tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-369808922024-03-05T23:07:42.929-07:00Mountain MamaMountain Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020670037854301604noreply@blogger.comBlogger523125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36980892.post-54203672295881454422012-08-20T17:11:00.000-06:002012-08-20T17:11:26.181-06:00How Slime is Like KnittingI am a slug. My creativity is slime.<br />
<br />
Let me explain.<br />
<br />
You see, when slugs are in their ideal environment, they happily cruise around from point A to point B. All their needs are met by lush vegetation and soggy climate. A slug in it's ideal habitat exudes very little slime.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fNdRMr9XLBoySm0xtfk0TTC5mC7DfqlUazonaFlvyPEv0JtRNVmHDXgLH1QwSy2mKXEh-8LWil8TwjBqIlH-5Z6senSkJ3U8rUPaaZGggC8kt7d4zYrKpvvu61hesgVVn039Qg/s1600/P6040072_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fNdRMr9XLBoySm0xtfk0TTC5mC7DfqlUazonaFlvyPEv0JtRNVmHDXgLH1QwSy2mKXEh-8LWil8TwjBqIlH-5Z6senSkJ3U8rUPaaZGggC8kt7d4zYrKpvvu61hesgVVn039Qg/s320/P6040072_edited.JPG" title="Large and in Charge" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><br />
But stick a slug in a less than ideal environment. Maybe it's too dry. Maybe it's too warm. Whatever the discomfort, a slug will use it's one superpower: Slime. Silvery slime trails will cover everything. Even the slug will be coated in it's own protective slime layer.<br />
<br />
Do you see my analogy? Since the move, I've been so ecstatically happy to be where I am, I haven't been very creative. Sure, every once in a while, I'll pull out the yarn while watching a movie. Or I'll dust off the sewing machine. In fact, two weeks ago the temperature hit 78 (a real heat wave for the Pacific Northwest) and I started working on a project that had been hibernating for over a year. But for the most part I'm too busy enjoying the life going on around me to care about the new Vogue Knitting, or the yarn shop that went out of business.<br />
<br />
And I'm okay with that. Except it makes for a boring craft blog.Mountain Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020670037854301604noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36980892.post-7372387141825207172011-10-02T19:31:00.000-06:002011-10-02T19:31:58.864-06:00Praying Mantis Costume*Buy a handmade <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/mountainmamas?ref=si_shop">praying mantis costume</a> on my Etsy site!<br />
<br />
It would appear that my idea for a preying mantis costume is contagious. Two years ago, <a href="http://mountainmamaknits.blogspot.com/2009/10/mountain-mamas-costume-emporium.html">Yummy asked to be a praying mantis for Halloween</a>:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6ollSWFjY4bMazZRg_7b9o-aNRx9KUTT6P0JJQq-6-uwzJ60Wbix4V0sR_PdzrBF0baO9LvwrCQoErXXULfwsdwrwVngc93Olu44t_ihTtClCMfFGNUXvvcs6GqbD2lBdcGR3Q/s1600/Praying+Mantis+Costume.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6ollSWFjY4bMazZRg_7b9o-aNRx9KUTT6P0JJQq-6-uwzJ60Wbix4V0sR_PdzrBF0baO9LvwrCQoErXXULfwsdwrwVngc93Olu44t_ihTtClCMfFGNUXvvcs6GqbD2lBdcGR3Q/s320/Praying+Mantis+Costume.JPG" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preying Mantis Costume</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And after a few inquiries from complete strangers, I decided to test the water by selling the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/mountainmamas?ref=si_shop">preying mantis costume </a>at my Etsy store.<br />
<br />
So now I have 24 yards of green polar fleece en route to my house. And later, I may create (and copyright) the pattern.<br />
<br />
What other Halloween costume ideas do you have? Preferably using green fleece.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">*The above post was hand-crafted by the Businessman for ideal SEO. After he's done writing my business plan, I'll write one for him selling his hand-crafted SEOptimized blog posts. And we'll live happily ever after.</span>Mountain Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020670037854301604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36980892.post-52257932224460963612011-03-31T18:41:00.000-06:002011-03-31T18:41:24.145-06:00Daydreams<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay, remember this?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLIW3xgeTDfeuuuxHQw41nL2J99ARul1RWXa7rHaT54DwTjGYQ7fs49YxPAfGMUr61pTjh52xjT3M_Ce9GRt-9z24amtgZHaPqhUR5f7UpsKeoGioRk2nCVF2YH6-zmY8TjhBSg/s1600/P3240094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLIW3xgeTDfeuuuxHQw41nL2J99ARul1RWXa7rHaT54DwTjGYQ7fs49YxPAfGMUr61pTjh52xjT3M_Ce9GRt-9z24amtgZHaPqhUR5f7UpsKeoGioRk2nCVF2YH6-zmY8TjhBSg/s320/P3240094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Like anyone could forget such an atrocity on the eyes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ick.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, money is tight. But seeing that this is the dream home and all, I think it's okay to have short-term, and long term plans.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Short term: </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rip out the back splash. Paint the walls. Paint the cabinets a deep espresso brown/black. Paint the doors cream, pop some color in a few of the blocks. Wash them with a brown glaze (just to tone down the color). Possibly replace the floors with a medium-toned wood.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And voila!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpjDNYL6KU4X4XvQFJHXZikGG2P9vCOlJEWp8o8TxNosLb_wDqJVg6F9Nd3YA66sAERm9X3S8b3d_m-zzN5Niekgeak5bxYrfBSnIX4eOMwzy_ZdJWzoYS6sywi6c-i919rHc1w/s1600/Kitchen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpjDNYL6KU4X4XvQFJHXZikGG2P9vCOlJEWp8o8TxNosLb_wDqJVg6F9Nd3YA66sAERm9X3S8b3d_m-zzN5Niekgeak5bxYrfBSnIX4eOMwzy_ZdJWzoYS6sywi6c-i919rHc1w/s320/Kitchen.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's kitchy, a little retro, maybe cool. I don't know. The Businessman doesn't like it. Of course, he <em>likes</em> the old kitchen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Long term:</strong> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Put Martha Stewart on speed dial.