My first handspun!

I'm so excited about my spinning I can hardly contain myself!!!  I know understand why others love it so!  (there is no wheel in my immediate future...trust me....small apartment....grad school budget....ain't happening)   Let me show you how it went!

First night of spinning at Knit Night (about 2.5 weeks ago)  N (my super teacher) sent me home with more roving to practice.

I took my spinning back the next Knit Night.  N was so pleased she sent me home with more roving and said we could ply the following week (this last Tuesday)  At this time I thought I had a lot....ha ha what was I thinking?

Now when N sent me home with more roving I naively thought it was about the same amount she had sent the time before. WRONG!  I had budgeted the same amount of time and it just never seemed to end (I kinda did a marathon spinning day on Tuesday....I wanted to ply so bad)  Here is what I got.

Then I wound it into a cake to begin plying 2 strand of it together.  Yeah!  Oh isn't the bottom of the spindle N sent home with me so cute!!!

So Tuesday we plied!!  I was so excited that last night I finished it!  I then wound it into a skein (using the backs of 2 chairs because I lack a swift....now I realize the chairs should have been further apart for a prettier skein)  and here is my yarn!!!

And a close up of the strands.  I was really pleased with how even it came out!  Now it just needs a bath!! and then I can knit with my own hand spun yarn!  (Bet you couldn't guess that I've been looking at roving online trying to decide what to spin next!)

Do you think I'm addicted?  (But I really don't want it to eat into my knitting time too much....but it sure was fun!)

Mom's Socks Debut

Mom's Lace Merino Socks:

Pattern:  Lace Merino Socks from Favorite Socks

Yarn:  Patons Australian Patonyle  (Gift from Amber during her trip to New Zealand)  I really like this yarn...ravelry says it is discontinued although it looks like they have come our with a new version)  Not sure of the colorway except gray (Mom's favorite)

Needles:  US 1.5   I used the magic loop method.  This is the second pair I've used this method on and I must admit it was much better the second time around.  I definitely got in the grove.  (Mom had my needles that I would have used....but making a new sock knitter was definitely worth it)

Modifications:  None....there is a well known error in the pattern.  The lace chart for the foot is missing the purls!  

Can't wait for Mom to model the socks when she visits in October :)

Wednesday Fun

I know you were all expecting to see pics of my finished socks, but.....not yet (tomorrow)!  Yesterday I got this:

2 skeins of Lorna's Laces Shepherd sock in Parakeet from a contest by Robin! (Thank you!!!!!) Isn't the yellow and blue yummy!  Her blog is super and she is starting Wednesday Fun!  Last Wednesday I won this by figuring out how many unfinished projects she had pictured!  Be sure to visit her! Now I'm off.....trying to finish spinning the fiber I got last Tuesday for tonight....not sure I'll make it....but I so want to ply it tonight.....we'll see!

And the winner is......

Look at all those entries!!!! When I had this idea of a contest to celebrate my "Alive-iversary" I had no idea I would get such a response!!!  Now I bet most of you thought.....me being a math person......I would use a random number generator to pick a winner.  Nope.  Technically they aren't random....they are based on an algorithm....now in reality they are probably random enough....but you don't really care about that.  So I wrote everyone's name down, cut equal size strips, no folding  (don't want an unfair advantage) and asked DH to draw a winner....

.....Congratulations Turtle!!!  (I don't have an email address for you, so please email me so I can email you your gift certificate!)  Go congratulate Turtle yourself!!!  

I tell you it sure has been fun reading all your comments!!! and meeting so many new people!!!

On the knitting front, my second Merino Lace sock just got finished.  It is waiting for a proper photo shoot another day.   One of my next projects.....involves my sewing machine!

I'm going to make a brown skirt!  I've had a hard time finding a dark brown skirt that I like and fits, so I decided to try making one!  I think it will be a fun project.  The fabric of the skirt is hard to photograph, but hopefully you get the idea.  I'll keep you updated on my progress!

Oh and please don't be afraid to leave a little comment!  You all are so good at it and I so enjoy hearing from you!!!

Updates

I've started working on Gertrude (the giraffe)!  Her body is done!  The increase are very visible because they are knit in front and back loop, but I think her dress should cover that up!  

Update on Ravelympics:  Several of you have asked in the comments if I am going to dye the Bare yarn I have picked out for my shawl relay.  The answer is no!   I want a cream shawl because it will be so versatile!.  But if I were going to do that, I could do the dying before the beginning of the games...it's called training!

