Got LL Bean Championship Boot?

Mother Nature continues to mess with us when it comes to the fall temps - unseasonably warm to quite chilly, then back to somewhat warm and chilly again - but the beauty of the season continues to shine!  Here's a little taste of New England via Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine...

Boston Strong

Happy Wordless Wednesday!  I spent Monday evening at Fenway pretending to watch the Red Sox vs Twins, while listening to the Bruins game on my phone (the last photo shows the B's final score on the Green Monster).



End of the Week... End of July

Yippee... its Friday!!!! Although I had a short work week, its still great to be at the end of it!

I took Monday & Tuesday off and went to the Red Sox vs Oakland game on Monday night. We were on top of the Green Monster (I now want to watch games only from up there!), Beckett was pitching, we did not get rained on and the Sox won... all was good!

Here's Josh Beckett warming up... and the cast from Jersey Boys singing the National Anthem...

A few shots from atop the Green Monster...

Sunset behind Fenway...

During my 4 day weekend, I finished off another Cross Stitch scarf. I love this stitch... it makes for a pretty scarf (great gifts!) so I seem to always have one on the needles as my no-brainer knitting that I can pick up here or there. Lola thought about modeling it, but it was much too hot this week for wool...

Yarn is Seacoast Handpainted Llama & Wool in the Colorado colorway. I had cast this on sometime back in January and it sat in the living room where I can easily pick it up and knit a couple rows here and there. The scarf is a little on the short side, given that the hank of yarn was only 132 yars. You can click for a closer look here. This one will most likely become a Christmas gift, although I have absolutely no idea who for yet... I haven't decided who's colors these are. Do you know?

Matt got another win last Sunday... way to go honey!

We now have two Sundays in a row off from racing. I wish that meant we had two free weekends in a row, however it seems that nearly every weekend in August is either mostly or overly full at this point. Can you believe its August already? On that note, I'll leave you with some Fill-Ins for today...

1. It's time for July to end and the mad-dash holiday knitting to begin (what happened to all those things I had planned to knit over the summer??).

2. Inside with a/c; it's not a bad place for being this week .

3. I must be getting old... I caught myself uttering those crazy words "back in the day!"

4. Foot massages, hugs, lobster, good wine, chocolate, dogs, knitting is are the best things I have ever known.

5. My house is simply full of dog hair, dog beds, dog toys, dog drool.... if you don't like dogs, you probably shouldn't visit.

6. The last time I laughed really loudly was at the Joel McHale show a couple weeks ago.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to doing absolutely nothing, tomorrow my plans include going to friends' wedding and Sunday, I want to see no rain... we're supposed to go on a whale watch!

Weekend Wrap Up...

Once again, congratulations to all of my contest winners! Prizes went out this morning and I hope you will enjoy them!

It was a cold & rainy weekend around New England. I spent Saturday night at Fenway (first time back to a game in about 4 years now) and it felt more like fall football weather! (excuse the "little people" photos... I didn't bring the camera due to the weather, these are cell phone pics)

I soon remembered why I'm much more of an action packed sports girl (translation: NASCAR, football and hockey)... baseball is pretty slow & boring to me! Don't get me wrong, this Boston girl will always root for her Red Sox (and I do enjoy catching a game in person every now and then), but if given the choice (especially with the need to sell your first born to get a ticket enormous ticket prices), I'd rather quinch my need for speed, see some good checks (fight, fight, fight!) or see the Brady bunch....

I don't want to get too much in to the weekend tragedy,and I don't know much about horses, but I do know that no animal should be run so hard they break both of their front ankles!!!! I've heard several takes on the story and understand Eight Belles was just 2 years old. Apparently, horses should not be raced until at least 4 years of age. There's also been lots of genetic crapola going on to produce the "fastest and strongest" horses... all in the name of greed for the all mighty dollar - ugh!!! Personally, I think if you want to run a race, then use your own 2 feet or an inanimate object, such as a car, boat or motorcycle. Rest in Peace Eight Belles...

On that note, did you know that it is Be Kind to Animals Week? Please click on over and learn what you can do, including teaching children....

Reminder... sign ups are now open for the Multitasking 9-5 group swap over on Ravlery!

Now I even have some actual knitting content to leave you with today! I'm working away on the Criss-Cross scarf for my ISE6 pal. I'm loving the way the Patons SWS is working up in this pattern...

