tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3628572590880712092024-03-07T16:22:09.744-05:00three dog knitsa blog about knitting and being wool-obsessed in warm, sunny florida. oh yeah, and dogs. lots of dogs.christine (threedogknits)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16701892389337086832noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362857259088071209.post-23394158787033322312008-05-09T06:31:00.003-05:002008-05-09T07:50:53.762-05:00War Games<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy4guNOFYCsGXkH5S30mgZr0-k8ue1vzwGpcgtHx7H3QSK6dVm2oj89KOmG4A-d7wJrbwrTWmNYsWvUWTXk0bgrqJUORXl7yAzSBGGm2vmoQ-vjQx0U3cXDSc1Nru28aol-XjUgV79Ktyn/s1600-h/sockwars.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy4guNOFYCsGXkH5S30mgZr0-k8ue1vzwGpcgtHx7H3QSK6dVm2oj89KOmG4A-d7wJrbwrTWmNYsWvUWTXk0bgrqJUORXl7yAzSBGGm2vmoQ-vjQx0U3cXDSc1Nru28aol-XjUgV79Ktyn/s400/sockwars.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198339548439510434" /></a><br />Where am I this weekend? I am in an undisclosed location reviewing the battle plans for the world's ultimate assassin game, <a href="http://sockwarsiii.memberlodge.org/" target="_blank">Sock Wars</a>. I've brought along my war cabinet (the dogs), my weapons (dpn's and a ball of Tofutsies), a stack of DVD's and a hopefully endless supply of Carr's Ginger Lemon Creme cookies. And tea. My war cabinet and I enjoy herbal tea.<br /><br />Okay, I am not in an "undisclosed location". I am sitting in my living room. But, still! I will not emerge until victory is mine! Mwah! Mwah!<br /><br />ETA: My Carr's Ginger Lemon Creme cookies are gone. So much for rationing.christine (threedogknits)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16701892389337086832noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362857259088071209.post-35386284083227420122008-04-01T12:23:00.003-05:002008-04-01T12:34:20.934-05:00Inexplicable Knitter Behaviour in St. PetersburgI decided to join in the <a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2008/03/26/grip_getting.html" target="_blank">Inexplicable Knitter Behaviour scavenger hunt</a> even though I'm far from Toronto. Thankfully the Yarn Harlot opened the Freestyle section to anyone who cares to participate (I do loves me a scavenger hunt). I added these photos to the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/inexplicableknitter/" target="_blank">Flickr group</a>.<br /><br />Here is my Pomatomus in progress at the World's Largest Shuffleboard Club. "In progress" is a generous term - the sock has looked exactly like this for 6 months. I love the yarn (Fleece Artist Sea Wool). I love the way the pattern looks. But knitting the pattern, em... not so much.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZ9bvjXK07jWOiTYwcRf8YRTQfWolP6FXGYkpymYamE9eW5LNpuhl2HXfWO7NiKotrmoM__xYcBpBiDxbeH7DhEPWDosJnvJPiczYpRfEAQydDuuqFfuKbHxMjDb-maZdTUDQeXHPxPv_/s1600-h/P4290001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZ9bvjXK07jWOiTYwcRf8YRTQfWolP6FXGYkpymYamE9eW5LNpuhl2HXfWO7NiKotrmoM__xYcBpBiDxbeH7DhEPWDosJnvJPiczYpRfEAQydDuuqFfuKbHxMjDb-maZdTUDQeXHPxPv_/s400/P4290001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184330596537267602" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRFThCv2IJgZ97a48KS2H2ucZCwT0UNmM-bETUBkacH5J4dZC2Hkl3u_yPuNa50V-7WBleVKDLX5_HD2gyCuRAVi2YEOAzWUyx2glYFv0uLUdoGn_tnJsQGxwh-LoJq-qUO_dewPuIxTV/s1600-h/P4290003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRFThCv2IJgZ97a48KS2H2ucZCwT0UNmM-bETUBkacH5J4dZC2Hkl3u_yPuNa50V-7WBleVKDLX5_HD2gyCuRAVi2YEOAzWUyx2glYFv0uLUdoGn_tnJsQGxwh-LoJq-qUO_dewPuIxTV/s400/P4290003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184330613717136802" /></a>christine (threedogknits)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16701892389337086832noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362857259088071209.post-35706159842025302992008-03-28T10:18:00.007-05:002008-03-28T10:51:35.458-05:00New Orleans - Part Three (final!)Only I could take a month to blog about a 6 day trip. If it was just a vacation I wouldn't have bothered, but I really want to show you everything. This is the last post - I'm anxious to resume my knitting posts because I'm knitting mitered squares in the round and I'm feeling like a genius. Let me show you where we stayed and worked and then I'll be done. So, without further ado, welcome to <a href="http://www.habitat-nola.org/volunteer/camp_hope.php" target="_blank">Camp Hope</a>!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqxZBvg94lxvgcnDSLyL_nJ1XmtN95PlKvo1Rd0e1P_rPsypLdmj9mQb_jGNt73_54hWOiGJ9yNWuANgyP1w9U1Pde-kzkeaohRkyrT0GwXr6TZ_o2_OlGHlxJDijAWiGgoKE4QUcuH33/s1600-h/P3270129.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqxZBvg94lxvgcnDSLyL_nJ1XmtN95PlKvo1Rd0e1P_rPsypLdmj9mQb_jGNt73_54hWOiGJ9yNWuANgyP1w9U1Pde-kzkeaohRkyrT0GwXr6TZ_o2_OlGHlxJDijAWiGgoKE4QUcuH33/s400/P3270129.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182813906146096418" /></a><br />This is where we stayed. It is currently the largest volunteer camp in the US. The week we were there it housed 500 people. They were expecting almost 1000 the week after as college kids come to volunteer over spring break. It is in a school in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Bernard_Parish,_Louisiana" target="_blank">St. Bernard Parish</a>; the population of St. Bernard isn't back up to pre-storm levels so there aren't enough kids to warrant re-opening the school yet. In the meantime, it is Habitat for Humanity's camp.<br /><br />It's not the Ritz but it is well run and safe. They have strict rules of conduct there (no drinking, boys sleep in one hall, girls in another) If I had college-age kids I wouldn't hesitate to let them stay there. It even has several TV rooms and a large computer room. It is staffed by AmeriCorp volunteers who work really hard. I don't think my time in NOLA would be quite complete if I hadn't experienced Camp Hope.<br /><br />My bed: (Here is the required knitting content - you can see the Friday Night Knitting Club poking out from under my <a href="http://www.stitchesnscones.com/" target="_blank">Stitches & Scones</a> bag.)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GPoi8FCKS3F91SekqeDUXYQOWW0_8Ti6hL6LgrwB9mwR3gc08TP54jkFoowR9KJWlKEHoRH43aJXqvFsW4HRDULXnlElMxiudYAUCl42QqoHbiqskkHsPzK34Z1TywcwYsrISBVkn5h_/s1600-h/P3270136.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GPoi8FCKS3F91SekqeDUXYQOWW0_8Ti6hL6LgrwB9mwR3gc08TP54jkFoowR9KJWlKEHoRH43aJXqvFsW4HRDULXnlElMxiudYAUCl42QqoHbiqskkHsPzK34Z1TywcwYsrISBVkn5h_/s400/P3270136.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182814305578054978" /></a><br />There are 30 beds to a room. Our room only had 6 people in it, but most of the rooms were full.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJGtEKqDSztDOEiK0JBt4KKKzhZK8KauGK-7XMnz3Msmsb3uAZT9_2OeMdF_I9c_eH_d1XeI3MPGkcvoDP0dyP9_fBV_9cHsLkm9UT5gQlvCa51m3YlEpVHA_tZhNhjqS5qdN9lOK4Yed/s1600-h/P3270138.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJGtEKqDSztDOEiK0JBt4KKKzhZK8KauGK-7XMnz3Msmsb3uAZT9_2OeMdF_I9c_eH_d1XeI3MPGkcvoDP0dyP9_fBV_9cHsLkm9UT5gQlvCa51m3YlEpVHA_tZhNhjqS5qdN9lOK4Yed/s400/P3270138.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182814305578054994" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJ0SzeANIwECKBKNI1OyXuMr4FDxMhkan2gj25jONSz85FL1HW469krZfZCNvCTnN_LqSXV-qPId8P8i83Xpp-k6-DBTGCQi2g__J83NFYOF_Ulo0qmRWWnbli0z59duVePdwAED77POI/s1600-h/P3250077.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJ0SzeANIwECKBKNI1OyXuMr4FDxMhkan2gj25jONSz85FL1HW469krZfZCNvCTnN_LqSXV-qPId8P8i83Xpp-k6-DBTGCQi2g__J83NFYOF_Ulo0qmRWWnbli0z59duVePdwAED77POI/s400/P3250077.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182813429404726434" /></a><br />There are two shower choices: freezing cold inside the school or warm in an outdoor mobile shower unit. After taking the coldest showers ever the first night, my group happily waited in line each day to take warm showers here:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQGeTqj_RIEshH2ODDDQJYNDpj8bxz5Z6zjNgB9fPvUYpkQ8txBF9I7IrDywHbMtgzf_4N2RH5UwvQCQFKXKHHkPirMR0tX4_J1u1dSJj8ZdCMumRrMy848Ngq5HLYuMBpVN8IUOz6j0Mk/s1600-h/P3270125.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQGeTqj_RIEshH2ODDDQJYNDpj8bxz5Z6zjNgB9fPvUYpkQ8txBF9I7IrDywHbMtgzf_4N2RH5UwvQCQFKXKHHkPirMR0tX4_J1u1dSJj8ZdCMumRrMy848Ngq5HLYuMBpVN8IUOz6j0Mk/s400/P3270125.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182813906146096402" /></a><br />The surprise of the trip was that the food was pretty darn good. During the week the AmeriCorp volunteers cook breakfast and dinner for between 300-1000 people a day (you make yourself a sandwich for your sack lunch). Over the weekend volunteers from St. Bernard help make the meals, and they're usually local recipes. The night I got there I had really good red beans and rice.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZg2XWAwrSM9gNEt1cH9QvqpjoBP03ZqR_ar_bwwKye5x5VztkjzaRcKCuStgq9BjedvHtZOtXhVeORpR-7kbE8UbfMge1JFl5JLXQV9bqWTQafhyphenhyphen_JH_o-fOfnoAFiRhYPgW6uOxbsA3t/s1600-h/P3270135.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZg2XWAwrSM9gNEt1cH9QvqpjoBP03ZqR_ar_bwwKye5x5VztkjzaRcKCuStgq9BjedvHtZOtXhVeORpR-7kbE8UbfMge1JFl5JLXQV9bqWTQafhyphenhyphen_JH_o-fOfnoAFiRhYPgW6uOxbsA3t/s400/P3270135.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182813910441063730" /></a><br />Our group of six worked at the same house for the entire week. Here's where my photos get a little less dramatic. If anyone was hoping that I spent the week in a hard hat with a sledgehammer knocking things down, you will be sadly disappointed. Historic preservation enthusiasts generally pooh-pooh knocking stuff down with sledgehammers. This double shotgun house is a couple neighborhoods away from the French Quarter. The homeowner would have qualified for a Rebuilding Together rehab before Katrina. After the storm the home improvement needs became even greater. His roof was damaged and leaked water into parts of the house. His house also had 2 feet of water during the flooding. By the time we got there, the walls had been repaired and the new kitchen cabinets were in place. We were there to paint the interior, put up crown molding and install carpet. Unfortunately we didn't get to the carpet due to some issues with the floor.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASOL4DACpgWukQ5vpvelSEzgAanuDoFOIZW1d6oyrrh-kXUqHw9-8P_JFCFf8NrEHmK8_oH3MY2y58lrBX7Q7mLjaFG67V3kbalIMnspx_hbNC2G19mSivXSc0WEPxHrxTpXB3YKU-Cca/s1600-h/P3270094.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASOL4DACpgWukQ5vpvelSEzgAanuDoFOIZW1d6oyrrh-kXUqHw9-8P_JFCFf8NrEHmK8_oH3MY2y58lrBX7Q7mLjaFG67V3kbalIMnspx_hbNC2G19mSivXSc0WEPxHrxTpXB3YKU-Cca/s400/P3270094.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182813442289628386" /></a><br />There are no before and after photos of the painting because we painted white over white. Except the window sills. It would have been nice if I had taken after photos of those.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcb_-5SOtH3g-hzFUee-MZooLTiKpQMh_qSCx2WuZY0eiKMvD6bFouz1vaZwxHCGa0gGghPe3oGBUka3mES_ZU-JG_AEyspMAQvcSX9gnN8H6Wr0ywwT6EMzQoTI_GJFSJaiEiFCKQFiK/s1600-h/P3240039.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcb_-5SOtH3g-hzFUee-MZooLTiKpQMh_qSCx2WuZY0eiKMvD6bFouz1vaZwxHCGa0gGghPe3oGBUka3mES_ZU-JG_AEyspMAQvcSX9gnN8H6Wr0ywwT6EMzQoTI_GJFSJaiEiFCKQFiK/s400/P3240039.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182813051447604338" /></a><br />My "crowning" achievement of the week (hee hee!): I learned how to cut and install crown molding. See that crown molding next to the ceiling. I cut that!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdU9Mh9yrgtkxglgkgjNZ14zNnb0M2kAHFZgGyxMzaC9ZyeRA1gRxc3aLadwAbgrZx8Sh4D0ynJ8mjOOZG4iMqzPRrkLkd0D_z48v0kJM3lLlTGnP50GYIRVAPluXkWi6Y1u5iYdItENO/s1600-h/P3270103.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdU9Mh9yrgtkxglgkgjNZ14zNnb0M2kAHFZgGyxMzaC9ZyeRA1gRxc3aLadwAbgrZx8Sh4D0ynJ8mjOOZG4iMqzPRrkLkd0D_z48v0kJM3lLlTGnP50GYIRVAPluXkWi6Y1u5iYdItENO/s400/P3270103.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182813901851129074" /></a><br />Before the house is officially finished, Rebuilding Together will re-glaze the windows.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7loC-t9rYcUZdRsS7NjKSbovR8KiPghCMqyxrhAfWyJEbqp4OhUPF77Xe7EnfzW46hNZRW7qsxo41LHaElPjCes958XmhT-9a5HY5QHjH7ScD0RsYKd4fmNaraN_MOna3wia3dgOXmRd/s1600-h/P3280143.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7loC-t9rYcUZdRsS7NjKSbovR8KiPghCMqyxrhAfWyJEbqp4OhUPF77Xe7EnfzW46hNZRW7qsxo41LHaElPjCes958XmhT-9a5HY5QHjH7ScD0RsYKd4fmNaraN_MOna3wia3dgOXmRd/s400/P3280143.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182814305578055010" /></a><br />On our last day we started fixing the holes in the floor. There were three major holes in the floor. For those of you with basements and concrete slabs under your houses (most of you probably), don't freak out that you can see the dirt ground through the holes. My home is built the same way (fortunately no holes). This is typical of older homes in the south. It's fun in the winter when you feel a cold breeze coming up through your hardwood floors.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0HqR8uvcuJ0asyPtLpQwOTAmeW68q_FrYwDykqdWZ19fSnmZFHbgdtcIGdpzN9gTuUfwM2tCc2xU_peZaS4g14hrZj0sBniyak4FToGovage2xGJtbdhX5fgtizJ8tR0HAK_PB2TsfKr/s1600-h/P3240029.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0HqR8uvcuJ0asyPtLpQwOTAmeW68q_FrYwDykqdWZ19fSnmZFHbgdtcIGdpzN9gTuUfwM2tCc2xU_peZaS4g14hrZj0sBniyak4FToGovage2xGJtbdhX5fgtizJ8tR0HAK_PB2TsfKr/s400/P3240029.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182813047152637010" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7dxAw5DjfhVB4evxftmhWUeNEH13ahQxK9dQEqy6pKrhyphenhyphenW8Tk1CPfYwvMDY4UN3DROPZBYcVLiLj3eI2yAkpQI0wfpjOeegVG3kRUiUKHE6MvOco1vMO9V8bTpm1TOy6n-yMbVeZMzFV/s1600-h/P3280145.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7dxAw5DjfhVB4evxftmhWUeNEH13ahQxK9dQEqy6pKrhyphenhyphenW8Tk1CPfYwvMDY4UN3DROPZBYcVLiLj3eI2yAkpQI0wfpjOeegVG3kRUiUKHE6MvOco1vMO9V8bTpm1TOy6n-yMbVeZMzFV/s400/P3280145.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182814309873022322" /></a><br />Grady, our house captain, cutting out around the hole. I learned how to secure the joists and patch up the hole. I also spent a good portion of the last day pulling nails out of the floor.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgti2FCNqaSdNFF5HVD7RGy555Zb6gRayc_2uds6fbIgV7XCmJWA1bRJ8kx_gZ9bC610RM1F5O2DyVun4jhwGe_eQwcZHlmb6C-1SUsB_d-9pMtWPr9ajLJSnduSzsSrz95NMXqnmJv3Xfu/s1600-h/P3280151.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgti2FCNqaSdNFF5HVD7RGy555Zb6gRayc_2uds6fbIgV7XCmJWA1bRJ8kx_gZ9bC610RM1F5O2DyVun4jhwGe_eQwcZHlmb6C-1SUsB_d-9pMtWPr9ajLJSnduSzsSrz95NMXqnmJv3Xfu/s400/P3280151.