Bringing up the rear

And then there was one.
Team Wannabe Racin finished with moi. I received the box on a Friday and completed my dishrag (pictured above, enjoying the worlds best garlic bread puffs & Italian beer) Saturday. I packaged her up and sent her off to Emily for the final leg of the race.
The first cloth pictured was sent to me by Eliza. **Note to Self** Must get hands on Sugar N Cream striping cotton! The pattern she chose was so beautiful, I knit the same for Emily with the blue yarn Eliza sent. I also received some yummy soap and a huge chocolate bar too!
Here's my progress on Fifi. I need approximately 4 or 5 more pattern repeats for the body and then I can start the sleeves.
As luck would have it...I managed to choose a discontinued color.
Fingers crossed I have enough to finish.

The F word

So here's the deal. To quote a fellow Sexy Knitter....

I am a Filthy Fifi Slacker. Brought along on vacation with the intention of making some "real progress" ..... But in reality, she spent the entire week balled up, tucked away and completely ignored.
It seems, however, that even though she won the SKC Kal for 'Most Popular' by a land slide....Other knitters have neglected their Fifi's as well. There has been dismal turnout for completed Fifi's on SKC blog and just as I was considering retiring mine to the frog pond... Gay posted hers. I'm in love with Fifi all over again...and obsessed with Gay's Fifi. (minds out of the gutter please) I had always envisioned Fifi w/longer sleeves and body, but Gay's is the first and only finished one I've seen. And, really, could she have picked a more beautiful color. It's GORGEOUS!
Thanks Gay, I hope my Fifi turns out half as fabulous as yours!



And now onto Socks.
There may have been a lack of knitting in my posts, but that certainly does not mean I haven't been knitting.
Current wip is a pair of socks for Jake. He wanted red & black. Thanks to Nanachan7 on Etsy, I found what I was looking for :)
One down, one to go...with a little extra toe room for a growing boy!

Next up are my Rocktober Ribbed socks. This was my vacation knitting (sorry Fifi) I've had this skein for a while and it was the lucky winner of what to knit in the car ride up and back. The photo's don't do this colorway justice. If you have the Socks that Rock -Rocktober from Blue Moon Fiber Arts, you won't be disappointed.
Lastly, I knit up my Oogie Boogie socks from Dharma Fey's Cosmic Fibers on Etsy....Carrie from Socks in the City podcast created this yarn, as well as an entire series from Nightmare Before Christmas. She still has a few colorways left, so go check it out.
This final shot is of the newest member of the family. I introduce to you Treyson Alexander, one month old! Proud Papa, Great Auntie, Mr. T, (second cousin) aka the Karate Kid, Beautiful Mama and Great Uncle. Welcome to the family Trey! We love you!!!!


As for the F word..... the new Knitty is up!!!! I want to knit this, and that, ummm this one too and oh yeah, maybe that as well and how cute is this???? Don't even get me started on the baby hat...so freak'in sweet, my teeth ache! Hey Treyson...Do you want your Auntie to knit you a new cap???? bwahahahahahah!

Pahk Yah Cah in Hahvahd Yahd

***click on the pics to enlarge***

Okay, here are all the things my wonderful Pal Devon sent me. "For the love of Halloween"... She made the adorable candy corn bag which was stuffed with witchy themed magnets and circ point protectors. Devon is such a crafty gal. I love her so much for taking all the time she did to put together this phenomenal package for me. And come on!!!! Halloween colors with yarn???? I love, love, love this girl!

Next up is Coffee, Tea (Boston Tea Party Tea!) Dark Chocolate and a Boston themed mug & shot glass.

Devon also created a Passport to 'fitting in' in Boston. There is a little booklet filled with all the do's and don'ts and must sees - Faneuil Hall, Cheers Bar, Hahvahd (Harvard) just to name a few...and of course she included some LYS!!! Also recommended is saying things like, 'You Guys' and inserting "Wicked" often into conversations. "That was a wicked cool play". It is so cleverly written and fun to read. I adore her sense of humor & wit. Devon put together a photo album w/shots of her city as well. She really put so much thought and energy into this and I am so lucky to have her as a friend! Included w/the photos are little comments and facts about the city and local sights. And, just in case her photo album and booklet weren't enough, she included a pocket map of Boston that accordions out, then folds up nice and compact.

Kitschy lobster gumballs, gummy candy, Boston skyline notepad and bookmark...Super cool/wicked handmade knitting bag!!! Devon also sent a book of card games/tricks, deck of cards and Boston Red Sox pencil for my son.

I have said it before and I'll say it again. Knitters are the BEST people!

Devon.....Thank You!

You are a "Wicked" cool chick and I am so glad I got to know you. When I visit Boston again we are having a blogger meet up. I look forward to drinking Beehs at Cheehs and of course knitting with you.

Your thoughtfulness and creativity is overwhelming. Thank you for being such a wonderful pal!!!

It's probably a good thing you live on the other side of the state, because I would hug you to death for your sweetness!

I had a wonderful "vacation" to Boston and hope to visit again soon.

