Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Welcome to “Sensational Haiku Wednesday!”

Click here for info and background on this weekly event!

The basics:
Haiku is simple! It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (a great way to use your fingers!)

This week’s theme is: Freestyle

 

Season's last home game

Devil's done until next year

Miss them already!

 

Take a few days off

get garden ready for spring

Then it rains three days!

 

I want a cardi

light cotton pretty in red

I even swatched!   

You Are a Fierce Femme

You have a wild side, and you aren't afraid to bring it out when the time is right. But you also know when to hang back and keep your "crazy chick" persona in check. In fact, some of your friends may be surprised to find out how far you can take it... You may look mild mannered, but it's all an act!

Are You a Daring Woman?

Blogthings: Quizzes and Tests and Memes, Oh My!

     

Blue Striped Egg Pattern

As I mentioned in my "recipe"/pattern for the Red Easter Egg, these are just recipes that can easily adjusted.  Any one of these eggs can be done striped by changing yarns between rounds, this could be solid.  You could use a variegated yarn ( several of my initial eggs were made with variegated yarns) But for the purposes of writing down these patterns this egg is the one that is striped.  Beginning with round 3, all stitches are crocheted through the back loop)

scraps of 'n creme type kitchen cotton
G/6 - 4.25 mm hook
plastic Easter Egg


round 1 - ch5, sl into 1st ch to create a loop
round 2 - ch2, 11 DC around loop, sl to top of chain to create round, pull tight 
               cut yarn
round 3 - slip a loop through the back loop (a few loops before the cut yarn tail 
              so you can cover tail and not have to weave later) ch1, [2SC, 2SC in
              same st]3x, 2SC, SC in base of ch1, sl to join
round 4 - ch1, SC each st, sl to join, pull tight, cut yarn
round 5 - attach new yarn as in round 3, ch1, [2SC, 2SC in same st]5x, sl to 
              join
round 6 - ch1, SC each st, sl to join, pull tight, cut yarn
round 7 - attach new yarn, ch1, [2SC, 2SC in same stitch] to end, sl to join
round 8 - ch1, SC each st, sl to join, pull tight, cut yarn
round 9 - insert egg (pointy end first), attach new yarn, ch1, [SC, SC2tog]8x
              sc, sl to join
round 10 - ch1, SC2tog across, sl to join, cut yarn, weave through loops, pull
              tight to close, weave end





round 2



attach new color



round 5



round 6



round 8



round 9



done


Abbreviations:
ch- chain
sl- slip stitch
DC- double crochet
SC- single crochet
DC2tog- double crochet 2 together
SC2tog- single crochet 2 together

White Easter Egg Pattern

 

Here is the white Easter Egg Pattern. Again, I am not a crocheter and I taught myself out of magazines so if you have any questions let me know.  After round 2 all stitches are done through the back loop only.  This creates the little ridge between rounds.  I like these ridges.  If you do not want the ridges crochet through both loops.

Scrap 'n Creme type cotton kitchen yarn
size G/6 - 4.25mm hook
plastic Easter Eggs 

round 1 - ch 5, sl into 1st ch to create a loop
round 2 - ch2, 11DC around the loop, sl to top of ch to join round
round 3 - ch2, [2DC, 2DC in same st]3x, 3DC, sl to top of chain to join round
round 4 - ch1, [SC2x, 2SC in same st]6x, sl to connect
round 5 - ch3, skip 1 st [DC, ch1, skip 1 st] across, slip in 2nd loop of chain 3 to 
               join
round 6 - ch1, SC in each st, insert egg
round 7 - ch2, [2DC, DC2tog] 4x, DC slip to ch to join round
round 8 - ch1, SC2tog around, use tail to weave through and pull closed.



Step 3



 Step 4


Step 5


Step 6




Step 7


Done


Abbreviations:


ch - chain
sl - slip stitch
DC - double crochet
SC - single crochet
DC2tog - double crochet  2 stitches together
SC2tog - single crochet 2 stitches together
 

Red Easter Egg Pattern

I am aware that I did promise the patterns for my Easter Eggs.  Really it's more of a recipe but I am printing out the three basic versions. Since I did attempt to photo each step I will post one egg per post to keep the post size down.  I do not consider myself a crocheter, so if you don't understand something please let me know.


