northern chick with stix

Sarah's sense of snow

2011-01-29T11:52:00.003-06:00

This morning when I woke up, the world was a cleaner shade of white. Yes, that is correct. It snowed. I know that after 30 years of living in Wisconsin, I should be used to this wonderful thing we call winter. But honestly, it doesn't get any better and I don't like anymore. However, one thing that always amazes me is the delicate and complicated appearance of a snowflake.

Snowflakes are an amazing creation. Each one completely different from the next and a complex design. How can they be so delicate and......perfect? I have to say, for all of my pessimism, I love it when I look out the window and I feel like I am in a snow globe. I am sure you understand...........

Anyway, what has been going on?

1. I have all but 14 blocks for the afghan with the ends sown in. That was a big accomplishment. I brought them with me to the lake, hopefully, I can finish that up this weekend (inbetween sewing that has been requested by me of my mother.)

2. I was at the point on the fancy foot anklet to start the heel. And low and behold, I don't have the 34 stitches I needed for the instep. How can you start with 30 stitches, do your necessary increases on the left and right sides to get 34 stitches but end up with only 25 stitches? Needless to say, I had to rip it, rip it.......I hate frogs.

3. Peaches and cream blanket.......I am about 2 inches into the decrease part of the pattern and it is going quite smoothly. (I hope I didn't speak to soon....)

Anyway, other than my boyfriend thinking that it would be funny to say he purchased enough green and yellow yarn to knit him a Packer blanket, not too much has been going on. Just sitting here knitting. Or in this case, blogging.

Take time to enjoy your snowglobe

Hello old friend

2011-01-25T12:11:00.002-06:00

So, I am so sorry about not blogging in a while. Busy busy busy. Between work and school, there was not much time for anything.

So let's get caught up.

1. Still working on the giant afghan, I would suggest looking on Ravelry to see the progress. I have all 49 squares knit and blocked. I am in the "weaving in the ends" stage. Next up, piecing it all together. I can't wait to have this finished. The pattern is Big and Cozy by Debbie Abrahms. (see ravelry again)

2. I have been seeing some one on a serious level. We met last September at a rockin' Oktoberfest. (who doesn't like a good beer? or in my case, a good cider.)

3. I went to London in January of 2010 with my little sister, Ashley. It was an awesome experience to have with her. And we didn't even fight all that much only towards the end of the trip, which is inevitable, right? I am going through London withdrawal......I am working through the shakes as we speak.

4. I graduated from school and started a new job. I am a Patient Accounts Specialist with a local hospital. Goodbye, Menards and in the words of Fall Out Boy, "Thnks fr the mries...." or something like that.

That is the big stuff. So here I am now.

Currently on the needles:

1. Peaches n Cream blanket for Ari. Will never use Bernat soft stripes yarn, poor quality, again. I have started the decreases.

2. Fancy Foot Anklet #1 (Monday). Knitpicks kit I ordered, color is Granny Smith and in Stroll. 1" left until I start the heel. I am pretty excited.

Pending projects.....

1. Big Bad Baby Blanket (B4).....This will probably be for my Dear Friend Suzie, who is preggers again! Whoo Whoo. That's all I can say.

2. Fancy Foot Anklet #2 (Tuesday)

Well, take care and I look forward to updating again.

Can't believe it is fall?

2008-09-04T19:47:00.002-05:00

So I realize I haven't spent much time on line nor have I blogged in awhile. Slap my hands and take away my........(fill-in the blank.)

So life is pretty busy. I have been taking classes--summer and now fall----and working overtime hours at work. It sucks, and I have no life, but what else is there to do?

I haven't really knit that much lately, and it really bothers me. I have to do a couple of baby hats for a friend and finish some other things up that have pending deadlines. I think I have been burning the candle at both ends. Maybe I should just slow down..........right?

There is no one in my "love" life, however, that is a choice. Options are not lacking.....not to be snotty. When would I fit someone else in?

I took merlin to the vet on Tuesday. That didn't go well. I had to bribe him with new cat toys---fuzzy mice----to get him to forgive me. Cats!

Catch ya later.

sarah

Spring is in the air!!!!

2008-05-05T17:56:00.002-05:00

I am totally loving the weather we are having here in the northwoods. It is sooo sunny and warm. Keep it coming Mother Nature.

The grandparents are home and settled in. Grandpa started his next round of chemo therapy. We went to the oncologist last Thursday and found out that he will have to have treatments for the rest of his life. There is no cure for multiple myeloma. Cancer sucks!

I start my new job at Menard's tomorrow. I am really excited about it. I will be working in the Kitchen/Cabinet area doing some design work. I thought it would be a good idea to use one of my degrees!

