News Notes

Thanks to everyone for their kind wishes for The Tim on his birthday this week.  We had a nice day together, and then in the evening we sang "Happy Birthday" (during which the Garden Kitty *always* moans, er, sings along ...) and had birthday cake.  Earlier in the day, The Tim had to go and renew his driver's license, so he immortalized the Dotty vest by wearing it for his picture!  Before we left the house, he agreed to a modeling session, so you could see how nicely it fits him.  I chose this picture, because it turned out better than the others, plus he is actually smiling in it, so I liked it the best.  (He has a tendency to look very serious in pictures.  For instance, the new drivers license photo?  Similar to a mugshot ...)

In other news, I fear that I must engage in some shameless self-promotion.  The Winter issue of Interweave Knits is out, and if you look at the "Ravelings" piece at the end of the issue, you may notice that it is written by someone you know ... as in ME!  I was so excited that they said they were going to publish my essay, since it's a combination of two of my very favorite things - knitting and writing!  Those of you who spent last year reading about my holiday knitting may have heard way too much about it to want to actually read the piece, but don't say I didn't let you know about it ... :-)

And sports fans, guess what?  This is my 450th post!  You know what that means - I had to go through your guesses for when it would happen, and choose a winner.  No one hit the date exactly, but Chris guessed November 17 (three days before today), while Carrie K guessed November 24 (four days after today).   So - Chris you are the winner!  Congratulations!  I'm pretty sure that I have your mailing address, but just in case I can't find it, please send it along to me at: thekittyknitterATverizonDOTnet. 

And thanks to all of you for playing along - no one was really too far off the date, which was surprising to me, since I was thinking it might not be until sometime in December.

That's it for tonight - have a good Saturday.  I'll be working, but since it's towards the end of my gainful employment, it's worth showing up, don't you think???

The Very Best One. Ever.

Men are like wine. Some turn to vinegar, but the best improve with age.

-- Pope John XXIII

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not generally one to quote a pope - but in this case, I'm making an exception, because a) Pope John XXIII was a good one, and b) the subject of today's post proves this saying true Every. Single. Day.

And so, without further ado, let me say:

Happy Birthday to my very own Sweetie!

Whoops - not THAT picture!!**



This one:

(... as you can see, he's popular with the entire family!)

I hope you have a great birthday, and many more that we can celebrate together.  Love you!

** This is the first thing that came up in a Google image  search for  "Happy Birthday, Tim" ... what - you thought I wouldn't use it???

Rainy Saturday

I don't know how things are where you live, but we are now [supposedly] finishing up the fourth day of a nor'easter here in Philadelphia.  Even though the temperatures have not been that low, the wind and dampness make it feel really cold.  Today I am grateful that I do not have to be at work in this, as I have the other days.  You haven't been damp and cold until you are out in it all day long!

Anyway, it's been hard to find inspiration on a lazy day like this one, but those of you who are paying attention (surely there's at least one ...) will notice that I have finally put a link to my pattern for the Zach Attack Hat on the sidebar. 

Now you can make one yourself if you so desire.  I was hoping to turn it into a pdf, all nicely formatted, but couldn't figure out how to do that and store it for free.  So you'll just have to print it out the way it is, but it is at least posted.  (Please let me know if the link doesn't work!)

I am also in the throes of deciding how much/what knitting I want to do for Christmas gifts.  I have nearly no money to buy anything, and will be reviewing the stash to see what quick projects I have yarn to make.  I made a list of my stash, box-by-box, and apparently Box #2 has the yarns not already designated for projects in it.  It will be fun to open it and see what I can find.

The Pickle Cardigan is coming along, though I do not have a current picture of the pieces already knitted.  Right now I'm working on the right front.  The sleeves and the left front are already done, so I'm making progress.  It's an enjoyable project, and even if I finish it during winter weather, it will be nice to have it next spring.

The Tim is enjoying the last few days of the year when he will be younger than I am, as his birthday is this coming Wednesday, and then we will be the same age.  I will be curious to see if he is suddenly "old" as he has said I am for the past 8 months.  Somehow, I doubt it, it seems that comments about age cease around this time ...

Anyway, off to check out the mysterious Box #2 - with the help of at least one cat, I'm sure.  Wish me luck!

Veterans Day

Both my father and father-in-law were veterans of World War II, so each year on Veterans Day, I say a special prayer for them.  I hope that regardless of your feelings about the military overall, or any current conflicts, that you will think a kind thought today for those who are in active service, as well as those we remember.

In Flanders Fields

Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)

Canadian Army

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead.

Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

A No-Show FO

During the World Series, I finished a knitting project that I had started back in August, to be a Christmas gift for this year.  It took me longer than usual, 'cause I didn't really work through it like I usually would, but I knew I could finish it with plenty of time.  Then I couldn't upload pictures since something had changed in the settings that would allow me to retrieve them from my camera when Tim cleared up that nasty computer virus that we had a month or so ago. 

But, the project is finished, and after all of that, I can't show it to you here!  Since it's a gift, I want to be sure that the recipient doesn't see it beforehand, though I'm not all that sure they would be disappointed.  But I would ...

If you are a Ravelry member, you can see and read all about it here.   If you are not a Ravelry member, you'll just have to live without seeing the wonderfulness until I post pictures after the holidays.  

Sorry - but sometimes life's just like that, you know?