Friday Fill-Ins 2011-22

And...here we go!

1. This week I broke down and got a BlackBerry Torch.

2. Daily visit to the gym returns.

3. It's all about doing the right thing even when it is not popular.

4. I want to be like a turtle and simply soak in the sun.

5. I demand rain, NOW.

6. For some reason my path, it's filled with hurdles I could have never imagined.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to peace and quiet, tomorrow my plans include cleaning out the closet and I'm sure watching a sporting event and Sunday, I want to cook out and swim!

Gas Mileage Myths....true facts folks!

It takes more fuel to start a vehicle than it does to let it idle.


People are really confused about this one, and will leave a car idling for half an hour rather than turn it off and restart. Some kids I know started an anti-idling campaign in the suburbs and are shaming parents into shutting down their cars. Idling uses a quarter to a half gallon of fuel in an hour (costing you one to two cents a minute). Unless you're stalled in traffic, turn off the car when stopped for more than a few minutes.

Vehicles need to be warmed up before they're driven.

Pshaw. That is a long-outdated notion. Today's cars are fine being driven off seconds after they're started.

As a vehicle ages, its fuel economy decreases significantly.

Not true. As long as it's maintained, a 10- or 15-year-old car should have like-new mileage. The key thing is maintenance: An out-of-tune car will definitely start to decline mileage-wise.

Replacing your air filter helps your car run efficiently.

Another outdated claim, dating back to the pre-1976 carburetor days. Fuel-injection engines don't get economy benefits from a clean air filter.

Aftermarket additives and devices can dramatically improve your fuel economy.

As readers of my story on The Blade recall, there's not much evidence that these "miracle products" do much more than drain your wallet. Both the Federal Trade Commission and Consumer Reports have weighed in on this. There are no top-secret 100-mpg bolt-ons out there.

Using premium fuel improves fuel economy.

You might as well write a check to BP if you believe this. Only use premium if your car specifies it.

Friday Fill-Ins 2011-21

And...here we go!

1. I see fixing steak on the grill this weekend.

2. I'm going to be making banana bread from scratch.

3. They begin to listen to my suggestions and have been asking me for help and it feels good to share.

4. There are a few things I wish I could have mastered oh so many years earlier.

5. This I know: I have learned what being in love truly feels like and I know I have made the right choice.

6. I want sushi and sake tonight for dinner.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to serious knitting on two scarves that need to be done by the end of the month, tomorrow my plans include cleaning the house, cleaning the pool, laundry and a little shopping and Sunday, I want to welcome SF home propperly ;)!

Nightfall Multnomah

Last one for the day, I promise.  This is the Nightfall Multnomah (Ravelry link).  The yarn was a gift in the All Things Local Swap from May of 2010.  I knew the minute I saw the yarn that it wanted to be a shawl and when I saw the pattern I was certain that they were perfect for each other.

I won't go into much detail here, but I didn't like this pattern.  There were some math errors that forced me to do WAY to much thinking and I was still in need of mindless knitting.  This was the last piece that I was able to work on before I put Eraser down.  My stress level was really high from the decision process and the ache that it caused and I could never find the strength to pick up the sticks and string.  I did pick up the crochet hook but that is another post all in itself.

Amy Made Me Drop These Stitches

This is the Drop Stitch Scarf pattern (Ravelry link).  Another fairly mindless pattern with GREAT results.  Again, this was yarn from Amy.  She had sent it to me in a birthday package shortly after I had moved in with SF.  This one did take me three days to make.  This was also my first time to work with Manos.  Man oh man, what was I waiting for?

Can you see a theme in the last three FO's?  Yes, I needed instant gratification and these last three fit that need to a "T".

Birthday Cowl

This is the Birthday Cowl.  Let me tell you I was in love with this one and I was totally enjoying the yarn too.  I had received a skein of the Malabrigo Merino Worsted in the color Burgundy - 41 in the Have A Cuppa Swap package.  I had never worked with Malabrigo and now that I have I am TOTALLY hooked.

My mojo for knitting was in jeopardy when I grabbed the skein, wound it into a cake and cast on before I had a chance to change my mind.  I think it too long to make but I was side-tracked with quite a few personal hurdles that sent me into tailspins often.

I would also suggest that if you love a good cowl that you should seriously consider this pattern.  It is well written and looks great.  And you can bet that there will be more Malabrigo in my future!

Cheshire Cat Scarf

Okay, so one of my entries in the planner was to post about my FO's, so here is one.  This is the One Row Handspun Scarf by the Yarn Harlot herself.  The handspun was a Pay-It-Forward Handmade gift from my dear friend Amy.

