tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191875152024-03-07T17:01:02.585-05:00when she was knittingLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01302290381712739479noreply@blogger.comBlogger488125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19187515.post-27703093091298930242010-03-09T14:45:00.002-05:002010-03-09T14:59:30.684-05:00Tuesday Afternoon Pick-Me Up<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Zooey Deschanel is so very cute, her wardrobe rocks, I love her voice and her songs are just as adorable as she is. This video for She & Him's* new song is worth watching just for the little skip at the end.<br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/W18_OO8TD78&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/W18_OO8TD78&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />*I'm sure M. Ward (the Him half of She & Him) lovely, too. I just don't know who he is, besides some musician guy.<br /></span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01302290381712739479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19187515.post-11019677390227482042010-02-23T13:44:00.003-05:002010-02-23T15:47:12.521-05:00Long time, no see<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It turns out, it has become difficult to post about knitting that is in progress. The pictures are boring to take, so you can probably just blame <a href="http://f11holdsteady.wordpress.com/">the other blog</a> since that is taking most of my interesting photos. So, what is going on?<br /><br />Knitting: I have finished both fronts for the Barcelona Jacket and am about 1/3 done with the sleeves.<br /><br />I finished Len's hat, but it was about an inch too short, plus the decreases for the crown were too fast and made the top all gathered. I hate that. Len didn't care, but I do, so out it came. I'm getting to the point of starting the decreases again and need to figure out how to do them so the top isn't gathered. Because I want the cables to go up as far as possible, decreasing isn't as simple as knit 10, knit 2 together.<br /><br />I have finished one knee sock and started the other.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4383028258/" title="Knee sock and cuff by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4383028258_b5170c3da3.jpg" alt="Knee sock and cuff" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />I'm further along than this: I'm actually into the decrease section now.<br /><br />Non-Knitting:<br />Kitties: Last weekend was the first weekend since the end of January none of the cats have needed to go to the vet for check ups or medications. I doubt we have seen the last of the gross, but things are calm for now (nothing life threatening, just gross). I did find out that they have all been eating too much, so they are on a more austere program. It hurts Len more than any of the cats.<br /><br />Technology:<br />Len is becoming a nerd.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4382296439/" title="Keyboard by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4382296439_9099441fb4.jpg" alt="Keyboard" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />He found a laptop that had been left behind by a tenant 5 years ago (it is a long, kind of sordid tale, involving parents and power plays, best not to get into it). He brought it home and now our computer can keep up with our relatively slow DSL. Plus it has FreeCell. I've been seeing less of Len. And now he brings the thing to work with him and searches for free floating wireless internet. It's kind of hilarious. He hasn't gone too far, though: I asked him if I could unhook his e-mail from mine, and he wasn't comfortable with that yet. He did make an attempt at The Reason the Internet Took Off (ah, porn), scared him half to death, what with all the pop-ups and flashing and what not, so I don't think I'll have to worry about that anymore.<br /><br />Also, this weekend I found myself in electronics wiring hell. It was not fun. I'm back to purgatory, but I ask you: why do I have to run our DVR and DVD player through an <a href="http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103095">RF Modulator</a> and VCR (which we do not ever use) in order for them both to work? Does that make any sense at all? Stupid wires. I had wiring diagrams lying all over the house, to no avail. Nothing worked, so we had to hook the VCR (seriously, we don't even turn the thing on!) and modulator thingy back up in defeat.<br /><br />This squirrel yelled at me the whole time I was outside taking pictures yesterday.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4382361557/" title="Angry squirrel by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4382361557_2a764bd579.jpg" alt="Angry squirrel" width="375" height="500" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Yes. Squirrels are fat in Ann Arbor, even in the winter. And yes. It was snowing. A lot.<br /></span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01302290381712739479noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19187515.post-76339331545311949402010-02-12T13:39:00.001-05:002010-02-12T13:44:37.048-05:00Some more also rans<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4351937340/" title="Lizzy by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4351937340_3cd91c9e72.jpg" alt="Lizzy" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4351188191/" title="Broken Fence by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2736/4351188191_f6a6cae615.jpg" alt="Broken Fence" width="375" height="500" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4351187957/" title="Queen Anne's Lace by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2695/4351187957_337d6071d1.jpg" alt="Queen Anne's Lace" width="500" height="375" /></a></div>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01302290381712739479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19187515.post-57088355308280747302010-01-29T10:24:00.002-05:002010-01-29T15:31:27.877-05:00Ripping and Knitting<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4313308389/" title="Funny looking sock by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4313308389_8476c1329b.jpg" alt="Funny looking sock" width="361" height="500" /></a><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This doesn't look quite as funny in the picture as it did in person (or nearly as orange, for that matter). The ankle and foot looked much, much skinnier. Too skinny.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4313308843/" title="Crinkly by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2425/4313308843_8443b07ee6.jpg" alt="Crinkly" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />It looked like this fairly soon after that first picture was taken. I probably could have just taken out the foot and ankle to where I had 72 stitches, but the calf didn't fit right either (too big), and since I was ripping anyway, I might as well take it all the way back. I suppose it should at least annoy me that I've had to rip the calf out so many time (three, so far), but I want these to fit well. I think I have the right numbers now, so it should go much better this time.