Happy Brithday USA, Happy Birthday Phillip

Both are happening at the same time this weekend, and Phillip's is the notable 40th verstion.  That adds up to no less than four parties in three days, which may even crowd in upon knitting time.  The Nerve.  Phillip's big bash is tonight at a dance club, where he sternly informed me there would be no place to put my spinning wheel.  Dude was downright testy - Like I wasn't gonna ask!  Lindsay, God love her, mentioned slyly to me on the way out the door that I should really take along my drop spindle. 

Leave it to the ten-year-old to find a loophole.
 

Screwy

This has been another of those weeks where nothing is quite working.  The children finished their school year, but Phillip didn't.  So the smallies went to Grammy's House (lucky them).  But rather than embrace our childless evenings, Phillip and I managed not to even see much of each other (he worked late doing end-of-the-year things).  I have gobs of knitting work to do, but I fell asleep before 10 PM every night this week.  I remembered my cell phone, but forgot to charge the battery.  I found my lost debit card, but there was no money in that account.  There is some cosmic balancing act afoot, and I seem to be on the receiving end.  Not that anything horrible has gone wrong, exactly, but nothing has gone extremely right, either.  Oh well, can't complain: as long as I have yarn.

Next week (not sure yet which day) I am planning to offer my very first self-published pattern for sale.  You will find it here, and on Ravelry too.  I've been working on this one since the middle of February, so I hope you will think that it's worth the wait.  It's called Sommelier, and it was inspired by all things Wine.  The buttons (funny how often it begins with a closure) have grapes on them, which inspired me to think about all the colors grapes come in, and the design unfolded from there.  It's fun to knit, really versatile, and doesn't require too much yarn.  There are two variations in the pattern, and you could easily work out others, by changing lengths, openings, and sleeves.  It's a great jumping-off place for your own ideas, or you can keep it simple and make it just as directed for a relaxing summer project. 

Next week I will also be announcing the winner of the "Name the 6-Bobbin Kate" Contest.  It's not too late to enter - just post a comment or use the contact form to send me your idea of the perfect name for the wee beastie.

And if that weren't enough to fill up next week, I'm also off to the Black Sheep Gathering, to learn spinny stuff, and stimulate the economy Mary Scott Huff-style:  Fiber Procurement, Baby, and lots of it.  I have barely any stash at all, which flatly will not do.  I'm also going to play with my friends, and hopefully make some new ones.  If you are going too, drop me a line!
 

R and R

The Smallies and I seized the three-day weekend to drive North for a long-overdue family visit.  Phillip stayed home to write a paper for Grad School.  We missed him, but he got a lot done in the thunderous quiet of our absence. 

The weather was extraordinary, which resulted in barbecues, bonfires, stargazing and tent-sleeping.

And I knitted.

Liberty Hill, Whidbey Island, WA

My sister and I planted flowers around the base of the new flagpole.

And I knitted.

Monica modelled her new purse, seated on her motorcycle

The Dreadful Damsels Motorcycle Club (that would be me, my sister Susie, and our sister-in-law Monica.  We're an extremely tough motorcycle gang) took its first ride of the season.  Where did we go?  To a shoe sale, naturally.  We may be tough, but we're not savages.  Then to the grocery for chips and beer (the 2 food groups), where several nice gentlemen admired our motorcycles, and tried not to look jealous.

After that, I knitted.

Mom humors me by smiling for a photo

My mom loved her Mothers' Day hat, both for its looks, and its fire-retardant qualities.  She suggested that I try spinning asbestos next.

Then I knitted.

What Smallies (and their cousins) do for fun in the country

Our visit culminated in a celebratory tractor-ride for the Smallies, which ended just in time for us to catch the ferry for home.  During the ferry ride, I knitted.

One of the best things about being away from home is getting to return to it.  Phillip had done no small amount of housework while we were out from underfoot.  Either he really missed us, or he badly wanted to do something other than work on his paper.  Either way, I'm happy.

And today it's re-entry.  Back to the trenches.  The rest and family time really revived me.  It seems like Summer is finally on its way, and I'm looking forward to what's next.  

I hope the rest of you fared better than I did in the bloodbath that was Sock Summit registration today.  I did get one of the seven classes that had been on my wish list, so I dare not snivel.  I know there are many (some who already had plane tickets, even) who weren't as lucky.  Take heart, would-be Summit-eers:  We didn't even know we have been in with the Cool Kids all this time.  If a bunch of knitters can create that much chaos in that short a time, world domination can't be far away.