Gustav Update!

I must be quick, but wanted to let you know we are okay!! Thank you for your many prayers! We are so thankful that Gustav weakened to Cat 2 before it hit. Even with the weakening, it effected Baton Rouge worse than any other storm has before. 95% of the parish (county) is without power including us! It is hot and humid in normal Louisiana fashion, but we are hanging in there. Right now I'm at DH's office where there is power (PTL!!!!) We are enjoying the AC, internet and charging our phones! Please keep praying. The lose of life has been minimal compared to other storms, but there is still a great deal of damage! School is out until Monday at the earliest, so for now we wait and pray!

Where did yesterday go?

I had every intention of posting yesterday....pics were taken....knew what I was going to ramble about....but then it was bed time and I hadn't.  School has been intense this week (not in a bad way, in a very productive way) afterwards I just have to rest or prep for teaching.  Okay enough excuses...I refuse to feel guilty because my blog is for fun!!!

Knitting content:

I know many of you were shocked when I mentioned that I was giving away my ravelympics shawl (the ladies at knit night couldn't quite believe it)  That is because I have been eyeing this shawl.  Now I know it seems like everyone has made this already and it didn't appeal to me too much until I saw Woolwinder and Robin make theirs, not to mention this one!  The nice think about this shawl/scarf is that you can wear it as a scarf or a shawl--I like the versatility!  I have found the ones that I am really attracted to are make out of Handmaiden Sea Silk!  (This yarn is 70% silk and 30% seacell)  The problem is it is expensive for my grad school budget!  Robin's was out of Sea Silk, so as I was pestering her with questions about the yarn (because if I'm going to spend that much, I want to make sure I will love it)  she offered to send me the leftovers from her shawl!  (What a dear!!!  Thank you so much again!!!)  So I knitted a swatch (sort of winged it, but it was blocked and everything)

I am in LOVE with this yarn!  The drape is gorgeous!!!  It knits like a dream!  I keep wanting to pet my swatch! :)  I will spend the money (not sure when---maybe I will find a sale, or wait and put it on the Christmas list) and make this for ME!!!!   Now the problem comes to color!  I need your help!!  What color do I use?   Go here to look at my options!  I want to be able to wear it a lot so it should be a neutral?  I'm afraid ivory will get dirty quickly?  I wear a lot of color in my wardrobe (not much green though)!  Please help me decide!   Maybe we will do a poll if I can narrow down the choices!

Gustav report:

We are prepared for the hurricane. (food, water, flashlights, knitting supplies, books, homework)  It looks like it will hit early Tuesday morning (They have just canceled classes on Tuesday).  No one is really sure how bad it will be, but we are prepared to be without power for a few days.  Baton Rouge is far enough inland that evacuations really won't happen.  But if things are quite on this front that is probably why.  I will keep you updated.  For now please pray for the storm to weaken and that people remain safe!

New sock project

Things have been busy in our house, with adjusting to the start of school and B-day celebrations!  So there isn't a lot to show, but here it is:

These are Retro Rib socks from Favorite Socks.  I made a pair earlier and DH wanted a pair, so these are for him!!  I'm using Risata from Knitpicks.  The first time I used this yarn I really liked it (it is a cotton blend and softer than a lot of other cottons)  This time I'm realizing that it is a little on the thick side for sock yarn.  I'm still happy with these socks and think DH will be too (I think the cotton is a good choice for him because he is always warm)  Because I had done this pattern before I wanted to try something different and so I am making them 2 at a time on magic loop! (a first for me....this site helped me get started!)  It is too soon to pass judgement on if I like the method or not, but it will be nice to be done with both at the same time!  Happy knitting!  (as I type this I'm wearing my new gloves and they are working out super!)

Happy Birthday to...

DH!!!!  Sunday night I made him a Dried Apricot Pie!  You cook the apricots on the stove first to soften them.  He loves it! (I don't like it, so it is all for him)  Early in our marriage we learned that I don't make good cakes (from a box, from scratch, they are all bad) but my pies....they are much better!

We plan to go out to dinner and just relax (maybe go to the new Borders'!)

Now for a Birthday funny.....here is my DH's birth certificate!

but....if you read the fine print.....

....he is dead!  Weird, but true!

....and here are my medals!

First Day of School!

Well today is the first day back to school!  It isn't as if I haven't been working this summer, but it has all been fun stuff (well I think what I am working on is fun) and on my own schedule.  Now classes start and teaching duties resume.  I'm looking forward to it, I think.  A little strange with my advisor gone, but so far it is going well with her gone.  

So I ended up getting 2 extra Gold Medals for Team Baton Rouge Red Sticks in Ravelympics!  I hate knitting under pressure, so I only entered ahead of time the shawl relay (thank you all for your lovely comments about the shawl!  I adore it and can't wait to give it away--does that sound wrong?)  Tomorrow I will show you my medals (one award ceremony hasn't happened yet)

Last minute entries:

Baby Dressage:

Another pair of bootees (they are just so fun I keep making them over and over!)

Handspun Heptathlon:

Garter Rib Mitts using my first handspun! :)  These are for me (can't part with my first handspun)  They will be perfect for keeping my hands warm in my cold office and classrooms!  I think the pattern was well suited to handspun too....the imperfections of the yarn work instead of looking odd.  I made a few modifications because I feared running out of yarn (see my ravelry page if you want all those type of details)   These were knit flat with short rows for the thumb.  Also learned how to do a provisional cast on (not as hard as I imagined)

I will try to get a better pic soon. (DH didn't quite understand the look I was going for, but he did gladly snap the shot!)

Now the games are over and let the classes begin!!

The Finish Line!

Last night I crossed the finish line in the Shawl Relay!  I couldn't have done it without all your cheering....after a night of blocking here she is:

Pattern:  Swallowtail by Evelyn Clark

Yarn: Knitpicks Bare Lace weight (about 1/2 of the skein...don't have a scale to know for sure)

Needles: US 4 (everyone at knit night were perplexed that I used straight needles, but I did)

Modifications:  Make a little bigger by doing 5 extra repeats of the budding lace pattern.  I thought that would be it until row 3 of chart 4.  I must have ripped it out 5 times.  Pepperknit details the extra mod that needs to be made here!  Then all was well!

Knitted for:  Well originally I thought this was for me, but I have another shawl in mind for myself so this will be gifted.  Who will be the lucky one?

This shawl doesn't have the shine that the last one does (no silk in this yarn) but I still couldn't be happier with it for a small shawl/scarf!

And the week wouldn't be complete without a picture of Knox!

Not much to post...

I have 3 rows and the bind off left....yes 3!   Must knit....can't take time to do a real post (oh must do math too).  Look for pics tomorrow!