</div>Mountain Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020670037854301604noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36980892.post-530021533587381102011-03-30T10:13:00.000-06:002011-03-30T10:13:47.869-06:00Ah, the Bank-Owned Property<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We decided our timeline permitted us to take advantage of the foreclosure side of the market. We'd been looking at houses for a couple months and once we finally came under contract in Ft Collins, our Real Estate Agent took us through a few bank-owned and foreclosure properties.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Scary. And not quite the deals you would think once you've repaired everything. Like a new roof, new siding, new carpets, or a new basement because the kitchen flooded at some point and no one was there for weeks so the entire basement and main floor are covered in green mold. <strong>Covered in green mold.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I like green but not at the cost of my asthmatic child's life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We <em>are</em> buying a bank-owned property. We found one that chimed us every single time we looked at it. The inspector had tons of great things to say about the new roof, the furnace, the siding. And, to our amazement, the bank had already arranged for new carpet to be installed before our offer, so we have an entire house with brand spanking new carpet (and some new linoleum in the mudroom and one of the bathrooms).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But, since it is bank-owned, there is one problem. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The picture that follows may be unsuitable for delicate stomachs. Or people with heart conditions. In fact, you should probably only look at this picture if you're blind.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbRrLZRw-0UH0TaQuMH9r9ToimTk67NexAJ2-9V78NV_JA9GB5iTZYfX05R4Gskyih7xrKRpYb4B3A2lwZbW6XNAopqsjZclsA6iDL5oWyeQo3D2_3gwNnbxEiRflUeLdDX0OFQ/s1600/P3240094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbRrLZRw-0UH0TaQuMH9r9ToimTk67NexAJ2-9V78NV_JA9GB5iTZYfX05R4Gskyih7xrKRpYb4B3A2lwZbW6XNAopqsjZclsA6iDL5oWyeQo3D2_3gwNnbxEiRflUeLdDX0OFQ/s320/P3240094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is my new kitchen. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Isn't it amazing? I don't know which I like better: The goofy linoleum backsplash, the horribly dated cabinet doors, or the countertops. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Actually, I hate it all. But if it's the worse thing that can be said of this house (which we're buying for a steal!) I'll live with it. At least until I can convince The Businessman that sledgehammers are fun.</div>Mountain Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020670037854301604noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36980892.post-79840569895550200632011-03-26T20:38:00.000-06:002011-03-26T20:38:28.922-06:00Best IntentionsI do intend to start blogging regularly again.<br />
<br />
No. Really. I do.<br />
<br />
I'm biding my time, living in a tiny rental, wishing I could paint, rearrange furniture, and cook grilled cheese without my kitchen looking like a bomb exploded. <br />
<br />
We are a tall family and we need space to stand upright. Generations ago, the first MountainCave Mama stood upright on her large feet, painted the rock walls, knit some throw pillows out of mammoth wool and then probably bumped her head on a stalagtite and demanded her BusinessCaveman find taller habitation.<br />
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This Mountain Mama has evolved (though she's still looking for evidence of evolution in the Businessman) and will be moving into her Dream Home soon. Very soon. Like four weeks.<br />
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At which point the blog will probably become more about home renovations than knitting, but whatever. <br />
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I'll be blogging.Mountain Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020670037854301604noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36980892.post-11922468259537245032011-03-17T19:01:00.000-06:002011-03-17T19:01:37.283-06:00Has It Really Been *mumble* Months?So...how are things?<br />
<br />
o_O<br />
<br />
I've been slogging my way through life, anticipating the day when all the dust will settle and I will wake up living my dream.<br />
<br />
You know, the dream where I get the most awesome house in the world but it's only awesome in my head because I'm the only one who has the vision but that's a good thng because no one else wants the house and the bank'll sell it to me for a song. Except the song is more like a ballad (which <em>is</em> still a song) and my visions may be delusions but what else is new?<br />
<br />
That day is not here yet. But, my friends, I'm close. So close.<br />
<br />
Any more details at this time would send Mr. Murphy (of Murphy's Law) into a bevy of excitement. And I'd rather let the gentleman rest. I've already wreaked so much havoc on his blood pressure.Mountain Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020670037854301604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36980892.post-64675938810220110262011-01-07T10:03:00.000-07:002011-01-07T10:03:17.384-07:00Updates<strong>Phase 1 Complete: The Businessman has a new job!</strong><br />
Ft Collins was headed toward a dead end for him. Now he has a proper job in a proper city for his talents. It's nice to have my husband back.<br />
<br />
<strong>Phase 2 Complete: We've moved!</strong><br />
I now live in my favorite area of the country--the Pacific Northwest. My family is in a rental that's about the size of a postage stamp but has 276 shades of green in the backyard. The Businessman, ever the optimist, keeps saying phrases like "this is cozy" and "how much space do people really need?" Since more than half of our belongings (including My Sewing Room) are in storage, my opinions regarding square footage requirements are mixed.<br />
<br />
<strong>Phase 3: Pending: I'm still a victim of the real estate market</strong><br />
Our home in Ft. Collins hasn't sold yet, ergo the rental. Which leads us to...<br />
<br />
<strong>Phase 4: Pending: Buy new house.</strong><br />
Not likely until phase 3 is complete.<br />
<br />
It's chaos. It's frustration. It's tense. And when all the dust is settled...<br />
