Just an other Wednesday

I am up to row 24 on the Icelandic Shawl. I am using a size 5 circular this time. I have put stitch markers in for every pattern repeat and also to mark the center of the shawl. I think they have help tremendously, as the 24 rows I knit have gone very quickly this time. I think I only experienced one missed yarn over so far. Using the markers more often has help me keep track of exactly where I am, and hoping it will continue to be of benefit once I get to row 37. That's how far I got in several previous attempts and ended up froggin' the shawl because either the stitch count was off or the pattern was not lining up right or both. It is just too pretty to give up on it. Several ladies in the KAL are talking of making their 2nd one and here I haven't even finished my first.

This is a closeup of the stitches, with a dry blocking. There are a ton of little yarn ends that will need to be woven in because of the color change and also because my yarn requirements are more that my previous attepmts so I've had to add addtional yarns to each of the colors. Instead of 2 ends per color I have 4 or more! Not liking that!

I had hoped to be caught up on clue 4 of Secret of the Stole by Friday, but after completing Clue 3 I have only been knitting on the Icelandic Shawl. I think I'll put it down for now and see if I can't be ready for Clue 5 when it is published.

Are these just the cutest cupcakes? Richard and I decorated them Monday night for my Tuesday morning Women in the Word Bible Study group. I frosted the cupcakes, and Richard put the Werther's and almonds on around the eyes. He then gave them back to me to finish up with the chocolate chips and the cashew nose. We had a ton of fun decorating them!

Of Course I had to make one for each of Aimee's boys. Carson has been sick the last few days, I am hoping he will be feeling better today that I can let him have one of these. I only wish Gregg's kids were closer that I could share these with them as well!

Yesterday was an interesting day to say the least. I received a call from Rich just prior to the start of bible study. One of his employees had been injured on the job by a guy that works the whole job site doing cleanup. Apparently they were goofing off and Sergio ended up getting stabbed. Sounds like more than goofing around to me! He was taken to Scripps La Jolla and they kept him overnight for observation since the knife penetrated deep enough and close enough to his lung to be of concern. That's some serious goofing around...

Is this just the cutest little pumpkin?

And how 'bout the mouthful of reese's peanut butter cup on this fireman!

Is it really end of October already?

Oh my, I just logged in and realized it has been ages since I have blogged and looking at the calendar realized October has pretty much come and gone - buzzed right by!

I frogged my Icelandic shawl and have put it away. Just today I was thinking I would resurrect it and knit just 2 rows a day, I can commit to that. Hopefully by only knitting 2 rows I won't get into a groove and lose my concentration. I think that was my problem before. When I'd lose concentration, I'd miss or drop yarn overs and the stitch count would be off. With so many stitches on the needle it was too time consuming to tink back to find the missed stitch or stitches.

I have completed the Mystery Shawl Along #5. I made it with Fiddlesticks' Country Silk in Spice. When I put it in the sink to wash prior to blocking I found it bled some. So I drained the sink, put clean water in along with some vinegar and let it soak, hoping it would help stop the bleed. I drained and refilled and drained one more time and then blocked the shawl.

When Aimee came by this morning for church I showed it to her and put it on her. She almost immediately asked if I had soaked it in vinegar, so it was still smelling of that. I have it soaking and rinsing and soaking and rinsing as I write. And I noticed it is still bleeding!

Since I finished MSA-5 I have concentrated on Secret of The Stole and am pleased at how rapidly it moves. I am almost done with clue 3. Clue 4 or was it clue 5 was released Friday, so I'm not too far behind. I think I can get caught up before the next clue is realeased.

I cast on and knit the first six rows of Secret of the Chrysopolis while we drove into Orange County to see Richard's dad. I am using some gray Lacey Lamb that I got from a yarn exchange for this Mystery Knit. I am really liking how soft it feels!

Since it was just a matter of doing the cast on and the first 4 rows were garter stitch, I could knit these while we drove. Once we got there, knitting was put away.

I was so shocked when I saw grandpa B. He has let his beard grow, so he's very scraggly looking. But what is so shocking is how gaunt he looks. He's not eating! His weight is down to 123! There is nothing left of him. Jeanna has changed their plans to be at the condo for Christmas this year. She doesn't think he will last that long, and I think she's right. So we're back on the emotional roller coaster, watching a parent wither and die right before our eyes!

Bible Study has become quite the growing experience for me. This year we are doing the Patriarchs by Beth Moore. Since i have become a co-leader I feel I need to fully complete each day in the event Kathy and Pat are unable to lead. Last week Pat was not there, but Kathy was back in town. Kathy did one day and I lead the 2nd day. It was pretty scarrey. Somehow I need to get others to join in the discussion, that is my big challenge! God will and is growing me through this whole experience!