What a week

Remember back in January I was contacted by a friend I haven't seen in 12 years? Well, last week that friend came to stay with us. She's vegetarian so I planned a menu without meat for the entire week. It was a challenge but everything was delicious. I even put on a few pounds - eep! Because of the new job, I didn't want to play around with my schedule and so I didn't take any time off. Probably a good thing too because it was a crazy week... on Thursday I was there from 7am-5pm and in meetings for 5 hours.

The three of us had lunch together on Wednesday at Asian Bistro. Max took off Thursday and Friday. The two of them saw a lot of the sites... the botanical gardens, Natural History museum, and a bunch of the outdoor monuments. The cherry blossoms were out in bloom and quite beautiful.



Friday night we had two other friends over for dinner (feta walnut dip and pita chips, spinach salad with a homemade dressing, savory rice cakes, sauteed sweet peas and red bell pepper, and ice cream for dessert) and then watched the Secret of Nimh. On Saturday we went to the Washington National Cathedral. Saw alot more of it than the last time we went in 2003. They now have underground parking, which is great!



Yesterday we had a big breakfast and then drove out to Baltimore. We spent several hours at the National Aquarium in Baltimore and walked around the harbor area before going to the airport. It was a fun week and it was great catching up. Twelve years is a long time!

No worries

Worried

This morning, Max and I dropped Erin off at the vet at 7am. She is getting her teeth cleaned today. Standard procedure, right? I hope so. As the woman at admission explained all the possible but unlikely complications, I kept thinking, "Oh no. What if this is the last time I see Erin?" A little melodramatic I'm sure. Max has the day off today so he's the contact person for any updates or emergencies. If all goes well, Erin should be back at the house tonight when I get home and only mad at us because we had to take her food away last night.

Silver

Cyan

The top two were taken by Max while he was in China at Jiu Zhai Gou. The rest were borrowed from flickr.

Gold

Driving update
I went on the highway this morning!

I feel great - golden even. We left the house just before 8am and I drove a short distance to get on the highway. Because it was so early (and probably also because it is Easter Sunday), there were almost no cars - maybe five within sight. Merging onto the highway was easy because there wasn't anyone there and then I drove straight past one exit and got off at the second exit. That wasn't hard either because there were no cars. I had to watch my speed and worry about the sun in my eye but overall, it was fine. In fact, driving back on the regular roads was probably more nerve-racking because of all the curves and hills. Still, we stopped at a gas station on the way home so there was some purpose to the trip ($3.25/gallon, ugh) and only minimal sweating.

A very successful trip! :)

Teal

I read an article in Pink Magazine that said that teal is one of the power colours. Interesting, though I'm not sure why. For more teal, see also Love me some teal.

Magenta

Spring is showing up everywhere in Virginia. So many trees are in bloom... but I know there are still many places that are in the first grips of winter (Mom) so here's another colour series for all of you living about the 49th.

A third chemo cap

Used the leftover yarn from the striped hat, knit holding two strands together. The only drawback is that this hat is not machine washable but otherwise it should work out.

Bruins hat finished

I shipped this hat, the blue rib and a third off to my sister yesterday. Hopefully she will get it by the end of the month.

Happy St. Patty's

After a hectic week, there's nothing better than some couch time. That was Friday night and part of Saturday. Here's Brookline looking bored, but then again she gets to sit around on the couch as much as she wants.



The weather was really nice on Saturday so we also went for a walk to the post office. On Sunday, I spent some time in the kitchen. I made some Irish soda bread, in honor of St. Patrick's Day. Also roasted some bell peppers and made a pesto to go with it... not traditional (or even green) but it was yummy.



For dessert I made an apple cranberry pie with a crumb topping.



Whew! That's alot more than I usually do in one day. There was also knitting but I'll save that for tomorrow.

Progress

The hat is almost done. Just need to weave in all the ends. And then wash for optimal softness.

Bruins hat

My sister's BIL is a Boston Bruins fan. He's also going through chemo therapy. My sister asked me to make him a chemo cap. Here's the yarn I got on Sunday:



The yellow looks more orange in this picture but I think that's just the lighting. I cast on Monday night (124 stitches on size 3 needles). I think it will take forever. But the goal is a fine gauge that is not rough on the skin... the purl side will face out and the smooth side will be on the inside.

I already have a few inches but it's slow going.

Blue rib

I finished this hat over the weekend, a chemo cap for my sister's BIL. Plain 2x2 rib on size 6 needles using Red Heart Soft.



The colour in this picture is not true (it's supposed to be navy) but you can see the detail of the decreases better.

Frogs

On Friday, I went to the National Geographic Museum and saw the exhibit on frogs (in honour of Leap Day).

Charlie Bartlett rocks!

What a great movie!

Max and I went to watch it last night because it's not showing tonight. It is SO GOOD. Funny, ironic, heartfelt, and real. Max really liked it too. So if it's still showing where you are, watch Charlie Bartlett. (Rated R for language, drug content and brief nudity.... which, I must say, is all pretty hilarious.)

Perfect way to start the weekend.

Fetching

Using the same yarn as the Claudia hat, I cast on for a pair of Fetching fingerless gloves. Had to move down to a US size 3 needle so they would fit right.



As you can see, the edges curl and I can't steam them because the yarn is almost certainly 100% acrylic... still, I like them. I've only finished one and started the second one. I'll post a new picture when they're both done.

Claudia hat

Did you spot Erin?



A friend's birthday is this week and so I made this hat for her... don't you know it, it's going up to 65 degrees today (that's 19 degrees Celsius). I guess spring is really on its way.

Hodology II

So after my pattern was published, I received a note that there was a mistake in my pattern. Eek! My biggest fear! So I cast on and started working through the pattern to see if there were any other errors. There were but thankfully the corrections have been posted online already. I finished the large size the other night and I must say, it's more like EXTRA large. Oops, well... maybe someone out there has a really big head. :) Another one for the charity pile but at least this one looks good!

Here's the Hodology pattern if you're looking for it.