PoMo Golightly

Winner!

Thank you all for your help!  I blushed a little reading your comments, and once I got over my shy feelings, I was able to create a list for my project.  I can't wait to share it with you!

As promised, I used a random number generator to pick a winner of a potholder:

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:1Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Teri!  Let me know what colors you'd like, and I'll put that crochet hook to work!

P.S. Max was set to 9.  I C&P this in and the max changed to 100.  The result stayed the same, though, I promise!

Help, Please, and a Contest

 
I've started a little project, and I need your help, please.  I need to create a list of words that describe my blog.  I've got my own list of what I want it to be, both style and content-wise, but I need the help of my dear readers.  I'm not looking for an ego stroke, I promise!  Rather, if you would list one or two  words/phrases that come to mind, even if they are repeats of another comment, I would appreciate it so much.

To encourage your help, I'll randomly chose one name from the comments and make that person a potholder in the colors of her/his choice.  The name will be drawn on Friday at 9 a.m.!

Thanks so much!

Ten on Tuesday

Today's topic from our fearless leader: Ten Things to Do instead of Watching TV:

1.  Read. I'd put money on that this will be on every post.

2.  Sit on the deck and laugh at the dogs' antics.

3.  Take the kayaks out for a paddle.

4.  Go for a bike ride.

5.  Collect flowers to identify and press.

6.  Try a new recipe or make a familiar one.

7.  Meet up with friends to knit.

8.  Write.

9.  Paint.

10.  Clean out a closet.

Okay, maybe #10 isn't much fun, but I finally cleaned our linen closet last week.  It was a dee-zas-ter!  I sorted and tossed and refolded and organized, and now this thing that made me anxious every time I opened the door makes me happy.  

From 1992 until 2006, I didn't have television.  The apartment in which I lived from '92-'00 had terrible reception, and my budget was too tight to pay for cable.  It was an easy thing to do without.  I still watched movies on the vcr, but I missed a lot of shows that became cultural references.  When I bought my tiny co-op in 2000, there simply wasn't room for the tv anymore, so I no longer even watched movies. I read a LOT.  I was in school for my bachelor's and two and a half master's degrees during the no tv years.  I once had a peer ask how I could always be up on the reading.  My answer? "I don't have a tv."  She was shocked, stunned, completely unprepared to give up hers.  Look, I wanted to say. I don't judge.  I don't care if you would rather watch tv than read Homer.  To each her own.

Everything changed when I moved in with Neal.  He loves to watch sports.  He's into a lot of History channel shows that don't seem too historically based to me.  I hang out with him when he's watching these things (knitting!), but usually if I'm in the room, unless his dearest darling Cards are playing, we watch something on dvd.

I would ditch the tv again in a second.  There is just too much wonderful (and sometimes practical) stuff to feed my mind and occupy my time with to want a serious relationship with tv. Now and again, though, it's fun to flirt with!

Free Pattern: Holcomb Farm Scarf

I'm excited to share with you the Holcomb Farm Scarf, a pattern I created for a Hairpin Lace class I'm teaching at my LYS. The pattern calls for two skeins of Malabrigo Silky Merino, which is so dreamy to use.  You can download the pattern for free on Ravelry. 

I first learned Hairpin Lace from my mother; it was my gateway craft.  I started by helping her with fringing the afghans she made, then learned to connect the strips, and finally, to make the strips.  I want to bring back this delicate little craft, so I've been designing a few patterns that I'm looking forward to sharing with you.  

Enjoy!

P.S. Isn't my model gorgeous?  Spring graciously tromped all over Holcomb Farm earlier this summer and allowed me to take tons of pictures.  She's a photographer, and I was lucky enough to get a few tips from her during our shoot!

ETA Please note that I fixed a type on 7/24, so you may want to re-download!

Ten on Tuesday, or I Have No Idea

Today's Ten on Tuesday topic is about camping.  I have never been camping. Well, there was that backyard sleepover in sixth grade.  Oh, and I did sleep in a tent for those times I walked the 3-Day to raise money for breast cancer research (Avon sponsored it back when I walked).  Anywho, I wouldn't really use my list if you're a new camper.  I'd probably laugh and click away.

10 Things to Bring on a Camping Trip

1.  Someone who has actually been camping before.

2.  Air mattress (I learned that on the 3-Day).

3.  Toilet paper (hey, be prepared!)

4.  A flashlight.

5.  Shelter.  Unless by camping you mean staying at the Holiday Inn Express.

6.  Bathing suit.  Seems like a beach would be a nice place to camp.

7.  Fire.  Not like on a torch or anything, but unless camping means going to a restaurant, you've gotta have something on which to cook, right?

8.  A book.  Just in case the air mattress doesn't do the trick and you're too uncomfortable to sleep.

9.  Someone with a guitar.  Singing around the campfire might be the biggest lure into camping I can imagine.

10.  Ghost stories.  Good, scary ones.  Don't worry if you get so scared you can't sleep.  You've got a flashlight and a book.  You'll be fine!

Joe and Jennie May

 After blueberry picking on Saturday, I swung by for a quick visit with my parents.  As I was about to leave, my mom remembered something she wanted to give me.  She handed me this picture and said, "Now who does this look like?"

Mom figures this was taken circa 1930.  Joe and Jennie May were married in 1925, but they didn't have children for about ten years.  My gramp would have been about 22 and my gram about 24 in this picture.  Aren't they adorable? 

Edited to fix spelling!!

Ten on Tuesday

Today's topic is Ten Things You Like about Where You Live:

1.  Neal lives here.

2.  My parents live only 20 minutes away.  I moved over two hours away from home when I was 21, and in my mid-30s, I moved across the country.  It's nice to be a quick drive from my folks.

3. The dogs have a big enough back yard for their crazy races.

4.  Autumn.  No other part of the country does autumn up the way the Northeast does.

5.  I have a room of my own.  Living by myself, I had several rooms of my own, but one is all I need.

6.  New York is nearby.

7.  I can get to the beach in under two hours.

8.  Shade tobacco.  I don't smoke cigars, mind you, but the netted shade tobacco fields mean home to me.

9.  I can hike, cross-country ski, bike, or run right from my door.  We have a large nature preserve across the street and a well-maintained bike path about a mile from the house.  I can't imagine having to drive to go cross-country skiing!  We're pretty competitive about being the first ones in when there is fresh snow.  I don't think anyone in the neighborhood is aware of this competition, but it exists.

10.  Two of my best girlhood friends live nearby.  I'm fortunate to be able to pop over for iced tea and knitting with women who have known me for decades.

What do you like about where you live?