"Properly practiced, knitting soothes the troubled spirit, and it doesn't hurt the untroubled spirit either." ~ Elizabeth Zimmerman

11/30/15

Cable Knit Park

I've been trying to write this post for several days now, and not having much luck. We've had a really rough time the past couple weeks here at the Parkarosa. First, we had a storm that knocked out our power for 3 days. It was the worst storm damage to the power grid in this area ever. We had winter temps to go with it. We got our power back, and then a couple days later a real tragedy happened.

Saturday night, the 21st, my beautiful dog Cable went out of the yard out onto the road in the dark. She was hit by a car and killed.



I am devastated. I could hardly function for about 3 days. Then I started to come out of it and go back to living my life, without her. I still hurt so very much though. I miss her more than I can say. We don't know why she did it. We speculate that perhaps she was chasing deer because she was hit where the deer are known to cross the road in front of our place and we've had quite a few of them around lately.



The person who hit her took off and left her dead in the middle of the road. We were unaware of this at the time. A few minutes later a lady was driving by and saw her. She stopped to check and see if Cable was alive, which she wasn't. So she pulled her to the side of the road, then drove up our driveway and knocked on our door to inform us. She gave me a ride back out to the road. I could not believe my eyes. My precious Cable is dead. I immediately burst into tears.



Doug walked out to the road from the house, so the lady stayed with a semi-hysterical me until he arrived. Then she left. I thanked her for telling us what had happened. Doug then walked back to the house to get our pick-up truck because she weighed 60 pounds and neither of us wanted to carry that much weight that far.



I was bawling like a baby on the side of the road holding Cable. Another lady drove by and saw me. She stopped, got out of her car, and asked if I needed help. I told her my husband would be here shortly to take my dog back to the house. She offered me a hug. Initially, I turned it down, but she walked over and grabbed me anyway and hugged me. I bawled on her shoulder. She stayed until Doug returned with the truck. I thanked her for the hug, and for caring.



We buried Cable later that night at the edge of the hill in the backyard, where she liked to lay and watch for wildlife down below to chase away.



The car that hit her suffered some damage. There is broken plastic all over the place. It gives me some small comfort knowing that.



Despite my grief, I am quite touched by the two very caring strangers who stopped by that night. When I think about it, it's really quite amazing. It's nice to know there are still caring and kind people in the world who will stop to help and comfort someone they don't even know.



So I've been somewhat depressed the past few days. It's so different without her. I find myself doing things like opening the door to call her in the house, cooking an extra piece of meat for dinner for her, and making sure I don't step on her when I get out of bed, despite the fact she's not there any more.



I am so glad we were able to take Cable to see the ocean. She loved it there.



And we took her with us on our trip to Michigan. She really enjoyed that trip. She loved riding in the car, looking out the windows, and just being with us.



I know that Cable was a very happy dog who knew she was loved, and I know she loved me. I was very lucky and privileged to have her in my life for the 4 years we did. I wish I had protected her better.

Rest in peace my beautiful girl.


Live long and prosper. \\//

11/16/15

Weekend Projects

I managed to accomplish some goals over the weekend. Not as many as I'd planned because I felt horrible the whole time, but that's okay. Saturday was devoted to the husband and daughter. They wanted to go computer shopping. Daughter needs a new computer for college, so that's what we did. Also went to Costco, which was a madhouse! I think the holiday shopping season is here. We bought the new computer there, as well as the usual food stuffs. I felt nauseous, achy, and miserable the whole time and was exhausted when we got home. I seem to have caught some bug

On Sunday I woke up with a massive headache so bad I didn't even want to open my eyes. I also have a cough, so I've definitely caught something. I spent the first half of the day sleeping. Around 2pm I started to feel a little better, and the headache eased up some, so I set up the sewing machine and got busy. Despite feeling like death warmed over, I sewed 5 doll skirts. I am doing Christmas themed outfits.



I got 5 little sweaters knit. I have one sweater almost done. It needs a snap sewed on the back opening yet. It's the only one I put beads in. I don't like it as much as the others. I knit it with one strand of lace weight mohair. The fabric feels too thin for my liking.



I finished the knitting of 4 sweaters, but need to sew them up. I used 2 strands of lace weight mohair held together, and knit the pattern the same. Got the same gauge, but the fabric feels much better. I'm a lot happier with them.



Took pics of 2 of them thinking I was done for the evening, then found myself casting on another one and by the time I went to bed I'd done 2 more. I did not get anything done on the apron I was going start.

