bestitched

knitting and other things in Ireland

I thought I would share a few shots from the trip. We had an extremely lovely time in Ireland. We saw lots of old things (which I love) and were also fortunate to meet up with friends since I was there for a conference. The Ls had a great time.Here's the littlest one riding a stone lion at the hotel.

But the trip was not without its ironies. It was confirmed that the universal parking gods hate me. They hate me good.

It rained a lot, we ate fish + chips with friends

and saw the sites (newgrange)

nightfall over Dublin

And I finished yet another baby sweater.

And when I got home to the States, there was another birth announcement waiting for me in the mail.

Three!

I'm baking...a lot

Gingersnaps last night, pumpkin muffins this morning and plans to make an apple coffee cake.

Oddly, this behavior means that I feel like I'm not getting enough done. The stomach flu hit the bestitched household hard.  I am behind on three (argh!) writing deadlines, class starts tomorrow night and I have done nothing to prepare, the quilt is suddenly in limbo, and these damn knee socks just need to knit themselves. 

Where are a group of industrious elves when I need them? Hiding in that frickin keebler tree again?

And LL is suddenly obsessed with my old Nancy Drew books. She's been carrying them everywhere. Cute but a little odd.

fair warning

This bug hit me so hard that BL canceled his trip to Germany.

After a day or so, I could sit up and knit. Thank god there was a Rock of Love marathon on (and the new season starts Sunday!).

In between sips of Pedilyte,  finished my Bainbridge Scarf just in time for a blast of some wintry weather we'll be getting soon.

Yarn: Manos Cotton Stria in 226

Needle: US 5

Back to go rest and drink some fluids.

check, check and check

The stocking is done. Details over at the side.

The tree is trimmed. All eight feet of it. LL is a wonderful husband.

Just a few more projects to be completed under the watchful eye of Mr. Owl and I'm all done.

pics from the trip

A few days in DC

::taken from the balcony of a Senator's office::

::the sky after a long day of meetings::

And then a few days on the outskirts of Philly visiting with the family

::My Ma takes her cookies seriously. Here she is constructing a platter from 13 varieties::

::My big brother celebrated a birthday. We played Guitar Hero + it was awesome::

::I did a little yarn shopping + got some cotton  for yet another pair of fingerless mitts and colorful yarn to make something for LL::

I spent a lot of time grading papers + writing on the train, but managed to sneak in just a little knitting. All my shots of knitting turned out like crap, so these need to wait for another day. But I did manage to finish a handmade gift just before leaving on the trip.

::Here's the log cabin pillow destined for a kind friend. My walking foot kicks some serious ass::

My Black Friday

Two  recent book purchases had me thinking about my childhood. It wasn't what was contained inside the covers, rather the image on the exterior of little red shoes triggered some memories. Specifically, wearing my own little red shoes (made for me by my grandfather) sitting at the kitchen table leisurely eating pastina. 

Sigh. 

So I made some pastina for the kid.

And we played on the stairs

And I made some handmade gifts for the holiday.

And I was grateful that I wasn't in megalomart with a  swarm of other frantic shoppers buying crappy holiday gifts.

  Hope your Black Friday was just as peaceful.

a good week

Monday afternoon, LL + I met up with Maritza of soto softies (local) and Megan the Knitting Philistine (visiting our lovely city) for some yummy snacks.  Yay for yummy lunch with friends and a good-natured toddler! 

Then on Wednesday, I boarded the Downeaster for Portland, Maine for a conference.  I diligently sat in on some relevant sessions and then TC + I sneaked away for some yarn shopping. 

I wasn't able to visit any yarn shops on the last trip, so we headed over to Tess' Designer Yarns. Beautiful yarns, excellent prices, wonderful service and amazing selection.

I picked up some gorgeous petite silk in the English Sheepdog colorway.

Any suggestions for projects with this unique yarn?

Later that night we ate dinner at Fore Street.   

Hands down, the best dinner at a restaurant I have  ever enjoyed. (Nova, have you eaten here? You must make time on your next trip to Portland!)

Ridiculously fresh mussels in almond garlic butter sauce, pan-seared local flounder with caramelized delicata squash, tarte tatin  featuring local empire apples, caramel sauce + butter pastry, and finally, the option of a plate of handmade chocolate (hell, yes, I'll take two). Heaven. I only wish I had worn elastic pants.

Then a nice, quiet train ride home that gave me an opportunity to work on Roam.

And then home with my lovely family and a girl who looks like this when she wakes up.

Hope everyone had a lovely week!

I am no bird and no net ensnares me

Ashley was right. I should have read this book years ago. So beautiful. So very beautiful.

The perfect book, being cradled by some perfectly cozy mitts.

Fingerless Mitts from Weekend Knitting

Yarn: Autumn House Farm Shantung Silk in Apple Coral

first date

Who needs Rheinbeck when I can meet up with Ashley at an awesome little coffee joint to knit socks, chat about many things (including some of our favorite bloggers), and eat fabulous food?

My orange knee-high for LL is on the left, while Ashley's gorgeous sock is on the right.

What a lovely date with a sweet lady. Mwah!