<br />
I'll still be living in my favorite part of the country.Mountain Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020670037854301604noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36980892.post-71652745028163397032010-12-18T16:13:00.000-07:002010-12-18T16:13:52.606-07:00A Wetter Shade of GreenA follow-up to <a href="http://mountainmamaknits.blogspot.com/2010/07/signs.html">this post</a>. It's images from my new backyard.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMI081JNurM0LJe6Gh6c0l9_uMjakz_t0dXyPkTtJ-oQu9l3XP4nn6YmpaghIyXwlc4OJadTKw7DU9dmpR330PvBTi3AYEsEPoe2vNV7uDyJKt7UjHqGwFyZVFVTDT_1x8ON-EJA/s1600/PB260374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMI081JNurM0LJe6Gh6c0l9_uMjakz_t0dXyPkTtJ-oQu9l3XP4nn6YmpaghIyXwlc4OJadTKw7DU9dmpR330PvBTi3AYEsEPoe2vNV7uDyJKt7UjHqGwFyZVFVTDT_1x8ON-EJA/s320/PB260374.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8DLTM5Dd7In-EV-1IkTkb7UwdmEutcazK3dlrxGE6CgyCL8joloJdK1sSQCk3IxhLsMMNJvkC2eZxu4YAbGTT-gkM3VovYa29A0DQncTFdBm-w2T5c-i5QkWjf2WTkubYuVetg/s1600/PB260370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8DLTM5Dd7In-EV-1IkTkb7UwdmEutcazK3dlrxGE6CgyCL8joloJdK1sSQCk3IxhLsMMNJvkC2eZxu4YAbGTT-gkM3VovYa29A0DQncTFdBm-w2T5c-i5QkWjf2WTkubYuVetg/s320/PB260370.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8i8WL73O2v3qjEob5aJjASLnFvtQe8FidzBvNh6ih27dacQa0ZQjj9wigKAgnbXmdbrPFOT3Vs62J_hUCxuWWXnJaq-c490xnyKQISXbe_49YxrYrm8ps9K3rLovYAU7bCyyKw/s1600/PB260376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8i8WL73O2v3qjEob5aJjASLnFvtQe8FidzBvNh6ih27dacQa0ZQjj9wigKAgnbXmdbrPFOT3Vs62J_hUCxuWWXnJaq-c490xnyKQISXbe_49YxrYrm8ps9K3rLovYAU7bCyyKw/s320/PB260376.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtcSgRROe3XJhz-r9L5K3kiEFBah19AG0SJg9UwxrARpluwuqPbOcqq6JgHgCcCr4BZE64fMAN4Lv9OoyZLCy0bk8ifk1eIXSf6m9Nr5RmYAiAUncbLQ6scZgDlPJzYmrl-JXYA/s1600/PB260372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNlioLGqwNdQhSq9K7QvmzEBCs5P3BlMs3Q7sWuMwkBTszW1rv8_byjjBC0kKCcN6PqvdA9KF7txFJbKtTgptb8BKA_hu7lGWsvxftVAgmRc8-35OiRvPbE9yQwXD77cHPsQwjA/s1600/PC090413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNlioLGqwNdQhSq9K7QvmzEBCs5P3BlMs3Q7sWuMwkBTszW1rv8_byjjBC0kKCcN6PqvdA9KF7txFJbKtTgptb8BKA_hu7lGWsvxftVAgmRc8-35OiRvPbE9yQwXD77cHPsQwjA/s320/PC090413.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtcSgRROe3XJhz-r9L5K3kiEFBah19AG0SJg9UwxrARpluwuqPbOcqq6JgHgCcCr4BZE64fMAN4Lv9OoyZLCy0bk8ifk1eIXSf6m9Nr5RmYAiAUncbLQ6scZgDlPJzYmrl-JXYA/s320/PB260372.JPG" width="320" />Mountain Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020670037854301604noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36980892.post-88579297859895644162010-10-27T07:49:00.000-06:002010-10-27T07:49:05.341-06:00Six Sleeves<em>"Experienced knitters don't make fewer mistakes than new knitters. They make bigger ones faster."--<a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/">Yarn Harlot</a></em><br />
<ol><li>Cast-on. Knit. Get 20 rows from the end and wonder why it's not right. Discover that you increased every 8th row 10 times and not every 10th row 8 times. Frog.*</li>
<li>Cast-on. Knit. Make some inexplicable error in the math. Curse. Frog.</li>
<li>Cast on again, Knit. Bind off. Phew!</li>
<li>Cast on for second sleeve. Knit. Bind off. Realize you cast on the wrong number of stitches. Frog.</li>
<li>Cast on. Knit. Get to end and realize you forgot an increase. Frog.</li>
<li>Cast-on. Knit. Bind off. </li>
</ol>It's a gift for someone. It needs to be perfect. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6qxXUjyp7SL1l9GUrwhyrPUYpTg_TK1VbzA9JfoNJDt3c5mGAmR0fRHUTBhU2Qnb9ODS4NXoL6CUQxTY5-vYckMGlW0oiKYZWT07xepmh_isMUxYu9PUVw3cdh9ye40A7rGn_Q/s1600/PA270366_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6qxXUjyp7SL1l9GUrwhyrPUYpTg_TK1VbzA9JfoNJDt3c5mGAmR0fRHUTBhU2Qnb9ODS4NXoL6CUQxTY5-vYckMGlW0oiKYZWT07xepmh_isMUxYu9PUVw3cdh9ye40A7rGn_Q/s320/PA270366_edited.JPG" width="301" /></a></div><br />
Also it's fat yarn which means <s>I can finish this jacket in no time at all</s> anything more than 3-4 stitches makes a real difference in the measurements.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjdsl4epCZ44srBcpxkNLsag2FMN4XHuZDNORQam6oi4mvJ3EOAJkxxJZDcfNfN3cPUbi9kBiz2Gcp-YeG5iOg0h-5KbAS1ByRmMd7rEkeNQ07aVEEA3eFLPjzbDI4FtP0_IGqw/s1600/PA270364_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjdsl4epCZ44srBcpxkNLsag2FMN4XHuZDNORQam6oi4mvJ3EOAJkxxJZDcfNfN3cPUbi9kBiz2Gcp-YeG5iOg0h-5KbAS1ByRmMd7rEkeNQ07aVEEA3eFLPjzbDI4FtP0_IGqw/s320/PA270364_edited.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
*<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Frog, frogging: Pulling the needle out of your knitting and unraveling a large amount. Derived from the sound/motion "rip-it, rip-it"</span>Mountain Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020670037854301604noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36980892.post-37672848388589139142010-10-23T20:38:00.000-06:002010-10-23T20:38:16.323-06:00Flip FlopThe knitting machine, which really will need a name soon, is providing a pleasant distraction as I watch My Sewing Room being whittled away daily. As much as I want to fight it, I realize I must put the bulk of my creative area in storage until we can purchase our next house.<br />
<br />
Luckily, knitting is portable and my whole hobby can fit in a moving box. Just in case I'm not the one doing the heavy lifting, I'll label that box "Raingear" which guarantees it will end up in our temporary Pacific Northwest residence and not a warehouse somewhere between here and there. <br />
<br />
Not that having an excuse to buy more yarn would be a bad thing...<br />
<br />
...hmmm...<br />
<br />
Anyway, while there are numerous advantages to my knitting machine--faster knitting, perfect tension, phenomenal stash reduction--there are some disadvantages, including not seeing the right side of my work until I'm finished with a piece.<br />
<br />
