorious.blogspot.com/">Purly Victorious</a> will still be here. Thanks to everyone who ever visited; I've loved having you around. For a while, at least, <a href="http://66joy.tumblr.com/">you can find me here</a>, and you can always e-mail me at carlitadee at yahoo dot com. xocarlita deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12275266663950634890noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20241387.post-27512219380684880332010-12-30T20:25:00.000-08:002010-12-30T20:47:24.154-08:00rock the new year<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhECgf69zt83MTWq6WDlarf4WCJuEqtELZG3hrEhQyGggSudKYe1afFcG3SD_9uH4aXPJoDjcWIDBgCoEoj0wP5BPblkZFOwU3_U0wIUAUryD-5-pGJXzeQYHPJe_6VLcJbPoBQ/s1600/rocker+nutcracker.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhECgf69zt83MTWq6WDlarf4WCJuEqtELZG3hrEhQyGggSudKYe1afFcG3SD_9uH4aXPJoDjcWIDBgCoEoj0wP5BPblkZFOwU3_U0wIUAUryD-5-pGJXzeQYHPJe_6VLcJbPoBQ/s400/rocker+nutcracker.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556699991591680562" border="0" /></a>Oh boy have I been watching too many episodes of "Toddlers & Tiaras" on TLC. I never meant to watch this show, but yesterday I woke up to a marathon, and that was all she wrote. The world of child beauty pageants is grotesque and anachronistic, and once you've made the mistake of turning your head to glance at it, it's impossible to look away. In between miming their kids' acts while the kids perform, the wacko stage moms often shout to them, "Rock it out, girl!" Or, the kids will tell what they plan to do once they take the stage: "I'm going to rock it!" Whether they do or not depends on your tolerance for the bizarre and the downright scary.<br /><br />Either way, that's my plan for 2011. I'm going to rock it out. I'm going to get on stage and let my freak flag fly.<br /><br />Happy 2011, and may you rock it too.<br /><br />(Photo: Nutcracker rockers, Norm's Restaurant on LaCienega Blvd, Los Angeles, 12/19/10)carlita deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12275266663950634890noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20241387.post-43303608090832773702010-11-30T13:49:00.000-08:002010-11-30T15:21:44.740-08:00joyride<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5sLMcnsOZ-jeBgnJN7gvBT1uxg2ipA9ni0SRIo1aw1LMgsR0ufsVSTC3fgyGJRsykkgeuFAO1vPvuD1DmVtGflGM2O5Wsyvx2n_JzSL8sIATR7MuaCTX78JbZr59LYm-uLL0gw/s1600/heading+out.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5sLMcnsOZ-jeBgnJN7gvBT1uxg2ipA9ni0SRIo1aw1LMgsR0ufsVSTC3fgyGJRsykkgeuFAO1vPvuD1DmVtGflGM2O5Wsyvx2n_JzSL8sIATR7MuaCTX78JbZr59LYm-uLL0gw/s400/heading+out.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545477427557128914" border="0" /></a>Facebook is a killer. A killer of blogging. I'm on there talking to friends old and new so much that I've pretty much abandoned old Purly V. I was thinking of shutting it down, but decided there's no harm in leaving it up, and then I made a pact with my buddy <a href="http://sewlil.blogspot.com/">Lilia</a> that we'd resurrect our blogs by posting once a month. The advantage that blogs have over Facebook is that you can get more in-depth with whatever it is you want to say. In a sense, that's also the disadvantage, because while Facebook lets you fire off a line or two and move on, blogging comes with the sense that more needs to be done. More words, more pictures, more -- more. Maybe it's just me. And I really shouldn't go forgetting that because blogs are public, I've met some wonderful strangers who have become friends here, including Lilia. There's a lot to be said for that.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCaPqnMHExHyHCTp8aAuIRnKPyXFi6-nSI10f6IeJzt7sY0w6_VV3m2D0X4nwA4I8SJsv28fvaJ1xRj9gqwrBDQuOtUKK-qByx_rxx4UDStBu26ONF5T9_33J_YZczTgVNIEWBQ/s1600/schmin+self+portrait.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCaPqnMHExHyHCTp8aAuIRnKPyXFi6-nSI10f6IeJzt7sY0w6_VV3m2D0X4nwA4I8SJsv28fvaJ1xRj9gqwrBDQuOtUKK-qByx_rxx4UDStBu26ONF5T9_33J_YZczTgVNIEWBQ/s400/schmin+self+portrait.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545478054292180914" border="0" /></a>Since I owe a post for November, I'll share what's on my mind on this last day, which is, in addition to finding a full-time job and taking a walk, riding my new-to-me bicycles. I've wanted a bike since someone stole all but the front tire of my Specialized Crossroads from behind my apartment building in L.A. back in 2002 (I'm getting misty just thinking about it). A month ago I bought a really nice 1990s Trek road bike from a friend. She was kind enough to sell it to me for a song. It's in great condition, so much so that one of the guys at the bike shop where I had it looked over wants to buy it from me (alas, the answer is no) and Schmin wants it too (maybe someday). Still, it's a road bike, which is a very specific kind of bike, and not, for me, the kind to tool around town carrying library books and groceries and just ... tooling around town. Having that bike only made me want to tool more, so after riding it once, off to Craigslist I went to see what bike bargains could be had there. For more than a song but, with Schmin's help, not more than I could pony up, I found a (2006, from what I can gather online) Cannondale Adventure 400. The split second I laid eyes on it, I knew we were in for a love affair. I bought it, had a rear rack installed, bought lights and a market bag, and have been riding in bliss ever since. The Trek I'm going to use for touring; the Cannondale for commuting, shopping, and good old-fashioned fun. So far, the best thing about having two bikes is that I can ride with visitors. Schmin was here for Thanksgiving, and we took a midnight ride around my neighborhood Sunday night. He rode the Trek, of course. It was fun on top of fun. We raced each other (not much of a contest, he's 25, male, in great shape, and was on a road bike), took pictures, and tried to see if one of those electronic road signs that display car speed would register our bike speeds (it did). I've loved bikes since my grandfather taught me to ride without training wheels, and owning even one good bike, not to mention two, is a dream come true.<br /><br />Here are a few more shots from The Midnight Ride of Schmin & Schmin.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt20kUbtDKDLuafdvNwxSketYsgrb4aNFx6DMOKMvjWxygyJNCvXt6O_wZfN1QNitLFwumn-X4goFDxQh-93-vF8FPzmiNBicMTyITIciDP1YWOIVrByaPqarlfjEtGvBKB7TArg/s1600/double+schmin.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt20kUbtDKDLuafdvNwxSketYsgrb4aNFx6DMOKMvjWxygyJNCvXt6O_wZfN1QNitLFwumn-X4goFDxQh-93-vF8FPzmiNBicMTyITIciDP1YWOIVrByaPqarlfjEtGvBKB7TArg/s400/double+schmin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545477416636240834" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3NRd01j139Gn7BkV4CIl_nQSVy3_7oosrFSKLxsiwaYNtntQQiVARQgvp2l_AIVqQpKzQXc9y8rzxiqhGx-I6KgUG2mzebmbaI-R6CNuqeWlVQXsypNLHKjOZ4inBxhM_SeQwQ/s1600/schmin+riding.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3NRd01j139Gn7BkV4CIl_nQSVy3_7oosrFSKLxsiwaYNtntQQiVARQgvp2l_AIVqQpKzQXc9y8rzxiqhGx-I6KgUG2mzebmbaI-R6CNuqeWlVQXsypNLHKjOZ4inBxhM_SeQwQ/s400/schmin+riding.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545478055430443634" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQ0UdTlzWzQZ_JzR8F-F_xXnc65QsWYKrNCHJfLaC9ercbqS8J05iSLTjhdxqRvsW265jLojRA3U58Koj7EkLn1wY6swDV11bieu6eIsWnG7U38-GIHhZdmUWCDGKUwfgzqUerw/s1600/happy+together.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQ0UdTlzWzQZ_JzR8F-F_xXnc65QsWYKrNCHJfLaC9ercbqS8J05iSLTjhdxqRvsW265jLojRA3U58Koj7EkLn1wY6swDV11bieu6eIsWnG7U38-GIHhZdmUWCDGKUwfgzqUerw/s400/happy+together.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545478061159625538" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGi4Qn8b5TxCTesUbToyxX8uCR-9pVjjTsTybxerIyEm8hMetZNaNyNFyPyV3LTZIDX2jy6mKSDCW7UGGew2iVJ80k6DIGvxHkdon9qi961QfDndviZAtjWMcl82gvY-XyItjs4w/s1600/schmin+with+2+bikes.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGi4Qn8b5TxCTesUbToyxX8uCR-9pVjjTsTybxerIyEm8hMetZNaNyNFyPyV3LTZIDX2jy6mKSDCW7UGGew2iVJ80k6DIGvxHkdon9qi961QfDndviZAtjWMcl82gvY-XyItjs4w/s400/schmin+with+2+bikes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545478036226720114" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCaPqnMHExHyHCTp8aAuIRnKPyXFi6-nSI10f6IeJzt7sY0w6_VV3m2D0X4nwA4I8SJsv28fvaJ1xRj9gqwrBDQuOtUKK-qByx_rxx4UDStBu26ONF5T9_33J_YZczTgVNIEWBQ/s1600/schmin+self+portrait.jpg"><br /></a>carlita deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12275266663950634890noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20241387.post-16979919465226015812010-06-03T17:34:00.000-07:002010-06-03T22:14:42.932-07:00i made some things and had a birthday kind of around the same time<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGYPLEeW7-BulKV__e_Um2lYhYd3WoFRfDwbYkN9NFwSIDfRmNzSzQ_vwB_MX-3149e89RC5XpCodakkjUOwaZAHeOWevJxBrmsk9Q_WA2umSTiSicKSnciIUeF6fqIJJAuFleA/s1600/sweater+stack3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGYPLEeW7-BulKV__e_Um2lYhYd3WoFRfDwbYkN9NFwSIDfRmNzSzQ_vwB_MX-3149e89RC5XpCodakkjUOwaZAHeOWevJxBrmsk9Q_WA2umSTiSicKSnciIUeF6fqIJJAuFleA/s400/sweater+stack3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478724894932804210" border="0" /></a>So much good stuff to chat about. First, crochet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKwwZbJmLQar4EDARUiMCnkxiuhKqGxSV-dyY4-9g-5vY9WT0pA61noKVTmrS1F5w9LA2R4BdN_HqO4vAemWoe97ivSuAfMQTlJcsJ4jnHelQDGpee1wTIYcbFYwuPnID6jpUNg/s1600/1st+crochet+sweater.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKwwZbJmLQar4EDARUiMCnkxiuhKqGxSV-dyY4-9g-5vY9WT0pA61noKVTmrS1F5w9LA2R4BdN_HqO4vAemWoe97ivSuAfMQTlJcsJ4jnHelQDGpee1wTIYcbFYwuPnID6jpUNg/s400/1st+crochet+sweater.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478715554818251618" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRfDoeDkt0h6d-1HXif3kVzLq1NHGaFRQpweNrrY-j64njAADOjeKEW_Mr08tnaQXqWx6wSlqa-1HO-qJgxPcX0yJty0RBZQ3GU-qMy7CPyQ04xp7o0kJceGQTGvPUizSvxAHMQ/s1600/1st+crochet+sweater2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRfDoeDkt0h6d-1HXif3kVzLq1NHGaFRQpweNrrY-j64njAADOjeKEW_Mr08tnaQXqWx6wSlqa-1HO-qJgxPcX0yJty0RBZQ3GU-qMy7CPyQ04xp7o0kJceGQTGvPUizSvxAHMQ/s400/1st+crochet+sweater2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478715560488813714" border="0" /></a>This little red number is my first crocheted sweater. It was a learning experiment, to be sure, but it's cute enough to give away. I'm sending it to Avery, along with the <a href="http://purlyvictorious.blogspot.com/2010/04/chasing-that-high.html">blue knitted sweater</a>. (I know. I've been lax about mailing anything lately. My sewing room is filled with unmailed gifts.)<br /><br />Next, I made this green sweater for the young woman who works with me at<br /><a href="http://www.knittingintheloop.net/" target="_blank">Knitting in the Loop</a>. I used Vanna's Choice yarn, which I probably won't use again, but the sweater is nice for a baby boy. I gifted it along with some plaid cotton button-down shirts from Target. It was an adorably preppy combo.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hbHMqgXR3iV7hsmpsAHxRJA9u_Oa7-xIOw2Gh75hYl_exYXtw-t_oW664evUSfmC9D2Dw1J9xz2bGGunz03YEHvmn7EGt3O2rvbkIrWJmtbgL93jf9Wzsy9oBjpdK4NN29Ac0Q/s1600/green+vanna+sweater.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hbHMqgXR3iV7hsmpsAHxRJA9u_Oa7-xIOw2Gh75hYl_exYXtw-t_oW664evUSfmC9D2Dw1J9xz2bGGunz03YEHvmn7EGt3O2rvbkIrWJmtbgL93jf9Wzsy9oBjpdK4NN29Ac0Q/s400/green+vanna+sweater.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478724898508491810" border="0" /></a>This pink, cream, and brown sweater, which I call The Neapolitan, is maybe my favorite. It's made with a discontinued yarn called Cotton Candy by the Woodstock Wool Company, which is apparently out of business. It's too bad because it's the softest, most gorgeous cotton I've ever used. These pictures hardly do it justice. This one is for Mister Steven's god daughter Soliel, who is <a href="http://purlyvictorious.blogspot.com/2009/04/orange-crushin.html" target="_blank">due a new sweater</a> from me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyTrRHy2CbfhyGI2aa_YsYbLBtaGfzPgacd8vYBnQUc-bAUbBs7qWtwmoBW8r9hAWHHIu75R7kE-PghoahdzyLktoBGo9VA1DcBaW4i0doQvgmnHw0e1qC9j0pqZuFODWZu3jLg/s1600/neopolitan+cu.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyTrRHy2CbfhyGI2aa_YsYbLBtaGfzPgacd8vYBnQUc-bAUbBs7qWtwmoBW8r9hAWHHIu75R7kE-PghoahdzyLktoBGo9VA1DcBaW4i0doQvgmnHw0e1qC9j0pqZuFODWZu3jLg/s400/neopolitan+cu.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478728629588381506" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEovjPm88KrJ1Hey7g6CwqVWKFeaZ9GxxLi3dMZMDkiccQ01CMbPXMAWsu-0Hm5kn-1pT8AvFlIlZWdszrgxF4KM0qbcEFYA7K6rpOb0XWdSqlXDXtvvdlpQgrt7QgRq3X-7cL_A/s1600/neopolitan.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEovjPm88KrJ1Hey7g6CwqVWKFeaZ9GxxLi3dMZMDkiccQ01CMbPXMAWsu-0Hm5kn-1pT8AvFlIlZWdszrgxF4KM0qbcEFYA7K6rpOb0XWdSqlXDXtvvdlpQgrt7QgRq3X-7cL_A/s400/neopolitan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478728617112699858" border="0" /></a>All three of these sweaters are from the same pattern, Yarny Days's <a href="http://www.yarnydays.com/2009/02/everyday-is-new-sweater-day.html">Every Day Is a New Sweater Day</a>. I can't say enough good things about this pattern. The the subtraction of the collar, the addition of scallops (as I did for the the Neapolitan), contrasting single crochet edging, flowers, more or fewer buttons, etc., completely changes the look of the sweater. It's just a wonderful pattern that's perfect for a novice sweater crocheter.<br /><br />I used another Yarny Days pattern, <a href="http://www.yarnydays.com/2009/01/bombay-love.html">Bombay Love</a>, to make this yellow one. It's a shop sample for Knitting in the Loop. It's also a blast to crochet, and a very easy pattern.