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4313309015/" title="Simon is a hipster by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4313309015_4e02f31e5e.jpg" alt="Simon is a hipster" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Simon doesn't want your <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=hipster">hipster beer</a>.<br /></span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01302290381712739479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19187515.post-26808667163544211682010-01-20T14:42:00.002-05:002010-01-20T14:45:12.069-05:00Also Ran<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4290700456/" title="Needles by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4290700456_fde0fbefb1.jpg" alt="Needles" width="375" height="500" /></a><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I like this picture almost as much as the one I posted at </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://f11holdsteady.wordpress.com/">the other place</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">.</span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01302290381712739479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19187515.post-48003134382553933852010-01-19T11:48:00.003-05:002010-01-19T15:26:07.690-05:00Finished Knitting<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">With crummy pictures!<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4288427346/" title="New Socks by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4288427346_d5ca91c040.jpg" alt="New Socks" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />These are the Austrian Socks from <a href="http://www.interweavestore.com/Knitting/Books/Favorite-Socks.html">Favorite Socks</a>. The color is way off but the yarn is <a href="http://www.louet.com/yarns/gems_sport.shtml">Louet Gems sport weight</a> (Willow, I believe), knitted on size 2 needles.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4287686707/" title="Cable Detail by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4287686707_43804b58f5.jpg" alt="Cable Detail" width="375" height="500" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />That's a little closer to the color. I enjoyed knitting them, but they were a bit hard on my hands -- I think the pattern calls for fingering weight, but I went with the heavier yarn because I don't like the way fingering works up with #2 needles (at least not for socks).<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4288427670/" title="Toe by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4288427670_c84a6bec67.jpg" alt="Toe" width="375" height="500" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />I love the way the toe works out, and that the socks fit exactly as written.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4288431306/" title="Koigu by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4288431306_721a6949ba.jpg" alt="Koigu" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Now I can knit these without guilt. Not that I wasn't knitting them before, but it was guilty, furtive knitting, since I hadn't finished the Austrian socks. This is the first time I've used Koigu and I might be addicted.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4287690827/" title="Simon Does Not Approve by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2682/4287690827_4132df3847.jpg" alt="Simon Does Not Approve" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Simon does not approve.<br /><br />Cat update: I still haven't gotten Judy to the vet, but I discovered fleas on Thursday night. I managed to get flea stuff on her on Saturday morning. She still hasn't forgiven me, but I'm calling it a minor victory, even if it doesn't take care of the obsessive licking.<br /></span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01302290381712739479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19187515.post-60897884060393476572010-01-15T16:02:00.002-05:002010-01-15T16:34:13.042-05:00Census 101<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4277486176/" title="1990 Census by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4277486176_116d81a8c7.jpg" alt="1990 Census" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">You know how I keep saying I'm going to do a Census post and then I put it off? Well, the day has arrived. This is kind of long, but I hope not too boring.<br /><br />"The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of 10 years, in such manner as they shall by Law direct."<br />-- Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution of the United States<br /><br />The first Census was taken in 1790, it was supervised by then Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson and was under the supervision of the U.S. Marshals. The final count was 3.9 million, which both Washington and Jefferson suspect was an under count.<br /><br />You can find a nice decade by decade overview, including the authorizing legislation and enumeration, <a href="http://www.census.gov/history/www/through_the_decades/overview/1790.html%20"></a>here.<br /><br />The questionnaire is 10 questions, each a result of legislation. These questions have to do with age, sex, race, Hispanic origin, relationships within the household and whether you own or rent the dwelling (<a href="http://2010.census.gov/2010census/how/interactive-form.php">you can look here to see when the question was enacted and what the purpose is</a>).<br /><br />This is the first year you will not get a long form from the Census Bureau. The long form has been replaced by the <a href="http://www.census.gov/acs/www/">American Community Survey (ACS)</a>, which is a monthly sample survey. There are a variety of reasons for this, but one of the more important is that the demographic and economic data is more timely than the decennial census. If you happen to get an ACS questionnaire you are required to answer it (there are penalties, but they are rarely if ever enforced); because it is separate from the census, you have to fill out the census form as well.<br /><br />Census data is used to apportion seats in the U.S. House of Representatives (and thus in the Electoral College). States may gain or lose seats (Ohio is projected to lose a couple of seats with this Census). For more information on apportionment, including a map of projected gains and losses, look <a href="http://www.psc.isr.umich.edu/dis/census/subject/apportionment.html">here</a>. The data is also used to distribute federal funding for hospitals, schools, roads and bridges (sometimes in Alaska). The data can be used by community leaders, residents and advocates to argue for (or against) funding for projects.<br /><br />The basic timeline for this year’s Census: In May of last year Census workers fanned out to verify addresses, making sure that 123 Any Avenue is still a single family house that hasn’t burnt to the ground in the last 10 years. In March 2010, the forms will be mailed (or otherwise delivered). April 1 is National Census Day. If you or a member of your household splits time evenly between two houses, wherever you are on April 1 is where you should be counted. Census workers (or enumerators) will visit households which did not send in their form (this is why the Census is so expensive) from April to July. Population information is delivered to the President in December 2010 for reapportionment, and redistricting data is due the states by March of 2011.