All three eggs use "standard" 'n creme type cotton - scraps will do
                            G/6 - 4.25mm crochet hook
                            the plastic eggs sold at Easter time that come apart in the
                             middle to fill

round 1 - ch 5; sl into 1st ch to create a loop
round 2 - ch2, 11 DC around loop, sl into top of ch to connect round

from here forward, all stitches are done through the back loop.  This creates the little ridge between rounds.  I personally like the way tis looks, if you do not want the ridge, then crochet through both loops.

round 3 - ch 2, through back loop [2DC, 2DC in same stitch]3x, 3 DC, sl to top 
               of ch
round 4 - ch 2, 2DC, 2DC in same st, [3DC, 2DC in same stitch]2x, 3DC, DC in 
               base of ch, sl to top of ch to join.
round 5 - ch 1, sc each st all around, sl to join round then insert egg, fat end
round 6 - ch 2, [2DC, DC2tog]4x, DC sl to join
round 7 - ch 1, [3SC, SC2tog]2x, 3SC sl to join
round 8 -  ch 1, SC2tog all around, sl to join, bind off

I pull the hole on top closed when I weave in the end.

Abbreviations:
ch - chain
sl - slip
DC - double crochet
SC - single crochet
DC2tog - double crochet 2 together
SC2tog - single crochet 2 together

Since as I said before I'm not a crocheter, and I taught myself - mostly from magazines, I figure I should explain what I mean by crochet 2 together.  If you look at the picture with step 7 you will see that I insert hook, loop the yarn, pull the loop through, then leaving the loop on the hook ( will be 2 loops at that point) insert the hook into the next loop, grab the yarn, pull the yarn through, (3 loops on the hook) then I yarn over and pull through all three loops.  Double crochet 2 together is done in a similar way- I have pictures if you need it. 

 

Warning - Robin spoilers

Here are some recent knitting updates for you.  One warning - anyone who is doing the Robin Mystery shawlette KAL and does not want to see the pictures should not read this post.

My first finished project is a tea cozy.  I haven't made a tea cozy in a while ( still need to finish my Memorial day through July 4th cozy) 

Easter Eggs

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My crazy woman sock

The beginnings of my Vintage Linen Robin

The beginnings of my Stormy Robin

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Enjoy your day!

You Are a Good Friend Because You're Loyal

You stick with your friends no matter what, even if you feel like they're doing the wrong thing. You believe in letting people figure out their own path in life. It's not your place to interfere. And part of your loyalty means that you'll do a lot for your friends. You definitely go the extra mile. You'll even do great things for friends without them asking. After all, that's what friendship is all about. You are truly a friend for life. And you have friends you've known since you were a kid. Your friends can count on you to do a favor, remember a birthday, or just be there to listen. Your friends need you most when: They can't turn to anyone else You really can't be friends with: Fickle people who change friends quickly Your friendship quote: "Friendship doubles your joys, and divides your sorrows."

What Makes You a Good Friend?

Blogthings: Free Quizzes for Everyone

   

Red!

Spring cleaning in full force the next few days.  Today was the bathroom and kitchen- emptied the cabinets etc.  So for today here are some pictures of my spring flowers in the front.

Tomorrow will be pictures of recent knitting.

Your Favorite Color is Red

You are strong, healthy, and energetic. You have a strong personality. You're known to be very outgoing and even aggressive. You don't shy away from what you want. You see the world optimistically. You like to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. You are a very emotional person, and you sometimes find it hard to be objective.

What's Your Favorite Color?

Blogthings: 100's of Fun, Free Quizzes and 3 Stupid Ones

     

Outstanding Senior?

Warning: proud mommy post.  If you don't want to listen to me brag about my kid, you may want to skip this post!