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKFfJjCBYkd8SD2NY1iCYMiIdbTuCecz_nZO6pNq5o4-fkgXjvm_koHYFOQSAaCxG9XbWFbM52c1Ii1Ziv6WKJNeLHa_QeCsQnc4lhQ26Os3B9A9CSmfpTNI2wVjYATUGwyN2-Q/s1600/yellow+bombay+love.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKFfJjCBYkd8SD2NY1iCYMiIdbTuCecz_nZO6pNq5o4-fkgXjvm_koHYFOQSAaCxG9XbWFbM52c1Ii1Ziv6WKJNeLHa_QeCsQnc4lhQ26Os3B9A9CSmfpTNI2wVjYATUGwyN2-Q/s400/yellow+bombay+love.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478713366685973890" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUvmqFl5TI6MowraSvrx5pvxaqPYOyWhsz51pb-3-RZT4Gyobb1E6GInGXCXgwmfK201sNKSMXtnDQ1YEkTYPGcVsryVeSw8ZayRgy_3irSq93n7zDMAWp5ijqUaFZsri7ayyFg/s1600/sweater+stack.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUvmqFl5TI6MowraSvrx5pvxaqPYOyWhsz51pb-3-RZT4Gyobb1E6GInGXCXgwmfK201sNKSMXtnDQ1YEkTYPGcVsryVeSw8ZayRgy_3irSq93n7zDMAWp5ijqUaFZsri7ayyFg/s400/sweater+stack.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478713359872139490" border="0" /></a>Speaking of Knitting in the Loop, my friend Mishell and I had a little birthday gathering there. We have the same birthday, May 16, and the same middle name, so we're destined to celebrate together.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3mXigb47DeEmodP2lQFd4wsTrlqlVV5BXWzzH1FbM57Z8J5AmmpfBthgpjgCtllZa1DDX8oE_7Bh1Mzs9V5_uq0Vii4BRJG5Sy02GAeCffFuoXr-tVV2AkrYE-ym7LIUPDWBUg/s1600/me+and+mishell+b-day+5-16-10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3mXigb47DeEmodP2lQFd4wsTrlqlVV5BXWzzH1FbM57Z8J5AmmpfBthgpjgCtllZa1DDX8oE_7Bh1Mzs9V5_uq0Vii4BRJG5Sy02GAeCffFuoXr-tVV2AkrYE-ym7LIUPDWBUg/s400/me+and+mishell+b-day+5-16-10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478734509903201282" border="0" /></a>My sisters and my niece came. They are, left to right, Tish, Siyah, and Kale. I tell everyone I changed Kale's diapers, because I did, but I think now that she's in her 30s she'd like me to stop sharing that information.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhF1GAYQoxDVovJZ6zOaGchCIgdzDUMVrUikD4dajv9IfLGa_TvOswOYwkm67HeVhUPpMDHz88un7tiu7CX5O-ra2XDEVH-TDIatXyHgtDVqDxoMd3kf-h-MhxPz-1CMl7aABiwg/s1600/me+sisters+niece+5-16-10+copy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhF1GAYQoxDVovJZ6zOaGchCIgdzDUMVrUikD4dajv9IfLGa_TvOswOYwkm67HeVhUPpMDHz88un7tiu7CX5O-ra2XDEVH-TDIatXyHgtDVqDxoMd3kf-h-MhxPz-1CMl7aABiwg/s400/me+sisters+niece+5-16-10+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478728656334246162" border="0" /></a>Here are a few more party shots. The woman hugging Mishell in the first one is Judy Amonett, who owns Knitting in the Loop and has a wicked sense of humor and a heart of pure gold.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6ojD0cvUoBcL-mMAJG5pwN7fgmjFAdiwJI_ZL90MeaOZ_dDcv4vjyvNSZFoelFpdJ8Tvlp19UY1dApZKRUIeazmZNEHJCfcziYiv4GbXzAKlgsIctorPWPRZQlYsjBnI_SStUQ/s1600/m+and+judy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6ojD0cvUoBcL-mMAJG5pwN7fgmjFAdiwJI_ZL90MeaOZ_dDcv4vjyvNSZFoelFpdJ8Tvlp19UY1dApZKRUIeazmZNEHJCfcziYiv4GbXzAKlgsIctorPWPRZQlYsjBnI_SStUQ/s400/m+and+judy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478737373431627090" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPeBEY5CE0jnDxgSi1q7jHiQr54CaRiAXiFKJQVXn9ZE8JaFfhc9vuEyzrRrghAWSVhqpqYTWEubUfCVdhRIVBiZ_AN08Wx4HHK8Ws9DptlxxChhyphenhyphenJxsHp3sWAsCH4xKiVJ-iTA/s1600/m+and+other+friends.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPeBEY5CE0jnDxgSi1q7jHiQr54CaRiAXiFKJQVXn9ZE8JaFfhc9vuEyzrRrghAWSVhqpqYTWEubUfCVdhRIVBiZ_AN08Wx4HHK8Ws9DptlxxChhyphenhyphenJxsHp3sWAsCH4xKiVJ-iTA/s400/m+and+other+friends.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478737383699399826" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQWiNVRSF7DWM09aTWfzU_V3gPv5wca7-9RINoB7lXPyelXmhyP4C4zOFuWtKmXimeV2ZBHXSmhjAEd_fuJSODHh_JyJfAwpL_67M4y8HDoO4A5GbpWx4s-TUE1Kx6PwgmSc93g/s1600/our+cake+5-16-10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQWiNVRSF7DWM09aTWfzU_V3gPv5wca7-9RINoB7lXPyelXmhyP4C4zOFuWtKmXimeV2ZBHXSmhjAEd_fuJSODHh_JyJfAwpL_67M4y8HDoO4A5GbpWx4s-TUE1Kx6PwgmSc93g/s400/our+cake+5-16-10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478742683685153570" border="0" /></a>carlita deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12275266663950634890noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20241387.post-83279747182639399922010-05-11T12:44:00.001-07:002010-05-11T16:55:56.033-07:00it all started with number 19<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQFPzoVZkuj90fqIR4tZBvu9GYiWPnsPRhfbhJEOVo2f42u9Ctzic7jmT_m7bexdlRTuLF6BLQ9vff6BESk0giyr_VJwDKTGLkQu1D2q_-WG8ZlMJTDBV7RwYU9KCLrIzqDMonQ/s1600/stitch+by+stitch2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQFPzoVZkuj90fqIR4tZBvu9GYiWPnsPRhfbhJEOVo2f42u9Ctzic7jmT_m7bexdlRTuLF6BLQ9vff6BESk0giyr_VJwDKTGLkQu1D2q_-WG8ZlMJTDBV7RwYU9KCLrIzqDMonQ/s400/stitch+by+stitch2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470158820607057090" border="0" /></a>Whuu! Whuu! Whu-whu-whu! That's me blowing the dust off this blog.<br /><br />I have been having way too much fun for an unemployed person. I'm about to bring it to an end -- the unemployment, not the fun -- but while I've still got plenty of leisure time, I'm giving all my love to making things. Making things, and hanging around with other people who make things. Also, there's been the securing of new materials with which to make things, but that's the joy and the hazard of a part-time job at a yarn shop.<br /><br />What I've had more time and opportunity to appreciate about Houston is that it lives up to its reputation as a friendly city. People take you in like a long-lost friend, and it's easy to forget you've been around for a relatively short period of time. This morning my neighbor took me to Pilates class. Afterward, at Starbucks, I was telling her how much I like Houston, and how, being from up north and having lived on both coasts, I'm often surprised by how fundamentally kind people are. I know lovely people and have beautiful friends everywhere I've been, but down here there's a concentration, and you don't have to develop an intimate relationship with a person to get the goods. "Endure the weather and love the people," my neighbor said. That pretty much sums it up (except the weather's been great this year too). It's better than the other way around.<br /><br />I'm about to celebrate my second birthday in this fair city. One of my knitting friends has the same birthday (and the same middle name) as I do, May 16, and so there will be cake and merriment at <a href="http://www.knittingintheloop.net/">the shop</a>. I love my birthday. (I love anybody's birthday.) Whether I've been good or bad, I always get myself a gift. Two years ago my gift to myself was an iPod. This year I'm not rolling like that; something more humble, pricewise, was in order. I finagled Schmin and Mister Stevens into the <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/Options+Interchangeable+Harmony+Wood+Circular+Knitting+Needle+Set_ND90306.html">Knitpicks Harmony set</a>, which I hadn't even wanted until people at the shop kept moaning in ecstasy while using them. (Even the owner has a set. They were her first needles, and she uses them exclusively.) I need a food processor, but haven't done the homework to find the right one yet. Nothing else is on my list, but that's the fun of birthdays, isn't it? People give you things that are surprising and wonderful and you grow to treasure them, and it's also good to surprise yourself. It's the main occasion when I'll see something and not question whether I ought to have it. I give myself permission.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoUvTV88OclJa_KdwfV5cAXPjDNltimYwaAqyR-Yfgwdf_jqvoy7MT2Lz0dlyWLuv5lxOnNPFWILy8Yhe7qmLN9_ayHH9-EY1HLvLE37IjrHoK72uxrusqKswPHWN_QiEZIzRCw/s1600/stitch+by+stitch4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoUvTV88OclJa_KdwfV5cAXPjDNltimYwaAqyR-Yfgwdf_jqvoy7MT2Lz0dlyWLuv5lxOnNPFWILy8Yhe7qmLN9_ayHH9-EY1HLvLE37IjrHoK72uxrusqKswPHWN_QiEZIzRCw/s400/stitch+by+stitch4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470159091122868994" border="0" /></a>This year's gift all started with number 19. I bought my niece a used Kenmore sewing machine for her 11th birthday, which was last week, and I was tooling around the thrift store to find something suitable for her to keep its accessories in. I found something, then wandered over to the book section. I was there for a while, checking out this and that, when I came across a slender book titled <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.librarything.com/series/Stitch%20by%20Stitch">Stitch by Stitch: A Home Library of Sewing, Knitting, Crochet, and Needlecraft</a>. Like, hunh? Did this not have my name all over it? I do every single thing in the freakin' title.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfmucjdJMoBwbTu9jteXpO-bFjji4gXKKP3dv4wCmBR25vg504HlT05nASQ6DVxyGQkLHIvYj_GfoGIjKBOxdGquwKgBl2K6ixSOU0VhMh7Zoo25fE-gjj-Kj8BznvVzoQFmaWg/s1600/stitch+by+stitch5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfmucjdJMoBwbTu9jteXpO-bFjji4gXKKP3dv4wCmBR25vg504HlT05nASQ6DVxyGQkLHIvYj_GfoGIjKBOxdGquwKgBl2K6ixSOU0VhMh7Zoo25fE-gjj-Kj8BznvVzoQFmaWg/s400/stitch+by+stitch5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470159341754255186" border="0" /></a>Even though it said <span style="font-style: italic;">Home Library</span>, it didn't dawn on me until I paid my dollar for the book and got it home that there were -- gasp -- others in the series. (Remember the last time <a href="http://purlyvictorious.blogspot.com/2008/04/when-itch-for-wycinanki-demands-to-be.html">this happened to me</a> with a little collection of <a href="http://purlyvictorious.blogspot.com/2008/05/old-school-redux-family-creative.html">'70s craft books</a>?) I was in possession of number 19, and whether there were 18 or 75 more, I would have the rest. Google revealed that <span style="font-style: italic;">Stitch by Stitch</span> comes as a set of 20, and, as is typical with these old collections, people mostly sell them one by one. Determined as I was, I wouldn't pay 5 - 15 dollars each. Luckily, there was a complete set on good old eBay. The seller said it was in excellent condition. Lo, it came with its <span style="font-style: italic;">Master Index</span> and bonus <span style="font-style: italic;">Stitch a Gift</span> booklet. It also came with, be still my heart, a pile of paper patterns that were released with it. It was selling for 22.49 + 14. for shipping, which was very reasonable.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSiuzGGydEjgjZspXD5II_gXPtjpuQiHTdbNEgsF7gC8ph-NGFiN2tUlNWdbEWHFCdlZnOzVM0VX2se6p5Ij8fKoT9cmeS-cKHYgAoQcJh2WyGkIAg8ggO_TydLYdTz4kDWRtCA/s1600/stitch+by+stitch6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSiuzGGydEjgjZspXD5II_gXPtjpuQiHTdbNEgsF7gC8ph-NGFiN2tUlNWdbEWHFCdlZnOzVM0VX2se6p5Ij8fKoT9cmeS-cKHYgAoQcJh2WyGkIAg8ggO_TydLYdTz4kDWRtCA/s400/stitch+by+stitch6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470159099160221986" border="0" /></a>Although the seller sent them via Media Mail, they arrived quickly, and overall they're mint. I doubt the patterns were ever unfolded. I've been crocheting like hooks are about to disappear, so I'm particularly excited about the crochet lessons featured in each volume. I read a review (maybe on Amazon) that said there are hard-to-find techniques included.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXOJlTl-FDTQx_sy57I5GU8eL_fWfPyVX3xzvRw4Gw9WUYctA7SnXDVvy8pJVmgtUZky52ggA_0KRiwpxKo1dAaND2aC3IAgQpccOulhyLxJ7_9pNLhvtdkXHmMExM52TM0QJWQ/s1600/stitch+by+stitch3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXOJlTl-FDTQx_sy57I5GU8eL_fWfPyVX3xzvRw4Gw9WUYctA7SnXDVvy8pJVmgtUZky52ggA_0KRiwpxKo1dAaND2aC3IAgQpccOulhyLxJ7_9pNLhvtdkXHmMExM52TM0QJWQ/s400/stitch+by+stitch3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470159084953284818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">I'm hoping <a href="http://woolanthropy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Natalie</a> will want to sew these evil twin outfits with me.</span><br /></div><br />Another happy birthday rolls around. I feel blessed and fortunate. And, as ever, crafty.carlita deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12275266663950634890noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20241387.post-32595416107522039762010-04-02T17:11:00.000-07:002010-04-02T18:51:45.339-07:00chasing that high<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjAeHHbjDh-HY6r7GnYTGpOoKD-qyr6BRDI7jquc32OJI0xw5JO8sv9F_JuvokvOnn-CIBabHI-ljkbU_Y_HqoxZi5ymN19wLIf_wub3YncK92tl2IRc9KmdIDCOhjjCkk2vs_A/s1600/first+crochet+flower2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjAeHHbjDh-HY6r7GnYTGpOoKD-qyr6BRDI7jquc32OJI0xw5JO8sv9F_JuvokvOnn-CIBabHI-ljkbU_Y_HqoxZi5ymN19wLIf_wub3YncK92tl2IRc9KmdIDCOhjjCkk2vs_A/s400/first+crochet+flower2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455713093252185826" border="0" /></a>I loved knitting this baby sweater <a href="http://purlyvictorious.blogspot.com/2009/04/orange-crushin.html">the first time around</a>. Though I rarely enjoy making the same thing more than once, I figured knitting this pattern again would induce a mildly comatose but highly warm and pleasant sensation akin to being high on Vicodin. But alas, no. By the time I hit the button band and seaming, little as there is, I completely lost interest and let the thing hang around unfinished. I knew how it was going to turn out; I'd already seen this movie.