On the needles this weekend....hopefully finishing the second lace merino sock!  Then I must work more on my Secret Prayer Sock Swap, not to mention Gertrude! :)

Knox getting comfy in the new bookcase! 

My Story:

Thank you all for letting me share my testimony with you!  God has worked mightily in my life and I expect Him to continue!  It is so comforting know that the Creator of the Universe is taking care of me and loving me!

DH and I plan to celebrate the 8 year anniversary of me being alive tomorrow by going out to dinner!  

Feel free to keep commenting through the 26th (but no new posts this weekend)  Monday I will announce the winner!

Christmas in July

When I got married and joined my DH's family there was concern over my Christmas stocking.  The kids in DH's family had granny square crocheted stockings that were clearly well loved over the years.  My MIL is not a crocheter and so there was serious concern that I wouldn't have a matching stocking (I don't recall who made the originals).  I looked at the stocking and thought...I could make that.  I searched for a pattern and none was found, so I just tried to mimic what I saw.  Anyway, I got my stocking done for the family before the next Christmas (mine isn't faded like the others, but it works)  I also thought it would be nice to make a set for our house!  I started them and hadn't finished them.

Recently, I found the almost finished stockings (just needed some seaming, edging, and weaving in of ends)  Of course that is my favorite part!   (must be why they were left unfinished)  I think they have been sitting undone for 4 years, but now they are finished and ready for Christmas 2008!!!

There are 14 granny squares seamed together and a row of double crochet at the top to neaten things up.  The heel and toe take a little thought to assemble correctly, but once I realized that the heel is made by sewing 2 edges of one square to 1 edge of the other is helped.  The yarn...Red Heart (red, white, and green)

My Story:

What did the Lord teach me during brain surgery? (what didn't He teach me?)

1. He is faithful!

2. He grew my faith and I got to live out my faith in a way I never had before!  I would say I no longer had my parents faith, but my own.

3.  We all have a testimony.  It may not always be dramatic in our eyes, but becoming one of His is huge in God's eyes.  We all can and should share how God has worked in our lives.

Recovery went well.  I went back to college after 3 weeks to start the fall semester (not sure how my mom let me go)  I felt fine, but looking back it took about 6 months for me to have energy and really be myself again.  I slept lots. (my body just needed to heal)  My grades suffered at first because I just couldn't remember things, but by the end of the semester my grades were up to their normal standards.  Who would have thought that after brain surgery I could go on to get a Phd?  God is so good.  His plans are perfect!   

So in all this, my boyfriend (of 2.5 years) saw more of the recovery than anyone else (he was at school with me).  From what I hear my personality was affected for awhile...I think a lot of that stemmed from being so tired.  I had always wondered how I could be sure who I was to marry.  It seemed such a daunting decision.  But he stuck through all the hard times and never left me!  He could have, there was no reason to stay.  We knew we loved each other, but....well.... many relationships don't last.....ours did.....now he is my Dear Husband (DH).

4.  I got confirmation about who to marry!   

5.  and so much more!

Good friends!

Last night I went to Knitting Night (for the 3rd time)!  I feel like I have made fast friends with some of the ladies!  (no longer the initial nerves!! Yeah!!)

I was working on my second Lace Merino sock:

and I took my spinning to show N!  I had used up all the roving she sent home with me.

(the cat really likes to help with the spinning!)  N thought I had done a super job and enabler that she is...sent me home with this:

so I could keep going!  Next week we are going to ply it! (twist two strands of it together so it will be ready to work with!)

N was also destashing some yarn, so I got to come home with some new cotton sock yarn to try!

It is a love navy and white twisted together!  

I've also concluded I need a better project to take to knit night.  I like to talk (haha) an listen to all the conversations and that make my usual pattern knitting (which keeps me from getting bored) not the best!  So I think next week I will start a plain sock (I have some yarn that will be perfect) to work on at knit night in the future!

My Story: 

So July 26th, 2000 I had successful brain surgery to remove the AVM! (Now you know why the contest was July 10-26th)  At the last minute my parents had been given the option of doing radiation instead (I was completely unaware) as tough as the decision was they felt the surgery was still the best option!  Praise God they made that decision!  The doctors found out during the surgery that the AVM had begun to clot and radiation wouldn't have taken care of that!  God is so good!  

