10.23.2006
10.12.2006
Tea, tea and more tea
No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, no matter what it looks like. Motherhood is just very time consuming, especially when you have a demanding baby like Gloria. I have been knitting, but talking much about that requires pictures, which just isn't going to happen today. I do have a bit of something to hold you over, though. The 'coming home' sweater finally got finished, and as you can see, still fits her, despite not getting done until she was about 8 weeks old!
Along with parenting, comes a great need for tasty relaxing beverages, at least if you are me. Last week I discovered myself in a bad state when I opened my tea drawer and saw that I was out of both of my favorite teas. Granted I wasn't completely out of tea, far from it, but I was really craving a cup of Keemun Hao Ya A. This called for immediate action, in the form of an order from one of my favorite tea shops, TeaSource. I don't think I'm capable of buying just one tea. Even though I knew exactly what I needed, I still had to browse thorough their selection to see what else I wanted.
My kitchen counter is now covered in bags of new teas to try, and needless to say, I am in heaven. Here's what I just couldn't say no to:
Along with parenting, comes a great need for tasty relaxing beverages, at least if you are me. Last week I discovered myself in a bad state when I opened my tea drawer and saw that I was out of both of my favorite teas. Granted I wasn't completely out of tea, far from it, but I was really craving a cup of Keemun Hao Ya A. This called for immediate action, in the form of an order from one of my favorite tea shops, TeaSource. I don't think I'm capable of buying just one tea. Even though I knew exactly what I needed, I still had to browse thorough their selection to see what else I wanted.
My kitchen counter is now covered in bags of new teas to try, and needless to say, I am in heaven. Here's what I just couldn't say no to:
- Keemun Hao Ya A
- Chocolate Cream
- Longevity Oolong
- Big Red Robe Oolong
- Golden Downey Tip
- Mauritius
There was also a sample of Green Serenity, which was actually one I was interested in but passed on.
The Keemun and Chocolate Cream are the only ones I am already familiar with. Now I just have to choose which of the new ones to try first. Decisions, decisions...
The Keemun and Chocolate Cream are the only ones I am already familiar with. Now I just have to choose which of the new ones to try first. Decisions, decisions...
7.03.2006
And the verdict is...
Well, the braces seem to have stabilized my wrists. The only lingering effects are a light numbness in the tips of my first two fingers and a bit in my thumbs. And yes, I can knit again. Slowly, and not for long, but it's better than nothing. So now I have four weeks or less to finish the sweater I want this little girl to come home in. I only have a few dozen rows left, so it is possible, even with me only able to knit two in any one sitting. I will get this done!
Of course, I get one issue dealt with and manage to create a new one at the same time. I was down at Pacific Raceways this weekend for the vintage races, and both Paul and I forgot the sunblock. He only got a little burnt (mostly brown actually), but I ended up with a nasty burn across my chest. The comical part is that you can tell I got most of it on the way home since I have a white line bisecting the red where the seatbelt was. That's the only problem with convertibles, you need to wear sunblock everywhere you go. On the bright side, now I've got tons of sympathy from Paul, since he feels terrible about forgetting the sunblock and letting his pregnant wife get burnt. I tried pointing out that I forgot it too, but that seems to be beside the point to him.
Now it is time to make some chocolate pudding. I've got some to die for Belgian chocolate that is destined for this.
Of course, I get one issue dealt with and manage to create a new one at the same time. I was down at Pacific Raceways this weekend for the vintage races, and both Paul and I forgot the sunblock. He only got a little burnt (mostly brown actually), but I ended up with a nasty burn across my chest. The comical part is that you can tell I got most of it on the way home since I have a white line bisecting the red where the seatbelt was. That's the only problem with convertibles, you need to wear sunblock everywhere you go. On the bright side, now I've got tons of sympathy from Paul, since he feels terrible about forgetting the sunblock and letting his pregnant wife get burnt. I tried pointing out that I forgot it too, but that seems to be beside the point to him.
Now it is time to make some chocolate pudding. I've got some to die for Belgian chocolate that is destined for this.
6.20.2006
So far, so good
Well, I now have braces on both my wrists. The good bit is that my hands didn't fall asleep last night. The bad bit is that it takes me twice as long to do anything now, since I can't bend my wrists. The real test will be if I can knit. I'm going to give it another day or so before I try, since the longer my wrists have been stable the better the chances are that the inflammation will have gone down. Cross your fingers for me that all is good.
On a completely different subject, I spent way too much on my fish tank yesterday. It's a freshwater planted tank, and for the longest time I've had this hunk of bogwood with Java Fern growing on it that has started to look like hell. I finally got fed up with all the brown algae I couldn't clean off of it yesterday and went to get a new piece of wood from the Fish Store. I was only intending to buy one piece, but of course I found a second smaller one that was perfect. $50 later, I have two great knobby pieces of wood, a few more plants, and a tank I actually love. An added bonus is that the fish seem to love it just as much. They now swim everywhere, rather than sticking to the most heavily planted parts, and the pair of Siamese Algae Eaters I have were either chasing each other around and around the tank or resting on the big piece of wood. I've still got some bare spaces that need plants, so as soon as I get those filled in, I'll post some pictures.
On a completely different subject, I spent way too much on my fish tank yesterday. It's a freshwater planted tank, and for the longest time I've had this hunk of bogwood with Java Fern growing on it that has started to look like hell. I finally got fed up with all the brown algae I couldn't clean off of it yesterday and went to get a new piece of wood from the Fish Store. I was only intending to buy one piece, but of course I found a second smaller one that was perfect. $50 later, I have two great knobby pieces of wood, a few more plants, and a tank I actually love. An added bonus is that the fish seem to love it just as much. They now swim everywhere, rather than sticking to the most heavily planted parts, and the pair of Siamese Algae Eaters I have were either chasing each other around and around the tank or resting on the big piece of wood. I've still got some bare spaces that need plants, so as soon as I get those filled in, I'll post some pictures.
