Love your Muse

"we can make you feel like everything that's gone wrong happened for a reason..."

2009-12-27T12:51:00.002-05:00

All right, so it's been a year and a few days. That's okay.

As you may know, I teach writing to college students. One of the first things I tell them is to get the garbage that is clogging their heads out before attempting to write their essays. Lately, I've had a lot on my mind, so I hope you don't mind me sharing it with you. I promise, it's not really garbage, it's just been cluttering my brain and maybe it can save some of you years of guilt.

As we get close to the new year, I tend to look back at years past. Mostly, I like what I see when I look back, but there is one hiccup - a lost friendship - that often left me feeling sad and guilty.

I lost a friendship eight years ago because I needed to take a step back and take care of myself. The friendship had become too taxing on me and so I did what I needed to do. I'm sure many people have been in that situation, and I hope many friendships can survive; I know that many of my friends right now would have no problem with me needing some space for a while. It's taken until about an hour ago for me to realize that if that lost friend didn't want me to take care of myself, he wasn't really a friend at all. It sounds so simple when placed in the context of a small paragraph, but there has been so much anguish over this friendship in the past eight years.

I thought I was taking a step back from the friendship, and he thought I was walking away. Whatever it was, it was the best thing I could ever have done in my life. I found myself when I stepped away. I'm sure I could have done that and maintained my friendship, but it wasn't meant to be that way. I can now let go of that one last regret - if I hadn't taken those steps, I could not have become the person I am; my experiences since then would be just the littlest bit different, and that littlest bit could have meant a lot.

I hope that friend is happy and I hope he has let go of what came between us, as I am finally able to.

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope only good things come to you in 2010.

Waiting

2008-12-26T22:49:00.001-05:00

Things are changing around here. Check back in a day or so to see what I've come up with ;)

Busy week!

2008-11-14T10:28:00.002-05:00

It was Lily's birthday this week - I can't believe she's one!!!So, of course, I made her a monster:

And what's a birthday without some super duper special cupcakes?

Like the look of those devil's food cupcakes? Send me a message and I'll tell you how to get some.

Kat's Fabrics and Fiction

2008-11-04T22:56:00.001-05:00

Open for holiday orders!

2008-11-02T21:45:00.001-05:00

Johnnycakes’ Pies and Pastries
Holiday Menu 2008

Using the highest quality organic, fair trade and/or locally grown ingredients.

Pies
Caramel apple crumb
Pumpkin – toasted homemade marshmallow topping
Classic coconut custard
Banoffee pie – banana-toffee custard, biscuit crust
10 inches - $14.00

Cakes
New York style cheesecake
Flourless chocolate cake
Oatmeal spice with coconut-brown sugar glaze
10 inches - $20

Cookies and brownies – variety of brownies, chocolate chip, ginger, and oatmeal cookies.
Breakfast box – variety of muffins, scones and a bag of homemade granola
Small (feeds 6-8) $15
Medium (feeds 10-12) $20
Large (feeds 15-20) $25

Italian neapolitan/rainbow cookies
Biscotti
$10/lb
Special requests always welcome!

Please send a message to place an order! We can ship certain items, but will deliver to Northern NJ and some parts of PA.

Making Friends, continued

2008-10-30T21:28:00.004-05:00

Here is the finished monster! What do you think?

In other news, my husband and I got to carve pumpkins and we decorated one with our daugher for her first Halloween!
Wanna see? OK

Making Friends!

2008-10-16T22:57:00.003-05:00

I bought Craft magazine ages ago - volume 6, with the attention of making monsters. Well, I've finally begun.... here are some pics of my progress.

Apple Picking!

2008-10-12T20:34:00.003-05:00

Last weekend, the Lupo grandkids went to Nonna & Nonno's house and Nonno's apple tree had some yummy ripe apples; here are some photos!

Baking!

2008-09-26T20:50:00.004-05:00

Today, I baked & did laundry. Yes, I spent all day doing this. It was a lot of cookies & a lot of laundry!
I'm not going to write about my laundry, though, I promise. I won't even mention the "l" word again. I decided that my little girl goes through a LOT of those crunchy little finger food cookies that I buy. She loves them. I decided I would make some for her. I found a recipe for "vanilla wafers". They're basically a sugar cookie, but with less sugar and a moister dough so that they are nice and crunchy when you bake them off.

Here are some photos:

Fiction updates

2008-09-26T10:44:00.002-05:00

Megan

I was shouting. At a priest. At my priest. I was pissed. Fifteen years old and there was a whole lot about the world that I was learning and fast. Things that fifteen year olds aren’t supposed to think about, never mind deal with. I needed to shout, wondered why my grams wasn’t shouting. I knew, from that moment on, there was no salvation for my soul – that I would go to Hell. But I didn’t care; I wasn’t worried about my soul, I was worried about my father’s. “What do you mean he isn’t going to have a Catholic burial? He was at church every Sunday; he was here last Sunday! You’ll do it, even if I have to write to the Pope myself!” The priest sat there, hands folded while I screamed at him, and looked straight at Grams, who then took my hot sweaty palm with her icy fingers. I sat down and realized that I had been standing, yelling and pointing at the priest. I was going to Hell for sure. I didn’t want to stop yelling, Grams should have joined me, should have stood and left. How could she sit there and a man do this to her son? Excommunicate him when he was so faithful? Clearly he was sick, there was something wrong with him; he never leave me, never leave his little girl. They sat in silence.
The priest threw his hands up. “I can ask the deacon to perform the ceremony. He’s liberal.” He got up and left through the door behind his desk. And that was it. Grams looked at me, nodding her head slightly. I wasn’t sure if she was appreciative or admonishing. I was exhausted; longed to go home, sleep, wake up ten years from now or ten years ago. It would be better.
Two hours later, I woke up in my bedroom; my father let me decorate it any way I liked ten years ago. It was bubble gum pink and “icing blue,” known to the rest of the world as teal. Looking at the room, at the stuffed animals that I hadn’t played with in years but wasn’t ready to part with, I forgot about the events of the days before. He really was gone; that had become the worst part of sleeping, my whole life I was afraid of my dreams and now I was afraid of my reality. I shut my eyes again, didn’t want to face Grams’ well-meaning friends and her stoic face, which was a mystery to me. She seemed to have no reaction to her son’s death. I was only 15, but knew it must be awful for your son to die before you, that’s what it said O magazine; burying your child is the worst thing ever.
I looked in the mirror across from my bed, horrified by the face staring back. I grabbed my Teddy, retreated under my fluffy covers, tried to force the memory from my brain, and failed.

I awoke, head on my desk, neck cramped; the corner of the notebook was imprinted on my forehead and drool smeared my class notes, startled by the noise, waited, listening. I heard it again, stumbled from bed. It was definitely in the house. A minute later, no more bangs, but shouting, pounding footsteps. I was afraid, knew what it was but refused to believe it. Where would he have gotten a gun anyway?
Slowly, clinging to the wall, I hobbled towards the stairs. The sound hadn’t come from upstairs; it was too muffled. My face was frozen; tried to move her mouth, to call out, just to prove it still worked. It didn’t. I managed to breathe, though, and did, without fully catching my breath, gasps of air that made me feel even more breathless. I gripped the railing, stepping carefully on each stair. Voices grew louder. The cleaning woman, the cook we mumbling, shouting, something about an ambulance, police. I couldn’t understand them, even though were only a few feet away. I was still at the base of the stairs when Grams rushed in, escorting the paramedics to the dining room. An eternity later, the stretcher, which had been rolled in empty, was rolled back out, occupied. They hadn’t even tried to bring him back. He was gone.

Three days later, at the foot of the freshly dug hole, covered with a cloth, I stared at the casket, on that special stretcher that is only used funerals, I wanted to wait until they lowered him into the ground. All the people, Grams’ friends. It never seemed odd to me then, but my Dad didn’t seem to have any friends. I was his friend. I couldn’t let go, had no interest in going home and eating food, seeing drinks and appetizers passed around, mourning but celebrating, too. Grams took my arm and led me away. She still hadn’t cried in front of anyone, and said nothing to me. I couldn’t hear anything, anyway.
At the house, I didn’t eat. I didn’t talk to people. People spoke, put there hands on my arm, shook their heads. I nodded, sometimes smiled. The sounds around me were muffled and unintelligible. People spoke to me, I nodded, Grams led me around. Everything around me was a TV left on after you fall asleep: fuzzy picture and white noise.
The weeks after the funeral, I stayed in bed. Bed was nice, it was comforting, familiar. It was pink sheets and white headboard and happy, it was years of nothing bad happening. It was safe from the sadness in the house. So much of the outside world was unfamiliar now. Grams went to work redecorating right after the funeral, and the entire house was foreign. Well, not the entire house, but outside my room, all the pictures of us were now pictures of Grams and me. She took the photos of my dad growing up, which had been all in order – from birth to adulthood – off of the wall going down the stairs. She replaced them with replicas of Renaissance paintings. The large photo of him and I from my fifth Christmas (the one where I got every Cabbage Patch Kid Robert Xavier made) was no longer above the mantle in the living room. After seeing that, I didn’t leave my room. I hated Grams for doing that and couldn’t yell at her, I couldn’t even talk to her.
I didn’t see her most of the day, but I heard her scurrying around the house, making sure things are just right. She had visitors and gave the help their orders. She even watched a little television, something I had never seen her do. She had dinners sent up to me and for the first time in my life, I saw what she liked to eat. Or maybe it was what she thought I’d like. She always had had the cook make dinners that Dad loved, but now, it was her food. And it was awful. Cheese plates that smelled worse than my socks after a long field hockey practice, salads with little bits of strange vegetables in them (I think they were vegetables, they were vegetable colored) and vile looking fish. I didn’t even want to look at them. The cook would smile at me as I shook my head when she tried to set a little table for me at my desk and later, when Grams was in bed, the cook would return with a bowl of cereal or macaroni and cheese.
Grams would sneak into my room every Sunday and put a church outfit on my bed while I was in the shower. We didn’t talk all week, wouldn’t talk on Sunday, but I knew how important it was to her that I keep going to church, so I went. I put on the outfits that were too girly for a teenager, the pink jumpers, the babydoll dresses and tights, and pretended that I was still her little granddaughter and I cared about church. I don’t remember thinking anything, feeling anything, it was all just quiet and emptiness and pretend. I sat through the sermons, the singing, the praying. I made the motions of the cross; I took the Eucharist in my hand and sipped the sour wine. When I got home, I read books, listened to music, but I don’t remember what books, what music. It was a month silence and fog.
One Monday morning, Grams knocked on my door. “The bus will be here in twenty minutes,” she said. It had been enough time, then. Any longer and I would appear strange. I’d hate to appear strange. She would hate for me to appear strange. The school had made many exceptions, under the circumstances. They knew that I would need time, my classmates would need time, to forget I was now an orphan. I found a black tee shirt and a pair of almost clean jeans, got dressed and left my room.