The knitting is a little slow right now. I finished another afghan square. Only 40 left! As for the socks, Darn those needles are small. Oh well. I will keep trucking along. I hope everyone is enjoying the lovely weather!

Toddles!

Spring is here, Maybe!

2008-04-29T21:12:00.002-05:00

Well...that is a deep subject. It was beautiful here last week and then this week it snowed! Of course.

My grandparents are back from Florida. They have already worn me out and it has only been a little less than a day. I spent yesterday helping them unpack--and remembering patience..apparently it is a virtue. Uhm.

The socks are really coming along. I have turned the heels on both! Yippeeee! To bad my hands hurt from raking gravel for two hours today!

Sorry this is short. I have too much do, and not enough time.

Schustie out!

What?!? Snow Again?

2008-04-08T18:58:00.002-05:00

Mother Nature's persistance at continuing to produce crappy weather is really beginning to get on my last nerve. This is ridiculous; it is almost the middle of April for crying out loud! (Sidebar: Why do we say crying out loud? What is the history behind that?

Anyhow, I am busy planning our annual soup contest. This is a fun tradition in my hometown. I am sooo excited! I am coming up with the prizes as we speak! This contest started as a chili contest in my parents basement when I was in college. You know how these things start.....Someone is bragging about how their recipe is best and etc.....We have moved on from chili to soup......with I think the last contest having about 25-30 entries! Yummy and oh so fun!

The Green socks are coming along nicely. I have 6 inches on each leg--which is just under halfway for the leg itself. I am finally having fun with these d*** things.

I am 10% done with my afghan. It is going to be soooooo pretty. I might need to make one for me next.

Well I better get to class. I am going to have to struggle to stay awake tonight.

Toodles!

I ain't no Fool!

2008-04-01T21:09:00.002-05:00

Happy April Fools Day!

And to my Uncle Jeff--Happy Birthday!

So, going back to classes was really hard. Spring break was no break for me. I spent the week SPRING cleaning the basement and upstairs. I am thinking of becoming a professional carpet cleaner person. What do you think?

I am breaking up with winter. I am talking about the season, not a guy. Just a heads up. I am done, I am throught with him. He needs new material. I need a new relationship and Spring is looking like a winner to me! All fresh and colorful. Yummy!

I am currently sitting in my tuesday evening class, totally boring.......*Yawn*.

My SFS socks are knitting up very quick! I love the new green color, so much easier than the black yarn. The afghan will be very pretty and is knitting up quick too. Just looking for a easy dress pattern for a 18-24 mth old. Any ideas?

Take care and happy knitting.

Happy easter!

2008-03-21T12:14:00.002-05:00

Okay, take the knitting needles away from me and slap my hands.

I am sorry to all my (not so) avid readers/followers/worshipers. I know I haven't been Blogging much lately. I have been really busy with school; I promise this time I am not kidding.

I forgot what taking science classes were like. There is a lot of reading and studying--what a snoozefest.

I finally finished my sister's poncho. As soon as I get pics and figure out how to post pics I will show you them. I have been slowly but steadily working on them d*** socks. I traded in my black yarn for green. So much easier to see.

For those who don't know, my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer. He started chemo this week and we are wishing for the best. Hopefully they will be coming home soon. That will make it easier for everyone.

As for the dating scene, (first I think you need to ask yourself, is there in fact a dating scene in Antigo?), Very slow. There is one guy, who I think if I am reading his very mixed signals right, might like me, but is moving slower than molasses. But we are victims of life's circumstances and they sometime interfere with cupid's plans. What ever it is, could it work itself out STAT?!

Bad Blogger

2008-01-18T08:44:00.000-06:00

So I admit, I have been a horrible blogger. I am sorry.
I have been pretty busy, just kidding, it was winter break from school.

I actually did a Gilmore Girls marathon over the break.
I watched all 7 seasons in only a couple of weeks.
Do I need a life? Maybe.
Did I enjoy it? Totally.

The Gilmore Girls Rock! I dig it, do you Dig it????

SO for Knitting. Not too much going on. I am working on the poncho.
I need to finish it before I do anything else. All other projects are on hold until then.

THe love life is picking up. I meet some one online. Before all moms and friends freak out:
I promise to meet him in only public places. Geessh!

Other than that, the snow has really fallen, now we are in our January freeze.

Take care and stay warm.

'Tis the Season

2007-12-12T14:28:00.000-06:00

Well there you have it. I am almost done with my semester-only one more test to go! Margeritas anyone?
Life has been fairly quiet. Not seeing anyone--unfortunately for me. Was interested in someone, but story of my life, someone started to date someone else. Oh, well. Relationships are overrated and overdone! Who has time anyway?

What else? hmmmmm......I need some excitment. Any suggestions?

