Forget Me Not

I've always loved Forget Me Nots, not only for their color and how tiny and easily overlooked they are, but for the meaning behind the name. I think we all want to be remembered for something good that we've done or created... A Cone Ahead...

Kamati and Smoothie (backup) have been 'taken' by my latest purchase. So much so, that they've been singing...

(oo) "What you want?

(oo) Mommy I got!

(oo) What you need...

(oo) Do you know we got it?

(oo) All you want is...

(oo) Is a cone of Shetland Supreme Cobweb! (just a little bit!)

Hey Mommy! (just a little bit!) Start knitting with it! (just a little bit!)

Mommy! (just a little bit!)...

If they had their way, Ms Franklin would never be forgotten! Try explaining to them how she wasn't part of the Supremes! *ahem*

I did swatch with it. Recognize this from Blue Blob Blunder? Yes, I'm going to attempt Unst again. I've got to admit that I never forgot or got over that blunder.

Luckily, I was blogging at the time, so I have all that to re-read and remember lessons learned. Like the importance of using the right weight of yarn, using a lifeline, etc.

I want to honor those Shetland knitters by continuing the tradition. :)

Pipers Field Trip

Wooly and 3 other American pipers invaded Canada this weekend to play in the parade. Can you tell which 4 are the Americans and which 2 are the Canadians? The Americans are full of hot air.

The Canadians love them because they're a band all by themselves. Wooly said it was fun because all the guys were really good 'in the day' and still are. He loves playing in Canada because the crowd goes wild and actually is disappointed when they finish a tune. There were 11 pipers and lots of drums, so they were really loud and exciting.

Don't they look nice in their tartans? Check out the fancy socks! (click on the photo) They're carrying on the tradition too. :) (Wooly is 2nd from the left)

What's blooming at my house?

My red poppy! It's also the symbol for Veterans of Foreign Wars. Since last weekend was also Memorial Day weekend, I thought it was appropriate.

Forget Not!

Watering Can

Little Man and his watering can...

Mr K went to visit Grandma and was really happy to find her watering can.

He grabbed it, marched to her potted plants and started watering.

"I'm a big boy! All these plants need watering!"

Then he continued to water plants in the yard. He grabbed Grandma's hand and led her to the next plant, gave her the watering can and pointed.

"There's more over here! C'mon Grandma!"

He managed to point at every plant in her front yard and they all got watered despite Grandma's pleas that she was tired already. :)

Doesn't he look like the clown fish that got lost and his father was frantically trying to find him? Wasn't it Nemo? And the watering can is one of his fish friends?! hee hee, yes, I'm easily amused! :)

Meanwhile at my house...

I got my planters full of flowers and a watering can... just need a helper!
Kamati and Smoothie don't have thumbs! ;)

Red Kelp Rising

My red Laminaria is done! I really love the solid red. This is my absolute favorite shawl (for the moment.) Is she not flirty?!

Laminaria - Elizabeth Freeman

Alpaca with a Twist - Fino - Ruby Slipper

Addis Lace Needles - US5 or 3.75mm

74" x 36"

A blocking photo. This is closer to the actual color. I would say it's blood red. The pattern shows up better with a solid color. Look at all those blossoms!

I'm still fascinated by Estonian Lace. I ordered Knitted Lace of Estonia by Nancy Bush, which is coming out soon. I can't wait! I think the shawl on the cover is really beautiful.

What's blooming at my house?

I'm not sure what this is called, but the flowers bloom first, then the leaves come out. I call it a 'backwards azalea'.

Wooly and I were sitting on the patio having coffee...

Wooly: "What smells so good?!"

Me: "My hair?!"

Wooly: "No, it smells really fragrant, like Hawaii..."

Me: "Like my hair? Here smell it..."

Wooly: "No, that's not it... don't you smell it?"

Me: "Oh! It's that yellow dude!"

A landscaper told us the name of it (we can't remember it) and that we have a really nice one. We have an orange one in the front yard that's a later bloomer.

So, what's blooming at your house? Hard at work with your watering can? Got a helper with thumbs? Got a green thumb? Having a hard time focusing on knitting too?

Well, we might as well take time to smell and enjoy the flowers...

Have a good week! m :)

Too slow, got tagged

Okay, so I'm slow... Lorraine tagged me for this meme.

