Knitting Muse going on vacation

This will probably be the last blog entry for awhile as we're packing up the motorhome for a trip.

So what does a Knitting Muse pack? First thoughts are of projects, of course.

The knitting bag has UFO's....doggy sweaters on the loom and the camisole that was lovingly started, then cast aside when life got crazy.

I will definitely get to finish these as I sit in my co-pilot's seat and offer support as a "back seat driver." hehe

And, of course, the extra supply bin has the current beading project and the "I hope I get to start this" project supplies.

I use to try and work on a bead project while cruising down the road. This hummingbird was done during a trip a couple of years ago.
But after spending too much time chasing the beads around the little lap table I used, I've given up on beading while the RV is in motion. Knitting works just fine.

The other necessities for me include books. Yes, references....but also the current novel I'm reading and the next book I want to read too!

I know...I know....it looks like I'm packing too much (it always does). But I really need to have my "pleasures" with me (did someone mention chocolate?). They are very needed as it's just been too darn stressful lately.

Speaking of stressful....at 2:30 am, I woke up to the smell of smoke and the phone ringing. Yeah, fire. My neighbor called to let me know about the fire right outside (and inside) of Angeles Forest. That's the price of living in this area...in the mountains, having trees....wildfires. So hubby and I stood outside in our PJ's from 2:30 am to 4:00 am because it's not easy to sleep when you can see the flames from your windows...especially when they cover the entire mountain. We didn't know how fast it was moving nor in which direction...but the wind was blowing our way. And, of course, news bulletins at 3 am are hard to come by!

It's a scary feeling to watch a wildfire. We were among those evacuated two years ago during the Acton (Crown) fire. We stayed with friends in the valley. From their yard, we would look up into the mountains watching the plumes of black smoke and wonder if that was our house. For 3 long days, we couldn't come home. The same fears crept back into my mind in the wee hours of this morning as I watched the flames.

Luckily, the winds weren't gusting. The fantastic forestry department and firefighters were able to bring it under control. I didn't think to snap pictures when the flames were big...but this is the aftermath. The entire mountain in this picture was on fire when we first saw it. When this picture was taken this morning, only a few areas were still smoldering and the helicopters were making drops to put these areas out. Of course, air quality here stinks....literally....like campfires.

I really need this vacation.

Returning to normal

With the septic construction finished, life is slowly returning to what will be considered "normal" here. And I'm breathing a sigh of relief for that! I'm slowly relaxing after months of constant tension...and can feel the creative juices flowing again. I've got three new projects in the drawing phase....and I'm so excited about them! More on those as details are worked out.

Since I finished my beret pattern, I haven't spent much time loom knitting. Well, I did fingerless mitts...but that was a pattern I did from about January...so it doesn't really count! Oh yeah, I played around with a visor hat....need to return to that pattern....Gee, I guess I should say I haven't spent as much time as usual loom knitting LOL Anyway, I wanted to make a young girl a special gift. Meet Scruffy! He's already gone to his new home.

What else? Oh yeah, I've also been hookin' - as in crochet. A friend from Michaels asked if I had ever crocheted socks. Well, no, I said, I think they'd be too bulky. Oh c'mon, she urged - try this pattern book. So I did...I mean I just can't look away from a sock pattern for long. And I did want to learn how crocheters turn a heel....interesting process





And guess what? They're ARE too bulky!! You'd have to wear a shoe size larger than normal to wear them! But I did enjoy learning how crocheter's do socks....and they make fine slipper socks for around the house.

Needle knitting results have to wait until batteries are recharged.

Testing missles? Working on UFOs

Day 3 of putting in the new septic system reminds me of the Tom Hanks movie "Money Pit" - and question from the movie - "are you testing missles here?" - applies!! Luckily our contractor isn't giving us the "2 weeks" blanket statement from the movie. He said 3 days - today is day 4 (Thursday) and it appears there will be a day 5. But still it's better than 2 weeks.

With all the digging, the gophers have decided this hill isn't a good home anymore. The worker's have said they've "accidently" killed a couple....and we saw one last night leaving...yay! I really am a lover of all things nature but we've lost too many trees to these darn rodents to be sorry to see them go.

Speaking of all things nature....I'm thrilled to report that the jack rabbits on our little hill are thriving. We've spotted a couple this week. One was larger than our dog. I'm sure the hullabaloo of the digging has caused them to be more active and in the open. However, we haven't heard the coyotes since it all began. And with the lack of coyotes, the cotton tails are thriving (and eating my flowers!!!)

Of course, we have to work on the yard to repair the damage from the digging anyway.
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We've stayed close to home during the construction....good thing as a water line from the well house was cut accidently. So I've spent the time working un-finished objects (UFOs).



Angela is thrilled to see her granny square afghan completed.

Then I finished the fingerless mitts loom pattern for an August class at Michaels.



Next UFO to finish is the loomed dog I'm working on (sssshhhh....it's a gift). Then I have 1 crochet project and 2 needle knitting projects to finish. Then....gasp!....I'll have no more UFOs!! hmmmmm.....time to plan to new project.

Progress

I love beading and I love knitting. So it goes without saying that the two must be combined. The most recent endeavor is this little butterfly bag. The antennae leave something to be desired....but overall not too bad.

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The saga of the septic system continues. But progress was made today when the "digging" phase started. YAY! I never thought we'd be so pleased to spend so much money.

Good news, bad news

A friend of mine has a magnet on her fridge "all stressed out and no one to choke." Seems appropriate.
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Good news! County environmental inspector came last week - at last we have a permit to put in the new septic system (only took 1 1/2 months...grumble). Now....contractor needs to call to schedule when they start digging. One step closer.

Bad news! My hubby gave me a rose tree last year for Valentine's Day. Darn gopher killed it! Other fatalities include 2 (small) peach trees. Gophers beware - traps are out!

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Good news! We adopted two dachsund mix dogs from a local rescue.
Meet 3 yo Cagney, a dachsund/chihuahua mix. He's a bundle of love with a bark, and afraid of hardwood floors.


And 14 month old Bogart, our dachsund on stilts. No kidding - he's got the dachsund face and body length but has long legs! He's a jumper and has a beautiful face.

Together, they form the Gangster Boys. Their favorite past times include barking at wild rabbits, lizards, and sitting in my lap when I'm trying to knit.

Bad news? Well, none really....except that we still miss Arthur.

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Good news! I'm being more creative! I'm playing with color....mixing fun fur colors to make new color blends.

...and about two weeks ago, I started working on a loomed visor hat.

Bad news! I'm not happy with the visor hat design. So it's back to the loom to work the issues out.

I'm still having trouble concentrating on designing. The issues of life we've dealt with for the past 2 months (feels longer!) still occupy much of my thoughts.



And forget complex knitting! I've had to stick with "no brain'er" type of projects. I miss it (sniff, sniff)

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Need a good laugh? Read Crazy Aunt Purl's blog!