Insert Foot

And She's Off

And now we're three--me, Dick and Archie.  Idaho (the nasty grey cat) died last month and is now taking a long cat nap in a pretty little wooden box on the book shelf.  Lisa packed for college in 2 suitcases---WHAT?  She got a prize for having packed the least amount for an incoming Freshman girl.

                         

Here is where she's living for the next year.  Her side of the room is so her.

More pictures from New York

Drool--what genius did this?

Building decorations...

Bleuberry/peach tart in Soho

Things I Loved in New York

Produce from farmer's market in Union Square Park.

  These need a bowl of salt  

                                                                                      

      

                                                                         

                      

How Did This Happen?

I got tears in my eyes while telling someone this was our last trip to Baltimore to see the JHU water polo team play in the Navy Tournament.  Has it really been 3 years since we sent Kyle off to Hopkins?  Hard to believe.  Now we are getting ready to send off Lisa (aka "the little one").

HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?  How lucky are we?  As Dick and I move into a new part of our lives, these amazing kids are starting theirs.  It's hard not to get caught up in their energy.  There is so much that is new and exciting for them.  I keep reminding myself to stand back, enjoy and try not to insert myself into their "thing."  That's hard.  I want to share my experiences and wisdom with them.  BORING.  Note-to-self---it doesn't matter what I've done--just that I'm there to step aside and enjoy.

As I stand back and try to go Zen, I realize how much I'm going to rely on Archie to get me through all this.

Woof. 

Have a Lovely Day

                                                                                      

                         How many purses does one 17 year old girl

                                                   need?

What she's all

     about

Our Own Top Chef

How great is it to have a kid who loves to cook?  That chicken was as fantastic as it looks.  Both recipes are from the Top Chef cookbook that came with a great saute pan from Macy's. 

Easy Baby Sweater Knit in the Round

Here are pictures of 2 of the cutest, easiest baby sweaters you'll ever knit. The smallest size can be knit in one weekend or a long round trip airline flight.  Can use any worsted weight yarn and color combos.The brown and pink was for a girl and the black and green was for a boy.  Pattern is included at the end of this post.

     

Yoked Pullover

Sizes:  Directions are for size 1.  Changes for 2 and 3 are in parentheses.

Blocked chest size:  22” (23”, 24”)

Materials:  1 4-oz. skein worsted weight for Main Color; approx. 2 oz. each for colors A (medium color) and B (lighter color); circular needles 24’ and 16’ size 8 or size needed to get gauge;  set of double pointed needles; stitch holders

Gauge:  9 sts=2”;  

Body:  Begin at lower edge.  With MC and circular needle, cast on 100 (104,108) stitches.  Mark end of round, join being careful not to twist stitches.

Work 6 rows knit 2, purl 1 ribbing.  

Work in stockinette st. until piece measures 6 1/2” (7”, 7 1/2”) from start or desired length to underarm.  Check gauge--piece should measure 22” (23”, 24”) wide.

Divide for underarms:  Next round, K 50 (52, 54), sl. last 10 sts. to st. holder(right underarm); K 40 (42, 44), sl. next 10 sts. to holder (left underarm).  Cut main color and leave long tail.

Sleeves (make 2):  Beginning at lower edge, with MC and dp needles, cast on 32 sts for all sizes and divide on 3 needles.  Place marker and knit 6 rows knit 2, purl1 ribbing.  Continue in st. st. until sleeve measures 3 inches from beginning.  Increase 1 st. at beginning and end of each round every 1 inch 1 (2,3) times-34(36,38)sts.  Work even until sleeve measures 6” (6!/2”, 7”) from start or desired length to underarm.  Leave long tails.

Shape underarms:  Slip last 5 sts and first 5 stitches of round onto a stitch holder; slip remaining 24 (26,28) sts onto a holder.  Make other sleeve

Yoke:  From right side, with MC attached to body and circular needle, k 1 sleeve, front, other sleeve and back- 128 (136,144) sts.  Mark end of round.  K 3 (5,7) rounds even.

Pattern:

Rnd. 1:  *K1B, K3MC, repeat from * around

Rnd. 2:  K with B

Rnd. 3:  *K1B, K1MC, repeat from * around

Rnd. 4:  Repeat round 2

Rnd 5:  K2A, *K1B, K3A, repeat from * around, end last repeat K1A

Decrease--Rnd 6: K with A and decrease 2 (4,6) sts evenly spaced--126 (132,138) sts

Decrease--Rnd 7: K with A, *K 2 tog, K1.  Repeat from *around--84(88,92) sts.

Rnd 8: *K 1 MC, K 3 A, repeat from * around

Rnd 9: *K1A, K 1MC. Repeat from * around.

Rnd 10: *K 1MC, K 1A, repeat from * around

Rnd 11: Repeat round 9

Rnd. 12: K 2A, * k 1MC, K 3A.  Repeat from *, end last repeat K 1A

Rnd 13: K with A.  Divide stitches onto 3 dp needles when needed

Decrease--With A, *K 2 tog, K1, repeat from * 26 (27,28) times.  End K3(4,5) for 57(60,63) sts

Rnd 15 and 16: *K1B, K 2A, repeat from * around

Rnd 17, 18 and 19:  K 1B, K 2MC, repeat from * around

Rnd 20:  K with MC

Rnd 21-24: With MC, knit either straight or in ribbing until neck is desired length.

Use Kitchener stitch to weave underarm stitches together.

Thanksgiving Beauty

Jay and His Turkey:

Dog and His Drug of Choice

Archie has a new ball--it's like doggie heroin.

Makes Me Smile

This kid makes me smile--every day.