Summer Fun

Sometimes my to-do list can be so long it's overwhelming.  Inertia settles in, and I can't make any progress.  Nothing gets crossed off the list.  Instead more things are added to the list.  And I get more and more bogged down.

Eventually something gives me a kick in the pants, and I start making progress on all that needs to be done.  I've found that one of the most effective motivators is a deadline.  With the end of summer fast approaching I'm coming up on deadline to accomplish everything that I had intended to do all summer long.

I've been crossing off items on my to-do list, plotting out my life for the fall and organizing my chaotic house.  While the house still isn't in order, I've always considered that a work in progress.  And then there are the fun things on the list.

Trip to the beach . . . done.

Multnomah was my companion at the beach.  I was able to knit a few rows.  It's an easy, relaxing knit - perfect for sun and sand.

Red Sox game at Fenway . . . done.

Of course I wanted to knit something red.  A red sock would have been ideal, but it wasn't in the cards.  Instead I went with this red scarf.  It will probably be donated to The Red Scarf Project.  

I caught a glimpse of the Canadian Mounties waiting during the first rain delay.

 
The Red Sox were playing Toronto, and the Mounties were on hand for the national anthems.

You can see the rain in this picture.  It was a chilly, almost raw day. After the second rain delay and a dry shirt I was still feeling damp around the edges.  I wrapped the scarf around my neck as I was knitting.  It helped keep out the chill.  With the two delays it was a long afternoon into the early evening.  But well worth it as the Sox won.

It's that time of summer when the peaches are ripe and ready.  We can't seem to get enough of them . . . pie, cobbler, sauce.  Eating them with yogurt or just plain by themselves.  One of our favorites is peach pie with ginger crumb top.

Peach pie . . . done.

Glorious Garter

Garter stitch is comfort knitting.  One stitch, one motion over and over.  Garter stitch is like listening to running water from a fountain - in the background yet ever-present, calm and peaceful.


The last couple of days I've had waiting time . . . time to fill with garter stitch.

Multnomah is coming right along.  The yarn is from Liz at MacKintosh Yarns.  This is Iona, colorway Midnight Rose - 80% sw merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon.  This tightly plied yarn makes for smooth, soft knitting.  I've moved into the border, away from the steady stream of garter.  While I'm sad to leave the comforts of garter, I'm anxious to watch the rest of the design unfold.


I've allowed myself to daydream.  Wishful thinking can be restorative on many levels.  At the top of my wish list is Lucy Neatby's Yukon Adventure Knitting.  What an amazing experience this would be!  The only problem I can see is that I probably wouldn't want to come home.


And here is my inspiration for the week.  For several days I drove around with a friend in the back of my truck.  Her work was tough and resilient, but eventually it tore.

A little bit of lace.

Hope

I've been making a concerted effort to clear up lingering projects. Finish them up or rip them out is my motto.  I had made considerable progress when I was derailed in my quest.


The other day I looked at the remaining pile of projects and pulled an almost finished sweater for my daughter.  All that was left was to finish the two sleeves under construction and put it together.  Piece of cake, right?  This project was a cinch until I started to look for the needle tips to complete the project.  The sleeves were on an interchangeable cable.  I had taken the needle tips for some other all-important project, but now when I needed them I could find only one of the tips.


I spent way too much time looking for the missing tip - searched through boxes, bags, baskets and bins.  And then something snapped. I lost all hope of finding the needle tip, and the momentum to finish up projects already underway was lost.  Instead of being industrious and picking up another unfinished project, I decided to start something new.


These socks had been hovering near the top of my list for some time.

The pattern is Sleepy Hollow Socks.  I'm intrigued with this design - heel flap with no gusset stitches to pick up.  I'll let you know how it goes when I get that far.


I had already started this new project before my little meltdown.

My obsession with shawlettes is still going strong.

This is Multnomah.  I had to rip out a couple of times - I blame it on the challenges of counting to 5.  I'm on track now and loving this pattern. This will be my traveling companion for the week.
 
I've been inspired by the story of Pennies in Protest . . . the dramatic impact that comes from turning negative energy and action into a positive outcome.  This is a powerful example of being the change you want to see in the world.  See the video clip here.  And for more information on the story and the mission, see Pennies in Protest.  It renews my faith in humanity.


I was gifted with this bag by a student and knitter friend.  It makes a nice addition to my collection.  My only fear is that one of my daughters will make off with it.

Whimsical and charming.