Sometimes Mondays- Reflections

. . .I had the opportunity to spend time over the last couple weeks with inspiring women both very familiar to me and total strangers.  I came away from both with unique memories and lasting impressions.  While these 2 weekends have lifted me up emotionally there is still, the heavy cloud of having to accept that there is a birth date this week of someone who is no longer here to celebrate.    I don't think the feeling of being kicked in the gut will every go away.  I plan to share details from my knitting retreat because after spending time with Joji Locatelli, both in class and individually, I learned alot about gratitude and humility.  PJ would have thought that was a great thing. More to come . . .

Weekending-In Real Time

This weekend had a bit of an early start on Friday. I brought Sophie to the office after her grooming session and we left the office a bit early.  Friday night I managed to get a great photo of Sophie-the right angle in just the right light. 

 On Saturday we went to visit my Mom and we had a picnic at the park near her apartment so she could spend time with Sophie.  We've done this a few times and we always have a nice time.  It was a little nippy, but the blue skies and sunshine were hard to resist.  Not a great food photo, but the quiche was delicious, and we also had mimosas,  berries, and hot crossed buns.

My plan was to complete all my chores on Saturday, so I could have Sunday to relax and get some knitting done.  I got the afternoon prepping breakfast and lunch for next week, laundry and cleaning the apartment.  Saturday evening I started pulling out yarn so I could figure out what I was going to take with me to a conference I'm attending and working at Monday-Wednesday of this coming week.  I wanted something I could pick up and put down easily, and also knit on MARTA.  So many options!

I decided on the Lace Ribbon Scarf- 2008 Knitty!- I printed this pattern years ago, and I think it will be perfect.  I'm using some very old stash- Kitchen Sink Dyeworks Lux Merino Fine.  This yarn has such a lovely feel.

There's been other knitting too-Balise is now at the divide for the sleeves stage.  Knitting on size 3 fingering weight yarn is something new for me.  I'm loving it so far.

 I've also gotten to the cuff of one sleeve on my Pretty in Pink (Beckett).  This was on hold until I could try it on, and it fits perfect.  Now it's zooming along- I've done the neckline and will complete the other sleeve before I finish the body.  I have a few more inches to go on the body before I do the back and forth portion and the hemline.  I know by the time I finish it the weather will not be suitable for merino and cashmere, but it'll be ready for fall.

 I cast on Sunshine Coast.  I've had 10 skeins of Seta Tweed in my stash for about a year and have tried unsuccessfully to find a pattern that would work.  I think I'm on the right track.  Once I change t the longer needles I'll get a better photo.  Heidi Kirrmaier's instructions for the short rows at the collar are the best I've seen yet!  Since she gives a discount on buying multiple patterns, I've have 3 of her other patterns which I know won't disappoint.

There were also cocktails-right now I'm enjoying the porch swing.  It calls for bourbon, rose water, raspberry syrup and sweet tea.  My modifications are rose syrup, raspberry syrup and unsweetened tea- so good!

I hope your weekend no matter how you spent it was exactly what you wanted.  I'm looking forward to more of the lovely weather we had the last couple day-the pollen-not so much!