<br /><br />My sister, who works in an unemployment agency (and she is very busy for the foreseeable future) said this about applying for and hiring Census workers: “Census workers are hired through the same process any employer would hire someone. Positions (as one might expect), are temporary and local to the area. They hire for clerical and enumerators 18yrs or older & generally with no criminal background. They are also required to take 30min. test that covers reading, math & attention to detail. Additional training is required once they've completed the application process. They also pay a decent starting wage (at least for my clients)for such a mundane job-$12 for clerical & $16.50 for enumerators. So there you have it. The census worker in a nutshell;)”<br /><br />The sample test she mentions can be found <a href="http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs/application-material/">here</a>, along with other application material and background check information.<br /><br />In the coming months you may find me geeking out over sampling issues, over- and undercounting and other fun minutia, but this is the important stuff so I will spare you for now. The picture is my library's copy of the 1990 Census (with a bit of the 1980 Census). That is the last census to be printed. Its all <a href="http://www.census.gov/">online</a> now.<br /></span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01302290381712739479noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19187515.post-53498347906326024762010-01-13T14:52:00.003-05:002010-01-13T14:58:56.289-05:00Update<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I'm up to my eyeballs in a big, hairy project (can anyone tell me why no one indexes Annual Review of Gerontology and Geriatrics?), so a Census post is going to be delayed a bit.<br /><br />In the meantime, I thought you might like an update on the great Feline Adventure.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlpeJ0a1iT97hxXZM2afkVGSjAj8LDqjPFKahL1A4naMO15yyZOSiARQLVmWnNU9i_BpuBi9K_-Si2vGQZzmAUVKyzib5jwoZ6R1puaC1cAujzxgxCKqfkE3iFhLPdxZj5Wv7/s1600-h/IMG_6317.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlpeJ0a1iT97hxXZM2afkVGSjAj8LDqjPFKahL1A4naMO15yyZOSiARQLVmWnNU9i_BpuBi9K_-Si2vGQZzmAUVKyzib5jwoZ6R1puaC1cAujzxgxCKqfkE3iFhLPdxZj5Wv7/s400/IMG_6317.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426315907757149410" border="0" /></a>Judy: 6 (scratches); Me: 0<br />I'll try sedation next. Not sure who it will benefit more.<br /></span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01302290381712739479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19187515.post-23570096136209310452010-01-12T11:11:00.002-05:002010-01-12T11:33:06.807-05:00Paranoid Cat<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">While we have finally upgraded our home internet service to the slowest DSL available (which is still blazing fast compared to dial-up), our ancient (in Techie years) computer can't really keep up, so this post might be a bit bare bones.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4169229085/" title="Judy is Not a Happy Cat by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2582/4169229085_ca8e75a09e.jpg" alt="Judy is Not a Happy Cat" height="375" width="500" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />This is Judy. She's paranoid. The other two cats have been having various cat health problems (too gross to go into), and in the midst of it all Judy started licking her back raw, so now I need to get her to the vet. The only time I am allowed to even touch Judy is when she is in this room, better yet, when she is on the chair. This is my best chance to get Judy into the cat box and up to the vet. I was hoping to get her on Saturday but I only had two opportunities: once while the cat box was unavailable and then after the vet had closed. Judy is not stupid. I am home today, trying again. I have already missed one opportunity, and now she is in hiding. I love the crazy creature, but she does not make it easy.</span><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="on down" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_JustifyCenter" title="Align Center" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 11);ButtonMouseDown(this);"><img src="img/blank.gif" alt="Align Center" class="gl_align_center" border="0" /></span></span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01302290381712739479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19187515.post-46251310734826988942010-01-07T14:09:00.002-05:002010-01-07T16:30:06.390-05:00Knitting Seen in the Wild<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Is it just me or did the holiday rush by in a flash? I put up decorations the weekend after Thanksgiving and took them down January 3rd, barely a week later. I did a lot of frantic knitting during that time, but have very few pictures to show for it. Exactly one, in fact.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4254210997/" title="Little Stocking by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4254210997_373d1874f5.jpg" alt="Little Stocking" width="375" height="500" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />I knitted eight wee little stockings, took a picture of this one and <a href="http://whenshewasknitting.blogspot.com/2009/12/silence-and-knitting.html">the green and red ones</a>, but none of the others (including the super cute beaded ones). I'm lame.<br /><br />I also knitted a very nice wrap for a <a href="http://www.distractedmuse.com/weblog">friend</a>, out of some <a href="http://www.yarndex.com/yarn.cfm?yarn_id=2661">Blue Heron Silk Rayon</a> she gave me in a fit of I-don't-know-what-to-do-with-this-Get-it-out-of-my-house (I could use a couple of those fits in my life). I made Asymmetry from Wrap Style, I didn't take a picture and I can't find an accessible one on the web, so you will just have to trust me that it came out well.<br /><br />Today was my <a href="http://f11holdsteady.wordpress.com/2010/01/07/day-one-hundred-hundredth/">100th day of photos</a>. To celebrate, WordPress released a new photoblogging template. Wasn't that nice of them? It isn't very different, but I can finally link to <a href="http://avisionofthepresent.blogspot.com/">my brother's photo blog</a>.<br /><br />And last, but not least: are you getting excited about <a href="http://2010.census.gov/2010census/index.php">Census 2010</a>? Of course you are! <a href="http://2010.census.gov/mediacenter/spread-message/from-the-director/2010-census-vehicle-unveiling.php">This video</a> of the unveiling of the Census 2010 NASCAR Ford Fusion is pretty funny (if you are as giant a nerd as I am). Some time ago, <a href="http://sagecreekfarm.blogspot.com/">Sharon</a> had suggested I do a post about the Census. I did actually start one, but got worried that I would get something and be boring at the same time. The director of the Census, Bob Groves, is keeping <a href="http://blogs.census.gov/2010census/">a blog</a> and provides some interesting details (e.g. his post on January 4 explains why filling out the census form is mandatory). However, if anyone is interested, I'd be happy to put together a piece. If you give me some idea of what you would like know about, I might be able to keep it short.