I woke from surgery and could move every part of my body (PTL!!) and was able to go home after 3 days. (I think)  God was definitely blessing me through out the whole process....the surgeon let me keep my hair because he thought it helped patients feel better (sure does!) and he washed out my hair himself (something the nurses normally do)....I got the VIP room at the hospital (who even knew such things existed?) it felt more like a hotel room than a hospital!  Even more than all these physical blessings, I got to walk closely with the Lord and knew His peace through the whole process!  Yeah God!!

Check in tomorrow to see what else the Lord taught me in this time!

Ravelympics 2008

How could I have forgotten?  In yesterday's post I showed you all my lovely knitpicks goodies and forgot one!!!

Here is it:

Some white/cream (I don't know the color...it's called bare) laceweight to make my own swallowtail!  If you remember I made one in a lovely gray that my mom is in love with....I think I will make mine a little bit bigger too (do 5 extra repeats of the budding lace part)  Anyway, I decide this project would be the perfect project for Ravelympics 2008!

The idea is you cast on during the opening ceremonies and must cast off by the closing ceremonies!  (oh and it should be a challenge!) It was hard to pick from so many fun categories!

Events:

Afghan Marathon
Amigurumi-n-Toys Toss
Baby Dressage
Bag-n-Tote Backstroke
Cable Steeplechase
Colorwork Cross-Country
Cowl Jump
Designers Discus
Fantasy DecKnitathalon
Felted Freestyle
Free-For-All Freestyle
Fleece to Finished Fencing
Glove Decathlon
Gift Knits Pentathlon
Hand-Dyed Hurdles
Handspun Heptathalon
Hat Dash
Holiday Handball
Home-Stuff Hammerthrow
Itsy Bitsy Bikini Breaststroke
Laceweight Long Jump
Mitten Medley
Scarf Stroke
Shawl Relay
Sock Put
Sweater Sprint
Synchronized Flirty Skirts
Stitching Springboard
Vest Vault
WIPs Wrestling

While I debated long and hard between the Sock Put and the Shawl Relay, I've decided to sign up under Team Baton Rouge Red Sticks for the Shawl Relay!  Let the training begin!!!

My Story:

So let's see where we left off....God worked mightily in my life 8 years ago....I had seizures....was diagnosed with an AVM....learned to really depend on God....went to see the neurosurgeon....okay I think that is where we are!   

I desperately wanted this AVM to miraculously disappear!  I prayed that when the final test to decide if surgery was safe happened, they wouldn't see anything.  That didn't happen!  At first I was crestfallen!  Had my faith not been good enough?  had I not really been believing?  Then God showed me that while His Word has many promises of healing (some I shared yesterday) He doesn't promise how or when that healing will occur!  

The doctors concluded that surgery was a safe option (Praise the Lord!) With my age and the size of the AVM it seemed the better option than radiation!  So I prepared for brain surgery on July 26th!   At first glance this doesn't seem good.  Who wants brain surgery?  But in reality many people with AVM's have no warning signs....eventually they have an aneurysm (bleeding in the brain) and die!  I'm very thankful the seizures alerted doctors to this situation so it could be dealt with!!!

I love packages!

I love when the postman comes bearing packages....it feels like Christmas, even if I order them...something about waiting for the package, opening it up.... So the last of my b-day money was spent on a knitpicks order!

1. Yarn for Gertrude the Giraffe!  (I thought she needed a purple dress instead of green)

2. Some lovely brown yarn to make a pair of fingerless gloves for my pops!  He requested (yes requested) his first handknit!  Mom reports that he is really excited!  

3.  A couple new books that I've been drooling over (40% off books made this order happen!!!)  I've flipped through both books and can't wait!  New sock patterns and an adorable baby sweater!!!

4.  Some wool wash I've been wanting to try!

Thank you all for sharing your favorite verses last week!  What an encouragement they are to me!!  Now the verses that got me through in 2000!  (one of which was already mentioned) :)

My Story:

Psalms 91:

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

I think the part about angels making sure I wouldn't stub my toe meant the most to me.  If my toe is going to be okay surely my brain will be too!

Ephesians 6:1-3:

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

I know this seems like an odd verse to have as a favorite.  My parents quoted it to me all the time growing up....I didn't like it then....not easy to follow as a kid....but at one time the Lord prompted me to read verse 3.  This is a commandment to children with a promise!!!  I clung to the promise...it would be well with me! and I would live long on the earth!!!

God is so good and faithful!

Double Entry Post

So I know you've been waiting for it.....today is the day....a comment on this post is worth 2 entries in the contest for a $25 gift certificate to The Loopy Ewe!  We are 1/2 way done with the contest, so keep the comments coming!!!