6.14.2006
Ugh!
It figures. I've been breezing through this pregnancy so far, I knew I couldn't make it all nine months like that. Why oh why did it have to be carpal tunnel? I can't even begin to say how annoying it is to have my fingers tingling for most of the day, let alone my hands falling asleep at night. And you know what the worst part of it is? I can't knit!!! I have yet to find a way to hold my work where I don't start losing circulation in my hands.
So here I am, just under two months to go and my hands are in a state where I can barely spend any time at the computer or knitting. I bloody well hope that my doctor has something I can do for this when I see her on Monday or I may go insane before the baby gets here.
So here I am, just under two months to go and my hands are in a state where I can barely spend any time at the computer or knitting. I bloody well hope that my doctor has something I can do for this when I see her on Monday or I may go insane before the baby gets here.
4.28.2006
Field Trip!
Today, Karen and I ventured across the Sound to Bainbridge Island to partake of all the great shopping there. For once, everything actually went as planned. It was perfect convertible weather (well, I didn't actually plan that, but I'm not complaining), we didn't miss a single ferry and parking was a cinch.
Churchmouse was, of course, our first stop. I easily resisted the lure of the Koigu for once, drooled over the Mountain Colors for a fair bit and finally gave in when I spotted the most gorgeous color of Manos. It's a combination of fuchsia, burgundy, plum and golden red. It is destined to become a pair of the lace up fingerless gloves from Alterknits. I even found some Hanah Silk ribbon there in deep purple and green, which may or may not end up as the laces. Karen managed to escape with only buying a skein of handpainted alpaca and some Arauncania Patagonia.
I also found a new yarn to fall in love with. It's called Terra from The Fibre Company. The colors are inspired by natural dyes, though I'm not sure if it is actually dyed with them. I loved the way little slubs of contrasting color would pop out all over the strand. It felt wonderful too, but that's not surprising considering it's a blend of merino, alpaca and silk. I may just have to go back when I have a plan on something to make with it.
Next stop was lunch at a mexican restaurant down the street. They had really good salsa and the fastest service I've ever had. I swear less than five minutes had passed between when we order our food and its arrival! After this, we hit the bead store Karen had spotted when we first arrived. Now, I am not a beader, so I wasn't expecting to find anything there. Of course, I walk out with a strand of multi-colored pearls in olive, peridot, rose and amber. I was meaning to learn how to knit with wire...
The only disappointment of the day was the ice cream shop being closed. It really would have hit the spot, but it just wasn't to be. Rather than trying to race for the ferry we stopped in Esther's Fabric, which now rates as one of the better fabric stores in the area. Everyone there was really nice and the selection was great, with a respectable selection of vintage prints. I found the perfect fabric for a crib sheet, but just like the last time I found a great print, they were half a yard short of what I needed. I consoled myself with some cute fabric to give to my mother-in-law for little girl's sundress. I think Karen actually managed to get out of there without buying anything, but I'm not positive on that.
All in all, I think this ranks as one of my better trips to the island. Good company, shopping and weather is always a winning combination. Oh yeah, I can't forget the obligatory pic of my loot for the day.
Churchmouse was, of course, our first stop. I easily resisted the lure of the Koigu for once, drooled over the Mountain Colors for a fair bit and finally gave in when I spotted the most gorgeous color of Manos. It's a combination of fuchsia, burgundy, plum and golden red. It is destined to become a pair of the lace up fingerless gloves from Alterknits. I even found some Hanah Silk ribbon there in deep purple and green, which may or may not end up as the laces. Karen managed to escape with only buying a skein of handpainted alpaca and some Arauncania Patagonia.
I also found a new yarn to fall in love with. It's called Terra from The Fibre Company. The colors are inspired by natural dyes, though I'm not sure if it is actually dyed with them. I loved the way little slubs of contrasting color would pop out all over the strand. It felt wonderful too, but that's not surprising considering it's a blend of merino, alpaca and silk. I may just have to go back when I have a plan on something to make with it.
Next stop was lunch at a mexican restaurant down the street. They had really good salsa and the fastest service I've ever had. I swear less than five minutes had passed between when we order our food and its arrival! After this, we hit the bead store Karen had spotted when we first arrived. Now, I am not a beader, so I wasn't expecting to find anything there. Of course, I walk out with a strand of multi-colored pearls in olive, peridot, rose and amber. I was meaning to learn how to knit with wire...
The only disappointment of the day was the ice cream shop being closed. It really would have hit the spot, but it just wasn't to be. Rather than trying to race for the ferry we stopped in Esther's Fabric, which now rates as one of the better fabric stores in the area. Everyone there was really nice and the selection was great, with a respectable selection of vintage prints. I found the perfect fabric for a crib sheet, but just like the last time I found a great print, they were half a yard short of what I needed. I consoled myself with some cute fabric to give to my mother-in-law for little girl's sundress. I think Karen actually managed to get out of there without buying anything, but I'm not positive on that.
All in all, I think this ranks as one of my better trips to the island. Good company, shopping and weather is always a winning combination. Oh yeah, I can't forget the obligatory pic of my loot for the day.
4.26.2006
And so it begins
Yes, I too have been sucked into the world of blogs. I blame it all on the other Hilltop bloggers. If I hadn't started reading them... well, it's too late now. For now, I'd better just leave it at this. It's getting a bit late for a pregnant lady to be sitting up messing with her computer... like that ever stopped me before.
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