tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-133321892024-03-23T13:12:10.344-05:00On and Off The NeedlesStaceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12532520712528416610noreply@blogger.comBlogger452125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13332189.post-40245421519684448282009-01-27T11:12:00.003-05:002009-01-27T11:17:46.653-05:00Again???Winter just isn't letting up for a minute this year. Another foot or so of snow is headed our way tonight and all day tomorrow. It has been brutally cold these past few days, so at least it has to warm up a little to snow (I'd be happy to hit the mid 20's!). The snowblower is getting quite the workout this year!Dad's mittens are progressing quickly, as colorwork seems to do! I am just about done Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12532520712528416610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13332189.post-25297467966008666722009-01-22T09:22:00.006-05:002009-01-22T11:01:35.204-05:00Sunny Sock!We got hit with another blast of winter weather this past weekend - another foot of snow (luckily more light and fluffy stuff that's easy to move) and more bitter temperatures. This week seems to be a break in the pattern of snow every few days though. Sunny and bright all week, though this weekend the temps are supposed to plummet again. When does Spring start?In order to warm the mind (and the Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12532520712528416610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13332189.post-83075323077182500192009-01-16T08:25:00.003-05:002009-01-16T08:42:38.024-05:00Pile on the Woolies!It is cold. Beyond cold. Way beyond freezing even (heck, if it was 32 degrees, we'd be breaking out the shorts!). Yesterday was cold. Single digit temps, with a bit of a breeze. This morning, it was just brutal.It actually dropped to -7, but my hands were too cold to get out the camera again. It hurts to breathe outside. The air is so dry that the snow is now "squeaky". I piled on all the fleece Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12532520712528416610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13332189.post-36547821332566726592009-01-15T07:28:00.001-05:002009-01-15T07:29:26.880-05:00BitterNeed I say more? (it has actually gone up a few degrees - my car thermometer said 3 on my way into work.) Time to layer up the handknits!!!Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12532520712528416610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13332189.post-39813053961643814772009-01-12T09:22:00.003-05:002009-01-12T09:44:55.166-05:00Comfort in the FamiliarWhen things are up in the air and seem hectic and unorganized, we find comfort in the familiar - be it a dinner we've loved since childhood, a cozy blanket or even, in my case, socks. I have been trying to start a sock for my sister. I've tried the Herringbone Rib Socks, but the pattern and I just didn't click. I also tried the Stansfield 304 pattern, but no luck there either. Things just were Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12532520712528416610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13332189.post-38122875614690531832009-01-08T14:09:00.003-05:002009-01-08T14:32:30.541-05:00First FO of 2009!I'm trying to start the year off with a bang. My knitting momentum seems to be up right now - I'm really enjoying it and am itching to cast on quite a few new projects. But, the monogamous knitter in me keeps things in check. One sock and one other project on the needles. That's it. I'm not too good at multi-tasking my knitting!The first hat I knit my dad turned out a bit too big. So, I cast on Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12532520712528416610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13332189.post-3842018132434525792009-01-07T09:30:00.006-05:002009-01-07T11:50:40.146-05:00A Bit of an Unintentional BreakI didn't mean to be away for that long without a post. It's been a bit crazy around here lately. Tucker and I went away for a long weekend up to New Hampshire to an agility trial. There were so many entries that they actually had to cancel some classes. The days were very long - starting around 6:15 and going until about 7pm each night. Days were busy too. Five runs per day for us - kept us on Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12532520712528416610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13332189.post-66526423659314057962008-12-31T10:03:00.003-05:002008-12-31T10:14:03.640-05:00Last Post of The YearI can't believe 2008 is coming to a close already! Like usual, time has just flown by. Summer seemed like just yesterday! Mother Nature has managed to keep us on our toes right until the very end. We are getting quite a bit of snow today - right now it's coming down at a frantic rate, and the winds are very gusty too. Makes for some nice sideways falling snow.Of course, Ace loves being outside inStaceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12532520712528416610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13332189.post-35722378153800488002008-12-24T07:03:00.003-05:002008-12-24T07:18:51.315-05:00Spinning - and some Mittens!My sister Naomi has really come a long way in her spinning. She