While something might seem a gentle blending of harmonious autumnal colors on the machine:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tsYKR6sG-xNKBxOy2fjATtllTk-Jz4qF5BqW08Np0qjZdvsPoPk25nK4ElVfQ8lqpaMZdKK-1dqJoGpK56Xs_75KaZmTPUUo7hp70fV9RJ2X8VSFD3L7z0qGLgfBD5KpVxbWaw/s1600/P1010359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tsYKR6sG-xNKBxOy2fjATtllTk-Jz4qF5BqW08Np0qjZdvsPoPk25nK4ElVfQ8lqpaMZdKK-1dqJoGpK56Xs_75KaZmTPUUo7hp70fV9RJ2X8VSFD3L7z0qGLgfBD5KpVxbWaw/s320/P1010359.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It looks like an unfortunate choice in wallpaper on the "right" side:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7PVZzRelxcDpiIFGE0CZ3v_wdO_xLaAOoe3xpL4eJ0DmkGJBBYh-s6cTeIUnJ4g474Zy7VFGfcB7u5sEb4jy-92GptsucXPPhK5QJcBwPZN9dZ9qUu1hZKFWbW2kL-13BWnu8Q/s1600/P1010360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7PVZzRelxcDpiIFGE0CZ3v_wdO_xLaAOoe3xpL4eJ0DmkGJBBYh-s6cTeIUnJ4g474Zy7VFGfcB7u5sEb4jy-92GptsucXPPhK5QJcBwPZN9dZ9qUu1hZKFWbW2kL-13BWnu8Q/s320/P1010360.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yuck! I cancelled this project and used the yarn for other things. <a href="http://mountainmamaknits.blogspot.com/2010/10/bionic-knitter.html">Like this</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But, while something may look vaguely symmetrical and perhaps a bit too contrasty on the wrong side:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswz4fISHm_ZcUWJOvxtmbhxycNCKW065yMHUtLKzGRWdvi_7i2PHlluhYO5TBK6yfV8XCczCMYclpEMi6uKdFM7tdCcu6s3XbptzZnPf-9jqB5WNO8eiuFX4dhURot29nHKyX4w/s1600/P1010361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswz4fISHm_ZcUWJOvxtmbhxycNCKW065yMHUtLKzGRWdvi_7i2PHlluhYO5TBK6yfV8XCczCMYclpEMi6uKdFM7tdCcu6s3XbptzZnPf-9jqB5WNO8eiuFX4dhURot29nHKyX4w/s320/P1010361.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The right side proves stunning:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZdB7xQemPaSu-qObe1hmnA3qbxue-YSdUCQAdx_P2_RADESFTveW40jVwiJVNekNsbDHysAnl3sLAkpR-fBSCVTVVMFufPF2QwnjbC6AQOLXw63GsAU6DEp8w0JB0v2-B1BVUw/s1600/P1010362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZdB7xQemPaSu-qObe1hmnA3qbxue-YSdUCQAdx_P2_RADESFTveW40jVwiJVNekNsbDHysAnl3sLAkpR-fBSCVTVVMFufPF2QwnjbC6AQOLXw63GsAU6DEp8w0JB0v2-B1BVUw/s320/P1010362.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It's for Yummy, my 7yo. He chose the colors.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoZ8hpelpr0FbQ_JugVrvGMmtYguUuIxy7Q8PHDC48uJr2Ki7kneisRR06vEIRKUopiJlj60gbJXbTFbiwW3z5pRjfLC654z4q5TrM8cttHMAepxxC_kTv2IPwqLfIDX-UGvM3g/s1600/P1010363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoZ8hpelpr0FbQ_JugVrvGMmtYguUuIxy7Q8PHDC48uJr2Ki7kneisRR06vEIRKUopiJlj60gbJXbTFbiwW3z5pRjfLC654z4q5TrM8cttHMAepxxC_kTv2IPwqLfIDX-UGvM3g/s320/P1010363.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I secretly added robots on the one sleeve. I hope he's not too cool to wear them. Even if he is, I can whip up a new sleeve in an afternoon. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Basic raglan sweater with various modifications</span></em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Knit Picks Stroll (washable wool/nylon) Midnight, Pea Pod, Blue Topaz</span></em></div>Mountain Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020670037854301604noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36980892.post-31069096673927516292010-10-20T18:29:00.000-06:002010-10-20T18:29:23.546-06:00Status UpdatesWhat my FaceBook wall would say if I had the time:<br />
<br />
TBM has worked from home for 143 minutes. We decided to drop the price of the house to get things going. This was about 142 minutes and 28 seconds longer than I expected.<br />
<br />
I've knit five sleeves for a coat I'm making for my mom. Like most people, she only has two arms. Sixth time's a charm.<br />
<br />
Because TBM is working from home, I don't have access to my computer except during insomnia o'clock and why-don't-you-play-with-the-kids thirty.<br />
<br />
This brief moment of blogging is marred by my inability to upload pictures because of "scheduled maintenance" <br />
<br />
I've knit three sweaters for my kids. Too bad you can't see them because of "scheduled maintenance"Mountain Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020670037854301604noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36980892.post-57756369387215384462010-10-06T10:02:00.000-06:002010-10-06T10:02:22.063-06:00Bionic Knitter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEyUJmj_awj1aJJtKGKiDXhCd6yqhtU3JxR3yh4v2uoIdnaVui3Hh-MSMWFv2Ze31ety_c-nqJ5yrBHwJP7DxvY8W3eckZ0dh5KZ3hE6sJ3H4AZbEAsid35dl7KNMN-xE8-qQkpg/s1600/PA050357_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEyUJmj_awj1aJJtKGKiDXhCd6yqhtU3JxR3yh4v2uoIdnaVui3Hh-MSMWFv2Ze31ety_c-nqJ5yrBHwJP7DxvY8W3eckZ0dh5KZ3hE6sJ3H4AZbEAsid35dl7KNMN-xE8-qQkpg/s320/PA050357_edited.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span id="goog_636908093"></span><span id="goog_636908094">I did it. I made a sweater on the knitting machine. It only took me a day and a half.</span><br />
<br />
I love the fact that I can make a sweater for my kiddo in hardly any time at all. And I used a decent supply of yarn.<br />
<br />
So there you go. I have figured out how to knit at supersonic speed. It was only a matter of time.Mountain Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020670037854301604noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36980892.post-71925009291033826092010-10-02T19:18:00.000-06:002010-10-02T19:18:27.661-06:00Haute Couture<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My mom and I went shopping a few weeks ago and popped into J.Jill. We were enchanted by these sweaters:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jjill.com/jjillonline/product/itempage.aspx?item=FC046C&PFID=124&BID=S2010265190419DF592C4D08D9490A9275D6&h=W&sk=W" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxt20cQAuYJD5fjZ3IVyrLMe9y9ZRlcXkv0V_u5vr-QiGXEus_Ynl2RxMHtTq8usS_KVgKw7xheBnhgw5GiOQmEcK1YrWID3nExDIBI1ky17mEuNAJ5j08exSHGR41mnVEF6CwQ/s1600/jjill.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't know why we liked them so much. The sheerness? The simplicity? The idea you could wear a sweater without sweating? Whatever it was we kept coming back to that part of the store.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But I just can't bring myself to spend $80.00 on a sweater, because I knit...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wait a minute...I have a knitting machine...and a huge pile of lace yarn...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And now you know why I haven't been around the past couple weeks. I don't have anything photo worthy yet--just a bunch of swatches, various partial sweaters strewn around the house, a couple pairs of socks and a knitting machine that's heard it's share of new words recently.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm not giving up yet.</div>Mountain Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020670037854301604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36980892.post-4210879159970371292010-09-22T15:13:00.000-06:002010-09-22T15:13:39.041-06:00I'll Trade You This Sheep for Those Cacao BeansI'm a knitter. I acquire yarn at lightning speed. I try to knit through it all but it's just not possible. Especially when the project for which you bought the yarn overestimated the yardage (which is far better than running out of yarn but still).<br />