I was touched when it arrived and I watched it as it began to speak to me about what it wanted to transform into.  I knew it looked like a scarf but I wanted one that would showcase the handspun correctly.  I must admit that the Harlot was correct.  My one regret is that I made it larger than she suggested and when it was soaked and blocked it is wide and short.  That's okay in the long run, as I can wrap it around myself and tuck it into my coat better.

I took this with me when SF and I went to Knoxville and I was making great progress on it since SF is a capable driver and I actually was able to be the passenger for the first time without worrying about anything.  Such a treat to trust the one you are with and let yourself go and enjoy the landscape, the music and the company.  If you want an easy pattern AND you have some handspun to work with I highly recommend the pattern.  I am going to use the pattern to make a baby blanket because it will make a great blanket and looks great on either side.

Food....better than that, hamburgers.....

I love this story and one of my favorite places is getting a shout out....

Friday Fill-Ins 2011-20

1. I know that I am strong and independent; however, I need to project that a little bit more often than I do.

2. I want to finish at least one of the three books I'm currently reading before this weekend is done, if at all possible.

3. This weather has been great for outdoor activities; however, we really could use a weekend filled with rain SOON, as we are 17" behind on our annual rainfall.

4. Working with people from another country can sometimes be a problem.

5. I'm really happy I have the ability to express myself in manners that suit my own personal needs.

6. People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, or something to that effect.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a glass of wine and a bubble bath, tomorrow my plans include the Texas H.O.G. Rally and Sunday, I want to work on my ISE scarf!

Friday Fill-Ins 2011-018

And...here we go!

1. A Walk in the Clouds is my favorite TV show (or movie) because it is very romantic and shows how love can actually grow from something that wasn't there when two souls first meet..

2. Go to page 45 of the book you're reading or of the book closest to you; go to the 6th paragraph and make a sentence out of 7 words from it: Companies installed circuits allowing business computing.

3. I am in a rebellious mood.

4. Which works better, cold showers or long walks.

5. Take some time to smell the roses.

6. The back yard needs a bit of a more feminine touch.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to happy hour with the neighbors, tomorrow my plans include getting a whole new image at the hair dresser and the Derby and Sunday, I want to lay by the pool, read and drink adult beverages!

April Goals....

Well, today is May Day, or better known as May 1st.  In a way, I am glad that April is done.  It was a hard month and a real roller coaster of emotions for me.  I hinted that I would post April goals way back in this post, but obviously I never did follow through.

April was filled with projects but most of them were not ones I should have been working on.  I did manage to start and finish the Multnomah.  For the record, I hated this pattern.  It was full of errors and omissions and that does not make for mindless knitting.  Which this pattern should have been due to all the garter stitch and the feather and fan repeats.  I loved the finished object but more than once I was tempted to frog and rip.  A photo shoot, more like a parade of FO's will appear this week.

I made myself a scarf from some beautiful Manos that Amy had send to me as a birthday present.  I also make a beautiful cowl from some Malibrigo that Amy had sent me as well.  I did finish sock one of the March socks and cast on sock two but they are still just staring at me.  I didn't have the energy to work with little needles and small yarn but I may be able to tackle them again now that things are returning to normal.

So, what are my May goals:

• Finish the March Socks
• Start and Finish the April Socks
• Start the May Socks
• Finish the Red Hot
• Finish the Red Robin
• Realta Afghan - Continue to work on the components (this is a marathon not a sprint)
• Cast on the Traveling Woman
• Finish the Friday Night Knitting Club
• Finish the Big Switch
• Work on my weight (I want to loose 3 to 5 pounds - OR get into the 14's comfortably)
• Get to know Sassy

There are a few others that I may add after I think about them.  I have been working on doing more things for myself lately (pamper wise) and I have been doing well on the mani/pedi portion.  I really want to pick a signature lip color and stick with it, so I'll keep you posted.

Eraser should be home on Friday and I am ready.  I miss her so much and I want to thank all of you for you kind words and thoughts.  I had forgotten how much she had wormed her way into my heart.  I have found some pictures of her as a kitten and I will be posting one last tribute to her.

Enjoy the rest of this beautiful Sunday and start your week off on a positive note.  I'll be fixing healthy dinners for SF and myself.  I need to share some of the treats I have been fixing.  They are low cal and yet packed with flavor.

My To Do List for the week will include a post on some of the recipes, the pictures/details of the FO's, the tribute to Eraser and a sneak peak at the crochet work for the Realta....it is stash busting of some ancient acrylic (Red Heart/Lion Brand/Caron) so don't stick your tongues out.  I am making it for Zoe.  Stephanie will be able to toss it into the washer and dryer and move on.  I'll make an afghan for SF and I with some Cascade 220 later in the year...