Had to post a pic of my favorite Brits celebrating their first 4th of July celebration! They had a great time decorating bikes for a bike parade and then swimming and a BBQ all afternoon.



As we left, E asked again when she could have another sleepover so I suspect I'll have a guest in the near future!

Indie...pendence Day!

I love it when Thursday is like Friday and there's an extra day thrown into the weekend. Well, I'd like it even better if there were TWO extra days thrown in, but lowly workbees can't complain!

Independence Day weekend has officially started... well, the start has been pretty anti-climatic. After racing to get out of the office and to the grocery store before 5:00 (traffic at the start of a holiday weekend is never good...) I realized I didn't have the list for a brunch dish. I guessed what I needed. And after spending over $100, I got home and realized I had nothing to eat for dinner. Then I realized I left the Mike's Hard Lemonade on the bottom of the cart in the parking lot. I was looking forward to the Limeade tonight. And since it's been abandoned in the parking lot, I REALLY want it. sigh. I even watched the bagger put it down below and thought to myself 'I never put stuff below because I forget it.' Apparently I needed to prove that point.

Fortunately I can go get a replacement tomorrow by showing my receipt... the clerk laughed (and yes, I think it was AT me) and said 'happens all the time.' at least I have company in my stupidity.

The Indie reference is because I love this art work at my friend E's house... I really love it. It's painting and collage on an old cabinet door, complete with rusty hinge. When I get my act together I want to try to do something similar...

Miserable photos because I only had my camera phone with me, but I love the different textures and colors... it was a bday gift from her mom and the quote at the bottom says "we raise our girls to reach for the sky... but sometimes it's really just about the dress"

Amongst the holiday festivities (2 bbq, 1 brunch), I hope to clean the house and make progress on the craft room so I can actually start using it!

Bailey says: Momma, you didn't tell me the pillows were such fun!

Texas Travels...

Half-way thru my TX trip... When one has a business trip to city A (in my case San Antonio) to which one really does not want to go, it helps when you have a friend to visit in nearby city B (in this case, Austin)! Seriously... getting to see E. was a silver lining for a trip that I really didn't want to take.

I haven't seen E in over a year, and that trip was to visit her when her hubby was in ICU after a horrific car accident - not the most pleasant of visits. So it was great to see her... no agenda, just hanging out, putzing around town and thinking of ways to decorate her new house. It's amazing how daring you can be when it's someone else's furniture, walls and windows you're planning!! Neon orange? Bring it on!


Sadly no pics because my camera died and I didn't want to bring my 'big' one... I really wish I had it. Austin is such a wacky and eclectic city - fun pictures that beg to be taken. I love the pride that Austinites have for their city and the goal to 'Keep Austin Weird' - you have to love a place like that. Even if it is stinkin' hot...

Very little on the knitting front... clicking away on the Woodland Shawl for the other E.

And I'm missing Bailey big-time. We had one quick photo before I left as the 'before' shot... alhtough I love his long and furry look, he's long overdue for a haircut so will have one while I'm gone.

I'll hurry home!

Bailey meets Beach...

Saturday was the midst of a mini heat-wave here so was the perfect day to get away from the valley and get to the beach. My friend L and I took Bailey for his first beach trip to a dog beach in Santa Cruz.

He had fun on the beach, but frankly a game of frisbee ANYWHERE is his most favorite thing in the world. "What are you waiting for? Hurry up and throw my frisbee!":


He met a new friend, Zoey, who quickly decided his frisbee was much more fun than her tennis ball...


They had a great time together - until Zoey lost the frisbee in the surf. It was hilarious watching them - each time the water went out they would race and try to dig where they'd last seen it! Fortunately, we have a stockpile of frisbees at home - just didn't think to bring an extra with us.

On the knitting front, Voyager Stole is blocked and ready - however it was quite challenging to get a good picture without a model. Bailey offered, but it just didn't match his coat ; )

So here she is... the previously posted close-up of the lace shows the colorway a little bit better, but I wanted to take advantage of the daylight. I added 6 repeats to the length so after blocking it's a wonderful 21"x80". I love it... now to wait for the fall since the colors are such lovely autumn colors.


Happy Knitting!
- JavaNut

Voyager blocking...

Yes, finally - the Voyager Stole is blocked and drying. Pics and final measurements as soon as it's dry. I'm so excited to have finished... This is the largest lace project I've done and some of the nicest yarn, so I consider it a great accomplishment!! Now if only it were a better season to wear it...

shhhh. I have a secret... a different kind of project that M & I are contemplating. It could be a lot of fun and a whole new outlet for creativity. and a whole lot of things to learn about!! In the meantime I'm thinking about some designs for felted bags with the hope (and fear) that we go forward with it.

Too tired and too late to further swatch for a gift-to-be... so I'm going to call it a night and go listen to some new podcasts. Happy Monday!

Bailey says: But Momma, sometimes I like to sleep UNDER my bed.

It's too d*** hot...

That's the song that keeps running thru my head with the record heat...

Yesterday hit 104 and today just a little cooler. Supposedly we'll be back to our blissful 78-82 by Monday... until then Bailey and I are in low-energy mode!

Ever successfully knit a shawl while trying to keep anything from touching your lap? Not easy and thank goodness it's laceweight yarn or I would have to surrender. But I'm determined to finish Voyager before the end of June so with some minor twisted sitting and draping over the arm of the chair, I've been able to keep the extra layer of warmth from touching me.

This morning I did take Bailey out for his first beach trip... pics when I get them from L's camera tomorrow. But he had a blast until his new friend Zoey stole his frisbee and lost it in the tide (the little vixen!).

At the moment it's pretty even temp between outdoors and inside (which means it will start to cool off more soon -yay!). But in the meantime, Bailey says: I'm just gonna stay in the shade.

Thankful Thursday...

Prior to my blogging hiatus, I started the Voyager Stole in a gorgeous BMFA yarn. It's not quite done, but here's a peek. I was nervous that the yarn would compete with the lace pattern, but I'm going to love this.


Reviving the short-lived tradition...

Today I'm thankful that:
- unlike so many of my buddies in the She-Knits Ravelry forum, I have no risk of losing my job
- Bailey rings the bell when he needs to go outside
- in the midst of summer heat, the nights are still cool
- cranberry juice and sparkling lime make a great warm-weather drink
- I can enjoy the treat of a pedicure

Getting ready for the weekend and some Voyager Knitting!
- JavaNut