<br />
Four years go I <a href="http://mountainmamaknits.blogspot.com/2006/11/is-it-finished-finished-or-just.html">finished up a coat</a> and had LOTS of the yarn left. It's a unique yarn--fun to use for this project, but I wasn't itching to knit with it again. Honestly, it wasn't ranking too high among the <em>30</em> <em>miles </em>of other yarn I have.<br />
<br />
But I had too much leftover to toss, or donate:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0LSqHwmAlmYCBV-azTI4inoCBzUg2BpGHsliIkhg1XTN0jQ4CdTDf-3OlRgM75lNz1l-yECg5GyLMT55VpPkFcQ8WcBbTp-SAvz-8AxFx5ZV31ZXbgTkf_rIy86Jbg5dhBF0AmQ/s1600/P9110338_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0LSqHwmAlmYCBV-azTI4inoCBzUg2BpGHsliIkhg1XTN0jQ4CdTDf-3OlRgM75lNz1l-yECg5GyLMT55VpPkFcQ8WcBbTp-SAvz-8AxFx5ZV31ZXbgTkf_rIy86Jbg5dhBF0AmQ/s320/P9110338_edited.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unspun Icelandic (100% wool)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I plopped it into my stash and ignored it for four years. Recently, I got a simple request via Ravelry: Do you still have this yarn? Can I buy it from you?</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Buy it from me? Heck, I'd be happy to not have to move it across the country.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I sent it to her at a price that covered shipping and breathed a sigh of relief. Because I always feel good when I can help another knitter out and because I no longer have to pack it or inventory it during my annual <em>Airing of the Stash</em>.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNm4K4XPNgM6WKMPcwkGeQCLC1EokeXEVZGtMld8Apy3nC_sNEnSnUFKvLr529Xd0W7mVy1k0SC83BCNlfAZIq_dNy-VWJg0jitvRONcFxJf2JvyVkdBVrz00-2_SYrD-F6VS_w/s1600/P9220344_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNm4K4XPNgM6WKMPcwkGeQCLC1EokeXEVZGtMld8Apy3nC_sNEnSnUFKvLr529Xd0W7mVy1k0SC83BCNlfAZIq_dNy-VWJg0jitvRONcFxJf2JvyVkdBVrz00-2_SYrD-F6VS_w/s320/P9220344_edited.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">She thanked me in chocolate.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Honestly, I think I got the better end of the deal.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I can't wait to see what she knits,</div>Mountain Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020670037854301604noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36980892.post-28337546153168691232010-09-14T12:02:00.000-06:002010-09-14T12:02:07.730-06:00At Least I Didn't Include An Invoice<div style="text-align: center;">Buttons really pull it together.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwuEjMaSrPzx1aSMBAyisxCnsnjjY33VH7L6xa_BUASp4VN-HbyJRLgR-o64BPeKwvGxD1qatUux-_5XaxsYelgJoVcth0BsMdi94Jr1Dbs0sAPW9mJjepx8NTUFx2TWC_W93rQ/s1600/P9130339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwuEjMaSrPzx1aSMBAyisxCnsnjjY33VH7L6xa_BUASp4VN-HbyJRLgR-o64BPeKwvGxD1qatUux-_5XaxsYelgJoVcth0BsMdi94Jr1Dbs0sAPW9mJjepx8NTUFx2TWC_W93rQ/s320/P9130339.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Weaving the ends in really finishes it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0UQuq5CC_QZ70ouEfBI4IkmF9Wfd0bWAfc6X8L8gZpRE7J4hl5FntN4b7cnT6BJdwFam3Jlmpx539Vcq05gm9nSGfvpKuK7wjPPqone7JwXhgxz_Ctx6Gq-fzLNlRT-IGUBU2Q/s320/P9130338.JPG" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stuffing it in a box and sealing it before I can add a nice little note...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYD8INx7XE8y0Wkt5ac4IKaNd_0n29iTWuqZcxmjx3U_QMEzYv5j0xLFvvHSx6NUjUeQCidxOt9dIqEA5SBT0iNPuzon_vKuaM3H27Yj9ITNDHhti9zJDOhj4lr6klKoJXJkF30w/s1600/P9130340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYD8INx7XE8y0Wkt5ac4IKaNd_0n29iTWuqZcxmjx3U_QMEzYv5j0xLFvvHSx6NUjUeQCidxOt9dIqEA5SBT0iNPuzon_vKuaM3H27Yj9ITNDHhti9zJDOhj4lr6klKoJXJkF30w/s320/P9130340.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...really adds to the professionalism.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dear MW,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Can't wait to meet you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love, MM</div>Mountain Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020670037854301604noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36980892.post-20415519217392054692010-09-13T14:47:00.000-06:002010-09-13T14:47:10.660-06:00More Things NiceI've found my go-to pattern for baby girls.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBkGUFrYuWebuGpFeau1xDgiYOYW0UWx7U04ZWECX_p3hXJmYVaWbUF3LdHDjk6c0sXXN5vCojU53S5e3HynGmeB379v2y1qnbprGUXSD1EoDrTJJ5PaDjcR7YhXhcMM4BZiTYg/s1600/P9130339_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBkGUFrYuWebuGpFeau1xDgiYOYW0UWx7U04ZWECX_p3hXJmYVaWbUF3LdHDjk6c0sXXN5vCojU53S5e3HynGmeB379v2y1qnbprGUXSD1EoDrTJJ5PaDjcR7YhXhcMM4BZiTYg/s200/P9130339_edited.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNfa-YSxH5OXoHz5sosGi_PHlPGz8j1PbrEsvRRxVFrKn2__J_DBnu40zBSlKeAcHAbOhErGcNBi2SFnDW2um0nhIYwP19qjeWemlIqyyh7U2NVxOYlTDTcJdooU9TYKzyzEbhWg/s1600/P9130340_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNfa-YSxH5OXoHz5sosGi_PHlPGz8j1PbrEsvRRxVFrKn2__J_DBnu40zBSlKeAcHAbOhErGcNBi2SFnDW2um0nhIYwP19qjeWemlIqyyh7U2NVxOYlTDTcJdooU9TYKzyzEbhWg/s200/P9130340_edited.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The pattern is well-written. It's fast, a little technical, and so stinkin' sweet I think I have a cavity from knitting two of them in a row.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This one is still waiting for buttons. It will also be much nicer with all those <s>choking hazards</s> ends woven in. I still have time, the baby isn't here yet.