Bad Knitter, No Cookie

I am trying to finish one of these, AlliGator Bag , even came up with a few modifications for it because I can't seem to leave well enough alone. And really, could I possibly leave something like this alone? Of course not, he must be a dragon, not a gator. A little felt for eyes and flame et voila, instant dragon conversion. This would have gone much better if I hadn't been in such a hurry to finish the bag itself. I knew I had the wrong number of stitches. Figured a stitch or two wouldn't be a big deal, the bag is felted a bit anyway, there was some leeway. And then, then I finished the bag. I looked at it laying there, ends not woven in and realized there was no avoiding it. I was going to have to rip out the bottom third of the thing and re-knit it. Blast and Damn. This bag has given me blisters (I knit rather tight sometimes). I've been knitting with band-aids on my fingers. Re-knitting parts of this are very last on my list of things I want to do, but I want this bag so very badly. It's perfect cartoon-like elegance calls to me.
I think this evening will require a few things; deep breathing, a glass of wine, some chocolate and someone else to fold the laundry.

It's Earth Day again

Do you grow anything you can use as food? Have you reduced your meat consumption at all? Can you honestly say you eat at home more often than not? If so, yay! Good for you! If not, why not? Yes, these are things are tend to take an investment of time, a little thought, but they also tend to be much cheaper financially than standard options.
Maybe it's me being a food junkie, but fresh raspberries, picked that morning, rinsed and eaten for breakfast, fantastic! Fresh herbs on just about anything works well, and tastes so lovely! Is there anything better than a homegrown, heirloom tomato still slightly warm from the afternoon sun? Absolutely delicious!
Growing anything is a labor of love. Patience and tending are required for plants to produce wonderful, tasty things for you to eat. For most of us, an entire bush of berries is worth the investment, instead of shelling out far too much money for a plastic container with a scant pint of berries in it that have been shipped in from another state.
If you really are unable to have even a tiny pot of mint or basil on a windowsill, please, find your local farmers' market. Encourage those who do grow these amazing things for you to eat. Try real food a few times. You don't have to go raw or even vegetarian, herb steak is yummy too. Just pick good meat, from a local butcher if you've got one.
Become a food snob! It's better for you and the planet!

Did I mention the yarn?

My biggest birthday present was yarn. Seven entire sweaters worth. One sweater for a cabled pattern that will fit my Darling Husband who is 6 foot 5 inches. That ends up being quite a bit of yarn! One of those sweaters just needs a touch of finishing. It only took me two days to knit up. I'm feeling much love for bulky yarn and huge needles. Only seventeen more knit projects to finish in the next two months. I might be over-estimating the time available to me.

Lately I've been trying to push myself physically. Actually exercising. Eating the way I know I'm supposed to as opposed to the way I would really like to. Custard eclairs and maple bars are not allowed to be standard fare! I want the clothes I am making to fit exactly right. I am so very much my own worst critic. ;-)

My New Froggy

This adorable lamp was discovered by Darling Hubby and Boy while wandering Hobby Lobby on my birthday. One look and they knew I would love him. The very nice lady behind the checkout counter asked if it was for me, (I had been wondering aloud where to put him), when I said yes my grin was threatening to eat my face and there were giggles starting. She laughed a bit herself and got a big grin. Happy is contagious!
He's really lovely when lit. The lamp also suits the decorating theme that seems to be overtaking my house, something akin to a modern eclectic Victorian. Funky, slightly odd with attempts at elegance (which could also be taken as a personal description). :-D

So much to do, so little time

My birthday went well. There was a little shopping, of which I need to take pictures. There was a lovely dinner out that included a large slab of chocolate cake with fresh berries. Every where we went, people were exceptionally nice. Yay! Made for a very entertaining day.

Then we got home. There has been discussion on possibly, definitely maybe, going home for a bit of a vacation this summer. Like nine weeks or so from now this summer. I am still in the midst of my wardrobe re-vamp and getting off my rear after winter hibernation (this is excusable, we had snow last week). I've got nine projects on the knitting needles right now as well as fabric for three sewing projects prepped and ready to go. Which is only half of the projects I think must be completed in those nine weeks or so. Yes, that is twenty two projects of various sizes and mediums in just over two months. It's also going to be time to re-henna my hair, as well as get back to regular work outs and weight lifting sessions. Did I mention the landscaping and victory garden that we are attempting to put in? I've got seedlings of eight types of tomatoes, four types of melons, cucumbers, sweet peppers, beans, sugar peas, and greens. The raspberry we bought last year is coming back beautifully. Then there are the herbs: mint, lemon thyme, catnip and lavender so far. I only have my red geraniums for flowers right now, with black pansies and hollyhocks soon, as well as bright red nasturtiums and cosmos. Did I mention the poppies (California orange and coral Oriental/Flanders)and the marigolds?
At least the kids' lessons are a steady routine. I've started looking into accredited distance high schools for Darling Girl. I'd rather not have her bouncing high schools, which would otherwise be likely thanks to Dear Husband's job. At least I have few months to figure that one out.