More Reading Program Updates

#15 Fare Play by Barbara Paul, 1995, 254 p. Another series mystery, although this is not a cozy as I have been wont to read of late, but a police procedural and very well done. Unfortunately, it is not the first in the series, and my library only has a few of the Marian Larch books, so in order to go back and start at the beginning I will have to make use of ILL.

#16 Baby Proof by Emily Griffin, 2006, 340 p. What happens when two thirty-something professionals who don't want any children....ever, meet, fall in love, and marry, only to have one half of the couple have a change of heart when it comes to remaining forever childless? Read this book to find out. I don't want to give away one word of the soul-searching angst that takes place. Quick, page-turning read.

Biking Update

Those of you who follow my mileage ticker at the top of the page may notice that my mileage is going to drop over the coming weeks. Cycling has been my sole source of exercise this year, and even though I have put almost 1300 miles on my bike since March, I am just not seeing the results of all that exercise on the scale or the fit of my clothes. Soooooo, I've decided to try and jump start my metabolism by throwing in some different forms of exercise. Two days a week I will be doing a dvd that combines aerobics, standing pilates, weights, and mat work. This will mean I won't be on the bike as often. I still plan on getting three days in, maybe four, we'll have to see how I do. Didn't want you guys to think I was slacking on the days I don't ride ;o)

Summer Reading Program Update

Finally finished a book! I was on quite a roll there for a few weeks, but knitting took center stage in the form of the Mystery Stole and then my Shenandoah Stole. The Mystery Stole has been frogged and reknit as the beginning stages of Leda's Dream. I continue to work on the Shenandoah Stole, but took two days off all knitting to finish up the book I was reading.

#12 Sweet Poison by David Roberts, 2001, 277 p. This is the first book in a series I hadn't heard of before seeing it perched on the shelf promoting good books for summer reads at the library . Actually, I think they had the 2nd or 3rd in the series on display.....I, of course, had to hunt down the first and start at the beginning of the series. In the story a death occurs at the dining room table of the Duke of Mersham. Around the table sit a varied cast of characters ranging from the Duke's brother to a communist newspaper reporter to devout pacifists to a Nazi army officer (story occurs circa 1935). The death is ruled an accident, but Lord Edward Corinth, the duke's brother, and Verity Browne, the communist, don't believe it....and a new detective team is born. The book was interesting, but I often chose late at night to pick it up, which resulted in sleep overtaking me within minutes. The result was that it took me much longer to finish than it should have. As soon as I finished this one, I picked up a PD James and am well into that, so I should have another book to add within a day or two.

Added July 20, 2006
#13 Cover Her Face by PD James, 1976, 254 p. I'd forgotten all about PD James until I got back into my mystery reading this summer. Picked this one up thinking I hadn't read it. I didn't remember the ending, so if I did in fact read it, it was long ago, and the ending....satisfying. I'll be reading more of the Inspector Dalgliesh mysteries. I just have a thing for these English murder mysteries.

Added July 22, 2006
#14 Bookends by Jane Green, 2001, 358 p. A quick, interesting read about 4 college friends who face life in their 30s. Through marriages, break-ups, career changes, betrayals the author follows their growth into men and women who can rely on each other. Reminds me very much of the sit-com Friends, just set in the city of London. I'm looking forward to reading another of Ms. Green's titles.

I've Got Nuthin'

I've been super busy this week and what do I have to show for it......nuthin'. At least, next to nuthin'. Not even a book completed this week!?!?!?

First off, the first clue for the Mystery Stole 2 was released last Friday morning. I couldn't get to it Friday, Saturday, or most of Sunday due to intensive carpet cleaning (see previous post). Sunday evening I was able to cast on the provisional cast-on only to find that the method I chose left the live stitches to be picked up later huge. So I tried again, and again, and again. Finally landing on a crocheted on provisional cast on with the scrap yarn on the needle. Once I had that I started right in with the working yarn knitting the set-up row, and then on to the rest of the shawl. I worked on that baby all week. Want to see what I have so far..........

Isn't that a work of art? What happened???

After reading a number of posts to the Mystery Stole group I realized I had made a tiny, little error. I had not worked a row of all knit stitches prior to working the set-up row. Not a big deal, I could do that row after letting the live stitches loose from their scrap yarn prison. Thursday night I decided I was far enough into the stole to go ahead and work a row or two of the opposite end. I took yanked the scrap yarn out and struggled with getting the live stitches onto another needle. Hopeless, I tell you, hopeless. Now, one might think that I was pretty upset with losing all that work (lifelines, who needs lifelines?) , but in reality, I was kind of happy. Many, if not most of the participants are thrilled with the stole in its present form. It is indeed lovely, however, I am the problem. I like my shawls/stoles a little more lacy--more holes, way more holes. Now, I am not giving up on the pattern. It may be that there is more openwork towards the ends of the stole, won't know for another 4 weeks. Meanwhile, I think I will use the Zephyr to make this by Melanie, the designer of Mystery Stole 2. Leda's Dream was Mystery Stole 1 last summer. See all the lovely holes; isn't its laciness wonderful?

