Settled and Happy

I know, I know....it's January 16th and this is when I am talking about the New Year. Fine, it has taken me a couple of weeks to settle into 2009, but I'm here, and I'm settled.

Being Thursday night, I spent the evening with my knitting family at the shop where I spend most of my time, and I had the pleasure of meeting my friend Karrie's brand new baby. What a darling, little package of cuteness drizzled in honey! Even though I am no way ready to fulfill my hubby's all time dream of having six children, (even one for that matter) I can't help but oooh and aaah when I see newborns.

It's not just the cuteness and the awesome baby sounds. It's more about the moment that I get to look into the eyes of a human being whose viewpoint of the world is not yet tainted, and I feel hopeful for them, for me, for all. It's weird, because really, how the hell do I know what a baby is thinking about, but I know that I am hopeful. I have decided that I can probably watch a mother cradle her baby for a very long time and not be even a wee bit bored with it.

It also reminded me to be so thankful for my own mother who raised her family as a single mom, working her butt off to make sure that there was always food on our table, but always made sure that she was there to be the nurturer as well as the provider. She showed me how intelligent and powerful women can be, and she taught me that it needed to be done with no apologies. I,as an adult with a mere handful of responsibilities, am in awe of the dedication of this woman who worked a full time job during the day and taught college courses at night, who combed my hair, and chased me through the sprinkler on hot summer days; who baked four different kinds of cakes every Saturday morning and composed classical lullabies with a Caribbean beat on the piano to lull us to sleep; who encouraged each and everyone of her children and made us believe that we could do whatever we wanted to do, but she wanted us to be humble in our successes and accomplishments. I am in awe oh her. So now that her six children are grown, I hope that she can be proud of the people that we are, as well as take credit for the good things that come from us.

So, I called my mother when I got in the car to go home. It was about half past 11 at night but I wanted to tell her how awesome I think she is. I got the response I thought I would. "Oh, Tatoue, you're crazy. I love you, but you're crazy". And then she laughed. Ahhhhh....music to my ears. What more could I want?

Ummmm.......sleep perhaps?

~T

Happy Me!

I just have to say that I had the most awesome birthday today! I want to write so much about it but I am so tired, I will save the details for tomorrow. But I am so blessed to have such awesome family and friends. And I mean AWESOME! Everyone went out of their way to make me feel so special through their words and their actions. I smiled all day! Tomorrow, when I am awake and can portray a cohesive thought, I will sit and write to share all of the wonderful events of my birthday!

Oh....and I'm lucky that my Jeffie believes in celebrating a birthday week, so I can't even imagine how awesome the next six days are going to be. I love my people!

~ T

Rationalizing Yoda

I wonder why I thought shopping for stocking stuffers was synonymous to actually Christmas shopping. I had this cunning plan this year that I would do everything in advance. All of my purchases would be made online so that my claustrophobic self wouldn't have to deal with the pushy, no-eye-contact-making, "I shall stampede you to death", idiots who are racing to make sure little Dick and Jane have lots of gifts under the tree this year.

I'm not being mean. It's just that I can't ignore that I now live in an era where people actually are killed because they unknowingly got in the way of a purchase. Anyhoo, I digress. So, as you may have guessed, I waited until the last minute to actually get any of my real shopping done. I have been working furiously, getting all of my knitting projects done for my family. I have this strange desire to make sure that they all have something handmade from me. (that might have something to do with the fact that I love them more than life, but call it a hunch)

So, I have two and 3/4 children's sweaters done, 1 1/2 scarves, an awesome hat, some bookmarks and a Bible cover. I'm kind of freaking out because I'm not really sure that my nephew is going to appreciate wearing a sweater that has no neck. But I could be wrong. Kids are weird that way.

Jeff and I finally decided to hunker down and just shop. SO, that's what we did. For four hours we walked around shops debating over who wanted what. As I strolled (and I strolled because I don't walk fast for anybody), I found myself reminiscing to the days when Christmas was stress free. You know, when I was six, when all I had to do was stick some uncooked noodles on a piece of construction paper, title it "Best Mommy And Daddy" and suddenly I was the new Degas.

