Is it that time already?

New beginnings are so exciting yet so deflating at the same time. The excitement of what is to come overshadows the feelings of loss as the realization this is the last time this will be his first day of school but the emotion still simmers under the buzz. My oldest is a senior. This past month he signed a contract to enlist in the Air Force. He has already decided his destiny and is no longer dependent on my thoughts and opinions. Who would have ever 18 years ago looked at the two of us and thought we would be at this point? Both still alive and both still sane and both liking each others company.

When my youngest child was born, I immediately took on the attitude of what if this is the last time she wants me to hold her hand? What if this is the last time she wants me to read her a bed time story? So each day was to the fullest experienced together with no regrets. Unfortunately, not so with my oldest. I was too young to be his mum. He too strong willed for me to enjoy. Yet, I look at him now and am so impressed with who he has grown to be. I dare not speak of word of that to him, though. It would only inflate his already fragile ego and embarrass  him completely. Hmm- maybe I should save it to the most opportune time.

School has began again for us here in Never-Neverland. Another year to push, pull, and stretch each other to what we think is our breaking point only to come to the final conclusion we weren't so inflexible as we originally thought. A good pruning always proceeds the best crop. So we begin with sharpening our scissors.

On that happy note, my scissors were in use recently. I finished the Camp Loopy Project 3 just in time. Originally, I tried to complete it in conjunction with the Ravely games that coincided with the famous ones held in London this year, but a quick holiday to Paris, France derailed that idea completely. We remained so busy that week in Paris that I did absolutely no knitting. And I was completely okay with that. Again, I regress, but more on that trip in a moment.

Pattern: Helm's Deep. It is definitely an intermediate to advanced. I would NOT give it a beginner or advanced beginner rating. The chart was a bit complicated with too many different symbols. A bit confusing really. Very technical in understanding and I believe I may have misunderstood one section, but was determined to complete the project so barreled ahead at what I did understand. It still came out lovely and has finished drying. Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Sock. 3 different colorways: Antique Lace, Stovepipe and Copper Penny. The pattern called for 2 skeins of Copper Penny but I finished with only 1 and still had a bit left over. (Hence my thought I might have done something wrong) Otherwise, the finished product is quite lovely. Now on to the rest of the series in this collection, all inspired from the books of Lord of the Rings. For your viewing pleasure, I give you Helm's Deep.

Now, a bit about our latest excursions. Middle child, oldest daughter celebrated a birthday this month. She turned 13. The problem with her birthday is that many of her friends are on vacation or we move or have just moved and therefore doesn't know anyone. So many of her past birthdays have been "Oops, is it really your birthday already?" statements. This year, we didn't move, we aren't getting ready to move, and it was a special one. Officially, she is a teenager. UGH! She's too young to be one. What do we do to make it special? We went to Paris.

Really, what 'normal' American young girl can say, "For my 13th birthday, I went to Paris." We live in Europe. Why not? So we did. And a BLAST was had by all. (Except maybe Dad.) Originally, it was to be a girls only trip, but Dude got nervous. (Not sure if he was nervous about us going by ourselves or going by ourselves made him nervous or going by ourselves and showing no restraint in shopping, eating, and sightseeing made him nervous.) All in all, he asked if he could come and be our bodygaurd/luggage carrier/bag holder/ ATM. So I took the decision to the council and council agreed as long as he understood his place in going. Chiefly- ATM/bag holder/crepe securer. He agreed to those conditions. WOW! What a trip. Beautiful weather. Perfect position of flat. Great time was had by EVERYONE! So without further adieu, here for your viewing pleasure is Paris.

So on this final note, happy knitting and just a friendly reminder only 121 more days until Christmas. Have you started your holiday knitting yet? hee hee hee.

Trying to slow down?

Summer Vacation is half way over and I don't think where I currently live has felt like summer for the most of it. Only the last couple of days has it been truly warm enough to feel like I was missing my air conditioning.