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Debbie Bliss Smock Jacket from</em> Celtic Knits</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Lambspun Prism in Pomegranate Torte (50%wool/50%silk)</em></span></div>Mountain Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020670037854301604noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36980892.post-3908373042967991362010-08-31T08:12:00.000-06:002010-08-31T08:12:05.966-06:00All Things Nice<div style="text-align: center;">Have you ever...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QymIIMghNK2Hj0G34neyXmq9wecgkE1LfH2XrVZTpBKqwexTcHwL-RU5t71A-8PhiGIavQRynyWGFlwr2hfPjLHvTlF8tCZSLEvMxxSc7Ss5Yn6fzqQu0p7JrE-Y8uXsgZQdyw/s1600/P8300341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QymIIMghNK2Hj0G34neyXmq9wecgkE1LfH2XrVZTpBKqwexTcHwL-RU5t71A-8PhiGIavQRynyWGFlwr2hfPjLHvTlF8tCZSLEvMxxSc7Ss5Yn6fzqQu0p7JrE-Y8uXsgZQdyw/s320/P8300341.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">...created a gift...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9D0al2_-F4w0Y9nStaZLOmvcJmwQQFTjhwqhldu9T4HQh7wMQzXMDu3dxKQ7v-k8UkDA1ScxiE8IpvjFkjbnwbIseNv3bD5_ZA_DLgAti4N05wjL69sQfLKb9Q-ufqbMrwxyidQ/s1600/P8300340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9D0al2_-F4w0Y9nStaZLOmvcJmwQQFTjhwqhldu9T4HQh7wMQzXMDu3dxKQ7v-k8UkDA1ScxiE8IpvjFkjbnwbIseNv3bD5_ZA_DLgAti4N05wjL69sQfLKb9Q-ufqbMrwxyidQ/s320/P8300340.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">...so charming...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbwiCw1xxg122DOkZkYTBqAEQgrOaQ41jEnz4w26nuO9hjChBOGU2oqoVMqa01LpMWxdssIOYt35EQwqtMBktXrLuc8gqtVgKID8IqyFpDngsrMQlKZrBEbgnYC-lMcbPwgDArw/s1600/P8300338_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbwiCw1xxg122DOkZkYTBqAEQgrOaQ41jEnz4w26nuO9hjChBOGU2oqoVMqa01LpMWxdssIOYt35EQwqtMBktXrLuc8gqtVgKID8IqyFpDngsrMQlKZrBEbgnYC-lMcbPwgDArw/s320/P8300338_edited.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">...you couldn't bear to give it away?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7CdC-uQmD4sPm397BUYfPQdcTXNTm9jyA2m7Y0XUiKn3oKwKMdt_WYwMME7XEShg4rQ9OeUa2KD_5icuX63inFUX8scwHbWFWuu2sqRAJlM9jN0uIBQThgSuXKHOIPzhw411gw/s1600/P8300337_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7CdC-uQmD4sPm397BUYfPQdcTXNTm9jyA2m7Y0XUiKn3oKwKMdt_WYwMME7XEShg4rQ9OeUa2KD_5icuX63inFUX8scwHbWFWuu2sqRAJlM9jN0uIBQThgSuXKHOIPzhw411gw/s320/P8300337_edited.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Yeah. Me neither.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiny7GtqwPNn-MLQTxN3Fs4SNYvpNBDnJ-jQUOKe580nziuhyphenhyphenvCLZYUNt6LwMXDpvI9F4CCe-aKngRUn7Yi7yO5xUpGf_D8VNysJo4u0oACBWJoBjbmVOzdTiGyxF18WRBVRX96Yw/s1600/P8300344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiny7GtqwPNn-MLQTxN3Fs4SNYvpNBDnJ-jQUOKe580nziuhyphenhyphenvCLZYUNt6LwMXDpvI9F4CCe-aKngRUn7Yi7yO5xUpGf_D8VNysJo4u0oACBWJoBjbmVOzdTiGyxF18WRBVRX96Yw/s320/P8300344.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Smock Jacket by Debbie Bliss</span></em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sensations Bamboo & Ewe (wool/bamboo/nylon)</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Mountain Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020670037854301604noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36980892.post-73979276407513211062010-08-29T08:22:00.000-06:002010-08-29T08:22:30.353-06:00Attn Gypsies: One 4yo For SaleMy youngest child. My baby. He's the one who's supposed to be on my side. He's the one who's supposed to shower me with unlimited affection. <br />
<br />
He's the one who I almost sold to gypsies yesterday.<br />
<br />
The Businessman took Yummy out leaving me and Vish behind to man the fort. Vish went outside to ride his bike, play at the playground and explore like Indiana Jones. Later I heard him open the door and patter into the house.<br />
<br />
"Mom, don't turn around and look at what I have because it's a snake"<br />
<br />
I of course turned around, screamed, and demanded the child leave my home immediately. Once I had stopped hyperventilating I carefully opened the door and talked to Vish:<br />
<br />
MM: Honey?<br />
V: What?<br />
MM: Do you still have that snake?<br />
V: Yes! I put it in my bug catcher!*<br />
MM: Well, snakes aren't allowed in the house, why don't you take him out back. You can let him go (far, far away) or wait for Daddy to get home.<br />
V: Okay! I'll keep him in the bug catcher until dad gets home. He'll like my snake.<br />
<br />
When TBM got home, I explained what happened and while doing this the cat stepped on my foot. I jumped and screamed and my husband laughed at me. He laughed at me.<br />
<br />
Maybe the gypsies would buy him too.<br />
<br />
Sorry about all the snake stories lately. There is one story I haven't told yet. It involves my cat Clive, barbeque tongs and a speaker phone.<br />
<br />
*<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Note to self: Thank my mother for the gift.</span>Mountain Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020670037854301604noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36980892.post-68501353116589459612010-08-24T07:33:00.001-06:002010-08-24T07:42:06.313-06:00SsssspectacularOur home is on the market now so the frantic aspect of "getting the home ready for market" is finished, only to be replaced by "why is nobody helping me keep this house clean?"<br />
<br />
The Businessman was in charge of all things outdoors which included weed whacking. He found three baby bullsnakes during the weedwhaking process. Well, the weedwhacker found two of them so maybe I should say TBM found 1 and 4/2 baby bullsnakes. This is still about four too many for my taste.<br />
<br />
There's a nest somewhere. Probably under our front patio. <br />
<br />
I'm never using our front door ever again.<br />
<br />
Later, TBM and our neighbor were talking and neighbor mentioned that his kids have found several baby bullsnakes in various areas of the neighborhood.<br />
<br />
To quote the Businessman: "So it's not a nest under our doorstep. It's a neighborhood infestation."<br />
<br />
We are so moving.Mountain Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020670037854301604noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36980892.post-38752733499896494102010-08-23T07:50:00.007-06:002010-08-23T07:54:58.498-06:00The Good Ole SummertimeSummer is not my best knitting time. For so many reasons. The kids are home. It's hot. It's sticky. The kids are sticky. Oops, I just dropped ice cream in my lap of knitting. Again. <br />
