Knitting at the Beach!

Visiting beautiful Cape May, NJ. Even though it's the end of September, the sun is shining, we had a gorgeous run along the beach this morning, and now sitting at the pool with a lovely beach view. 

In the summer, it's often too hot to knit at the beach. Today is perfect--low humidity, about 60 degrees, brilliant sunshine... The perfect day for outdoor knitting!

 

Parenthood

One of my favorite TV shows is back! This makes me smile for several reasons:

• I can relate to the characters on the show, both the four Braverman siblings and their teenage children
• I like the Bay area setting, as we have lots of family in the area and I think the show's creators do a great job of creating the atmosphere of the East Bay
• I think it's cool that the show is back partially due to social media pressure by fans. It's great to see that grassroots efforts can make a difference, and that we now have the tools to do that.
• Most importantly, when I watch a show like Parenthood, I stop working (briefly) and knit. I'll get a good hour of knitting in tonight, and every Thursday moving forward. I'm planning on continuing work on my Estelle Pullover for my daughter. She'll be home for fall break in two weeks (YAY!) and it should be at a perfect point to try it on her then. Maybe it will even be finished and ready to give to her by Thanksgiving.

Success!

Well, I didn't want to leave you all hanging--my event today was a great success. I guess all of that worrying was for nothing, or maybe it helped make the event that much better. All of the speakers were wonderful, and I learned a lot for next time (if there is a next time). Sometimes it's the most challenging projects that lead to the most gratification.

Knitting is a lot like that, isn't it? I did reward myself with a few rows tonight. Now I'm ready to crash.

Stress Relief

As I worked on last-minute details (and crises) for an event that I'm responsible for tomorrow, I felt my stress level begin to rise. One of my coworkers even told me to "take a Xanax." I've been planning this event for almost a year. I've attracted 15 corporate sponsors, invited 20 prestigious speakers from the healthcare community, worked with the speakers on their presentations, and helped to market the event so that an audience of 200 people should be in their seats tomorrow.

I guess it's not surprising that I'm nervous...I really want this project that I've nurtured from the idea stage to be a success.

So...I came home tonight and, after rehearsing my introductions for tomorrow, I  knit. The most Zen project that I have going right now is the Splendid Striped Cowl, which I'm knitting as the final accessory for myself for my visit to my kids at the University of Michigan next month. I'm knitting it, of course, in the school colors of maize and blue. The two-row striped pattern is perfect for a moment like this.

Hopefully tomorrow night I'll be able to knit more and stress less!

Energized

I LOVE the new Fall Issue of Vogue Knitting! I have been subscribing to the magazine for many years--and actually made my "masterpiece" intarsia tunic from Vogue Knitting more than 20 years ago, before my daughter was born. I usually like one or two patterns enough to put them in my Ravelry queue, but this issue is just filled with sweaters I LOVE.

Among my favorites:

• Yoko Hatta's cabled, hooded short-sleeve sweater, and her Aran pullover with slit sides
• Inge Spungen's hound's-tooth cape (a real departure for me, but I actually think I would wear this!)
• Sanae Gunji's Design-Contest-Award-Winning asymmetrical sweater
• Margeau Soboti's top with slimming side shaping
• And my two favorite favorites: Laura Zukaite's intarsia turtleneck, and the cover sweater, Deborah Newton's cable sweater with strips threaded through the cables

 

I woke up this morning and finished reading the issue, eager to finish what's on my needles so I can start one of these projects, preferably using some of my out-of-hand stash.

The creativity that abounds in this issue put me in a great mood and energized me as I left the house to run in my town's annual 5K Race. Both my husband and I noticed our finish times have decreased considerably since we started running this race more than 15 years ago. But we love it for so many reasons--it is a great community event, it benefits a charity (this year, Wounded Warriors), and being in a race motivates me to run faster and harder than I do on my daily jogs. I am still feeling a heightened level of energy hours later. I'll have to do more racing.

 

Out with the Old, In with the New

This week has brought several decision points regarding getting rid of old things and trying new ones.

Out:

• Our 1997 Buick, a hand-me-down from my mom which has been our teenagers' car for the past 3 years, has some issues, including a horn that goes off at odd hours of the day and night. The price to fix the car really puts us over the tipping point of keeping it vs. getting rid of it, particularly since the kids are away at college now and the car isn't being used very much. It will be sad to see the Buick go, but it's time.
• Our block got together and changed garbage removal services; we negotiated a junk pickup that is happening as we speak. Last night, my husband and I put out piles of old (and not in condition to be donated) toys, muddy soccer shoes, and other items that have been clogging up our basement. As we prepare to refresh this room after a recent flood, it will be nice to have more space to work with. It's also time to make this room into a young adult hangout rather than a playroom.

In:

• I downloaded ios7 for my iPhone. LOVE IT! It's like getting a new adult toy, and I'm finding it faster, more efficient, and very easy to use. Bravo to Apple for giving me this refresh without my having to buy a new phone!
• We had a landscaper over this morning to recommend a plan for some new trees and shrubs that will really spruce up the look of our home.

Change can be hard and sometimes fraught with emotion, but in the end, let's hope it's all for the best.

Happy knitting and crafting to all this week.

New Beginnings

Spent yesterday repenting for my sins of the past year on Yom Kippur. Although I am not very religious, I usually welcome this day when I don't focus on work or issues around the house (of which there are many right now), but rather contemplate the past year and think about the coming months.

One of my biggest goals for this year is to change my situation so that I have more time for meaningful projects and more crafting. So stay tuned as I figure it all out. In the meantime, continuing to work on my Splendid Striped Cowl in maize and blue--not sure if it will be finished before the October 19th Michigan vs. Indian game, but I'll try-- and my daughter's Estelle Pullover, which I am hoping to put on Try-It-On Tubing tonight to make sure it will fit.

More to come!

Back to Blogging, from the Empty Nest

Hi everyone (if in fact anyone is listening!)

I've decided to try to return to blogging again, especially as I ponder the idea of a freelance career. Who knows, I may even start another blog having to do with one of my new areas of interest--stay tuned for more on that.

As for the knitting, I've been very busy the past several months knitting University of Michigan projects for my son, who is now a freshman, and my daughter, who is now a junior there. For my son, I made an afghan that looks lovely and I hope is keeping him as warm as a hug from mom. Also made him a hat--it gets cold in Ann Arbor!

My daughter moved into her first apartment with 5 friends and I knit them 4 dishcloths with the block "M" embedded inside. They were a big hit! The roommates were not familiar with dishcloths and were excited to use them. I'll have to get a report on whether they are actually washing dishes and how they compare to a sponge for these discerning young women.

Now it's on to some "Go Blue" accessories for me to wear when we go to a football game next month. I've already made one of my striped headbands (which I've made for many of the kids' friends in appropriate college colors); now in the midst of some fingerless mitts, and then will do a cowl.

The main project on my needles right now is a beautiful sweater for my daughter--the Estelle pullover. I'm using Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted, which is superwash, in a beautiful sage green. After some initial mental blocks that prevented me from getting the right number after increasing, I'm now flying through it and just separated out the sleeves. Will probably put it on try-it-on-tubing soon to make sure the fit will be good.

So, the empty nest...it is definitely quiet here in our house, but I think I'm adjusting. Will see what other life changes this fall will bring...as I said, stay tuned as I hope to start blogging more regularly.

Glad to be back.