The Fab Jacquie Blackman nominated me for the “You Make My Day” award… I am so touched!

In the spirit of the YMMD Award I will:

“Give the award to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel happy about blogland. Let them know by posting a comment on their blog so they can pass it on. Beware you may get the award several times.”

Here is my 10 Things List (you all know I love a list) with links to my 10 favorite blog reads:

1. Lisa Congdon Art +Craft: this woman really is a brilliant artist. I am in awe of her images.
2. Montessori By Hand: Meg is very inspirational in the things that she makes. Great tutorials, great pictures!
3. Jodi’s Weblog:Jodi is a force of Art, knitting, and all things that lie in-between. Her work is amazing… and accessible through her etsy site.
4. Criminy Jickets: Dave is a great read… and pattern writer! Look for his dishcloth and sock patterns.
5. Brooklyntweed: Jared Flood’s blog is amazing… great pictures and insight into his patterns.
6. The Purloined Letter: Harriet has a very interesting perspective on most everything… and knitting to boot.
7. Go Knit in Your Hat: Carol not only is the creator pf Black Bunny Fibers… she is hysterical. Hands down ROFL.
8. Path to Freedom Journal: How interesting is urban homesteading? Very.
9. Insubordiknit: Jacey spins everything into creative, artistic other things.
10. Carole Knits: the eye candy and volume of knitting alone make me smile. She makes Fridays a complete joy!

Whew! That was rough limiting my reads. There are so many of blogs that make me smile! Go check all of these guys and gals out. I am sure that they will make you smile too!

Our baby turns 4 tomorrow… he had a HUGE pool party this weekend with a bunch of his buddies and their families. I do not have a single picture to show… I was WAY too crazy running around and having a great time.

In honor of my cowboy’s 4th…. here are 10 things about my baby.

1. He experiences life. Head first… jumps in… he really does enjoy life.
2. He loves his family. He cried when all of his uncles, cousin, and grandparents left for NJ. He just loves being with his “people”. (His actual words)
3. He is so kind. He greets all children he meets with a “hi friend”.
4. He loves to sing. He knows all the words to the Beatles ” Hello Goodbye”
5. He knew that Ted Williams played for the BoSox. He also can not believe that Babe Ruth did.
6. He genuinely thanks both his father and I (all by himself… no prompting) when we do things with him that he enjoys.
7. He tells me every night that I am his girl. He also hugs me and tells me “I’m never going to let you go”
8. He hates to see people cry. Especially me. He tells me that his heart is breaking when other people are sad.
9. He tells a great knock-knock joke (or 200 of them in a row)
10. He is the greatest gift to his father and I. I am so proud, so honored, and so profoundly grateful to be his mommy. Every day I learn from him… I grow with him… and I become a better human because of him.

Cowboy… Daddy and I love you so much.. Happy Birthday baby!

10 Things about my dearest husband on his birthday…

1. He is very funny and quick witted. He can make a joke on a dime.
2. He loves to play and can be a little mischievous.
3. He knows a little about EVERYTHING. He can relate to anybody about any topic.
4. He makes friends wherever he goes. The Grand Canyon, Nogales, the grocery store…. he can find a friend by the end of the trip.
5. He is VERY adventurous and a traveler. We generally don’t take vacations… we travel and do lots and lots. He has been to Russia, Turkey, Greece, England, the Czech Republic, Holland, France, Canada, Mexico…. He loves world travel.
6. He likes to fish. Especially with the cowboy (pictured above on their fishing expedition in Cooperstown)
7. The man loves his baseball. Spring training always puts the twinkle of the hope that spring brings back into his eyes.
8. He has the most beautiful brown eyes that are the kindest that I have ever seen… the cowboy has gotten those beautiful eyes from his daddy.
9. He is VERY patient and puts up with his flighty wife. He is the best daddy and husband a family could ask for.
10. He is my best friend. No one I would rather spend time with.

Thanks for 10 years of celebrating birthdays together, honey! I love you with all my heart.

PS… Thanks to everyone for reading! August 17 is my blogoversary! 3 years of blogging… time has flown! Thaks to you all for your friendship and support!

1. She rarely ever gets mad at me (a huge feat in and of itself)
2. She is veddy funny…
3. She is a hoot to sail with. I miss her already. Talk about your rum drinkin’ sailor!
4. She rarely ever gets mad at me ( I may have mentioned that!)
5. She is an excellent ear to bend. She listens like there is no tomorrow.
6. She is so creative and energetic.
7. She LOVES animals. I MEAN LOVES THEM!
8. She is vegetarian… saving the planet one sprout at a time.
9. She is patient (See numbers 4 and 1!)
10. She is the best creative partner a girl could ever hope for.

Happy Birthday Sister!!! Go show Michelle some LOVE and tell her Mama Sent you!!!

Contest pictures are up tomorrow… I have narrowed them down to two. Voting will start then!