Miranda

"Grandma is such a witch." My daughter, who has just left her Grandmother after a morning of church and bagels, is sitting at the kitchen table, pushing her Oreos around.
"That's not very nice - think of all the good witches out there who you just insulted." We both laugh. At five, she is too bright and quick-witted for her own good. She's still not eating her cookies; Oreos are her favorite. "What's the matter, sweetie?"
"Can I stay home with you next Sunday?" She asks, her head directed at the Oreos, the question directed at me. She knows the answer.
"No, I'm sorry." I wish she could. "Your grandmother is who she is and she loves you." Half of you, anyway, the half that looks like her precious son. She's still staring at her cookies. "Did something happen?" I ask her, kneeling down next to her chair so she can look me directly in the eyes. It's a habit of hers - one that alarms many grown ups. One that I love. I've seen her get on chairs to get at someone's eye level. Of course, she's not "allowed" to do that – her father's rules.
"Well, she tried to say something bad about you." She looks down and asks her Oreos, "Why would she do that?"
Hm. Yes. Why? Because she's a small minded bitch... "What exactly did she say to you?"
"I don't want to tell you." She stares straight into my eyes, into me, searching for something. Her eyes are hungry for whatever knowledge she is looking for. I want her to find it.
"Megs," I say, moving to my seat at the table, keeping our eyes connected, "it's not much of a secret that your grandmother and I don't get along. You shouldn't be carrying whatever burden she's placed on you. It was wrong of her to do that to you. You don't have to tell me about it, but you should tell someone. Maybe Ted." Her bear is her largest confidante. "Then you won't have to think about it anymore."
She thinks hard about it and says, "Grams says you're going to hell." She pouts.
"Did she tell you why she thinks that?" Wouldn't that be interesting?
"No. She just said that you were bad and you are going to hell. But I know it's not true. I think Grams is bad and she will go to hell." She looked down at her Oreos for the last half of the sentence. She didn't mean it; she was trying to make me feel better.
I pause, not really sure what to say to her. I decide on the truth, for the first time in seven years. "I don't think anyone goes to hell."
She looks up, eyebrows furrowed in utter confusion. "You don't? Father Terrence says that when you die you go to heaven or hell. He wouldn't lie."
"I know, but there are a lot of ideas about that - no one really knows what happens after we die. We just believe. Your Grams and Father Terrence really believe people go to hell. I don't."
"Oh," she says, staring into the table in front of her, trying to make sense of it.
"Since I don't believe in hell; neither me nor Grams will have to go there. Isn't that nice?"
"I guess," she says, pokes at her Oreos.
I like being honest with her. I make a decision that I know will change our lives, one way or another. "Can you keep a secret?" She nods, fervently - what little girl doesn't like a secret? "It's a big one." She nods again, says "yes" in a way that leaves the "S" to trail off into the silence, matching the whirr of the ceiling fan.
"I promise," she takes a bite of cookie, sips her milk, and wipes her face.
I get up, say, "come with me," and lead her out of the kitchen and into my bedroom. She's very quiet - I can feel her anticipation, as well as a little fear. I close the door behind us. Bob won't be back from Church for another hour, but I still need to be extra cautious.
"Mom," she now has her miss knowitall face on, "I have snooped - I mean, been, in your room lots of times, there's nothing here that's a secret."
I smile and push my nightstand away from the bed, lift a floor board and pull out a box. "Are you sure?" I ask, smiling as she gasps.
She beams right back at me and comes bounding across the room. There is a shout in the hallway. My mother in law opens the bedroom door, holding Megan's overnight bag - "Miranda," she is saying as she enters the room (without knocking), "Meg is going to n--" She stops, sees the box in my lap and says, dramatically and triumphantly just above a whisper, "I knew it."
My heart sinks. I wonder how I got here; hiding myself from the one person who matters anymore, the one person I gladly gave everything up for, my daughter. Megan is staring at Grams, I can feel the hatred. Grams has ruined our secret. She is about to ruin our lives. I know it. She grabs Megan by the arm, Megan starts to scream. I can't move. I can't talk. I want to. I want to scream and yell and take Megan and run away. I'm paralyzed. The box falls from my lap. There is no point in fighting. I know it is all over when I hear the sirens.

Megan

Sirens make me shiver. My apartment is high enough above the street so I don’t hear them too loudly, but I still hear them when the place is quiet; when I have just gotten home or when I am about to go to bed, before I fall asleep, after I turn the TV off. Growing up, we rarely heard sirens and I only remember the sirens on the day my dad killed himself. I guess that’s why I get chills. Right now, the sirens are going away when the phone rings. I’ve just gotten home and I haven’t even taken my jacket off so it’s natural that I don’t pick it up and let it ring through to voicemail. I go through my usual routine of changing from work clothes to lounge around the house clothes, watering the plants, and am about to cook dinner before I remember to check the voicemail, seeing the red bulb on the phone in the kitchen blinking. Most people call my cell phone, except telemarketers. They don’t usually leave voicemail, though. Prompted by a recording of a British woman, I enter my code. It’s a hospital in Washington, NJ, my hometown. Grams, they say (everyone in the town calls her Grams), has checked in. They don’t expect her to be there long. They don’t expect her to be anywhere long. The phone drops out of my hand. I have no idea what to do. Grams and I talked on the phone every few weeks. She visited me at Christmas; she went to mass at St. Patrick’s, I picked up donuts. We don’t have other family. There will be no one at the hospital when I get there, no one will beat me there. No one will make me feel guilty for not answering the phone immediately. Just me, maybe Grams, if she can speak. I don’t know what’s wrong with her. Did the voice on the phone say? Did I miss it? Did the phone drop from my hand before I could hear? Was I paying attention?
It’s 5:30 and it will take forever to get to New Jersey, but I leave. While stuck in traffic, I think that I probably could have made dinner and watched the 6:00 news before leaving and would have arrived at the same time. My brain shuts off the rest of the way there, and I drive to the hospital automatically, even though I haven’t been to my hometown in six years and I haven’t been to the hospital in eleven years.

This is where I have left off... I'm still brainstorming this last section and it may change a lot in subsequent revisions.
Let me know what you think!!!

HAT!

2008-08-27T16:21:00.005-05:00

I made my friend, Jen, a hat for Christmas. Well, actually, I made her about 3 hats... but none of them actually worked out. UNTIL now (yes, I know , Christmas was a long time ago, but after so many failed attempts, I needed a break!) What's that? You want to see what it looks like? OK!

Fiction, but from a different POV

2008-08-22T09:09:00.002-05:00

So, I decided to change up the POV on my fiction. Here's the first 3 pages. Please comment to let me know what you think about the switch. To see the original, scroll down and look for older posts. Thanks in advance!

----------------

I was shouting. At a priest. At my priest. I was pissed. Fifteen years old and there was a whole lot about the world that I was learning and fast. Things that fifteen year olds aren’t supposed to think about, never mind deal with. I needed to shout, wondered why my grams wasn’t shouting. I knew, from that moment on, there was no salvation for my soul – that I would go to Hell. But I didn’t care; I wasn’t worried about my soul, I was worried about my father’s. “What do you mean he isn’t going to have a Catholic burial? He was at church every Sunday; he was here last Sunday! You’ll do it, even if I have to write to the Pope myself!” The priest sat there, hands folded while I screamed at him, and looked straight at Grams, who then took my hand. I sat down and realized that I had been standing, yelling and pointing at the priest. I was going to Hell for sure. I didn’t want to stop yelling, Grams should have joined me, should have stood and left. How could she sit there and a man do this to her son? Excommunicate him when he was so faithful? Clearly he was sick, there was something wrong with him; he never leave me, never leave his little girl. They sat in silence.
The priest threw his hands up. “I can ask the deacon to perform the ceremony. He’s liberal.” He got up and left through the door behind his desk. And that was it. Grams looked at me, nodding her head slightly. I wasn’t sure if she was appreciative or admonishing. I was exhausted; longed to go home, sleep, wake up ten years from now or ten years ago. It would be better.
Two hours later, I woke up in my bedroom; my father let me decorate it any way I liked ten years ago. It was bubble gum pink and “icing blue,” known to the rest of the world as teal. Looking at the room, at the stuffed animals that I hadn’t played with in years but wasn’t ready to part with, I forgot about the events of the days before. He really was gone; that had become the worst part of sleeping, my whole life I was afraid of my dreams and now I was afraid of my reality. I shut my eyes again, didn’t want to face Grams’ well-meaning friends and her stoic face, which was a mystery to me. She seemed to have no reaction to her son’s death. I was only 15, but knew it must be awful for your son to die before you, that’s what it said O magazine; burying your child is the worst thing ever.
I looked in the mirror across from my bed, horrified by the face staring back. I grabbed my Teddy, retreated under my fluffy covers, tried to force the memory from my brain, and failed.

She awoke, startled by the noise. She heard it again, and stumbled from bed. It was definitely in the house. She waited a minute, listening. No more bangs, but shouting, pounding footsteps. She was afraid, knew what it was but refused to believe it. Where would he have gotten a gun anyway?
Slowly she slinked along the wall in the hallway, towards the stairs. The sound hadn’t come from upstairs; it was too muffled. Her face was frozen; she tried to move her mouth, to call out, just to prove that she could. She couldn’t. She managed to breathe, though, and did, without fully catching her breath. She gripped the railing stepping carefully on each stair. Voices grew louder. The cleaning woman, the cook we mumbling, shouting, something about an ambulance, police. She couldn’t understand them, even if they were only a few feet away. She was still at the base of the stairs when Grams rushed in, escorting the paramedics to the dining room. And eternity later, the stretcher, which had been rolled in empty, was rolled back out, occupied. They hadn’t even tried to bring him back. He was gone.

Three days later, at the foot of the freshly dug hole, covered with a cloth, I stared at the casket, on that special stretcher that is only used funerals, I wanted to wait until they lowered him into the ground. Grams finally grabbed my arm and pulled me away, she still hadn’t cried in front of anyone, and said nothing to me. I couldn’t hear anything, anyway. The sounds around me were muffled and still unintelligible. People spoke to me, I nodded, Grams led me around. I understood nothing.

Foodie Meme

2008-08-21T08:12:00.003-05:00

I saw this at Lyndsey-Jane's site, My Knitting and Me and had to join. Basic rules are bold what you’ve eaten and strikethrough those you wouldn’t eat on a bet.

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp

9. Borscht (beetroot makes me heave)

10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari - Love love love this!
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio Ice Cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese - that's a NO, but I don't know how to strike through
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper - um, no, I don't think I'd ever intentionally eat that
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters - deathly allergic to shellfish
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl - how I found out I'm allergic to clams

33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar - sounds pretty nice
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth $120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips ew
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst - sounds yummy!
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake yum, yum, yum, yum, yum
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill - I don't think I'd eat this.
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict MY FAVORITE
83. Pocky (or something similar).
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant
85. Kobe beef - It's illegal to have Kobe beef in America
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab I SO wish I wasn't suddenly allergic!!
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

FUN FUN MEME

When youcan't write, work

2008-08-13T17:26:00.002-05:00

Tom E. Kennedy, my mentor, quoted that title many times while we met at my residency at FDU. Of course, I've already forgotten who'd originally said it (Whitman?) Please feel free to leave the answer in a comment and I'll fix this...
But, wow, I always hated revising and I'm so happy to have someone as talented as Tom line edit my work, this time it's incredibly grueling. Good, and I'm sure my prose is benefiting to a GREAT degree. I just hope I get to the end of the revisions and get a little kick of inspiration!
So far, I've added about 3 pages... I hope they're good pages, but we'll see what happens when I move on and resubmit in a few weeks. Wish me luck and lots of interesting verbs!

Returns and beginnings

2008-08-10T21:43:00.003-05:00

I'm back from my first residency at graduate school & there is a lot to do! Not only do I have to get ready for the Fall semester with the classes I'm teaching, but I also have to write a lot of fiction (including revisions) and do two annotations of novels (and read some others that I'm not annotating).
It's crazy!
I'm ready, though, and I'm really excited to get things going. Of course, I'll have to start cleaning and cooking again, too. I have to say, as meager as the accommodations were and as awful as the food was at some times, I really enjoyed not being responsible for the cooking and cleaning!