Though to continue with my being gone stint, I was only home the month of June for 6 days, the first six of the month. Otherwise, I was in the states visiting people. Quite a few people. It was great to see old friends, make a couple of new ones, get some wonderful spinning lessons in, design some flowers for a friend's wedding, meet my newest family member, and hug my folks. It has been a year since I saw them (unless you count Skype or FaceTime- which I don't.) But the whole time I was there, it was MUY CALIENTE!!! HOT! HOT! HOT!! So hot, that when I returned here, I had to wear my Smartwool to stay warm for the first week as the high never got above 64. My family thought I had really lost it and wondered if they were ever going to get me out of the house. It didn't help that it rained for the next two weeks solid. But luckily, it is very nice out now. So why am I inside updating this blog? Because I have some finished projects that need to be shown off and I am excited to document them.

First up is Meg's Troussau. I don't think she remembered choosing the pattern when she was visiting me one weekend in Virginia. The latest knitting magazine had just come out and she was procrastinating finishing up a project herself and found it. I knew it needed to be done for a special occasion and wanted to make it just right for her. So it seemed only appropriate to knit it for her as a wedding gift. I chose her favorite color and found a shirt she liked that fit great on her while she was visiting me here. Went back to the store and took the measurements so I could get it right without her knowing it. Though I never did get a photo of her wearing it. Not sure if she even liked it, but it was done with complete love and that is what matters.

Just so her new husband would not feel left out. I knit him a pair of socks as a gift. Being that he is German and has immigrated to the states for this marriage, I found some German flag yarn and made them matchy matchy so he wouldn't feel too out of place, but he is such the type of guy that would wear something like this no matter what. Regardless what others think. So when he is homesick or watching an European Football Match, he can wear them to show his pride. Unfortunately, I didn't get a photo of him with them on either.

On to what I do have photos of: Meliai. It was a nice shawl knit using a worsted weight yarn. I used Dream in Color Classy for it. Great knit. Great pattern. Great yarn. I chose this pattern to complete a challenge for the on-line yarn store The Loopy Ewe. They have a summer knit-a-long they call 'Camp Loopy' but everyone choses what pattern and what yarn to use. So it is the best of both worlds. I completed it.

The second project for this virtual camp was a bit more tricky. More yarn to be used. I fell in love with this pattern the moment it was published. Though, the designer is WAY smaller than me so I needed to increase it quite a bit to get the fit that I enjoy. That made the pattern go on FOREVER! It took me up to the last moment to get it completed in time. The good news- K2 really likes it, but she is a HUGE Dr. Who fan from the BBC as well so it might be enjoyed by her more than I. I used Lorna's Laces new yarn line called Solemate to create this shawl. Supposedly, when you are hot, it will cool you down, but if you are cold, it will keep you warm. Go figure?!? I only know that whichever fiber they used to blend with the wool, does NOT keep its color. This has bled like a over-stuffed stuck pig. My sink is now a lovely shade of blue blush....

I never did show you any photos of what my darling daughters made for me for my birthday. A sheep out of cardboard and paper. The oldest one designed it and the youngest was a great assistant retrieving more boxes, paper, and tape. Overall - keeping me from entering the room while they were busy butterflies. They did a terrific job and I was incredibly touched by their thoughtfulness. I don't have the heart to throw it away but each time someone walks into the room, they mistake it for a dog. ha ha ha.

One last item of note, while I was gone in June, my oldest went to his first prom. The young lady that he took was a friend that he met while on a school trip. They have quite a bit in common and, yes, they really are just friends. I think they looked great together (again knowing they are just friends.) The good/bad news - I did like her and she moved back to Canada this summer.

I've done so much traveling since the beginning of May: Turkey, Idskenhuizen, Ramstein AB, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington DC, Virginia, Ohio, Missouri, Michigan, Alabama, Back to Europe, Ulm, and we have even more planned before school starts again in August. One day, I will post some of the pictures so you too can see.

Until then, keep cool, keep sane, and keep knitting.