Aubergine and the Promise of Spring

I had planned to finish Aubergine AND the Jet socks this weekend but one out of 2 isn’t so bad. The goal was really do-able since I was pretty close to finishing both projects. What this says about this weekend – actually, my life – is that I spend way too much time running around. I took kids to play-dates, did grocery shopping, clothes shopping etc. It’s all good and very necessary but it doesn’t leave one feeling terribly fulfilled.

Pattern: None
Needles: #8 circ’s
Yarn: Patons – purple wool and white eyelash Whisper something I think
Dates: 3/8/06 – 4/9/06

Notes: I did a garter bottom 36 stitches wide and 18 rows deep and I think it’s a good size. Not too deep but not completely without shape either. I’ll keep playing with it. I experimented with the top and some is good – some is less good. Good – the 3 holes in the tapered end of the strap where it meets the bag. It’s not much but the detail is a fun one and I may embellish it a little before I call it a day. Even if I leave it as is it’s still nice to know that It worked as I had hoped so that I can take it further next time. Less good – the eyelash band. The eyelash itself is a good effect but it caused the section to felt less so it looks stretched out. I’ll have to come up with a clever closure to counter it.

I did get to stop at the yarn store on Sarurday so my self-imposed yarn fast is over. I’ll tell you all about it – just not now. I’d rather share something that makes me happy today and it’ll keep making me smile all spring/summer – blueberries!

Almost 9 years ago my little family moved from NY to VA. In NY, on Long Island, we had lived in a nondescript, brick, apartment building which had very little to recommend it besides hardwood floors. No washer, no dryer, no dishwasher, no porch… nada. In Virginia, for the same amount we were able to rent a bigger apartment with all of the little conveniences. It was all very exciting, especially the porch.

For some reason the presence of the porch inspired a desire for blueberry bushes. I can’t explain it so you’re just going to have to take the leap with me. Somewhere in the deep dark recesses of my mind a connection was made and I spent the next few years longing for blueberry bushes. Would they grow in Virginia? Could I plant them in a huge planter? Would the management company object if I planted them outside my porch? On and on it went.

My fixation continued after we bought our house and, even as I bought and planted many other trees, shrubs and bulbs, I still pondered blueberry bushes. I even bought 2 seedlings once but I couldn’t decide where to plant them and they died. So sad!

(Aren’t you amazed at my ability to fixate on things other than yarn?)


Last July, at the grocery store of all places, I found these 3 beauties in desperate need of a home. We prepared the beds and gave them all the love we could and after the long cold winter I went to check on them the other day and look at how happy and healthy they are. I am ecstatic! Lindsey and I (nobody else in the house likes blueberries) will eat blueberries this summer until we can’t eat any more. I will make pies and muffins and anything else I can think of.

I am one happy girl!

Irises in Bloom!

The landscaper who does our spring cleanup came to do an estimate last night and as I was giving him the tour of the grounds and telling him what to touch and what not to touch I found this.

My irises are about to bloom. I really love irises and lilies. A friend gave the irises to me a few years ago and I planted them on the corner of our house. They are desperately in need of dividing but they bloom profusely anyway. My only regret is that they don’t last longer. Every year I plant a little more stuff (with varying degrees of success) but these remain my favorites.

I also saw other amazing signs of spring along the side of my house but that can wait for better photography. Here’s a hint – I see pie-making in my summer plans.

I would like it noted, by the way, that it has now been 2 weeks since I bought yarn. It doesn’t sound like much of an accomplishment unless you are a fellow fiber addict. I had a few close calls (like when I saw this) but I stayed strong. Tomorrow I’ll go to the LYS to check out the yarn possibilities for the VK top I want to make so all bets are off.

Stomp!

The Caps lost – again. Maybe it’s just me – or the fact that Stinkerbelle was waaaay into the game - but there was too much excitement for me to get much knitting done. I had grand visions of leaving the game with a finished pair of socks and it just didn’t happen. It’s going quickly though and I still expect to finish the Jet socks and Aubergine by the weekend. Then I can start my first socks for the Six Sox KAL and one of the 2 felted bags I promised to make for people this weekend. Someday I’ll knit for me again.

Speaking of knitting for me… I picked up a copy of this book at my public library on the way to see the cherry blossoms the other day. In all of my blossom excitement I nearly forgot to mention it. I saw the Harlot’s review of it the other day and, since I love cables and she loved the book, I decided to check it out. I confess that my intent was to check it out and probably copy the one pattern of interest. Not so much! The designs are very cool and hip. By the time we got home, Lindsey, Bruce and I had each identified a few things that we covet. Surprise, surprise! The biggest surprise is that we may all get what we want. For those of you who don’t know us personally, Lindsey is a tween who, due to broad shoulders, fits a small/medium woman’s size well, while Bruce and I are adults of the larger variety. Not only are the sweaters in this book great – they’re presented in a range of sizes to accommodate us all. I’ll definitely put this book on my wish list.

This is totally unrelated to knitting in any way but… I’m feeling extremely guilty over something that happened on Tuesday. I was on my way home on the Metro, standing as usual, as the train approached the last stop. It’s always kind of an uneven ride and people get thrown around a lot so you hold on to something to keep from falling over. Our approach to the station on Tuesday was even more hurky-jerky than normal and I totally lost my footing. Normally I wear harmless flats but Tuesday I was wearing my favorite high heeled boots and the heel landed HARD on the foot of the guy behind me. Ouch! At least the heels weren’t spikes. I apologized but I still felt awful watching him limp out of the station.