W

Angie's fencing banquet was Wednesday night.  The above picture is head coach Barb, Angie and girl's coach Lauren.  In order for my retelling to make sense I must explain the banquet layout.  There was, obviously, the podium up front.  In front of the podium was a round table for coaches and the athletic director.  I was sitting almost directly behind him.  There were a large number of round tables to accommodate parents, friends and family.  Along one wall was a LONG rectangular table that made an L at the back end of the room to accommodate all the fencers.  The seniors and captains were supposed to sit up at the front of the table ( where the balloons and stuff were).  There was a screen on the back wall, where a slide show of pictures and video clips from the season were being played.  The seniors made the freshmen switch with them so they could see the screen better.  ( why no pictures you ask?  because I forgot to check my batteries and the above pic is the only one I got all night.)  So anyway, since the seniors get the majority of the awards they had to navigate the maize of tables to receive them.

Angie got her varsity bar ( first award is the letters, then a pin - a mask with crossed swords, then a bar to put under the pin)  Then she is called up to get her captains pin,  Then she is called up because she made all-conference.  Then she is called up because she made the all- conference all-academic team ( kids who made all conference AND had a GPA of 3.5 or higher) Then she got girl's team mvp (not usually given to a captain because they are supposed to do more anyway, not usually to the high scorer either - but she got it because of how she made sure the girls team ran  and how much time she spent developing the freshmen and sophomores, not just on her squad but in all the weapons)  Both the girl's and boy's team won the conference good sportsmanship awards , so she went up to accept that for the girl's team.  And then she won the outstanding senior award.  After receiving that she looked at the coach and said can I go all the way back to my seat now?  Coach said yes we're done with awards.  Angie got almost back to her seat when the coach says, I'm sorry- I am calling the captains up next!  So back up she goes for the old captain/new captain handoff.  It was actually getting funny how many times she went up front.

At the end of the program was listed coach's gifts and booster club announcements.  but none of the kids got up to do the gifts so the booster pres gets up to make the announcements.  Still no movement by the kids, so he calls up Tom -the boys captain (who also made all-academic).  Tom takes the mic, says I have no idea why I'm up here, so I'm going to call Angelique F****** to the podium.  Everyone starts laughing because they think he's joking about how many times she went up.  Then he says - seriously I have no idea what I'm supposed to be doing up here.  The ATHLETIC DIRECTOR gets up with his copy of the program goes up to the podium and points at the line that says coach's gifts.  Tom says oooooooohhhhhhhh. calls Angie, she says ooooooohhhhhhh and gets up with the bags.  I tell the athletic director - there's your all academic team... maybe you should recheck the numbers. 

It was a great night and Angie came home with a big smile on her face, and promptly went to bed because she had a track scrimmage the next day. ( In which she got a new pr in discus)

Proud mommy speech over.

Thunks

Welcome to the March 25th version of Thursday Thunks!

Where we make you think a little bit before you blog!

We pick a subject, and your job is to interpret it anyway you want. Write about it on your blog... simple as that. Maybe you can interpret it as a picture - we don't care!

Please only leave a link if you have written a Thursday Thunks post. Please mention us in your post, and link back to the blog here.

Don't forget to go visit the other participants' blogs. Read and comment about all their Thursday Thunks! Thats what all this is about afterall, isn't it? We'll have so much fun and become lifelong friends....

This week we will answer some crazy questions brought to you by Berleen, the color of nothing, and the number one.


1. I got nothing. What should I ask next week? Although I think Kimber should do it next week. Somehow. Well there are certain contexts where "I got nothing" is a good thing.

2. Wind chimes - annoying or not? Depends on the sound.  Some of them sound really clanky.  I have some awesome crystal and bamboo ones.

3. Camping - camper or tent?Mariott?  Sheraton??  My idea of roughing it is a Holiday Inn.  But my retirement dream is a 30 foot lux motor home to travel to all the Nascar races. So would that be a camper?  Need to start playing the lottery!

4. Told ya I got nothing. This really sucks. I should have had Bud do this, huh? I think this is his week with the twins, not sure he'd be able to do it this week.

5. What is your favorite letter of the alphabet? I like the french e with the accent mark.  Or the o or u with the umlatt dots - don't know what language uses that though.