<br /></span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01302290381712739479noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19187515.post-82948327475916021482009-12-21T11:55:00.002-05:002009-12-21T14:42:13.721-05:00This, That, and the Other Thing<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A couple of weeks ago, while I was driving around lost in a maze of condominiums, Len called me in a bit of a panic. Since I was already close to a meltdown, he decided whatever he had to tell me could wait. This sent me further over the edge because he had spent the day with his mother and ailing father, so I made my apologies to my family (or the part of my family I was meeting for dinner) and hightail it home. It turns out all of the drama was because Lizzy chewed up some knitting and a needle. <a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2682/4131167739_8e69a78226_b.jpg">This knitting</a>, in fact. After some minutes of trying to decide if at least some of it could be saved, this is what it looks like now:<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4204189046/" title="Starting Over by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2594/4204189046_83472bb73b.jpg" alt="Starting Over" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />No dogs were harmed in the destruction of this knitting. Oh well, it could have been worse, I have a ton of this yarn, and while I had gotten pretty far on it, the hat wasn't deadline knitting or anything. So the dog got off with a {shrug}.<br /><br />After 2 months of searching, Len finally found a truck (2006 Toyota Tacoma, 4x4, 6 speed manual, extended cab). It took a long time because he had some very specific criteria and we were beginning to despair of ever finding what he wanted. We had to go all the way to not-so sunny Akron, Ohio (it took us about 12 hours total), but he finally has a truck and a budding case of buyer's remorse (par for the course with him).<br /><br />Then I was laid up all day Sunday with a nasty sinus headache. Are sinuses really necessary?<br /><br />I finished <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gilead-Novel-Marilynne-Robinson/dp/031242440X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261423264&sr=8-1"><span style="font-style: italic;">Gilead</span></a><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>a little while ago. When I first read <a href="http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E00E4DC103FF93BA15752C1A9629C8B63&scp=2&sq=gilead+marilynne+robinson&st=nyt">reviews</a>, it sounded good but very dry, demanding, but kind of dull. I knew I wanted to read it, but I was afraid it would be a chore. I was completely unprepared for what a deeply moving experience it would be. Demanding, yes. The book demands time, attention, and no small amount of devotion, but for this the reader is rewarded with a literary experience brimming with grace, love, and redemption. It is one of those books that makes you happy to be alive.<br /></span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01302290381712739479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19187515.post-12594223479559201162009-12-10T12:44:00.003-05:002009-12-10T13:19:17.966-05:00Gingerbread Houses<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For the past several years I've been going to an evening craft show in Saline and in the last couple of years my niece Lauren and nephew Isaac have come along. A particular feature of this show is the Gingerbread House competition/fundraiser.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4174837122/" title="Gingerbread Houses by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4174837122_2ce73655b1.jpg" alt="Gingerbread Houses" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Part of the competition is for professional bakers. The public votes for their favorite houses by dropping change in a little box by the displays, the display with the most money wins and all of the money is donated to a school charity.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4174080225/" title="Gingerbread House Decorated with Glee by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2725/4174080225_5206be6a75.jpg" alt="Gingerbread House Decorated with Glee" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />I voted for this one. It was decorated by the children of the bakers and it is just so gleeful (more is more!)<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4174837326/" title="Patriotic Gingerbread Houses by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2517/4174837326_40733087d9.jpg" alt="Patriotic Gingerbread Houses" width="377" height="500" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />The area school kids get in on the action, too. Part of the school's cafeteria is taken up with their houses. I think the younger kids all do the same basic pattern and the older kids get more leeway.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4174087395/" title="Serious Decorator by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4174087395_c89057acb1.jpg" alt="Serious Decorator" width="375" height="500" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />There is a cookie decorating station. Lauren takes her decorating seriously.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4174845276/" title="Grumpy Cookie by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2789/4174845276_abbaabf4a1.jpg" alt="Grumpy Cookie" width="375" height="500" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Sort of.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4174087547/" title="More! by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2739/4174087547_113672254b.jpg" alt="More!" width="375" height="500" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Isaac is of the More is More school of cookie decorating.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4174087741/" title="Mmmmm by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2600/4174087741_fe8f8ffe66.jpg" alt="Mmmmm" width="375" height="500" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />He went out on a sugar high.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4174852346/" title="Squirrel by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2514/4174852346_728b0203df.jpg" alt="Squirrel" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />We came home to find my dad backing out of the attic crawl space with this little guy in tow. Lauren was smitten, much to my dad's horror. They took him a few miles out to a nature preserve and let him go.<br /></span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01302290381712739479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19187515.post-66169607501191970212009-12-08T13:10:00.004-05:002009-12-08T16:39:07.018-05:00Silence and Knitting<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I can't guarantee my blog silence is over, but I will try. We are finally getting DSL at home, so that might help (although our computer is still ancient and sometimes it has trouble working things out).<br /><br />One small piece of housekeeping: I moved my <a href="http://f11holdsteady.wordpress.com/">photo blog to WordPress</a>. I was playing around with that platform for a work project and decided I liked the way it worked for the pictures better than anything I could come up with here at Blogger. Because I am a bit obsessive, I reloaded most pictures so they would be that nice big size.