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7ElCwN9MpMezKZ1OzleBaP3orN2aqxIrp5fD_4a4nlUZwJVv5WBNiU_XOzjHfZ9iNxHThZ7Mn5tfQEprqIA_RnaCMQQpIWzWNZpzWLPmIB_DmP4n9rNCWwuz9ECzpYdFOSIacA/s1600/ailey's+sweater4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7ElCwN9MpMezKZ1OzleBaP3orN2aqxIrp5fD_4a4nlUZwJVv5WBNiU_XOzjHfZ9iNxHThZ7Mn5tfQEprqIA_RnaCMQQpIWzWNZpzWLPmIB_DmP4n9rNCWwuz9ECzpYdFOSIacA/s400/ailey's+sweater4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455712753561875314" border="0" /></a>The addition of the crocheted flower was a suggestion made by one of our regulars at<a href="http://www.knittingintheloop.net/" target="_blank"> the knitting shop</a>, and it's my favorite thing. I'm still amazed that I can crochet anything. Hell, I'm still wondering who's doing all the writing, knitting, sewing, painting -- anything creative -- around here. I look at things that I've made and fall in love, but I don't associate myself with having made them. I sense it's a God thing (meaning some force creates through me/us), for those of you who might know this feeling. Does anyone know this feeling?<br /><br />Anyhow, though early on I found myself <span style="font-style: italic;">over </span>knitting it, it's very sweet, and I'm eager to send it to Ailey, the baby girl of a friend who is my friend through Mister Stevens. And so the sweater is off to motherless Brooklyn*, which is appropriate, seeing as I know the baby's dad, not her mom.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOav15lbFroQYYYft179r8T5JuPXcXJpBTYc5_X1iBu5798JxU8zTB-mg-cWExiLv8AzCI1Ow27W6_S44z5XRgw2bsgw5HDCImeipcBXdnyX2xB5YXwTm-M3cOqoWEekdtoSegig/s1600/ailey's+sweater2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOav15lbFroQYYYft179r8T5JuPXcXJpBTYc5_X1iBu5798JxU8zTB-mg-cWExiLv8AzCI1Ow27W6_S44z5XRgw2bsgw5HDCImeipcBXdnyX2xB5YXwTm-M3cOqoWEekdtoSegig/s400/ailey's+sweater2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455712743716465474" border="0" /></a>*I have not read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Motherless-Brooklyn-Jonathan-Lethem/dp/0375724834" target="_blank">this book</a>, but I have a crush on the title. Same with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bring-Saddest-Arizona-Short-Fiction/dp/0877458693/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1270256848&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Bring Me Your Saddest Arizona</a>, which I have read and did find beautiful and moving.<br /><br />I leave you with the devil paw of doom.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigACCNUjbX8k98FMG1Hr5NQgaR7asLpfj-5jIgz5mWNL70Gu15uoBDbqbLUFwLP_YICbU-TDmVDlabURuMpNrmgCAtBgey0T-xnQyxAiOCJAu-WPLEuuSSESKOsr6k57oEMnJ4sA/s1600/debbil+paw+of+doom2.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvZ4t8Ezki_RQgZ_XdzNbCL-KYPim1MnGhQ9jI3qWiM2tRloKDdsaWqBIqckLjPxXvbD5tbLWTj-nJMi57VLoDLOscBbjzU0ViS2jOlGA_8xvcERfyVG5EaglyDAjZ2GikMZNoA/s1600/debbil+paw+of+doom.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvZ4t8Ezki_RQgZ_XdzNbCL-KYPim1MnGhQ9jI3qWiM2tRloKDdsaWqBIqckLjPxXvbD5tbLWTj-nJMi57VLoDLOscBbjzU0ViS2jOlGA_8xvcERfyVG5EaglyDAjZ2GikMZNoA/s400/debbil+paw+of+doom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455713100266049282" border="0" /></a>Note to Heather: Hello, friend! The granny square blanket, part of which you see in the photos, is about 1/3 joined. The rest of the squares cry out from my sewing room floor, and probably will for at least another month.carlita deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12275266663950634890noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20241387.post-72607197170463290152010-04-02T08:25:00.000-07:002010-04-02T08:44:45.644-07:00the girl i love<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMivUOgmQrrf3H5X-9aGmqj-nXGiBdl-OSV5h7QSh3D1PXLX5oLYx4gKXXs1_L0e-glQeUJP7O4WMOptralZ583oeyZrEYuQYl3dQxyTuEkorUTE9QBuKuaYIS0vQGo7iARxYlMg/s1600/mira+april+2010-2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMivUOgmQrrf3H5X-9aGmqj-nXGiBdl-OSV5h7QSh3D1PXLX5oLYx4gKXXs1_L0e-glQeUJP7O4WMOptralZ583oeyZrEYuQYl3dQxyTuEkorUTE9QBuKuaYIS0vQGo7iARxYlMg/s400/mira+april+2010-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455566129885711874" border="0" /></a>I finished a new baby sweater and had a quick photo shoot on the lawn just now. I'll be back to yap about the sweater, but I want to share this picture of mischievous Mira, who commandeered <span>my </span><span>makeshift set</span>, and pounced on my props. It's hard to get good pictures of her, because of her color, and because she's maybe a little ... hyper.<br /><br />She'll be two this summer. Life has grown infinitely more interesting and full since she's been around.carlita deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12275266663950634890noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20241387.post-54093158110342362672010-03-29T09:00:00.000-07:002010-03-29T09:08:35.630-07:00knitting is not a punishment; it's a privilege<embed src="http://cnettv.cnet.com/av/video/cbsnews/atlantis2/player-dest.swf" flashvars="linkUrl=http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6341081n&releaseURL=http://cnettv.cnet.com/av/video/cbsnews/atlantis2/player-dest.swf&videoId=50085496,50085495,50085494,50085493,50085187,50085186&partner=news&vert=News&si=254&autoPlayVid=false&name=cbsPlayer&allowScriptAccess=always&wmode=transparent&embedded=y&scale=noscale&rv=n&salign=tl" allowfullscreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" width="425" height="324"></embed><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/"><br /><br />This is making the knitting rounds</a> via Ravelry and all that, but I have to post it here. I adore <span style="font-style: italic;">CBS News Sunday Morning</span>, which is where I saw this segment. Marry it with knitting, and I'm in deep.carlita deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12275266663950634890noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20241387.post-29473327965330574872010-03-19T19:50:00.000-07:002010-03-19T20:26:05.359-07:00eat this, not that<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6y3ZraEjyQcQNHqzUWO-tOdxyevFegvP9SyTpVDQwdLb1vl-71S7OjqtdcdlTlufwQoij4YRlWrDvG25Zac8aKVxMzrYjN0yzJFBK_-4sgMBCdT4ryzCloRCRZCCjCtI7lUasg/s1600-h/2010_01_06-Cabbage2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6y3ZraEjyQcQNHqzUWO-tOdxyevFegvP9SyTpVDQwdLb1vl-71S7OjqtdcdlTlufwQoij4YRlWrDvG25Zac8aKVxMzrYjN0yzJFBK_-4sgMBCdT4ryzCloRCRZCCjCtI7lUasg/s400/2010_01_06-Cabbage2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450547688078402450" border="0" /></a>I'll tell you what. You know I just ate something good if I'm on here posting about it.<br /><br />These days one of my main priorities is to eat well, which means more vegetables for one thing. The last couple of nights I've been using my little <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Progressive-International-Stainless-Steamer-Basket/dp/B0006SNLP2" target="_blank">in-pot steamer</a> to steam broccoli and cabbage that taste like big old forkfuls of responsibility. Not bad, those steamed veggies. Just not what you'd <span style="font-style: italic;">want </span>to eat, more what you <span style="font-style: italic;">should </span>eat. Tonight I decided roasting was in order, and I realized I'd never had roasted cabbage that I could recall. Roasting a cabbage seems so obvious, but odd at the same time. I asked my mother if it was okay to even attempt such a thing (read: I Googled "roasted cabbage"; I have come to think of Google as the mother I never had, one who gives wise advice on unlimited topics) and came up with a few simple steps. Where I would've gone wrong is in the cutting of the cabbage, which is best done in wedges, <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/healthy/easy-winter-recipe-roasted-cabbage-with-bacon-105338" target="_blank">like this recipe</a>. I don't eat pork, so I icksnayed the bacon. For seasoning I did sea salt, fresh ground black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. I drizzled and rubbed on olive oil and let the cabbage cook for 25-30 minutes at 450 degrees.<br /><br />The result is hands down the absolute best cabbage I've ever eaten. Really, one of the absolute best <span style="font-style: italic;">anythings </span>I've ever eaten. Roasting cabbage elevates it from cabbage to something as close to God as food comes.<br /><br />Eat this, not that. That being anything else.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1kN8ntV9nY_Tl1HzNqJ-0zpRLix_51wdeIuMUxiLgx4SJOwCxhmRTymMaQcK_ZPhp56twX4dlXJNTcowgbqFZpx6ng9LvgqOSwKIm1Bo2pIwp1z8-noON-wzKREbLQsY9eMJrg/s1600-h/roasted+cabbage.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1kN8ntV9nY_Tl1HzNqJ-0zpRLix_51wdeIuMUxiLgx4SJOwCxhmRTymMaQcK_ZPhp56twX4dlXJNTcowgbqFZpx6ng9LvgqOSwKIm1Bo2pIwp1z8-noON-wzKREbLQsY9eMJrg/s400/roasted+cabbage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450546206164603794" border="0" /></a>(Photos courtesy of Apartment Therapy's <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/" target="_blank">the kitchn</a>.)carlita deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12275266663950634890noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20241387.post-56993617853966103292010-03-13T20:19:00.000-08:002010-03-13T22:09:46.368-08:00kind of about cars, but mostly about birds (with a cat along the way)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTj0eeGNlrVHG9F9sNpxI0hmq2Lv7Q_-Psq5BynEDON6NSzY09PkE8cCljtY9K1p7TFbQ-rDUFpqLD03JxHRD8vm5GkZe-67yUmZI22EL5RrECEzJp8ODIirhqucbtSSEXvKhoQ/s1600-h/side+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTj0eeGNlrVHG9F9sNpxI0hmq2Lv7Q_-Psq5BynEDON6NSzY09PkE8cCljtY9K1p7TFbQ-rDUFpqLD03JxHRD8vm5GkZe-67yUmZI22EL5RrECEzJp8ODIirhqucbtSSEXvKhoQ/s320/side+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448351379412759186" border="0" /></a>I'm happy you guys like the colors of my scarf. I'm making one for <a href="http://woolanthropy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Natalie</a>, but I have to rip it out because the consensus in my knitting group is that the colors I'm using don't work as well together. Oh well. You win some, and others you start again.<br /><br />I haven't been knitting/crocheting much this week. Instead I've been focusing on life matters, and it's been a week of great relief and even joy.<br /><br />Today the weather was so nice that after running errands I didn't want to be in the house; so I took Elizabeth Gilbert's <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.amazon.com/Committed-Skeptic-Makes-Peace-Marriage/dp/0670021652" target="_blank">Committed</a> and sat in my car, in my driveway, and read.<br /><br />I'm a big fan of sitting in the car, at home or in random parking lots. During break times at my old job, I'd drive to Vons Supermarket on 3rd and Vermont, sit in the lot and eat lunch or daydream. I don't rightly know why I'm drawn to hanging out in parked vehicles. Maybe the indoor/outdoor nature of being in a windowed box, a small, movable world, in private but in public simultaneously. It helps to have a sun roof. Then you feel like you're camping out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGV1CHFuaVWAj8TUdiHVZiont3tzjftBLiO2VHYvh_C1tsFAxVBukiWYUhuwYmqGzxc0mCVdr2nBdDz2sPolq1oqyWRf2cMBACavCoe28shG-fux8067GQfxdMgwcpJGIsmUy27Q/s1600-h/mira+on+car.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGV1CHFuaVWAj8TUdiHVZiont3tzjftBLiO2VHYvh_C1tsFAxVBukiWYUhuwYmqGzxc0mCVdr2nBdDz2sPolq1oqyWRf2cMBACavCoe28shG-fux8067GQfxdMgwcpJGIsmUy27Q/s400/mira+on+car.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448349078671741858" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJGRPOsdt73LvpMoMX2UboEBTJBL0s26CHWFRKok924xl55qFItdrNOUs_2k-2PIlAT0vgzIA32kADwuYMJGEqXPR8KFsE01wSmpNHfpVi3KwAV7pxI1ErPvEQfciNowq7it6pg/s1600-h/mira+on+car3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJGRPOsdt73LvpMoMX2UboEBTJBL0s26CHWFRKok924xl55qFItdrNOUs_2k-2PIlAT0vgzIA32kADwuYMJGEqXPR8KFsE01wSmpNHfpVi3KwAV7pxI1ErPvEQfciNowq7it6pg/s400/mira+on+car3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448349086812456386" border="0" /></a>At home there's only so much car camping I can do before nosy Mira comes around. She peeks in the sun roof, sometimes swiping at me, then treads on the windshields, leaving lots of paw prints to remember her by. Sometimes she'll jump in the car and act all trapped, scrambling to get out. I gripe, but I love this cat endlessly.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgww5KQfKExvzLh_EfPx7YNwRjSNRAc7eRgsQ6n8N81EGKUyIVeVPJwqRtc1A9uCoDC3vHgDYG-Q1pjZVu7a4JZxmZDVCWd-sgNZVN9ogn2dFh8uXBqnN9gFNDbCQxrgWMpjenLgg/s1600-h/birds+at+home.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgww5KQfKExvzLh_EfPx7YNwRjSNRAc7eRgsQ6n8N81EGKUyIVeVPJwqRtc1A9uCoDC3vHgDYG-Q1pjZVu7a4JZxmZDVCWd-sgNZVN9ogn2dFh8uXBqnN9gFNDbCQxrgWMpjenLgg/s400/birds+at+home.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448356809493580242" border="0" /></a>The view through the sun roof is what inspired this post. The sky was such a gorgeous blue, and there were these yellow birds I'd never noticed before filling up the tree branches above my house. (I barely know a cardinal from a crow; so if you can tell me what kind of bird these are, please do.