Because I have become a lace fanatic it was not possible to go too long without something lace on the needles, so to replace the void left by the frogging of the Mystery Stole, I pulled out my self-designed Shenandoah Stole. I am well into the 3rd repeat of the 20 row pattern.

In the above you can see the modified Christmas chevron on the left--these are my mountains. On the right are the gothic leaves, and dividing the two is a Flemish braid. I'm pretty pleased with it at this point, but I will need to block it like crazy to get the patterns to stand out. (BTW--see the clean carpet underneath!)

And I will leave you with my Saturday Sky. Within moments of taking this photo we had dry thunderstorms roll in. We have entered the dreaded part of the summer here in the tidewater of Virginia--hazy, hot, and humid. When I took off on my bike for a 30 mile ride this morning it was as close as it can get to 100% humidity and not be raining. The air was so saturated with moisture that the sweat I generated would not evaporate. Needless to say I was drenched when I reached home. Haven't been out the door except to take the photo since. Summer, yeah, I'm over it.

August Birthday Questionnaire

Here are the answers to the August Birthday questionnaire. I already sent my responses by email to my pal, but thought this would give you, my loyal readers, insight into my world.

1. What day is your birthday? August 4

2. Are you crafty? Not so much...used to do cross-stitch, but haven't for years. I knit, of course, and play around with Photoshop, but that's about the extent of it for me.

3. Would you enjoy things like: Buttons, ribbons and embellishments? Hmm.....buttons, yes--I'm looking for some for my FLAK aran that remains an unfinished object.

4. Do you dye your own wool? Not yet, but would love to try! I already have some easter egg dye I salvaged from the bargain bin at a local grocery, but don't have any yarn to dye--maybe laceweight, since I'm all about lace lately.

5. Do you like to scrapbook or make homemade cards? Nope--see question #2. Although I have thought about taking some photos of yarn, needles, you know, knitty stuff, then photoshopping it and making some cards, a la Cara (definitely not in her league), but I haven't done it yet.

6. What small project would you be interested in making? Socks, mittens, scarf, hat, baby items, wash cloths, doilies, shrugs etc. Any of these--except maybe the baby items and shrugs.

7. What are your favorite scents? Jasmine vanilla from the aromatherapy line at Bath and Body Works

8. Do you like stationary and cards? As long as they have a knitting theme. I have tons of non-knitting stuff, but have been on the lookout for some knitting related. See #5 above

9. Do you like hand lotions or soaps? Yes, see #7

10. Do you like to sew or embroider items? Used to, haven't in years.

11. Do you like beads? Haven't gotten into the bead thing yet, but would love to try my hand at Mary Ella on Knitty.

12. What kind of mail-able snacks do you like to eat? Chocolate, biscotti, TEA! After doing the Knitter's Tea Swap this spring I have fallen in love with hot tea. Have a cup almost every night. I saw some chocolate tea on one of the tea sites that I would love to try.

13. Do you like to wear costume jewelry? Necklace, earrings, bracelets etc. Nope--don't even wear my wedding ring anymore. I always take it off to exercise and at night, most days it doesn't make it back on. For really special occasions I do. See, I'm really not much of a girlie girl when it comes to stuff like that. Can't accessorize for nothing.

14. Do you like to play cards or board games? I told my pal no, but I do like them, just hard to play them alone. No one else around here is interested in them. Sigh. If I have a spare moment and knitting doesn't hit the spot, I have a book in my hand. Love cozy mysteries.

15. What are your favorite colors of yarn? Earth/autumn tones, reds

16. Do you like solid, variegated, heathers, or self stripping yarns? All of these

17. Do you like kitchen magnets or key rings? Magnets, love magnets

18. Do you like picture frames? Yep

19. Do you like to make/or use stitch markers? I've never made any, but love them! They are especially good with the lace that seems to be consuming me right now.

20. Do you collect anything? Willow Tree Angels, tea mugs--funky ones (no writing) that are pretty big 12 oz at least (yeah, I like my tea)

21. Do you have any allergies? Smoke, food, fiber, pets, etc.. Don't like smoke smell. Other than that, unless someone plans on sending some Keflex my way, I'm okay.

22. Do you have any hobbies? As the name of the blog hints, biking and knitting top the list right now, with reading running a really close third. I enjoy taking photos and fooling around with Photoshop--purely for entertainment.