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182814314167989634" /></a><br />The house was close to the <a href="http://www.prcno.org/programs/rebuildingtogether/" target="_blank">Rebuilding Together</a> warehouse. I don't think all the RT volunteers get to visit the warehouse if they don't work near it. We had a great opportunity to see how the entire organization was run and to meet the other house captains. It was also nice to be close to a working bathroom and the staff break room.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCwNvzksba5vUnFSjCmvB7oxFo5WNOSxOBcXJV5xD6U0lUjzmNRB0r3vJZCjnwoNHT75UjmqlucYcL5ZTmwfyQlC7C888mJZxf00jZbfJ1EbErIvJABz0ivcUp-S-XByPcHJeZbkGqGKk/s1600-h/P3240045.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCwNvzksba5vUnFSjCmvB7oxFo5WNOSxOBcXJV5xD6U0lUjzmNRB0r3vJZCjnwoNHT75UjmqlucYcL5ZTmwfyQlC7C888mJZxf00jZbfJ1EbErIvJABz0ivcUp-S-XByPcHJeZbkGqGKk/s400/P3240045.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182813055742571650" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQdfZ2Fr9Y2FQwWANntdD-YT4845Zgj7d4njy0ZCYtz1Uy6E7t3nN2GhBQ_1F36MeVGlzI-Eas6yJZge8c-uMXrRsVaraIIDOUsJL-nYYF4NyEaBs47GWPXjIiAlYSDw1FgkTmgfxjq-6/s1600-h/P3240046.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQdfZ2Fr9Y2FQwWANntdD-YT4845Zgj7d4njy0ZCYtz1Uy6E7t3nN2GhBQ_1F36MeVGlzI-Eas6yJZge8c-uMXrRsVaraIIDOUsJL-nYYF4NyEaBs47GWPXjIiAlYSDw1FgkTmgfxjq-6/s400/P3240046.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182813064332506258" /></a><br />Eating lunch on the RT balcony:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdWE2-1R6ZezLgH7zOgTg9dMRo50XepIYcG57vXeoCNJBGw9Rce4jWH3nE3cJQkhG3AE5KMoYm1eROG0a3nwjuo9vw0QYco_tQHrXpKclglH7bbJI-xx82YyC3-tNMCG0DN8XxBjysux1/s1600-h/P3270093.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdWE2-1R6ZezLgH7zOgTg9dMRo50XepIYcG57vXeoCNJBGw9Rce4jWH3nE3cJQkhG3AE5KMoYm1eROG0a3nwjuo9vw0QYco_tQHrXpKclglH7bbJI-xx82YyC3-tNMCG0DN8XxBjysux1/s400/P3270093.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182813437994661074" /></a><br />Rebuilding Together has a new salvage store at the warehouse. A few month ago they finally convinced FEMA that donating important architectural elements to RT would be much better than adding them to the landfills. These are all from FEMA-funded demolitions. The salvage store is doing a brisk business with lots of people needing to replace these items on their homes.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndYphQs2PyHFiYause9q281MZbCaRIKQbutajJ6D67QPcxgWhfmFxI974RIXQzxCnqsn4qf6bCpkP7ceo_7gcLeK1QnEu0gyyXvDmDxuiy35xOmfLFkj-CCKY1nJq_k_bUc1Ip_29eUvb/s1600-h/P3240034.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndYphQs2PyHFiYause9q281MZbCaRIKQbutajJ6D67QPcxgWhfmFxI974RIXQzxCnqsn4qf6bCpkP7ceo_7gcLeK1QnEu0gyyXvDmDxuiy35xOmfLFkj-CCKY1nJq_k_bUc1Ip_29eUvb/s400/P3240034.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182813051447604322" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9EChS7CFw7wCIBQRM1BffhUBI8z5m38znwfkseyg9kopQrjabyoOsLcfTPlyCv2rKlhvZgvbd6gMNWPY8SCFbViKmeJX0iek0WeAufVl4b5M0R4t_q1BhmHBPAM0ZyDJ5joWjcsS2l8w/s1600-h/P3270092.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9EChS7CFw7wCIBQRM1BffhUBI8z5m38znwfkseyg9kopQrjabyoOsLcfTPlyCv2rKlhvZgvbd6gMNWPY8SCFbViKmeJX0iek0WeAufVl4b5M0R4t_q1BhmHBPAM0ZyDJ5joWjcsS2l8w/s400/P3270092.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182813437994661058" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBcrLpr627p3n8IDKKMgH-pgf5o5q8POwYfjl3YDW6PBGCDZvMd3oyIMnaXxkvNQjdwrwq6A5CQnVvnfYz8JzF56LcwFPa99SfX65VpL1vx4xrLn53xT3tWIzgVLmmkbVbvH6gqkX1xzJ/s1600-h/P3270089.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBcrLpr627p3n8IDKKMgH-pgf5o5q8POwYfjl3YDW6PBGCDZvMd3oyIMnaXxkvNQjdwrwq6A5CQnVvnfYz8JzF56LcwFPa99SfX65VpL1vx4xrLn53xT3tWIzgVLmmkbVbvH6gqkX1xzJ/s400/P3270089.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182813433699693746" /></a><br />One more photo. This is from a very badly damaged home in the Lower Ninth. It nicely sums up my trip. The National Trust has an <a href="http://www.preservationnation.org/resources/newsletters/e-newsletter/2008/preservation-in-action.html" target="_blank">article</a> about it in their newsletter which describes what it was like better than I can. When I start writing about it, it sounds cliche and mushy. I'll just say that if you have ever considered doing a trip like this, do it! There is plenty of work for unskilled volunteers like myself. You may be surprised to learn what you're capable of doing (like being in charge of the chop saw!!). I really do feel like our group helped with the rebuilding effort. When I got home I spent a few days counting my many blessings and hugging my dogs. I am definitely going back. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYV9hZ7uM1I_fdnBE79HDTXeCHtJ5hRhNcNLkadV4wrCdLz0RcHYqRQSTMW9JsHUfIiiPQAhROEidpr2aQSRnVp3Ml6YELuEWAM8wHETlDlHfXs_4MHy91kjFqlUJnP2vkymJTGhCZBHA/s1600-h/P3270119.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYV9hZ7uM1I_fdnBE79HDTXeCHtJ5hRhNcNLkadV4wrCdLz0RcHYqRQSTMW9JsHUfIiiPQAhROEidpr2aQSRnVp3Ml6YELuEWAM8wHETlDlHfXs_4MHy91kjFqlUJnP2vkymJTGhCZBHA/s400/P3270119.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182813901851129090" /></a>christine (threedogknits)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16701892389337086832noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362857259088071209.post-16810711938417944152008-03-21T08:26:00.008-05:002008-03-21T09:12:03.063-05:00New Orleans - Part TwoEach day after work we drove back to Camp Hope a different way, so we could be sure to see as much of the neighborhoods as possible. Some buildings have been restored perfectly, some haven't been touched since Katrina. I hesitated at first to put photos of people's homes up here. But the lack of national news coverage (with the exception of NPR) could lead people to think that the rebuilding is done. A lot has been done since 2005, but I think people need to be reminded about how much work is left to do.<br /><br />Turns out I really didn't have a good understanding of how widespread the flooding was after Katrina. I was picturing a flooded neighborhood here, then dry land, then flooding. Of course I knew it was bad, I just wasn't picturing it correctly. I understand what happened a whole lot better now. As an example, Camp Hope is in the eastern part of St. Bernard Parish, about 20 miles east of the house we worked on (which is about 15 blocks east of the French Quarter). Almost every single building from Camp Hope to the house still has the Katrina graffiti (from when the various organizations searched the buildings after the flooding). Some of the buildings are in use, some not. <br /><br />This is a house in the Lakeview, a rather upscale neighborhood north of Mid-City. The brown line is the water mark.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM93BZoNtFtsX2tGjtNPsoPqaAI8kV_hr0PUIoDy9iANiqvCu4ki4ZV7WuPQCyylKqswVmm8xryYzXMAyvX7cRR9jWpc11Evptc45cRBS3FinYcsKVeGfGC2mMtCB75sN_MF47QRjmgihf/s1600-h/P3280171.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM93BZoNtFtsX2tGjtNPsoPqaAI8kV_hr0PUIoDy9iANiqvCu4ki4ZV7WuPQCyylKqswVmm8xryYzXMAyvX7cRR9jWpc11Evptc45cRBS3FinYcsKVeGfGC2mMtCB75sN_MF47QRjmgihf/s400/P3280171.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180194603160761410" /></a><br />This school in the St. Roch neighborhood hasn't reopened yet. The registration dates are from 2005.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0roUHURmDAxBJEwKmWsLp6GnmHbK-A-IA3OdKbn9-rjTMam2FfD5nnKvgqyQ4mFpgJucUkRBJw73muTTxjAxJqpavJdNnvi7vbE8mSlFDb7lRU4dbF9pXJF6p9dsQzPryjEBn0R6lqehk/s1600-h/P3250050.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0roUHURmDAxBJEwKmWsLp6GnmHbK-A-IA3OdKbn9-rjTMam2FfD5nnKvgqyQ4mFpgJucUkRBJw73muTTxjAxJqpavJdNnvi7vbE8mSlFDb7lRU4dbF9pXJF6p9dsQzPryjEBn0R6lqehk/s400/P3250050.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180186842154857266" /></a><br />This is the part of the Lower Ninth Ward that is right next to the levee. I'm not sure how many of these homes were pushed away by the flood and how many were cleared by FEMA later.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IBLiYwGIDwXjjqcgJSAkrdRZ5JuE1l-QSspYnqvCnZMCFTZV53i4ZkNekf205WVlxcT_iRpg_sfiKn1CjcCGsXa-_cNwuZs3rLnSUvy8HkWg1US-oxMqAxgE43U3khLZ_AZJqJELCkFu/s1600-h/P3270107.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IBLiYwGIDwXjjqcgJSAkrdRZ5JuE1l-QSspYnqvCnZMCFTZV53i4ZkNekf205WVlxcT_iRpg_sfiKn1CjcCGsXa-_cNwuZs3rLnSUvy8HkWg1US-oxMqAxgE43U3khLZ_AZJqJELCkFu/s400/P3270107.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180193692627694546" /></a><br />Front porches:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWudK56MJG3_osXWa81aK4zFqS73f5vLXsUkvRlvmbXwSrXo4Z_PIbIeNcgwXkhicGmlFfSQX61VVD5te5Xa6Ks46Y6Y1WZ82yEIOcafy7JxU3OBu2Y1ERy_544qIjJow_rxGXmGsdyqak/s1600-h/P3270109.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWudK56MJG3_osXWa81aK4zFqS73f5vLXsUkvRlvmbXwSrXo4Z_PIbIeNcgwXkhicGmlFfSQX61VVD5te5Xa6Ks46Y6Y1WZ82yEIOcafy7JxU3OBu2Y1ERy_544qIjJow_rxGXmGsdyqak/s400/P3270109.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180193696922661858" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZoRtAw2oOo8oT5nzedEvKBp9hyTFahuUUbPZ56Ef1vqVuTzfSQ7EB5v7nD-lfq4p0oRlxTR4Ad3doNqP310Wu43tf1KClJU0Ju-Uj7esXq1JJmsGxB0-HrVkaD0g1fhCqletPxdLO5Rn/s1600-h/P3270114.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZoRtAw2oOo8oT5nzedEvKBp9hyTFahuUUbPZ56Ef1vqVuTzfSQ7EB5v7nD-lfq4p0oRlxTR4Ad3doNqP310Wu43tf1KClJU0Ju-Uj7esXq1JJmsGxB0-HrVkaD0g1fhCqletPxdLO5Rn/s400/P3270114.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180193705512596466" /></a><br />There are a lot of gutted houses with no windows and doors just waiting to be restored. The graffiti here means that on Sept 12th (2005), someone from Texas Fish and Wildlife inspected the house and found no people and no bodies. "NE" means they weren't able to get into the house (No Entry). <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFv3ed-U2Vf1vvx5FQoTaT9yVAeJWihkMo_IZcGhvG0yicZ27ABhZZtLdOCTg5pInp3hg9HOmP_-d2cWU9VKoPmWyoS5vWYT7iMtW2XUi1r_uBDIv2NQ1zDsGTds5DLzlbko040EYzWYTC/s1600-h/P3250072.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFv3ed-U2Vf1vvx5FQoTaT9yVAeJWihkMo_IZcGhvG0yicZ27ABhZZtLdOCTg5pInp3hg9HOmP_-d2cWU9VKoPmWyoS5vWYT7iMtW2XUi1r_uBDIv2NQ1zDsGTds5DLzlbko040EYzWYTC/s400/P3250072.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180186863629693810" /></a><br />You can see the hole where someone axed their way through the roof, I assume to escape the flood.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3qZioP43AZZaocGeezT9N5DFT7KFPxS14_XmhsKpfn6A5D2eeWtrO3EJexDGL2qD_rg3WgJj9Ned3e8QtCqbRZsaUcB1_DmE7aD8NlCDUzYbQFhP2rnRm9Ara5EFIfamymZ0b5ppV1RP/s1600-h/P3250075.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3qZioP43AZZaocGeezT9N5DFT7KFPxS14_XmhsKpfn6A5D2eeWtrO3EJexDGL2qD_rg3WgJj9Ned3e8QtCqbRZsaUcB1_DmE7aD8NlCDUzYbQFhP2rnRm9Ara5EFIfamymZ0b5ppV1RP/s400/P3250075.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180191373345354642" /></a><br />So many people are still living in trailers next to their homes.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PXLkcfS63PhgT-qPp3xXXZ0-57f6szudikR4cFgixTiJdlAuReiEOd0696-zyuJCh9B2wkODz_u4CVKo5R5yzl1svVYCVFlJWxiPStVqheHb6Xw4XlzFdgS7jo0wQEc1AIu9wMpSBYTX/s1600-h/P3250076.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PXLkcfS63PhgT-qPp3xXXZ0-57f6szudikR4cFgixTiJdlAuReiEOd0696-zyuJCh9B2wkODz_u4CVKo5R5yzl1svVYCVFlJWxiPStVqheHb6Xw4XlzFdgS7jo0wQEc1AIu9wMpSBYTX/s400/P3250076.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180191373345354658" /></a><br />Many people are just now starting to rebuild. There are a lot of debris piles as people clean out their homes. N.O. is back up to 300,000 people (out of 450,000 before the storm). <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWHoGq4mTetuE0rPmWU-m6Tsfc5cIv75qqWTghWEgItOTJsKGM1UopJdchy41KN0jYGwDRoFAqkkmN3cgBFsNhVoB2AyXAndbNxRZJJ24xuqljVQpE8iqaEIPwlXcP2GU7V4i1En00jM_/s1600-h/P3250069.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWHoGq4mTetuE0rPmWU-m6Tsfc5cIv75qqWTghWEgItOTJsKGM1UopJdchy41KN0jYGwDRoFAqkkmN3cgBFsNhVoB2AyXAndbNxRZJJ24xuqljVQpE8iqaEIPwlXcP2GU7V4i1En00jM_/s400/P3250069.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180186859334726498" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQibo1D-ZWXxXuG2KMBzfKIVjw02dALkDTEWHzm3E0pusfW2Y_Vc4FkId3PZFwhLEUjNec673mBJqnZgitV0aBJ_ghoaHMJX05WS4XDc7uY1wHsTHJMioaAFHuoyKAdCjgiIUmXwPrTj56/s1600-h/P3250073.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQibo1D-ZWXxXuG2KMBzfKIVjw02dALkDTEWHzm3E0pusfW2Y_Vc4FkId3PZFwhLEUjNec673mBJqnZgitV0aBJ_ghoaHMJX05WS4XDc7uY1wHsTHJMioaAFHuoyKAdCjgiIUmXwPrTj56/s400/P3250073.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180191369050387330" /></a><br />A sign from the city that this house will be cleared. The sign is from 6 months ago. We saw a couple homes where people have spraypainted "Do not bulldoze I will rebuild". Hope it works. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJE7VgX2AVV3N5HFhw9euMIzpesupv4IEwi66IEFzM0jPX-yvhSNExqmY9Fc_zZxSKthyphenhyphenEWrQhcJ4AFnO_ECgttpXjJIdZY9jbYtq4W7jENHg6kdeFIChB7TAbVt6GIVrexmGEnkTzGkwj/s1600-h/P3270101.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJE7VgX2AVV3N5HFhw9euMIzpesupv4IEwi66IEFzM0jPX-yvhSNExqmY9Fc_zZxSKthyphenhyphenEWrQhcJ4AFnO_ECgttpXjJIdZY9jbYtq4W7jENHg6kdeFIChB7TAbVt6GIVrexmGEnkTzGkwj/s400/P3270101.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180191377640321986" /></a><br />The house nearby has been restored to perfection.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmfWgyle3Guqx1pVSc4GJClPiB9Vk0hNqlxVCHbufnmFDdBmoZUQCOUD74cWqtx8-Q-oNXDeSpZIN1r775qgvYGdENFIEvV_EtmLTXQAoIdo1e2rzzsC0NWn-ue5fTYw0ghRvz2XZRN8K/s1600-h/P3270095.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmfWgyle3Guqx1pVSc4GJClPiB9Vk0hNqlxVCHbufnmFDdBmoZUQCOUD74cWqtx8-Q-oNXDeSpZIN1r775qgvYGdENFIEvV_EtmLTXQAoIdo1e2rzzsC0NWn-ue5fTYw0ghRvz2XZRN8K/s400/P3270095.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180191377640321970" /></a><br />There are some other bright spots. Literally. This is the <a href="http://www.nolamusiciansvillage.com/" target="_blank">Musician's Village</a>. The colors are so bright and the houses are so cheerful that you can see the "glow" a couple blocks away. I love it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mCwk3m4cFZY-VIa-OBKknHb0rdX0TVVSr9cfmxLWWIb7hzt6eHa3ycZFMSjiD6GimksdnsB3Brk3XaP171goA3ei1E9ie8V6eK8_3HvNH81FoeORvXSyz5r5kgGvfU8p-Oq10lgeHLWp/s1600-h/P3250051.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mCwk3m4cFZY-VIa-OBKknHb0rdX0TVVSr9cfmxLWWIb7hzt6eHa3ycZFMSjiD6GimksdnsB3Brk3XaP171goA3ei1E9ie8V6eK8_3HvNH81FoeORvXSyz5r5kgGvfU8p-Oq10lgeHLWp/s400/P3250051.