Pink Moon

I'm still knitting, even though it only seems like I am doing nothing but Crossfit these days.

To be completely honest though, the wrist pain hasn't gotten much better and it doesn't seem like knitting has been helping. But I'm a trooper and will keep on keepin on. (lots of stretching, but it doesn't really help from what I can tell. Still painful.)

Anyways, Mindy's latest design in the Moon Series for April is the Pink Moon.

From the Farmers Almanac:
• Full Pink Moon – April This name came from the herb moss pink, or wild ground phlox, which is one of the earliest widespread flowers

I finished it a bit late, a couple of days after the full moon, but it has been transformed with the magic of blocking. I chose my favorite-Malabrigo Sock-to knit with in the colors Ochre and Natural.

Before:

After

Pink Moon is available for purchase on Ravelry

(On sale for 50% off until April 16, 2012)

Easter Weekend 2012

I took 356 pictures this weekend.
Just what I needed to start learning more about my new camera.
I'm in love and can't wait to capture more beautiful moments!

* All photos shot with Canon T2i DSLR camera, 50mm 1.8 lens
** No editing done, all staight out of the camera

Overdue Trip

We finally made our way up north to visit the family.
It was long overdue since I hadn't seem my favorite tiny humans since Christmas! I was pretty sure they had grown a foot and were ready to graduate any day now.

Carson has gotten so big. And Mr. Awesome rolled over for the first time while we were there! Unfortunately, he was on his back and then i turned around and he was on his front so I missed it. Bummer.

Cade and Emme were so full of energy.
After 2 days of running, jumping, catching, and iPading, I was exhausted.

Catching serious air while jumping over blankets

She dominated Cut the Rope. Pretty sure she is better than me!

Group effort on the iPad with Leeshie

I know it may be wrong, but I can't help but crack up every time I see this picture! Emerson was playing football and happened to miss one that bounced right off her noggin... right as my camera was clicking away.

Pure coincidence that this was captured on film.

PS- She was fine, no tears or injury. Just a funny face!



Road Trip

Heading up to visit my favorite little people for the weekend. A much needed trip after these last few months. Can't believe I haven't seen then since Christmas!

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Moons

You know I love to knit right? Hopefully the answer to that is YES!

Did you know that every month there is a full moon that has a name? (in some months there are 2 full moons, where the second is what we refer to as the Blue Moon)

Mindy, my awesome designer friend, thought of an awesome idea and I'm thrilled to be able to help her out in executing her Moon Series! Each month, she is releasing a shawl pattern inspired by the moon of that month. I've been fortunate enough to be able to do the first 3 and am so excited for the rest in the series.

January was the Wolf Moon.
A chunky thick warm shawl that is possible the coziest thing I have ever knit.

February was the Snow Moon.

A lovely lightweight lace shawl worked from the bottom up.

And tonight is the March Full Moon, the Sap Moon
A casual shawl with a bit of girlie flair with a ruffle. No lace and some fun stripes to mix it up.



All of Mindy's patterns are available on Ravelry at her designer page.

An Unexpected Phone Call

I got a call from my BFF Steph yesterday. Hearing her voice did wonders for my soul. Do you have friends in your life like that? I hope you do. Friends that you could go far too long without talking to but are able to pick right back up like it was just yesterday. I laughed harder than I have in a while yesterday and it felt good.

Really good.

These gorgeous lilies sent to me by my Dad and family last week also make my heart happy.  

Aren't they lovely?



















What makes your heart happy?

My Year in Knitting - 2011

I managed to finish 18 projects in 2011.

There was quite a lag time during the summer while I was across the pond, but overall I'm happy with my accomplishments. Some failures, but lots of success!

7 Shawls
1 Scarf
9 hats
1 pair of socks
------------------------------------------------
Left to Right- Top to Bottom

Wolf Moon Shawl- Mindy Wilkes Designs (Releasing in January 2012)

Drop Stitch Scarf by Christine Vogel
Lattice Hat by Sarah Arnold
Berry Baby Hat by Michele Sabatier
Sweet Tea Slouch by Mindy Wilkes
Ripley by Ysolda Teague
Anastasia Socks by MintyFresh
Olivia's Butterfly by Valerie Whitten
Holden Shawlette by Mindy Wilkes
Springwater Shawl by Mindy Wilkes
Haruni by Emily Ross
Rib-A-Roni by Jane Tanner
Damask by Kitman Figueroa
Rib-A-Roni by Jane Tanner
Star Crossed Slouchy Beret by Natalie Larson
Cala Shawl by Mindy Wilkes
Star Crossed Slouchy Beret by Natalie Larson
Azzu's Shawl by Emma Fassio

And the first FO for 2012 was bound off this afternoon.
The Sweet Tea Scarf to match the above Slouch. Just needs the ends woven and a good blocking!

Happy Knitting Everyone!

Merry Christmas!

Ever wonder...

What pure hell looks like???

I found it.


In the form of the stair master at the Y.
You look like a complete ass slowly walking up those revolving steps while at the same time sweating your butt off and feeling like it's only a matter of milliseconds before you tumble right off. 5 minutes. I almost died.

