Busy weekend

I'm so tired. This weekend was alot of running around because my brother in law and his girlfriend are visiting. On Saturday we had breakfast at home (I made pancakes) and then we went downtown to see the Terracotta Warrior Exhibit at the National Geographic Museum. We couldn't find parking so we ended up parking in a lot but when we got to the museum, the exhibit was sold out! So we looked at their other photography exhibit for half an hour and then drove over to the Washington National Cathedral. Spent awhile there looking around at everything. When we got home, Max had to run out and buy a birthday present for our 5-year old neighbor's birthday party. For dinner we went to Food Matters. Then at 6:30, we went over to the neighbors house for Caleb's birthday party. And then at 7:15, we had to leave the house to go to the Kennedy Center to see the concert. We were sitting BEHIND the orchestra, practically on the stage. It was the weirdest thing because you know everyone was looking at us. The concert was okay, some weird stuff, some stuff I recognised. By the time we went to bed it was midnight and I was exhausted.

Yesterday we had brunch at Rosa Mexicano. Marvin and Helen seemed to like it. We took them to Chinatown because they wanted to see it - all 2 blocks! After a couple of minutes of looking around they decided they didn't want to wait for the Chinese New Year parade. Instead we went to the National Archives to see the Magna Carta, The Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Then to the American History Museum. I got to see Julia Child's kitchen. Very small but so interesting to see all the tools that she had and how they were displayed. We were there until 4pm and then took the Metro back. For dinner I made risotto with sauteed portabello mushrooms, and a big salad. For dessert we had some cookies from the store since Helen had been craving them. I went to bed on time but I'm still so tired this morning.

White blanket in progress

A little green hat

Icycles

Erin

More snow in DC

More like this

photo-791874
Originally uploaded by Knerq

Imagine the colors brighter

On the fritz

My knitting mojo has been on the fritz of late and after a row or two, I'm bored with it. Crazy, right? It's probably the winter blues just affecting everything else but this weekend I finished my first project of the year (and the first one since December). I don't have any pictures yet but I am quite happy with it. Very colourful and wavy. And even better, something for me! All that's left to do is weave in the end and steam press it on the ironing board.

Running update
Ran 5 miles on the treadmill yesterday. Could have been truly tortuous but it wasn't that bad actually. Today I'm feeling pretty good and if it continues I might go to the gym tonight and do another 2. I'm in training for a half marathon at the end of the month - yikes! Too soon! Too soon!

Driving update
There has been more driving on the highway and for longer distances. Woohoo!

Orchid

By my desk

Things that make me happy

1) Max (most of the time)
2) yummy food and drinks
3) warm weather and sunshine
4) getting my nails done
5) ice skating
6) new clothes
7) sparkly stuff

Camerons Smoker

This stainless steel stovetop smoker is the best present I could have given Max for Christmas. It comes with wood chips so you can start right away. We smoke sausages and flank steak - the taste is amazing! And we used the pan drippings to make a sauce... the smokiest sauce you've ever tasted!! We'll never need liquid smoke ever again.

Blogiversary

Dear Blog,

Happy Anniversary!

Hodology pattern

Hodology is the study of pathways and interconnected ideas, derived from the Greek hodos meaning path.  The cables twist and flow over and around each other, eventually linking up and reconnecting.  The hat will look like the thoughts and ideas racing around the inside! Size S fits a child; size L fits a man child or a slouchy hat for a woman. The design came together from a stitch pattern I found in The Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Stitches by Reader's Digest and a short-row cabled hat that I have enjoyed making on many occasions.  The yarn is soft and machine washable; it's easy on my hands and on my monthly knitting budget.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Materials Needed:

• Red Heart Soft Yarn [100% acrylic; 256 yards/234m per 5 oz. ball]; color: grass green; approx. 3 oz./150 yards/138 meters (or other worsted weight yarn)
• US #8/5mm straight needles
• I-9/5.5mm crochet hook
• cable needle
• tapestry needle

Yarn Substitutes: Lion Bran Woolease could also be used for a slightly smaller fit

Sizes:

• S Circumference: 18inch / 45cm
• L Circumference: 22.5inch / 57cm

Gauge: 18 sts/24 rows = 4inch / 10cm in stockinette stitch

Techniques and Abbreviations

CN: cable needle

T4L (Twist 4 Left): sl 3 st onto cn and hold at front of work, p1 from left needle, k3 from cn
T4R (Twist 4 Right): sl 1 st onto cn and hold at back of work, k3 from left needle, p1 from cn

C6B: sl 3 st onto cn and hold at back of work, k3 from left needle, k3 from cn
C6F: sl 3 st onto cn and hold at front of work, k3 from left needle, k3 from cn

Pattern

CO 41 st.