Knitting....

1. Baby Hat finished! yippee.....I will get a pic and post it soon.

2. Dishcloths- done! Now mom wants some for herself. Geez, do I look like a factory?

3. Poncho- still on the needles. Going to get back to it this week.

4. SFS BBS- I have 8" on my first one done. I won some needles and will be casting on
the 2nd one tonight I think.

5. Hat for me- finding the pattern still and yarn choice undetermined.

Black Friday is for wimps!

2007-11-23T08:40:00.001-06:00

I find no joy in waking up and going shopping before daylight. HECK, I don't even like getting up early and I really don't like shopping all that much. So I did not get up early today to shop, I did however get up early to work. Bah!

Thanksgiving was relatively uneventful. It was just Mom, Dad, and Ashley, oh and me. Mom wanted to put up the Christmas tree so she could enjoy it for the holiday season. We cooked the traditional meal and it was delish. We were really naughty and put marshmallows on the sweet potatoes.......yumm-o!

As for the grandparents.....They made it to Florida safe and sound. The house is really quiet without them. It really makes a lot of noise, too.

Knitting.....

WIP

1. Baby hat is almost finished. I know it is really not too hard to do, but it is not the main priority. I just need to attach the petals and it will be done.

2. Dishcloths-2 of 7 complete, 3 in progress. I am hoping mom will take the two bathmitts I made too. That would be great. I would love to make some homemade soaps to go with them.

3. Sock- I am almost done with the first cuff. I know, I know, the war will be over before I finish these socks. I just knit really slow with these tiny needles. I think as soon as the cuff is done, it will go faster.

4. Ashley's poncho--1 of 4 segments almost complete. It is really pretty and cool. Very Hippy child.

Well, that is all really for right now. Not much is happening in my life. How boring.

Satisfaction

2007-11-06T11:37:00.000-06:00

So as some of you know, I have started my first pair of socks. I never thought I would knit on needles that were so small. After several restarts-yes, I mean restarts-and a fudge popsicle, I am well on my way. Well, I have an inch done. I know that doesn't seem like much, but the ribbing is showing and is looking so nice. It is such a major form of satisfaction to see progress!
There is only one other activity that I can compare it too!

Anyhoooo-

Merlin is in his winter mode---sleeping all day, curled up in a ball in HIS recliner--grandma was kicked out. He has been getting into trouble and under feet--yesterday grandpa stepped on him 2 times. Merlin is never going to learn. Silly cat! He has been extra cuddly too-snuggling on laps-probably to keep warm.

Update:

WIP(works in progress)-

1. upside-down baby hat: almost down. I am just finishing up the petals and then will sewn them on to the hat---It is sooooo adorable. I just need to find a little girl to give it to.

2. Dishclothes- almost done with my first KAL (knit-along)--I think the picture is a squirrel. I am starting a selection of cloths for my mother. I guess she wants to give them out for presents.

3. SFS socks-one inch.

I am hoping to go to a knit-n-sip in Appleton on Sunday---weather permitting of course. For those of you who hate snow---It is officially here. Yesterday was the first snowfall. Luckily it didn't stick. PHEW!

Well, I am off--but not like a prom dress--burrr, its too cold for that.

Peace out!

Dropped Stitch

2007-10-31T08:50:00.000-05:00

So yet again....I dropped a stitch. I know it seems rather small for a problem with some of my knitting pals....But after knitting for several rows, I realized it wasn't there. So I had to figure out what to do.....I really didn't want to take out the 5+ rows, so I busted out the crochet hook and used it like only a non-hooker knows how!

Yep that is right--I picked her up....anyway, this hat is adorable and I think I know exactly who I want to give it too. It is perfect for a little girl. Sorry boys.

So for those of you who know Merlin---

He is crazy! Every morning he Meows until you open the door so he can sniff outside ( until his paws get cold), I have to thank grandma for this one. At night he is zooming around and around and around---until he is so exhausted he needs to just lay down. Oh how I wish I had his life.

Anyway gotta go!

Sarah

First Blog

2007-10-30T11:12:00.000-05:00

Well here goes nothing...

I thought I would chronical my adventures in life, knitting, and living in Northern Wisc again.

In June of 2007, I moved back home from the Milwaukee area. I am slowly adapting to this life again, since I really haven't lived here for 10 years. I learned to knit while in Milwaukee from my wonderful friend Tracy B. She is crazy and a lot of fun--if you get the chance to meet her and knit--enjoy!

I forgot how there is nothing to really do in this area. It can be so boring. I have been taking some classes but they don't fill the nights........

So I picked up knitting again. I am working on an upside down daisy baby hat, an afghan, and starting sock for soldiers (SFS). You can check out the the group on yahoo! groups.