The rules are posted at the beginning. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and post their names, then goes to their blog and leaves a comment, letting them know they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

Let the person who tagged you know when you've posted your answer.
Play nice, children.

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?
I was in the best physical shape ever (via tennis workouts from my 'trainer' Wooly.)
Driving my new car (which I still have.) Getting ready to decrease my work hours to 3 days per week (lucky me, still only working 3 days.)

2. What are 5 things on my to-do list today - not in any particular order?
Call Brother to confirm Mom's Day festivities. Grocery shopping. Laundry. Charge my battery for my camera. Walk my yard to see which flowers are blooming.

Snacks I enjoy.
Pink peanut M&M's, popsicle fruit bars, cake, ice cream,...

4. Places I've lived.
Hawaii, Seattle, Spokane, Kirkland.

5. Things I would do if I were a billionaire.
I love this question! Wooly & I talk about things like this often.
I would give our family and friends (if you've left me comments, you're on the list!) more than enough money to retire and pursue your dreams. Set up college scholarships for all your kids and yourself if you wanted to go back. After one year, I would meet up with you and your family to get a 'progress report.' Then I would give you more money for the next year and repeat. You don't know how many years I would continue throwing money at you. The amount I give would be equal across the board. If you're wise, you won't waste this opportunity and develop ways to be self sufficient. If you're not, you'll end up broke and back at work. The time you usually spent at work could be applied towards developing yourself and money wouldn't be an excuse either. Make your dreams come true! If I were you, I would remember how we like to reward good behavior! Wouldn't that be fun?! C'mon! Make me a billionaire! :)

6. 6 peeps I want to know more about:
Okay, I'm not going to tag anyone, but if you would like to answer these questions, feel free. This is an easy meme. :)


Wooly got me dark pink roses... due to a miscommunication, not Mom's Day. Like the way he chops them? He says he's being artistic... okay, I'm not complaining because it might mean no roses ever again. LOL! ;) He just looks and acts like a Rottweiler, he's actually pretty soft inside. :)

Happy Mom's Day to all of you! (Furry friends count!)

Do It Better

I strung 1660 beads and started Arabian Nights.

I got this far and decided I didn't like the loops on the bottom. All I wanted to do was pull on them (like a cat... with my claw) and they were heavy.

Don't like the loops

Important knitting decisions are made at work.

I decided I didn't want to continue with the loops. Then I was reading Lorraine's blog and she mentioned that 'if you don't like to do something, try doing it better.' Thanks Lorraine! That was the smack in the head I needed! :)

I started over. I did the bottom like Magic Carpet Ride and liked it much better, plus it reduced the weight. I got this far, and decided I didn't like the bottom corners. There was a lot of design alteration I could have done, but decided I didn't want to think that hard. :)

Don't like the corner

So, I started over again. This time I decided just to make another Magic Carpet since I already know I love it and it's a good gift. I'm still gonna have a gazillon beads left over, but that's okay. I'm gonna have lots of yarn left over too, but I love this yarn, so no worries. :)

"Don't stand on it!" (Needle bearing Smoothie)

"If you pull out that needle, you'll feel the Wrath of Mom!" (Naughty Kamati Rascal Supreme)

Do it Better with Color

I got more yarn from The Woolen Rabbit (Kim).

Flamingo & Fiddlehead

Do I need to mention how much I love this yarn?! My favorite Merino for knitting, blocking and color (not to mention holding up after frogging multiple times and surgery).

I bought the Alhambra kit from The Woolen Rabbit (Anne Hanson's design). I have no plans for the Fiddlehead, just had to have it. I'm hoping she will have a teal soon - for what? No idea, just would love teal. :)

Flamingo Alhambra

Red Kelp Sighting

I started another Laminaria with Alpaca with a Twist Fino - Ruby Slipper. I still love this pattern. Doing it better by using a solid color this time. Will be able to see the pattern clearer.

So, there's a lot of 'repeat knitting' going on here except for Alhambra.

I've got Spring Fever! I feel like traveling somewhere warm instead of knitting (gasp!) Seeing something new & jaw dropping. Don't want to work anymore! I want a new purse & clothes & shoes & house...!

I guess I have to try doing my LIFE better... or maybe this is my midlife crisis... Nah! Just Spring Fever.

Happy Do It Better To You! :)