<br /><br />Anyway. Despite feeling like I don't have much to say in the last few weeks, I have been knitting. A lot. My knitting mojo has raised its fuzzy head in such a way that I am having a hard time keeping myself from casting 5 or 6 new projects, despite <span style="font-style: italic;">actively </span>knitting on five projects (not to mention the projects I want to be knitting but am not getting to). I have not been as successful at keeping myself from ordering yarn.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4169240453/" title="Austrian Socks by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2600/4169240453_600af2bac5.jpg" alt="Austrian Socks" width="375" height="500" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Austrian Socks from <a href="http://www.interweavestore.com/Knitting/Books/Favorite-Socks.html">Interweave's Favorite Socks</a> (also a very old issue of IK). I didn't do the i-cord cuff because I am not bright enough to figure it out. My aunt convinced me I'd be happier with a ribbed cuff anyway. I don't think I'm happier with it, but it is fine. I am at the toe of this one, then I knit the second one then I can make knee socks (don't ask me why I want knee socks but I do). I have yarn to do the <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer09/PATTtreetop.php">Treetop Socks</a> from Knitty and ordered yarn to do <a href="http://www.januaryone.com/archives/knit/socks/knee_highs/">these</a> (yes, <a href="http://www.patternworks.com/productdetail/883/-------KOIGU-PREMIUM-MERINO-MULTIS-YARN.htm">Koigu</a>, I am a lame copy cat).<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4170002080/" title="Barcelona Jacket Front by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2494/4170002080_dc91098816.jpg" alt="Barcelona Jacket Front" width="375" height="500" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Sorry about that picture. This is the right front of the <a href="http://www.interweaveknits.com/galleries/bonus/fall-2009/barcelona-jacket.asp">Barcelona Jacket</a> from the Fall 2009 <a href="http://www.interweaveknits.com/">IK</a>. I'm not planning on making the full collar. I would normally do both sides at the same time, but there is way too much shaping happening at both sides for me to able to make that work. After this, there is a whole bunch of Mission Falls burning a hole in my stash. And alpaca. And...oy.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4170247356/" title="Stocking Ornaments by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2539/4170247356_121533e278.jpg" alt="Stocking Ornaments" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Teeny, tiny stocking ornaments. I love these. These are Priscilla's Dream Socks (also from the aforementioned Favorite Socks), 32 stitches, size 2 needles, scrap yarn, a couple of hours and done. I don't have much more red, but I do have a ton of green in various shades, so I think the next 4 will be different textures (cables, lace, etc.).<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4131167739/" title="Gray Cables by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2682/4131167739_8e69a78226.jpg" alt="Gray Cables" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Hat for Len. I have quite a bit more than this done (6 cable crossing). I've been knitting this while riding in the vanpool (very productive), but it is getting so that it is too dark to see so progress may slow on this. He wants more socks and more hats, which is easy enough to accommodate.<br /><br />I'm also making some progress on Frost Flowers and Leaves, which I don't seem to have posted about since <a href="http://whenshewasknitting.blogspot.com/2008/04/knitting-weaving-sewing-oh-my.html">April 2008</a> (scroll down). It looks like that, but bigger.<br /></span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01302290381712739479noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19187515.post-18806963507160057472009-11-23T11:39:00.001-05:002009-11-23T11:42:21.592-05:00Isaac & Lauren<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4127760657/" title="Isaac by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2640/4127760657_021df0fe3f.jpg" alt="Isaac" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4127760497/" title="Isaac by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2670/4127760497_e94242de6b.jpg" alt="Isaac" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4128538418/" title="Lauren by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2560/4128538418_6c8651763f.jpg" alt="Lauren" width="500" height="363" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4128538586/" title="Lauren by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2751/4128538586_37a399974f.jpg" alt="Lauren" width="377" height="500" /></a></div>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01302290381712739479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19187515.post-83871803502107143892009-11-06T16:31:00.002-05:002009-11-06T16:54:07.661-05:00Break<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It seems I am taking a break from the blog. I don't really mean to, but there you are. Here is a pretty picture to distract you:<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4069527172/" title="Moon by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2445/4069527172_46098cdef5.jpg" alt="Moon" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Um. Otherwise, the new car is fabulous. It seems one does not need to major muscles to shift. Who knew? The van pool is fine, there are two drivers who switch back and forth. They both listen to really bad country music, but neither has tried to kill the passengers or anyone else, so that's good.<br /><br />And I'm reading a really good book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gilead-Novel-Marilynne-Robinson/dp/031242440X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257543465&sr=8-1"><span style="font-style: italic;">Gilead</span></a> by Marilynne Robinson. Such a lovely meditation on faith, love, family and loneliness, the writing is so beautiful it is almost painful to read.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4069523240/" title="Grass and Moon by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3497/4069523240_56dc14dedf.jpg" alt="Grass and Moon" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Len is going to Florida for week, he is leaving tomorrow night. I'm using that as an excuse to take next week off. He told his sister he thought I was excited to have the house to myself, but I am actually kind of weirded out by it. I haven't been alone in our house for that long. I have the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mad-Men-Season-Jon-Hamm/dp/B000YABIQ6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1257544339&sr=8-1">first season of Mad Men</a> coming, all those pretty clothes should sustain me.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4046912158/" title="Strawberry Leaves by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2726/4046912158_35da6dcb86.jpg" alt="Strawberry Leaves" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br /></div>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01302290381712739479noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19187515.post-29344427646505196292009-10-27T15:37:00.001-04:002009-10-27T15:41:56.141-04:00Do you want to hear something funny?