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180186850744791874" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvt1fNLXu-B6FvYnMxrMNfwDg7-7LZiSeIhnV9hhQpN8TgYB2QR7jQxz__H1Jobypse0IpU3_YdYf1PgsJmA6EW5_QA_cczguxdnCaFfnrkrsKcK-VInmEiQCc9T9FZf9x_Bpi2lXs_Yn/s1600-h/P3250053.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvt1fNLXu-B6FvYnMxrMNfwDg7-7LZiSeIhnV9hhQpN8TgYB2QR7jQxz__H1Jobypse0IpU3_YdYf1PgsJmA6EW5_QA_cczguxdnCaFfnrkrsKcK-VInmEiQCc9T9FZf9x_Bpi2lXs_Yn/s400/P3250053.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180186850744791890" /></a><br />The <a href="http://www.prcno.org/" target="_blank">Preservation Resource Center</a> is the organization that <a href="http://www.prcno.org/programs/rebuildingtogether/" target="_blank">Rebuilding Together New Orleans</a> is part of. Both PRC and RT have separate restoration projects. PRC seems to be purely preservation oriented. Rebuilding Together specializes in doing home improvements for low-income elderly and disabled homeowners. PRC has restored many houses in the Holy Cross neighborhood and have more projects on the way.<br /><br />Soon to be restored:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Q1LzLf3IM78SP-mWVQENTXh5kWf0YrZRgmTks-1IccQkTscV0o-vBHlZAUH6VEnRbvmaCnMMvajz2twZXYlRAA-mkuRCmquBZQE94uX4T6O23rlSEI4ztZNTVjLrL3bTiF6yei9C9R7U/s1600-h/P3280159.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Q1LzLf3IM78SP-mWVQENTXh5kWf0YrZRgmTks-1IccQkTscV0o-vBHlZAUH6VEnRbvmaCnMMvajz2twZXYlRAA-mkuRCmquBZQE94uX4T6O23rlSEI4ztZNTVjLrL3bTiF6yei9C9R7U/s400/P3280159.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180193709807563778" /></a><br />Next door, a great restoration job by the PRC:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoUujZZYEgUakMk71T8HBXJnpztn0fpQslpjlpc9Mfqlf0ObW85lyfQsTYKXXT7KMrWpJ9Q9ZB6507jkpOUpubHzAqa_VoEjr5TTDh2spxIcXsWK7dpr3AUR630SI4I_0T3fxrJCmN4L5/s1600-h/P3280160.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoUujZZYEgUakMk71T8HBXJnpztn0fpQslpjlpc9Mfqlf0ObW85lyfQsTYKXXT7KMrWpJ9Q9ZB6507jkpOUpubHzAqa_VoEjr5TTDh2spxIcXsWK7dpr3AUR630SI4I_0T3fxrJCmN4L5/s400/P3280160.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180193709807563794" /></a><br />Also in Holy Cross are the two famous Steamboat houses. They are in great shape. I assume there were repairs done after the storm because they sit next to the levee.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6h8ICjyeIYvJvmdG5UbCLtffCdiTuFEdysW67rom1eKRwIvzN-c5uT0NAd8KU5IZO4dNmmBH_v-Hypew9MiARdbIXYnCdU3hBmYsYDOCYXdBWzwDKp08G5GWG3MBJaBYAylC-hcqxkOR/s1600-h/P3280166.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6h8ICjyeIYvJvmdG5UbCLtffCdiTuFEdysW67rom1eKRwIvzN-c5uT0NAd8KU5IZO4dNmmBH_v-Hypew9MiARdbIXYnCdU3hBmYsYDOCYXdBWzwDKp08G5GWG3MBJaBYAylC-hcqxkOR/s400/P3280166.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180194598865794082" /></a><br />Brad Pitt's Green Project house in Holy Cross. No, Brad Pitt was not there when we stopped by. :-)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhpGdwpUOj7slEZ0NyNpiqrMAjIS8g2-UsAq62tPWuwInZx2Xk6Mdh_YJc_X0Bhw3JorUdnj992hy6JIP_Yy-8QISCih7J-crXti5oZOJs7xbJ7nWGCJZidiAw-2SdzTvw5o8ex7h7fU8/s1600-h/P3280169.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhpGdwpUOj7slEZ0NyNpiqrMAjIS8g2-UsAq62tPWuwInZx2Xk6Mdh_YJc_X0Bhw3JorUdnj992hy6JIP_Yy-8QISCih7J-crXti5oZOJs7xbJ7nWGCJZidiAw-2SdzTvw5o8ex7h7fU8/s400/P3280169.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180194603160761394" /></a>christine (threedogknits)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16701892389337086832noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362857259088071209.post-59374477294078905832008-03-13T12:42:00.005-05:002008-03-13T13:04:13.457-05:00New Orleans - Part OneI've been trying to figure out the best way to show you my New Orleans photos. It'll take two or three posts. Reading this post, you'll probably be thinking... umm... did you do any work at all while you were in New Orleans?! Yes! Five out of six of the days were work days. I'll show those in the next post. I'm waiting for someone to send photos of me using power tools. Turns out I'm rather awesome at cutting stuff up with a chop saw.<br /><br />I got a lot of fun stuff in on the one free day I had, plus the two nights we went out.<br /><br />I got to New Orleans a day before I had to be at Camp Hope (more on Camp Hope later). I wasn't sure what free time I would have during the week so I gave myself a day to explore. Good thinking: by the time we ended our work days I was too tired to do much else. Unfortunately I didn't have time to explore anywhere else but the Quarter. Oh well - next time!<br /><br />The French Quarter is still kickin' it:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJ5S-6kJwh8QlBhWOwnIUNNm-o7jnILO2KqgqBAHzivL6fKsCHDezW4A9WUZmBYpKbYwjP_DOAvVqvo-qBdhOM7yOwiCi-IfjS_zstedtYw-aUfHbUD0pSZIo9tcCpAJ7RqPf737qDgBU/s1600-h/nola1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJ5S-6kJwh8QlBhWOwnIUNNm-o7jnILO2KqgqBAHzivL6fKsCHDezW4A9WUZmBYpKbYwjP_DOAvVqvo-qBdhOM7yOwiCi-IfjS_zstedtYw-aUfHbUD0pSZIo9tcCpAJ7RqPf737qDgBU/s400/nola1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177285006057264050" /></a><br />Early morning ritual: hosing down Bourbon St. I usually avoid Bourbon St. because, well, I'm not a big drinker. I'm no longer in college nor do I wish I was young again. I'm also not prone to shouting "woo hoo! party!" at random strangers for no apparent reason. (No worries if you're one of those who like to shout at random strangers. I respect that - I'm just not that animated.) On this trip however I was comforted by the smell of old beer emanating from the street. I took it as a sign that things are going to be okay in New Orleans.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LX92Z9M9vgFZ1h2KBRxMqA1FvwypjpdDZZxKjoN67DTypV68hoio4_ZLeTpm_xlhYF7wKnB4OXR3oDXL4Yy-3Xdsy1iQFyeyUKHv-ruYupnsk8iwQx38fWtmpEuarMVu-gi-uZ827ieq/s1600-h/nola7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LX92Z9M9vgFZ1h2KBRxMqA1FvwypjpdDZZxKjoN67DTypV68hoio4_ZLeTpm_xlhYF7wKnB4OXR3oDXL4Yy-3Xdsy1iQFyeyUKHv-ruYupnsk8iwQx38fWtmpEuarMVu-gi-uZ827ieq/s400/nola7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177287845030646802" /></a><br />Andrew Jackson is still watching over Jackson Square:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjadVAVX4UaCnrGUx5KXUiZM5Z6mltKirIIxs5LwMgPYju4g_HC7XQIfFnQmN2gsV2LtNclOhbF58ShinudQ-jP1gBRFtENiRNhhwJOBi1nw-yn_3H5WoCbkhUAYINxBeotMXCit1_ibJIM/s1600-h/nola2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjadVAVX4UaCnrGUx5KXUiZM5Z6mltKirIIxs5LwMgPYju4g_HC7XQIfFnQmN2gsV2LtNclOhbF58ShinudQ-jP1gBRFtENiRNhhwJOBi1nw-yn_3H5WoCbkhUAYINxBeotMXCit1_ibJIM/s400/nola2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177285014647198658" /></a><br />Within a block from each other on Chartes St.:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9n4kaWPQ8U9idz6i5fdNdgHZXUqsJc-C1GT3Z17gG-SHo25OUZXW3K4uUmgNXT8M-xYD7VZOeg3NsOL9NhbdN8SHfVSsQma_Ls6fxOmo6C1K_V9soA4qzB1wjhi61fSCyzzkoH3pCldUb/s1600-h/nola3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9n4kaWPQ8U9idz6i5fdNdgHZXUqsJc-C1GT3Z17gG-SHo25OUZXW3K4uUmgNXT8M-xYD7VZOeg3NsOL9NhbdN8SHfVSsQma_Ls6fxOmo6C1K_V9soA4qzB1wjhi61fSCyzzkoH3pCldUb/s400/nola3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177285014647198674" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8heRpSDh3QnRSmDBS_2lHvzaKBcyC5a05f3kHi7_m9NwJnQJuyYxB9UKTRTr4XHPyCr_cNBF19m7TOgY3duhfyyhb56mVZsjcHTK9J6pz6Slkk_fJoO1qyJ6hUR48Il4Ur3QPhJT43Zdy/s1600-h/nola4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8heRpSDh3QnRSmDBS_2lHvzaKBcyC5a05f3kHi7_m9NwJnQJuyYxB9UKTRTr4XHPyCr_cNBF19m7TOgY3duhfyyhb56mVZsjcHTK9J6pz6Slkk_fJoO1qyJ6hUR48Il4Ur3QPhJT43Zdy/s400/nola4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177285023237133282" /></a><br />Yarn!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zQwArxf5Mr-1MplWayB-kOD8QMQOZ-FBiWv0Zr0Ki8uBQgk2g7OnxwhB4k7c0wbdqQJL76S7L2mmG5brQlC56a2jtP0WbiCHRTqKFcpneIvF8v1D0eEB_oJpNyon3H839uDRW355lF-F/s1600-h/nola5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zQwArxf5Mr-1MplWayB-kOD8QMQOZ-FBiWv0Zr0Ki8uBQgk2g7OnxwhB4k7c0wbdqQJL76S7L2mmG5brQlC56a2jtP0WbiCHRTqKFcpneIvF8v1D0eEB_oJpNyon3H839uDRW355lF-F/s400/nola5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177285031827067890" /></a><br />The Quarter Stitch is a very friendly yarn store. It might be small in size but the yarn selection is choice. They have a wall of Koigu. I may have bought some as a souvenir. While I was there there was a young guy shopping for his girlfriend. He was partying in NO with his buddies but still managed to bring home yarn for her. Halfway through his shopping one of his friends waiting outside quietly passed him a to-go cup full of beer.<br /><br />Every time I've returned from a trip to New Orleans, I am always asked the same question: where'd you eat? Even though five of the seven days I ate at Camp Hope I managed to get my fill of the required New Orleans food:<br /><ul><br /> <li>Coffee and chickory cafe au lait and beignets from Cafe du Monde? Heck, yeah.</li><br /><li>Gumbo: I had the best chicken and anduille gumbo I've ever had from The Gumbo Shop in the French Quarter. If you want to make some good chicken and andouille gumbo, check out this <a href="http://www.gumbopages.com/food/soups/chixsaus-gumbo.html" target="_blank">recipe</a>. <a href="http://www.gumbopages.com" target="_blank">All his recipes</a> look amazing.</li><br /><li>Crawfish: on our last day the staff from the National Trust New Orleans office gave us a tour of the city. Before we started the tour they surprised us with boiled crawfish. They weren't going to let us leave NO without teaching us the proper way to eat them. I loved the tails but must admit I'm squeamish about the heads. Hopefully no one noticed what a wuss I am about shellfish.</li><br /><li>Po-boy: After filling us with crawfish and touring the city, they took us to Parkway Bakery and Tavern. I had my first ever oyster po-boy. My god. The ingredients are so simple; fried oysters, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, mayo and french bread. I never ordered one before because I always thought, what's the big deal they got all that where I live, too. But something about that soft crust french bread makes the grease and oyster juice mix with the mayo and tomatoes and creates a soupy mess of the most amazing sandwich. Hold on... just thinking about that po-boy has got me daydreaming again... I need a moment.</li><br /></ul><br />Margaret was one of the people in my group. Here she is making friends with a crawfish:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WHGm8DpfGD1pf5LK8XlT5Lh0sfLRmbFwOKKERDXKH1cTCEEZN-JD4C6RBtFDWwQxMNONySmTdka6CmIubsjLvCTaphcFw_V9SlBu4J4hfnNDzHJQjFcuhJaFgfQp7ejLqzkwMep9_tsD/s1600-h/nola6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WHGm8DpfGD1pf5LK8XlT5Lh0sfLRmbFwOKKERDXKH1cTCEEZN-JD4C6RBtFDWwQxMNONySmTdka6CmIubsjLvCTaphcFw_V9SlBu4J4hfnNDzHJQjFcuhJaFgfQp7ejLqzkwMep9_tsD/s400/nola6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177285426964059138" /></a><br />More later!christine (threedogknits)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16701892389337086832noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362857259088071209.post-4629052981742889162008-03-07T00:17:00.004-05:002008-03-07T00:32:05.682-05:00I'm back (and have been put On Notice)I got back from New Orleans this week, but have been too busy catching up with work to sort out my photos. I'll do that this weekend. Warning: I took tons of photos! <br /><br />My friend Chris informed me today that until I share my New Orleans photos I am officially "On Notice". You know it's serious when you're listed above Grizzly Bears.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvd8FRyTNrHUsDwHCgQ9aI7269auNXqYozVYlgawH91NU3kN2IznuyEhgQN5Q390nSAVBqW7gZnJCBGIDabpaGPsXiGMFQHNxxdPl4O3Nd72LVBkBOgA0OmOOIcgXk8qwyBlxdXFxQoXB/s1600-h/OnNotice.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvd8FRyTNrHUsDwHCgQ9aI7269auNXqYozVYlgawH91NU3kN2IznuyEhgQN5Q390nSAVBqW7gZnJCBGIDabpaGPsXiGMFQHNxxdPl4O3Nd72LVBkBOgA0OmOOIcgXk8qwyBlxdXFxQoXB/s400/OnNotice.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174865267928548290" /></a><br />Guess I better organize my photos.<br /><br />(<a href="http://www.shipbrook.com/onnotice" target="_blank">www.shipbrook.com/onnotice</a> for funzies)christine (threedogknits)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16701892389337086832noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362857259088071209.post-15919742699278390552008-02-08T11:18:00.001-05:002008-02-08T12:16:34.295-05:00Thank YouUnbelievable. After only three days there is not much left in my destash pile. Thank you to everyone who bought something. I know some of you even broke your yarn diet to do it. I've raised most of what I needed to just by selling a small portion of my stash.<br /><br />If you are interested in knitterly ways to help New Orleans, in particular the Lower Ninth Ward, check out what Christy (<a href="http://www.misplacedsouthernbelle.com/" target="_blank">Confessions of a Misplaced Southern Belle</a>) is doing. She has created <a href="http://www.thehousethatyarnbuilt.com/" target="_blank">The House that Yarn Built</a>. Her goal is for people to donate to <a href="http://www.makeitrightnola.org/" target="_blank"> Make It Right</a> in the name of The House that Yarn Built. Make It Right is Brad Pitt's foundation; the goal is to build 150 homes in the Lower Ninth Ward. These homes will be raised to withstand flooding and will be environmentally friendly. If 7800 knitters donated $20 (the cost of a skein of sock yarn) it would build one house. Check out the details (and great prizes!) <a href="http://www.thehousethatyarnbuilt.com/" target="_blank">The House that Yarn Built</a>.<br /><br />I had a big rant here about righting the wrongs done to New Orleans. But we all know what happened. And we all know it'll take years to make things right again. And we all know that even if the media has moved on to the next big story, New Orleans is still rebuilding (and restoring *says I, the preservation nerd*). So I deleted my rant :-)<br /><br />Thank you again to everyone who bought yarn. <br /><br />Next week: I have rediscovered my love of knitting and will have some FO's to show you!christine (threedogknits)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16701892389337086832noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362857259088071209.post-45568108205351744422008-02-05T09:40:00.000-05:002008-02-05T10:36:28.517-05:00Destashing for a good causeHappy Super Duper Tuesday. Even better... happy Mardi Gras!