More writing coming soon! I'm also putting the finishing touches on a hat for my friend Jen; it has a few more inches to be finished and then I'll be knitting some little ears for it!!! Photos coming soon.

Creative Non Fiction, Untitled

2008-08-06T16:38:00.001-05:00

I don’t know why I checked my voicemail during work; I was diligent, my phone stayed off and in my bag. But that day I was desperate to check it. I excused myself from from copyediting copyright pages (my only job as an intern) and ran down the hall to the bathroom. Still silenced, I pressed the number 1 on my phone and held it down until it dialed my voicemailbox.
“You have one new message. Press 1 to hear your new messages.”
I drew a breath and it echoed in the large office bathroom. A foot shuffled in one of the stalls.
“Hello, Katherine, this is X with Random House. It was really nice to meet you and we’d love to welcome you aboard. Please call me back to discuss the particulars.”
I pressed 9 to save the message, as my voicemailbox narrator suggested. I checked the time: 4:35. Twenty five minutes. I would twenty five wonderful, intimidating minutes, but it was mine. Editorial Assistant at Random House. The hallway beamed from my glowing smile as I passed Brie’s desk on the way back to my corner. Sure, she got to intern with Arthur, and edit pages of Harry Potter (a book she had never heard of), while I was stuck copyediting copyright pages, but I was offered a job at Random House. I would be a hip writer. I would work in Manhattan. I would work late some nights, sure, but I would to bars and restaurants with agents, editors and authors. I had arrived.
At 4:58 I was on the elevator. I didn’t even look at the book bin, filled with new printing of children’s book, free to any one who happened to pass it. As soon my feet hit the street, I turned a hard left, avoiding the sunglass sellers, and walked into Kate’s Paperie. It was the perfect place to make this phone call, quiet and filled with inspiring papers. I dialed the number I had written in my notebook more than a week ago.
“This is X.”
“Hi, it’s Katherine Lupo; you called.”
“Yes, so happy you called….”
I listened eagerly for the details of my glamorous job but instead I heard a lot of words that didn’t make sense and some that stuck out like a knife, hot from being in the dishwasher; twenty six thousand, 12 hours a day, weekends. The lights seemed to get brighter in the paper shop, which suddenly smelled of that glue that kept old books from falling apart.
“Wow, thanks,” I said from a voice I could not recognize, “I’ll let you know in a couple of days.” I had been prepared to say “yes, of course, see you Monday!” but something like reason and disappointment snuck up on me. I couldn’t say yes to that. I had to think about that. Math. I had to do math. Numbers came into my head – bus pass - $200/month. Rent - $400/month. Numbers numbers numbers. The ½ hour bus ride to New Jersey was a torture device of numbers dripping into my head cruelly, slowly, killing the self I had just met a few hours before.
I would have to choose. I didn’t have to do the math. I knew. Publishing or writing. The door to the apartment was open; my roommate was still alive, but hadn’t moved from the floor of his bedroom.
Everything was wrong. I couldn’t… I wanted to be a writer. I was a writer and the apartment, halfway between the city and home made the decision for me. There was no decision. I’m moving home, I told him, still lying on the floor.

Finally, an FO!!!!

2008-07-29T15:52:00.003-05:00

Here's a photo of Julie's leg warmers, which should be arriving any day now, that I finished last week! It's been a bit slow. I hope you like it!

In other news, I've completely botched up the sock that I've been working on for the past, um, 5 months? Yeah, that's right, one sock. It's only been intermittent, so....

I'm working on Jen's hat right now, promised to her at xmas time and I'm about to embarq on a hat for someone special that I've found through Wish Upon a Hero

That's all for now!!

Busy times!

2008-07-03T07:32:00.009-05:00

Summer is officially here & times have gotten, as always, busier.
Lily & I went to California in June to visit Julie, who graduated with her MFA in choreography (GO JULIE!!!). While there, Lily was awed by the dancers:

Of course, while we were so close to Anaheim, we HAD to go
to Disneyland!

Lily had a great time....

This month, Lily learned how to CRAWL, wave, clap, and hold her own bottle. Truly, this is way too much to learn in just one month! She's getting to be such a big girl now.

In other busy news, my friend, Joanna, who lives outside Manchester, England, came to visit us!
While she was here, we had a blast and we miss her now (especially Stella.) We went to the Bronx Zoo with her and visited their newest exhibit, Madagascar - Joanna has been to the real Madagascar and she showed us just where she'd been:

Some other photos from the Zoo:

We saw some CRAZY things at the zoo.

Oh and for my brother in law and all other fans of the Disney movie, Madagascar, we saw this:

I didn't see it, but poo had been flung.
Go Gorillas! You tell those people who's boss!

Back!

2008-06-19T11:03:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the hiatus!
Lots has been going on!
I'm still knitting the leg warmers for my friend, but she did like the one I presented to her for her graduation.
In other news, I'm back writing and have several projects on the brain. I'm also back teaching in a few weeks, so there may be a slow down in my posting as I will be juggling that, starting my MFA and, most importantly, raising my little Lily!
She growing by leaps and bounds! She's now crawling AND sitting up. It's incredible!!

I'm Back!

2008-06-14T20:03:00.001-05:00

I'm back & will be posting about California with photos soon!!!

Away

2008-06-04T07:42:00.000-05:00

I'll be away & not blogging for about a week!

It's MINE It's MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-05-30T16:58:00.002-05:00

I got some great news in the mail today:

I HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED FOR THE GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP FOR FDU'S MFA IN CREATIVE WRITING!!!

Now this is a HUGE deal, because at least as far as I know, there is only ONE assistantship available!

John & I are SO going out to celebrate!!!!!

5 Things Meme

2008-05-29T12:50:00.004-05:00

I got tagged by Lyndsey-Jane to do this meme, and I don't know what meme means or how it's pronounced! I've never been tagged for anything like this before, but I think it might be fun!

Here we go:

1. What was I doing 10 years ago
10 years ago, I was finishing up my first year of college and I did horribly! But I was also learning a lot about myself. It was the year I became a writer. A very important year, I wouldn't change a thing, not even my horrible GPA!

2. What 5 things are on my to-do list today (in no particular order)
Ha, this is pretty funny, my to-do list today is LONG. I should cook some meals so that my poor hubby doesn't starve when I'm gone next week, I need to fold laundry and vacuum and I need to finish Julie's graduation gift. What am I actually doing? The knitting. But it's only 2pm, who knows what streak of motivation might hit!

3. Snacks I Enjoy
Another laughable one! I like lots. I don't snack, per se, but I do like my sweets after meals. Cookies, ice cream, brownies... I'm not big on salty things, but anything chocolate is a big OH YES. Lately, I've been trying to have a decaf coffee as a snack as it's flavorful, but low in calories and fills me up quite a bit as it's liquid. How does it work? Great, when I think of it!

4. Things I would do if I was a billionaire
Well, wouldn't I do? I would buy up houses for my family, I would travel, I would just live my life & not worry. Would I work? Maybe. Maybe not. I'd have more children. And then I'd have some plastic surgery and a personal trainer so it didn't look like I had ANY kids!!!

5. Places I have lived
Lots of places!
1. Flushing, NY
2. Vernon, NJ
3. Montclair, NJ
4. Surrey, UK
5. Newton, NJ
6. Manchester, UK
7. Clifton, NJ
8. Caldwell, NJ
9. Oxford, NJ

I don't have anyone to tag for this, but it was kind of fun filling out!

Progress = Progress, even if it's slow

2008-05-22T18:28:00.002-05:00

FAIRY TALE, the beginning:

“Your majesty,” she ran through the hall, blonde hair flying wildly behind her, twigs and leaves stuck to her long, blue dress and straggled through her knotted mane, and threw herself, face first, at the King’s feet. “The princess has been kidnapped!”

“Please, get up, my child,” the King stroked his long, red beard, apparently in thought, as he waited for the princess’ hand maiden to rise and attempt to smooth her long, frizzy hair. “I think this must be tragic,” the King said slowly. He raised a hand to beckon his chief steward. “Don’t let the people know of this; they will react strongly.”

“I’m afraid,” the portly steward paused, “the people are already aware of the event.” He pulled back the gold curtain that shielded the hall from the streets of X, just as he had done sixteen years before. Then, he had revealed to the joyous masses the new baby princess, Ariadne. Today, just as they had long ago, the people of X were dancing, singing and otherwise occupied in jubilation. They no longer need worry about the noxious ways of the horrible princess, the only heir to the kingdom, and the most miserable wretch of a girl that ever existed in the peaceful kingdom of X.

Izmella was a typical witch: sharp-eyed and tall, with a curvaceous figure. The green of her almond eyes matched the emerald of Rabbit’s pendant and was framed by the dark ringlets that fell to her waist. “Rabbit, please, you’re disturbing me, either speak out load or don’t speak at all,” she said quickly, not looking up from her crystal globe as Rabbit walked through the door.

“Sorry, mistress, but there’s big news: it finally happened, the princess has been abducted.”

“I know,” Izmella repied coolly, pointing to her globe.

“Yes, right, of course.” Rabbit shifted his weight a few times and looked erratically around the room, as if looking for something that did not exist. His eyes finally rested at a crack in the floorboards, just in front of his feet.

“This is good, not only does the town get a reprieve from the wretch, but we won’t have to wait too much longer to see the prophecy realized.”

“I haven’t been waiting that long, miss, only about 20 years.”

“WELL,” Izmella rarely raised her voice, but she didn’t need to, she had a certain way of putting emphasis on just the right syllables to make anyone feel like he might wet himself. The knowledge that she could turn one into any sort of insect didn’t help, either. “I’ve been waiting just a little longer than that; 200 or so years longer. I had hoped this was the princess of the prophecy, but do you know how many nasty princesses there have been in the past 250 years? It’s appalling!” Rabbit nodded, not at all able to comprehend 200 years of obnoxious princesses. “At least that should all be done with now. You’ll have to go and spread the word to the surrounding kingdoms, the king will put out a notice to all able knights and we want the right sort of knight volunteering for this job.”

“Yes, I can do that,” Rabbit said, finally lifting his gaze from the crack in the floor. Izmella was not looking at him, still intent on the visions in the globe. Rabbit had often peered into the crystal when he was tidying up for her and he never saw anything there.

“Now would be soon enough.”

“Oh, uh, yes, but -” Rabbit stuttered.

“I know, there is only one knight who can do the job, so to speak, but we can’t just go and tell the king who to get, can we? We have to let everything play out. So go tell the surrounding kingdoms and do what you can to guide the king.”

“Yes, but -”

“I know you’re small and a little feeble minded, but the king isn’t too bright either, I’m sure you’ll come up with something.”

“I’m hungry!”

“Well I didn’t say you couldn’t eat anything on your way.” Rabbit could hear her eyes rolling, but he had to be cautious; at times, when she says to do something, she means right now, and at other times, she means, at your leisure and after nearly 10 years as her servant, he still could not tell the difference.

“I will report to you tomorrow.”

“Rabbit, there is no need.” Izmella rose, gesturing to the crystal globe, “take care and I believe there is some food in the refrigerator. I must go and check on a few things; I think the woodsmith has finished repairing my broom.”

“Yes, mistress, I’m glad to hear it, my back hurt sweeping the floor with your old hair brush.”

“I know, Rabbit, you’re a good helper. I’ll see you when the king has found a worthy knight.” Izmella threw her gray shawl over her shoulder and strode out the door. Rabbit was flustered, touched by one of the few compliments Izmella had ever bestowed on him. She must truly be happy that this day has come, he thought.