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4y5bTsqdZYbu8iTQLcSAnilZ7ECSQ0PnPo61ACqtEf3h8UKgojxssvXgi8JXEM5xmtPWSEoLo0tEXD4JT3AUA_L9dUDzIcZ4-H8hiKzhojpi81n-HT6WA8fBYSzndZHOCFl6rNA/s1600-h/birds+at+home6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4y5bTsqdZYbu8iTQLcSAnilZ7ECSQ0PnPo61ACqtEf3h8UKgojxssvXgi8JXEM5xmtPWSEoLo0tEXD4JT3AUA_L9dUDzIcZ4-H8hiKzhojpi81n-HT6WA8fBYSzndZHOCFl6rNA/s400/birds+at+home6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448357371291047938" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNhtohoAq9GAMUFbmVv22ydmcwND_hcqTrAvdoxUYZo4sADM5yxNK7yrUH7FXmZIo1Q-ehVzrtXKxfskMzaydndgOsUx2h_XvC3zjyJcANZ6-DBjbcu3__XGXE5cf4bXNxK3WMw/s1600-h/birds+at+home4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNhtohoAq9GAMUFbmVv22ydmcwND_hcqTrAvdoxUYZo4sADM5yxNK7yrUH7FXmZIo1Q-ehVzrtXKxfskMzaydndgOsUx2h_XvC3zjyJcANZ6-DBjbcu3__XGXE5cf4bXNxK3WMw/s400/birds+at+home4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448366502213648658" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRoyXdnl4bmqE21vk0iQlWcQGB5lSsO90nZq5VNMjEsfflvKKTnJrgLSR0mn-AOyBk4HO0cFt8SUzYVUhiabrQ09w0XJ48Ty6UXpJJG0_XbYEmUNZpiutTndPPFqFkxvaGjQPeA/s1600-h/birds+at+home3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRoyXdnl4bmqE21vk0iQlWcQGB5lSsO90nZq5VNMjEsfflvKKTnJrgLSR0mn-AOyBk4HO0cFt8SUzYVUhiabrQ09w0XJ48Ty6UXpJJG0_XbYEmUNZpiutTndPPFqFkxvaGjQPeA/s400/birds+at+home3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448357363711048658" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeJMSorIsHev_M-mAaovpGsJXVfNLI9ra8cLocj5BoN-8Mcy83jwQKeBhjSuyasK5VtDdBY5dx_cpwZ_ynfMsukF-5tD7hyMOWZS2Jg71RdFU3dBpzH5-KhoR2A3eIzKJjtJFtg/s1600-h/birds+at+home5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeJMSorIsHev_M-mAaovpGsJXVfNLI9ra8cLocj5BoN-8Mcy83jwQKeBhjSuyasK5VtDdBY5dx_cpwZ_ynfMsukF-5tD7hyMOWZS2Jg71RdFU3dBpzH5-KhoR2A3eIzKJjtJFtg/s400/birds+at+home5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448356797490158978" border="0" /></a>carlita deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12275266663950634890noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20241387.post-80706576810040463952010-03-04T17:38:00.000-08:002010-03-04T17:59:35.407-08:00danke schonThis is a post to thank Stacy, Lisa G, Ellen, afrowalking, golden star, Summer, and woolanthropy. Some of you are my real-life friends, others I only know from this weird, wonderful Internet, but you're all so sweet to comment on my blog, even after I've left it alone for like ever, and you say the kindest, most uplifting things, and I love you for it.<br /><br />That's what's really on my mind, but while I'm here I'll share a project.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacwaDPXcY_UjfbqpXC8Kqu4abpixJjBMPZpFMBwbWXGXr3IUfFltALGZH1hvympV44Yut53lSzvIKslObXXcUEFcMwuI7OvfWwa2jhQJLO1t9812xk-iMTbsH0fSHWM980WKslQ/s1600-h/ripple+scarf2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacwaDPXcY_UjfbqpXC8Kqu4abpixJjBMPZpFMBwbWXGXr3IUfFltALGZH1hvympV44Yut53lSzvIKslObXXcUEFcMwuI7OvfWwa2jhQJLO1t9812xk-iMTbsH0fSHWM980WKslQ/s400/ripple+scarf2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444962448626779106" border="0" /></a>You have to love crochet, because all you have to do is watch a little TV while you're doing it, and voila! instant scarf, or shawl, or baby sweater ... whatever. It's really fast, and since it uses more yarn than knitting, it gives you an excuse to buy more.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuJjx0-g8cthKc2G865Tx9a4WKsQUFAqeMRKX7f6SVp8pJzoyrxMea8j8WXcX0dSRuQlhh9TdMMnsFuyQH5RmMaEuo_Rp3uRvth3qhl8nDebGWf7XPui_72miVQ19FPzTzGrSPA/s1600-h/ripple+scarf+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuJjx0-g8cthKc2G865Tx9a4WKsQUFAqeMRKX7f6SVp8pJzoyrxMea8j8WXcX0dSRuQlhh9TdMMnsFuyQH5RmMaEuo_Rp3uRvth3qhl8nDebGWf7XPui_72miVQ19FPzTzGrSPA/s400/ripple+scarf+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444962439836636850" border="0" /></a>I crocheted this scarf from <a href="http://larkspur-studio.blogspot.com/2007/10/tres-ripples.html" target="_blank">this pattern</a>. I made it solely because I saw the brown (Lamb's Pride Cafe Au Lait) and green (Lamb's Pride Moss) yarns resting in their cubby at work, and believed with all my heart that they needed to be wed in a project. Even with maneuvering the stripes, the scarf only took a couple of days, working off and on, to complete.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oGg0iPmKHbtwLOSxhH2-9Bk2o99C2KlbA-3tPlymo0WapaR7ySxwCjnyOSzSFlGu_y4CMGzpFUZH3XROt9zfkk1llC2_O6aErALrddE233wZILJT_wGYUgD331EPaCcdAjWpUQ/s1600-h/ripple+scarf.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oGg0iPmKHbtwLOSxhH2-9Bk2o99C2KlbA-3tPlymo0WapaR7ySxwCjnyOSzSFlGu_y4CMGzpFUZH3XROt9zfkk1llC2_O6aErALrddE233wZILJT_wGYUgD331EPaCcdAjWpUQ/s400/ripple+scarf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444962454319524210" border="0" /></a>carlita deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12275266663950634890noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20241387.post-17348937678978156972010-02-26T12:33:00.000-08:002010-02-26T13:47:06.828-08:00i'm in the loopOkay enough with the merry Christmas. It's February, for cryin' out loud.<br /><br />I've been letting this blog sit because I'm not into chronicling my every fart; I like to post when there's movement on the knitting/crocheting/sewing/painting front -- some pretty thing to show and talk about. Or least when interesting things are happening. I lost my job at the end of December, and things just didn't look very interesting after that. It wasn't losing that particular job that proved a downer. It was having to dig down deep and find, at 43, the fortitude to pursue the things that are really important to me, like writing. I'm still digging, but I see gold at the bottom of the well.<br /><br />In the meantime, I got a new part-time job, because it's good to have at least a semblance of a schedule. My new job is an "in-betweener," something to do while applying for work in my field. I started today, and I hesitate to call it work. My job warrants a post, because it's here:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpWqNDIysc2GUf1rVZpPp3XHHnx_FxMcJkaL2o4LaQc07-IUlEypHvWmL1k-z8CRz3AU7wTq6Z2dR67Y57CyR0OWt2qczjtBHqybxBhWZKqiqAm_WNg_SgNXxUdmDho9kk9NJXQ/s1600-h/knitting+in+loop+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpWqNDIysc2GUf1rVZpPp3XHHnx_FxMcJkaL2o4LaQc07-IUlEypHvWmL1k-z8CRz3AU7wTq6Z2dR67Y57CyR0OWt2qczjtBHqybxBhWZKqiqAm_WNg_SgNXxUdmDho9kk9NJXQ/s400/knitting+in+loop+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442659658125795826" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeGeVjSn0dEUKI1E_p4B6r-iE_3wlRKlgiElUX6DtJS_-BjkzhbJ7PGZ7lhYSvQbyp1xhc2OFeVS5P2fm7ANN-381gE6vWMn73eLIyO8IfifEE4ZPDupkiCTCnRtrfMMlNbnN6A/s1600-h/knitting+in+loop+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeGeVjSn0dEUKI1E_p4B6r-iE_3wlRKlgiElUX6DtJS_-BjkzhbJ7PGZ7lhYSvQbyp1xhc2OFeVS5P2fm7ANN-381gE6vWMn73eLIyO8IfifEE4ZPDupkiCTCnRtrfMMlNbnN6A/s400/knitting+in+loop+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442659663427410066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">(There's an adorable tiny<span style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://woolanthropy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Natalie</a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> on</span> the porch because we took these pictures on one of her visits. I borrowed them from her blog. Thanks, Natalie.)</span><br /></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.knittingintheloop.net/" target="_blank">Knitting in the Loop</a>, Houston's brightest, loveliest knitting store. Probably the worst possible place for a yarnaholic like me to work. (I like cake too, which is why you'd never catch me working at a bakery.) But the staff is ever so nice, the yarn selection is wonderful, and there's a steady stream of regulars who like to come sit and knit. Several of them belong to the knitting group I attend on Thursday mornings; so friends drop in all the time.<br /><br />I told Judy, the store's owner, that she might as well go ahead and pay me in yarn. I'll need a part-time job to pay for this part-time job, yeesh. If you've never been in a knitting store when a fresh shipment of yarn arrives, you're missing a spectacle. It's like watching piranhas attack a steak. One of my tasks today was to put price tags on yarn. It would've been easy enough if my hands didn't keep fondling every hank I was supposed to price. And has anyone noticed how accessories keep getting cuter? My, my, my. I've got my eye on a <a href="http://www.needlestack.com/images/photos/Inventory/LanternMoon/LM-ScissorsSheep_sm.jpg" target="_blank">little sheep</a> that functions as a scissors fob. Retardedly unnecessary, but one is sure to follow me home.<br /><br />If ever you should find yourself in Houston, now you know where to find yarn (and me).carlita deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12275266663950634890noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20241387.post-36702763643691342762009-12-25T14:30:00.000-08:002009-12-25T14:32:32.443-08:00i wish you a merry christmas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EMJ3Nr1IbdliFpUWbnTDKfou-7N2vxF9bIzS8Cmduk2fZyZeozyv5c2d1VmSVzVb4qC2AhLnbvk3Gsb_sP8BX_rsWrel75gnxBihc-G7pLLQxzK7QYWazMKQVM4KmSBL6FBKhw/s1600-h/babs+and+tree.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EMJ3Nr1IbdliFpUWbnTDKfou-7N2vxF9bIzS8Cmduk2fZyZeozyv5c2d1VmSVzVb4qC2AhLnbvk3Gsb_sP8BX_rsWrel75gnxBihc-G7pLLQxzK7QYWazMKQVM4KmSBL6FBKhw/s400/babs+and+tree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419305134019457682" border="0" /></a>And a fabulous New Year!carlita deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12275266663950634890noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20241387.post-11527837622515625532009-12-16T00:00:00.000-08:002009-12-16T08:44:08.998-08:00but i do loves the crochetI used to joke that the best way for me to leave a project unfinished was to do it in crochet. For the longest I couldn't fully appreciate the form, though I've always liked the fabric it creates. My afghan endeavor has shown me the light I tell you. When <a href="http://ellenbloom.blogspot.com/2009/11/day-of-thanks.html">Ellen put out a call</a> for donations to the Orphan Foundation of America's Red Scarf Project a few weeks ago, I decided to answer, but my creative calendar is pretty full. I started knitting a scarf, <a href="http://sewinggeek.blogspot.com/2006/07/most-enjoyable-stitch.html">using this pattern</a>. In a full evening I got a little past what you see in the sample photo, and I realized knitting the scarf wouldn't do.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsdiGV4XRWURcJBPq-wcvgpBGsIQJvdMAob_yQpYuCy_IyTOWXDYRF16zdJbNkPkCDR8zICkW0rzHwAADR2TtrU9kyu3ipolsFwT17OTcpTHew2nYY9-EAUqNDkLThhPEHDZvyw/s1600-h/red+scarf+done2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 345px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsdiGV4XRWURcJBPq-wcvgpBGsIQJvdMAob_yQpYuCy_IyTOWXDYRF16zdJbNkPkCDR8zICkW0rzHwAADR2TtrU9kyu3ipolsFwT17OTcpTHew2nYY9-EAUqNDkLThhPEHDZvyw/s400/red+scarf+done2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415873499683699250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">My favorite way to tie a scarf. Its slight ascot air makes even the poorest scarf look rich.</span> </span></div><br />I needed to be able to complete the project in a day or two, and if granny squares have taught me anything, it's that crochet kicks knitting's ass when it comes to speed (another thing Ellen always told us). If you're looking for quick turnaround and don't want to use bulky yarn, there's no better way to go. I ripped out the knitting, found a <a href="http://www.piece-by-piece.net/Crochet/simple_crocheted_scarf.htm">simple crochet pattern</a>, and worked it up lickety split. (I don't know if it was masochism or hedonism that made me plan to make two scarves, but the reality of finals week at work set in and I had to simmer down and settle for one.) The yarn is a more-than-decent acrylic, Hobby Lobby's "I Love This Yarn!" Beat that for a name. Under 3 bucks and I could've gotten two scarves out of it.<br /><br />Here's what you see when you open my front door:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoAD7pzo9yxxmw5uALvM1EC82fCx93saf5_TwWR9QvuJUiolATaWXgNhUAuF1SBWqzRxFnQJjpwtGWZcLkjRNDXi9cn4wb11S8KHQhghlZk1LTDqF4R52w21p0uT8AdZtpE5QeA/s1600-h/granny+floor.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoAD7pzo9yxxmw5uALvM1EC82fCx93saf5_TwWR9QvuJUiolATaWXgNhUAuF1SBWqzRxFnQJjpwtGWZcLkjRNDXi9cn4wb11S8KHQhghlZk1LTDqF4R52w21p0uT8AdZtpE5QeA/s400/granny+floor.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415216827054431762" border="0" /></a>carlita deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12275266663950634890noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20241387.post-50713600365946525272009-12-13T00:47:00.000-08:002009-12-13T02:37:16.817-08:00168It's nearly 3 a.m. Sunday and I'm up cooking turkey meatloaf, garlic mashed potatoes (heavy cream, heavy cream), steamed broccoli, and roasted zucchini squash. I'd planned to cook Saturday afternoon, but I swear sometimes I don't come to life until the middle of the night. I can't wait to see how the meatloaf comes out; I've never made it before, and as usual I combined a couple of recipes, didn't measure, and added a few flourishes. We'll see.<br /><br />Thanks for the comments on the sweater blanket. I'm glad y'all appreciate it like I do. It defines cozy. The only bad thing about it is that it's hard to get up once you're snuggled underneath it. golden star asked a question about construction, and perhaps a few more curious souls might venture here someday. To that end, I'll say that since I don't yet have a zigzag foot for the machine I used, I straight stitched my blanket. It wasn't hard at all; in fact, what was born of necessity is now preference, as I would do it that way again. I think it's easier than fussing with the right zigzag width. It's cleaner and likely more durable too.