Hard To Imagine It Right Now

I know it's difficult for you to think about - definitely not something to look forward to for most people. But pretty soon, the weather outside is going to look like this:

Snow, slush, blech!

You're probably asking "But what can I do about it?" - Nothing, absolutely nothing, I tell you!

Which is exactly why you need this:

A super warm and snuggly, washable wool blanket to cuddle under with your main-squeeze! (as long as you have a main squeeze with whom to cuddle, otherwise, solo is good too!)

"But Becky, how can I get  this fabulous blanket?" you're asking.

It's so easy! Simply make a donation to the Krempels Center via my fundraising page

Here is the link to the aforementioned fundraising page

Once you make a donation of any amount, you are automatically entered in a drawing to win the beautiful, soft, squishy blankie.

So do me a favor, show me some love, show the Krempels Center some love too. Make a donation. Pretty please??

Hey, Remember that Thing?

I'm doing a thing for that place. Remember? I told you about it a while back. No? 

Let me refresh your memory

A Marathon Of Yarn

Now click the link and donate. Do it!!

Warm and Cozy

  I've been stewing on a blog post lately, not sure if I should keep it under wraps a few more weeks, or if I should shout it from the mountaintops. Nothing earth-shattering, but something I really proud of. I think I need to do a little shouting.

  You all should know by now that in a couple of weeks, I'm going to ride in the Krempels King of the Road Challenge. Even though I have no personal association with the Krempels Center, it is an organization I am happy to support. Not just because my favorite cyclist supports it, but I have really been moved by what they do there. I nagged you asked for your support, and you gave it. But I'm still short of what I raised last year. (there's still time - here's the link!) Because the Krempels Center provides their programs free of charge, every dollar raised is important to keeping their programming at a high level.

  With this in mind, keep reading.

  Last spring, my knitting group (who are also fans of pro cycling fans) decided to do something in support of one of our favorite cyclists, who happens to have a personal connection to the Krempels Center. We decided to make a blanket to give to the Center, so they can raise money by raffling it off. Knitted squares started arriving at my house in August. By September, it was laid out (even Karl helped with the layout, so it would look just right), and all I had to do was put the squares together. Wow, it came together quickly and easily, and I am very proud to show you our work.

Those of you that supported me may get emails or newsletters from the Krempels Center in the future. I don't know when the blanket will raffled, so keep an eye out, and buy some tickets! This is a really nice afghan. I want it for myself. I know I'll buy some raffle tickets!

Next year's blanket is already in the planning stages.

The deed is done.

It reminds me of a juicy blackberry

  

I'm sure you'll all be thrilled to know I have chosen my two sweater patterns, and have already started on the first one. I'm beginning with the cardigan, and it's nearly impossible to describe the color of the yarn (even the photo doesn't do it justice - sort of a purpley/goldish/bluish), so here's a photo:

And the pattern? Well, after much deliberation, I have settled on this:

Obviously, this is not me. Photo from the web

It's knit from the top down, which is a new technique for me. I started last night, and I'm already past the first buttonhole! 

Not too much knitting will get done this weekend though, because this is the weekend we're taking Katrina (and her BFF) to the Kalahari for some water park fun. Hilarity will ensue as I surf the Flowrider, tackle the climbing wall, and lose at laser tag.

Once again, not me.

I'm sure there will be plenty of photos of my pasty white Wisconsin winter skin to show you next week.

Easy- Peasy!