My Story:

So last we left off.....I had an AVM.....and was off to see the brain surgeon (oh....maybe I forgot that part last time!)  There are 2 ways to treat an AVM....surgery or radiation....my AVM was about the size of a half dollar....it looked like brain surgery was in my future (YIKES!!!)  We had a final test to do on July 25th to see if surgery was safe and scheduled surgery for the 26th.  While waiting for the 25th I got hives from my seizure medicine.....went off seizure meds....fought through a lot of fear about having another seizure....needless to say I learned to depend on God as never before!!!   He was definitely at work and never left me.  Monday I will share some of the verses I really depended on at this time, but today is your day to share!!!  

What is your favorite Bible verse and why???

So what has been on my needles?   Here is a sneak peak!

Surprise, surprise....it's a sock!  One down, one to go!  This is a pic of the lace that runs down the top!  It's gray, so....wonder who it could be for.....oh yeah.....mom!!!!  (I'm not sure this gray photographs very accurately....we'll see if I can get some daylight pictures later)  The second sock will have to wait a couple of days to start....I had started a hat with this yarn....it was too small....had to frog it last night.....after it had sat for a year....the yarn needs a bath....must wait for it to dry.   In the mean time I'm going to work on my Secret Prayer Swap Sock and my spinning!  (Might even cast on for DH's socks...we'll see)

Have a super weekend and be sure to leave a comment.....favorite verse and why.....or any other comment will do too...remember it is worth double!

Fiber Fun

Last night I went to the Tuesday knitting group again!  This week it was at a local restaurant and there were 11 people.  (I think I'm glad that the first time I went the group was smaller...less intimidating)  Again I had a super time and don't feel nearly as nervous :)  Last week Nancy (januaryspin on ravelry) offered to teach me and another lady how to spin!  Now no need to worry.....I don't want to lose too much knitting time to spinning, but I do think it is interesting to learn about yarn and how it is made.  Also I'm hoping this will give me better insight into how to pick the right yarn for the right project!

It went really well at the restaurant, but when I got home....someone wanted to help!  I guess I'll have to pull this out when she is sleeping and unaware of what is happening!

See there is my first nights worth of yarn!!!  It was quite fun and relaxing!

Now before we get on with the story, I want to remind you all that this all happened 8 years ago!  I have been getting the occasional comment really worried about me and offering prayers (which I'm always thankful for), but.....this is my time to testify of God's faithfulness in my life from June 10-26th 2000!

On with the story:

So last we left off, I was given 3 options of what had potentially caused my seizures.  After more tests (yuck!)  I was told I didn't have any of the 3 things (tumor, infection, ms) instead I was told the "good" news that I had an Arteriovenous malformation (AVM).  In my brain I had a malformed blood vessel (I was born with it) that had started to cause problems.  If my understanding is correct an blood vessel without capillaries?   The doctor said that this was much easier to deal with than the other options (Praise the Lord!)  

Before the diagnosis it seemed easier to trust the Lord for my healing....I'm not sure why, but we didn't know what was wrong, so it seemed easier to believe for nothing to be wrong.  Once I was given the diagnosis my faith was challenged in a new way!  I was off to see a specialist (a doctor who treats lots of AVMs) and in the mean time keep my eyes on the Lord and nothing else!   I had asked the Lord for a testimony....now He was giving me one....I just had to allow Him to work in the situation!

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28 

Yummy

Until a couple of months ago I had never had creme brulee, and now I'm making it!  My advisor had DH and I over for dinner, and her husband made us his favorite!!! Plus he shared the recipe with me :)   I made them once before, but didn't have the torch to caramelize the top....I tried caramelizing in the broiler, but it recooked the custard and wasn't quite right!  Now I have a torch!  and they were oh so good!

I think this would be a perfect dessert for entertaining.  You make them ahead of time (up to 2 days) and just torch the top before serving leaving plenty of time for you to be with your guests!

Knox being weird...not sure why she is under the rug, but she stayed that way for a long time!

This is my story of God working mightily in my life....and then:

After the first round of tests (following the seizures that landed me in the hospital) the doctors said I probably had one of the following:

1. A tumor in the brain

2. An infection of the brain

3. MS

Now I don't know about you, but I didn't like those options.  They all seemed very scary and I wanted to be healed.  I drew close to the Lord and trusted Him for His healing of whatever it was....I didn't accept any of these options.  So off to more tests to see what was really going on.  