I'm not sure if it was because I was raised in a Haitian family, but we never were asked to make Santa a list. My mother asserted that Santa always knew what we wanted. As an adult "strolling" through Target, I now understand that statement to mean "You will be grateful for whatever I get you......and if you're not, get a job". Ahhhh, reality.

Alright, so I'm trying to be a bit more traditional, running through the mental list of items I knew my neice and nephews showed interest in. Alex likes anything having to do with Star Wars and Transformers, Aubrianna has become a musical junkie,....meaning she loves musicals. So she really wanted "Hairspray" the movie, and anything having to do with High School Musical. Okey-Dokey. Ethan is three, so basically he just wants whatever his cousins are playing with at the time. Thank God he's still easy to please.

OK.....toy aisle......Star Wars figurines.......24 dollars. EXCUSE ME?!! I got the shoes I had on my feet on sale for fourteen dollars.....and I wear them every day!!!

Again, I found myself thinking back to my childhood. This time I'm nine, Jenny is seven and Joey is is three and the world has lost its lid over this phenomenon called the Cabbage Patch Kids. Remember them? Yup. 75 dollars apiece for those suckers.

So....here comes Christmas and I think that I should be the spokesperson and I state very sweetly that since we have been glitter dusted angel children all year long, it would be awfully nice if Santa (you know, Mom) would get each of us our very own Cabbage Patch Kid. And oh, make sure they look like us because that's the whole point of having one....they look like your babies. Reasonable request, I thought. I wasn't a very bright kid.

So, Christmas comes, and I know that Santa didn't let me down because I saw three boxes under the tree that looked like the temporary home of the Cabbage Patch Kid Dolls. Jenny and I give each other excited looks, and we tear into the boxes......and we say hello to our new not quite Cabbage Patch Kid doll. I mean, in retrospect, the dolls were really cute, but I don't know......the blonde yarn curly hair and hand painted blue eyes didn't really have us convinced that these were the babies we had requested to look JUST like us.

So, I turned the doll over, hiding my disappointment, and I decided to look for the proof. I pulled the pants down and looked for the authentic "Xavier" signature on the baby's bottom. To my horror, (not really shock), my fears were confirmed. This baby was an imposter!

"Mom!", I pouted. "These aren't real!" She didn't even blink as she said with her smooth Haitian accent, "What's not real about it?" My brain starts screaming, "Don't answer her, it's a trap! TRICK QUESTION, TRICK QUESTION!". My father put his guitar down which was not a good sign. It meant the merriment had officially left the room. "DON'T ANSWER, YOU CRAZY PERSON". Brain. Still talking. Eh....,whatever. I answered.

"This doll does not have the 'Xavier' signature on it's butt and that's the ONLY way we know that it's a real Cabbage Patch Kid Doll". I got her. How could she argue? I got the eyebrow raise (the same one my Jeff gives me at least once a day) and she gets up from the couch without saying a word.

Oh my God, I ruined Christmas! I felt horrible. I was a spoiled brat who wasn't grateful for my gifts and now I had hurt my Mom's feelings and I ruined Christmas for everyone.

I was about to get up to beg for forgiveness when my mother came back into the living room. Sitting back down on the couch, she quietly leans over and snatches my poser doll out of my hands. Oh no......now she was taking it away and I would have NO doll. This was horrible. I tried to apologize for my impertinence but I got the look again, so I just shut my mouth.

Without a word, she pulls the pants down, and with a laundry marker she writes in beautiful cursive letters "Xavier" on the right butt cheek. She blows on it to dry the ink, puts the cap back on the marker, and says softly, "Is that better?" I could only stare. A full minute went by before Jenny couldn't contain herself any longer and just fell over laughing. And then I started laughing. And of course three year old Joey laughed because she was three, for crying out loud.

And then most importantly, my mother let out that great laugh that only she has, and she says "Be happy with what you receive, little girl". And I was, because I then realized that only I knew who the real Xavier was.