is mostly, if not all, self taught and I think the yarn she has made so far is amazing! She started a year or so back with some Alpaca she got at the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival. It was a very short staple, and that is what she learned to spin on. Not the easiest. Now, she is flying through ounces of roving at a crazy pace! In Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12532520712528416610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13332189.post-84156363377353410152008-12-22T10:28:00.003-05:002008-12-22T10:37:00.877-05:00Snowed In!We didn't get quite as much as the weather people predicted, but we did end up with about 17" total from the storm Friday and Sunday. It was all light, fluffy snow, so it made for wonderful snowblowing and playing in.This was after Sunday's snowfall. The snowblower died about 1/3 into removal of Friday's snow - Naomi and I ended up shoveling the rest of the driveway. It took a couple of hours andStaceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12532520712528416610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13332189.post-66083361323613223492008-12-19T10:53:00.003-05:002008-12-19T10:59:34.292-05:00It's coming.......Not like the ice storm we had last week was enough, we are about to get slammed with a huge snowstorm!See that "Higher Amounts" area - well, we are right in the thick of it. In a way, I'm actually looking forward to it. I came into work super early at 5am so I could leave around noon before it really hit. With nothing planned for tomorrow, I plan on letting it snow to Mother Nature's hearts Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12532520712528416610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13332189.post-25632394227918998002008-12-17T08:53:00.003-05:002008-12-17T09:31:19.937-05:00More Stripes!While the weather outside is frightful this morning, the knits continue! We had about an inch of snow overnight, then this morning it turned to a wonderful freezing rain and sleet combination. Made for a slow and long commute into work. The weather people are saying we get a one day reprieve tomorrow, then should expect about 6" of snow during the day on Friday. Ahh, the joys of winter in New Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12532520712528416610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13332189.post-31950623326838541422008-12-15T11:00:00.006-05:002008-12-15T11:28:06.360-05:00What do you do without power? You knit!This past weekend was quite the adventure. We got hit full on with the ice storm that pounded the entire central Massachusetts area. We lost power on Thursday and didn't get it back until late on Friday. We are one of the lucky ones. The kennel still does not have power. A generator was hooked up to give heat and water for the dogs but it's just bare bones. There are still many trees down and theStaceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12532520712528416610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13332189.post-71168681827936054352008-12-09T09:16:00.006-05:002008-12-09T11:21:29.227-05:00Can You Believe It??Four days in Boston was wonderful. It was all dogs all the time. Everyone had a great time, and it was really nice to be able to hang out with the dogs for four straight days! Ace and Tucker ran agility. Ace got his Novice Jumpers title - we now move up to the next level! I only entered him one day as the crowds and noise can be a bit overwhelming and I didn't want him to have a bad experience.Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12532520712528416610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13332189.post-65469017058708155192008-12-02T08:31:00.004-05:002008-12-02T09:06:12.844-05:00Now with Knitting!Believe it or not, knitting has been happening at a pretty good clip around here lately. It helped to have some motivation on Sunday when my sister and I trucked down to Sarah's and had a fun craft day. Her sister Jeanine got to do her talent as well - check it out!Both Naomi and I were pretty sick of our hair - it was long and for me, just getting really annoying! I had Jeanine chop it off and Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12532520712528416610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13332189.post-71874749038675919492008-11-28T10:35:00.004-05:002008-11-28T11:17:51.961-05:00Breaking the SilenceI know it's been a while - somehow the time slips away and before I know it, weeks have passed! There is still little knitting progress to report, though I am slowly but surely making an effort to get the needles clicking again! I did finish a cowl for my sister, and I hope to get modeled shots this weekend. It is soft, comfy and extra long.There is big news on the four legged front though. If Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12532520712528416610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13332189.post-70763151110836612232008-10-15T10:08:00.004-05:002008-10-15T10:40:47.867-05:00The last of the garden - and Cake!I'm still getting back into the knitting groove, but I did manage to cast on something new. The Sherbrooke Cowl pattern written by my good friend Lauren. My sister got some yarn at Webs the last