<br /><br />It's been over two years since Hurricane Katrina and there is still a lot of restoration work to be done. I've been talking about going for two years now. I finally signed up. I am spending a week in New Orleans volunteering for the <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org/" target="_blank">National Trust for Historic Preservation</a> through <a href="http://prcno.org/programs/rebuildingtogether/" target="_blank">Rebuilding Together New Orleans (RTNO)</a>. I'm going to help to restore an older house in a low income neighborhood. If you're interested in doing this, too, you can request more info <a href="http://member.nationaltrust.org/site/Survey?SURVEY_ID=5801&ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&JServSessionIdr004=hb4ms6eb54.app7a" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />I am so excited about this! In order to be able to do this, however, I need to destash for cash to help pay my way there. If by any chance I have to cancel my plans due to unforeseen reasons, all the money will be donated to Rebuilding Together New Orleans.<br /><br />Here are the details: I've put what's for sale on my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19416619@N00/2241978435/in/set-72157603849895890/" target="_blank">here</a>. There is some great yarn for sale: Koigu, Socks That Rock, Fleece Artist, Sunshine Yarns, Jo Sharp, Lorna's Laces and more. <br /><br />If you see something you like, claim it by commenting, then email me your contact info at threedogknits at gmail dot com. I will send you a PayPal invoice. Prices include shipping in the U.S.<br /><br />All my yarn is stored in ziplock bags in a smoke-free home filled with cute dogs. I've never had a problem with dog fur on my stored yarn, but still, there are dogs around so I thought I should mention that. My dogs have many talents but their fur cannot penetrate ziplock bags. FO's are another story, as they like to cuddle with my knitting projects. But I digress... buy my yarn! Ask your friends to buy my yarn!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19416619@N00/2241978435/in/set-72157603849895890/" target="_blank"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimL4e3SOBrxHIGgF3W3kVd9-JEguugNmwIZ7AMMHXZx8e7BrydaJ0x0HqsQADCXYxFC8xnnzJ42YqK4JvW4-e4m4BfBvHVrW2h3xNQnv-fe4pE6yXiU2K5IT7yctg_oF_P0anmUfOFydnn/s400/screen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163506662952160562" /></a><br />You can also find the same info on my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/threedogknits/stash/trade" target="_blank">Ravelry trade/sell page</a>.christine (threedogknits)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16701892389337086832noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362857259088071209.post-3376587173865535912008-01-28T11:01:00.000-05:002008-01-28T11:17:31.609-05:00A bad week for knitting, my 2008 Resolutions, a FO, and the Best Cupcakes (I've) Ever MadeIn that order. Sorry for the long post.<br /><br />It was a bad week of knitting for me. I have absolutely nothing to show for a week in which I managed to knit for at least an hour every evening. Unless you count two swatches but no one wants to see swatches. Even the swatches were frustrating. Here is what I attempted to do this past week:<br /><ul><li>Pick up stitches to knit the collar of my first sweater (so close to being done!). I'm supposed to pick up 82 stitches on the right side. If I pick up every stitch I can I get 100+ stitches. If I skip every other one I get 50ish stitches. Where is the 82?! I worked on this for two evenings then put it down to start...</li><br /><li>A <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/friday-harbor" target="_blank">Friday Harbor sock</a>. I started it twice before I got smart and googled "Friday Harbor" to find the pattern correction. If you ever decide to knit these, read <a href="http://zeneedle.typepad.com/zeneedle_process_of_art/2005/07/the_w.html" target="_blank">Margene's excellent explanation</a> on how to knit the first chart. Decided I need a sock break and knit some...</li><br /><li>Test swatches for <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fyne-vest" target="_blank">Fyne Vest</a> and the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tangled-yoke-cardigan" target="_blank">Tangled Yoke Cardigan</a>. The swatch for Fyne measures fine but the purl side of my color work looks bad. As for the Tangled Yoke: how can I get exactly the same measurements with a US 4 as I did with a US 5? Not quite psyched up enough to start Fyne, and frustrated with my Tangled Yoke swatches, I decided to chill out and knit...</li><br /><li>Some <a href="http://www.eunnyjang.com/knit/2006/11/endpaper_mitts.html" target="_blank">Endpaper Mitts</a>. I spent an hour last night learning the Italian Tubular Cast On, getting it all wrong, giving up and learning the regular (English?) Tubular Cast On, which resulted in the most beautiful cast-on I've ever knit. Unfortunately it was way too tight; after knitting the ribbed section I tried it on and couldn't get it over my hand. So late last night I frogged it. I ended up drinking wine and watching <i>Harry Potter and the OOP</i> in a surly, surly mood.</li><br /></ul>That was my week of knitting. But did I really accomplish nothing? Sometimes when I have a frustrating time working on something I have a tendency to give up and start something simple. My first instinct was to scrap it all and start a stockinette sock, just so I'd have something to show for my week. But for the past couple weeks I have been thinking about what I want to accomplish this year; what my knitting goals are. If you haven't read <a href="http://www.neitherhipnorfunky.com/?p=210" target="_blank">Christy's awesome post</a> about her goals and need a knitting pep talk, read it (and check in on the progress of her Autumn Rose sweater!). I'd like to raise the bar on my knitting like she is. So my 2008 Knitting Resolutions are: <br /><ul><li>Less socks. I'm sure I'll always have a pair of socks on the needles but it is time to break out and try new projects. I have a list of socks I want to make this year, including many Nancy Bush socks, but it is a much smaller list than last year. Less socks also means buying less (or no) sock yarn this year. I have plenty.</li><br /><li>More color-work. It is time to try some of the projects I've been dreaming of. I am starting with the Fyne vest.</li><br /><li>Knit more sweaters and other larger projects. Stop thinking of my knitting as a race to finish as many FO's as possible and concentrate on learning new skills and enjoying the process. This year in the queue is Fyne, Tangled Yoke, Central Park Hoodie, Rusted Root and Green Gable (okay I'm a little behind - I know you all have already knit these).</li><br /></ul>I do have my first FO of 2008. Another pair of Hederas. This time in the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=14993" target="_blank">Yarnahoy</a> (colorway is "Shores of Andaman") I won from <a href="http://terribleknitknit.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Alyson</a> last year. They're for my mom. While she was visiting me over the holidays I decided she had to head back up north with a new pair of socks. I let her choose the yarn out of my stash; her hands went right to the Yarn Ahoy. I love the way it knit up (no pooling): this yarn is soft as buttah.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWdENllw_GUvGwubWspg31IFXZcnA9w-OZ-Jy3_y9680mOWsQsxWrnktWw5crnXSfToghy9GaTfzIRiWeOS9EXpncSeP3ajBd05XpUExLtmnR_8ifgXmoLgqdoLIYO4TvKGgUk6aMQ0zM/s1600-h/hederas_02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWdENllw_GUvGwubWspg31IFXZcnA9w-OZ-Jy3_y9680mOWsQsxWrnktWw5crnXSfToghy9GaTfzIRiWeOS9EXpncSeP3ajBd05XpUExLtmnR_8ifgXmoLgqdoLIYO4TvKGgUk6aMQ0zM/s320/hederas_02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160558953882471714" /></a><br />I did accomplish one thing last week. I baked what I am calling The Best Cupcakes (I've) Ever Made. I found <a href="http://cupcakeblog.com/" target="_blank">chockylit's cupcake blog</a> while searching for cupcake recipes and tried her <a href="http://cupcakeblog.com/index.php/2005/7/recipe-mini-chili-chocolate-cupcakes-with-chili-chocolate-ganache-frosting" target="_blank">Chili Chocolate cupcakes with Chili Chocolate Ganache</a> to bring to my neighborhood porch party. Soooo awesome. If you do not love chocolate and chili as much as I do (I love chocolate and chili so very very much) you could always leave out the chili I suppose. I think next I'll try her <a href="http://cupcakeblog.com/index.php/2005/7/recipe-lavender-cream-filled-cupcake-with-citrus-cream-cheese-frosting" target="_blank">Lavender Cream Filled Cupcake with Citrus Cream Cheese Frosting</a>.<br /><br />My cupcake photos came out blurry. Instead I leave you with a photo of the girls. Have a sweet week!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpk0JpIAgfUyqR66gwp6JauQQFWK_2aWwKPTRV6WmQkAvRAcUfLPyBw8m4xcm-zJLhjv5FI_lCo9STkEzIokfpgWLDKW-WWKJYKgs72Y0x4gcmGCXmjYmQkssXsAXiftrgtLZuRBeRwKbG/s1600-h/girls_back.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpk0JpIAgfUyqR66gwp6JauQQFWK_2aWwKPTRV6WmQkAvRAcUfLPyBw8m4xcm-zJLhjv5FI_lCo9STkEzIokfpgWLDKW-WWKJYKgs72Y0x4gcmGCXmjYmQkssXsAXiftrgtLZuRBeRwKbG/s320/girls_back.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160558949587504402" /></a>christine (threedogknits)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16701892389337086832noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362857259088071209.post-69361955723214264832008-01-16T14:42:00.000-05:002008-01-16T14:48:52.194-05:00And the winner is......<a href="http://pikkukettuknits.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Pikku-Kettu</a>! She is the winner of two skeins of Socks That Rock. Thank you to everyone who commented on my Blogiversary post! <br /><br />There is not a lot of knitting getting done at the moment. I have a huge work project that is taking most of my time this week. I have so much stuff to show you: some FO's from the past few months, some WIP's and some upcoming projects. As of last week I have amassed quite a collection of Rowan Felted Tweed and my fingers are twitching to get started on some sweaters. But all that will have to wait until next week! Work first, then knit :-(christine (threedogknits)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16701892389337086832noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362857259088071209.post-79703686221679990652008-01-09T14:07:00.000-05:002008-01-09T14:21:41.360-05:00The official "I Am Sorry I Am Such A Lame Blogger, Please Still Be My Friend, I Miss You... Contest"Yes, it does seem as if I dropped off the face of the earth.<br /><br />There is no dramatic or scandalous reason I haven't blogged since August. Everybody is healthy and content here at ThreeDogKnits. Jackson got to go on vacation with me in November. Betty is fat and happy. Sasha didn't eat a single glass ornament this holiday season (<i>a Christmas miracle!</i>). Time just got away from me. <br /><br />One of my resolutions (which I'm making up as I go along, as I am too disorganized to put them in a list) is to blog more. I have really enjoyed making blog friends this past year and don't want to let those connections fizzle because I am too busy (or lazy) to post! I have kept up with your blogs, even if I haven't commented as much as usual.<br /><br />So, to kick the new year off right, I am having a contest. The reason for the contest is twofold: 1) because it is my blogiversary! and 2) to make up for being so lame. It is the most simple and elementary of blog contests; anyone who leaves me a comment between now and.... let's say next Wednesday, January 16th by noon EST, will have their names thrown into an imaginary hat, at which time I will randomly select one name. Possible comment topics include: your 2008 resolutions, what you think my 2008 resolutions should be, general greetings to me and my dogs, and lastly, whether I should buy a sewing machine, a Wii, or a vacuum cleaner that actually picks up dog hair with the money I am going to save from not buying a gajillion skeins of sock yarn this year (okay, there's another resolution).<br /><br />The prize: one lucky winner will be the recipient of not one, but <b>two skeins of Socks That Rock lightweight</b>: Gingerbread Dude and Sugarplums (no longer available on Blue Moon's website).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_SuL8FjdCiRKIfKlKmRh79_wGGULPHsLCLKl13XAFF-YtdrCs-roK7rPl40AUM35Uf9KTA7bPciLalP-PHNM4atZUTdB4Lo9FvZRFqHr3cUIQBt6bPhSpXvxnhBJrFOXvBq0b2RiHdNZ/s1600-h/P2050001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_SuL8FjdCiRKIfKlKmRh79_wGGULPHsLCLKl13XAFF-YtdrCs-roK7rPl40AUM35Uf9KTA7bPciLalP-PHNM4atZUTdB4Lo9FvZRFqHr3cUIQBt6bPhSpXvxnhBJrFOXvBq0b2RiHdNZ/s320/P2050001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153556094940837986" /></a><br />Random items:<br /><ul><br /><li>Yesterday I bought Sufjan Steven's "Songs for Christmas", which I am listening to right now. I love it. I put it on and immediately got the urge to bake more Christmas cookies. Yes, I am still listening to Christmas music on January 9th. Therefore is it any surprise I don't have any New Year resolutions to share? By my calculations I don't have to have those done until next week.</li><br /><br /><li>I am also totally digging The National "Boxer". Buy it. Listen to it. Listen to it again and enjoy it even more than the first time.</li><br /><br /><li>Someone found my blog by googling "shuffleboard for dog". To this person I say, Wait! Come back!! I have two questions. Is this for real? And why don't I know about shuffleboard for dogs?</li><br /></ul>christine (threedogknits)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16701892389337086832noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362857259088071209.post-76668850427204960392007-12-25T09:01:00.000-05:002007-12-25T09:07:32.825-05:00Season's Greetings from Three Dog Knits!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjUzh8ReeOSY2-qslg0dQFF4vcakwmJ-frggJzRg1kHj7Uk2T4ugrlp8Sa1yVgW3MX4D5ecWCcf0APLhTjqRJs2UIgrng5zNdiJfP_QSldgv_oAcKF2gHCl6FZtkWiYpozH-7zIit8yWQ/s1600-h/sashasanta.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjUzh8ReeOSY2-qslg0dQFF4vcakwmJ-frggJzRg1kHj7Uk2T4ugrlp8Sa1yVgW3MX4D5ecWCcf0APLhTjqRJs2UIgrng5zNdiJfP_QSldgv_oAcKF2gHCl6FZtkWiYpozH-7zIit8yWQ/s320/sashasanta.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147910789926975570" /></a><br />I know it's been way too long since I've posted anything. Posting will resume after New Years with a contest to start off the new year right.