Izmella was not the most beautiful woman in the town, but she kept men and women alike intrigued with her timelessness. Know one knew quite how she was – 200, maybe 300 years old? It was impossible to tell, she aged so well. Most believed there was some witchery involved, but none dared question her, some thought it was her sheer meanness that kept her skin so tight, while other women her age looked more withered than a leather sheaf straight off the battle field.

As Izmella went through the town taking care of her errands, Rabbit left town, taking care of his.

---------
For Sara: And they lived happily ever after.

Shoes & Yarn Always Fit

2008-05-21T08:14:00.003-05:00

I love buying shoes & yarn (not necessarily together) because they always fit, they come in gorgeous colors & they make you feel good. Shoes make your legs look sexy, or feel comfortable, and when most of us who buy yarn buy yarn, it's usually with someone in mind for a gift. Gifting always feels good. The occasional time when we see yarn and have a project in mind for ourselves feels even better.
What does not feel good is clothes shopping. One year ago, roughly, I had no problem clothes shopping. I am now having to deal with the hardest thing I've ever dealt with. More difficult than being sick for 9 months, more difficult than birthing without any pain medication (not my first choice), and certainly worse than a root canal: my post-partum body. It vaguely resembles my body, it certainly feels like it belongs to me. However, when I am fully dressed and glance in the mirror, I do not recognize the body attached to my face. My clothes don't even begin to fit and even the same clothing, the same fit, in a larger size, doesnt fit. I have to discover an entirely different style of clothing that still feels like me. I have to shop in stores I hadn't considered before, sifting through rags that lack my personality.
I have to "do the best with what I have." And it feels horrible.

I got stuff!!!

2008-05-15T17:22:00.002-05:00

I came home from lunch with my sister and newly stitched niece (she fell on the playground :( ) to find a package at my door!!! Thank you, Krystle!!! I love my hand painted mug, organic coffee, french vanilla coffee, the cookies (which I already tried and they are scrummy!!!) and, of course, the GORGEOUS lime green yarn which is AMAZINGLY soft! I can't wait to knit with it!! Oh and there were some fun stickers in there - how did you know I love stickers?

Here's a photo of my goodies:
Tonight, I plan on brewing some of that decaf french vanilla, sitting back, watching some yummy doctors and knitting some awesome leggings for my ballerina who is graduating with her MFA in June!!

Happy day!

Lots of stuff

2008-05-09T11:26:00.006-05:00

Last weekend, John & I went out to the movies! Nonna watched all of her grandkids so that we could go out with my sister and brother in law. Of course, John & I checked out Target for some movie theater snacks; we picked out a few things for us & called the other "kids" to see if they had any requests. My sister, of course, requested Junior Mints, her all time favorite movie food.
WELL, they only had one size: comically large -

After Made of Honor was over (and it was AWESOME, by the way), I went a round with Kung Fu Panda and managed to remain standing, despite his enormity, although I was worse for the wear.

And in crafty news, I finished my Coffee Swap Package and the relaxing, post coffee lavender scented mini pillow and can ship it off to its new owner soon. Not today, though, as I am stuck waiting for the furnace man... But here's a photo of the doo-hicky I made.

Spring Fling Final Topic of the Week

2008-05-05T15:47:00.002-05:00

Well, I've missed a few, but here's the last topic:

We'll go free form this week - Post about your WIPs, post about your package, post about the weather where you are - just be sure to include that the post is for the Spring Fling Weekly Topic somewhere inside it when you tell us it's there! I'd lovhin to hear how folks are enjoying the goodies they received, if they have, or how much fun you had shopping for your pal!

So here it is... my current WIP is a sock! Thank you, Lindsey-Jane for the yarn & the inspiration. It's coming together very quickly, considering what little time I have to knit! The next project up is a pair of legwarmers for a certain friend who is accomplishing something big this June.

As for the swap, I had a BLAST shopping for my pal and have had to cut myself off just so I can pay the bills! It should be out in the mail tomorrow as I almost have the hand made portion finished - I was going to just buy something but then, I had an idea and HAD to go with it. Of course, that idea changed from one thing (too hard) to something else, but I think it's gonna be good. I'm going to get the package together tomorrow and see if it needs anything else before I send it out.

OK that's all!!!!

Such a big girl!

2008-05-04T19:03:00.001-05:00

Lily sure is growing!
Here's a photo from today's session.
I have some funny things to post about last night's romp at the movies, but have to be quick now...

Life

2008-05-02T09:51:00.003-05:00

I haven't posted in a while. I have no idea if anyone reads this, but if you do, I apologize for not posting. Life has been stressful lately and I'd rather not get into it.
Let's talk about some positive things. I finished my sheep and it should be arriving at its new owner's house soon. I'll post pics soon, too.

Lily is now 6 months old and eating pretty well!!! She has her appointment on May 13th.

John's two weeks of hell at work are over tomorrow night - he's actually got two days off this week! As of tomorrow night, I get to spend time with him until Tuesday morning. It's a Christmas miracle.

Will post some more interesting stuff soon.

Introducing the Tooth Gnome

2008-04-19T04:33:00.006-05:00

Unrelated to the familiar Tooth Fairy, this is one of the least known gnomes. That is to say, he is completely unknown to the childless and forgotten in a post-traumatic stress syndrome frenzy by those whose children have a full set of adult teeth. To those just meeting him, those who have blocked his memory and those who may one day meet him, I introduce to you the Tooth Gnome:

It is unfortunate that he is very, very, tiny and you can not see him with the naked eye, but trust me, that IS an exact likeness! If you were to enhance that picture, say, one billion times, you may get a glimpse of his nefarious visage.
Most humans are familiar with the most common, and largest gnome, the Garden Gnome. However, unlike the helpful and faithful Garden Gnome (despite his tendency to become lost in foreign gardens), the Tooth Gnome is not a nice fellow. He takes pleasure in the pain and suffering of others, especially small children, whose size and intelligence he is, frankly, jealous of. He is not bothered by fully grown humans as they are known to be quite stupid and waste their time causing themselves pain anyway. Children, though, he feels are quite vile. The side effect of tormenting parents with their screams (especially in the middle of the night), explosive diarrhea, diaper rashes, and spit up (to name a few) is merely a bonus to this evil little guy.

Topic of the Week!!!

2008-04-15T07:49:00.002-05:00

Tell us how you started drinking coffee. Were you in high school or college and making it through all nighters? Did you get it from a family member? What drives your love of the bean?

I started drinking coffee in college. Not the usual way, not to stay up for all night study sessions. When my father would pick me up for holidays or other breaks in Montclair, we would take a detour into Jersey City. We would visit my aunt sometimes, but usually we would travel into a Hispanic neighborhood so he could buy his favorite cigars. We'd then stop into a coffee shop and he would order me a cafe con leche. It was yummy. I was hooked.

SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-04-11T13:21:00.002-05:00

I JUST GOT MY LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE FROM FAIRLEGH DICKINSON UNIVERSITY!!! I'M IN!!!!
WOO HOO!!!!!

SPRING!!!!

2008-04-11T11:09:00.002-05:00

Spring Fling Coffee and Yarn Swap Question of the Week #2...

Since some of us is beginning to see glimpse of Spring, while others are still getting snow have you change what projects are working on? Have you put away the hats, scarfs and mittens, and brought out the cute tank top sweater projects and lacy wraps? Have you change yarn to something more lighter and cooler, not so heavy and bulky?

I always like to work on small, quicker projects, so I guess it doesn't really apply... I'm not knitting winter hats anymore. I'm glad of that! Currently on the needles are: a springy ribbon scarf, a stuffy, and a pair of socks. So I guess I have been changing my projects!

In very exciting news, my garden is BLOOMING!

How does a week go by so quickly?

2008-04-06T11:00:00.002-05:00

Wasn't it just Monday? For that matter, wasn't it just Easter? My house still hasn't recovered from the Easter/application madness. I have a LOT of laundry! I think I need a wife ;) I also am far behind on my knitting and haven't even THOUGHT of writing anything, since the rush of getting 15 pages out last week.
I would like to tell you all about something: Modern Yarn, in Montclair is going to start doing Knit A Longs! I can't join the first one, time and budget wise, it's just not realistic. The people there are really nice, though and the first project is the Brighton Bag from the latest Knitty! It's gorgeous! I wish all KALers there the best with the project and if you happen to be anywhere near Montclair, NJ, go and join in for me! Here's the MY blog.

I hope to blog about more fun things soon - I have some good crafty ideas!!

Anxiety

2008-03-31T20:08:00.002-05:00

Have you ever had the feeling that SOMETHING is going to happen but you have no idea what? You just feel like you're waiting and waiting.... Well, that's what I'm feeling tonight. I'm sure you don't care.
Might you like to know that I sent the application out? Would you like to read some of what FDU is getting? Here you go, I hope you like it and I hope FDU likes it even more! Let me know what you think!

The heat climbs the subway stairs and meets her near the top. She pushes her coarse blond hair off her face, revealing smudged eyeliner and red eyes. She can’t believe she had stayed there; it is even harder to believe that her conscience woke her up before dawn and got her out of his apartment before he woke.
She curses the unreliable 6 train; reaches into her purse for her Ipod. At least she will have good music. She chooses the playlist he made for her two years ago; the only one that was never off of her Ipod. She remembers feeling nostalgic the night before. The chords that felt so fulfilling and uplifting last night as she made this journey in reverse seem dissonant and dark this morning, she can hardly believe it was the same music.
Two songs later, a train finally arrives. The song is upbeat, but hardly uplifting. She sits in the empty car, closes her eyes and loses herself in the whirling guitar as the singer’s voice bounces between her ears.
She forgets where she is coming from, where she is going, and most importantly, what this song felt like 2 years ago. The song is new again; the words are familiar, but have new meaning. Her mind runs with the melody of the song and she doesn’t notice when a group of boys get on at the next stop until they nearly fall in her lap walking across to the other end of the subway car. High school boys breaking rules, she thinks; they speak loud and drunkenly. She turns the volume up and sinks further down into the hard, plastic orange seat, wrapping her scarf tighter around her neck.
She hears yelling, and, not caring, she decides to turn the volume dial all the way up. She doesn’t hear the gun fire. She feels it, though. She feels the sliver of metal enter her chest. She feels the heartless, gloating grin of the boy who shot her. She sees the twinkle in his eye; it reeks of relief. He was looking for someone to shoot, he felt a need to do this tonight. She smiles back, she knows she won’t see the next stop on the train, closes her eyes as the song ends and melts into the next.

Spring Fling Coffee and Yarn Swap Topic of the Week

2008-03-30T12:37:00.001-05:00

Browse around some of the other blogs of participants, and find one person who enjoys a similar roast coffee to you - share something interesting about them that you find on THEIR blog, and tell us what you've been working on knitting or crochet-wise this week!

Finally! I found someone who enjoys non-leaded (I think I read that correctly)...
Jan B. enjoys a decaf with lots of body AND she likes to try new things (as do I). Something interesting about Jan B is that she seems to really enjoy her swaps - swap on, Jan! (Ok that was really lame, sorry...)

I have been working on a nice and easy scarf made with ribbon (for spring time) and I'm starting another toy, but I have to find the right pattern first!

Updates

2008-03-23T20:28:00.001-05:00

the co-written fairy tale has been, as the knitting world would put it, frogged. My co-author was very excited about the project and it took a different turn than expected, so he is now working independently. I wish him the best and am very glad he has discovered the great joy in writing because the story demands to be written and not for other people. Check out his blog here

As for myself, I will be working on my application to the MFA creative writing program due 4/1

Look for more pages of my own fairy tale after that and of course my knitting will be posted here as soon as I start working on a new project!

