Cranky day today … why is it that lately I loose my patience at the drop of a hat – or a wet measuring cup? My sweetie isn’t being very sweet today and I’m not feeling the love. If it weren’t for the return of Kate, there’d be very little to look forward to today. All I can think of is a bath and “Calgon, take me away” … although I won’t use Calgon because it would make my allergies go crazy. And it’s too freaking hot for February. Air conditioning already? Ugh.

Not sure when the kids will arrive but I wanted to make a lemon pie for dessert tonight (and it will go so nicely with the strawberries we picked) and some blueberry muffins. No oven after today so it’s my last chance for awhile. Typically baking calms and centers me … but doesn’t seem like it today – could be the grumpy kitchen packer or the crazy non-stop licking cushingoid dog. All I can say is “grrr”!

Not only did I buy a winning lottery ticket for tonight’s big draw, but I also got two checks for knitting yesterday! Woo! Hoo! I’m making money knitting! Now, my younger brother and business guru thinks that I have to look into monetizing my blog … OK, I’m going to make that my goal for the week.

I’ve finished a lovely cowl (pattern purchased on Ravelry.com … if you’ve not joined Ravelry and you knit, you’re missing a wonderful opportunity!) The cowl needs two buttons and then I’ll be posting pictures of it. I used the beautiful butter-colored angora by Malabrigo and I can hardly wait to find somewhere to visit where I can wear it. (Mind you, here in Florida, it’s 80 degrees and way too warm to be wearing a cowl! I’ve been swimming in our pool!)

Tomorrow our kitchen is demolished to make way for a brand new kitchen. First the demo, removal of all the tile floor in the living room, hallway and kitchen and then the good stuff begins. We’ve been packing up kitchen stuff and will have to survive 3 weeks (or more) without any real cooking. I’ll be doing my best, my very best, to stay cool, calm and collected through the process – and trying to continue to work on my business with all the noise! The “other side” will be well worth it. Who knew that I would be helping to rehab a house – well, helping to pick the pretty things to put back into the house! 🙂

Off I go to do my last baking before the demo … shortcakes and oatmeal scones (gluten-free, of course!)

Here’s the scone recipe. My brother says they’re the best he’s ever had! (To make them gluten-free, substitute Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-free All-Purpose Baking Mix and a bit of Xanthan Gum (which you can also buy on their site.) I also substitute dried cranberries for the raisins. I use an ice cream scoop to make smaller scones so I usually get a couple of dozen! Enjoy!

My mother (and father) said that when you start something, you should finish it. So it goes with everything … and when I started blogging, I never realized the responsibility that I’d have and I feel like I’ve been neglecting it of late. My blogging and my knitting … I’d made a commitment to myself that I would knit for at least four hours ever day, in my Atelier, for my business. Well, not so lately! But it’s all good … My “plans” have been thrust into the back drawer for four days because my two daughters, one boyfriend and a grand-dog have been here for a visit. We had the most excellent of times. Here are some of the highlights …

Monday night: pineapple martinis (with my home-infused pineapple vodka – recipe to follow) and a dinner of crab cakes, salad and sauteed sugar snap peas and sweet red peppers. Then a rousing game of Bananagrams. (I think Kate won hands down.)

Tuesday: A brisk walk with Mabel on the Cross-Seminole Bike Trail was the precursor to a lazy (relaxing?) day by the pool with a couple of Mimosas and Fish Tacos for dinner. It was warm enough for us all to get into the pool … what a lovely sunny day. (Sorry to those of you still in the throes of snow and cold up north … this is the best time in Florida and I get to brag about it being lovely because the rest of the time I’m not particularly fond of the state!) Activity tonight was playing the game Hit or Miss. For this girl who doesn’t really like games, Bananagrams and Hit or Miss are really fun!

Wednesday: Kate and Spence went to Harry Potter World to celebrate their anniversary. Libet, Ned and I went to Horseback Trail Rides in Cocoa for that specific activity – the only one in our area that allows riders to actually MOVE on a horse. We had several opportunities to trot and canter our horses. As she was helping Ned mount up, Shirley shared with us that this horse has taken lots of mentally and physically handicapped people for rides. Ha! In the afternoon Libet and I went up to the WB Equestrian Center and visited the barns with a bag full of apples and Sally’s permission to deliver some treats to the equine beauties. It was a horsey kind of day! (Needless to say, these four days later, as I write this blog, I am feeling some muscles and bones that I have been neglecting for the past decade or two.)