<br /><br />I tried to stick to a 1/4" seam allowance, maybe a little more, and where I went off I just trimmed down to that much. I basically sewed it like a regular quilt. To line it, I faced the right sides together and did the old sew-around-but-leave-a-hole trick. The hole was just big enough to pull the entire combobulation through. ("Combobulation" doesn't seem to be recognized as a word -- I am doing my best to change this -- but it's 3 a.m. and y'all know what I mean.) I closed the hole when I topstitched the blanket.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirV7Fm-aYnvNa30fce8t6GvCvpPitdMLcF-ugly63G1Y68YsWSuC9yzkByy6vqEaVFS58pZGER6L7Xnb_o-gC7liiwPxQ1uOGTB92WRTHbmkqajgZn8LAPgDCE6GtjW4mLG34umQ/s1600-h/grannies+joined2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirV7Fm-aYnvNa30fce8t6GvCvpPitdMLcF-ugly63G1Y68YsWSuC9yzkByy6vqEaVFS58pZGER6L7Xnb_o-gC7liiwPxQ1uOGTB92WRTHbmkqajgZn8LAPgDCE6GtjW4mLG34umQ/s400/grannies+joined2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414649406715226866" border="0" /></a>On the granny square front (is there any other place to be?), I'm now joining and edging my squares. I crocheted 168 of them, all approximately 6" x 6". I wanted my queen-sized bed to be well covered, and with edging and blocking, it will be.<br /><br />Because <a href="http://www.ellenbloom.blogspot.com/">Ellen</a> <span style="font-style: italic;">does not play around</span> when it comes to working in yarn ends while you crochet, neither do I. I don't have ends to weave in, only the last little tail on each square to crochet in as I'm edging and joining. This is a tremendous time and sanity saver. Another fabulous technique is the method I'm using to edge and join simultaneously. There are several tutorials on it, but the best one I found is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83uNDB7OuAg#">here on YouTube</a>. It's in two parts, and very easy to understand. You can read my gushing comment to the woman who posted the video, offering to have her sainted and telling her I'll send Schmin around to do her bidding. I've joined 18 squares so far, 150 to go.<br /><br />I loved making the squares, but have to admit I'm relieved to be putting them all together. I wanted no two squares to be alike, and racking my brain to decently combine colors for the last 30 or so squares was borderline crazy making. Now it's white, ah, white. Actually a creamy color called Aran, but the point is I don't have to do any more thinking, which suits me fine.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fARuRFjdABAeY17e0QyAoKYT_xJIxs77QfEbc3fT2pit5fQhJYAXuoPhxHnp-3ljRdeqURffQ6CNJdr8lsL-tqTEpeffAW0AO5zqscx7LRvtpmviYAh-m4AcsKP3IITwQtuTkQ/s1600-h/grannies+joined1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fARuRFjdABAeY17e0QyAoKYT_xJIxs77QfEbc3fT2pit5fQhJYAXuoPhxHnp-3ljRdeqURffQ6CNJdr8lsL-tqTEpeffAW0AO5zqscx7LRvtpmviYAh-m4AcsKP3IITwQtuTkQ/s400/grannies+joined1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414649400361939586" border="0" /></a>ETA: 4:35 a.m. Shit this meatloaf is good.carlita deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12275266663950634890noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20241387.post-51489366274938057432009-12-05T17:00:00.000-08:002009-12-05T18:00:13.586-08:00straw into goldMore like old sweaters and a sheet into a blanket, but six of one, half a dozen of the other.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8ZhLwpF_YSx4JafFVVGzjwJ_dNVJs4L6mTqV2X02iyd1FKFaVNAmB1Fj0EbQIVwtqCeEVpCHdW0sSx2FW2yY9OHCBxRTeP0datMOVwCilPphQiPjBTDkxZHwLxGAyia9SE7Zpg/s1600-h/sw+blanket+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8ZhLwpF_YSx4JafFVVGzjwJ_dNVJs4L6mTqV2X02iyd1FKFaVNAmB1Fj0EbQIVwtqCeEVpCHdW0sSx2FW2yY9OHCBxRTeP0datMOVwCilPphQiPjBTDkxZHwLxGAyia9SE7Zpg/s400/sw+blanket+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411936898293524914" border="0" /></a>I've been wanting to make a felted sweater blanket fo-evah, ever since I saw this one in <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.amazon.com/Alterknits-Imaginative-Projects-Creativity-Exercises/dp/1584794550" target="_blank">Alterknits</a> a few years back:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyRJrJ509muZHaHflGNufrF9Lh0WscCjKlKDnoOpmCNZExtWq__ee7LJggm7fxxmvmASM3iVa_WNM2mVAZaOFBSEkfNq1hbYOA9vxPrIObtRrwGUKg61ErDRcu4800wmUTlx1NA/s1600-h/alterknits+blanket.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyRJrJ509muZHaHflGNufrF9Lh0WscCjKlKDnoOpmCNZExtWq__ee7LJggm7fxxmvmASM3iVa_WNM2mVAZaOFBSEkfNq1hbYOA9vxPrIObtRrwGUKg61ErDRcu4800wmUTlx1NA/s400/alterknits+blanket.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411856904668852594" border="0" /></a>I don't know why I like this book so much. Some of the projects I wouldn't particularly make -- I mean, reference this guy:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhrVfCkJELSErYc6q7WOHcXMGe1PL6vWXc4bHxkHVwtgnEsggEw28Lj-KpnEvFKlXgwLddwgnIFNFs5RdYabfKOGy-8CnlNhYGBjibf0QLBYscqP4cNzansniNoqyC533r0otog/s1600-h/alterknits+oops.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhrVfCkJELSErYc6q7WOHcXMGe1PL6vWXc4bHxkHVwtgnEsggEw28Lj-KpnEvFKlXgwLddwgnIFNFs5RdYabfKOGy-8CnlNhYGBjibf0QLBYscqP4cNzansniNoqyC533r0otog/s400/alterknits+oops.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411856910418420674" border="0" /></a>How he got that girl while wearing that sweater, I'll never know. A moment of questionable taste aside, the book always inspires me. I think it's because it has soft, modern photography; a very open kind of creativity; quiet loveliness; and Portland as a backdrop.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmd9SYwW24Dy0meGi5MC5_qNs65mxY6xeiDaJYQuBJfxK8wgvPl9Mt_Z_BWjukoEIgWmVAhxCVlD7YHfavddNVQcKljA-BDop77S9hsL4xgf5sfyzaddRecmyATmemj3QA1EoQw/s1600-h/sw+blanket.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmd9SYwW24Dy0meGi5MC5_qNs65mxY6xeiDaJYQuBJfxK8wgvPl9Mt_Z_BWjukoEIgWmVAhxCVlD7YHfavddNVQcKljA-BDop77S9hsL4xgf5sfyzaddRecmyATmemj3QA1EoQw/s400/sw+blanket.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411866363773243746" border="0" /></a>The front took me roughly from roughly 7 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. I still <a href="http://purlyvictorious.blogspot.com/2008/06/its-3am-do-you-know-where-your-crazy-is.html" target="_blank">get crazy to finish things</a> and stay up all night sometimes, but I would've put this one down around midnight if it wasn't for the fact that I was having the absolute best conversation with my friend <a href="http://blackbettymama.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">V</a> while I was working on it. Between the making and the wonderful, wonderful talking, time flew by. At about 2:15 I lay on the couch to test the blanket out, and that was all she wrote until I woke up and got in bed at 6 a.m. I got up a couple hours later and cut and sewed the lining. I so didn't want to line it; I already miss the stretchy goodness of the sweaters flying solo, but it wasn't quite warm enough. I used a faux denim sheet, and now it's just right.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88DcTWMm2i2w1Ot6Ik6_D4BJHdQFL-1bGP_ii_D8V-FJY-f6Nr4LMlu7G2iPMLNEZP4oMQ5pyms8wGb7drwg_R0r59uo5JchyphenhyphenspzbUUvho-X1HI2sz4fljz5SPgBGxR6eos1bsA/s1600-h/sw+blanket+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88DcTWMm2i2w1Ot6Ik6_D4BJHdQFL-1bGP_ii_D8V-FJY-f6Nr4LMlu7G2iPMLNEZP4oMQ5pyms8wGb7drwg_R0r59uo5JchyphenhyphenspzbUUvho-X1HI2sz4fljz5SPgBGxR6eos1bsA/s400/sw+blanket+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411875393623640242" border="0" /></a>This was one of those projects that I wanted to make in an instant. I told Natalie that I didn't want it to become a <span style="font-style: italic;">thing</span>. The granny square afghan is enough of a thing, among several other things, now that I think about it, and I was after a quick and dirty fix. Not to mention that it was in the 20s last night; so I needed a cozy couch blanket post-haste.<br /><br />The process of making it was fun and liberating. I started a section without too much thought to anything but not cutting the sweaters into too many pieces (thus increasing my workload), and other sections evolved from there. I love it when something takes over and you just go with it. I like the end result a lot, even though it's on the masculine side. Left to me, there'd be orange and brown here, probably instead of the gray. But finding 100%-wool sweaters to felt is the hardest part of making these blankets, especially when you live in Texas or California. In the men's section at Value Village, I managed to sort through the acrylic Cosby sweaters and come away with a decent haul, and I got a couple more from The Salvation Army. I paid from 2.80 to 4.90 per sweater (would've been more, but The Salvation Army was having a half-price day). What I wanted was a fabulous selection at 5 bucks all-you-can-grab, but that didn't happen. I'm definitely going to make more of these, and if ever I find the perfect sweaters to suit my liking (orange, orange, and more orange), I'll pass this one on to Mister Stevens or some other dude.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWt3BaxJIq9cbl-7O7ZVIK3TBCsBfetXxcagZXnaroPR4RzcCsgCPqgvhNiLT8RuGa2QcF43R2dmkuGdSgsFTotqMcOGJ0GLpo8AMm1WvA1ow3kfh-mrahEotQ_caXY4PnlZ-pbw/s1600-h/sw+blanket+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWt3BaxJIq9cbl-7O7ZVIK3TBCsBfetXxcagZXnaroPR4RzcCsgCPqgvhNiLT8RuGa2QcF43R2dmkuGdSgsFTotqMcOGJ0GLpo8AMm1WvA1ow3kfh-mrahEotQ_caXY4PnlZ-pbw/s400/sw+blanket+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411866381127751634" border="0" /></a>You should make one of these. You can get all <a href="http://crispina.com/" target="_blank">fancy pants</a>, stay <a href="http://funessa.wordpress.com/2007/01/30/recycled-sweater-blanket-part-1/" target="_blank">more true</a> to the one in <span style="font-style: italic;">Alterknits</span>, or <a href="http://recovergirl.wordpress.com/2008/04/02/felted-sweater-blanket-complete/" target="_blank">patch</a> to your heart's content. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/greenjewls/sets/72157594274874779/" target="_blank">Anything goes</a>. My best advice is to iron your sections as you make them. I wasn't, but had to Stitch Witchery a couple of holes and noticed how nice ironing was making the thing look; so I kept it up. When am I going to learn that the iron is a true blue friend to mankind?<br /><br />Oh, yeah. I almost forgot. I made this blanket on my new-to-me sewing machine, Blanche II, a Kenmore 1781.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8cjrL2EdeVdBAQgNoXcTqG7crymPSvOtSApmjKk-yj2UfXjJq6V6cET4SapI7n5LJK-RM0a3GCS7pw63i-u5gijLdV6X8tnVcpYnOxp5LUJuejCXnFvsWS9mfpF_GkdeVWRwOg/s1600-h/kennie+1781.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8cjrL2EdeVdBAQgNoXcTqG7crymPSvOtSApmjKk-yj2UfXjJq6V6cET4SapI7n5LJK-RM0a3GCS7pw63i-u5gijLdV6X8tnVcpYnOxp5LUJuejCXnFvsWS9mfpF_GkdeVWRwOg/s400/kennie+1781.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411848076570497922" border="0" /></a>I had to give the <a href="http://purlyvictorious.blogspot.com/2008/02/our-lady-makes-appearance-in-flesh.html" target="_blank">original Blanche</a> away because it was too heavy to ship from LA, being in a table and all. That about broke my heart, as that was then my main machine, and I truly enjoyed sewing on it. I've been using <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpNpScA91CHJRUrJVW2pqc30IQItWRG2w1PomOzOhDyELrkZCzzb20OCIm_v6TEOxR28D6YnN6DIIBOEkah0GnV4uJUQRXtWNVB_aEWsq8BgHD32gR5uSbsp2UIsorajUG9aSiQ/s1600-h/062.JPG" target="_blank">this one</a> for the little sewing I've been doing, but it's more temperamental than I like. Enter Value Village, my new hot spot, once again. A week or so ago, Blanche II was there to be had for 26 dollars. For shame, I neither cleaned nor oiled the machine before I used it, but it sews something fierce. It didn't come with any attachments or feet, not even a zigzag foot (or a manual), but because it's in such good shape to be 30-years old I broke my declaration only to buy tricked-out machines and picked it up. So far, I'm in love, but Blanche II will have more company one of these days, I'm sure.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5h9sdMW1YKTia4HVnOo4VCWtp34bGO80f7yoRShjClCtChbKUdELcyhlucC-GlHWM5Wi_JZNL23UZfm40cSly7rtHQRCptoHBb-xfFjYAcnlaF9ZeGzMHe28BB3XrywHf4pSwcA/s1600-h/kennie+1781-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5h9sdMW1YKTia4HVnOo4VCWtp34bGO80f7yoRShjClCtChbKUdELcyhlucC-GlHWM5Wi_JZNL23UZfm40cSly7rtHQRCptoHBb-xfFjYAcnlaF9ZeGzMHe28BB3XrywHf4pSwcA/s400/kennie+1781-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411848083253726130" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulQAIjTORBB02wkVtpunRlMYIenOMPh5ucJx1Kk2LWzq5swOj_zV_jFufHa1I5Vui3JKDjvStu2dbB7_bxMTiOmIvL3MW1gMjplNvHnM862Z5XB2hvjfGeokovzZzQWZO4E7o-w/s1600-h/kennie+1781-3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulQAIjTORBB02wkVtpunRlMYIenOMPh5ucJx1Kk2LWzq5swOj_zV_jFufHa1I5Vui3JKDjvStu2dbB7_bxMTiOmIvL3MW1gMjplNvHnM862Z5XB2hvjfGeokovzZzQWZO4E7o-w/s400/kennie+1781-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411848092911930738" border="0" /></a>Mira, my non helper in the sewing room.