I have finished

knitting more socks. (Big surprise, I'm sure.)
Pattern: Thuja (True, not the first time I have knit this sock and certainly not the last.) Started October 7, finished October 25. (I was not working on this project exclusively that whole time.)
I used the wrong needle size (or I knit tighter than I used to, or both) and they are too tight for Hubband, the intended recipient, and almost too tight for me, so I may well wind up re-knitting them on the next size up needle. (I really need to come up with a better storage system than a shoe box for my needles.) So right now these are 14/12+1, but I suppose they have the potential of being number one for next year.

 

Basic toe-up, short row heel, two-at-a-time magic-loop sock, using Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off and I have to say I really, really like it. I am sure I will be using it a lot in the future. (Video here in case you are interested.) Started September 21, finished October 29. Due to the fact that I might not have actually measured my gauge before I started the heel originally, these had the heel and leg portions knit twice. After I bound off the first sock I decided that it looked a bit long for what I needed and tried it on. Turned out to be 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch too long for my size ten foot, and the intended recipient is a size nine. So I un-sewed the bind-off and ripped it back past the heel (which had been a different kind of heel to start), measured my gauge, and re-knit the heel and leg. It feels a little short on me at this point; I'll deliver it on Sunday and find out if it needs further adjustments. (AKA 15/12+1).

There is nothing like

standing there, minding your own business, looking out into your yard, and suddenly having something come out of nowhere and smash into the sliding glass door by your feet. Especially when the something turns out to be small, fluffy, and orange. Apparently Oribel noticed that someone who didn't belong there had made their way up onto her deck and it turned into a major issue. The someone turned out to be a very pretty gray tabby, but it was a really good thing the glass door was closed, considering all the noise and fuss that was happening on the inside, and from what I could see on the outside. It didn't take very long for the other cat to leave her deck, but she really wanted me to let her out so she could give it a piece of her mind (and paw, I'm sure) and make sure it had left her yard completely. Since I wasn't willing to accommodate her desires at that point, she spent awhile running back and forth from the door, to the kitchen window, to the front rooms, and to the front door to see where it had gone. There was a lot of looking out the door and talking to me about opening said door.

Since I have a craving

for Thai Food, I think I am going to see if DTE is up to having me pick her up for dinner tomorrow night.

She is still trying,

but they stay at the bottom of the bowl whenever she shows up.

Knitting particulars

Knucks For DTY's birthday. Started September 20, finished September 25. Delivered via US Postal Service before her birthday in early October.

 

A prayer shawl for a friend of Chan's daughter. Started October 5, finished October 7.

 

Dead Simple Lace Socks from Socks From the Toe Up, aka 13/12+1. Started September 15, finished October 13. This yarn was a swap gift and these socks fit me perfectly.

 

Purple Wine scarf, aka a slight variation on Ribbed Mini-Scarf. Started October 9, finished October 15. Made with that yarn, a gift for someone to be determined on October 31, 2009.

Happiness is ...

sunshine,

 

fall colors,

 

an afternoon walk with bassets,

 

and completed projects.

Monday morning's outing

was slowed down by Sunday night's weather.


However, it wasn't canceled.



There wasn't any hot chocolate offered up after the playing outside was finished, unlike the standard snow-play offering to Hubband and the children.

It is the time of year

for the annual fall fish migration. Of course, shortly after the first one I told you about, Miss Oribel came to live with us. Then she would sometimes sit on the edge of the bowl to watch them, and when ever she tried to pet them, it was on the outside of the bowl (I think she may have been trying to keep her foot dry). Sadly, we were never able to get a picture of that.
A few days ago she was hanging out on the end table; I am not sure if she was attempting cambell fladge, like another orange cat (because only one of the two of them would be that silly), or if it was really all about reminding us that the table really belongs to her and she just lets us put stuff on it. (I am guessing the latter in her case.)
(Does this look like a cat trying to hide on a coffee table? Hanging out on the end table looks pretty much the same way.)

 

Anyways, Monday night she did the usual park herself in the middle of me and what I was doing on the couch, and informing me, "You will scratch the ears and chin. Now." When we were she was done with that, she walked across me toward the her end table and came to a standstill, still partly on my shoulder. There was some staring from that vantage point for a moment or two, and then there was up close and personal inspection into what was in and on her space and furniture.

 

Yep, she pretty much stayed like that for the next fifteen plus minutes, only changing the position of her tail and depth of her head.

(Don't forget today is Whiskers on Wednesday.)

Dear Jethro,

I need to tell you how much I have enjoyed all the hours we have spent together in the last month. You have kept me company in the the evening so I wouldn't be alone, usually way past my bedtime, and it has all been worth it. I wanted to let you know that as of tomorrow we won't be able to spend so many hours together every night. I have loved seeing your awesome smile over and over every night, loved spending all those hours together, but my one true love returns home tomorrow afternoon. I am sure you understand, after all you have had your own true love as well. (I am truly sorry you can't have her back and had to live through the pain of loosing her all over again.)
Our time together won't be ending completely, we can still have tonight after all. Plus, my true love, Hubband, told me that he thinks he has met you at least once before and he is willing to get to know you better. I think that could be a really great way to spend an hour or so some evenings, hanging out with Hubband, you, and my knitting. Never fear Jethro, we have several more seasons together. I am looking forward to them.
Me