Coffee and Yarn Swap Questionaire

2008-03-20T18:57:00.004-05:00

Coffee

1. What is your preference? Whole beans or ground?
I don't really have a preference!

2. What kind of coffees do you enjoy? A rich, bold roast; a light, fresh one, or something in between? Leaded or non?
Lately I've had to go unleaded, but I do like the occasional leaded. I really like a robust coffee, my favorite is Kona coffee!

3. If you were headed out right now to buy some coffee for the house, what would you be picking up?
Probably Dunkin Decaf (Costco has large bags of it)

4. Do you drink for caffeine, pleasure, or both?
Both! Caffeine before noon, pleasure after.

5. Do you enjoy flavored coffees? How about add-ins or flavored creamers?
I do like flavored coffees, but not Irish Cream flavored or nutty.

6. A large, lovely mug or a small, dainty cup?
LARGE mug!!!

7. Describe your perfect cup - not JUST the coffee, but how you'd enjoy it!
It's a warm day, but not too hot - maybe 70 degrees... sunny but with some big white fluffy clouds... I'm sitting with some friends and we're just talking, Lily is sleeping and/or silently playing with a toy, I have nice, cold, ice vanilla or caramel latte (big one WITH whipped cream), am having a big chewy chocolate chip cookie and just relaxing. Pretty simple, really!

8. You're sitting down to enjoy a nice cup in the local coffee shop, knitting bag in hand, iPod all tuned up - or maybe you're there with a few friends for knit night! What treat do you pick up to enjoy with your coffee? A sweet, rich brownie, or something more healthy? How about a salty treat? What goes best with that great cup and company?
I would pick a chewy, moist cookie or a rich, dark brownie. Occasionally, I'm in the mood for coffee cake or shortbread to dunk.

Yarn

1. Do you knit or crochet?
Knit

2. What are your favorite types of yarns to work with?
I love baby alpaca and really any nice, soft yarn. I don't like anything with funky textures.

3. What do you have on the needles (or hook!) right now?
Right now, I'm making a bunny for my neice from the Middle Sized Monster pattern (was supposed to be a monster for my nephew, but apparently he's too old for stuffed animals - how sad!)

4. What are your favorite colors in yarns? What about those that you'd never find in your stash?
I love all colors! I have a lot of blue right now; I wouldn't mind having some nice, rich jewel tones in reds or greens or purples. You will not find yellow, unless someone wants something yellow and I've decided to knit it for them.

5. What sort of needles or hooks do you enjoy using? Any you just detest?
I love my lantern moons! I also just got a pair of knitpicks DPNs and they're lovely. I'm not big on circular needles, but I like metal and wood needles for different projects.

6. Are there any particular notions you absolute do NOT need? Some of us swap a lot - are you sure that you have enough tape measures to last your lifetime? Enough stitch markers to mark every stitch of a 10 foot wide afghan?
I haven't been swapping long and I haven't been knitting long, so I don't really have a lot of notions; having said that, I really don't need anything, but I do love fun stuff...

7. You walk into the yarn shop and have exactly and only enough money to purchase 2 skeins of yarn in their 2 for 20 special they have going..The choices are a soft, thick cotton/viscose blend in your favorite colors, slightly variegated..a beautiful sock yarn that's just squishy and sproingy in your hands.. a soft, worsted weight wool like malabrigo.. and a lovely bamboo blend with colors to just die for. Which do you walk out the door with?
Bamboo blend!

Spring

1. We're starting sign-ups on the first day of Spring - is it already truly Spring-like where you are?
It's getting there! My tulips are coming up and the daffodils have buds!!!

2. What's your favorite spring flower? Do you have one?
I love all spring flowers! Tulips are probably my faves (pink)

3. What do you most look forward to about springtime?
I look forward to things blooming and fresh food; nice weather - I love 65 degrees, it's perfect for me!

4. They've predicted a gorgeous day tomorrow - Sunny and about 65 with a nice breeze - how do you spend your day?
I take my daughter and puppy on a walk, and maybe go to the Iris garden in Montclair.

5. The day after, it's going to be cooler and pouring down rain - does that impact your mood? How do you spend that day? what helps cheer you up?
I would spend the day hanging out with Lily, in PJs. A nice hot drink and a yummy sweet treat would cheer me up!

Odds n Ends

1. Do you collect anything BESIDES yarn and needles?
No, I'm really not a collector. I like pens.

2. Are you allergic to anything?
Yes, cats and other small animals. Shellfish, too, but I don't think that's a concern.

3. Do you have pets?
Yes, a Yorkie/Westie mix, Stella!

4. Is this your first swap, or are you an old pro? What are the last 2 swaps you participated in?
I've only been in 2 swaps before - SP11 and the Hot Cocoa Swap

5. List 3 of your favorite blogs - craft related or not - and tell us why you love them.
Mr. Modes Wild Ride - It's my friend's blog and we're co-writing a story.
I really am new to the blog world and sort of randomly surf and read blogs of people I know.
Oh! I read Lime and Violet, now that last swap pal introduced me to it.

New Swap! New FO!

2008-03-17T10:16:00.005-05:00

I can't WAIT for signups for the Spring Fling Coffee and Yarn Swap!!!
It sounds like lots of fun and who doesn't LOVE coffee!!

I've finished Lily's bunny, just in time for Easter! I'm now working on a monster for my nephew (for Easter) and I think I'll do another bunny for my niece! I've got until Sunday, but I have a light week so I think I can get it done!
Here's the bunny:

As far as the story goes, you can find Chapters 2 and 4 at Nick's blog (link in a post below) but I'll have the rest of Chapter 1 this week!

Oh and HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY! Kiss someone Irish for me ;)

Please take this survey!

2008-03-14T07:22:00.003-05:00

Creativity works in mysterious ways

2008-03-09T19:05:00.004-05:00

So, I have been a bit stuck on the story. Creativity works in odd ways, though, so I think I'm going to hold off on Chapter 1, and move ahead to Chapter 3. Look out for that in the next few days! You can read ahead to Chapter 2 HERE and get caught up as I write Chapter 3.

While the story has been brewing in my mind, I've been knitting. The latest project is a bunny for Lily for easter. Here's a photo of the body:

I have knitted the ears and one arm and hope to finish the limbs tonight and have an FO tomorrow!

In other news, my husband, baby and I are going on a little trip down memory lane tomorrow, which I'm very excited about. We're going first to Stork's bakery in Whitestone, NY. Stork's is a bakery my parents used to go to when we lived in Flushing, NY. One of my strongest memories of Springtime was getting easter cookies from this bakery! I can't wait to share the memories with my niece and nephew (I think my daughter is a little too young yet!) as well as with you all! I'll be uploading photos of the goodies ASAP!
After that, we're going to The Cloverleaf Tavern in Caldwell, NJ, the site of one of our first dates as well as absolutely DELICIOUS hamburgers - can't wait!

sometimes

2008-03-06T16:54:00.001-05:00

Can't wait for more of the story?

2008-02-27T10:14:00.002-05:00

While I'm still writing Section 1, you can go here and read Chapter 2. Don't worry, it won't spoil anything.

Fiction II

2008-02-24T22:23:00.004-05:00

There was one small, somber individual in the crowd, though: Rabbit. Rabbit was not an animal, though, but an unfortunate decision by his parents to let his older sister, at the age of 3, name him. He was tiny, yes, but not particularly furry or long eared, he could frequently be long winded, but his employer, Izmella, helped him to keep this in mind. He wore a special pendant that glowed green and tingled slightly whenever he spoke for longer than a minute or so. Right now, he was feel the sting of it, as he muttered quietly, excitedly, “it’s happened, it’s finally happened, it’s happened, what now, what now,” as the people in the streets rejoiced. He pushed his way through the crowd, ever mumbling, and headed towards Izmella’s cottage.

Izmella was a typical witch: beautiful, tall, with a curvaceous feminine figure. The green of her perfect almond eyes matched the emerald of Rabbit’s pendant and was framed by the dark ringlets that fell to her waist. “Rabbit, please, you’re disturbing me, either speak out load or don’t speak at all,” she said quickly, not looking up from her crystal globe as Rabbit walked through the door.
“Sorry, mistress, but there’s big news: it finally happened, the princess has been abducted.”

“I know,” Izmella repied coolly, pointing to her globe.

“Yes, right, of course.” Rabbit shifted his weight a few times and looked erratically around the room, as if looking for something that did not exist. His eyes finally rested at a crack in the floorboards, just in front of his feet.

“This is good, not only does the town get a reprieve from the wretch, but we won’t have to wait too much longer to see the prophecy realized.”

“I haven’t been waiting that long, miss, only about 20 years.”

“WELL,” Izmella rarely raised her voice, but she didn’t need to, she had a certain way of putting emphasis on just the right syllables to make anyone feel like he might wet himself. The knowledge that she could turn one into any sort of insect didn’t help, either. “I’ve been waiting just a little longer than that; 200 or so years longer. I had hoped this was the princess of the prophecy, but do you know how many nasty princesses there have been in the past 250 years? It’s apalling!” Rabbit nodded, not at all able to comprehend 200 years of obnoxoius princesses. “At least that should all be done with now. You’ll have to go and spread the word to the surrounding kingdoms, the king will put out a notice to all able knights and we want the right sort of knight volunteering for this job.”

“Yes, I can do that,” Rabbit said, finally lifting his gaze from the crack in the floor. Izmella was not looking at him, still intent on the visions in the globe. Rabbit had often peered into the crystal when he was tidying up for her and he never saw anything there.

“Now would be soon enough.”

“Oh, uh, yes, but -” Rabbit stuttered.

“I know, there is only one knight who can do the job, so to speak, but we can’t just go and tell the king who to get, can we? We have to let everything play out. So go tell the surrounding kingdoms and do what you can to guide the king.”

“Yes, but -”

“I know you’re small and a little feeble minded, but the king isn’t too bright either, I’m sure you’ll come up with something.”

“I’m hungry!”

“Well I didn’t say you couldn’t eat anything on your way.” Rabbit could hear her eyes rolling, but he had to be cautious; at times, when she says to do something, she means right now, and at other times, she means, at your leisure and after nearly 10 years as her servant, he still could not tell the difference.

“I will report to you tomorrow.”

“Rabbit, there is no need.” Izmella rose, gesturing to the crystal globe, “take care and I believe there is some food in the refrigerator. I must go and check on a few things; I think the woodsmith has finished repairing my broom.”

“Yes, mistress, I’m glad to hear it, my back hurt sweeping the floor with your old hair brush.”

“I know, Rabbit, you’re a good helper. I’ll see you when the king has found a worthy knight.” Izmella threw her gray shawl over her shoulder and strode out the door. Rabbit was flustered, touched by one of the few compliments Izmella had ever bestowed on him. She must truly be happy that this day has come, he thought.

A Little of Everything

2008-02-23T21:22:00.003-05:00

I tried something new today! I made Honey-Wheat Bread, from the Panera Bread Cookbook and while it could be prettier, it's pretty yummy!!
I've started knitted up the sock yarn & pattern that my cocoa swap pal, Lyndsay, sent me, it's coming along (a whole inch or so!) but I don't have any photos of it yet!
I DO have photos of the sweater and hat set she made for my daughter, though:I know she doesn't look happy, but she LOVES it! Thanks again, Lyndsay!!! (PS Sorry if I've spelled your name wrong!)