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJUZYwknEKS-o8K4iGOlchC_E8CgzFpsn5H0R_1mCmw7kDKagdokYOXeyu53ddUP5lei0-cLL_8eK2IfY470BoDig9Eo35xckPqZcr5pHDki1R4vbVqv6siYuz0uDgvEYa4dYVg/s1600-h/mira+12-5-09+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJUZYwknEKS-o8K4iGOlchC_E8CgzFpsn5H0R_1mCmw7kDKagdokYOXeyu53ddUP5lei0-cLL_8eK2IfY470BoDig9Eo35xckPqZcr5pHDki1R4vbVqv6siYuz0uDgvEYa4dYVg/s400/mira+12-5-09+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411850293806512130" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCTcWp-Hw-77eYy0VLP4N23xdHStvvRtzpworJFT1eOPLmEYfuRmOZbDjlfC8isJGaLJqHVgPeburNgWZHmNuU8shspgm39-nkz1ZYUdVlmOYf4M-hL4hFab5yAgp9RexB3KaNA/s1600-h/mira+12-5-09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCTcWp-Hw-77eYy0VLP4N23xdHStvvRtzpworJFT1eOPLmEYfuRmOZbDjlfC8isJGaLJqHVgPeburNgWZHmNuU8shspgm39-nkz1ZYUdVlmOYf4M-hL4hFab5yAgp9RexB3KaNA/s400/mira+12-5-09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411850300255897570" border="0" /></a>carlita deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12275266663950634890noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20241387.post-6213059420530803012009-12-05T10:07:00.001-08:002009-12-05T10:39:12.379-08:00an open letter to snowWell played, Snow, my arch-nemesis, well played. You had them running for cover here in Houston yesterday, dismissing school, closing businesses early, preempting <span style="font-style: italic;">Oprah </span>with endless talk of no one but you. You even fooled them into calling you a storm when you were really just a light dusting.<br /><br />But when it was all said and done, I won this match, because I know you well. Yesterday I met you having journeyed through the Blizzard of '77 (and '78, and '79, and ...) in Toledo, and the Blizzard of '96 in New York City (and several more winters that were damn close to blizzardy). Zero Visibility is my middle name. I knew you were only teasing yesterday. You didn't frost me into a panic, oh no. Instead you made way for me to have a lovely, leisurely day, browsing an otherwise empty bookstore and noshing in a quiet restaurant where the service was excellent because I was one of only three patrons. And so I say to you, dear Snow, Thank you. This time, that is. If you keep coming to town, I'll go back to Southern California, where you won't find me, and if ever you do, there's always the blue skies of the Caribbean, from there, the Horn of Africa.carlita deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12275266663950634890noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20241387.post-90420473273571727012009-11-25T07:30:00.000-08:002009-11-25T07:53:46.962-08:00other than grannies (but grannies, too)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_2APOLqIeGRx0a2JxrMEwBFEKCFIPeKR4KtAxqz_onyHMhcaBTzFPzUXmhqEgBKDyYYc4bAd3aGQiFI_dRar_rv7ORaItl__FKX0lSNOl0mCL9EpbMCo7vN0hVwXUXgxxGh11Q/s1600/P1050579.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_2APOLqIeGRx0a2JxrMEwBFEKCFIPeKR4KtAxqz_onyHMhcaBTzFPzUXmhqEgBKDyYYc4bAd3aGQiFI_dRar_rv7ORaItl__FKX0lSNOl0mCL9EpbMCo7vN0hVwXUXgxxGh11Q/s400/P1050579.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407849300585722370" border="0" /></a>I've been so obsessed with granny squares that I haven't talked about much else since I've been posting again. Welp, there's not too much going on, thankfully, and the biggest thing is the best -- my sisters live here in Houston now. Have I mentioned this? I don't think so, but in my granny square haze, everything is foggy. Anyway, they moved here in August, and for a while my youngest sister, her daughter, and one of my middle sister's sons lived with me. I love my family, but that was painful. Now they all live in a big house about 15 minutes from here, and that's where I'm going for Thanksgiving. I'm in charge of macaroni and cheese. This weekend my niece will be coming to spend the night. She's 10, and we have a ball together. I'm teaching her how to sew and knit, which I'll blog about later.<br /><br />For now:<br /><br />* More granny squares. I've made 80 so far. I figure another 40 should do it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnE7p58THY3H_GV-reTfPlyTmHue-19RYEg8eikugz-xcARJMduZquT-zOpM6osMQ4EacVYC36tlAN_Ad07qPKQlZU9CVFC-VHC3TixVhm9TjFMSQpCTae14V4mg8Z3hXp9iF9_Q/s1600/P1050596.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnE7p58THY3H_GV-reTfPlyTmHue-19RYEg8eikugz-xcARJMduZquT-zOpM6osMQ4EacVYC36tlAN_Ad07qPKQlZU9CVFC-VHC3TixVhm9TjFMSQpCTae14V4mg8Z3hXp9iF9_Q/s400/P1050596.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407839145791620146" border="0" /></a>* A paint job. I got this set of metal drawers at the <a href="http://www.rgcshows.com/RoseBowlFleaMarket/tabid/52/Default.aspx">Rose Bowl swap meet</a> a few years ago. I keep thread in it, separated by color. It's very handy, but I've always been iffy on the two-tone green. I love green, just not in this case. I thought silver and cream would be better.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfL7n7hqaZWz-QcplvLV0umLEpBHf5FnTdOAedWOgRNNhnHiqchHnX8sU-UqXUfhX-1hs9VGbnHz3G076pe-H26cfjiUtCC3eOoYcm_I_EONwxNJcxfssiTrONu7tXE84ufMjuQ/s1600/P1050512.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfL7n7hqaZWz-QcplvLV0umLEpBHf5FnTdOAedWOgRNNhnHiqchHnX8sU-UqXUfhX-1hs9VGbnHz3G076pe-H26cfjiUtCC3eOoYcm_I_EONwxNJcxfssiTrONu7tXE84ufMjuQ/s320/P1050512.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407842824993181330" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0_ZR3TkDzMtbdtcwtE6kkMXuPZyswXBnreZyQk2kgLjFvWCTnWIavzGk3r_gng-Jo-_oouH7f-7igfxJSDA19lK5mTd93FoCRjBjxWp9WvX5HwTH1Z2y-MDqM92wM5kVdrJWOg/s1600/P1050573.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0_ZR3TkDzMtbdtcwtE6kkMXuPZyswXBnreZyQk2kgLjFvWCTnWIavzGk3r_gng-Jo-_oouH7f-7igfxJSDA19lK5mTd93FoCRjBjxWp9WvX5HwTH1Z2y-MDqM92wM5kVdrJWOg/s400/P1050573.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407842269155529538" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrvAbMimVItJFkxkujrRxii74_ee698suVLtDNBs05Yd41EZghyODJJw-xfa9sj435ZSgTsyeale0v72Da-7StVyXQ1vbQ-aFhoiWZ_Ub1VkEqRrhDmuSmzCUVr5k0Dh8TAWirg/s1600/P1050561.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrvAbMimVItJFkxkujrRxii74_ee698suVLtDNBs05Yd41EZghyODJJw-xfa9sj435ZSgTsyeale0v72Da-7StVyXQ1vbQ-aFhoiWZ_Ub1VkEqRrhDmuSmzCUVr5k0Dh8TAWirg/s400/P1050561.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407842241227942050" border="0" /></a>* A great book that I'm reading and visually feeling up every chance I get.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vHbMtryZLtupHzbJKM4CU4XLVo1dPngatx0B5jTN9_7MolBfFZnx34HvNz5cDsyqfmkaX_cr4_KRMIs5pYfXXv5Y6fVEiXUWIJ9HsLRel_puaZaIiy6Fbnk2rUciZDpxj54zuw/s1600/P1050592.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vHbMtryZLtupHzbJKM4CU4XLVo1dPngatx0B5jTN9_7MolBfFZnx34HvNz5cDsyqfmkaX_cr4_KRMIs5pYfXXv5Y6fVEiXUWIJ9HsLRel_puaZaIiy6Fbnk2rUciZDpxj54zuw/s400/P1050592.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407849306539743010" border="0" /></a>Since I've been getting my place together, I've been taken in by <a href="http://www.desiretoinspire.net/" target="_blank">the</a> <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/" target="_blank">decor</a> <a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/category/sneak-peeks" target="_blank">websites</a>, and by books on decorating. This one is called <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/shopping/books/books-home-tastemakers-0208" target="_blank">Home: 50 Tastemakers Describe What It Is, Where It Is, What It Means</a>. It's not what you'd call a decorating book, more like biographical snapshots of designers, decorators, and trend forecasters in their own words, accompanied by peeks inside their living spaces. There are some recognizable names, like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Smith_%28fashion_designer%29" target="_blank">Paul Smith</a>, <a href="http://www.evazeisel.org/" target="_blank">Eva Zeisel</a>, and <a href="http://www.jonathanadler.com/shop/about.php" target="_blank">Jonathan Adler</a>, whose space I love, especially his bedroom.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvQgoS0PD259kxp_5CGh8RsfhA5AmtWbDxnE-hgasXO-5FfBun7qwVybwxb5wcD5920HDectLG_DaUwlf1SYTHT7LHCHHRhhPsBbAaVjJQNQyRupjTEGFNYHzXMurMTwomqEliQ/s1600/P1050590.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvQgoS0PD259kxp_5CGh8RsfhA5AmtWbDxnE-hgasXO-5FfBun7qwVybwxb5wcD5920HDectLG_DaUwlf1SYTHT7LHCHHRhhPsBbAaVjJQNQyRupjTEGFNYHzXMurMTwomqEliQ/s400/P1050590.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407849326089568738" border="0" /></a>How can you beat a bust of MJ on the coffee table?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEanIVSBrC983irANIZ_ZvJU8rH6ePPUnV3LOHvzRS4ilJ7xid4Yk_PT47H6hGwlbqQGaFStVLyhc6_Z515mjge7TIWIMUWzA1w6tXpLK4h_oOcFRbOeoH6UPt86FB5ykm7_64SA/s1600/P1050606.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 312px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEanIVSBrC983irANIZ_ZvJU8rH6ePPUnV3LOHvzRS4ilJ7xid4Yk_PT47H6hGwlbqQGaFStVLyhc6_Z515mjge7TIWIMUWzA1w6tXpLK4h_oOcFRbOeoH6UPt86FB5ykm7_64SA/s400/P1050606.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408065698071144258" border="0" /></a>Here are some other favorites of mine (so far).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhkhy96mR95ElFJOvNaDdfcS22Aj44ICNwszOSBGasUMdm_JxPvvUjAEH9dtFRT_XOA0ZVlKbvpl5uxt6kD3PCQuTvCsBXz_BktITb_l8xsG4KDHXhTjHyo9WMrIwZkkryMghdQ/s1600/P1050589.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhkhy96mR95ElFJOvNaDdfcS22Aj44ICNwszOSBGasUMdm_JxPvvUjAEH9dtFRT_XOA0ZVlKbvpl5uxt6kD3PCQuTvCsBXz_BktITb_l8xsG4KDHXhTjHyo9WMrIwZkkryMghdQ/s400/P1050589.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407849317761777618" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlTnx0b5_PHskIwkttlmsRXXzh_kj5hsHApfI3bQnYgjQKUbky65F8Ji5ACAiY20JXu35gYTusyfovKizR3DA2Tt3dQd6Ws8OGYrbWJmT3DZNr1ua6toFIAIb385rAgv9etp8mA/s1600/P1050588.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlTnx0b5_PHskIwkttlmsRXXzh_kj5hsHApfI3bQnYgjQKUbky65F8Ji5ACAiY20JXu35gYTusyfovKizR3DA2Tt3dQd6Ws8OGYrbWJmT3DZNr1ua6toFIAIb385rAgv9etp8mA/s400/P1050588.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407849313499016130" border="0" /></a>Don't get the impression that everything in the book has a vintage/'70s vibe. It's what appeals to me, but there's a wide range of decorating styles here, and many unexpected interpretations.<br /><br />There are lots of other names that if I were more in the know I'm sure I'd recognize, but I don't. This in my favorite quote, from (heretofore unknown to me) <a href="http://www.always-inspiring-more.com/Li-Edelkoort.25.0.html" target="_blank">Li Edelkoort</a>:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I also believe that creativity is life's insurance, because if you instill creativity even in the smallest children, they will have no fear, because they can improvise. Creativity is not about a nice interior or a nice wardrobe, or a sense of design. It's about a very subtle way to think and to realize, if this doesn't work, then I can solve things in another way; confidence and flexibility.</span><br /><br />With its gorgeous shots of beautiful spaces and fascinating personal narratives, I can't recommend <span style="font-style: italic;">Home</span> enough. I mean, isn't the place featured on the cover delicious? It's not particularly my taste (if I have any), but it's fabulous. Sometimes I reach for <span style="font-style: italic;">Home</span> and stop myself from picking it up. I don't want the experience to end too soon.<br /><br />I think that's all I wanted to share with you. Oh, except this --Happy Thanksgiving!carlita deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12275266663950634890noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20241387.post-38429543453262729472009-11-19T13:35:00.001-08:002009-11-19T13:38:26.059-08:00stax<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8h3jWNccp7TRxTK-s8vLjqMw7UlB4xY_XXBOVD-cOWuZ6oM50W_d_0AkfcqZnyEHJNFquTSzixM9pX-l9a8fku3YtG7sG37DGCfR7W17VH42XQ2kvG8PmkcBPQOGVlTvQxrkKYg/s1600/P1050550.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8h3jWNccp7TRxTK-s8vLjqMw7UlB4xY_XXBOVD-cOWuZ6oM50W_d_0AkfcqZnyEHJNFquTSzixM9pX-l9a8fku3YtG7sG37DGCfR7W17VH42XQ2kvG8PmkcBPQOGVlTvQxrkKYg/s400/P1050550.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405931933335503890" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPUEtnAOE4y53kmexzc2istvsSgcJ7Pnk2K5-doZx-neXo6j4zO53hNZigTR4o4Qj3EQpoRWy3IU6yJcureKxR_v6-i5A8k5mxVkOOTWgEX2BrPbVzzeEX6MddQf2yrolEC1aJQ/s1600/P1050542.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPUEtnAOE4y53kmexzc2istvsSgcJ7Pnk2K5-doZx-neXo6j4zO53hNZigTR4o4Qj3EQpoRWy3IU6yJcureKxR_v6-i5A8k5mxVkOOTWgEX2BrPbVzzeEX6MddQf2yrolEC1aJQ/s400/P1050542.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405931924695173746" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5frr4KApbFxYWdi6ubWC2hWaWibDVG8CHAD3Emb_rmvKJBH0ak7Dlqi16k6-cXS9N6qEAqUYLaJItrBXVBwr9zlmPMWvKTLQP2KPrLPt-NfGijyjHpx1A8xhN5j8ZRfwKhDLEKw/s1600/P1050544.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5frr4KApbFxYWdi6ubWC2hWaWibDVG8CHAD3Emb_rmvKJBH0ak7Dlqi16k6-cXS9N6qEAqUYLaJItrBXVBwr9zlmPMWvKTLQP2KPrLPt-NfGijyjHpx1A8xhN5j8ZRfwKhDLEKw/s400/P1050544.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405931927605622658" border="0" /></a>carlita deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12275266663950634890noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20241387.post-24571632524121199922009-11-18T12:40:00.000-08:002009-11-18T14:25:57.867-08:00this is not the way I planned things<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzfjNjkTlSPnHKdsxgORwlDETQFyBGDp7qezAGNn1esBg8dxq7pu3IYcKrKrMCic38NtbBkdl46SwF81xu49aisK4JMfPUD0aGEoUsQvkOJkKa1uLNQXS6JYU-JQ_YFHbmAyiCw/s1600/P1050532.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzfjNjkTlSPnHKdsxgORwlDETQFyBGDp7qezAGNn1esBg8dxq7pu3IYcKrKrMCic38NtbBkdl46SwF81xu49aisK4JMfPUD0aGEoUsQvkOJkKa1uLNQXS6JYU-JQ_YFHbmAyiCw/s400/P1050532.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405568329523315010" border="0" /></a>I was walking past my sofa, minding my own business, when I noticed that the granny squares have taken it over. I pictured myself inviting someone in to take a seat, then having to clear the squares out of the way. It'd be like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monk_%28TV_series%29" target="_blank">"Monk,"</a> where I'd painstakingly and meticulously put the stacks together, counting them and trying to preserve the integrity of the colors. It'd be a sad sight to see.