<br />
And then there's the kitten. Kittens find yarn, knitting needles and the synchronization of the two the most fascinating thing in the world. It's instinct and Midas is a self motivated gentleman--his destiny is to kill it.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBxwInrXl2aZxW5l_x1m_rq1Uzvmb9RRY5YVb9axcdAbgREA5SdFKLX68MLqg7Fne3dVJ5WDIrnqAFmSSPgUWQMQGEdzeAhl_IsrrTwTzqeBkUY1BztBMGaM5pJXCkpa50jjo8w/s1600/P8220277_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBxwInrXl2aZxW5l_x1m_rq1Uzvmb9RRY5YVb9axcdAbgREA5SdFKLX68MLqg7Fne3dVJ5WDIrnqAFmSSPgUWQMQGEdzeAhl_IsrrTwTzqeBkUY1BztBMGaM5pJXCkpa50jjo8w/s320/P8220277_edited.JPG" /></a>My only goal this Summer was a project I owe a friend in barter. She sent me a pattern. I knit. She'll take care of <a href="http://mountainmamaknits.blogspot.com/2010/04/slithy-toves.html">my mother's Christmas present</a>. Love that.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It's so hard to knit something not of your choosing. To not stray from the pattern at all. Not to curse fall and harvest colors (generally my favorite) when you have a lovely creamsicle colored yarn screaming to be knit but the only size 6 needles you have are being used to knit fall and harvest colors.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOB7QuxVYqYSIWyBvIuWkYYzuB8VYq-BJ5Mv5yepyvE9YlL35-WW3A2f8XeP3mhJADp-XZTlf2Ben2PKrVyFVxKHWhbZkCs2R69TVrBD5kaMS5tjk5Joeg2bZBBvGIhWnN0rhw0A/s1600/P8220283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOB7QuxVYqYSIWyBvIuWkYYzuB8VYq-BJ5Mv5yepyvE9YlL35-WW3A2f8XeP3mhJADp-XZTlf2Ben2PKrVyFVxKHWhbZkCs2R69TVrBD5kaMS5tjk5Joeg2bZBBvGIhWnN0rhw0A/s200/P8220283.JPG" width="200" /></a>It was a battle.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The only concession I made in the pattern was adding a bit of elastic in the waist. There is no way these pants would have fit a toddler otherwise.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRW27Q4OmbvMica2be_H4jMIxnvTGaMDnDIC3_iPEA89Y7Xc13N4kAEGDesRqHEzBNhOMAbN1TwW43_uP-kitGVhTeRBw4RnwwYturtDaa65r5YKJIpPGSJzDoZaEFAD4F2UxJGA/s1600/P8220284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRW27Q4OmbvMica2be_H4jMIxnvTGaMDnDIC3_iPEA89Y7Xc13N4kAEGDesRqHEzBNhOMAbN1TwW43_uP-kitGVhTeRBw4RnwwYturtDaa65r5YKJIpPGSJzDoZaEFAD4F2UxJGA/s200/P8220284.JPG" width="200" /></a>Once the final end was woven. I dove into my stash, pulled out two skeins that have been calling to me and cranked this little number out in 24 hours.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I knit the same pattern <a href="http://mountainmamaknits.blogspot.com/2010/01/from-vicious.html">last winter</a>. It's a mite too small this year so I promised Vish a new one.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In other news, I have about 3,275 friends who chose to have lots of fun last fall and are now paying for all that fun in the maternity wards of various hospitals across the country. I've been remiss to all of you. I apologize. Especially BFF in Seattle.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'm on it.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDx2zi2RyRY6TGMfzY5CImYG4JUxR1BQNkSE4KgCIW2sr0ono1ukGEBn9XlC2BG3bcdlyLwBwjTiplacCxeKHaTjYeTVYtec6eUEdniajKHLCEbGJmHY9yJf9ukuzyVFEHXNiNPQ/s1600/P8220285_edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDx2zi2RyRY6TGMfzY5CImYG4JUxR1BQNkSE4KgCIW2sr0ono1ukGEBn9XlC2BG3bcdlyLwBwjTiplacCxeKHaTjYeTVYtec6eUEdniajKHLCEbGJmHY9yJf9ukuzyVFEHXNiNPQ/s320/P8220285_edited.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The yarn brings out his eyes. <br />
The camera brings out his lower lip.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Harvest Moon, designer unknown. Knit Picks Comfy (cotton/acrylic)</span></em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Peruvian Hat by Pam Allen. Noro Silk Garden (wool/silk) and Tahki Savoy (wool/silk)</span></em></div>Mountain Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020670037854301604noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36980892.post-47533576176120589312010-08-19T12:46:00.000-06:002010-08-19T12:46:43.707-06:00All Cats Are Simon's Cat<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNFAPbRCPX23rBW-teej-6Lm37Zgowbff8Ig28RwFPPjoUoBb8JyTRbdu2lIK887dGHQ630xqvH_qwOy3tVD9nTD1J3fLvLlDmuHiGIhMZW-cIg0GKRZ416wbtjk2mW_n96HWYw/s1600/P6300218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNFAPbRCPX23rBW-teej-6Lm37Zgowbff8Ig28RwFPPjoUoBb8JyTRbdu2lIK887dGHQ630xqvH_qwOy3tVD9nTD1J3fLvLlDmuHiGIhMZW-cIg0GKRZ416wbtjk2mW_n96HWYw/s320/P6300218.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">His name is Midas. The children love him. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After watching the video below...</div>7yo was laughing so hard he fell off the chair.<br />
4yo laughed so hard he started wheezing and needed his nebulizer<br />
The Businessman laughed. (Let it suffice that he is now a cat person--it took ten years for that transformation. Little steps.)<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EKvNqe8cKU4?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EKvNqe8cKU4?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Mountain Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020670037854301604noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36980892.post-85834078651713584082010-07-26T07:38:00.006-06:002010-07-26T07:56:36.038-06:00Signs<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHspFFrRDebA_PdhYdg-3pKwGyS4PUZJbWw-peRYpJVuHcwc9atYq1RSkAYNUmJ7hzTKAIjO7j4nK2WiaK6C8NCOy8z89egc8kr9E6z0ykxk_PcABUfQr_qinGyQy7kcmIehSHEw/s1600/crazy.bmp"><img style="WIDTH: 124px; HEIGHT: 124px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498213464767843874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHspFFrRDebA_PdhYdg-3pKwGyS4PUZJbWw-peRYpJVuHcwc9atYq1RSkAYNUmJ7hzTKAIjO7j4nK2WiaK6C8NCOy8z89egc8kr9E6z0ykxk_PcABUfQr_qinGyQy7kcmIehSHEw/s320/crazy.bmp" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1QIzHqJ1Uy9mJr8HIU9JWRUheiENLWYe1zq11AzkTggaOH5xUN_HsjaCincnlgth2kF9yBUDSEP_DkCBQiQuybbWEv_Ap6v_LK7xTqBTzlVNer3NRZLVbSSMhzCi9shRx0rnvw/s1600/forsale.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 160px; HEIGHT: 120px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498209035480293250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1QIzHqJ1Uy9mJr8HIU9JWRUheiENLWYe1zq11AzkTggaOH5xUN_HsjaCincnlgth2kF9yBUDSEP_DkCBQiQuybbWEv_Ap6v_LK7xTqBTzlVNer3NRZLVbSSMhzCi9shRx0rnvw/s320/forsale.