Here, she's looking a bit happier snuggling Miss Bean. How she got it away from me, I'll never know!! It's almost as snuggly as she is!

Spoiled!!!

2008-02-21T10:26:00.002-05:00

When I got home from a lunch with Jen & a trip to Costco (yay, Costco!), I found these on my doorstep:

I opened straight away and found all kinds of wrapped goodies inside! In my favorite color, pink, no less!

After I tore through all of the yummy wrapping, I found this:

Here's a closer look at my blues buster buddy:

And a closer look at the DELICIOUS sock yarn:

Lyndsey-Jane was/is the best swap friend I've ever had (well I've only had two, so...) She lives in Cambridge, England and filled my parcels with all kinds of yummy treats that I miss, like Munchies (my favorite English candy) and Cadbury's cocoa. She ALSO sent me some really yummy looking liquid chocolate from Hotel Chocolat which I can NOT wait to try! And pretty pink stitch markers and a book called Knit Speak and a bag that she made herself, which I LOVE! DPNS from Knit Picks, a GORGEOUS sweater and hat set for my daughter, chocolate for me and my husband.. I mean, WOW!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! I will take some photos of her wearing it and post them just as soon as she wakes up from her mid morning nap.
Oh, and the yarn is so soft and lovely, I'm going to start trying to make socks today! It's Fyberspates Sock Yarn designed in Wales.
Check out Lyndsey's blog here and say hi!

A quote

2008-02-19T22:11:00.003-05:00

I can't go back to yesterday - because I was a different person then.
Lewis Carroll

New Finished Object!

2008-02-16T19:03:00.003-05:00

Woo hoo!
My little girl's head is a little warmer today.Pattern: Pixie Hat by Diana Chan Taylor
Yarn: Not sure! It was in my stash!

Fiction, for a change

2008-02-13T14:52:00.002-05:00

To be continued (hopefully soon...)

Because sometimes there are no words.

2008-02-13T12:22:00.001-05:00

Cast offs, cast ons, and a contest!

2008-02-10T20:07:00.000-05:00

Ok, we'll start with the cast off - I FINALLY finished John's scarf!!! Here it is:

And I cast ON for yet another calorimetry, this one is forNeus:

When I'm done, I'm going to make one for myself in the same, yummy, DK weight baby alpaca lavender!!!

So for the contest... Nancy is celebrating her 300th blog post with a contest, here: CONTEST
Tell her I sent you!
She also requests that we leave a hint or tip about knitting that makes things easier. Honestly, the best thing I've discovered is that local yarn stores have yarn winders and I can avoid tangles if I ask them to ball the skeins before I leave. I wouldn't have thought of it, if I weren't in one when someone else asked the owner to ball their yarn for them - I didn't even see the winder there! (OK I know winder might not be the right term, but it works for me!)

And here's a fun picture, just because:

Stuff!

2008-02-08T21:09:00.000-05:00

So Lily & I met up with Sara & Evan today and (of course) I forgot to take photos!
Sara is very courageous and is making her own calorimetry!!! I have 2 more to make (one for a friend, one for me) so we can sort of knit a long with it, which will be fun. That is, IF I will ever finish my husband's incredibly boring garter stitched scarf that he wants to be 7 feet long.

I also want to let all my readers know about a contest on insanknitty's blog! Check it out: http://insanknitty.wordpress.com

It's her blogaversary in 10 days, so help her celebrate! Go have some random guesses.

I'll post some pics of the scarf soon.

She's on time she's on time she's on time she's on time Hallelujah she's on time...

2008-02-05T23:39:00.000-05:00

Title is for all you BNL fans out there.

BUT she IS on time (ish). I'm sending out my package tomorrow because I'VE FINISHED KATE:

We're getting there!

2008-01-30T11:29:00.000-05:00

Here she is, body nearly completed:

Kate!

2008-01-28T20:58:00.000-05:00

Kate has been begun. There she is. She's my first toy and she's my winter blah buster for my cocoa swap recipient. I hope she likes it!!! I also hope that I finish it this week, because it has to be sent out - yipes!

In other news...

Cocoa Swap Topic #4:
What is the most memorable vacation I've been on?
You're about to be a little sorry you asked!
No, not really.
The best vacation ever was Paris with my husband. It was only 3 days, but it was amazing! We had such a good time, forgot all of our cares and ate LOTS of pastries!!!!

Another things that makes it memorable? You can do the math - we went in early March 2007.

Blog Talkin'

2008-01-23T08:45:00.000-05:00

Here's the weekly topic for the Cocoa Swap...Weekly Topic #3
This weeks topic:

What is the most 'random' memory you have from your childhood?

I don't have a lot of memories from childhood; I have no idea why, from all the stories I've heard, it seems like it was a good one. I have more sensual memories than anything else - the smell of our clean laundry (laundry detergent and cigarettes because my mom smoked), the smell of my Nonna's house (a little musty but also sweet, like the honey she would drizzle on our zeppoles,), the feeling of heat on my cheek when I got too close to the fireplace, the taste of my mother's hand as she turned the pallet separator I had to wear, before I could get braces, the sight of staring out my window on Easter morning before my brother and sister could rush in there, to see if I could get a sneak peak at where the bunny had hidden his eggs...

An FO!!

2008-01-18T17:04:00.000-05:00

For the non-knitters, the title would mean FINISHED OBJECT!!!!! Woo hoo!!!
Here's Julie's gift (Julie, turn your eyes!!!)

Hot Cocoa Swap Topic of the Week #2

2008-01-16T10:55:00.000-05:00

So, as you know by now; I am participating in a knitting swap; they have topics that we can blog about and be entered in a contest - I'm all about contests! I always lose, but I LOVE to participate :)
Here's the topic:
Now that we're in the thick of 'Winter'... has your knitting changed to match the season? Are you moving on from dishcloths, and tank tops to afghans, hats and mittens? Has your yarn changed from silk or cotton to wool, superwash or heavier cottons?

Here's my response:

All right, this isn't all that thrilling... I, so far, have only been *able* to knit certain things, so I've been knitting hats since the middle of the summer. :( I'm also just starting to learn about the world of yarns, so I always just knit what feels good! Yesterday I started knitting a Calorimetry in a lovely DK Alpaca from Plymouth, finished a hat, and a baby blanket out of some terry cloth like yarn. It's really soft!
So, yeah, that was really exciting wasn't it?

Since that was boring; here's a photo.
Doesn't that look yummy?
If you want some, send me a message and I'll put you in touch with the fabulous pastry chef who makes them!

New Look

2008-01-15T23:12:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure I like it.
What do you think?
I'm pretty sure only one person reads my blog, but one opinion is better than none!
Here's a photo, too. (why not?)

Swatch

2008-01-15T09:54:00.000-05:00

Oooh - I made my first swatch!!

Finished!

2008-01-14T19:04:00.000-05:00

I finally finished Nick's Christmas gift! Now, just 3 more gifts to go (thanks for your patience, Julie, Neus & Celine!)
BTW, that's my husband modeling Nick's hat whilst I wait for Nick to retrieve his hat.

Jumping off the side vs. taking the steps

2008-01-14T10:49:00.001-05:00

My afternoon at Modern Yarn...

John was invited by a friend, Mike, who is dating Lynn, to a comic book art exhibit in Montclair. What a great idea, I thought, Lynn & I can hang out at Modern Yarn and knit some and maybe purchase a few things.
WELL, after looking at all the scrumptious yarns, I decided that this was the year I would learn socks. The owner got wind of that and casually mentioned a sock class that would be taking place Tuesday (yes, that's tomorrow!) I thought, I'll never be ready. THEN, I recalled my secret pal for the Cocoa Swap saying that socks weren't that hard and that I shouldn't be afraid of the teeny tiny needles, so I thought, why not? (Looking at all the delicious Koigu sock yarn didn't hurt, either!) So, tomorrow (hopefully with Lynn,) I will be learning how to knit socks! It's very exciting - here's the yarn I picked out:

It was a lot of fun and the people at Modern Yarn are very nice and very helpful - if you're in the area, go check them out and don't forget to have dessert at Raymond's, a few doors down, because my hubby is the consulting pastry chef there and they are WONDERFUL!!!!!! (Esp. the sticky toffee pudding).

Scavenger Hunt!

2008-01-10T11:39:00.000-05:00

Scavenger Hunt for Hot Cocoa Swap.

1. Who's favorite animal is an Otter?
Anne K.
2. Name someone who prefers whipped cream with their hot cocoa
Angela T
3. Find 3 people who live outside of the United States
Angie H., Bianca B., Amanda R.
4. Name a fan of Harry Potter
Angela A-H
5. Name someone who crochets
Angela A-H
6. Name someone who DOES NOT have a healthy supply of notions
Katherine S.
7. Name someone who has NOT put up their questionnaire yet (just put a date with your answer in case they put it up after seeing their name listed somewhere ;-) )
AnneMarie M.
8. Who likes to have Kahlua, Baileys, or Peppermint Schnapps in their cocoa?
Deb W.
9. Name someone who knits fingerless gloves as a 'quick knit'
Cindy F.
10.Name someone who's looking forward to gardening this spring.
Amanda D.
11.Who's favorite way to drink cocoa is with a gorgeous Frenchman, while overlooking the eiffel tower from a French Cafe? (I'm right there with you... well at the table next to yours!)
Kris L.
12.Name someone who's favorite animal is NOT a dog or house cat
Anne K.
13. Name someone who's favorite treat is NOT chocolate.
Angela A-H
14. Who plays Candyland?
Criquette
15. Name someone who DOESN'T get the winter blahs
Katherine S.

Cocoa Swap!!!

2008-01-05T12:26:00.001-05:00

Here's the questionnaire for the cocoa swap - how exciting!!!

Cocoa:
1. What is your favorite way to drink cocoa? Prepared with milk? Water? from home made recipe or store bought?, In a tea cup, or big mug?
I like my cocoa made with milk, store bought or home made in a big mug. My favorite is my big, purple, tinkerbell mug.

2. Marshmallows or whipped cream?
Why not both? IF I had to choose, def. marshmallows!!

Yarn/Knitting/Crochet
1. What is your favorite type of yarn? In what colors?
I haven't found a favorite type yet, though I do like alpaca. I have no color prejudice except yellow and maybe orange, but some oranges are ok. No yellows are ok. I have no idea why I don't like that color, I just don't!

2. Do you knit or crochet (or both)?
Knit.

3. What are your favorite type of needles, would you like to try something new?
I just got a pair of Lantern Moon hardwood needles (a christmas gift to myself) and I can't wait to try them out. I don't really have any favorites yet and always love to try new things!

4. Do you have a healthy supply of notions?
I have hardly any notions!

5. What one thing do you keep thinking you need to buy for your knitting habit (outside of yarn)?
More sizes of DNS and a bag to take my project to my weekly knitting group.

6. What is your favorite 'quick knit/crochet' pattern (quick gratification)
Just a simple hat. I adore hats.

Miscellaneous
1. What is your favorite thing to do in the Winter?
Play in the snow, when there is any. Snuggle up in a blanket and watch movies (and drink cocoa...maybe a glass of wine)

2. What is your favorite animal?
Favorite domestic animal is a dog, favorite farm animal is a goat (no idea why) and favorite wild animal is a cheetah.

3. Do you get the 'winter blahs'?
Not really, but sometimes I get plain old any time of the year blahs.

4. What is your favorite way to beat the blahs?
Take a bath, put loud music on and dance, eat chocolate.

5. What is the thing you are most looking forward to this spring?
Taking my 2 month old to see the iris' in Montclair, NJ.