<br /><br />I finished the pillow cover from last post.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZmz2CJqqOuB7gnpG33PtdQ86hwDig7p3CsD77TbbR4j-ltK3wA5j7HCkoeBaV39eDuLIzK3dHbeYoP-2f8dkz50pH8rK0mv8fx7J-QrPvHhFIQpTx_L8BOAxVLO1XcYBOAw3fA/s1600/P1050501.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZmz2CJqqOuB7gnpG33PtdQ86hwDig7p3CsD77TbbR4j-ltK3wA5j7HCkoeBaV39eDuLIzK3dHbeYoP-2f8dkz50pH8rK0mv8fx7J-QrPvHhFIQpTx_L8BOAxVLO1XcYBOAw3fA/s400/P1050501.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405561617068294306" border="0" /></a>This is what's underneath. I'm showing you in case you ever need to make the world's easiest <a href="http://sewing.about.com/od/freeprojects/ss/envelopepillow.htm" target="_blank">pillowcase</a>:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_zKveV1W1gENwvg-d437qTDBRqtJ7HDhPQ5iuE5vlvpvXR0jXDN-Se9OjdQTPV_J3qTLvQqJiGY0J72JJLBsLWOEw0tmCeVRBauaOtKiD-cxoyPDe5xTnvtO5JcIkEyd2E-eZg/s1600/P1050483.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_zKveV1W1gENwvg-d437qTDBRqtJ7HDhPQ5iuE5vlvpvXR0jXDN-Se9OjdQTPV_J3qTLvQqJiGY0J72JJLBsLWOEw0tmCeVRBauaOtKiD-cxoyPDe5xTnvtO5JcIkEyd2E-eZg/s320/P1050483.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405562618546995602" border="0" /></a>And so the pretty squares are for my afghan. I'm working them with all Lamb's Pride Worsted, and it's love, love, love. I was fortunate to purchase boucoup skeins for 2 bucks each at <a href="http://purlyvictorious.blogspot.com/2007/04/theres-good-and-then-theres-very-good.html" target="_blank">The Great Black Sheep Knittery Closing Sale of 2007</a>. That sale is the reason I'm not independently wealthy today. I even bought Lamb's Pride colors I didn't love much, in anticipation of knitting an afghan, maybe <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Knit-Be-Square-Domino-Designs/dp/159668089X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258582039&sr=8-1" target="_blank">modular style</a>. It's turned into a granny afghan, thanks to my buddy <a href="http://www.ellenbloom.blogspot.com/">Ellen</a>'s influence, and I couldn't be happier. I did supplement a few skeins. I wanted a redder red than what I had, and it's impossible to have too much <a href="http://www.flyingfingers.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2774" target="_blank">Chocolate Souffle</a>, so I ordered that and a couple other colors today. I so enjoy the process of making granny squares, but this time around I'm rushing to the finish because I can't wait to get them covering my bed. I'll probably never get up again.<br /><br />Mira says afghan schmafghan. The squares are good to go as far as she's concerned.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrReu3axFu6D1aOVB4f51R5IMr_w4EytOmegpzch3tshNVIhTPbKBHujEL9Hqd234QMhGVC1OgiFTK9m6V3zk68fXIjQLKMm-ztYlTqjV_5JGRGZ2X4w8EsO0mVx8I6FvLN-NHbw/s1600/P1050503.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrReu3axFu6D1aOVB4f51R5IMr_w4EytOmegpzch3tshNVIhTPbKBHujEL9Hqd234QMhGVC1OgiFTK9m6V3zk68fXIjQLKMm-ztYlTqjV_5JGRGZ2X4w8EsO0mVx8I6FvLN-NHbw/s400/P1050503.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405555136236355874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Waiter, there's a cat in my yarn.</span></span><br /></div>carlita deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12275266663950634890noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20241387.post-46795999626860999422009-10-28T17:06:00.000-07:002009-10-28T18:48:07.062-07:00hook + cloth<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07i5rcYuSH4WdR0_x2R7fWnB6q0TKftSwu6LR2Wr-dOn-I5Jzjx3FMmRtsCkPfVXLspk_UKjP_79QLH3LEn4Cq-wjUNR4LgG5Z4-gIXKv9P8DH2V20QfSf0UU9Ya0Dyh6LYOPkA/s1600-h/P1050458.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07i5rcYuSH4WdR0_x2R7fWnB6q0TKftSwu6LR2Wr-dOn-I5Jzjx3FMmRtsCkPfVXLspk_UKjP_79QLH3LEn4Cq-wjUNR4LgG5Z4-gIXKv9P8DH2V20QfSf0UU9Ya0Dyh6LYOPkA/s400/P1050458.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397825690859541378" border="0" /></a>Hello, lovely Internet (and real life) friends. Thank you for the comments on my granny pillow. Here's the one I'm working on now.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5PQegs8OH9IImXAbo1S-FBgq-DWuzDLuPCLdw0OFHR9Nu01Mkio8AXxOJS0nk740g4TiIocinooulH2wfqykxoyyGfVhcp9_-kpxF8Fe0_51rwfC2kL76Fdy-vRHWcny5bPRLA/s1600-h/P1050451.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5PQegs8OH9IImXAbo1S-FBgq-DWuzDLuPCLdw0OFHR9Nu01Mkio8AXxOJS0nk740g4TiIocinooulH2wfqykxoyyGfVhcp9_-kpxF8Fe0_51rwfC2kL76Fdy-vRHWcny5bPRLA/s400/P1050451.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397826619124979890" border="0" /></a>One side is done, and I started the other side today. Crochet<span style="font-style: italic;"> is</span> fast; I guess it's all the holes. It's fast, and it's glorious. I'm using the basic granny square pattern at <a href="http://www.purlbee.com/granny-square-project/">Purl Bee</a>.<br /><br />I have some wrist pain; so the type of crochet hook I use makes a difference. I'd been loving the Clover Soft Touch hooks, pricey though they are compared to the old-fashioned all-metal kind, but then I needed a size 7. I hopped around to Hobby Lobby and found a 7 in Susan Bates Bamboo Handle hooks. The next day I went back for an 8 and a 9 because I like the SB Bamboo Handle even more than I like the Clovers (and I've always preferred the throat on SB hooks). The handle is longer, giving my hand a resting place. They're more ergonomic. I don't grip as hard to hold on to the hook, which means I can crochet longer. The SB's are priced well, too. Check out <a href="http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat2873&PRODID=xprd90120">these reviews</a>.<br /><br />In other making news this week, I did up some curtains. I'd been living with mini-blinds for nearly a year because I didn't want to spend the money on fabric, but the other day I couldn't take it anymore. I remembered some drop-cloth curtains I'd seen somewhere a while back, and decided that would be my most reasonable option.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxY_TbCI3cAjIzYRfYCv0u-5wWVyrfXm1v3NFLGyoZXtSrwr2NQz-2EYwuvURT3dBIQoGhlptrV6uEV4yP1Jt2k1Oo32FdERkLy3ZcvL5eRl16hs-LslmKTE7d7-JdHHHPHtz4yw/s1600-h/P1050446.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxY_TbCI3cAjIzYRfYCv0u-5wWVyrfXm1v3NFLGyoZXtSrwr2NQz-2EYwuvURT3dBIQoGhlptrV6uEV4yP1Jt2k1Oo32FdERkLy3ZcvL5eRl16hs-LslmKTE7d7-JdHHHPHtz4yw/s400/P1050446.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397822240123553874" border="0" /></a><br />I wanted tone and texture, and drop cloth delivers for less than 10 bucks a panel. They don't call it the poor man's linen for nothing. I washed the panels, hemmed them, and voila. I also spray painted the Ikea curtain rods because this particular rod only comes in black and gray.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9dROgWKMGZq9w8jlEm4q0el9AwPevr7LjYxsy1XMdL6_yWBL2krOSgBzmMsZLvTWm57Dtr0G-QMOc-MyzQLrbAhuustZi27KUpcsOoOYy1JaSGDSwZumBjZKhTjphdvWH20XoA/s1600-h/P1050426.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9dROgWKMGZq9w8jlEm4q0el9AwPevr7LjYxsy1XMdL6_yWBL2krOSgBzmMsZLvTWm57Dtr0G-QMOc-MyzQLrbAhuustZi27KUpcsOoOYy1JaSGDSwZumBjZKhTjphdvWH20XoA/s400/P1050426.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397820674466525698" border="0" /></a>Here are some nifty <a href="http://coastalnest.blogspot.com/2009/01/dropcloth-curtainsa-tutorial-of-sorts.html">instructions</a> for working with drop cloth. And look at some of the <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/drop-cloth-style-099130">cool things</a> you can make with it. The upholstered chairs are my favorite.carlita deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12275266663950634890noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20241387.post-15213134132732662642009-10-22T15:06:00.000-07:002009-10-22T18:15:16.065-07:00granny up<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OJJykbaMwMzIN2-PKUY89ThTH-gddPILq3OU_hE3VWcys9EcOPWPMowvSodi7AlFUR-n6KSOX_Ua24gjfuUO2n3BL_K-N-NoVWJQKlWQo-b8SjRY0ZO0ucZu1DXLzwWSzmmd3g/s1600-h/green+side+close.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OJJykbaMwMzIN2-PKUY89ThTH-gddPILq3OU_hE3VWcys9EcOPWPMowvSodi7AlFUR-n6KSOX_Ua24gjfuUO2n3BL_K-N-NoVWJQKlWQo-b8SjRY0ZO0ucZu1DXLzwWSzmmd3g/s200/green+side+close.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395587696680841522" border="0" /></a>October already? 2009 nearly gone? No way.<br /><br />Before 2010 knocks on the door, I want to blow the cobwebs off this here blog. The weather in Houston can finally be described as something other than south hell, and the yarn, the fabric, the painting, the camera -- all the happy pursuits -- are calling, along with a new interest or two.<br /><br />Dear Ellen <a href="http://ellenbloom.blogspot.com/2009/10/re-inspiration.html" target="_blank">wooed me into upping my crochet game</a>. I have to make some version of the amazing white-bordered afghan you see in her post; so I buckled down and learned to make a decent granny square this week. I used <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/summer-garden-granny-square/comments/page/2/#comments" target="_blank">this pattern</a>, which is wonderful. I started by making a pillow cover for practice and quick satisfaction.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcrk_1MiFoy36sx9aH0kcJbQkR24Icpt6US75UkPftIaUiVhkagr3aRdPhMfsput9XpQ4T2nPFkHHa_pdKyNWYBsHEq7tuRljl3N8lsR1uold6Df2D7KNNHYjZ9PEa-UuKappvg/s1600-h/red+side.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcrk_1MiFoy36sx9aH0kcJbQkR24Icpt6US75UkPftIaUiVhkagr3aRdPhMfsput9XpQ4T2nPFkHHa_pdKyNWYBsHEq7tuRljl3N8lsR1uold6Df2D7KNNHYjZ9PEa-UuKappvg/s400/red+side.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395587421522923810" border="0" /></a>It took me many days to decide what colors to use. In the end I threw up my hands and made it reversible, because I couldn't decide whether I wanted a warm or a cool palette. Now I can flip the pillow at whim, which is nice.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mYyc0y2pnCidXM2S0dNG3FNG8c40IBlv2aPhzg1wTeZ5sCjxTQZkjK9ZRnrEPSAKXN9tbqWPfp0oneOEOl-8lYUz6dzmxfRKDhLkXXZu4qunmyYeRP0go2QzlnfKjsfKWihbNA/s1600-h/green+side.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mYyc0y2pnCidXM2S0dNG3FNG8c40IBlv2aPhzg1wTeZ5sCjxTQZkjK9ZRnrEPSAKXN9tbqWPfp0oneOEOl-8lYUz6dzmxfRKDhLkXXZu4qunmyYeRP0go2QzlnfKjsfKWihbNA/s400/green+side.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395587419915260498" border="0" /></a>Ellen has been right all these years: Granny squares are the building blocks of fashion. And they're an absolute blast to make. I'm going to do another pillow cover while I plan my afghan.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmQLgAfIOoztkfc7KR5ijXgPAt38wcpZzaZ4cXbY8ReQkqjSHKbQmtug_cFVqklIjUr94eWBGSED5A6fH0ygKlIyk8uZc79hl3oJKnBd-6zpewm3_x6-wVlAsKqzWW6ZwpSw6kg/s1600-h/happy+this+way+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmQLgAfIOoztkfc7KR5ijXgPAt38wcpZzaZ4cXbY8ReQkqjSHKbQmtug_cFVqklIjUr94eWBGSED5A6fH0ygKlIyk8uZc79hl3oJKnBd-6zpewm3_x6-wVlAsKqzWW6ZwpSw6kg/s400/happy+this+way+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395594818942325442" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalJEZzC6fNOet1xz6LN7IsaOc5Ir7Tb39v6qI0Nj5cRSn8QTog1U65uQH-psRE6jYXH3iPSmS4MaOuNLjE8BpWha1IWpJNqdQ71H9kNxy3v2RAcAIIEj4CztuebqlKbMqK_zjdQ/s1600-h/green+on+couch+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalJEZzC6fNOet1xz6LN7IsaOc5Ir7Tb39v6qI0Nj5cRSn8QTog1U65uQH-psRE6jYXH3iPSmS4MaOuNLjE8BpWha1IWpJNqdQ71H9kNxy3v2RAcAIIEj4CztuebqlKbMqK_zjdQ/s400/green+on+couch+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395591318754560514" border="0" /></a>My couch is a place holder. I got it from a junkie in <a href="http://www.planning.org/greatplaces/neighborhoods/2009/index.htm">Montrose</a>. I've considered what his drug of choice might be, and I decided it's crystal meth, because the guy was pretty scabalicious when I met him. The couch was dirt cheap, though, and it's not in bad shape for its age (probably it was made in the '60s). I've got it covered because I wanted a change of pace (it's green), and I usually have more pillows on it so it doesn't look like an amorphous brown ghost.<br /><br />The painting behind the couch is the first one I did. I wanted an orange wall, but knew I'd never paint it because I'm way too lazy to paint it back when I move. My love of orange resulted in what I call "The Big Orange Machine." Schmin calls it "Saturn"; so technically it's "Saturn: The Big Orange Machine." (Please don't tell us we're not clever.) It's also an ode to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Rothko">Mark Rothko</a>, my current favorite painter.<br /><br />One of the many things I enjoy about living here is that this house isn't at all precious. There's no crown molding, no hardwood floors, no built-ins -- nothing that could be considered an architectural feature. Not that these things wouldn't be nice (especially the floors), but here I feel free to display the end results of my impetuous (read: half-baked) bouts of creativity.carlita deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12275266663950634890noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20241387.post-30210862316822631822009-08-18T21:44:00.000-07:002009-08-18T22:04:57.904-07:00fiyah!Behold the world's tiniest grill, on which we prepare to barbecue at midnight.