6. So this week my kid had to type a research paper for English.... then she had to email it to her teacher! Is that not just the oddest thing ever? Blew my mind away. Angie has to e-mail stuff to teachers on a semi-regular basis.  It's so weird that in high school she has due dates of midnight sunday!  One time the e-mail didn't go through, fortunately she saved the failure notice and forwarded that to the teacher so she got credit.

7. Wow. These questions suck. They suck bad. Do you like to suck through straws? For what type of beverages? SOmetimes if I'm drinking too much I'll drink my margarita's or other drink (not beer) through the little swizzle stick.

8. What do you do with your cell phones when you do those wonderful "upgrades" to the newer, fancier phones?The first time I upgraded i gave my old one to my then toddler, who pretended it was hers.  One broke so I tossed it.  The rest are probably in a box somewhere.

9. It's allergy season - unless you've completely missed all the people walking around with kleenexs stuck to their nose... what are you allergic to? I'm not allergic per se, but artificial sweeteners trigger horrible, drug resistant  migraines.

10. What did you sleep with as a child?  I had a great antique king size 4 poster bed that used to belong to my great grandparents.  My great grandfather stopped using it after my great grandma died, so I slept in it with my 4 cats and 2 dogs.... I was NEVER cold.

Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Welcome to “Sensational Haiku Wednesday!”

Click here for info and background on this weekly event!

The basics:
Haiku is simple! It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (a great way to use your fingers!)

As of February 3, 2010, Silly Haiku Wednesday became “Sensational Haiku Wednesday”. Please adjust bookmarks and blog posts accordingly!

This week’s theme is:  DREAMS

 An afternoon nap

Strange Psychedelic Weirdness

 Unknown Universe

Soft touch caresses

Promises whispered at night

Future of our life.

For Min and other faucet doubters

Since the question of trough/cool faucets  came up in yesterday's post, here is my humble opinion of faucets.  If you are going to have a trough faucet - you need the cool sink to go with it:

But this is the faucet I really love!

And this is cool (it is  Angie's favorite faucet):

 This is a cool trough faucet:

You Are an Orange Rose

You represent desire and enthusiasm Your vibe: Sexy yet familiar Falling in love with you: happens instantly - it's a fast ride

What Color Rose Are You?

Blogthings: Free Quizzes for Everyone

       

Your Gemstone is Orange Sapphire

Courageous, optimistic, and successful. Your confidence helps you handle the ups and downs of life

What Gemstone Are You?

Blogthings: Discover the Parts of Your Personality that Have Been Hiding

       

Short and Sweet.

Keeping this really short today.   It's raining and feeling unspringlike ( although I guess April showers a week and a half early should feel like spring.)  I have 14 irises blooming they are : Iris reticulata  and are supposed to bloom now, so they aren't mutants After all!  I also have a bunch of crocuses blooming and daffodils just about ready to open up.  Pictures tomorrow.... maybe ... if you're good!

I really really screwed up my upper back yesterday.  No idea how, but it hurts like hell.  And being me, I can't hurt my back in a normal place.... not I have this really intense pain just a hair to the left of my spine just around or a bit higher than my bra strap.  Seriously - who hurts themselves there? 

I went to Philly over the weekend.  I was cracking up over the kids there.  When you see kids going for their college interviews they are all dressed and groomed and neat and tidy looking.  Now all these kids have been accepted and the school wants them in.  THere were a lot of shorts and flip flops etc and the Campus was all spiffied up with balloons etc.   Just funny to me anyway.

Had dinner with Min and Kirsten at the sushi restaurant Sat night, that was awesome. Although I  was a tad underwhelmed by the "amazing" faucet. Reminded me of the trough faucet I used to have to pump to water the horses as a kid. 

Have a great day everyone!

Tulips Say You're Very Positive

You are very popular and universally admired. You are often hopelessly in love, and you connect to other people easily. You are a naturally cheerful and upbeat person. You have an amazing smile. You have a fresh perspective on things. You have a different way of looking at the world.

What Do The Flowers You Pick Say About You?

Blogthings: Learn Something Surprising About Yourself