<br /><br />In the meantime, Jackson, Betty, Sasha and I want to wish you and your family a very, Merry Christmas!<br /><br />Peace,<br />Christinechristine (threedogknits)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16701892389337086832noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362857259088071209.post-41904550429109666852007-08-30T15:46:00.000-05:002007-08-30T15:55:20.467-05:00Hey, brother!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvXrPUSab6qzfwXYTaUkZW-uIuraG4HRhMcEgJk2jN0DMbmlNpnvTirKYd7BDNDtVDVY-ExL30tB9is3k0tPXbK5z9pvLfknlQFGD7W1fspSnmmcN-bEpeUNnQvXOERpg19xKHYFrH30l/s1600-h/marigolds01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvXrPUSab6qzfwXYTaUkZW-uIuraG4HRhMcEgJk2jN0DMbmlNpnvTirKYd7BDNDtVDVY-ExL30tB9is3k0tPXbK5z9pvLfknlQFGD7W1fspSnmmcN-bEpeUNnQvXOERpg19xKHYFrH30l/s320/marigolds01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104598252095183026" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5QajvlyMvKVPRpcfxXf9pG-HZSC8B3o2IElQ0snCXpweOD4L6CzmrTam2mRN1t7b91vMBXl217w6ZXwO3QHSrWdmFCWVM9gLQHyPg9iASnqawb1JnhMR3RurAAumYp9SJyjVoKs5XYs9/s1600-h/marigolds02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5QajvlyMvKVPRpcfxXf9pG-HZSC8B3o2IElQ0snCXpweOD4L6CzmrTam2mRN1t7b91vMBXl217w6ZXwO3QHSrWdmFCWVM9gLQHyPg9iASnqawb1JnhMR3RurAAumYp9SJyjVoKs5XYs9/s320/marigolds02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104598260685117634" /></a><br /><a href="http://flintknits.blogspot.com/2007_05_01_archive.html" target="_blank">Marigolds</a> (a la <a href="http://flintknits.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Pam</a>, but shuffleboard style)<br /><br />When I first saw the photos of <a href="http://flintknits.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Pam's (Ms. FlintKnits)</a> original <a href="http://flintknits.blogspot.com/2007_05_01_archive.html" target="_blank">Marigolds</a> I knew I had to have them. I knew they had to be yellow just like <a href="http://flintknits.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Pam's</a>. This may admitting to my complete lack of original thought when it comes to imagining her Marigolds in any color but yellow, but I don't care. I needed them in yellow! Needed them I tell you!! Now I have them and I love them!<br /><br />Modifications? Heck, no. The pattern knits up quickly. It's easy to memorize but keeps your interest (I love the ruffles!). The yarn is <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=28549" target="_blank">Black Bunny Fiber</a>, wool/silk fingerling yarn. The colorway is Trophy. I really enjoyed using this yarn; it's super soft and non-splitty. This is the second time I've used Black Bunny Fiber and both times I've had no problems with pooling or flashing.<br /><br />My only issue with these socks is that for two weeks I've had that Rufus Wainwright song (Rebel Prince) in my head. Not the whole song, just the part where he sings "marigold, marigold, marigold" over and over and over. Grrrr!!<br /><br />While I knit these I indulged in what will surely become an annual summer ritual: watching all three seasons of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrested_Development_%28TV_series%29" target="_blank"><i>Arrested Development</i></a> back to back. Honestly I watched a few episodes from Season 2 a few times because <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Grief" target="_blank">"Good Grief"</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afternoon_Delight_(Arrested_Development_episode)" target="_blank">"Afternoon Delight"</a> are my favorites; I think <i>AD</i> really hit its sweet spot in the middle of Season 2. God I miss that show. My brother gave me the dvd's for Christmas last year. Last week was the first time I broke open Season 3. And guess what?! There were two episodes I missed when they originally aired. That means I got to watch <i>two new-to-me episodes</i>! For someone who loves the show so much she has almost memorized every line that was a pretty amazing discovery.<br /><br />I'm so lucky to have a brother who gives me <i>AD</i> dvd's and appreciates hand knit scarfs and socks (and ladies, he's a-vail-a-ble!). So, in honor of the best younger brother a sister could have, here's a compilation of that other younger brother, Buster Bluth, found on YouTube. Enjoy!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/B5VF8qw4hrg"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/B5VF8qw4hrg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>christine (threedogknits)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16701892389337086832noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362857259088071209.post-67282619610208993032007-08-16T09:09:00.000-05:002007-08-16T10:21:47.261-05:00Stitch N' Pitch and a special shuffleboard night for knitters<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy41unFjkAgZO7979qIoAKxd15YAjGA1tVTxONjJa5Ow2C2ForFLBpNQ0ws8XY2oFmFfX5C7V21h4JqLcwBQhgOw-Bt3ie3nfBRT_zNikC-r-T01GL9jQIQ6VMFfVVSYZ3_Iml_b46wq_1/s1600-h/shuffle006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy41unFjkAgZO7979qIoAKxd15YAjGA1tVTxONjJa5Ow2C2ForFLBpNQ0ws8XY2oFmFfX5C7V21h4JqLcwBQhgOw-Bt3ie3nfBRT_zNikC-r-T01GL9jQIQ6VMFfVVSYZ3_Iml_b46wq_1/s320/shuffle006.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099301625411311746" /></a><br />I'm the one in the tie.<br /><br />Stitch N' Pitch at Tropicana Field is this Saturday! I'm really looking forward to meeting tons of Florida knitters. To kick off Stitch N' Pitch weekend, a group of us are heading to <a href="http://www.stpeteshuffle.com" target="_blank">St. Pete Shuffle</a> this <b>Friday</b> for what I hope will be the first of many shuffle/knitting meetups. Some fellow Ravelers will be there; one all the way from the <a href="http://pischilein.typepad.com/" target="_blank">east coast</a>. <a href="http://boyforpele13.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sean</a> is bringing people from our LYS, <a href="http://needlesandknobs.com/" target="_blank">Needles N' Knobs</a>. <a href="http://ablossomknits.com/" target="_blank">Tampa</a> <a href="http://knithappened.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">knitters</a>, can I persuade you to represent? <a href="http://terribleknitknit.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Orlando</a>?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5qH0BXIUIkIX1Ym5iEjXtcsQJUTWHdruT18vxbO2cM-muk6Q-LkxPNflGNAAWnMvxPH928OPPavPQcsuYZpilFVNbtLPa4HOk8LhhSvNg1KzOCeE4A6GB-o_vLbcf_vvyjjVdGc1k23q/s1600-h/shuffle002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5qH0BXIUIkIX1Ym5iEjXtcsQJUTWHdruT18vxbO2cM-muk6Q-LkxPNflGNAAWnMvxPH928OPPavPQcsuYZpilFVNbtLPa4HOk8LhhSvNg1KzOCeE4A6GB-o_vLbcf_vvyjjVdGc1k23q/s320/shuffle002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099301629706279058" /></a><br />Think of the potential photo op for your blog: Florida knitters playing shuffleboard at the world's largest shuffleboard club. It doesn't get more Florida than that. Friday nights at the club are a blast. Cool music, diverse crowd, lots of fun. We're open from 7-11pm. Free to play and there are plenty of people (like me!) who can teach you the rules of the game. If there are enough people interested I'll give my official tour (I've got the flight attendant two-finger point down pat). If you have any questions, or need directions, just leave me a comment and I'll reply. Or check out <a href="http://www.stpeteshuffle.com" target="_blank">St. Pete Shuffle</a>. You'll easily spot me at the club because (hopefully) I'll be wearing one of those awesome Ravely buttons that <a href="http://pischilein.typepad.com/days/2007/08/take-me-out-to-.html" target="_blank">Jess sent especially for us Florida knitters</a>!<br /><br />On <b>Saturday</b> there might be an impromptu, totally laid back yarn crawl. If you're from out of town and want a list of LYSs I'll be glad to provide. Rumor has it that <a href="http://needlesandknobs.com/" target="_blank">Needles N' Knobs</a> has 15 bins of 30% off yarn this week.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE11-MpdnP1s-rCfaQHM4rWZyVTj6tkYvyzfK4a0rZzLKND_L6XLlwG7OAqPGD0NUuloLfLRhA9_ZXrmEFXzalrI-FIQK48uCU-JwHGLo8fXh2KgLxRJ36s9wj_00s-im1zSyCzaGlAon-/s1600-h/shuffle001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE11-MpdnP1s-rCfaQHM4rWZyVTj6tkYvyzfK4a0rZzLKND_L6XLlwG7OAqPGD0NUuloLfLRhA9_ZXrmEFXzalrI-FIQK48uCU-JwHGLo8fXh2KgLxRJ36s9wj_00s-im1zSyCzaGlAon-/s320/shuffle001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099301634001246370" /></a><br />On <b>Saturday evening</b> there will be a parade of shuffle/knitters on Central Ave. making their way to Tropicana Field. Okay, I kid. I'm sure one day we'll have our own float. But for now you're on your own getting to the baseball game. Tropicana Field is that big white dome in downtown St. Pete. Can't miss it.<br /><br />If you haven't bought tickets for Stitch N' Pitch you can still get them from <a href="http://needlesandknobs.com/" target="_blank">Needles N' Knobs</a>. Remember: Gate 6 is the gate to get into Tropicana Field with your needles!<br /><br />See you there! I'm in Section 353, row B, seats 6-4. Come say hello!christine (threedogknits)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16701892389337086832noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362857259088071209.post-29932269640061676722007-08-09T09:21:00.000-05:002007-08-09T09:29:59.836-05:00My Sockapalooza socks crossed the pondIf you happened to be passing my house on Monday afternoon (noonish), you may have seen me rip open a package and squeal with delight. Then you may have seen me breathlessly running down my street, a sock clutched in each hand, shouting, "People, there are beads on the socks! Beads. On. The. Socks!" Okay, maybe I didn't do that last part, but I wanted to.<br /><br />The socks are from <a href="http://thomasinaknits.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Liz</a>. She also sent me a postcard of her area in the U.K. and a gorgeous felted rose brooch. Oooh, I've got just the jacket for the brooch.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetEHFTgw4BMsBIfnv9i3vHGqsd15gX0OcFmmrcoHE31UTJJD3vAs-ImyFy00O-cOXV25dj4d3_9Rz7kcHNYKbejsCEYkGd5L7r6nSVURuwFWsv5MnxF01XhNGUYk4toApISnXW4F2_FYi/s1600-h/rose_brooch.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetEHFTgw4BMsBIfnv9i3vHGqsd15gX0OcFmmrcoHE31UTJJD3vAs-ImyFy00O-cOXV25dj4d3_9Rz7kcHNYKbejsCEYkGd5L7r6nSVURuwFWsv5MnxF01XhNGUYk4toApISnXW4F2_FYi/s320/rose_brooch.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096706829293615570" /></a><br />The socks are beautiful; the pattern, the color, the fit, the beads... everything. The main pattern is <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall06/PATTkew.html" target="_blank">Kew</a> (from Knitty); the turned down cuff is <a href="http://thomasinaknits.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Liz's</a> brilliant addition. As are the beads. Can you see the beads around the cuff in my photos? On her <a href="http://thomasinaknits.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a> (which has a fabulous photo of the socks) she mentions she added the beads to look like raindrops on leaves; like a summer rain in England. How brilliant is that? <br /><br />The yarn is <a href="http://www.fyberspates.co.uk/" target="_blank">Fyberspates</a> from Wales. I like that this new-to-me yarn was made closer to her than me. Aren't the colors gorgeous? I took at look at their website; they have some great colorways.<br /><br />I thought these socks deserved more than my standard "socks on ottoman on front porch" photo. I enlisted the help of my stepmother. It was her first time photographing socks (she kept instructing my feet to "work the camera, girls").<br /><br />First I took them to the park:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqdVwEvNuJkEl67k4Ml_aF68hFM843326q8hALXZxgxgNp-GU0f6x2MTnQ2OgZ4WzHlJvcgvVJUDWs-DkK5AUQBlUR68unvfOWjKz8v7ZzWd_RqZvLfRJtfSk_89xQwg0Z5Dzy2mgPcM7/s1600-h/kew_park.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqdVwEvNuJkEl67k4Ml_aF68hFM843326q8hALXZxgxgNp-GU0f6x2MTnQ2OgZ4WzHlJvcgvVJUDWs-DkK5AUQBlUR68unvfOWjKz8v7ZzWd_RqZvLfRJtfSk_89xQwg0Z5Dzy2mgPcM7/s320/kew_park.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096706833588582882" /></a><br />Then I took them to see downtown St. Petersburg. They especially enjoyed the waterfront and the view of the marina:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2JShP_FvdLF9xNeHnTLbKr-mgzzIGSrq9S4oxCeH9r2yMx2plFlDkH4HykoluaU7dbGwIAJ1OnG1sDYn2BFnO5p86_CZIXiil_ZGsjaLqw8JrW-i3DPnVevht2Lrq1xYRfnbSUkAcqBJ/s1600-h/kew_marina.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2JShP_FvdLF9xNeHnTLbKr-mgzzIGSrq9S4oxCeH9r2yMx2plFlDkH4HykoluaU7dbGwIAJ1OnG1sDYn2BFnO5p86_CZIXiil_ZGsjaLqw8JrW-i3DPnVevht2Lrq1xYRfnbSUkAcqBJ/s320/kew_marina.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096706837883550194" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1HInHjG4tMDui9JuHk94ipMEshVucMGehBrsvOTQRuCPlpBXuE3ROiXUE63ZoNlHx4PM7NfhrNxGCMeLaWDkBO0Ko1et3m1kTnaFZcnmdmvF0YYd5JjIgffI7hyphenhyphenbXBrmhKJ_FDnDqNyW/s1600-h/kew_marina02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1HInHjG4tMDui9JuHk94ipMEshVucMGehBrsvOTQRuCPlpBXuE3ROiXUE63ZoNlHx4PM7NfhrNxGCMeLaWDkBO0Ko1et3m1kTnaFZcnmdmvF0YYd5JjIgffI7hyphenhyphenbXBrmhKJ_FDnDqNyW/s320/kew_marina02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096706842178517506" /></a><br />I hope they feel right at home here. I am one lucky gal. Thank you, Liz!christine (threedogknits)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16701892389337086832noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362857259088071209.post-51485462276543578622007-08-06T16:11:00.000-05:002007-08-06T16:39:51.763-05:00Weekend<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcJc4o3Xjq_Tn6VmQvKMVdhR6Am-pIaef2YJbhnCbDZXgdfFarE6cqnoGB_or0TcLKmIhhU-jTjaYQQ5QnO-1PnxeTI7hw92Twh-PFXODKNTBU6iJK8KXi6hxehbsVaKIGbpEsVTp7R6M/s1600-h/poseidon_finished.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcJc4o3Xjq_Tn6VmQvKMVdhR6Am-pIaef2YJbhnCbDZXgdfFarE6cqnoGB_or0TcLKmIhhU-jTjaYQQ5QnO-1PnxeTI7hw92Twh-PFXODKNTBU6iJK8KXi6hxehbsVaKIGbpEsVTp7R6M/s320/poseidon_finished.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095698652903959298" /></a><br />Sockapalooza 4 socks are finished! These are <a href="http://exercisebeforeknitting.blogspot.com/2006_11_01_archive.html" target="_blank">Poseiden socks</a> knit with J. Knits in Newburyport. I hope she likes these. I'm slightly self-conscious about my – ummm – less than perfect short row heels. When I ordered the yarn I didn't expect the color to be so bright. She said she likes pink and purple and she's gettin' it! I haven't seen too many bloggers talk about J. Knits. I lurve. The colors are gorgeous. The two pairs of socks I've made with it are so soft and comfortable. I'm definitely ordering more.