Today most of the aches and pains are gone, but I'm left with the cough. It's a very goopy cough. Thankfully, I've got Mucinex in the cabinet. It helps a lot.

I have the last session of a sock class to teach this afternoon. It's been an interesting one. I've got a young man taking the class. He's about 10 years old and he's been putting the women in the class to shame. He caught on very quickly and already had finished the whole pair last week. He was going to knit his dog a Christmas stocking for his homework (his idea). I'm looking forward to seeing how it's going.

I also need to go to Costco again. Urg. The computer we purchased will not charge the battery, so it's defective. Hopefully, we can get this problem resolved with a quick exchange.

Live long and prosper. \\//

11/14/15

Sierra in Perla Rosa

I hope you don't mind another doll post. I got a new dress for Sierra.



It's the Iplehouse Perla Rosa dress.  I purchased it from a fellow member of the Iplehouse Facebook group.



It comes with a pretty little necklace.



Sierra met Mr. Froggy, who keeps guard at the front door.



She doesn't know what to think of him.



Have a good Saturday.

Live long and prosper. \\//


11/13/15

It's All About Shoes

Today's post is probably going to be boring to most readers. I'm writing it for a specific audience. That audience is those who own or plan to own an Iplehouse JID doll and they're searching for shoes that will fit her.

I have been doing a LOT of research on finding shoes for Sierra. They weren't easy to find. Of course, one can order shoes from Iplehouse that will fit her perfectly. I did, and received 2 pairs of shoes for her high heel feet. I got these really cute satin pumps



and some boots to go with that first outfit. They fit beautifully. No clodhopper feet with these.



But the prices are a little steep and the shipping was way too much. It was $28! I realize they're coming from Korea, but still, 28 bucks! So that's when I got really serious about finding more reasonably priced shoes for her. After much googling, I found a recommendation on a doll forum that said shoes that fit the 14 inch Kish dolls fit the JID flat feet well, and a link to an Ebay store named Deb's Adorables that sells them. The prices are very reasonable so I ordered a few pair hoping the quality and fit would be as described. It was hard to choose what to order because the selection is HUGE!

They fit Sierra's flat feet perfectly!



It's like they were made for JID girls.



They are well made. Look how perfect her feet fit in these sandals.



And these sneakers are absolutely adorable!



The sneakers come in several different  colors. I chose purple because, well, purple!

I bought 7 pairs in all and I'm very very happy with every single pair.



Deb's Adorables shipped the shoes quickly, and they were well packed.

I have not yet found a source for shoes that will fit her high heel feet. If you should know of one, please leave that information in the comments.

Weather news. They keep saying it's going to snow but so far it hasn't happened. It was cloudy and rained off and on yesterday, and the wind was bitingly cold, but no snow. Today we're expecting more rain. It's very dark out right now. The clouds are thick and threatening. Rain and wind predicted for the next 5 days.

Planning to sew this afternoon. Gotta get those outfits done! I've got one mohair sweater finished, and have started a second one.

Live long and prosper. \\//

11/11/15

Simple Woman's Daybook for November 11, 2015

I haven't done a Simple Woman's Daybook post in ages. In fact, it's been more than 2 years. Time to get that back into my life!



FOR TODAY
November 11, 2015

Outside my window...
The sun is shining low in the sky as fluffy clouds float by. It will be setting in just a couple hours even though it's only just after 3pm here. I can see Rathdrum Bald mountain with it's first snow cap of the season.


I am thinking...
that I am proud of my daughter Ruth. She has decided she wants to go back to college and get a degree in Computer Science. She made this announcement after we got back from our trip to Michigan. I was totally bowled over with surprise! She is serious too. She applied to return to the University of Idaho for the spring semester. They have accepted her and she's been working on everything she needs to do to get ready. She registered for some of her classes, and finding out how to register for the rest (special circumstances apply) from her faculty adviser. I hope she finishes this time. I have a feeling she will because this time she really wants to do it.

I am thankful for...
the sun. Without it there could be no life on this beautiful planet we call our home.

From the kitchen...
silence. No one is in there right now.

I am wearing...
Blue jeans and a collared polo shirt with a bright hawaiian print on it of blue and teal tropical flowers. The shirt cheers me.

I am creating...
doll clothes. I am determined to make some new things for my Etsy store. I dragged out my fabric cutting tools, and cleaned off the dining room table so I can set things up to start cutting fabric. Along with the doll clothes, I'm also going to cut the fabric for a Christmas present I'm making for someone. I'm in the mood for making aprons!

