Thursday, September 30, 2010

Army of Women

As you know, in February of 2007 I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I had a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiation and am now in my third year of medication.  I was 47 when I was diagnosed and it was through a routine mammogram.  So I'm a tireless proponent of having a mammogram every single year, no excuses.  When was your last mammogram?????

I am also taking part in the Army of Women.  What is this you ask???

"The Army of Women initiative, a program of the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, funded by a grant from the Avon Foundation for Women, is recruiting ONE MILLION WOMEN of all ages and ethnicities, with or without breast cancer, to sign up and participate in breast cancer research studies. If we can get ONE MILLION WOMEN involved in research, we are one step closer to understanding the cause of breast cancer and how to prevent it."


Head on over to their website, take a look and I hope you will sign up!

Army of Women


Saturday, September 25, 2010

Weekends

Well, last weekend came and went and things got done.  I worked a little on the WWII Navy Iceland Sweater I'm making for Mark because I ". . . never make HIM a sweater . . ." ;-)  I found this pattern on the American Red Cross Museum site.  There are several patterns there.  The interesting thing about these patterns is what is left out.  I'm so used to reading a pattern that has every little thing spelled out in triplicate with different instructions for different sizes, technique explanations, sizing and charts.  Take a look at the pattern - it's basically take your yarn and needles and knit!  It assumes that you already have an understanding of shaping and sizing and gauge.  A very different way of knitting.  I've made some adjustments in hopes that it will actually FIT Mark!



Our friend Rich came up last weekend.  He is a recent convert to rowing and bought a double racing shell that Mark picked up for him.  He came to do some work on the boat and to take a rowing lesson on Schroon Lake.  Of course, while he was here, Mark got him to help with one of those projects that never seems to get done.  They borrowed my Dad's chainsaw and cut down the trees next to our very old shed. 





Of course now you can actually SEE the shed and it looks TERRIBLE next to our house.  A new shed is in the works!



I've been reading Mr. Peanut, a book recommended by the Books on the Nightstand podcast (which I love, by the way!)  There's nothing better than a good book and a cup of coffee on a lazy Sunday afternoon!




Here's a little progress on the pink beret.  I actually finished and blocked this during the week, but it is too large!  I may try to felt it slightly to see if it will shrink to a better size.  Or I may frog and re-use for a different hat! 



And a final picture of the Cat.  She really captures the weekend way to be!


Saturday, September 18, 2010

Spinning Spinning

I've been  doing some spinning now that the weather has cooled down a bit.  I decided to pull out the green alpaca that I bought last year at Rhinebeck.  Finally!  It was soooo wonderful to spin - soft like butter.  





I'm planning to ply it with the remainder of my chocolate brown llama fiber from Saratoga LLamas.  I think it will be a beautiful mix - what do you think?  The Rowing Cat is already coveting the yarn to come!



This is a beautiful merino spun with KnitPicks Palette yarn.  This is destined to be a Christmas hat and mitts for a certain niece of mine ;-)



Here are my latest socks made with Shibui Sock Yarn.  I have another pair started - you can never be without a pair of socks on the needles!

Friday, September 17, 2010

Howdy!

What have you all been up to???  I've been taking a break, but now I'm back!  My biggest news is that the Rowing Cat spent 6 weeks in Japan this summer with the AFS program. 

She had an incredible time and met some wonderful friends.  What an experience!  I was soooo jealous :-)



From 2010-08-06

Here she is in her host mom's Summer Kimono - great color!

From 2010-08-06
They had a cooking demonstration class with all of the students and their host families.


Making Takoyaki at her host family's apartment! 


 Look for some knitting here this weekend!