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM34TcFgO1VtCwrxLrGViWnKBAuFcD8IMJeBt7xUu_yOaJkw7fRF9akZsBC37QxtcqjPHx6nkzTQEKaT4fzsKIU56vZvKQmpS2IuCsrYRWR5c5nSj8w_76uYBRCqwxoBXqgAVPkw/s1600-h/003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM34TcFgO1VtCwrxLrGViWnKBAuFcD8IMJeBt7xUu_yOaJkw7fRF9akZsBC37QxtcqjPHx6nkzTQEKaT4fzsKIU56vZvKQmpS2IuCsrYRWR5c5nSj8w_76uYBRCqwxoBXqgAVPkw/s400/003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371534956531307410" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTmdMl8UeyIAj8CgoAblOm8IiKbzIvaI44xUwpBwCY1AiSv7Xei4B-dfKikwow08MpbOLLDsBWuc-qg8WkYLEB9pw76ZHO5S9h14qwyl0yMiwKBPA9Wzhfua1eER5KWpJUxUpJPA/s1600-h/004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTmdMl8UeyIAj8CgoAblOm8IiKbzIvaI44xUwpBwCY1AiSv7Xei4B-dfKikwow08MpbOLLDsBWuc-qg8WkYLEB9pw76ZHO5S9h14qwyl0yMiwKBPA9Wzhfua1eER5KWpJUxUpJPA/s400/004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371535066024625746" border="0" /></a>The things I let Schmin talk me into.carlita deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12275266663950634890noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20241387.post-75643006066390514762009-08-14T20:34:00.000-07:002009-12-05T06:11:26.327-08:00what i love<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRhFyUzEZfez0yxZIkCN6kMkXCF3DGQD0EP6goKMj_leBvi5P2NZsc2bHmGn03dttrdVNuvktTWKpcbBNc2AS6qS5e70zYnavO4uEIdx8iJ4fAgn-kn-ZpoS-rDiQNXtV6YqF2g/s1600-h/andre+guitar.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRhFyUzEZfez0yxZIkCN6kMkXCF3DGQD0EP6goKMj_leBvi5P2NZsc2bHmGn03dttrdVNuvktTWKpcbBNc2AS6qS5e70zYnavO4uEIdx8iJ4fAgn-kn-ZpoS-rDiQNXtV6YqF2g/s400/andre+guitar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370030627012380898" border="0" /></a>My boy Schmin, first night in town, playing guitar on the porch. Add to that that I love having a porch. And a mean little cat watching us through the window.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjns7N8OHJS5SQ0TkIh6zELyc486MaV2F6FemXGfw4I1d8RYsP2BHJsiGsUUJBCWIF96DlgBJZLnoBqrPKPnYI4alh9WIyOgJXUTymJ9JSatzWg1Aif_woD1SY-2N3QWNnF0u0-VA/s1600-h/mira+in+window.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjns7N8OHJS5SQ0TkIh6zELyc486MaV2F6FemXGfw4I1d8RYsP2BHJsiGsUUJBCWIF96DlgBJZLnoBqrPKPnYI4alh9WIyOgJXUTymJ9JSatzWg1Aif_woD1SY-2N3QWNnF0u0-VA/s400/mira+in+window.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370029764325360194" border="0" /></a>ETA: And the 50 shrimp Schmin cooked for us to eat in celebration!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuO-s68rjl9ycZbo4aSDzHkehvtgapaE2QUOgJtg-ca2H3Ey6cPIgfLRuLI13NZyOeXpiuwsN_euTEH3Ii43WV3Mnn0U3qfB4GIe8FyLzf3p1rM4IJ08v9byM_AzKOMq5dhyphenhyphen-IEw/s1600-h/andre+guitar3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuO-s68rjl9ycZbo4aSDzHkehvtgapaE2QUOgJtg-ca2H3Ey6cPIgfLRuLI13NZyOeXpiuwsN_euTEH3Ii43WV3Mnn0U3qfB4GIe8FyLzf3p1rM4IJ08v9byM_AzKOMq5dhyphenhyphen-IEw/s400/andre+guitar3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370034490496626994" border="0" /></a>carlita deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12275266663950634890noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20241387.post-65709935952444935392009-08-10T12:42:00.000-07:002009-08-10T16:09:01.392-07:00meeting upThe surest way for me not to do something around here is to say I'm going to do it. I'm telling you, time moves so quickly. Now an LA wrap-up seems passe, but I will say it was a great, productive, tiring, and lovely trip, and that I'm looking forward to another visit over the next couple of months. It took a village (My sister Tish, <a href="http://woolanthropy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Natalie</a>, Alem, Schmin and his girlfriend, Mister Stevens phoning in the moral support) to get my stuff out of storage and ship it back here, but we did it. I am now officially in possession of more fabric and yarn than I know what to do with when all I want to do is paint. In LA I held a garage sale quickly turned giveaway where I sadly parted with <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCirOhDQrgLT1J9woS0CqFXIdNUHQhpVEIDyFDOGXwv_eCon8j8jcO567sLvVg1AcA3TzowVvcG-jD3xq_ts_lWl-W_h7njS8SeeoP2m8L_mgBMULkKw4cVlIXB4fw_S-n_e9sUA/s1600-h/004.JPG" target="_blank">Blanche</a>. I wasn't willing to spend the money to ship a machine in a table, so I kissed her goodbye. I also kissed goodbye a lot of other stuff; still 40 boxes came my way when I got home.<br /><br />Having things in storage in Los Angeles was keeping me stuck, in a way. Now that I've closed that chapter (thank God and my loved ones), I feel like it's time to get to living, as <a href="http://blackbettymama.blogspot.com/2009/02/wishing-on-star4.html" target="_blank">V</a> would say. I don't know if anyone reading this is familiar with <a href="http://www.meetup.com/" target="_blank">Meetup.com</a>, but it's great here in Houston. Folks down here are very active. I've joined a couple of groups for women of color, a couple of writing groups, a group that frequents plays and performances, and a group called Houston Single Friends. Houston Single Friends (the name is kind of sweet and corny, isn't it?) has 3,000+ members, some combination of whom are busy doing something every night of the week. Saturday night I joined a gathering of women from the group for dinner and <span style="font-style: italic;">Julie & Julia</span> (long, but enjoyable, especially Meryl Streep). I was the only colored girl interested in seeing it that night, lol, but it didn't matter. The "sisters" who attended were warm and engaging. I look forward to seeing them again. (I would join a knitting/crafty group, but after a couple bad spins with a group that meets at a particular yarn shop, I'm thinking I'll start my own.)<br /><br />I'm surprised I dragged myself out on Saturday night, because on Saturday morning I'd gone with another group, for women of color over 30, on a hike. What's really cool is that groups have cross meetups, so there was a wonderful set of about 25 people on the hike. Here are some of us.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE84syM2556YAkgvXi9vGtUBroiGMv3L8CwPvF0G2KQ6kWPP2zRvd9PznffoxdLgJrk6G36cIiLUKNbfxPINCcOBiGBmb5xwir9EPnu2QkZ-UR_tJfy67zuwIQ73DrZh1wks_Q4g/s1600-h/sat+8-8+hke.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE84syM2556YAkgvXi9vGtUBroiGMv3L8CwPvF0G2KQ6kWPP2zRvd9PznffoxdLgJrk6G36cIiLUKNbfxPINCcOBiGBmb5xwir9EPnu2QkZ-UR_tJfy67zuwIQ73DrZh1wks_Q4g/s400/sat+8-8+hke.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368432214306359874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Courtesy of a Meetup member. Yes, it was hot, but no one died.<br /></span></div><br />And cell phone shots of the gorgeous path we hiked.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtdQ05Thrnn0Ho82-daOtS37TsiQO-8FdKiwPntfzdwA-kn87762YXIPnZLnLURndzLg9YrLH3lUuD4zlAHQPB9iQ0ea5ixEQWVr5jL0N82JEm3_Eb3b0O_k970ckj_UP5E6BWg/s1600-h/8-8+hike11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtdQ05Thrnn0Ho82-daOtS37TsiQO-8FdKiwPntfzdwA-kn87762YXIPnZLnLURndzLg9YrLH3lUuD4zlAHQPB9iQ0ea5ixEQWVr5jL0N82JEm3_Eb3b0O_k970ckj_UP5E6BWg/s320/8-8+hike11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368466750912420034" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxoxLI9ltnSkisGs-Z_o3936Xf1fjCE8serYUyS3ZpPI5F1GwQ2lgAO1cd11yi0Ar_3q8pwsletFelVfML4S16Yx513RZJpT266Aw223CKiBsxMUgzFuWPQURYH4vgrAnu0K5Tw/s1600-h/8-8+hike4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxoxLI9ltnSkisGs-Z_o3936Xf1fjCE8serYUyS3ZpPI5F1GwQ2lgAO1cd11yi0Ar_3q8pwsletFelVfML4S16Yx513RZJpT266Aw223CKiBsxMUgzFuWPQURYH4vgrAnu0K5Tw/s320/8-8+hike4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368466757523966338" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoX1FdhTGrpltk2WLGnCrykwNuE1lZBPgdujcDqBC7IY-PJQY6l72nnISNmgbifz9E_YB9JcZ4cwGGAYE0DjzEd68u-9j15bZbjSPHy9o8uOZ3d21f-ftOeSJCYn5Me8_MKyU46g/s1600-h/8-8+hike16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoX1FdhTGrpltk2WLGnCrykwNuE1lZBPgdujcDqBC7IY-PJQY6l72nnISNmgbifz9E_YB9JcZ4cwGGAYE0DjzEd68u-9j15bZbjSPHy9o8uOZ3d21f-ftOeSJCYn5Me8_MKyU46g/s320/8-8+hike16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368466307474308882" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELvyY9R31GyF7Fr8N4re00RpAP5qhViQpTV-ipKGZQIzkZc27eevwjW5qhckGbWPKQBUvEHcXB6Nuwf2qq6jw_dguPUtQlfztZSUxpTcEDdVsHLeImLlir8v5RNvBLgmJy6ikHQ/s1600-h/8-8+hike9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELvyY9R31GyF7Fr8N4re00RpAP5qhViQpTV-ipKGZQIzkZc27eevwjW5qhckGbWPKQBUvEHcXB6Nuwf2qq6jw_dguPUtQlfztZSUxpTcEDdVsHLeImLlir8v5RNvBLgmJy6ikHQ/s320/8-8+hike9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368465835315499138" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxR1GJPVbWM9r2RWoaHJt5vGkmKLWXRPYFsg9SI46bEzPnX4O-CMmzJVBb2FjdyZeR_ELbbgLUEL9XF05gv-ujZjUwLoe-Ye5asBWlXwUKKb8uuQyzGGuFP7ncvyc_otVWj_Y4Q/s1600-h/8-8+hike14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxR1GJPVbWM9r2RWoaHJt5vGkmKLWXRPYFsg9SI46bEzPnX4O-CMmzJVBb2FjdyZeR_ELbbgLUEL9XF05gv-ujZjUwLoe-Ye5asBWlXwUKKb8uuQyzGGuFP7ncvyc_otVWj_Y4Q/s320/8-8+hike14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368466308994558962" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzbiQz-R_57QRzNvc2SrA-7z-7E9xWZFMESeYmQC890T0sQsminZNrNj9EnE3qsxDrXMotdgmU0I-kqJrUvtb6PPVsXfPAPqP3H0FhEjCJX0eXw52bTgZqrQZMYq4YpsRhUFCVw/s1600-h/8-8+hike10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzbiQz-R_57QRzNvc2SrA-7z-7E9xWZFMESeYmQC890T0sQsminZNrNj9EnE3qsxDrXMotdgmU0I-kqJrUvtb6PPVsXfPAPqP3H0FhEjCJX0eXw52bTgZqrQZMYq4YpsRhUFCVw/s320/8-8+hike10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368466314522435682" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQ1CrqGjk5atBHCYwmCKn8YxJ6irB2U3_RO9PpvHqaVZkRlgRCGa4e-tiBrkQQkNaaA_pU0Bc6ZJn60ftKbTsP-LleT9EuWfTsE594Q3J2ySv7m_wLSil5Gz_mPO4GeDi4rrGEQ/s1600-h/8-8+hike12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQ1CrqGjk5atBHCYwmCKn8YxJ6irB2U3_RO9PpvHqaVZkRlgRCGa4e-tiBrkQQkNaaA_pU0Bc6ZJn60ftKbTsP-LleT9EuWfTsE594Q3J2ySv7m_wLSil5Gz_mPO4GeDi4rrGEQ/s320/8-8+hike12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368465840775766450" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lU54uoRFC5QWNYXwO9GZLX4FvQRzmj2puHWP3gMtYwKbfOmzutKFDmfIHUnAL_dJf71j31S0tlohJc3kX4nKXV7RgpCCCVLb7ZC7jzB9xWbXYg84WXXTPBEXbvuV1Vl_RtowIw/s1600-h/8-8+hike3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lU54uoRFC5QWNYXwO9GZLX4FvQRzmj2puHWP3gMtYwKbfOmzutKFDmfIHUnAL_dJf71j31S0tlohJc3kX4nKXV7RgpCCCVLb7ZC7jzB9xWbXYg84WXXTPBEXbvuV1Vl_RtowIw/s320/8-8+hike3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368465437338021026" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rJOMmpqwNHSbBQBGrFDlNjpOTK8eeLf9iQQdXX7mU5iDc0Vl1h9VFhtnwuuKMYr36Wkx7wMlZ0SitjTY-EdcoKJ_hsG9dPIDvZZjMoACHRig7H5R0X8SbSoUIIVoVWgiJnsYLQ/s1600-h/8-8+hike8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rJOMmpqwNHSbBQBGrFDlNjpOTK8eeLf9iQQdXX7mU5iDc0Vl1h9VFhtnwuuKMYr36Wkx7wMlZ0SitjTY-EdcoKJ_hsG9dPIDvZZjMoACHRig7H5R0X8SbSoUIIVoVWgiJnsYLQ/s320/8-8+hike8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368465829136301026" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTMMYr2S55z0T-eOlIci0CPWiXZjpTp7Iby14bUxl3FtFL6a-bBM8Dwgpl53SGr2CTd8lJszJmXRNFZc40WdOcvffmJwGLQ9gjEACpyuEBHYQaI1p_lmKB2rPBsnrewqOicTLeQ/s1600-h/8-8+hike6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTMMYr2S55z0T-eOlIci0CPWiXZjpTp7Iby14bUxl3FtFL6a-bBM8Dwgpl53SGr2CTd8lJszJmXRNFZc40WdOcvffmJwGLQ9gjEACpyuEBHYQaI1p_lmKB2rPBsnrewqOicTLeQ/s320/8-8+hike6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368465455437800738" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVW7L666GwVd0Vls2ZDnBv0wzvRyPCCiy4NfPG9eaaRGbC5PX_gGqnOCQMGm-KBxjIROSeBLhiAxu3-0fOySQWtQqNDFO9DX1STtYqabhu-yxjeKyHFJ_LMYvNXThbi8tX_bYLw/s1600-h/8-8+hike13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVW7L666GwVd0Vls2ZDnBv0wzvRyPCCiy4NfPG9eaaRGbC5PX_gGqnOCQMGm-KBxjIROSeBLhiAxu3-0fOySQWtQqNDFO9DX1STtYqabhu-yxjeKyHFJ_LMYvNXThbi8tX_bYLw/s320/8-8+hike13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368466749766348946" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZsVKcbm6gTjRsFHTpysgWx0BxGaPtUqAW18A0BhEYBNjdWlMXYX1HEWA8w3TcHJzB4B5APdQyF3Pd9d45NgMM-KS90f2CZOLBaOH1IEtxDoeCk6xeos1xKvDe4zJpP-fKBKi2g/s1600-h/8-8+hike5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZsVKcbm6gTjRsFHTpysgWx0BxGaPtUqAW18A0BhEYBNjdWlMXYX1HEWA8w3TcHJzB4B5APdQyF3Pd9d45NgMM-KS90f2CZOLBaOH1IEtxDoeCk6xeos1xKvDe4zJpP-fKBKi2g/s320/8-8+hike5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368465453277406082" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUzvrgX2wTuOch8rw-KENkvoECoyQtSc3Ml_pCtmUtBMgVwyBzF3jrDm63I_0MvYZs7WZM2pHcWb3hEjqbFimb1XxTkcIdi46a0XHATjFtbNK4xiRgQ8CSUcpAK1XMmCbhrMeYQ/s1600-h/8-8+hike2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUzvrgX2wTuOch8rw-KENkvoECoyQtSc3Ml_pCtmUtBMgVwyBzF3jrDm63I_0MvYZs7WZM2pHcWb3hEjqbFimb1XxTkcIdi46a0XHATjFtbNK4xiRgQ8CSUcpAK1XMmCbhrMeYQ/s320/8-8+hike2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368465443093518786" border="0" /></a>After we hiked, we ate at a place called <a href="http://www.cocoscrepes.com/" target="_blank">CoCo's</a>, located in Midtown. They feature paninis and crepes and smoothies.... Relatively healthy deliciousness.<br /><br />I met some truly nice people. From the moment we gathered, I felt at home. The thing about Meetup groups, and I'm sure this is the case all over, is that they attract people who genuinely enjoy company, are friendly, and want to have a good time. Plus they sure as hell beat sitting in your house waiting for life to come knocking on your door. :)<br /><br />I'm going rock-climbing (so excited!) with Houston Single Friends and wine tasting with one of the women's groups later this month. And I met some women who want to get serious about biking, something I'm itching to do. As soon as I get a bike, they're ready.<br /><br />In the meantime, Schmin is coming to visit on Friday, and I'm beside myself with glee.carlita deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12275266663950634890noreply@blogger.com13