Monday's Musings

WooHoo!  These socks are finally finished!  I'm not sure why they seemed to take so long, maybe because I worked on other things while working on them, maybe because they are guy socks.... bigger than my socks (hard to do with my size 11!)....does switching from knit to purl all the time slow you down like it does me? 

Pattern:  Retro Rib Socks (from Favorite Socks)

Size: Men's 11

Yarn:  Knitpicks Essential in Dusk (2 balls)

Needles: US 2 dpn  

Modifications:  None (no major mistakes that I know of either!)

My DH (dear husband) wishes these were for him....he REALLY liked this pattern, so I will be doing up another pair of these asap, especially since I've never made him socks (YIKES!) okay, not that I haven't tried...but guy yarn, guy pattern, DH's taste....not so easy for me!

My story:

So let's see where were we? You know the back story.  You know it will take a while for everything to unfold.  Now you want to know what happened eight year ago.  Am I right?  So on July 10th, 2000 I thought everything was fine.  I seemed perfectly healthy.  Then my right arm started doing weird things....it would randomly go really numb (almost like it was falling asleep, but worse)  Every time it happened, we prayed!  But it kept happening!   After much convincing, my mom persuaded me to stay home from work ( I hate missing work/school/etc)  Before it was time for my doctor's appointment, I was in the ER after having a grand mal seizure!  There was much to PRAISE God for in this!

1) My nine year old brother was at the park (1st time on his own) so he didn't witness this!

2) It happened it a place where I couldn't hurt anyone (ie-not driving!)

3) I didn't hurt myself (Yeah for being in the middle of the living room floor)

4) My mom was close by to take care of me (Thanks Mom!)

God was in control and taking care of me, but what was the cause...off to do a million medical tests! (more later)

Now remember the contest is still on, so go ahead and leave a comment! (it isn't hard)  Please make sure that there is a way I can contact you if you win!!!

Wow!

I am truly amazed at the response from yesterday's post!  Thank you!  I feel honored that you all want to hear my story....it can't be told in a day....but then it didn't happen in a day....but before all of that....some yarny goodness!

Recently I purchased some yarn (used up some B-day $) from Michelle (boringknitter on Ravelry)!  It came when I was in Seattle and then there was so much to talk about.....

Dream in Color Smooshy in Cool Fire...yummy pink with a little purple!

Austermannstep....can't wait to see how the aloe is.  I bet it keeps your feet soft (wouldn't that be nice!)

Lorna's Laces in Amethyst Stripe (okay....I had no hope to resist this one....I'm a complete sucker for purple)

Lang Yarn Jawoll Cotton.  A new cotton blend yarn to try!  I love the pink/brown/orange combo!

So now I need to get busy knitting!  Michelle has more yarn she is trying to destash (it is gorgeous!!!)  So if you are interested, go check it out!

Now....some of my story...or maybe we should say the back story!   I think you all need a little context for what I will be sharing in the coming days, so here it is:

Back story:

I was so fortunate to grow up in a Christian home....I don't remember not knowing the gospel and it seemed Jesus had always been my Lord.  I understood my need for His saving grace....I had a debt I could not pay and He payed a debt He did not owe (for me!!!...and you!!!)  While all of this was wonderful, I was jealous of those around me who had amazing testimonies!!  Their lives had been horrible...they got saved....God worked in their lives!  I knew I shouldn't be jealous of this, but why didn't I have a testimony?  (now I realize that I did....while I didn't remember a specific moment, I could still testify of how God was at work in my life) But at the time, I prayed for a testimony!  I never dreamed God would answer in the way He did!

Now go ahead and leave a comment to enter the contest....it's easy and painless!

Contest & FO

Lately I have seen so many people with one type or another of reusable bags that I wanted to make some of my own.  I had a cone of cotton lying around, so I thought this Crocheted Grocery Bag was perfect.  I don't really care to knit with cotton....too hard on the hands.....so this was perfect.  It is about the size of a regular plastic grocery bag, but I think will hold a little bit more because you don't have to worry about it breaking.  So far I've made two and want to try them out before making more because some alterations may be necessary. (yep there is still more cotton on the cone)

Now on to the contest!!!!  I always love when other people do contests (and have won two) that I wanted to do one myself.  But then came the decisions...when? how? prize? oh my?  Then I got it!  