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaj0onKV3miDZoRnCBTgM-nlrq3pIAO34w6a6z8pnDyqB9_SrSX1uOi0VbEM0XU6xsAMVqNByZz55lelZc-gjwmSgV9TsfYCBzBq1jWZS76ZIhxemRn5zQ1JLG_nTCn1ujs_g1ljeiiIQ8/s1600-h/sockpal_package.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaj0onKV3miDZoRnCBTgM-nlrq3pIAO34w6a6z8pnDyqB9_SrSX1uOi0VbEM0XU6xsAMVqNByZz55lelZc-gjwmSgV9TsfYCBzBq1jWZS76ZIhxemRn5zQ1JLG_nTCn1ujs_g1ljeiiIQ8/s320/sockpal_package.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095698657198926610" /></a><br />While the socks dry from their bath (I assume she doesn't want dog hair on her new socks so I gave them a thorough washing) I compiled a little package to send with them. I made a little sock band to wrap around the socks which I'm quite proud of if I do say so myself.<br /><br />I knew I'd be even later than I already am with Sockapalooza if I let myself start reading THE BOOK. Yesterday I finally let myself take THE BOOK out of the Amazon box. Yep, I didn't even trust myself to open the box. So two weeks later I'm ready to join the party (it's cool to be late to parties):<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxZw59X8tUurI50xjfKzwbv8GCX37g9o4GkkUvKnAM8jO6_tJLx1Eb8YBzDgZhTLNpGOPtP9LIs0sTZyj5lzudXNXGnjcDguXbhT4Ym8oQIYnv-CX4O1ZEfS_7vQcCdg0x6-Bpm-VtjOw/s1600-h/hp_socks_porch.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxZw59X8tUurI50xjfKzwbv8GCX37g9o4GkkUvKnAM8jO6_tJLx1Eb8YBzDgZhTLNpGOPtP9LIs0sTZyj5lzudXNXGnjcDguXbhT4Ym8oQIYnv-CX4O1ZEfS_7vQcCdg0x6-Bpm-VtjOw/s320/hp_socks_porch.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095698674378795842" /></a><br />You know I'm kidding about sitting on my front porch in August wearing wool socks, right? This is just for show. I finished these socks a few weeks ago. It's hot enough outside to make grown men weep. I sat inside with the A/C and with as little light as possible. It is stinkin' hot here. This is what my Sunday looked like:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4qNfLVIatxC8DwdKSeXgCfoO5c_4yTbj2mIw_itvlfTgl2eXto2KSB7H9EJe3Imj05bv7TsjzEu-9lnjjf2aOBOhckUsT_96iSL8Y80f-564Z_d604f2TAFgUlJw5fmzplALcOJ89J8u/s1600-h/horcrux_start.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4qNfLVIatxC8DwdKSeXgCfoO5c_4yTbj2mIw_itvlfTgl2eXto2KSB7H9EJe3Imj05bv7TsjzEu-9lnjjf2aOBOhckUsT_96iSL8Y80f-564Z_d604f2TAFgUlJw5fmzplALcOJ89J8u/s320/horcrux_start.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095698665788861218" /></a><br />Sasha on my right, admiring the beginnings of some Horcrux socks.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFopkDXgINXTzSFQycOfTdD2kgYYpC4ndmOA-1qX64G3VXiK3UY6AF0M0KthDjZXWD1F8AcbD1ZP71mIwY2_2qOx2aHO7vEIKnPScXwlUZC6oll9TI11Tvxd2Qx7FFsw-Wy_Y5DJyck8v/s1600-h/betty_harry.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFopkDXgINXTzSFQycOfTdD2kgYYpC4ndmOA-1qX64G3VXiK3UY6AF0M0KthDjZXWD1F8AcbD1ZP71mIwY2_2qOx2aHO7vEIKnPScXwlUZC6oll9TI11Tvxd2Qx7FFsw-Wy_Y5DJyck8v/s320/betty_harry.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095698674378795826" /></a><br />Betty on my left, cooling her belly (there is a fan above her).<br /><br />Jackson doesn't "cuddle" in the summer. He spent the day under an A/C vent in another part of the house.christine (threedogknits)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16701892389337086832noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362857259088071209.post-48793195420779433932007-08-02T13:13:00.000-05:002007-08-03T11:58:36.935-05:00Sockapalooza, samosas and shuffleboardI'm almost finished with my Sockapalooza 4 socks. I'm making <a href="http://exercisebeforeknitting.blogspot.com/2006_11_01_archive.html" target="_blank">Poseiden socks</a> with J. Knits in Newburyport. Have I mentioned how much I love J. Knits yet? I've knit two pairs with it and each one feels as comfortable as my favorite pair of jeans.<br /><br />I'm much farther along than the photo below shows. All that's left is one more pattern repeat and the ribbing. I'm still having problems with my short row heels. I can make them mostly without holes now but for one rather large hole where heel meets ankle. I've tried every trick I've read about but still haven't been able to master it to my satisfaction. Oh, short row heels... you are my white whale!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirL4Rh36s0ORhdO0MSZKR53Ga5k524xq_vCxHK4DLjrNCErMxJsfQiB4Kqi4CP-GuZLEh-ka0T8seRWmQi_CVF1bey-X9yahd18xC_NFH-FBbJ7R4QJloxRtDhcEeZqvu3OzDwzUhRZln/s1600-h/posieden_sockpal.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirL4Rh36s0ORhdO0MSZKR53Ga5k524xq_vCxHK4DLjrNCErMxJsfQiB4Kqi4CP-GuZLEh-ka0T8seRWmQi_CVF1bey-X9yahd18xC_NFH-FBbJ7R4QJloxRtDhcEeZqvu3OzDwzUhRZln/s320/posieden_sockpal.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094168901517240978" /></a><br />This is a crappy photo. It has been raining for three days straight here. So, yay! for my lawn but boo! for outdoor photos. <br /><br />Fortunately the weather was perfect at the <a href="http://www.stpeteshuffle.com" target="_blank">St. Pete Shuffle</a> last Friday. The Shuffleboard Club teamed up with <a href="http://www.spiffs.org" target="_blank">SPIFFS</a> (St. Petersburg International Folk Festival) and VICAS (Volunteers of Indian Culture & Art Society) and hosted India Night. About 250 people came out to shop for crafts, eat Indian food, watch traditional dance and yoga, and play shuffleboard while watching Bollywood movies. It was a perfect activity for a hot summer night in Florida.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOS0NdBOUknV1fa30wh2UCIAFqXIOtqY-jeVKHeaNtrSCCCHSUhNHhJY9BQYYoi60_pQzXvAmZqh50j86Y237HQeKhKLruQT2Hw1xzNy7-LzWd5Pibk09HzMZrsKCFkxs044wAwnKcz3bb/s1600-h/india01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOS0NdBOUknV1fa30wh2UCIAFqXIOtqY-jeVKHeaNtrSCCCHSUhNHhJY9BQYYoi60_pQzXvAmZqh50j86Y237HQeKhKLruQT2Hw1xzNy7-LzWd5Pibk09HzMZrsKCFkxs044wAwnKcz3bb/s320/india01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094168905812208290" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFVKII1GzM1G0Pb_ZRYTtYxS_XP1nVML0NksgYBrQpeCc7YrLIH4G4vHNwdhx0sAVwPbGr3eAaKlEUfD_SrZj2wAicCo4SY9ztHEgMypjkdeeX8NoNqNSYDPwoG26WfIfj1rmdgSAOLMv/s1600-h/india05.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFVKII1GzM1G0Pb_ZRYTtYxS_XP1nVML0NksgYBrQpeCc7YrLIH4G4vHNwdhx0sAVwPbGr3eAaKlEUfD_SrZj2wAicCo4SY9ztHEgMypjkdeeX8NoNqNSYDPwoG26WfIfj1rmdgSAOLMv/s320/india05.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094168918697110226" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0i0QoCqJrnHsCTOJfdNbJIHRcrrKnULHyJZ9x71p4LBxwfxy3Xxla1kq4idQstdB8HbftZVISvJpntd2wet4k2C5B8pE-r4uhtPExFMnfBiO6Yc7W1lG3dHI4ND8J8R5RsvWM1fnNSwHm/s1600-h/india03.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0i0QoCqJrnHsCTOJfdNbJIHRcrrKnULHyJZ9x71p4LBxwfxy3Xxla1kq4idQstdB8HbftZVISvJpntd2wet4k2C5B8pE-r4uhtPExFMnfBiO6Yc7W1lG3dHI4ND8J8R5RsvWM1fnNSwHm/s320/india03.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094168910107175602" /></a><br />A group of Florida crafters set up a craft show inside the clubhouse. Many of the crafters are members of the <a href="http://etsyfest.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Florida Etsy Street Team</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTus3rBQU81Lgehd6h7CLUaPSS7eiYXshbqnGxJg41p85TP-SDcKI69mqvzRYUrMhTUQi5qQy70a0rRWV8W6BNsThbghpFmA8UyUc0dkFqouzQdpwANyUmMur8h6LIyxXb7cuHb_EWfiZZ/s1600-h/india07.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTus3rBQU81Lgehd6h7CLUaPSS7eiYXshbqnGxJg41p85TP-SDcKI69mqvzRYUrMhTUQi5qQy70a0rRWV8W6BNsThbghpFmA8UyUc0dkFqouzQdpwANyUmMur8h6LIyxXb7cuHb_EWfiZZ/s320/india07.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094169837820111586" /></a><br />There was a screen set up to watch Bollywood movies.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LMDTUC1V2OI_EyIA_AU2-nyKtRuLaG7ZGyKf84pt4RmDPPEG-RHYXIVYJVCsIRyh6_CN3PahGxQX5GCZPxGTGPLXqnUp3VAEVasfQRHgYuI-Lpab93uaz2w1yFNJLTgL9f3Thz4kW-6o/s1600-h/india04.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LMDTUC1V2OI_EyIA_AU2-nyKtRuLaG7ZGyKf84pt4RmDPPEG-RHYXIVYJVCsIRyh6_CN3PahGxQX5GCZPxGTGPLXqnUp3VAEVasfQRHgYuI-Lpab93uaz2w1yFNJLTgL9f3Thz4kW-6o/s320/india04.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094168914402142914" /></a><br />Our courts were full! We ran out of shuffleboard discs (which is saying something because it is the largest shuffleboard club in the world. For reals!).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ckITsd6c74ILZl5gPULImcOv51pO5_Ouo83APRZuwgg1qy6ffYrs4V3OqOZbu89owgWqApRtaWukn02rlh9-HBALdTK5oog0AVetI9E2Iy9kTV2dLyWg6I7gjDH4dUg9pyIn2RF0AFok/s1600-h/india06.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ckITsd6c74ILZl5gPULImcOv51pO5_Ouo83APRZuwgg1qy6ffYrs4V3OqOZbu89owgWqApRtaWukn02rlh9-HBALdTK5oog0AVetI9E2Iy9kTV2dLyWg6I7gjDH4dUg9pyIn2RF0AFok/s320/india06.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094169842115078898" /></a><br />My attempt at Georgia O'Keefe-esque photo of the roof of the club sans tripod.christine (threedogknits)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16701892389337086832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362857259088071209.post-65913217029188234402007-07-20T11:25:00.000-05:002007-07-20T11:32:45.567-05:00Not 10 minutes later... my first spoilerNot 10 minutes after I posted my <a href="http://threedogknits.blogspot.com/2007/07/small-request-harry-potter.html">plea for no Harry Potter spoilers</a>, my friend <a href="http://www.toddgardner.com" target="_blank">Todd</a> goes and tries to ruin the whole book for me.<br /><br />I think everyone will appreciate this spoiler:<br /><br /><i>In an ironic twist, <br /><br />Koigu is the name of a new character in the Potter Series who is larger than Grawp. The first 600 pages are about him learning to walk and talk, and the dramatic conclusion is mostly Godzilla mixed with a dash of Hamlet. Koigu the sad, misunderstood creature is thirsty and mistakenly drinks Butterbeer instead of water. He staggers around for a bit and then comes crashing down. What may have been comical becomes tragic as Koigu smashes Harry, Hermione, Ron, Draco, Snape, Dobby, a reborn Dumbledore and Sirius, and everyone else while totally razing Hogwarts in the process.</i><br /><br />Thanks, Todd.christine (threedogknits)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16701892389337086832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362857259088071209.post-28370873695081805572007-07-20T08:06:00.000-05:002007-07-20T11:32:04.766-05:00A small request - Harry Potter<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlTcSjeDiJVr7ymt3jBQ19iEDD1r9fP3abRxxD-le-HU3M8paK3fNe3QX1aaqdBp68-SkOZTARmB6tBjPT1x-F7PYKFSOPI8A3RiM4HsofTijiycYdSYMQYlRgkay8QcaSuC3r8_zKvw_/s1600-h/nospoiler.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlTcSjeDiJVr7ymt3jBQ19iEDD1r9fP3abRxxD-le-HU3M8paK3fNe3QX1aaqdBp68-SkOZTARmB6tBjPT1x-F7PYKFSOPI8A3RiM4HsofTijiycYdSYMQYlRgkay8QcaSuC3r8_zKvw_/s320/nospoiler.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5089267524598659122" /></a><br />I really have no right to ask the following favor of my blog friends. I know I've been a horrible blogger the past two months. I've been keeping up with all of your blogs, even if I haven't been commenting as much as usual. There's no reason for it, really. I think I can blame some of it on the Florida heat in summer, and how it turns my brain to mush. It could also be that the longer I go without posting anything, the more finished projects I have and the more I realize how much I have to catch up. Since the time of my last post I've finished three pairs of socks and a lace scarf. So when I finally write a real knitting post next week, I am going to look like a knitting machine!<br /><br />Out of all those socks I've made since June, not one of them is for my Sockapalooza pal. In my defense, my sock pal likes short row heels and, since I've never done short row heels before, I have been practicing not knitting short row heels with giant holes at the ankles (I still have giant holes, any suggestions?). After months of indecision of which pattern and yarn to use, I think I've finally got it. So, this weekend I begin my Sockapalooza marathon. I'm not coming up for air until they're done.<br /><br />So here is my dilemma: because I didn't plan ahead very well, I didn't realize I'd be starting my Sockapalooza marathon on July 21st, the date I've been waiting for for TWO YEARS. I'm not letting myself read <i>The Deathly Hallows</i> until <i>after</i> I get the socks done. I feel like a little kid who can't come out to play because she hasn't finished her homework. Not that knitting socks is homework, but you get the picture. When the socks are done I'm going to make myself some delicious <a href="http://yarnstorm.blogs.com/knitblog/2005/09/something_for_t.html" target="_blank">rock buns</a>, brew some lemon ginger and savor every last word. <br /><br />So here is my favor I need to ask all of you. Please, oh please! please! please! don't blog about the ending of the book or post any spoilers. Can you give me a week? I'll probably go into semi-seclusion next week anyway; no news on television, no newspaper, limited blog reading. Maybe no blog reading. Just Sockapalooza knitting. But still, I could accidently see or hear something if I'm not careful.<br /><br />In other news:<br /><br />1. I have the best <a href="http://virtualvacationswap.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Virtual Vacation</a> and Sockapalooza pals! I've been having great fun getting email updates and even a real postcard! Thank you!<br /><br />2. If you're in the Tampa Bay area, come on by the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club tonight for <a href="http://www.stpeteshuffle.com/" target="_blank">St. Pete Shuffle</a>. We're having a Hogwarts tournament from 8-10pm. We're also having a raffle to win Barnes & Noble and Muvico gift certificates. You could win a gift certificate to buy <i>The Deathly Hallows</i>, then head out to the bookstore to get your copy.<br /><br />3. Does anyone know if Koigu is superwash? It doesn't say so on the label, but I've heard it is. I washed a test swatch last night and everything looks okay. But what about multiple washings? Does it hold up? If anyone has any experience machine washing Koigu, I'd appreciate some advise.