Rain, Rain, Rain...

go away and come back another day!

Okay...not really. I know we need the rain.
But it always makes me feel like I should stay in bed under the covers with a good book. Or be in front of a fireplace with a warm mug of hot cocoa.

If only...

Today, I'm in front of my computer working on various assignments for my internship. I am almost finished two of the 7! There are a couple of pieces that will not get finished today since I need pictures of displays, etc. from school. On the bright side, I do have a warm cup of caramel latte that Jason got for me at Starbucks. What a great hubby to go out in the rain and wind and get that for me!

I also made a stew/soup for lunch today-a twist on chicken noodle soup. Jason likes orzo in his chicken noodle soup and just a little liquid. I used some carrots, onions, celery, peas, turmeric, ginger, salt and pepper as well as come chicken stock and a little bit of water. Brought all of that up to a boil with the orzo and let it simmer. Then I tossed in some leftover rotisserie chicken. Yummy! (Especially on such a rainy, cool day!)

Final Final Package

My secret pal did not reveal herself in her last BIG package. I was bummed. I really wanted to thank her properly. To my surprise, I received a "FINAL" final package-a gift certificate to Loopy Ewe! I covet the yarn and notions that they sell. I have put off purchasing from them because I enjoy touching and looking at the yarns at the four local yarn shops that I frequent. Now, I have no excuses! :0) That gift certificate is waiting to be spent...I wonder what I'll buy???? So many choices...

THANK YOU!!!!

Knitting Escapdes

Lately, I've been knitting lots of stuff.

I finished Mom's latest pair of socks, Dublin Bay, in Tofutsies. They are nice and soft and have a trellis pattern on the sides.

I am in the midst of Niki's Bday socks. I have turned the heel (again, after making a big mistake) on sock #2. The pattern I used for Niki's socks is Bubble Wrap Socks in YP's I Want Candy from the YP's Booty Club.
I've also started a pair of socks as a gift for someone who reads this blog, so no other mention will be made until said person actually has their feet measured.

I've even started a pair of socks for ME! I'm using Noro's Silk Garden Sock (I don't remember the # of the color) in a basic sock pattern. I started these in Knitting Club at school and worked on them for two days during a conference. I'm already on the second sock! These socks are definitely boot socks-they're too thick to wear with regular shoes. They will definitely be keeping my feet warm in the winter.There has been another influx of babies being made amongst my family and friends. (None here!) I am currently working on one blankie (sort of like this pattern, but I totally changed the colors and how I'm knitting it, so it's really NOT like that pattern!) I also will need to start thinking about two other blankets to make for the Spring. I haven't gotten as far as what pattern I will use yet.
Finally, I'm working on a scarf for me, Tiger Eye Scarf, in YP's Hard Cider, the September 2008 Booty Club colorway. It's my first foray into lace and it's going pretty well since I completed the first repeat of the pattern last night. I decided to make this pattern with this yarn because it matches my winter coat PERFECTLY and I can also use the scarf with some of my winter wardrobe since the scarf will be light enough to wear indoors as well. BONUS!

J's Rays in the Post Season!

Jason and I went to a couple of the last Orioles games this season because:

• they were playing the Rays;
• we would get to see a TRUE double-header;
• we would see the RAY-HAWK in person;
  
• the Rays would possibly clinch the AL East.

Unfortunately, it took the Rays a couple more days to clinch the AL East, but we had a great time seeing the Rays win the games that we saw. (Yes, I, the lifetime O's fan, wore Rays gear to the game. I did have an O's shirt on under the Rays one though...can't let my boys in orange down!)Since the ALDS started, we've been watching the Rays on TV and they start off slowly, but always seem to pull it out in the end. Jason's mom and step dad purchased t-shirts for us-we've been wearing them when the Rays play. BUT, today, Jason has a tough decision to make. The Rays play at 4pm and so do his beloved Buccaneers. Who knows which shirt he'll be wearing today!

Yet again...

...I've been bad. I have totally forgotten to post about my last Secret Pal package! I've had the pictures taken for weeks now. Oh Pal, will you ever forgive me????

Here's what I received: a container to protect my yarn (you'd be surprised how Ophelia's hair gets into everything and who wants socks made from kitty hair?), a travel magazine that made me want to jump on the next plane to some remote island and teach by web cam, a mouse/note pad (which will definitely come in handy) and lots of yarn-two skeins of a locally(to my pal) dyed wool, 2 skeins of Fun Fur (which will make a nice warm scarf or possibly part of another hedgehog) and 1 skein of Neighborhood Fibers' Loft.

THANK YOU, Secret Pal! You've been the best!!!
(be sure to let me know who you are!!!)

bad bad bad...

I've been bad.

No posts.
No pictures.
No nothing.

School has started!
Internship is going to start ASAP (as soon as I make my schedule)!

Blogging to resume at some point...

OMG...

...I can't believe that twenty days have passed since I last posted. I have been BUSY (more than a bee can be) with:

• a visit from Rod and Pat (the in-laws) who were gracious enough to help paint 3/4 of the basement walls and the 1/2 bath.
• the MD BBQ Festival in Bel Air (the 'Q was yummy!)
• a quick visit to NYC
• school shopping (for supplies and clothes)
• watching the Olympics (had to cheer on Michael Phelps, local Baltimore boy and the gymnastics, softball, baseball, beach volleyball...you get the picture...I'm an Olympic junkie!)
• reading graphic novels (I got hooked on 'em after my class this summer-FABLES is awesome!)

• knitting (have finished some projects that were laying around and of course started new ones!)
• And finally, I've been in meetings all of this week since teachers had to report to work. The administration is having us do all these team building activities and there's been little time to do any other work in our classrooms. We did do an awesome activity today-A DRUM CIRCLE! I'm all for doing that at least once a week. It felt good to make some music (and I have no musical talent) and beat on a drum for an hour with my colleagues. They guy who lead us in this is a former WL grad, so that made it all the more special.