Not my Birthday, not my blogiversary, but an anniversary of a special time in my life! (Thus July 10-26th....I will tell you more details in the coming days) Eight years ago my life changed! I was 19 years old, had just finished my first year of college, (oh no....did I just admit my age) I thought everything was perfect. Until July 10th! Everything was definitely not okay, but God was in control. Okay, okay....on with the contest details....plenty of time for my story later!

Contest:

3 Ways to Enter:
1) Comment on a post dated between July 10-26th (1 comment per post please)
2) Announce my contest on your blog (just let me know that you've done it)
3) Keep your eyes open for a special post that will be worth a double entry!

Prize:
$25 gift certificate to The Loopy Ewe!!!!

(nonknitters are welcome to enter too....I will make sure you get something you like, but a guarantee a Loopy gift certificate will be awarded) I like my stash....so I didn't want to give it away....and this way I know you will get something you like!!!

Why:
So why do a contest....I think they are fun....I want to thank everyone who reads my blog (THANKS!!)....and I hope to find a few new readers too!

So let the contest begin!!!

Tuesday Knitting Night and another giraffe

So thanks to ravelry I found a group of ladies in town that get together to knit.  I heard they were knitting at a nearby book store on Sunday.....I must admit I was a little nervous to go without knowing anyone, so I wimped out, but I did post that I was interested in further meeting.  Then I got messaged that they were meeting on Tuesday night.  So I put away my nerves and decided I didn't have to be knitting alone and went last night!  It was a small group (4 of us), but they say there are often more.... I had a super time.  It was so fun to see what everyone else was working on and hear their tips and product reviews.  Some of these ladies have been knitting for a long time and it is super to hear their wisdom too!  I'm looking forward to going back (and not nearly as nervous).

Yesterday I also found an adorable new giraffe pattern (I know....I now have 2 on my list to make) Go here to see him!  He has such personality!!!!  Love that smile!!

Be sure to come back tomorrow when I announce a contest!!! (it will run through July 26th....details tomorrow)

And because no post is complete without a pic....here is Knox "helping" me figure out my tablet.  She saw the box and immediately tried to climb in it....she didn't quite get that she was a little big for it! :)

Seattle: Day 2 & 3

On Wednesday we visited the University of Washington ( I had spent a summer there in 2001 doing an REU)  It was fun to remember the good times I had there.  We ate some wonderful Indian food for lunch close to campus.

 

Then B had to do a little work, so we played ping-pong while he "worked." (Thanks brother for making sure I can play a little bit)

Then M and I saw this Nintendo sign and couldn't resist!   I remember my twin brother and I getting one of the original Nintendos for our b-day! 

And of course Microsoft...

On Thursday we went on a road trip to see Mt Rainier (we couldn't see her from Seattle while we were there....too hazy)

We took a few wrong turns, but definitely enjoyed the scenery!

Friday came too soon....home I went, but not without getting a great pic of Mt Rainier from the airplane!

M & B are both nonknitters :(  I had determined if I saw a yarn store I would go in (even if they looked at me crazily), but I wouldn't seek one out either.  I didn't see any :(

Seattle:Day 1

(Warning: this post has lots of pictures)

I had an amazing trip!!!! I can't remember the last time I took a trip just for fun and it was great!!!  M and I got caught up on our 4 hour flight from Dallas to Seattle.....and several cups of coffee guaranteed I was awake when we arrived at 10:00pm :)  On Tuesday, we went downtown to see Pike's Place Market and downtown.  When we first arrived, we were greeted with a police chase....bank robbery....20+ cop cars....looking the criminal in the eye...3 helicopters overhead....no pictures of that!  If you want to read the full story, here it is.

Then we went to Pike's Market (my favorite place)

Lots of flowers, fish, and fresh food.....it's like a year round farmers market.  I think I could wander around the market forever!

B bought flowers for his wife (and I got to hold them for awhile!)

Then we took our picture in front of the very first Starbucks!  It is definitely a well caffeinated city! 

We then got some lunch at Ivar's.  It is located down on the water....I had fantastic fish and chips, everyone else had salmon which they raved about too!  Outside Ivar's it is tradition to feed the seagulls french fries.  They beg!! 

Then we wandered around downtown for awhile.  Here's the art museum.

Then we had to stop and get some coffee!

Next we went to Alki Beach to take some pics of the skyline (and walk off lunch)

Here is B taking pics

And M taking pics!

So that was day 1, we were tired but had so much fun.  Tomorrow I will update you on more of the trip...but I think this is long enough!  Betcha couldn't guess that not a lot of knitting happened on this trip :)