I am going...
on our cruise in less than a month! I can hardly wait! I need to start thinking about what I am going to pack, including knitting.

I am reading...
two books, actually. I'm about halfway through the 5th tome of the Game of Thrones collection, A Dance With Dragons. I'm having a hard time keeping at it. The books have several very interesting story threads going through them but they are moving along so slowly that I'm losing interest. The writer puts so much tedious unnecessary detail into the writing that it slows everything down to a crawl. I know the stories don't end with this book, that there will be another one after it. 5 huge thick books so far, and nowhere near an end. You know, if this author wasn't such a wordy guy, the books would be about a 5th the size they are and I'd know what happened by now.

The second book I'm reading is The Martian by Andy Weir. I started reading it before we went to the movie. It's a very very good book. I think I will set aside A Dance With Dragons, and finish The Martian first.

I am hearing...
The theme music to Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix. I have Pandora playing on the Roku. Listening to my Sci Fi movie channel.


Around the house...
are definite signs I have fur kids. Bones and toys lying all over, blankets covering every chair and the couch. Fur balls drifting across the bamboo floor. Cable is asleep on her big huge bed I got at Costco. I've got a dryer full of fur kid blankets drying right now.

One of my favorite things...
is movie soundtracks. Being a formally taught violinist who has played in several orchestras in my past, I really enjoy classical orchestra music. I've found movie soundtracks to be our modern orchestral music. They have a lot of similar characteristics as symphonies, concertos and sonatas can have. I love listening to the harmonies and the blending of the instruments, and how each one contributes not only to the melodies and harmonies but to the rhythms as well. Music is used to generate emotions in us. Some of my most favorite composers, besides Beethoven, Mahler, Respighi, Handel, Mozart, and all the other 'greats', are John Williams, James Horner, Jerry Goldsmith, and Hans Zimmer. These are our generations classical composers. Listening to their music makes my soul sing.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
I have Yarnies tomorrow, and lunch with some friends on Friday. Somewhere in there I hope to get some sewing done, as well as getting some little sweaters knit. Come the weekend I will probably work on these things.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing...
Today is Veterans Day.
Thank you to all the veterans who have served our country. This is a picture of my father when he was in the Army. If I remember correctly, it was taken in 1957. 


  
Live long and prosper. \\//

If you want to join the Simple Womans Daybook, click here.

11/10/15

Mens Mittens Pair #16

Yes, I'm still here, and still knitting. I've been so busy! I was hoping things would slow down after we got home from the trip. It's November, for crying out loud!  I finished another project for Knitwits just in time for the November meeting.



Mens Mittens (for Knitwits #16)
Pattern: Little Brick Checks by me.
Size: Mens Medium

Yarn: Berroco Vintage

Content: 52% Acrylic/40% Wool/8% Nylon, worsted weight
Color: Pumpkin

Needles: Circulars 
size 5.

Cast on: 
October 8, 2015
Completed: November 3, 2015

Comments:  I used the Little Brick Checks pattern, but I changed the stitch pattern. I was getting tired of the brick one.



I am very pleased with how these turned out. A close up of the very simple stitch pattern, which goes thusly:



Round 1: Knit
Round 2: Knit 1, purl 1 around.
Round 3: Knit.
Round 4: Purl 1, knit 1 around.

That's all there is to it!



I took them to this months Knitwits meeting and donated them.

I have finished a pair of mens large sized slippers in the last week, and I'm working on doll stuff for my Etsy store. I may not blog very often, but I keep knitting!

For the Etsy store, I'm making a white mohair sweater with a beaded ruffled neck. It's looking pretty good so far. I got some awesome Christmas fat quarters to make some skirts. Gotta take advantage of the Christmas season. This will be the first time I do that.

I've been working on a tunic for Sierra too, but the pattern is written for the Dollfie MSD, which is thinner, so it doesn't fit right. I will have to frog it, do some calculations, and start over. I really need to get some stuff knitted for the Ipelhouse JID dolls. I think I could sell some outfits if I got them made.

Don't have any snow yet. They keep saying it's coming on the local news. That's okay.. Last weekend I got the deck cleaned off, and put all the cushions away in storage. I'm ready for winter.

I'm also getting excited for Christmas. Quite different from last year. I wish I could put the tree up now. Hmmm, we're not hosting Thanksgiving this year. Maybe...

Live long and prosper. \\//