I am just back from doing an overnight babysitting commitment at my good friend’s house.

The cowboy came with me. He and my friend’s girls are the best of buddies. I can’t decide which girl he is more in love with. However, I have decided some other things.

1. I am not cut out to be a mother of more children. Oh boy. These three threw me for a loop. I love all three of them. I honestly do. But I so understand why I chose to stop at one. (disclaimer: my boy is the rabble-rouser of the lot)
2. It is never a good sign when your boy calls you “Captain Poopy”. Enough said.
3. Waking up at 3, 5, and 6 am to the chirping of “Mommy, is it morning time yet?” does not set your day off well.
4. If your relief is 1 minute (or in my case, 1 hour) late… you will cry. Yes. you.will.
5. Making smores and watching Willy Wonka does not calm a posse down before bed. But… it sure is fun.
6. When you come home and your hubby is still tucked in bed…. you will wake him and tell him that it is his turn to lead the ship.
7. You will never get as much work done as you need to. in my case that means any.
8. My boy is the loudest child on the planet. That probably makes me the loudest mom on the planet. Note to self: ssssshhhhhh!
9. Having 3 kids in bed and all snuggly in the morning is very sweet. Even if they dissolve into fits because you are touching their special stuffed animal that they sleep with.
10. Watching my boy with these girls is really sweet. Even if my rope gets very short at the end. They really love each other.

Knitting wise:

Flair is moving quickly. I love the yarn and the pattern. Feels right in the texture and in the knitting.

I bought some vintage buttions for the project.

These are bakelite and need a very thorough cleaning.

I also bought these vintage, carved mother of pearl buttons in case the bakelite would not work.
I could not believe I found 12 matching buttons of this quality. Amazing. I will have a hard time choosing I think.

C*EYE*BER Fiber Warehouse:

The warehouse had an update on Friday. There are still a very few twisted knitters spots available, as well as some killer project bags, and some fiber. Go check it out.

I may be offering a few more classes before the cruise. And I also may teach on the road so to speak. How cool would that be?

The PS yarn and the TK Fiber are shipping tomorrow. The last Winter sock is shipping on Wed.

Thanks all!

This is the holiday season that I am going to stop the crazy. No crazy mad dashes for presents. This is the year of the thoughtful gift.

Here are 10 things that I am thankful for:

1. My D. My ever-patient, loving, and kind husband. Thanks for putting up with stray skeins of yarn everywhere and smell of vinegar. Your support of me and your love for me rocks my world.
2. My cowboy. I am thankful to have a healthy, happy, and kind child (that occasionally exerts his force over smaller kids in school and his little girlfriend that he adores.) He has adjusted to school very well and has become such a little man.
3. For having the time to cook the Turkey day meal this year. The cowboy made the candied yams (no joke) and made his special dessert for his family. The cowboy rocks a rice crispie treat!
4. For my friends.New and old.  You all have loved me in the good and not so good times. You are all extremely kind and talented humans. I am humbled to be in your posse.
5. For the many folks that read this blog and that buy the C*EYE*BER Fiber yarns. Your support and your comments have been greatly appreciated. I have gotten to know so many folks through the power of the internet. You all are awesome.
6. I am thankful that me and mine are warm and well fed.
7. I am thankful that my family is amazing. In that unusual, blended-family harmony kind of way.
8. That I am going to see RENT in 2 weeks. Oh boy! I am taking my sister, bird. I am so looking forward to spending a day alone with her!
9. To be a working fiber artist. I have waited a very long time to be a working artist. It feels very, very good.
10. That I get to go on 2 cruises this year. Whoo hoo!!!! And I get to meet you, and spend time with you, and you……
    

Much Love and Peace to us all,

E

In honor of my dad… a 10 things post.

1. He was very kind. He would go without and not complain, ever.
2. He was so funny… he did not have to try hard to get a good laugh.
3. He loved us. In that papa bear kind of way. His family was everything to him.
4. He was well liked. He had many friends from the guy who owned the gas station to the mayor.
5. He was incredibly human. In all of the good ways… he knew how to walk on this earth and be kind to his fellow man.
6. He gave me the best step-mom a girl could ever wish for.
7. He played professional football… for a brief time. He loved sports and passed that love along to his kids.
8. He was a proud grandpa Tiger. He loved my boy… he was the first person I told that I was pregnant (after D of course!)
9. He had a very special place in his heart for me. I know that with every fiber of my being. He showed me that many times over… and I only really noticed that as an adult.
10. He was the best dad for me. He knew me… and he was proud of me as a daughter, wife and mother.

Dad, I miss you every day. I love you so much……

picking, eating, carving. You name it.. I love it.

This is where we pick pumpkins (well… this early in October it is FIND pumpkins that the nice farmers spread out among the green ones!) The cowboy loves the “apple man” .

He almost got lost in the patch…. the leaves seemed as tall as him! He had a great time….