Thank you

Arrivals

The lighting is crappy, but Devon's packages were so cute I had to post them anyway. I will photograph the unwrapped goodies tomorrow and share my virtual vacation to...........................................................


BOSTON, MA!!!!! **click on the pics to read the cards**

And I'm in the midst of a Baby Boom. Three bouncing baby Boys born in August and September.

Congrats to my Niece Sharlene and husband Tim. They welcomed Treyson who made Neveah a big sister at the ripe old age of one! My pal from the UK, Nic and her mate Andy who were blessed with little/(big?) Pete . And finally, my friend from work Sean and his wife who added baby Ali to their growing family.

I left my heart

And the comfortable weather, beautiful scenery and delicious food ...... in San Francisco. Can you believe we actually needed jackets in August???? I loved it.
Walking on the Golden Gate bridge. I appear somewhat calm and relaxed on the outside. Inside, I was freaking out 'big time '. It was really windy, really loud (the vehicle traffic) and really, really high.
"What if there's an earthquake?" ran over and over again through my head.
Calm and relaxed - NO
Stressed out and paranoid - YES It's a sweet picture if you aren't aware of my hyper-sensitive fear of "What if????"
One of my favorite photos from the trip. That water was freezing. There were actually a few brave (crazy?) people swimming in it too.

Checking out Alcatraz and the sea lions from Pier 39. Can you see Coit Tower in the background?
The beach in San Simeon. We stayed right on the beach, our room was steps away from the ocean. They had fire pits lit up a night. It was so beautiful. I wish we had more time.
Bundled up in front of the fire pit. I really, really wish we were still there......Especially since we came home to record temps!!!! I am now convinced Dante's Inferno was written about the inside of my house. It is 11:00 pm and 90 degrees at least in my front room! Southern California is so pleasant most of the time, there is no need for a/c.

We need to reconsider that.

Christmas around the world questionnaire

Are you religious? Non practicing Catholic. I believe in God and try to always treat others as I would want to be treated. I am also a firm believer in Karma.
How long have you been knitting? About 6 years Would you consider yourself a Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced? Intermediate
Do you have any other hobbies besides knitting? I crochet, sew, embroider..anything crafty.
Favorite color(s)? I love all colors...especially reds and oranges.
Do you collect anything? Fabric and yarn. Christmas related, I collect the little "knee hugging" elves and big shocker...I seem to accumulate Elvis things. I wonder why??? ;)
Are you allergic to any fibers or animals? Nope
Do you have any pets? Yes, one dog ~ Cleo
Coffee, Tea, or Hot Chocolate? Coffee!!!! Big fan of the bean.
Cookies or Sweets? Loooove cookies and dark chocolate with nuts
Do you knit socks? Yeah....Doesn't everyone?
If not socks then what? (tell us about your favorite knits) I knit sweaters for myself and I knit gifts as well.
Do you put up a Christmas tree? Yes If not then what do you do?
Favorite holiday treats? Peppermint mocha's...anything with peppermint.
Favorite holiday smells? The smell of the Christmas tree, cookies baking..cranberry, apple & cinnamon scented candles.
Do you celebrate Christmas in a traditional or unconventional way? Traditional Please elaborate. We split Christmas Eve & Christmas with the families because of location. Christmas Eve is celebrated with my side of the family and Christmas morning is spent @ home with each other and a visit from Grandma and Grandpa. Christmas Day is celebrated with the in laws and friends.
What are your favorite holiday traditions? I bake like a mad women for three days straight. My Mother always did this and I caught myself repeating this maniac behavior as well. It's exhausting, and stressful and I wouldn't have it any other way. I also bake or craft at least half the gifts...another crazy tradition I have inherited from my Mother. She always made it look so easy.
I also love driving around to see all the houses decorated with Christmas lights.
Finish the sentence: “For me Christmas is all about....” My son. As crazy as the holidays get, there is nothing better than decorating the house and seeing how excited he gets. It makes me feel like a kid again. It's the best!
If you were a Christmas ornament you would be…….? A gingerbread man. I like the idea of decorating myself with icing and gumdrops...the possibilities are endless.
What was your favorite gift you've ever received? A dear friend of mine decorated a small hope chest with pictures of my son, husband and myself. It was covered with all these family photos and I just started crying. It was so personal and she took the time to make it. I love it so much. Or given? I like to give hand made gifts. Anything I make and gift to someone means a lot to me.
When do you start your Christmas? I start decorating the outside of the house after Thanksgiving. When that's done, I work on the inside. Come December, it's on!
Do you send Christmas cards? Always Do you make them or buy them? Both. It really depends when I start. If I'm rushed, I buy.
What is your favorite Christmas dish? It's all about the baking...cookies, pies..but my MIL"s sweet potato's are heavenly...HEAVENLY!
Carolers are at your door. What do you do? It's never happened, so I would grab a video camera..just kidding. Sing along and pass out drinks. :)
When do you open presents? Christmas Eve we exchange and open gifts with my family and we let our son open one present from us. Christmas eve or Christmas morning ? Christmas morning for Santa's gifts and gifts to each other and later we exchange and open gifts with the in laws.
Do you celebrate with family or friends or both? Both, because friends are my family as well.