After realizing that there was no way the pokey, always wanting to cast on something new, 'ole me I'd ever finish the Oriel Lace scarf for my pal in time for the deadline, I switched to this pattern and am glad I did. My pal loves winter colors and she lives in a cold winter climate, so I'm hoping this will be a perfect fit for her. I'm starting to think these scarves will also be in a few Christmas presents this year as well...

I'm still Clapping away, but am thisclosetobeingfinished!!! No updated pics, but it will be done in time to wear to the NH Sheep and Wool festival this weekend (so long as weather is appropriate for wearing) and I will get finished photos then! I spent yesterday working on the decrease rounds...

I'm about half way done with my first teddy bear sweater for the Granite State Knit-In donations. They collect "dressed" stuffed aniamls of all sorts, which are then donated to the NH State Troopers for their program (all troopers have a couple in their trunks to provide as needed to children). I plan to get at least a couple made...

Well, that's all folks... enjoy the rest of your Cinco de Mayo!

Finally?

I think spring has finally arrived in New England... its 54 degrees and its opening day!

... and its still great to be a Boston girl! Red Sox are reigning champs... Patriots should be reigning champs... my Bruins start round 1 of the playoffs on Thursday night... and although I am not much of a basketball fan, I believe our Celtics are still first in their division!

It's EVEN GREATER to be a Boston Girl!

The Red Sox swept the World Series!

The Patrios are now 8 and 0!

Yes, folks... its even greater to be a Boston girl this morning!

And thankfully, Patrice Bergeron was released from the hospital yesterday. I didn't see the game with the vicious hit, but it was a bad one. As the article ends, Thank you. Merci…to whomever or whatever was looking over our friend yesterday... and get well soon Patrice!

Now if Tony Stewart could only gain some points on the double Hendrick-mint Twins.......

Side Note: Please see the link on the right hand side for the San Diego Wild Fire Blanket Project. If you are local and wish to help out, Joanne at A Knitter's Garden is going to be collecting squares at her shop.

And Now, She Beads!

Yes, I've finally gotten around to taking a stab at making beaded stitch markers! I'd bought a bunch of supplies ions months (heck, maybe even a year??) ago, but had never gotten around to sitting down with it. So... with a little inspiration from the beaded bracelet class at Violet Bleu last month and a little kick in the arse need to be bringing some extra cash into the household (I am still hopefull that someday yarn shops & MasterCard will team up to offer cash back for yarn purchases...), this is how I sat down to watch the race & Pats game last Sunday...

After a good hour or more spent organizing the above mess in to nice little plastic caddies, I spent a few more hours ranting, cursing and ouching... the end result? The very first Lapdog Creations stitch markers...

What do you think? (honestly, the photo doesn't do them justice... my bad for taking it at night) I have to get my wire loops & wraps a little neater and more uniform, I know. The black & white ones were actually the first set I made and I think my favorite so far. I brought them to knitting night on Wednesday and everyone seemed to like them... I hope that was honest feedback! I picked up some more supplies on Tuesday and plan to spend some time on them this weekend. I realized stitch markers are not a great project for evenings after work... my tired eyes need daylight shinning in the windows (or else I need to go invest in one of those overpriced craft lamps & tables).

As for knitting, I have 2 finished objects, but the photos are still on the camera so you'll have to wait. Would you settle for some New England foliage eye candy instead? These are from my front yard.

Tut's birthday cake photos are still on the camera too, so how about he & Sophie's modeling of the "Tricks for Treats" t-shirt from Old Navy? They both got to participate in the Dogs on Thursday Halloween Parade yesterday (as unorganized Mommy is still trying to find the cutest photos of Zeus in his devil costume from when he was a puppy... still hopeful to find them before Wednesday!).

As usual, I got the largest size & it fits like a muscle shirt...

It was a little big on Sophie...

Just don't mention it being snugg on body concious Teutul... otherwise you'll get some dog-attiude... (yes, he is sticking his tongue out at you)

A few more modeling shots...

I love this pic of Lola & Sophie... I think Lola wanted to try on the shirt too! You can also see the ham that Sophie is becoming... she's no longer shy or scared when its come to getting her attention. She pushes right on thru our dogs, sometimes going under their legs, sometimes giving them a good 'ole hip-check (she's got the move down!)... its pretty hilarious!

TGIF... have a great weekend! GO SOX! (and Pats, and Tony Stewart, and... )