So, on that note, I contemplated.... how many signatures was I willing to forge this Christmas? The answer? None. The Star Wars figurines are in the process of being wrapped as I type. And besides, Yoda is kind of cute.

More later.........

~T

Simply Sweet Celtic Beret

My Simply Sweet Celtic Beret is complete and thank God Renee has the perfect head to model it! I tend to have a large dome (lots of good stuff in there, I'm hoping) and I like hats that are not constricting, so I make a lot of big things. However, for those of you who have normal noggins, I have also included the pattern for a smaller size beret. If the link I have included works, you'll find the pattern and you'll be on your way. If it doesn't work, it's on Ravelry. If you're not on Ravelry......ummmmm, what are you waiting for? No seriously, if you want to make the hat, and the link doesn't work, get a hold of me and I'll send you the pattern.

http://knittingwithtasha.110mb.com/Patterns/SIMPLY%20SWEET%20CELTIC%20BERET.pdf

But anyhoo, I'm going to make it again.....this yarn was a little too smooshy for my taste and the lines of the celtic knot aren't really crisp. Of course, this could have something to do with the fact that I'm still learning, but more knowledgeable knitters agreed with the notion that the yarn had way to much give.

But the color combiniation makes me happy, and the ribbing is kind of neat since it changes midway from one color to the next. I'm happy the hat is complete, I'm happy that it "works", but I'm also happy that I can see what I don't like about it but I know I like it enough to find better options! I'm rambling....but oh well, that's what I'm known for.

So, I'm off to complete my knitting swap partners package.....her handmade gift is done, and I shall be posting that once it's mailed out and received. I just have a few more things that I would like to put in the treasure box so that it's a nice gift and not just a mediocre gift. Who needs mediocre? We should always aspire for awesome.

Ummm......and by the way, we have a new president. :)

T

CROCHETED FINGERLESS GLOVES

These fingerless gloves are super quick and easy to make. They are gorgeous in self striping yarn so feel free to express yourself! If you are a new crocheter, this is a satisfying project. Make a bunch of them and remember, these can be tried on as you go, so don't be afraid to add some stitches or remove
some to fit your hand better. Adjust them until they are perfect for you and have fun!


Aran weight Yarn
Size G hook


Chain 8
Row 1 : SC in second chain from hook. SC across row. Chain 1 (this is your turning chain). Turn Work.

Repeat row one until piece measures 7 inches. End row.

Fold the piece end to end (first row to last row) and sew together. This is your cuff.

Along top edge (this is whichever edge you choose to be the top) pick up and SC 36 stitches. Place a marker to indicate the start of the round.

Continue to single crochet in the round until the entire piece (cuff included) measures 5 inches,

CREATING THUMB

SC until four stitches before your marker. Now with stitch still on hook, insert hook into the fourth stitch after marker and slip stitch. This creates the hole for your thumb. Continue to SC around the hand portion of the glove (28 stitches) until the entire piece (cuff included) measures 7 1⁄2 inches or until it fits your hand to your liking. Tie off your last stitch and weave in the ends.


MAKING THUMB

SC in the eight remaining stitches of the thumb and place a marker to indicate the beginning of your round. SC in every stitch for 1 1⁄2 inches or until the thumb fits you to your liking. Tie off last stitch and weave in your ends. You have completed your first glove. Now make the second one!!

Sock It To Me Cabled Cap

I have finally decided to add my Sock It To Me Cabled Cap to my blog for anyone who is interested in making it for themselves or someone they love. It's a simple pattern using the sock yarn of your choice. The brim is a cable floating in garter stitches and you just pick up the edges and knit in the round till you've got a very comfortable hat! Hope you enjoy making it!

P.S. If anyone has already made this hat and would like to share your project with my readers, I would love it if you sent me some pics! Thanks!