<br /><br />I'll have knitting updates next week. Have a great weekend everybody. But please... I beg you, shhhhh!!christine (threedogknits)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16701892389337086832noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362857259088071209.post-26650690465763829692007-06-19T11:57:00.000-05:002007-06-19T12:11:40.231-05:00Knitter's Virtual Vacation Swap QuestionnaireLooks like I'll be in Florida all summer. No summer vacation for me this year. Luckily I signed up for the <a href="http://virtualvacationswap.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Knitter's Virtual Vacation Swap</a>. Hopefully this will sate my wanderlust for the time being. Here are the answers to the questionnaire.<br /><br /><b>1. If you could visit any state in the US, which would it be and why?</b><br />I'd pick Vermont. I live in the south, therefore I constantly crave cooler weather. Vermont is the only state east of the Mississippi River that I've not been to. I hear its beautiful. Plus, I'd get to go to all those yarn shops I keep hearing about!<br /><br /><b>2. If you could visit any country in the world, other than your own, which would it be and why?</b><br />I have to pick just one? Impossible. I've always wanted to go to Iceland. The landscape looks amazing. I also really want to visit Finland, Denmark (Copenhagen) or really any country in Europe. I keep picking cold destinations - I gotta get out of Florida. Oh, I want to see Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto, too. I can't pick just one! Any place where its not so darn hot!<br /><br /><b>3. Have you ever driven across several states/providence/countries?</b><br />I drive from Florida to Indiana twice a year. I've driven from Indiana to Texas, Louisiana and DC. I've also driven up the east coast from Florida to New York. I love road trips.<br /><br /><b>4. Have you ever visited someplace you consider exotic? Where was it?</b><br />No, not really. I think of exotic as hot and sticky. By the middle of June in Florida I just want to head north. Which I guess would be exotic to someone living further south.<br /><br /><b>5. What was your favorite "travel" vacation? Why?</b><br />My favorite vacation was when I went to Ireland for a month. I suppose it was my favorite vacation because, well, it was Ireland! I had just graduated from college and it was the first time I've ever traveled anywhere for a month by myself.<br /><br /><b>6. Have you ever played tourist in your own home city/state (if international, country)? Explain.</b><br />I live in St. Petersburg, Florida, so I get a lot of visitors in the winter. I love it when people come to visit because it gives me the chance to do touristy things that I never do on my own. I'm not really a beach person but I like it when my out of town friends drag me to the beach every once in awhile. Plus it's fun to occasionally go to the "touristy" restaurants and the beach shops, the places the locals don't usually go. Anyone who visits me always ends up learning to play shuffleboard since my favorite place in St. Pete is the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club (shuffleboard is hot now in St. Pete). Even when I don't have guests I get out to the state parks, downtown shops and museums.<br /><br /><b>7. Are you a museum visitor, beach comer or an amusement seeker?</b><br />I guess you could call me a museum visitor. But a better way to describe me would be... nerd. I'm a history nerd. I love cities. When I visit a new city my favorite thing to do is to head over to the oldest section and explore the history and architecture. When I go some place like New York or Boston I go to the museums if there's an exhibit I want to see. But most of the time I enjoy walking, being outside and exploring.<br /><br /><b>8. What's your favorite type of yarn?</b><br />I'm into socks these days. So sock yarn is my yarn of choice right now. I like all colors except purple. The more natural the fiber the more I like it.<br /><br /><b>9. What's your least favorite type of yarn?</b><br />I don't like acrylic. Or novelty yarns. I'm also not partial to wildly variegated yarns. But really, I love most yarn I see.<br /><br /><b>10. What items do you like to knit/crochet?</b><br />I'm a fairly new knitter (less than two years), so there are a lot of items I haven't knit yet. But I'm planning to try them all. Right now I'm working on socks. I've also just started a few lace projects.<br /><br /><b>11. What do you pack, knit/crochet wise when you go on vacation?</b><br />I pack small items, usually socks. I usually come home with a lot more yarn than I started with :-)<br /><br /><b>12. What other crafts do you do/would like to do other than Knit/Crochet?</b><br />Just knitting. I want to learn quilting, but sewing machines scare me.<br /><br /><b>13. Are you allergic to anything? (Yarn wise or treat wise)</b><br />I'm not allergic to anything.<br /><br /><b>14. What is your favorite color? Least Favorite?</b><br />I'm really into aqua right now. I love green, too. I really like any color but purple.<br /><br /><b>15. Sweet or Savory (Treat not personality)?</b><br />I'm sweet and savory, baby! Ok, just kidding. It varies depending on my mood. I love both. One thing to consider is that sadly chocolate does not travel well to Florida :-( If my vacation pal wants to send some (I love chocolate) he/she might want to wrap it up to separate it from the other items so it doesn't squish over everything. But once I get it I'll just stick it in the fridge for awhile and it'll be fine.<br /><br /><b>16. Anything else we are forgetting to ask that you think your partner desperately needs to know?</b><br />Thanks for being my swap pal. I can't wait to see what items you choose to represent your hometown. Have fun!christine (threedogknits)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16701892389337086832noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362857259088071209.post-90752223231893885772007-05-30T20:38:00.000-05:002007-05-30T21:16:10.676-05:00(Great-Great) Grandmother Daugherty's Quilt<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktLBEr9d8FWlxSUHJ5ly3sMAgC0yt2S7hJzUdKxpcesefTCvk4bVKKKyO5fktUKM3uxOh6Mv4968TUQoSTZGoyD-hgaSzER9alfOWrfPSkNH8hb6S5VbO0PJfR_2fZudh6tPQZe3WVGKJ/s1600-h/quilt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktLBEr9d8FWlxSUHJ5ly3sMAgC0yt2S7hJzUdKxpcesefTCvk4bVKKKyO5fktUKM3uxOh6Mv4968TUQoSTZGoyD-hgaSzER9alfOWrfPSkNH8hb6S5VbO0PJfR_2fZudh6tPQZe3WVGKJ/s400/quilt.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070536036594402514" /></a><br />Anyone who knows me knows I'm a big history nerd. A lot of people feel disconnected to past events and think that 100+ years is a way long time ago, too long ago to feel a connection to anything. To these people I always tell this little tidbit of family history: even though I'm only 37 years old (ack, I should have written this last week when I was only 36 years old), my grandmother's grandmother watched Lincoln's funeral procession in 1865. Sure, if I had referred to her as my great-great grandmother that would make her seem farther removed from me. But my point is this: my grandmother, a woman I knew and loved, had a grandmother, a woman she knew and loved, who was old enough 142 years ago to remember that train passing through Ohio. That she had a connection to my grandmother makes it seem as if she lived not very long ago.<br /><br />So it may surprise you that it wasn't until last week that I really took a good look at this quilt, made by that same woman. In my defense it has been packed in a cedar chest for at least 50 years, maybe more, until recently. <br /><br />So, last week I asked my mother to tell me the story of the woman who made it, Grandmother Daugherty (how she was always referred to by my grandmother). My mother thinks this was a wedding present for my great-grandmother in the late 1800's, because that was when these quilts were all the rage. This quilt was sewn by hand and has a beautiful amber colored backing. I learned she was a seamstress; the individual fabrics were scraps from various sewing jobs. There are scraps of silk, velvet, cotton, embroidered fabric... every variation of fabric you can think of is in this quilt. My mother and I spent some time that night making up stories about the fabrics: which ones ended up as short jackets with leg of mutton sleeves, which were dresses, which were slips, etc.<br /><br />We also talked about the difference between creating for fun and creating for necessity. Here was a woman who had to sew to put food on the table, yet in her spare time managed to create this lively and joyful quilt. Grandmother Daugherty had twelve children, the youngest of whom was my great-grandmother (called Baboo by my mother). Her husband died soon after Baboo was born, which meant Grandmother Daugherty was forced to provide for her family by working as a seamstress. She was determined that Baboo would never have to work as a seamstress; to ensure this she refused to teach her how to sew. Consequently Baboo couldn't teach my grandmother (Grammy) to sew, which meant that my mother, who actually wanted to sew, had to learn in Home Ec class in high school. See how the actions of long ago can still affect someone? So far I'm in the Baboo/Grammy camp; I can barely reattach a button.<br /><br />The joy of crafting seems to have skipped Baboo, unless there is some undiscovered piece of knitting or embroidery still to be found (unlikely since Grammy saved everything). I don't blame her if she associated sewing et al with her mother's struggle to provide for her family. I wonder if she passed that lesson learned on to Grammy. Grammy never had much interest in it until later in her life, but once she started she really enjoyed it. She knit this afghan. I remember her teaching me to needlepoint when I was little. She liked to needlepoint Christmas ornaments.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgExEPBUUVK2I_pfO9h2qTVbDHTEN54VVFC3wub6x-vXfEWPc91ju2gNbfgabvW-h5T2E_K1huz6qHyCLWa7GRhDuX7nulY52_zfegaEsAjW_8RM7m6GIeUfa7esBOk2OYgHUfJs33_c9/s1600-h/grammyafghan.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgExEPBUUVK2I_pfO9h2qTVbDHTEN54VVFC3wub6x-vXfEWPc91ju2gNbfgabvW-h5T2E_K1huz6qHyCLWa7GRhDuX7nulY52_zfegaEsAjW_8RM7m6GIeUfa7esBOk2OYgHUfJs33_c9/s320/grammyafghan.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070536985782174978" /></a><br />My mother has been studying the quilt. She created these pillows based on it. (She wants you to know that she's going to resew them so the lines face inward and make a square). At various times she has learned weaving, knitting and making wreaths. She always comes back to sewing.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzM-j2CQQdW2dWjDLgKv8i5BzST-oH4SVCc7AQt0fqoXjTLlZ4A0v1RzvQis0hv5PQJlqk1ca8fgCxd8RDX7c423Z_bS9yGTiXQ4T4ieeI0oT7jFpJ4O68PFRpwCUzoITwHUr15W-cCiR/s1600-h/quiltpillows.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzM-j2CQQdW2dWjDLgKv8i5BzST-oH4SVCc7AQt0fqoXjTLlZ4A0v1RzvQis0hv5PQJlqk1ca8fgCxd8RDX7c423Z_bS9yGTiXQ4T4ieeI0oT7jFpJ4O68PFRpwCUzoITwHUr15W-cCiR/s320/quiltpillows.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070536994372109586" /></a><br />I almost went the way of Baboo, the non-crafter, but for a 50% off sale at Jo-Ann's and a very patient mother who taught me to knit on a whim a year and a half ago. She untangled and tinked my mistakes for two days, then on the third declared that if I was going to learn to knit correctly I had to start fixing my own mistakes. She's been watching my knitting progress in amazement ever since. She's half impressed and half amused that I've fallen in love with knitting and that I've managed to stick with it for so long.<br /><br />I'd like to think that everything the women in my family create is connected somehow to my great-great grandmother's quilt, created, in my mind, not so very long ago.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHpLo2-f0qjPOUR25rrOd3pI6xHD1xeLDp19rpoema2qK66u_pUkwDHkOJdz3IeTFMf3z9Ynpz32L1uCgF93cQhNQYBBHywJS4_GD1aiLjeokV83fOzWGVVvWwpIKHUI3JCHikHI_Q3Zw/s1600-h/embossed_leaves_cp.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHpLo2-f0qjPOUR25rrOd3pI6xHD1xeLDp19rpoema2qK66u_pUkwDHkOJdz3IeTFMf3z9Ynpz32L1uCgF93cQhNQYBBHywJS4_GD1aiLjeokV83fOzWGVVvWwpIKHUI3JCHikHI_Q3Zw/s320/embossed_leaves_cp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070537002962044194" /></a>christine (threedogknits)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16701892389337086832noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362857259088071209.post-64353556119326824982007-05-17T13:43:00.000-05:002007-05-17T15:18:41.947-05:00Tagged<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL91JjjJ5PZqmjSwaKxkA7oJHrJKuEV2RDw7unoqfkFNaSqh9cO5yAnXnoJmhY3hqzicTM5JKLQN-_HEwca3fZfxcYjlQYJrR2zZXcJ7RLU7PPpUloncifBmKdXh_qWJU95F6Grcsc-EvV/s1600-h/shuffle005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL91JjjJ5PZqmjSwaKxkA7oJHrJKuEV2RDw7unoqfkFNaSqh9cO5yAnXnoJmhY3hqzicTM5JKLQN-_HEwca3fZfxcYjlQYJrR2zZXcJ7RLU7PPpUloncifBmKdXh_qWJU95F6Grcsc-EvV/s400/shuffle005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065610727013139634" /></a><br />I was tagged a few days ago by <a href="http://sahmiam.typepad.com/weblog/" target="_blank">Laura</a> to do the 7 random facts. I've been editing this for days and I'm honestly a little stressed out about it. I don't want to post secrets on the internets for the whole world to see. What if some weirdo finds me by googling "likes to have tea parties with dogs"?! On the other hand, how trite is too trite? Here is my happy medium.<br /><br /><i>Here are the rules: <br />Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write in their blogs the 7 facts, as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog.</i><br /> <br /><b>7 Random Facts about me</b><br /><br />1. I've played the piano since I was eight. I should be better at it than I am.<br /><br />2. I have ADD. Not, <i>OMG I lost the car keys I am so, like, ADD tee hee.</i> I mean I was tested and diagnosed when I was 21. After 15 years of treatment, I still have to work really, really hard to keep my life organized and focused. I have a cleaning person come once a month just to force me to organize all my crap. I don't usually tell people I have ADD; I mention it because of my knitting. I think one of the many reasons I love to knit is that it's something I have control over. I can hyper-focus on my knitting projects and *gasp* actually finish them.<br /><br />3. I think Heinz ketchup is one of humankind's greatest accomplishments.<br /><br />4. I have a BFA in photography. Not that you'd know it from looking at the photos on my blog. My senior year I took landscape photos of gravel pits. The local aggregate company let me on their property at night so I could stand on the edge of an enormous pit (there are underground named streets at this pit) and take photos in the dark.