6. What are your favorite treat?
Chocolate via cookies or brownies. Or dark chocolate pretzels on the salty side.

7. What is your favorite board game?
Scrabble.

8. Do you have any children (furry or human)?
1 furry - 3 year old Stella, a Westie/Yorkie mix and 1 human - 2 month old Lily.

9. Do you have any allergies or special considerations you partner should know about?
I don't like nuts with my sweets. In fact, I'm not much of a nut fan at all, but, oddly, I do enjoy peanut butter with chocolate.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-04T13:35:00.001-05:00

DSC00432
Originally uploaded by knitkat07

Sorry it's been SOOOOOOOOOO long! Holidays with the new baby have been crazy!

I have some long awaited photos of holiday gifts - I still have to add some more.... but there it is! That's my brothers in law and my sister with their knitted goods. I still have 3 more to get photos of and, sadly, some more to finish! And, um, start... good thing I have Lily as a great excuse ;)

I'm very excited to hear back from the Mmm Hot Cocoa Swap, that will be VERY fun to participate in!!

Lily's baptism is this week & I've got to go make cookies for the favor/centerpieces. I'll post some pics of them next time I blog.

Gaining Composure

2007-12-02T12:21:00.000-05:00

Life with Lily is great and we're figuring out how to go about a "normal" day little by little. I've been out with her alone now, which took some time to get my courage up, but we did it and all went well. I went to visit with my friend, Sara, who will be having a baby NEXT WEEK!!!!! I'm very excited to meet Lily's boyfriend ;)
I have been knitting away, furiously, failingly. Would show you photos but, of course, they're for Christmas and I can't risk it. I will be posting photos onto Ravelry soon, so if you have an account, check me out - katlily (nice and easy, right?)

It's snowing today, the second time already! I have a feeling it's going to be a snowy winter (and I am NOT complaining). To that end, I'm entering a contest in the hopes of joining a Hot Cocoa swap!!!! Sound interesting? Check it out http://cocoaswap.blogspot.com/

All righty, I'm going to get back to Christmas knitting, enjoying the snowy cold and - oh how exciting - the baby's first real bath today!!!!

Lillian Rose

2007-11-15T20:12:00.000-05:00

born 11/13/2007 6:24 am, 6 lbs 11 oz, 18 1/4 inches

The promised photos

2007-10-29T18:18:00.000-05:00

Update

2007-10-29T16:17:00.000-05:00

SO, I can't find the cable hook my camera up to my computer, but I wanted to let you all know what's been going on. The nursery is very close to being completed!
Also, I got a package from my Secret Pal - it's amazing! There's a copy of a great book, Punknits, 2 skeins of gorgeous yarn (one appears to be silk!), a lovely smelling soap and an incense holder - thank you Secret Pal!

I also had my birthday and got some great presents, and need to mention 2 in particular - a CIRCUS waffle maker from my lovely hubby and more knitting stuff from my friend, Jen! She gave me 2 skeins of beautiful Noro yarn, a book called Hip Knit Hats, a set of DPNs and circular needles in order to make an awesome hat! I'm going to start as soon as I get the ornaments for my ornament exchange knitted up and felted. Oh, did I mention that I'm starting to felt?! I knitted up and felted a swatch of red and green stripes last night! It was also my first time knitting in 2 colors... I need some practice, but I think it's going to be great in the end!

I'll post photos as soon as I find that darn chord!

Getting close!

2007-10-17T17:17:00.000-05:00

So, I have 5 weeks until my due date - super exciting! I can't wait to meet my little girl (I guess I have to motor on that blanket...)
Well, I got a little fire under my butt today and started getting the nursery together. I still need some decorative touches and curtains, but it's getting there. I'm not sure if all the dots will remain as they are, but I will wait and see what John says. Or you - what do you think?

Busy week!

2007-10-06T20:04:00.000-05:00

So, last weekend, John surprised me and took Saturday off and took me into the city as an early birthday surprise. My birthday isn't until the 12th, but he will have to work and though he IS coming home early, I guess he wanted to make sure he got to spoil me with a whole day, which is fine with me!! The day started off with a trip to the Union Square Green Market, where I got a replacement skein for the pink yarn that I got over the summer that broke (see below.)
We also bought a whole bunch of concord grapes, which we made into sorbet and fruit jellies later in the week.
THEN he took me for lunch - he COULD have taken me somewhere fancy but instead, he took me somewhere I'd really enjoy - A Salt and Battery! The fish and chips were amazing!
Afterwards, we stopped into Chocolate Bar for some hot chocolate (for me) and chocolatey tea (for John) even though it wasn't cold at all outside (actually I think John got an iced tea, but no matter.) Here's a photo of John and I there:

Then, the week flew by! And TODAY!? Well, I had my baby shower!!! My mom, sis, and John got me pretty well - I was as surprised as it's possible for me to be surprised! I had suspicions, but really not until I was driving to meet them for "lunch".
It was a great time and it was great to see my family and Jen, who was, sadly, the only of my friends there. Most of my friends DO live more than a day's drive away, so I do understand, but I am VERY thankful for Jen, who is now a blonde!!!

After the shower, I was even more thrilled that my sister, brother, sis in law and Peggy, my sister's friend and now, by extension, my friend, came over and helped put the crib together and get all gifts in the house!! It was truly a great day!!

In knitting news, I've been hard at work at Christmas gifts, so I still can't post photos, but I HAVE been working on that baby blanket, too. It just doesn't look much different than it did before :)

Tomorrow should be fun, too, John & I are going out for breakfast at Thisilldous in Belvidere and then going pumpkin picking. I wish it wasn't going to be 80 degrees here tomorrow, but beggars can't be choosers, right? It's supposed to be more October-ish by the end of this week, so I'll take it!

Contest 3 and MORE

2007-09-27T14:36:00.000-05:00

The third contest for SP11 is to "flash your stash," so here goes:

This is where my stash lives.

This is my stash.

I will grant you that it is probably NOT as impressive as some, BUT I don't have a cool LYS and mainly rely on Michaels or AC Moore; so it's all commercial yarn. I'd love to buy some of the hand dyed or other great yarns that I've seen online, but they're pricey! I usually don't have much of a stash at all, actually - I try not to buy any yarn that I don't have a project for. Most of this stuff is going to be used for Christmas gifts!

I'm also working on a baby blanket:

Obviously, I haven't gotten that far, but it's getting there! I'm pretty excited. I'm also working on Christmas gifts for friends, but I can't show you those!!!
By the way, all these photos were taken on my NEW camera! I got a great deal on a Sony Cybershot at Target. I'm very excited about it - now I don't have to share with John (he doesn't share the camera very well).

In other news, the baby bedding is in! We should have the crib put together tonight and the dresser in the nursery!!

What kind of knitting needle...

2007-09-22T17:25:00.000-05:00

What kind of knitting needles are you?

You are bamboo.Warm, cozy, and thoughtful, you take your time and enjoy how things feel, smell, and taste. You love the craft and beauty of traditional things, and you value the comfort and experience of knitting as much as the results. But while you are reveling in your warm cozies, don't get stuck. Warm is wonderful, but so is the whole wide world!
Take this quiz!

Quizilla |
Join

| Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

I hate titling things

2007-09-20T12:21:00.000-05:00

After stalling on knitting for quite some time (got a little discouraged by a project that didn't go so well), I'm back on a roll. I can't show you what I just finished because it's a Christmas present. But now I'm going to start on some things for the baby. Wish me luck!
Finally, I've uploaded the bathroom photos AND I have some pictures and I have some pictures from this weekend, including evidence of my brother actually pitching in! I know, it's a miracle. This past weekend, my family had it's annual sauce event. My sister, brother in law and dad picked plum tomatoes at a local farm earlier that week and over the weekend, we all got together and cook the tomatoes and jarred our sauce - a whole closet full. It was a really good year, too; I guess the weather conditions made the tomatoes perfect for sauce!
So, without further ado, the bathroom:

And the sauce:

And lastly, the rare glimpse of my brother working:

Been Slackin'

2007-09-14T09:46:00.000-05:00

So, it's been a while...
I took a break from knitting out of frustration at a pair of gloves; just two days ago I tore it out and decided to go for almost instant gratification: a scarf. It's a good way towards being done now. Thankfully.
The bathroom is DONE! Wah hoo! Of course, John has the camera today, so I have no photos to show you, but it looks awesome and I will put photos up pretty soon.
In other news, I've hit the 30 week mark in my pregnancy! Only 10 more to go - woo hoo! I can't wait to meet my little baby girl!
Also, Fall is finally here in New Jersey - it's about 65 degrees today and it feels fantastic. Yeah, life is good right now.
I can't wait to show you the bathroom - John did such an amazing job.
Oh, and we start the nursery this weekend!!!

SP 11 Contest # 2

2007-08-26T20:36:00.000-05:00

In case you're wondering, contest #1 had to do with the questionnaire from a previous post.
Contest 2:

1. What is the one knitting accessory you could not live without?
As I'm a very inexperienced knitter, I'd have to say knitting needles.

2. If you're heading on vacation, do you take knitting with you? If so, how much and what type of project?
I just went on a two day vacation and did not take knitting; however, if I were to take a longer vacation, I probably would take knitting, especially if a long flight or car ride was involved.

3. Where have you travelled to that you'd consider your favorite spot?
Probably Manchester, England. I got to spend the most time there. Though, given the chance between there and Kuaui for a vacation, I'd say take me to the tropical island, definitely. I had the best time of my life in Manchester, though!

4. What is your favorite knitting book at the moment? Do you own it?

I don't have one.

5. Do you listen to podcasts? Which is your favorite(s)?

Not really.

6. If you could only knit with 1 color for the rest of your life, what color would that be?

Blue. No, pink. Eh, it would have to be multi colored.

7. If you were far into a project and then noticed a mistake near the beginning what would you do?

Finish it. In my family, we call things with little mistakes "custom". So, that would just be a custom made piece of knitting.

8. Where is the most unsual spot you've ever knit?

Probably sitting at my desk, overseeing my students' finals last semester.
Not terribly exciting, but such is life.

Tupperware!

2007-08-19T14:14:00.000-05:00

I went to Jubilee this weekend and have totally fed into my Tupperware addiction! I wasn't sure I would enjoy it, but I really did! I'm so inspired to go out and make money.... PLUS it was fun to spend time with my sister, Margaret, and my first recruit, Winkys. It was a blast, but I am TIRED! Check out my website.
I'm also excited to be home - John was very busy while I was away! He stripped the wallpaper, painted the ceiling, primed the whole room and NOW - it's got a coat of pretty blue paint on it. I'm so excited to have the floor back, the sink in and a fully functioning bathroom again - I think it should be done this week. Thank you, honey!!! Photos to be posted soon....

In other news, I'm getting back to Christmas gifts. Having a bit of trouble on the current one, but I'm determined to stick it out and make it right. Wish me luck!