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLh5R7sNYcwh2mAQuA5M0Pz3MYSBl9oHXPAjvPyjKVbUGFXVNW-RT-asvDKE30MJlhhmdE5nxihd-ML2fI07KeRHZorH1DCHPHO_GfeCkRovUlHek0DikQ0UKDQSMxStBZfANHHA/s1600/jobs.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 160px; HEIGHT: 118px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498210556401721922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLh5R7sNYcwh2mAQuA5M0Pz3MYSBl9oHXPAjvPyjKVbUGFXVNW-RT-asvDKE30MJlhhmdE5nxihd-ML2fI07KeRHZorH1DCHPHO_GfeCkRovUlHek0DikQ0UKDQSMxStBZfANHHA/s320/jobs.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGT0n1C-CocgvWcU9x72pLabRvreg0moj7NfPnvCYF0dMH1w70D5rJrKaAhrqD1VgM8Y8gXDpsiqf50T7jyNXUqmnV9YhxGD2HGzVjpsSdcb1qJgbmh3VTaSNhcdLzfiHJ_4t4w/s1600/colorado.bmp"><img style="WIDTH: 133px; HEIGHT: 100px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498212753383371554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGT0n1C-CocgvWcU9x72pLabRvreg0moj7NfPnvCYF0dMH1w70D5rJrKaAhrqD1VgM8Y8gXDpsiqf50T7jyNXUqmnV9YhxGD2HGzVjpsSdcb1qJgbmh3VTaSNhcdLzfiHJ_4t4w/s320/colorado.bmp" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyXYceTGcZFuF_QJhTchNfEjIUz5zwrtWQsWMDq3mvMjk723rtsSMi8yiLnGqfZTPmTtz5uAyA8JhPWg2gfuSDaMfvcf1ifY3blIFeVc09KMTx9ygdJbEYRvU81K17K1cTxC9cA/s1600/colorado.jpg"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDfzxjKQGCsvBRzV6myK9Z8L3DTXW-lvjwf9U8sRVOQhqsfq52r8tdf6QaJpYQ9y9AgUE90ZeOcGs1X5Jojlw-SdGOBYNDbwfk0qCzcY3qd3W7XQGfCGSZMnNO2YjiciuwAuBlA/s1600/seattle.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 160px; HEIGHT: 106px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498211480000955394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDfzxjKQGCsvBRzV6myK9Z8L3DTXW-lvjwf9U8sRVOQhqsfq52r8tdf6QaJpYQ9y9AgUE90ZeOcGs1X5Jojlw-SdGOBYNDbwfk0qCzcY3qd3W7XQGfCGSZMnNO2YjiciuwAuBlA/s320/seattle.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsawDP8YthM8UJuLPawairKH5czzygI2U3oQymfpo9bEzskWxdRaTl3WLLTNFWbr0Xob1zKzBlnpYSdiQGivBPBPTkyNjAb6b5gfg__jWIT65Qm67NefDODuPjFNJSWuJYpyJng/s1600/pike.jpg"></a>Mountain Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020670037854301604noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36980892.post-29355271329750453912010-06-26T12:07:00.002-06:002010-06-26T12:12:20.375-06:00New Addition<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqs4x2ij4y92rwTQyxEshyphenhypheneUfX33GCmHKAeVQdRWcnutHoA2s0ufBDqMJOzCDB464yvdApAnln32zmhkYbd69Pww0TsS27BVVtVIYG38vKJ4gTjZKHLO1v2XBWxRF_oct2G3Jz7Q/s1600/P6250150_edited.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 169px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487145792392231234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqs4x2ij4y92rwTQyxEshyphenhypheneUfX33GCmHKAeVQdRWcnutHoA2s0ufBDqMJOzCDB464yvdApAnln32zmhkYbd69Pww0TsS27BVVtVIYG38vKJ4gTjZKHLO1v2XBWxRF_oct2G3Jz7Q/s320/P6250150_edited.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Meet our new family member, name as yet undecided. He is three months old, has huge feet, and the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">incessant</span> curiosity known to all members of his species.<br /><br />Did I mention how large his feet are?<br /><br />Sasquatch? Yeti? <br /><br />He'll fit in well with our family.Mountain Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020670037854301604noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36980892.post-48572438868575901362010-06-07T16:31:00.004-06:002010-06-07T17:16:12.798-06:00Devil's Advocate--MacrobioticsBefore I eliminated meat from my diet, I did a whole lot of research to make sure I wasn't doing something really stupid to my health just to prove a point. <br /><br />I'm now exploring vegan which has led me to several variations on the theme. <br /><br />I started with macrobiotics. I'll admit, I was researching the idea of losing weight with a macrobiotic diet because I know a few people who have done that very thing. What I found was a diet centered on whole grains and vegetables with beans and non-tropical fruits rounding out the meal--sounds okay so far. <br /><br />Fundamentally it's yin vs yang. The closer your food is to the center of the yin/yang scale, the more balanced you'll be. Foods that fall to the extremes (sugar, dairy, eggs, tobacco, alcohol and drugs) tend to rock the boat a little too much.<br /><br />As does, for some inexplicible reason,* spinach and chard, my two favorite greens.<br /><br />Upon learning this little factoid I curled up into a fetal position on the couch, effectively making my own yin/yang symbol. Except I had a pint of Coffee Heath Bar and a spoon. At that moment Ben was Yin and Jerry was Yang and I was cursing a diet that felt spinach was a no-no. Maybe ice cream and spinach cancel each other out.<br /><br />More to the point, is there any sound research out there that says <em>eat whole grains because they are only slightly yin</em>...or is it yang? How do you scientifically determine a food's yangness?<br /><br />To me, the core foods of the macrobiotic diet seem sound but the reasoning is a little too Eastern for me. Not that Eastern is bad, it's just that I'm a product of European ancestry. I practice yoga because I like trying to do contortions (whew! Glad that's off my chest) and I will eat whole grains because they taste...<em>right</em>.<br /><br />But it's not enough to convince me to be vegan.<br /><br />*<span style="font-size:78%;">I know. It's the oxalic acid. Whatever.</span>Mountain Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020670037854301604noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36980892.post-60950243572762408892010-04-25T09:44:00.002-06:002010-04-25T09:57:11.557-06:00AnticipationThe new kitty I'm getting as soon as I get back from the cruise<br />The cruise<br />The new Twilight movie (yes, I know)<br />The line-up of summer movies at my local <a href="http://holidaytwin.com/">drive-in theater</a><br /><a href="http://www.fcgov.com/lctix/show.php?id=141">Holes</a> at my local theater<br />Weekly picnics at my favorite, free, <a href="http://www.ci.loveland.co.us/parksrec/LSP.htm">Spray Park</a><br /><br />School is almost out. Summer is almost here.Mountain Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02020670037854301604noreply@blogger.com3