<br /><br />5. I have a paralyzing fear of heights.<br /><br />6. I am sloooowwly restoring my home: a 1919 bungalow. It's my first home. I've always wanted to restore an older home, so when I went house hunting one of the requirements was that it be in good enough shape to live in but still need lots and lots of love. I thought it would take 6 months (what did I know?!). That was 4 years ago and it's still not half-way done. (For those of you living outside of Florida, a home built in 1919 is considered really old here.) <br /><br />7. I get my news from The Daily Show.<br /><br />The rules of the game say I have to tag 7 people. Oh dear. <a href="http://www.ablossomknits.com/" target="_blank">Leslie</a>, <a href="http://boyforpele13.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sean</a>, <a href="http://knithappened.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Phoebe</a>, <a href="http://www.neitherhipnorfunky.com/" target="_blank">Christy</a>, <a href="http://terribleknitknit.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Alyson</a>, <a href="http://akamaiknitter.com/" target="_blank">Opal</a> and <a href="http://knittingphilistine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Megan</a>.<br /><br />PS: <a href="http://boyforpele13.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sean</a> wrote an <a href="http://boyforpele13.blogspot.com/2007/05/omg-shuffle.html" target="_blank">awesome post</a> about the joys of shuffleboard. He's a natural shuffler, that guy. One by one I will have all Florida knitters hooked on shuffleboard! *wrings hands in evil Mr. Burns fashion* Mwah!<br /><br />My two favorite worlds collide even more this month! The May issue of <i>Jane</i> magazine (with Kirstin Dunst on the cover) has articles on both knitting and shuffleboard. On page 79 there's an article on my beloved <a href="http://www.stpeteshuffle.com/" target="_blank">St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club</a>. On page 80 there's an article about knitting. This prompted a friend of mine to ask, perplexed, "You're becoming cool?".<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9qCrp-j98tQYtJ4WanauS1XXxKGySsT39UFWnZmoa_Lc6MLTMNpChMao-1KUYOlfjszOb-zlpMPU9szidu_H6Zq5YilkkRGEPJKgvCptlxHXnjahlzOrHv8ZhIWbBAoHhbCUG-B-DGAt/s1600-h/shuffle003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9qCrp-j98tQYtJ4WanauS1XXxKGySsT39UFWnZmoa_Lc6MLTMNpChMao-1KUYOlfjszOb-zlpMPU9szidu_H6Zq5YilkkRGEPJKgvCptlxHXnjahlzOrHv8ZhIWbBAoHhbCUG-B-DGAt/s400/shuffle003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065610722718172322" /></a>christine (threedogknits)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16701892389337086832noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362857259088071209.post-75517818900060848892007-05-14T12:31:00.000-05:002007-05-14T14:04:05.001-05:00Got my mojo working.After a month of knitting, frogging, knitting, frogging... you get the idea... I finally have my knitting mojo back. I finished the pair I'm about to show you late last week. Since then I've been in a frenzy of knitting, matching my yarn stash to patterns I like, and dreaming of future projects. I'm back, baby!!<br /><br />The smoke has cleared, for now. I think St. Petersburg might get a little more smoke from the fires, but hopefully nothing like last Friday (pictures in my previous post). That day we had the worst air quality on record for St. Pete. It was like being trapped in an unventilated smoky bar - all day. It was nasty. Sunday, finally, we could see blue skies.<br /><br />In the last post I promised you a finished object, some WIPs and the most awesome stitch markers - ever! Here we go...<br /><br />Let's start with the most awesome stitch markers. The photo and thanks are long overdue; <a href="http://boyforpele13.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sean</a> made these and gave them to me weeks ago. But because of my knitting malaise I haven't been keeping up with the blog. So without further ado:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mvJZO5FRI7QpntllAAKu4ophNTf3pQk93ybdhGBh767deE8xNfiphgzcbBYGchhdfjjDUwfN4GF-csDkpURoPol0O4Meb3ueoXagIc08_YXWB2BCiQmzicQqdranc2e0tWpGmtqa-U9c/s1600-h/kblicious.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mvJZO5FRI7QpntllAAKu4ophNTf3pQk93ybdhGBh767deE8xNfiphgzcbBYGchhdfjjDUwfN4GF-csDkpURoPol0O4Meb3ueoXagIc08_YXWB2BCiQmzicQqdranc2e0tWpGmtqa-U9c/s400/kblicious.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064471110600883058" /></a><br />The photo is a little blurry (no macro lens) but its the best I've been able to do with my camera. Aren't these the most perfect stitch markers for me? Little dog stitch markers (and a tiny sock keychain)! Thank you, thank you, Sean! I love them so much. Right now he's selling them at Needles & Knobs in St. Pete, but I hope he makes them available online, too. Maybe if you visit his <a href="http://boyforpele13.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a> and ask him, he'll sell you some.<br /><br />Finally... drum roll, please, my first knitting photo in a month. I made these for Mom for Mother's Day. Ahhh, she gave me life and I give her socks:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZyjHXi6J62sn-z1wI9pRvmKb_CKa86bLRUi0RyrFLdIN2u9WU1F00VqRqMjCWjdnfPbJWbhbh3FCtdA4zSoCdSVwShnRTVwQVix_OekAOv1I5zNotPvDFd5cE4msuxcrpsk8YDSRz0aW/s1600-h/embossed_leaves.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZyjHXi6J62sn-z1wI9pRvmKb_CKa86bLRUi0RyrFLdIN2u9WU1F00VqRqMjCWjdnfPbJWbhbh3FCtdA4zSoCdSVwShnRTVwQVix_OekAOv1I5zNotPvDFd5cE4msuxcrpsk8YDSRz0aW/s400/embossed_leaves.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064471114895850370" /></a><br />Embossed Leaves by Mona Schmidt from IK's <i>Favorite Socks</i>. I used Louet Gems in Aqua. I am becoming a huge fan of Louet Gems, the colors are gorgeous. As for the sock pattern: if I made them again there are things I'd do differently. I tend to knit from patterns just as they're written. I must have been a lemming in a past life. So when the pattern said to do two rows before joining in the round I thought, well, must be part of the design. Now I have a notch at the top of each sock (and not in the back where you think they'd be. They're on the side.). When it said to cut the yarn after turning the heel, I thought, well, there must be a reason, and off the cliff I went. Twice, because I wanted the socks to match perfectly. Live and learn. I think she'll like them: she likes this color and I think the leaves are sunny and spring-like.<br /><br />This weekend I started two new pairs.<br /><br />I started my first pair of Jaywalkers - a right of passage for knitters. The yarn is Cherry Tree Hill in Life's a Beach. I bought this yarn when I was in a particularly sunny mood (I get all crazy for bright colors maybe once a year). The colors may be a bit too strong for me, but I hope it'll make for an interesting sock. These may end up being gifted or at least saved for my next bright color day.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFyhNEZN2jJq3K_NPwziVFeHxHXQfLBik4SRyYmFSA2UbWzr0sv8kbXT8tUaLCkAuvmzNLnOsqdWnkz8ZZSFDe93Bx_qG7mlHvNIUL9sUA5E-JLpNEtU-dWPOJI-fD_rjlqnVj-jLjvT6N/s1600-h/jaywalker.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFyhNEZN2jJq3K_NPwziVFeHxHXQfLBik4SRyYmFSA2UbWzr0sv8kbXT8tUaLCkAuvmzNLnOsqdWnkz8ZZSFDe93Bx_qG7mlHvNIUL9sUA5E-JLpNEtU-dWPOJI-fD_rjlqnVj-jLjvT6N/s400/jaywalker.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064471119190817682" /></a><br />The next day I started this sock:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheunFMUMaBl73t_Dh4sXHFDHSA1CxvCUQHwies3KYd3IanG7d2DxWNfQP8vaem2jD-1qlVrLqutdJ4tJ2p6oyLVAnVP93qWV4IMMWBv5RYfmZnEIKLmz197EsU2hluIQvk5G4iVpUt7MYY/s1600-h/childssock.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheunFMUMaBl73t_Dh4sXHFDHSA1CxvCUQHwies3KYd3IanG7d2DxWNfQP8vaem2jD-1qlVrLqutdJ4tJ2p6oyLVAnVP93qWV4IMMWBv5RYfmZnEIKLmz197EsU2hluIQvk5G4iVpUt7MYY/s400/childssock.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064471102010948450" /></a><br />This funny looking thing is the Child's First Sock from Nancy Bush's <i>Knitting Vintage Socks</i>. This is my first Nancy Bush sock, even though I have three of her books. I wouldn't have thought about knitting this particular sock because the photo in the book isn't very appealing. Then I saw the socks made by <a href="http://www.neitherhipnorfunky.com/?p=121" target="_blank">Christy</a> and <a href="http://mustaavillaa.blogspot.com/2007/03/little-childs-socks-for-big-feet.html" target="_blank">Terhi</a> (both of these ladies are always working on amazing stuff) and I knew I had to make them. As you can see, this sock is progressing faster than the Jaywalkers. I love this pattern; every so often the pattern changes so I never get bored. I love this yarn (J Knits Supersock, color Indiana), I love the way it's knitting up; from what little I can try on so far the sock already feels as comfortable as my favorite pair of jeans, even with the 25% nylon content. Love. It.christine (threedogknits)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16701892389337086832noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362857259088071209.post-37241659709547997572007-05-11T10:29:00.000-05:002007-05-11T17:54:47.349-05:00Not fog. Smoke.I have actual knitting photos to show you - as soon as I can take them. Right now my little corner of the world is a little smoky and not conducive to photo taking. The smoke from the wildfires (over 100 miles away, mind you) came in very suddenly about an hour ago. I had all the windows open, plus the back door was open for the dogs. It is now hazy inside my house, too. I hope my finished but damp from blocking socks, mom's Mother's Day present, don't smell like a campfire.<br /><br />Here's a view near me. I was going to walk to a more picturesque area of my neighborhood, but after 30 seconds of being outside my eyes were screaming, "It burns! It burns!!!"<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AxpmX3ZVgCsMeHngqXeK7SnqSF0jLvnXAK0xftGKKf3zZUxUzZLaJhpjacuL_JPSwEwKabQOPSuq4rDCOFbh_Q9l5B6GkpQPBgeNZ5KL6nlpRmrL7Q0wsJ0APihHs3B7CIDsHAwU6HSU/s1600-h/fog1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AxpmX3ZVgCsMeHngqXeK7SnqSF0jLvnXAK0xftGKKf3zZUxUzZLaJhpjacuL_JPSwEwKabQOPSuq4rDCOFbh_Q9l5B6GkpQPBgeNZ5KL6nlpRmrL7Q0wsJ0APihHs3B7CIDsHAwU6HSU/s320/fog1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063330371582032690" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_h0FlCnAIyfQ3pAYVfQPzVhFRNn67q_43gBEeAd0P6TMLosZRLg0Vmn8gMj58ZIehtGbUHQxaWVk_StiU_VzsHKkEHCidsyL0RDAAidd5tvUDalgQ5ojy-AY9qgFgPg5_pOsfqvq_jsz/s1600-h/fog2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_h0FlCnAIyfQ3pAYVfQPzVhFRNn67q_43gBEeAd0P6TMLosZRLg0Vmn8gMj58ZIehtGbUHQxaWVk_StiU_VzsHKkEHCidsyL0RDAAidd5tvUDalgQ5ojy-AY9qgFgPg5_pOsfqvq_jsz/s320/fog2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063330371582032706" /></a><br />Sasha, cooped up inside until the smoke clears, is bored after being in the house for 10 minutes. This is what I call her "summer pose": cooling her belly and in general not looking lady-like at all. I can tell from her expression that she is planning and plotting some sort of sabotage to be revealed later in the day.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWIYpt6i9g1yyP29neivYH6kLC1ZHlG1u-Rt0ewl4KnmBuhvPODf2zpLYhVWNgY7UmfbjwE2s54rsOYB9Tsvk3Hy1R0ntJABOV8OIDRXosE1MPAw8hg20BFpf8FCjLzsYummfZSg1AY08q/s1600-h/sasha_bored.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWIYpt6i9g1yyP29neivYH6kLC1ZHlG1u-Rt0ewl4KnmBuhvPODf2zpLYhVWNgY7UmfbjwE2s54rsOYB9Tsvk3Hy1R0ntJABOV8OIDRXosE1MPAw8hg20BFpf8FCjLzsYummfZSg1AY08q/s320/sasha_bored.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063331690136992594" /></a><br />Coming tomorrow (if the smoke clears): knitting! I have finished socks to show you! Plus, new WIPs and the most awesome-ist stitch markers - ever!christine (threedogknits)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16701892389337086832noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362857259088071209.post-72779128736020490102007-05-03T12:45:00.000-05:002007-05-03T14:48:08.489-05:00Hi there!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzst4y-_M2hwuC-cikgVXLcobTYCXiKMaau1cNtjoIsoFooRstXtVvIuEHManEkrliTLZqYLvQwkEoBAUFPJdNlJchuDpJJz-9E6Lknbl0ye-6dM-vWrM-SiuatsxigaufTGvTJK3gdrT/s1600-h/betty.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzst4y-_M2hwuC-cikgVXLcobTYCXiKMaau1cNtjoIsoFooRstXtVvIuEHManEkrliTLZqYLvQwkEoBAUFPJdNlJchuDpJJz-9E6Lknbl0ye-6dM-vWrM-SiuatsxigaufTGvTJK3gdrT/s320/betty.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5060396513781873442" /></a><br />Betty here! You may not have heard about me. Apparently "middle child syndrome" applies to dog families, too. My older brother, Jackson, is considered the perfect angel around here so he gets mentioned a lot. My little sister, Sasha, is so obnoxious that it's difficult not to pay attention to her. I'm the quiet one in the middle. Good thing I'm quiet, the rare times I do bark mom tells me my bark could shatter glass. Anyway, I'm a pretty good girl, unless there are children or air-conditioning repair men around. Or cats. Or vacuum cleaners. Or those little plastic lambs people put in their yards at Christmas. I hate those - they could come to life and attack at any moment. Oh, and I can be mean and growly to Sasha but I promise you she brings it on herself. She is not a good girl like me. Sasha spends her days filling her tummy with mulch, twigs, lizards, bugs, and...<br /><br />What? Mom says wrap it up nobody wants to hear how I feel about Sasha and her eating habits. She says this is a knit blog for crying out loud.<br /><br />I'm really here to tell you that mom has been too <strike>lazy</strike> busy to post. And that really there's been nothing to post about (except: shout out to my sock pal!). She's lost her knitting mojo. She's spent the last two weeks...what's the term...tinking, and... something about frogs. Playing with frogs? Playing Frogger? Frogging? Ripping? Something like that. Anyway, she's not posting anything until her mojo comes back and she "adjusts her attitude".<br /><br />I hope she gets her mojo back soon. She spends her free time cradling yarn when she should be petting me. Okay, anyway, that's it! Have a great weekend everybody!<br /><br />XOXO,<br />Betty<br /><br />PS: I learned how to blog from <a href="http://sahmiam.typepad.com/weblog/" target="_blank">Max</a>!christine (threedogknits)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16701892389337086832noreply@blogger.com4