SOCK IT TO ME CABLED CAP

Gauge: 7 stitches to the inch. I used a size two 16 inch circular needle, but you can use double pointed
needles.
Set up rows.
Cast on 30 stitches
K 10, Place marker, knit ten, place marker, knit 10
Knit 10, slip marker, purl ten, slip marker, knit 10
Row 1: Knit 10, slip marker, slip 5 stitches onto cable needle and hold in front of work, knit next five
stitches, knit five stitches from cable needle, knit 10.
Row 2: Knit 10, slip marker, purl 10, slip marker, knit 10
Row 3: Knit 10, slip marker, knit ten, slip marker, knit 10
Row 4: Knit 10, slip marker, purl ten, slip marker, knit 10
Row 5: Repeat row # 3
Row 6: Repeat row # 4
Row 7: Repeat row # 3
Row 8: Repeat row # 4
This is your cable pattern.
Repeat rows 1- ­ 8 until your piece has 90 garter ridges. Bind off. Sew cast on edge and Bound off edge
together. This is the brim of the hat.
Pick up 160 along the brim of the hat. Place marker to identify beginning of row.
Knit in the round until the body of your hat is 9 inches deep.
Decrease round: *Knit 15, knit 2 together*. Repeat until end of row.
Next row: Knit
Next row: * Knit 14, knit 2 together*. Repeat until end of row.
Next row: * Knit 13, knit 2 together*. Repeat until end of row.
Next row: Knit
Continue in this fashion until you have 16 stitches remaining. Break yarn, leaving at least 8 inches.
With a darning needle, thread yarn through remaining stitches, cinching top of hat closed. Weave in your ends.

ENJOY!!!

BOO HOO, I HATE THE FLU!

A couple of weeks ago Jeff and I went to IKEA and purchased a new bed, and thanks to the flu, I spent a lot of time in it! Initially the plan was to get a bed that was low to the ground so that Benji, our little arthritic Shitzu-Terrier mix can now jump up whenever he pleases without grunting in the middle of the night for me to pick him up. Since I sleep very little, it's a bit annoying to finally doze off to find myself being nudged awake by a whining little marshmallow dog. He's cute, and old, but it's annoying. And what's more irritating is that now that the bed is set up, Benji seems to like to sleep in his doggie bed now....right NEXT to the new bed! I've been trying to get him to sleep in his own bed for years, and now that I've tried to accomodate the little bugger, he has found a whole new appreciation for his own bed. Hmmmm.....

This flu came and placed me firmly on my rear. It was a bit rude, I think. No introductions, no warning....just "oh, and by the way, you're sick as a poisoned toad and you'll be in bed for a week". I'm sure if I were really able to remember and compare my different moments of illness, this flu could be comparable to other bouts I've had in the past. But since I can't remember......this is the worse I've ever felt!!

It started with a sore throat, which only aggravated me. By the next morning, I couldn't even straighten myself out on the bed. My back spasmed for days and I had a fever that wouldn't let up. Jeff worked from home the majority of the week to make sure that he could help me if I needed to get out of bed; but I felt horrible. I didn't even look at my knitting for days.

And of course, this all came after I had to postpone my tooth surgery due to another infection. It just seemed that everything was collapsing around me all at once. The one thing I did learn this last couple of weeks is that I am a huge baby when I'm sick. HUGE.

So tonight is the first night that I've been able to be out in public for more than 2 1/2 hours without being completely exhausted and I enjoyed sitting with my friends again at the knitting table, laughing until my lungs felt like they were either going to explode or be coughed out. I guess the only thing I can do is take things slowly and just be optimistic that I'll feel better with every day that passes.

Now I have to make sure that I am truly on my feet by Sunday. My in-laws are reconsecrating their wedding vows in honor of their 36th anniversary. It is a surprise party for the "bride" and I'm in shock that she is still clueless as to the big day. First of all, my sister in law keeps slipping with certain details, apparantly uncertain as to what the word "surprise" means. Thankfully, her mother never picks up on any of it. But then again, she doesn't pick up on much. She's not stupid.....just a little disconnected with her surroundings.

And Irving (my father in law) tries to talk about the plans with me, but because he's almost completely deaf, he speaks VERY LOUDLY. His whisper is louder than my outside voice. So there have been many conversations in which I sprinkled the word "shhhhhhhh!!" quite generously. Oh well. I think it will be lovely whether she knows about it or not. Now........let's hope he really gets more thank bagels for the reception............

T