Row 1: K6, p1, T4L, T4R, p8, T4L, T4R, p1, k9.

Row 2: P9, k2, p6, k10, p6, k2, p6.

Row 3: P8, C6F, p10, C6F, p8, wrap next st and turn, leaving 3 sts on left needle.

Row 4: K8, p6, k10, p6, k8.

Row 5: K6, p1, T4R, T4L, p8, T4R, T4L, p1, k3, wrap next st and turn,  leaving 6 sts on left needle.

Row 6: P3, k1, p3, k2, p3, k8, p3, k2, p3, k1, p6.

Row 7: P6, T4R, p2, T4L, p6, T4R, p2, T4L, p3, turn, leaving 6 sts on left needle (do not wrap).

Row 8: K3, p3, k4, p3, k6, p3, k4, p3, k6.

Row 9: K9, p4, T4L, p4, T4R, p4, k6, pick up wrapped st, k3, turn, leaving 3 sts on left needle.

Row 10: P9, k5, p3, k4, p3, k5, p9.

Row 11: P6, T4L, p4, T4L, p2, T4R, p4, T4R, p6, pick up wrapped st, p3.

Row 12: K10, p3, k5, p3, k2, p3, k5, p3, k7.

Row 13: K6, p1, T4L, p4, T4L, T4R, p4, T4R, p1, k9.

Row 14: P9, k2, p3, k5, p6, k5, p3, k2, p6.

Row 15: P8, T4L, p4, C6B, p4, T4R, p8, wrap next st and turn, leaving 3 sts on left needle.

Row 16: K9, p3, k4, p6, k4, p3, k9.

Row 17: K6, p3, [T4L, p2, T4R] twice, p3, k3, wrap next st and turn, leaving 6 sts on left needle.

Row 18: P3, k4, p3, [k2, p3] 3 times, k4, p6.

Row 19: P10, T4L, T4R, p2, T4L, T4R, p7, turn, leaving 6 sts on left needle (do not wrap).

Row 20: K8, p6, k4, p6, k11.

Row 21: K6 p5, C6F, p4, C6F, p5, k3, pick up wrapped st, k3, turn, leaving 3 sts on left needle.

Row 22: P6, k5, p6, k4, p6, k5, p6.

Row 23: P10, T4R, T4L, p2, T4R, T4L, p10, pick up wrapped st, p3.

Row 24: K13, p3, [k2, p3] 3 times, k10.

Row 25: K6, p3, [T4R, p2, T4L] twice, p3, k9.

Row 26: P9, k3, p3, k4, p6, k4, p3, k3, p6.

Row 27: P8, T4R, p4, C6B, p4, T4L, p8, wrap next st and turn, leaving 3 sts on left needle.

Row 28: K8, p3, k5, p6, k5, p3, k8.

Row 29: K6, p1, T4R, p4, T4R, T4L, p4, T4L, p1, k3, wrap next st and turn, leaving 6 sts on left needle.

Row 30: P3, k1, p3, k5, p3, k2, p3, k5, p3, k1, p6.

Row 31: P6, T4R, p4, T4R, p2, T4L, p4, T4L, p3, turn, leaving 6 sts on left needle (do not wrap).

Row 32: K3, p3, k5, p3, k4, p3, k5, p3, k6.

Row 33: K9, p4, T4R, p4, T4L, p4, k6, pick up wrapped st, k3, turn, leaving 3 sts on left needle.

Row 34: P9, k4, p3, k6, p3, k4, p9.

Row 35: P6, T4L, p2, T4R, p6, T4L, p2, T4R, p6, pick up wrapped st, p3.

Row 36: K10, p3, k2, p3, k8, p3, k2, p3, k7.

For size S: Repeat these 36 rows 3 times for a total of 108 rows. 

For size L: Repeat these 36 rows 4 times for a total of 144 rows.

Knit one row so the end of the yarn is at the top of the hat.

BO all sts.

Finishing

Break yarn, leaving a 20-inch tail. Using safety pins, line up the four cables. Beginning with brim, sew seam toward crown, taking care to match the pattern. When crown is reached, with the hat inside out, single crochet around the edge every other row, and then in the round every other stitch until only three stitches remain.  This will create a rose-like effect on the crown of the hat from the outside. Weave in ends.

Congratulations! You’re done! ☺

Cat nap

Gifts

Well received!

Snow

The storm that hit the east coast, hit Alexandria in a big way.



I was supposed to be in Canada for Christmas but after two flights cancelled, we're staying in DC. It will be a quiet Christmas for us but at least it looks like winter outside.

Happy Solstice.

A walk through Alexandria

A tree on concrete

Christmas past