And Daddy got to carry our pick of the patch!

My Friend Michelle did something really, really nice for me….. Thanks sister! I got teary when I read it!

I love October! It is my favorite month… my birthday month… my favorite holiday month…. I love October so much I thought I would write a 10 Things post about it!

1. The weather is so beautiful! We have warm days and chilly nights in early October… then we go to chilly days with chimney smells in the evening…..
2. The colors are brilliant. It is like the entire natural cycle makes its final curtain call in October… they all coordinate and give much input to a color junkie like myself…. I could stare at the foliage in New England forever…
3. We start to snuggle in to the thought of winter… not the same as desperatley wishing for Spring in February… In October, we start to crave to wear our hand knits and (in my case) danskos…. comfy sweaters and socks…
4. I celebrate my birthday in early October… and I love my birthday (stay tuned for a guest blogger on Monday!) as I love all birthdays. I love celebrating with my family and hearing the cowboy sing to me… my sister bird’s birthday is also in October. She turns 16 this year!
5. RHINEBECK! Enough said.
6. Halloween… we love Halloween in this part of the world. Every year the cowboy determines the theme… and D and I follow. We have an open house and we get to hang out with family and friends… I love it!
7. The Fall light… sunsets… the pink/orange.. royal and navy sunsets against the silver clouds…. beautiful!
8. SOCKTOBERFEST!!! Any sock knittin’ fool is crazy for the month!!!
9. This is my “good hair” season… meaning… no humidity… less bulk! Have you ever ever seen Mama’s hair let go? Recently described as “medusa-like” Ha!
10. We are still in the “I can knit an entire family of fair-isle sweaters for everyone I know for Christmas” delusional state. Yeah… and in my world… that means that 1 person winds up with mittens or a hat under the tree!
11. I have added an 11th thing… I love this October because it is the month in which my little boy asked for ” One more kiss… and one more hug” when I put him to bed tonight and said” you know what mommy… I wuff you so much…” Talk about a heart breaker!!

Happy October Folks!!!!

I want to say a big thank you to everyone who BOUGHT OUT the Sweet Sheep’s Sock Club! We are all sold….. stay tuned for round 2….

I have 4 spots left  3 spots left in my winter club…. email me if you are interested. Have a great day folks!

I had a fantastic day yesterday! I have no damn pictures for your pleasure…camera+dead batteries=guided imagery (sp?) of the day.

I left Charm City at 9:30 pm to go meet Lolly . We headed down to Springwater Fiber Workshop where we met up with Carole…. yup…strangelittlemama herself!

Ok… after the usual first date awkwardness that lasted, oh…maybe 30 seconds… we delved right into the good stuff. Pawing and petting the fiber at Springwater… the place is cool. It is a working school for fiber arts and has lines of their own stuff and lotsa fiber to play with. I got caught in some angelina sparkle, some tencel, and some viscose fibers… but what happens in Alexandria stays in Alexandria. Right sisters?

After photo-ops and money exchanges for fiber that may or may not have been purchased, we headed for lunch at Cosi’. I could have stayed there forever! Those two cracked me up! Hey Carole…wanna go on a date? It’ll be fun….

There was more yarn to be fondled lovingly petted at Knit Happens! We walked in and the whole shop (ok… Holly and Rossanna) yelled “LOLLY!!!!” Way cool greeting. I introduced myself and Carole. Lolly provided the “she’s mama-e” part and the girls gave me a “MAMA-E!!!” It was really sweet….(maybe a little strange because I still grapple with trying to introduce myself with my blog alias…but that is on me)

The girls said very nice things about my yarns… Holly is a sock club member! Yea…nice to meet the sock clubbers.

Carole, Lauren, and I proceeded to poke fun at the Rowan mags…. stroke fiber… dodge falling fibers off the shelves… laugh like hell… spot a booberfly… and make new friends.

Let me tell you 10 Things about Strangelittlemama…

1. She is funny. Fall down, almost wet yourself funny.
2. She is feisty…. she may be small… but she could take you. Hands down.
3. She knows a lot about fiber and knitting. I was impressed and learned a secret or two about mixing the perfect olive dye.
4. She likes to shop…. we kept her away from the GAP outlet ….
5. She is way easy going…. put you at ease, get up and go easy. Low maintainence.
6. She is adventurous…. she was up for anything!
7. She is allergic to alpaca and MO-HAIR….. no mo for her!
8. She loves her babies….. she is a good mama.
9. Sister has style…. enough said!
10. She, Lolly, Holly, and Rossanna made my day yesterday!

Thanks for a great day sisters! I can’t wait to see the evidence um… photos.

FYI:
Don’t miss your last chance to join the SOCKS FOR ALL SEASONS CLUB!

I am dyeing this weekend for September’s colorway….. get in now! I am closing the signups after the next 2 clubbers join.

Ready? Set? Go here and join now!