I knit a lot. I enjoy knitting. It's very zen-like for me. It is not a difficult thing to do. OK, it can be frustrating, maybe if you have to rip out 3/4 of a sweater because you did the math wrong, and the sweater is big enough to cover the Capitol dome in Madison (don't ask), but it's not difficult. When people see me knitting, and yes, I knit in public all the time, they tell me they could never do that - it's too hard. I really try not to launch into a speech about how easy it really is, about how I taught myself from a kid's book. But I'm really proud of the things I knit. Non-knitters often don't realize what goes in to the hand-knit item they just received:

1) Hand knits are not the cheap way out - quality yarn costs money. I have shelled out $50 for 2 skeins of Baby Alpaca for a scarf (I kept that one for myself). It's like wearing a cloud...
2) Knitting takes time. I started knitting Christmas Gifts in August. I have a sweater and 3/4 of a pair of socks finished, a vest and 2 1/4 pairs of socks to go.
3) There are a bajillion knitting patterns out there. It can take me hours to find just the right pattern for your gift, then select just the right yarn. I make those selections with you in mind, nothing is random.
4) I give away most of my knitting because I am just that kind of person. I just enjoy giving.
5) I often ignore my housework so I can knit. My house is a mess.

If I give you a hand knit gift, I would love to see photos of you wearing that item.
If you'd like to learn how to knit, I would love to teach you.

(Thanks MDK ladies)

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

  It really is the most wonderful time of the year. Forget winter! This is the time when my garden starts spitting out tomatoes. For the next month, I'll be living on BLT's, tomato sandwiches, and cherry tomatoes right off the plant! Oh, and corn on the cob too. There will be meals consisting of just corn and tomatoes. Unless, of course, you are Katrina. She hates tomatoes. Where did this child come from? Who are her parents?

  I've been making pickles. Really garlicky, spicy pickles. I'm quite satisfied with the results (thanks Uncle Danny B), and as soon as it's a bit cooler in the kitchen, I'll put those spears into jars and seal 'em up! I also made some seedless raspberry jam. Do you know how hard it is to get every single stinking seed out of a raspberry? But it's worth the effort. I have enough berries for a few more batches. The garden tomatillos have failed, so no fresh salsa verde (sob!). I suppose we could get some at the farmer's market. That's the next best solution.

  This time of year also brings in the beginning of school shopping. New jeans (which she can't wear until October because it will be too hot), pencils, markers - but no crayons. Fifth graders do not use crayons. Bummer. I love the smell of a new box of crayons. Maybe I'll buy myself a box - the 64 pack with built in sharpener.

I've started planning my Christmas knitting. I'm hoping to have the big projects done early.

 

SNOWMAGEDDON 2011

OK, I am ready for the next snowpocalypse. 10 - 20 inches predicted between monday afternoon and wednesday morning. I'm all stocked up on bread, milk, and of course, yarn! I'm glad I have two cats to snuggle up with. You wouldn't believe how much heat a 7 lb hairless cat gives off! I suppose I could be really nice and volunteer to go in to work - if she decides to open up at all - so that Megan doesn't have to make the drive in. I can sit on my butt and knit at work just as easily as I can at home.

Not Fun

I am not looking forward to work today. The store has been closed for four days in a row. I set the thermostat back to 56 before I left. I'll be lucky if it's 50 in there when I open. I am appropriately dressed: to layers plus an alpaca handknit.
To top it off, it's inventory time. I only have 2 more displays to count, but then it's an all day marathon of entering data. Blech!

13 more days!

The waiting game

Eleven days ago I got the phone call nobody wants. "You have breast cancer."
Not what you want to hear while you're at work, wrapping some child's birthday present. But, that's how it happened, and I can't change it.

Today was to be my MRI to see how involved the cancer is. But, apparently some tech nerd couldn't figure out how to fix the software glitch, so now I have to wait until friday. Tomorrow is my "genetic counseling" appointment. I'm a little nervous about it, I don't really want to hear "Your daughter is at high risk to develop cancer later." Do what you want to me, Mr Cancer, but leave Katrina out of it.

I started a new knitting project today while I was waiting to hear when I could reshhedule. Knitting is a major stress reliever for me. Much better than eating an entire box of Nilla Wafers. So, Karl will be the first recipient of my stress knitting. I should probably finish the two projects that are already half-done, but I do have a touch of knitting ADD.