<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I'm buying this car:</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4050941260/" title="New car by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3485/4050941260_1db4effcbc.jpg" alt="New car" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And starting in a vanpool on Monday. Yep. I am very bright.</span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01302290381712739479noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19187515.post-55366468197607301982009-10-21T15:57:00.003-04:002009-10-21T16:42:23.169-04:00Knitting! And Sewing!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Good gracious! And the worst pictures ever!*<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4030167370/" title="Purple Blob by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2744/4030167370_c52b11e59c.jpg" alt="Purple Blob" width="375" height="500" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />The Purple Blob. I finished this just after last year's retreat and promptly decided it was too short and too boxy, so I ripped it back to the armholes, figured out a better rate of decrease (which is to say, I thought about it <span style="font-style: italic;">before </span>I reknitted, unlike last time when I got to somewhere around my waist and totally faked it, which didn't work at all. I know. I'm surprised, too) and re-knitted. I finished it again at this year's retreat. And then bought new buttons because I totally winged the buttonholes and ended up with more holes than buttons. It's still a little short and boxy but I'm much happier with it. It is a basic top down cardigan following Barbara Walker's instructions in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Top-Barbara-G-Walker/dp/0942018095/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256156010&sr=8-4">Knitting From the Top Down</a>.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4030167920/" title="Tulip Skirt by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2466/4030167920_21bcf1efe4.jpg" alt="Tulip Skirt" width="375" height="500" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Tulip Skirt from the <a href="http://www.interweavestore.com/Sewing/Magazines/Stitch-2008.html">winter 2008 issue</a> of <a href="http://www.interweavestore.com/Sewing/Magazines/Stitch.html">Stitch</a> (will they make this available for subscription?). I made one last year from a black rayon-linen blend (no picture, apparently), which I do not recommend as it feels nasty and pills. This is something called "weaver's cloth", I have no idea what that is (100% cotton from JoAnn's). I don't know. I want to like this skirt, but it may be too short and too poufy for me and I end up feeling like my rear end goes on forever. Maybe if the fabric has better drape and is a little longer? How many times will I sew this skirt before I admit that I am not 25 and thin as a rail? The color for the sweater in this picture is just right, though.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4029413903/" title="Skirt by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2610/4029413903_473c9dff4b.jpg" alt="Skirt" width="375" height="500" /></a></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This is also from that issue of Stitch, but I don't remember what it is called. I have also made this one before, but I only took my waist measurement into account, forgetting completely about my hips. Hahaha! Let's pretend that one never existed. This is supposed to have horizontal pin tucks as well, but at some point early on I realized that was going to take 2 inches I didn't think I had to spare. I was right. This fits perfectly in the hips, the waist is a little big, but that is manageable.<br /><br />*I've been playing with Blogger and headers and layouts for most of the afternoon (for work, not for me) and I'm a little loopy. Here is a sunflower, just because:<br /></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4009126864/" title="Sunflower by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2568/4009126864_cdef364053.jpg" alt="Sunflower" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></div></div></div>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01302290381712739479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19187515.post-40165939580802413522009-10-19T11:15:00.003-04:002009-10-19T11:56:46.410-04:00This and That<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I want to get back to posting more than once a week, but I seem to be at a loss for words these days. It will get better, it has to.<br /><br />I saw Where the Wild Things Are on Saturday with my mom, my sister Krista and her two kids (plus a friend of Mani's).<br /><br /><object width="580" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Rhfywi5Y8TM&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Rhfywi5Y8TM&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="360"></embed></object><br /><br />It was as beautiful as I had hoped it would be. <a href="http://www.pajiba.com/film_reviews/where-the-wild-things-are-review.php">One objection</a> I've heard is that this isn't a movie for children, I find it hard to be objective, though, since it didn't seem that far off from my own childhood which was lonely, scary, occasionally dangerous, and often very fun.<br /><br />We went shopping earlier in the day. Along with two blouses and a bunch of t-shirts, I found a great deal on this:<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4026375700/" title="New Toy by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2449/4026375700_4810df1613.jpg" alt="New Toy" width="375" height="500" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />I've wanted a Professional 600 for a long time and now I have one! I want to go home and pet it right now!<br /><br />On Sunday I dragged myself off the couch (quite difficult, I must say) and pulled out the rest of the garden: four stalks of Brussels Sprouts and a basketful of potatoes.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4025619813/" title="End of Summer by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2583/4025619813_d090013326.jpg" alt="End of Summer" width="500" height="382" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />I didn't have Brussels Sprouts until I was an adult, since my dad hates them and he did the cooking. I love them, as does Len. There are four stalks in that picture. This was the first year we did potatoes, they worked out well, despite my having put them in late.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/4026374502/" title="I'm not looking at you! by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2559/4026374502_4114f60c56.jpg" alt="I'm not looking at you!" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Completely gratuitous picture of Lizzy. It might have been my picture of the day, but she wouldn't look at me and then she ran over to bark at the neighbor's horses.