Thursday morning we got an early move on and went to pick a couple of strawberries at Pappy’s Patch in Oviedo. I hesitate to share this treasure because the berries are delicious and the couple who own it are delightful and I don’t think it’s a well-known spot. That being said, we had a great hour picking. We had to say goodbye to Libet in the afternoon and Kate and Spence and Mabel after a dinner of salmon, sauteed spinach and baked potatoes with gluten-free strawberry shortcakes for dessert (with heath bar ice cream in place of whipped cream. My bad but it was good!)

Before I had children, I didn’t understand the depths of love that a mother feels. These two wonderful women that I gave birth to filled my heart and my house with such joy. I’m so proud of them and I absolutely adore them. Every time I have to say goodbye again my heart breaks but I realize that I’ve done my job and it’s their turn to build their own lives as they wish and they are bright, beautiful, and I’m proud to be their mom. (And Mable’s grand-mother!)

So, it was a crummy day. Plain and simple. Thank God for my Atelier … my refuge from the rest of the world.

I wish my Atelier had a fireplace or a wood stove. It was colder inside yesterday than it was outside. Even a portable ceramic heater would have worked to warm by shivering body. My dogs kept me company and I have nearly finished my cousins hat and mittens. Lisa wanted a simple cap and mittens to match in navy blue to match her navy cashmere scarf (I am guessing that it’s not hand knit but woven.) I had completed the hat (which I am not totally in love with but it’s simple and it’s navy) and one mitten and had the second one to go. Since my Valentine and I weren’t really talking, I just sat in my chair with my feet up and worked. I have about an inch of the second thumb left to complete this morning and then the set can be wrapped up and sent to snow country.

I’m in a quandary about this beautiful yarn that I have and that I was planning to knit into a pair of mittens for me from Vogue Knitting. When I started the mittens, I immediately disliked the pattern and the fuzzy yarn was a pain to try to knit according to the pattern instructions. SO … now I’m thinking it should be a cowl. I found a pretty pattern on Ravelry called Thermis that I really like and it’s relatively simple. I am pretty sure I have plenty of yarn and I may give it a try … maybe today. This pattern calls for Paton’s Classic Wool Merino (which is on sale at JoAnn Fabrics in their circular … 2 for $9 … and I’ve been wanting to make a felted bag in gray and bright green for my knitting corner in the Atelier) but I have 5 balls of Malabrigo Angora in their Pollen colorway and it’s delicious. So, I’m thinking with my black down coat, it would be really pretty. I may make one or two of these Thermis cowls as gifts as well for my northern-snowed-in-forever friends, too!

First, though, I have to go eat some really naughty, really good whole belly Ipswich fried clams for lunch. I’ll be regretting it later this afternoon but I’ll enjoy every bite!

Knit on brave souls!

OK! I get it … one must repeat a pattern to really see the beauty of each individual piece.

Citron #2

Citron #1

I’ve just finished the second Citron scarf/shawl. The first one was made for my new sister Abbie for her birthday and it was in a lovely gray lace-weight yarn that I doubled up. Perfect for Abbie. I knew it. This one, is made for my brother to give to his “oldest” friend Linda (great name!) and I think he’s going to like it. I made it out of some stashed sock yarn by Shaefer Yarn from Interlaken, New York. It’s a hand painted yarn in the “Anne” colorway. A blend of merino wool, mohair and nylon. Very pretty in deeps shades of purple and green and blue and a golden-beige. I love the way it turned out and it was really great to work with. I even added an extra section because Linda is, apparently, taller than Abbie.

Now on the needles, the lobster mittens for Libet’s friend and the mittens for cousin Lisa. I have a shawl that I’ve put aside for ages in the new Noro sock yarn, a one-skein wonder. There are a couple of other projects that I have to work on but think I may finish the several WIPs and then start with the re-knitting of the “Lola” sweater. I want to get the pattern written out and my sister Kathy is going to “test knit” it for me! Woo hoo!

My daughter sent me a photo of a great Etsy shop today with some very (VERY) funny stitch markers …
I think they are wonderful and very clever. If you like them, click here! I strongly encourage shopping on Etsy.com. There are some very talented craftsmen and women who are selling some fabulous items … and I’m on there too! Want to visit my shop … Queen Bee Knits is open for business!