time we went - super soft and cuddly Valley Yarns Colrain. She got white, but dyed it a really pretty green. Two skeins are just enough for a cozy cowl for the ever dropping temperatures! Naomi looked Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12532520712528416610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13332189.post-13702139426773297192008-10-10T07:52:00.003-05:002008-10-10T08:13:36.385-05:00Stripey!I am happy to say, I think, just maybe, I have found some knitting "umph". It may have something to do with casting off and finishing these.Pattern: Basic toe up sock using Magic Loop cast on. I didn't increase at all for the calf. I knit straight up and decreased after 10 rounds of ribbing.Needles: #2 KnitPicks 32" circularsYarn: Noro Kureyon Sock #185I used every single last little bit of this Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12532520712528416610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13332189.post-22386205013372660612008-10-09T08:36:00.002-05:002008-10-09T08:49:34.551-05:00As Promised....I know it's been a while. Lately, I've been making a conscious effort to start knitting again. Even for a half hour before bed, just knit a little. Try to get the motivation back again! I didn't have much more to go on my Noro stripey knee socks. In the "old days" they would have been done weeks ago. They have languished with only a few inches left of sock two. Sad. But, last night I was bound Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12532520712528416610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13332189.post-88342538265276629952008-10-06T08:28:00.003-05:002008-10-06T09:37:14.865-05:00I am Alive.....Just a quick post to say thank you to everyone who has been emailing and asking where I am! Life has managed to take over and one of the first things that has seemed to suffer is the blog. Especially with Socktober starting, the crisp fall weather taking hold, and a pair of socks nearly complete, I promise to post this week.....Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12532520712528416610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13332189.post-74916149261700383502008-09-03T09:06:00.002-05:002008-09-03T09:32:22.136-05:00Spinning SisterWith my knitting progressing at a snail's pace, and my true knitting mojo yet to return, I figured I'd showcase Naomi's spinning. She has really come a long way, and learned quite a bit. Her little wheel, bought a few years back from a friend of mine's mother for a song, has no brand name but is quite a workhorse.This year, at Maryland Sheep and Wool, she actually bought some roving. Beautiful, Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12532520712528416610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13332189.post-8709260535131252832008-08-28T08:30:00.004-05:002008-08-28T08:45:40.628-05:00Happy HappyFinally! Some knitting progress to show!! The Noro stripey socks have reached the halfway point.So far so good. This comes up to about 1" below the back of my knee. I have not done the ribbing yet as I'd like to see how much yarn I have left after it's mate is knit. I think I have enough yarn for a few inches of ribbing, but if not, I'd like to make both ribbings match in a contrasting yarn. The Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12532520712528416610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13332189.post-27651503855705499032008-08-26T10:49:00.002-05:002008-08-26T11:00:17.984-05:00Mini VacationTucker, Ace and I headed West to New York state (Chenango Forks to be exact) for a three day agility trial. The weather was spectacular, and the accommodations, provided by my friend Tracey, were amazing.She has a few hundred acres with many spring fed ponds. Needless to say, we did lots of hiking! The bugs were minimal, and no ticks to be found.She has all sorts of trails all over her property. Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12532520712528416610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13332189.post-45308867938308343842008-08-21T07:50:00.005-05:002008-08-21T08:21:28.361-05:00An Amazing WeekThough there wasn't much in the way of knitting accomplished last week in the Outer Banks, there was a lot of beach time, relaxing and having fun. The house was amazing. Plenty of room for all of us - my little cousins even each got their own room. It had an elevator, huge kitchen, hot tub and pool along with a great extra room that got plenty of use.A home theater! The seats were super Staceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12532520712528416610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13332189.post-41237344696216623042008-08-19T08:41:00.002-05:002008-08-19T08:54:42.370-05:00The First YearIt's hard to believe a year has passed already. My little boy is almost all grown up! A year ago today, about now, Deuce starting having her puppies. One by one they popped out - different colors and markings. All adorable.I had to wait though. The last little guy to make an appearance instantly won my heart.From that day on, we cuddled and bonded. I had never had a puppy before, so I was smittenStaceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12532520712528416610noreply@blogger.com0