However! This was also after my run. I have moved on to Week 2 of Couch to 5K. It's going surprisingly well so far. The 3 session for week one were tough but not ridiculous. I'm sweating like a madwoman by the end and I'm loving it! I'm running all sets at a 10min pace and pushing a little bit more on the last set or 2. I can feel myself getting a bit stronger endurance wise. I'd love to be able to hit a sub-30 5k at the end of all this. I'll need to be on the lookout for a local 5k to test myself.

To think that a year and a half ago, the same running session I was running at a full minute slower pace and walking slower as well.

2.15 miles has turned to 2.31 miles.

Progress, I like to see it!

 

Trans Siberian Orchestra 2011

For Mr. Buckeye's Birthday we went to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. He has always wanted to go but the timing was never right. This year the stars aligned because they were at US Bank Arena on Dec. 1. How perfect to start of the Christmas season!

 Long hair might be another requirement to be a rock guitarist. A stance is the other requirement. Stance and long hair to swing around. If you've got both, you too may rock.

 We may have watched this guy in the front row more than anyone else in the entire show. He was jumping around, air guitar solos, air drum solos, and at one point I thought he was going to jump on stage. He was up the entire show... notice everyone else in their seats.

 Lots of lasers, smoke, fire, fireworks, and rock Christmas music makes for Happy Buckeyes!

My First Thanksgiving

It started out so well. I got up early and everything was going my way. .

But I suppose it wouldn't be a holiday without a freakout and some tears. The roaster I used is apparently on loan from Satan in the center of the earth and cooks with molten lava because my turkey was completely done by 9:00am. (less than 2 hours to cook a 16 lb turkey??? ::cue tears::) Terribly sorry to the Mr. Buckeye for having to deal with me- and on his birthday no less! But I was able to salvage it and keep it moist until lunch at 1.*

All in all it wasn't too bad, a tad dry but not nearly what I envisioned.

And we had way too much food but it was delicious!
For the record, I actually did eat my Aunt's Sweet Potatoes without gagging AND asked to keep a small bit for leftovers that I DID eat too! This is a huge deal.

 Mama had every number candle except the 2 we needed... so we settled for the ?

And Sky wanted in on the pyrotechnics as well.

Then Saturday up to Columbus to see our favorite little people. They are getting too big, make it stop!

and see the 2 newest members of the family!

We are in full holiday swing down here now so bring on Christmas!

*Wrap the whole thing in foil, wrap the whole thing in bath towels, keep in cooler till ready to serve

Ribbit- The end of a sweater

Yikes, long delay... again

Lots has happened since Thanksgiving.

Including something quite sad.

I'm not sure if you remember way back in 2009 when I fell victim to spur of the moment insanity and bought a ton of lucious Cocoon yarn to make a sweater. And I started knitting. and kept on knitting. Until I stopped. What I was left with was a vest. No sleeves and no hood, shoot- not even swen together.

Well, all of that is now this:

Yes. I ripped it all out on Monday. It was a sad day yet totally satisfying. I'm ready to move on to bigger and better things. The wine color is destined to be used soon for Mindy's newest shawl which I am completely looking forward to testing. It's a bulky crescent shape that is different from any that I have. I've seen the model and I think it will make an excellent hood/wrap for wintertime and the Cocoon yarn will be a delight to work with... again.

Thanksgiving Morning

My first Thanksgiving here at home. I know that people cook turkeys everyday and there are far more people out there that are hosting families larger than mine and having to prepare and cook every.single.thing.

I'm thankful that my family is chipping in and bringing the sides. We've got the turkey, mashed potatoes, and noodles. I think I can handle that.

I got up at 6 this morning- probably way later than most out there! And set to tackle the beast.

 My helper was ready and waiting... and begging.

After it was all said and done, I'd declare a tie. The turkey somehow, after 5 days in the fridge, and a short soak last night in cold water, was still icy! I was able to finish thawing it (or so I currently think, we will see) in the sink with cold water. THEN, The people at Honeysuckle must have not trust the turkeys to keep their legs together because I couldn't even cut the wrap off. I managed to get the legs out so I could get the neck ::gag:: and the bits out. Then I gave up and put the legs back in the stirrups. Will deal with it later.

I did the whole separate the skin thing and put roughly 1/2 stick of butter on the breasts under the skin along with 3 springs of thyme. Then sprinkled with salt and pepper, (salt, pepper, and a couple sprigs in the cavity too) And rubbed the butter on the outside to try to get it off my hands. Finally, I sprinkled Lawry's seasoning salt on top and then brushed with olive oil.

I preheated the roaster to the highest it would go and got in in there for 30 minutes to, hopefully, brown the skin and then turned it down to 350* for I don't know how long, at least 4 hours I think. I could hear it sizzling so I'm hoping the high heat effort worked. Bird needed a tan, bad.

 Managed to not make too big of a mess.

 and now it's 7:30, all cleaned up, and I'm resting quickly with a Peppermint Mocha and the Today Show.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!