I’ve just uploaded the first three items to my Queen Bee Knits shop on Etsy.com! Yippee! It’s been a long time coming and I have a few items that are already knit and ready to go. They just need some wonderful people who like to buy handmade! I’m simply tickled to death to be able to put my hand-knit lovely garments (and some other surprise stuff) up on a website … I feel so lucky!

Knitting is truly a passion and I seldom travel without something to do with my hands. Wish it kept me from putting food into my mouth, but life is just so wonderful when there are things like dark chocolate. Which makes me think of the flourless chocolate cake that I made for dinner last night. Served with homemade whipped cream and fresh raspberries. Yummy! But I digress …

On the needles – fingerless mittens for Lib, scarf for my brother’s gift to his “old” friend, lobster mittens for Lib’s friend. In the line-up – design #1 for my Prima Dogma line, and a cowl in the lovely yellow buttery-colored angora.

My scarf for my brother is growing and is about half way done. I’ve also had an order from my cousin for a pair of mittens and a hat. Navy to match her navy cashmere scarf. I’d love to knit one day in cashmere. I simply adore the way it feels against my skin. I have a couple of sweaters that I bought on sale and there is nothing like it for warmth and softness! Maybe in my next life, I’ll buy a couple of cashmere-growing goats.

They are beautiful animals.

One day, I really want to live on a farm. I’d like it to be a small farm that is not unmanageable for two people who like to read. A couple of horses, goats for milk – want to try making cheese – chickens for eggs. A kitchen garden and a few fiber animals. When I purchase the farm. I’ll let you know where it is and do the appropriate research to see which fiber animals will survive, or preferably thrive in the environment.

Call me farmer-to-be, Queen bee!

Off to dreaming of knitting land! Knit away.

I sent a really great present to my new sister (it’s a long story but I have a new sister and two new sisters-in-law and an “old” sister-in-law… I don’t really like the in-law status or name because it somehow makes them not equal members of the family … if they are married to my brothers, they’re my sisters. Just as my new sister is my sister. Got it? Ok, stepping down off my soap box now.)

Anyway, I sent a great present to my new sister, Abbie. It’s a really lovely yarn that I was sent in a yarn exchange at least 100 years ago (OK, maybe ten … yes, I mean it!) Feels like it may be alpaca or even cashmere, lace-weight, sent to me in this lovely silvery-gray.

It’s a Knitty (from Knitty’s Winter 2009) pattern called Citron. Cool pattern and a relatively quick knit (at least it was easy on the days that I could count!) So, when I saw the pattern, I immediately knew I had to try it with the skein of yarn in my stash. It has some rusching and some ruffle at the end … and when it was done and I found out that my new sister had a birthday, I knew it was going to her. Just her color, too! Well, she loves it. And when my brother arrived home from his business trip, he called and ordered another one (in a different yarn) for his “oldest friend in the world” (or maybe since he’s been living in California). I won’t say her name just in case she trips or falls onto this blog. Anyway, I’ll be casting on as soon as I am finished with this blog entry! Very exciting.

The new Citron will be in a lovely yarn from Schaefer Yarn, it’s a hand painted superwash merino, mohair and nylon blend. The yarn in my stash is jewel tones … purple to gray-blue to deep emerald green to a brownish-gold. I can hardly wait to see what it looks like knitted up.

With that, dear blog followers (all two or three of you … ) I am going to sign off.

Gone Knitting!

I have a confession to make. I didn’t graduate from college with my class. I didn’t finish because I didn’t apply myself. I didn’t think it was important. I had an engagement ring on my finger and thought that was all that really mattered. My parents were happy. They didn’t put up a big stink when I broke the news. They didn’t “go to bat” for me and fight it. They didn’t tell me that I could ask for a review of my work. They didn’t suggest that I fight it. I believe today that I shared in the responsibility because I really didn’t apply myself but (and it’s a big but) I also had an advisor who didn’t advise me. She said she would and she did not … because she was disappointed in my decision to not study abroad.