<br /></span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01302290381712739479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19187515.post-75469608422890991172009-10-12T15:47:00.002-04:002009-10-12T16:46:11.872-04:00Health Care Costs<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I don't know if you are following the health care debate, or if you even care (there are certainly plenty of things to get worked up about, I would think one could be forgiven for not getting worked up about this issue). I myself am alternately fascinated, appalled, confused and depressed by the whole mess. My opinion is as simple as this: I have really good health insurance, Len has no health insurance and I am at a loss to explain why I deserve to have health care and he does not (of course if a catastrophic event happened, he would have care, but it would bankrupt him). <br /><br />However, no matter where you sit in the spectrum of opinion on this one, I highly recommend listening to this week's This American Life which explains the rising costs of health care. It is fascinating, appalling and depressing. But not confusing. <a href="http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=391">More Is Less.</a><br /></span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01302290381712739479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19187515.post-29745835913056949372009-10-07T16:26:00.001-04:002009-10-07T17:08:21.004-04:00Also Ran<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Unfortunately, I'm still feeling crummy, which has apparently dried up my usual witty drivel. Mostly I just want to complain. No, that isn't even true. I just want to take a nap. I did finally see the endocrinologist and there are a couple of solutions. Maybe, someday, I'll feel better. In the meantime, I am taking pictures and posting them at <a href="http://f11holdsteady.blogspot.com/">the other place</a>. Here are some that I haven't posted there:<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/3986521613/" title="Fuschia by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3436/3986521613_6474c3bbf0.jpg" alt="Fuschia" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />I love these fuchsia, they look so fake, like plastic flowers.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/3987274190/" title="Fall Leaf by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2591/3987274190_237cf13e0c.jpg" alt="Fall Leaf" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />These colors shouldn't go together.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/3987273324/" title="Grass by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2535/3987273324_2cee794e58.jpg" alt="Grass" width="375" height="500" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />I really like grass seed heads.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/3984171690/" title="Volunteer by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2426/3984171690_6c52dc7a9f.jpg" alt="Volunteer" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Volunteer lettuce. This started growing out of our porch a couple of months ago, I haven't had the heart to take it out. It's so random, I have no idea how a seed could have gotten there.</span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01302290381712739479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19187515.post-70681309268746686952009-10-01T15:55:00.002-04:002009-10-01T16:16:41.774-04:00365 Days of...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">...something.<br /><br />I've been seriously remiss at taking pictures this summer. I don't really know why besides an overwhelming lack of motivation. I'd been needing something to kick start me, and a few weeks ago I got one. <a href="http://driono.blogspot.com/">My brother</a> sent a link to a very large 365 Project (80 women post one picture a day). We talked briefly about taking on the project, but didn't really make a decision either way.<br /><br />Today, I made a decision. I'm doing it. What do I have to lose, besides a little self respect? And he has decided to do it too. I finally made the decision when I found a blog called <a href="http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/">365 Days of Free Motion Quilting Filler Designs</a>. That is clearly more insane than one little picture a day.<br /><br />I will be egging on my brother and posting pictures <a href="http://f11holdsteady.blogspot.com/">here</a>.<br />He will be egging me on and posting pictures <a href="http://avisionofthepresent.blogspot.com/">here</a>.<br /><br />Of course, I don't actually have my camera with me right now, and I am taking tomorrow off, so the fun (for me) starts Monday.<br /></span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01302290381712739479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19187515.post-26980493644729526902009-09-29T08:28:00.003-04:002009-09-29T08:37:09.287-04:00Inventory<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">25 half-pint jars of pickled jalapenos;<br />25 pints of smushed tomatoes*;<br />6 quarts smushed tomatoes;<br />21 half-pints of tomato sauce (to be doctored later);<br />28 pints of salsa;<br />4 pints of ketchup;<br />7 pints of Zydeco beans;<br />1 gallon + 1 cup pesto (frozen without the $20 per pound cheese);<br />A lot of ground up basil and oil;<br />A lot of dried tomatoes;<br />A lot of roasted tomatoes;<br />2 ice cube tray-fuls of tomato paste<br /><br />I need a nap.<br /><br />*Smushed tomatoes: peel them, quarter them, drop them in a jar and press down. Wide mouth jars work best, unless you have tiny hands.<br /></span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01302290381712739479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19187515.post-46707229440027307652009-09-21T10:47:00.002-04:002009-09-21T14:30:16.463-04:00I'm Here, I'm Here<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Don't panic! However, I'm fairly certain my brain has drowned in a vat of tomato sauce. Ugh. I know I'll be very happy about all the work, but right now I am so sick of tomatoes I could cry (which I figure I'll be doing around 9:00 tonight).<br /><br />The knitting retreat was fabulous, I had <span style="font-style: italic;">such </span>a good time. It is so inspiring to hang out with 60 other women who are just as delighted by the craft of knitting and I feel totally recharged. I took well over 100 photos, but only about a quarter of them turned out.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/3930958809/" title="Red Line by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2602/3930958809_56d2ca3dc6.jpg" alt="Red Line" width="386" height="500" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />I stayed with my friend Cindy and her lovely family on Thursday night (and didn't managed to take any pictures of them, how lame is that?) Portland has an amazing light rail system, which I took from the airport to Beaverton, where Cindy et al. live.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/3931009069/" title="Blueberry Lodge by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3477/3931009069_376587b3e5.jpg" alt="Blueberry Lodge" width="500" height="373" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Each lodge at Silver Falls State Park has six rooms, three on each side and a common area in between.