knitting for hire...

I have been on something of a 'knit craze' the last few months. I've been having fun experimenting with my new found skill - but I am realizing that I really don't need anymore scarves!! I have already made myself three (plus couple more for gifts), and have some more projects underway.

So here is my proposition. Say you want something knitted (ie: a scarf, maybe a hat, hand warmers or a purse) and I want to knit but I really can't justify buying more yarn. So: you buy yarn, I knit and give to you. :) This should help out both parties: you get a handmade something or other and just buy the yarn and I get to work on my knitting skills without spending money.

Of course we could collaborate on the pattern (although it has to be within my skill level - which is ever growing...hopefully) or if you don't even want to think about it I could do it all (yarn choice included) and surprise you.

Let me know if you are interested!! I would love to make something for you!

the female brain

The Female Brain by Louann Brizendine

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
While some reviews have ranted that this book is written to give excuses to women for their bad behavior, I have found it validating of what I experience and it has given me some of the knowledge I need to change my behavior. I now know that I am not alone, that I am not crazy and I feel empowered to change. That is the miracle of being human; we can consciously choose to change our minds.




View all my reviews.

our unusually busy weekend

FRIDAY:
Jeff very sneakily left work early to go buy me flowers without my knowing. I made chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate cake which we had after an awesome meal at one of our favorites - Lanna Thai.

and I got a little picture happy :)

SATURDAY:
We drove up to Silver Lake to meet a bunch of friends and on the way stopped by the river property that my grandma and aunt own. The amount of mole hills was surprising.

The river is fairly easy to cross these days.

Once we got to Silver Lake we had to go out since it was frozen over. Of course we had to ignore/avoid a few signs that warned us not to. (But it was safe, mom, really!)

A large crack in the ice...

Part of the lake that we didn't venture onto.

Once everyone showed up we had a fun time chatting, playing games etc. Sarah and Kateen made everyone valentines, which were very impressive.

SUNDAY:
We met up for meeting and a potluck at Gerald and Angela's.

Then we drove to the boardwalk and strolled enjoying the rare sunny day.

Laura, Jolyn, Krindee, Rian, Kim

Becca, Jolyn and Krindee

MONDAY:
We drove up to Mt Baker and went hiking.

Jill and Toriana

Mr. Trunky, Becca and Kateen

Laura and Craig

Kateen

Jolyn

Justin

i had to share before i ruin it, again.

I am working on a very simple shrug. Or so I supposed before I started. The idea was to knit a rectangular panel with a design down the middle, then connect the ends into sleeves. However, I can't pick a simple design for the life of me! I am too fond of complex looking stuff. So I adventured on the long journey that is this design: I realized quickly that when I make mistakes in the design stitches (my most common being somehow dropping stitches), I'm not very clever at fixing it. So I have had to rip it out a couple times. Of course my lack of patience by nature doesn't help in this process - ie, I actually threw a little bit of a tantrum the second time I couldn't fix something, and um... threw my knitting across the room... :/ But finally I managed to finish the sixteen rows that are the pattern. I decided that I had better take a picture, or no one will believe I could do it, least of all me.
Now I hope to be able to do this for another 20 inches.

how bad do you want a homemade gift?

Lucky you! The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!

2- What I create will be just for you.

3- It'll be done this year. (might be a little while)

4- You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry or an article on properly cleaning your face before a masque. I may draw or paint something. I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!

5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog.
The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!

So....who will be the first 5 people?????

what causes smell?

- a random thought that popped into my head last night as I was falling asleep. I wondered if it is always a bacteria that causes the smell. From what I read, I gathered that odors are caused by either bacteria or chemicals. Bacteria: body odor, bad breath, the smell after it rains. Chemicals: flowers, bread (if I understand correctly that yeast is a chemical).

I found these articles:
'Why do feet stink'
How does the sense of smell work? What causes a smell?
Why do flowers smell?

I thought I was researching a simple question, but while delving for the answer I found out so much more. You can't discuss this topic without knowing some basic chemistry (most of which I have forgotten!).

a poem i wrote ages ago

Out Your Window

A tree standing straight and tall,

Straight and Sturdy by a wall,

Flowers blooming on the ground,

A child going 'round and 'round.

A dog barking in the distance,

The Sun gone in an instance,

Stars show forth real bright,

Shining with a beautiful light.

You hear a wolf howling at the moon,

Frogs crooking from the lagoon,

Now you close the window and go to bed

For now is time to dream on ahead.

curiously strong

Jeff's band Curiously Strong has their music on itunes these days!!! Wahoo! So if you're interested, check them out!