SP 11 Questionnaire

2007-08-06T13:26:00.000-05:00

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I like any soft yarns, especially made of baby alpaca... I absolutely hate furry yarns and yarns that tangle easily....
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Nothing so far - I have a big basket where I keep all my yarns & the needles are just thrown in there.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I started in October of 2006 - almost a year ago!! I learned at a Michael's - it was a four session sort of thing. Since then, I've taught myself more skills from the internet and I've learned a bunch from my local knitting group. I would consider myself an intermediate beginner.... I have knit scarves, a baby blanket (tedious...), hats, and fingerless gloves. I'm working on a pair of gloves with fingers now!
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I do have an Amazon wishlist.
5. What's your favorite scent?
Michael Kors (the one with that name and his Island). I also love floral scents, especially tuberose, which is a tropical flower & hard to find.... and vanilla.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Oh yes! I LOVE gummy candies, but not sour ones... and chocolate, of course. My big weaknesses are cookies, though!
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I don't spin; I think knitting is probably the only craft I do - I do scrapbook, but not often, only when I come back from a vacation and have a bunch of photos like that. And I'm not very good at it. Occasionally, I make my own cards, but also not very often!
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I love "britpop", but also like jazz (new and old), standards (like Sinatra), and some "top 40."
9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love all colors & tones - bright, earthy, pastels... not such a big fan of neons, but some are OK - don't like yellow too much.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I have two small dogs: a beagle and a westie/yorkie mix; a husband, and a baby due in late November!
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yes, yes, yes, and yes. :) LOVE scarves and mittens!
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Every new thing I learn is my favorite...except that baby blanket!
13. What are you knitting right now?
Fingerless gloves/mittens (the have a flap that makes them mittens.)
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes, I especially like things that have a purpose and don't just sit on shelves. I love all gifts, though.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I'm getting used to circular, though I think for knitting in the round I'm beginning to prefer double points. I don't like plastic, and I think I like bamboo over aluminum a little, but don't have that much preference.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No, actually I'm not sure what a swift is...
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
Feeling really green now.... what's a UFO???
18. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas, though Halloween is a CLOSE 2nd.
19. Is there anything that you collect?
Nope, not really a collector, but I love to read.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
As I said, I'm a bit new at this; I'd love books that have patterns for easy objects that look great... and teach new techniques. Don't have any subscriptions.
21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Yes, all of them! My next thing, though, will be using more than one color...
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Have not yet knitted socks, I'm still a little intimidated by them, but I will eventually try them. I'm a size 7 in shoes...don't know what measurement that is, but my feet aren't especially narrow or wide or anything.
23. When is your birthday?
October 12th!
24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
I don't know what that is, so I guess not!

Another reason why English classes should be more strict...

2007-08-03T16:44:00.000-05:00

This is not the reason, but I have been flipping around the TV a lot today and one thing - a contestant on "Millionaire" pronounced the last name of poet John Donne as dough-n. Not kidding. I laughed, that was funny, and sure, not everyone has to know who a dead white poet is or how to pronounce his name.

The reason, then???? Glad you asked. Flipping through again, I happen upon Fox news Philadelphia. They're talking about being afraid of bridges, talking to a PSYCHOLOGIST about immersion therapy where they use virtual reality. Interesting, really. THEN the PSYCHOLOGIST says, "we like them to use imaginanium"; okay so that's not exact, but it was so WRONG that I think my brain blocked it in the time it took to get to this point in the blog... The worst part is that she didn't stutter or have think about the word, she blurted it out like it was the right thing to say. Note to that "doctor": I think you mean imagination. I learned it when I was four and visited Figment in his Land of Imagination. It's not so hard.

Sorry about getting a little irked here, but, really.... I get how someone might not know how to pronounce "John Donne", but there is no excuse for a literate grown up with at least a bachelor's degree to not know the word "imagination".

July is OVER

2007-08-01T17:06:00.000-05:00

And summer is almost over, too! Woo hoo! Sorry to all you warm weather lovers, but I am really looking forward to the Fall!!!!
Ok, so I can't post any photos of what I'm currently knitting because I'm currently knitting Christmas presents! And since I'm mostly a "desperate housewife" lately, I don' t have much of anything interesting to report!! Pretty sad, huh??
I can say that I baked cupcakes today and they absolutely exploded - I have no idea what's going on, but I have some BAD mojo today.
Just about everything electronic has broken. I'm lucky to be on the internet right now. I haven't been able to do that for quite a few days now... John's computer is broken... our cable company suddenly decided we shouldn't be getting the channels that we've been getting... the bright side is that my computer miraculously fixed itself: the monitor broke a few months ago and since John's tower was broken, I went to connect my laptop to his monitor and suddenly my monitor worked.
????
Gotta love days like this!

EARS!

2007-07-18T10:50:00.001-05:00

When I started knitting, it was for therapeutic reasons - I needed a hobby! I choose knitting in particular because my favorite article of clothing is a blue wool hat with ears that I bought a few years ago in England. As I sat in my first lesson at Michael's, struggling to keep my rhythm with the yarn, I knew one day I'd be able to make my own version of that hat... and less than a year later - I have!!! It's a little big, and not quite as cute as my other bear ears, as I call the hat, but it's something and I'm proud of it (though the expensive yarn that I bought at the Union Square Market broke TWICE while I was knitting it...)
Here it is:In other news, peaches are in season in New Jersey! John & I went picking at Treelicious Orchards in Port Murray, NJ on Sunday. Only a few peaches were ripe, but they will ALL be ripe when we go again this weekend. We were able to pick their MASSIVE blueberries, a few plums and my favorite -

APRICOTS!!!

And believe me, they are GOOD!!
Have a good day, everyone!!

The heat breaks.

2007-07-12T16:37:00.000-05:00

Thank goodness! I woke up this morning and the nauseating humidity was gone, revealing a beautiful summer day! I didn't even need air conditioning, and I actually did stuff. VERY excited.
The hat is coming along nicely, except for the hole (see previous posts), and I can't believe I'm actually doing it! I'll post photos soon, but my husband has the camera today (I really need to get one of my own!).
I took advantage of the lack of snacks in the house & the good weather to make some brownies. I have found THE best recipe ever: Deep, Dark Brownies.
Even John, who is a pastry chef, admits this is the best recipe he's ever seen. It produces fudgy, dark brownies without them having that undercooked taste (unless, of course, that's what you like.)
I also made zucchini pie, which is a family recipe, it's a crustless, bisquick-based quiche. The recipe is simple:
4 eggs
1/2 cup veg oil
1 cup bisquick
1 medium zucchini
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1 med. onion
salt & pepper to taste (I also add a tablespoon or two of Italian Seasoning)

Preheat oven to 350 F
Grate the zucchini and onion (I use the attachment on my food processor, mom still grates hers by hand)
Mix all ingredients together.

Pour mixture into a greased 8 x 8 or 11 x 7 pan.
Bake for 45 minutes.
Enjoy the yumminess hot, warm OR cold. (Believe me, leftovers are awesome, you might want to make a double batch - I always do!)

I apologize if someone finds this in a recipe book somewhere, in our family it's simply known as "Mrs. Pagano's Zucchini Pie"

I suppose I've put off putting the laundry away long enough!

Bad News/Good News

2007-07-09T17:10:00.000-05:00

Bad News - I'm knitting my hat on the new yarn, it snaps. :(
Good News - I e-mail Mr. Wyatt, he says I can stop by the stall and pick up new yarn.
Bad News - The stall is 1 1/2 hours away.
Good News - I can make it a fun reason to do something cool in the city with my hubby.
Bad News - Hubby can't get time off until... August???

GRRRR - 3 hours gone

2007-07-08T14:42:00.000-05:00

Am I the only person this happens to? You buy beautiful yarn, take it out to use it and BAM:
BIG MESS!!!

So, I started unknotting and winding and three hours later:
If I'm not becoming a better knitter, I'm at least becoming a more patient person! I think a month ago I would have just wept at the task of what I have now accomplished. Something to celebrate? Maybe not, but I'll take it. :)

Wow! What a week!!

2007-07-07T21:33:00.000-05:00

My friend, Courtney, visited me from South Carolina this week & we had such a blast!!!
I took her into Manhattan and we played tourist - it was really fun to show her around, and I can't believe we pretty much saw all of the city's highlights in just TWO days!!!
Above is a photo I took from the Circle Line Cruise - I've never done it before & it was really nice (it was also nice to be sitting for a few hours!)

In other news, after I finished the couple of projects I had going, I didn't have any yarn left! So yesterday we were walking around the Union Square Green Market before taking Courtney to the airport & I came across some really beautiful hand dyed lambswool. So, I think I'm going to attempt to make a hat (wish me luck with my first non rectangle!) Find them here.

I slept basically all day yesterday and all this morning; I believe I can finally say I'm recovered from all the walking. But now it's time to get ready for the hot, sleepy today... will I nap or will I head to my parent's house to dip in the pool? It's so very exciting!

Yes, it has been a while

2007-06-29T14:51:00.001-05:00

Hello!!! Sorry it's been a while!I finally finished the baby blanket for my cousin's baby (now one month old). I still have to deliver it, but I will! I also made a pair of fingerless gloves, which were my first attempt at a more difficult pattern. They came out all right; I still need to work on them, and want to find a better yarn for them.

In other news... I'm pregnant! I'm due 11/23 and we found out last week she's a girl!!! There she is!!!
I'm thinking of applying to Fairleigh Dickinson's MFA program in Creative writing, so as my submission gets started, I might post parts of it here. So feedback is welcome. Feedback is also welcomed on my 20 page critical writing sample (eventually appearing here) for my application to the Literature PhD program at Rutgers. Yeah, I have a lot of writing to do. :)

bloggin'

2007-03-23T16:40:00.000-05:00

Your Hidden Talent

You are both very knowledgeable and creative.

You tend to be full of new ideas and potential - big potential.

Ideas like yours could change the world, if you build them.

As long as you don't stop working on your dreams, you'll get there.

What's Your Hidden Talent?

I'm feeling very spring-y right now DESPITE the grey weather outside! I just took a walk around the house and all of my tulips are coming up, as well as the irises, hyacinths, and daylilies that were already here! PLUS, the DAFFODILS ARE BLOOMING! It's so exciting!

I've given up on the washcloth, even though it's "easy", it wasn't so much for me... so I'm doing a baby blanket - don't ask what I'm going to do with it, save it, I suppose... I just need to do something that's still rectangular, is mostly a knit stitch and well, that's it. :) Got to start on the pattern thing slowly.

I applied for a job as a full time ghost writer today. Rather, I sent an inquiry to an e-mail address that SAID they were looking for a full time ghost writer. I'm hoping they ask me for some writing samples!

The good the bad the ugly the run on

2007-03-16T13:03:00.000-05:00

So it's snowing today - it looks lovely, but for environmental reasons (I suppose) the town is laying sand out and not salt I'm not happy John is at work which sucks because he might get stuck there I'm less happy

I was mindlessly and happily knitting my washcloth when I realized that my flower petal was very large probably too large I glanced at the pattern I had been happily increasing my stitches for about 10 rows too many joy

I pulled it all out now I have a pile of curly ribbon

I have a big stack of midterms that I do not want to even look at can the snow go on forever so I don't have to go back to classes Ever?

Okay that's all for today

I'm in LOVE (again)

2007-03-13T20:48:00.000-05:00

WOW!! This new Michael Kors is amazing! It smells JUST like Hawaii... YUMMY - I got it tonight from Sephora - it comes packaged in a cheesy see through "clutch" with a sarong that I will never wear, but I LOVE the fragrance. It's like plumeria, tuberose, sunshine and sweetness. Maybe not what you would think I would like, but I do!

First Blog!

2007-03-13T12:13:00.000-05:00

Hello! This is my first blog. I guess I should say something about myself & why I've started this blog.
I'm a part time instructor of English at community colleges in NJ, and I sell Tupperware part time. In my "spare time," I write fiction & I'm a new knitter. I will post blogs about my fiction (I'm currently working on a novel) and about my knitting (I'm currently working a flower shaped washcloth - my first pattern and NOT a scarf!)
If anything else happens or I feel like sharing anything, I will post that, too!