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/3931791716/" title="Knitting on the Porch by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2625/3931791716_8dd0cb69ab.jpg" alt="Knitting on the Porch" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Plus a porch. Friday and Saturday were very warm and sunny. Sunday was cooler and overcast.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/3931145239/" title="Fireplace by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3476/3931145239_1fc22a113d.jpg" alt="Fireplace" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />One side of the dining hall. Even though there wasn't ever a fire in the fireplace, it is still a natural place to gather.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/3932142094/" title="Bridge by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2621/3932142094_e1ec80d4ae.jpg" alt="Bridge" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />A few of us went for a walk on Sunday. Everything seems to be covered in moss.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/3932235040/" title="Eerie by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2641/3932235040_83339fc73c.jpg" alt="Eerie" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Most of the pictures I took on the walk didn't turn out because it was just dark enough in the woods that focusing was difficult. I took this one with the flash, which I don't use much because it can be very harsh. The effect is very eerie and looks like it is much darker than it really was (it was around 5:00 P.M.)<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/3931454345/" title="Very Big Clover by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3421/3931454345_6940d00a6c.jpg" alt="Very Big Clover" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Hand sized clover.<br /><br />You'd think as much knitting as was going on, I'd have taken more pictures of that, but no. I was, you know, too busy knitting.<br /></span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01302290381712739479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19187515.post-50625985589585149122009-09-09T16:28:00.004-04:002009-09-09T16:44:05.530-04:00Manistee<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Len dragged me up to Manistee, Michigan to spend the night in a camper. Which is to say, he asked nicely, and I, because I am really not very bright, agreed. Let me give you a piece of advice from my own hard won experience: if you have spent the last month dealing single-handedly with the garden, house and dog because your beloved has been working 14 hours a day, 7 days a week, do not, under any circumstances, go to Manistee to spend the night in a camper, with the dog, so your beloved can go fishing. Especially if you hate camping. It is a very bad idea. And you will cry. I did, anyway.<br /><br />For what it's worth, here are some pictures (many more in Fickr):<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/3904070187/" title="Connor and Lizzy by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2463/3904070187_a17e50647b.jpg" alt="Connor and Lizzy" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />We borrowed Len's nephew, Connor, who was delightful. He and Lizzy bonded.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/3904125011/" title="A Fish! by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2596/3904125011_f57c904d39.jpg" alt="A Fish!" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />He caught a salmon.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/3904125299/" title="Cuttting Fish by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2427/3904125299_fd42b19ae8.jpg" alt="Cuttting Fish" width="500" height="375" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />And cleaned it.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/3904913146/" title="Amanda by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2535/3904913146_f106955935.jpg" alt="Amanda" width="375" height="500" /></a></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Amanda</span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/3904913758/" title="Dylan by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3535/3904913758_4a4d741eb7.jpg" alt="Dylan" width="342" height="500" /></a></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Dylan</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/3904855068/" title="Sunset by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2440/3904855068_f35b77361b.jpg" alt="Sunset" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/3904855514/" title="Goldenrod by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2466/3904855514_fb1e0afc74.jpg" alt="Goldenrod" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Anyway. Once I got over the melt down, it was fine. And pretty. I am leaving tomorrow for the knitting retreat and that really <span style="font-style: italic;">will </span>be relaxing.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">See you next week!</span>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01302290381712739479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19187515.post-32130056276711241702009-09-08T16:32:00.002-04:002009-09-08T17:10:42.664-04:00I've Been Known to Knit a Stitch or Two<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I know, that surprises me, too. But here is proof:<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/3887518298/" title="Soleil by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3426/3887518298_3e53c8d9d1.jpg" alt="Soleil" width="375" height="500" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/PATTsoleil.html">Soleil</a> from <a href="http://knitty.com/">Knitty.com</a>. Do you like how it blocking on Mabel? I haven't unpinned it and tried it on yet to see how that worked, but I'm betting it is fine.<br /><br />But wait! There's more!<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/3886721957/" title="Featherweight Cardigan by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3463/3886721957_de306d6da7.jpg" alt="Featherweight Cardigan" width="375" height="500" /></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />The <a href="http://knitbot.com/knitbot-patterns/">Featherweight Cardigan</a> from <a href="http://knitbot.com/">Hannah Fettig</a>. I <span style="font-style: italic;">love </span>this cardigan. The yarn is a lace weight from <a href="http://blackberry-ridge.com/index.htm">Blackberry Ridge</a> which I dyed with grape and black cherry Kool Aid.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lee-jeannette/3886722705/" title="Featherweight Cardigan by Lee Jeannette, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2433/3886722705_7f1070a487.jpg" alt="Featherweight Cardigan" width="375" height="500" /></a><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The dye behaved oddly when I washed the finished item</span>:<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> it continued to bleed (which isn't so surprising), but the backs of the sleeves are much darker than the fronts. Very weird. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I would like to note that at the moment it is 66.6 degrees. I find that hilarious. And kind of cold.</span><br /></div></div>Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01302290381712739479noreply@blogger.com2