What is the message that I took away from my family of origin? I’m still working on erasing the belief that I’m “just a girl” and therefor come up short of everyone else. I was the second or third girl in my immediate family to graduate from college. My eldest daughter graduated before me. And actually, my middle daughter may have too. But I am very proud of it, none the less. It’s been sticking in my craw (what’s a craw?) for years. Having something undone for years and years is unsettling. I was embarrassed that I hadn’t graduated. I felt that I was lying when I didn’t specify that I didn’t graduate during an interview or when meeting people. I felt that I had somehow failed at life.

My Diploma!

I am very proud to have finished my degree. It was a brave thing that I did, returning to college as a 50 year-old undergrad. It took me wayyyyy  more effort than it would have when I was younger – I don’t care what anybody says, when you’re older, learning and studying is a different beast! But I did it. All by myself. And I did it well.

I still wonder who I want to be when I grow up but I’m getting there. I want to be whole, complete, happy, confident, comfortable in my own skin. I want to help people to better understand themselves. I want to help children – I love children – and families. I know I have a story in me. I know I have wisdom to share. I want to participate in the world and make it a better place. I want to love and care for my grown children and see my grandchildren. I want the love of a good man. I want to see the world. I want a career that fills me up and uses my creativity, passion and common sense. I want to finish well.

Bear’s brown (short) socks

That said, I’ve finished three projects today. A pair of brown socks (his request and his dimensions) for my wonderful son. A bookmark from the yarn I “won” in our knitting group reunion gift exchange, and the Senorita Lolita sweater made with the Koigu skeinettes from Jimmy Beans Wools.

Blocking the Senorita Lolita Sweater – a Queen Bee Knits Original Design

So, for today, finished projects are good and make me feel successful. I am eagerly awaiting casting on some new projects … knitting projects and life projects. And when they’re done, I’ll be even more satisfied with the me I am becoming.

One corner of my Atelier … stash, patterns and projects piling up on my work table!

I’m putting my lips to the world this morning and am doing my best effort to live my life! I’ve been thinking about goals and who I want to be. While I have nothing definitive to write as yet, I am going to ponder this and I’ll write more later.

I just entered another contest on Facebook. This time for a Noro book and some lovely KnitPicks yarn! I sure do hope I win!

I’ve posted a picture of my “Atelier” (French for Workshop) which is my office/work room/yarn room. It still holds all (most!?) of my clothes in the closet – at least until the master closet is finished. I hope it will be soon because I really want to organize my closet in the Atelier to hold my knitting library, stash yarn, needles and all the other stuff so that I can get rid of a couple of mis-matched shelving systems and add a comfy chair and a half to my Atelier!

On the front corner of my work table is my new California yarn! I’m so excited to knit with this yummy wool spun from happy California sheep. Behind it under the red is the Maine lamb’s wool that I bought this past summer and to the right of the brown box is the lovely yarn my sister-in-law gave me for Christmas. So much beautiful yarn and so little time!

Under my window is Lola’s new bed. She, however, is sleeping on the floor next to my chair and her brother, Boq, has taken over the bed. He has his brought over his little raccoon toy and a piece of cardboard that he stole from the trash can. My guess is that he plans to shred it for me when he wakes up from his nap! He’s such a helpful guy!

My New Year’s “Resolution” for 2011 is to get more regimented … to formally acknowledge that I am a sole proprietor of Queen Bee Knits and to spend planned time, regularly planned time, in the Atelier creating garments for sale. My first 2011 effort is the Senorita Lolita sweater …

I am designing this garment as I go. I started with my Koigu KPPM skeinettes and have pulled out the ones that have purple hues in them for the main part of the garment. I started with a little rolled neck (Lola doesn’t really like wearing clothes that are binding! LOL!) and have increased enough to make some “arm” holes. The yarn is absolutely wonderful to knit with, has a very soft hand and is not splitting at all.

You’ll notice my KnitPicks Harmony circular needles (size 4) that I’m knitting with. My daughter gave them to me for my birthday – and I love them. Great points for those little stitches. I’ll blog more about my needles another time.

Suffice it to say that the photograph doesn’t really show you much, but this is where I am with the Senorita Lolita sweater for the Jimmy Bean’s Wool Contest with the Koigu Skeinettes! The colors are actually a bit brighter – sorry, I’m not much of a photographer! But at least I don’t chop off everyone’s heads!

 This view is of the roll neck to the left side of the photo. You can see the increases which will run up the chest of the sweater and one “arm” hole is at the place where the colorful needles meet.

I have twelve days to finish the garment … I can do it!

Gotta go – knitting time!