23. Do you like scented or unscented candles? Love scented candles

24. Are you a fiber snob? Yeah, I'm pretty much becoming one. Not saying that I only buy expensive yarn--my FLAK is made with yarn that runs $4-5 per 200+ yd skein, but I do shy away from acrylic.

It Can't Be Sunday Already....or How I Spent My Weekend

Sunday evening.....already. Good grief. Where has the weekend gone?

I rode yesterday~~I'm a bit miffed about this though. We'd been getting this cool little town newspaper free in June. Each Thursday or Friday there it was waiting in it's little blue sack in our driveway. Small town stuff. Well, for the last couple of weeks we haven't been getting it. As I ride all over the county I see them in people's driveways, so I know they are still publishing the thing. Saw them again this week and was actually tempted to stop and pick one up while on my ride on Friday. I didn't. Should have. Last night The Teen and Mr Fix-it found one at the local gas station and brought it home to me since it had the fair results in it. Nice to see my name in print :o) Anyhow....what should I see on the first or second page, but an announcement for the annual Park to Park ride in the county..... I just missed this last year when I got my road bike, and really wanted to do it this year. Has rides of various lengths. Starts at one of the county parks and visits two others, returning to the starting point for a nice lunch (probably hot dogs or the like, but still, I wasn't interested in it for the lunch.) Goodie, when is it.......yesterday morning......twelve hours before I actually read the announcement!!!! See, I wondered....... As I was winding up my 29 mile jaunt that morning, I rode past the starting point and saw tons of cars. Hmmmm......lots of cars with bike racks, wonder what's going on......couldn't be Park to Park.....it's a little early. WRONG! Ugh. I was so disappointed! So I missed it......again. Sigh. I'll try again next year.

ETA: This is for Joufknister, my new virtual riding buddy. I ride a '05 Trek 1000c WSD. The men's bikes fit me through the legs, but have top-tubes too long for my short upper body. I'll probably be off the bike tomorrow. The rest of the house seems to have suffered neglect while I was cleaning carpets. Sigh. I guess I'm stuck with the weights for tomorrow.

The rest of Saturday and most of the day today has been spent cleaning carpets. What can I say about that..... not much. Although, when I got to the 4th room, I finally figured out how to get out most of the stains Tiny Terror has left behind.....a scrub brush. Works great. With the exception of the black permanent ink mark (Don't ask. It's a long story......permanent marker, Tiny Terror, and two oblivious siblings were involved while I was out riding my bike.) the schoolroom carpet looks like new. I also got the family room, living room, and dining room done. Math Guy's room will get done next week when The Teen and Tiny Terror go to the beach with the in-laws.

How am I going to spend what is left of my weekend? A bubble bath, knitting (Mystery Stole 2--link in sidebar, hurry up, sign-ups close the 14th and Shenandoah Splendor stole), and a cup of tea. Sounds like a plan to me.

Summer Reading Program Update

#10 Catering to Nobody by Diane Mott Davidson, 1990, 266 p. Cozy mystery involving single mom in small Colorado town trying to raise her middle school aged son while running a catering business. Goldy, the caterer, turns into a sleuth when the attempted murder of her ex-father-in-law shuts down her only source of income, and she becomes the prime suspect in the crime. Fun, quick read! I've already read one in the series, but had to go back and start with the first one, cuz I'm just that way about series writing. I'll be reading more in the series.
Added July 5, 2006
#11 The Serpent's Trail by Sue Henry, 2004, 276 p. A mystery solving, Minnie Winnie traveling, mini-dachshund owning Grandma--what fun! Since she travels quite a bit in her motor home, she also tells quite a bit about the local attractions. This one was set in Grand Junction, CO, which is near Monument National Park, so part of the story took place there. The scenery and geography was pulled into the story without being intrusive. First in a series. I read this as intro to The Tooth in Time by the same author for Whoduknit?, a kal along the lines of Knit the Classics. You know, read a book, knit something that goes along with the story you're reading. I'm glad the kal along led me to a new (to me) author! Another quick read--started around 9 pm and was finished by midnight.

Shenandoah Splendor Update
Thanks to everyone who offered advice on my Shenandoah Splendor stole (yep, changed the name). I decided to take what I had off the needles and start over. I did add a simple 7 stitch braid, also from BW's 2nd Treasury to the pattern. Yesterday I took quite a bit of time and set the pattern up in KnitSymbol font software and Excel and printed it out on some cardstock. Much easier to read than the folded graph paper I was using. The first 20 row repeat is finished and I'm pleased with the look so far. Oh yeah, I changed the Christmas Chevron a bit after talking it over with Lanie on Monday night at SnB. I omitted the bits that made my "mountains" look like the Christmas trees that BW intended. I couldn't figure out what to remove until I put the whole thing on graph paper. Then I could see where the tree bottoms were in the pattern and easily erase them. Charting a pattern is so cool that way! I'll try and get another repeat or two done before I post another photo. That leaves the socks I was working on out in the cold--same with baby socks I need to have finished for a shower tomorrow night. That I do have to work on! Off to find a pattern.......

