Gardening!

The weather here has been gorgeous lately so a few weeks ago I planted a few things in my garden. The soil here in the desert is pretty crummy so I stick with containers. Last year I tried basil for the first time and it grew amazingly (until it got too hot). I tried peppers too which were a spectacular failure.

This year I went with basil again and also am giving rosemary and oregano a try.

Here's the basil. Looks good so far. I can't wait until I can make pesto and bruschetta.

This is the oregano. I'm not quite as sure about this one. I took the picture a few days ago and it looks about the same, maybe worse. I actually planted two pots but the second didn't sprout.

Here is the rosemary. It is actually almost twice the size now (still tiny though). I need to figure out what I'm going to use this for.

On a non gardening note, E and I are putting an in-ground sandbox in for the kids. So far we've done most of the digging but still need to put the tarp down and the sand in.

J was "helping"

C wanted to help and offered to pull weeds. Who could refuse an offer like that?

(Yes they are still in jammies but it was the weekend so I didn't care too much)

Can't wait for the backyard to be done!

 

Work in progress Wednesday

Time for an update on my current knitting projects! One of my projects is still top secret for a couple more weeks but I have updates on the other two. First up: the socks.

They are slightly more done than this picture shows - I just finished sock one earlier this week but haven't cast on sock two yet. I need to get that done soon before second sock syndrome hits. This is Opal sock yarn in the Van Gogh color way Starry Night. It's a basic top down, heel flap sock using my Size 1.5 Hiya Hiyas. (I love my Hiya Hiyas!). Ravelry page is here.

Next up is Serina. This is my first cardigan. I crazily decided to start with a sock yarn weight. I'm using Size 2s and some clearance yarn from Joann's.

I absolutely love the detailing on the back. It took a few repeats to get the hang of it but then it suddenly clicked. Now I'm past the detailing part so it's become great TV knitting. Check out my Ravelry project page here.

I can't wait to wear both of these! For other works in progress check out Tamis Amis!

 

An interesting problem

So I discovered one major problem with sock knitting. When I try them on while I am still working on them to make sure they will fit, I don't want to take them off to finish them. Even when they are half done they are too darn cozy!

 

 

Socktastic

I finished my first pair of socks a couple of weeks ago and they are amazing! I find myself wearing them, washing them, pulling them out of the dryer and then wearing them again. They have seriously been washed four times already.

The yarn I used was Premier Yarns Serenity Sock, a wool, bamboo, nylon blend that is totally washable. The pattern is from the ball band, which is called Silky Soft Socks (also downloadable online) and I used Size 2 needles.

I'm pretty pleased with the results, although I would make a few changes next time. I was a little uneven picking up stitches and I will definitely use a 1.5 needle for the ribbing. (I ordered a set of Hiya Hiyas to make my next pair. So excited about this - my first set of "nicer" needles!) I may even use them for the whole sock, but that depends on how my gauge is working out.

Speaking of my next socks, this gorgeous yarn is going to be my next pair.

It's Opal sock yarn in their Vincent Van Gogh color line. I picked the ever classic Starry Night. I also loved the Cafe Terrace colorway but unfortunately that was out. I cannot wait to turn this into socks.

I am working on a few other things as well. I started a Serina cardigan. I had done a gauge swatch for it a few months ago but I was off so I didn't start it then. I finally got around to making a new swatch that actually met the required gauge so I cast on. It's an easy pattern but boy did I struggle to get it started. I'm currently on my fourth attempt, which is going better than the previous three but still a little rough. Hopefully it will get smoother as I progress. I'm also working on a secret project to share later.

 

Work in progress Wednesday

My foot is wrapped in a wonderful pillow of softness right now. That has to be one of the weirder sentences I've ever written but I can't think of any other way to describe my handknit socks. I tried it on so I could see how it was fitting so far and it feels amazing. I think I'm hooked on sock knitting!

The pattern is Silky Soft Socks done with Premier Serenity Sock yarn on size 2 needles. There are definitely a few mistakes - the ribbing is a little loose and it's a little wonky where I picked up the stitches on one side. But I think practice will resolve the issue with picking up the stitches. I made need to switch to a smaller needle for the ribbing next time. I also plan to cast one next one as soon as I finish so I don't end up with second sock syndrome.

 

2012 recap and 2013 resolutions

2012 got off to an interesting start last year. We ended up in the emergency room with J having scratched his cornea an hour before his birthday party. So far 2013 has been a little tamer...

Last year definitely had it's high points. E and I went to Hawaii for the first time to attend his brother's wedding. The wedding was gorgeous and the whole trip was amazing. We also took the kids to Disneyland last month (I'll write about that later).

C started Kindergarten this year - I can't believe I'm the mom of a Kindergartener. He also played on a basketball team for the first time this year. J turned three and is a lot fun. He'll be starting preschool this fall!!! I also gained a SIL (the wedding I mentioned above) and a nephew.

Work was crazy busy at some points this year. Unfortunately blogging sort of fell by the wayside at times because of that. But at least my job is really interesting.

I also worked on my resolution list. In late 2010 I heard the idea of creating a list of things to do rather than one or two big resolutions. In my opinion there is a greater chance for success that way, which makes me want to push on instead of quitting when I slip up. So I created a list for 2011; I had a good experience so I created one for 2012.

I didn't do that hot on my list - only 7 of 16. Some of the misses weren't total failures however. One of my goals was to read five books - I'm 2/3 the way through the fourth one. I also wanted to make caramels; I tried but they weren't edible unfortunately. Another goal was to learn a new cast off. I didn't do that but I did learn how to add an I-cord border on my turtle. I'm also working on my socks but didn't finish before the new year.

Now that 2013 is here, these are my goals for this year:

Eat more veggies

Lose 10 pounds (9/2/13)

Blog more

Learn entrelac

Learn a new cast on

Knit a cardigan (6/8/13)

Crochet something

Make homemade bread

Make caramels

Make truffles

Organize the pantry

Build a sandbox

Garden

Use my sewing machine (9/2/13)

Read five books (All Wound Up - 1/4; The Story - 2/25; Cocktails for Three - 3/11; Revenge Wears Prada - 6/17; A Mile in My Flip-flops - 9/2; Smart Versus Pretty - 9/15)

Learn how to play guitar.

There are a few repeats from last year. I really need to eat better so there are the first two goals. I also want to expand my knitting skills again. I felt like I took such a huge leap this year and want continue. I also want to expand my crochet skills. (Really my ultimate goal is to open up the Ravelry pattern database and be able to do anything listed but I'm aware that's a long way off.)

I want to try new things in the kitchen too so I added a few things there. Getting organized is another goal. And while the guitar thing seems a little random, it's really not. I bought a guitar a handful of years ago but never really got started. Then I had little kids and no time. Now I'm still busy but the kids are getting older and the opportunity may be there this year.

Hopefully these are realistic goals. I'm aware that I won't hit all of them but it gives me something to shoot for. Happy New Year!

 

Growing candy canes

My sister and I sometimes like to get the kids together and do a seasonal craft. Last week we got the kids together to do something Christmassy. She found a fun craft for them - growing their own candy canes.

First we took peppermint candies and added them into cups with "dirt" (crushed up Oreos) to cover them.

Then we sprinkled them with magic dust (colored sugar)

And waited for them to grow

The next time we saw them, they had begun to sprout (add in broken candy canes)

A couple days later they were fully grown!

The kids got such a kick out of this activity! And it was easy to do too.