Shenandoah Stole-in-Progress

Here are some photos of the very early stages of my Shenandoah Stole~~named for the beautiful Shenandoah Mtns in Virginia. This first is of the Christmas Chevron~~I suppose it does look a lot like Christmas trees, but as soon as I saw it, I thought of the mountains.
The next shows the Chevron next to the Gothic leaf. The yellow arrow is highlighting the space between the two patterns in which they back up to each other.

Should I put some sort of narrow pattern between the two main patterns in the stole to more clearly define where one ends and the other begins? Obviously, I haven't stretched this out as far as I could~~just enough to give an idea of what it looks like. Any thoughts? I haven't ripped it yet......

While we're on the subject of lace.......I need some help picking out some really good lace stitch pattern books. I don't want books of patterns for shawls, tablecloths, etc. Just something that is a stitch dictionary, or at least has a good number of stitch patterns along with garment or accessory patterns. I know the BW treasuries are very good. Any other suggestions for must haves of books of this sort? Leave your favorites as a comment. I'll compile a list and post it at the end of the week.

Sweet Feet Sock

Here it is...one completed sock in Sweet Feet Sock Yarn
Details:
Color: Sandstone
Yarn used: 42 gm
Yarn left from ball (approx one half of skein): 6 gm
(I just checked my previous post and the skein weighed 107 gm total, and I divided it into two fairly equal halves, but am only getting 48 gm total for this half. Could be the a/c was not on in the house on the previous measurement--humidity.)
Length heel to toe: 9.5 inches
Length cuff to heel: 11 inches
Needle: Sz 1 Addi
Pattern: Beaded Rib from Sensational Knitted Socks
# of Stitches: approximately 70--I can't believe I didn't write it down. I thought I had learned this lesson already. I wear a size 7.5-8 shoe. My foot is about 8.25-8.5 inches in diameter, if that helps.

You definitely do not have to worry about your socks being skimpy with this yarn! I had enough to do another inch or more, but just didn't want my socks that tall. SYAC is now over~~I'll be getting a couple more skeins of this for socks for me and The Teen.

Saturday Sky

This was the view out of my back door this afternoon. I waited to post hoping that we'd have a pretty sunset, but nah. The humidity was considerably lower today, so not as much haze--nice breeze too.

On the knitting front--I finished the first sock using my test yarn Sweet Feet Sock Yarn by Hill Country Yarns. I'll post a photo tomorrow. This yarn has in no way disappointed. Still super soft. Buttah....I tell you..... just like buttah. I was planning on knitting the cuff until I ran out of yarn, but I ran out of leg first. I just couldn't bring myself to knit the cuff any longer...they come very close to where my calf muscle begins to swell, so plenty high...with gobs of yarn left! I haven't cast on the second sock, but would like to and get it most of the way finished before the first part of the Mystery Stole 2 is released on the 7th. For those of you who'd like to kal with the rest of us mystery stole-ers, check out Melanie's blog and then sign up--you only have until the 14th! (I'm knitting mine in Zephyr Plum--so for once I will be in sync with Project Spectrum!) I had planned on giving my friend a stole made from my off white cashmere leftovers from Sampler Shawl, but will save that for something else and she will get the results of the Mystery Stole 2 kal as plum is one of "her" colors. Can't wait to surprise her!!!

In addition to finishing the sock, I have been working on designing a stole of my own using my Stone chat lace yarn from handpaintedyarn.com. It's based on two patterns from BW's 2nd Treasury--Gothic Leaf and Christmas Chevron. I chose those patterns because my favorite place to be in the autumn is in the mountains along Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park. With my autumn color yarn and shapes that remind me of leaves and mountains, I can be in one of favorite places on earth anytime I choose.....well, almost. I'm only one 20 row repeat in, but it looks pretty good so far. It's a rectangular stole, because you guys know, I'm just ga-ga over that shape, and has the Christmas Chevron flanking the Gothic Leaf on each side. I'm thinking I should have put something dividing these two patterns......so I probably will rip out what I have so far and find something small to divide the two, but I'm not sure what to use. Anyway, I'm having fun! It's all about the process.....right? I know for some people it's about the product--that's the way I am with socks....until lately. But with the shawls, it's the process. I love to see the pattern flow off the needles, and while excited when I finish, I also experience a sort of melancholy that the project I love so much is completed. The ripping of what I have so far will just make the process....the journey of my Mountain Autumn stole take a wee bit longer. I have no problem with that.