Sunday Racing... and knitting!

So... I went from craving finish-it-up projects last week to a small case of startitis this week! I had about 5 projects waiting to be cast on (ok, so yes, more than 5... but 5 that were actually already set out in project bags) and wound up casting on 2 yesterday.

I cast on the Birthday Cowl yesterday at Matt's racing...

I didn't get that far along, as I was playing socialite, photographer and ticket seller for the Searles Family Fundraiser... but so far, I'm loving the simple pattern and of course, the Malabrigo in the fabulous-for-fall Noviembre colorway (note to self: must get more of this)!

At some point during Big Brother last night, I cast on the Chevron Scarf for the latest round of Fashionably Late in '08 KAL. I didn't get far at all, but it is officially on the needles! I decided on using Lorna's Laces in the colorways Somerset and Vera...

And the 2 color project seemed like a good opportunity to use last month's freebie from Simply Knitting magazine... the plastic, 3 pouch project bag will keep my 2 working balls of yarn snaggle free and I can store the other 2 in the third pocket until I need them.

I spent several back breaking hours (I've been working at the coffee table, which is not the most comfortable for beading) on Saturday making up new sets of stitch markers for my etsy shop and A Knitter's Garden. Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to photo and list them yet, but will this week... stay tuned for some old favorites and some new ones, including a few fall theme sets!

In other news, Mr. & Mrs. Gobble were back to greet me as I pulled in to the office this morning...

I'll leave you with a few photos from yesterday's racing and also take this time to say thank you to all of our friends & family who've helped with the Searles Family Fundraiser by either donating items for the raffle/silent auction or buying admission/raffle tickets. They are one amazing family and you've truly helped to make this event a success before its even off the ground - we're hopeful of reaching the $10,000 goal (with every single cent going directly to the Searles)! The Get Well Soon Mike & Trevor 60 decals can be seen on almost every single kart at the track now, which is so cool. Here's Matt's...

A few racing shots...

And for my dog loving pals, I want to introduce you to Bruno...

I met the loveable Bruno for the first time 2 weeks ago and he was back at the track yesterday to support his human sister, who runs in the Tiger C class. He's just a year old and so amazingly well behaved! I just adore Rotties and Bruno is no exception...

I Stood Up...

...did you?

Check out Stand Up 2 Cancer for more information and ways to donate and you can visit the cafe press store for merchandise.

Saving the Michael Vick Dogs

Dogtown returns! The second season of the National Geographic Channel’s “DogTown” begins tonight at 9 pm ET/PT with the two-hour premier, “Saving the Michael Vick Dogs.” Check out Best Friends’ new DogTown web page.

The Humane Society of the United States, PETA and a chorus of supposed dog pundits said it couldn’t be done – that the 47 pit bulls rescued from Michael Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels could not be reformed, and therefore needed to be euthanized.

Best Friends believed otherwise, and a U.S. District Court in Virginia agreed, placing 22 of the dogs with Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and the rest with various other rescue groups around the country. As the premier episode of the National Geographic Channel’s “DogTown” will show to millions of viewers this Friday, the dogs have bucked the naysayers and proven that a second chance, replete with the right training and nurturing, was what they needed to succeed.

If you'd like to read the whole story, please click here...

Go Fast, Woof Left!

Hey look, its Thursday again... or little Friday as Chan says! Hop on over and check out The Garden on Chan's blog... she and the Knight have done amazing things in honor of the Fredster and Prince Mugs. Beauteous... and look my absolute favorite flower.... gerber daisies!

If you only stop in on Doggy Thursdays to read about the kids, be sure to scroll back a few posts for my Planet Dog review & giveaway!

And Now... on to the doggy pictures, after all that's why you're here, right?

The kids always seem to take their places on the couches while we watch NASCAR races on TV (and yes, they do watch sometimes... I think Tut is the most fascinated), so I thought they should show off their NASCAR spirit this week (for those wondering, that's their Daddy's Lowes Motor Speedway hat... not a JJ hat)

Zeus [as always, click their names for more new pics] is always a cooperative model...

Teutul was hiding from embarrssment...

Then he passed it on to Sophie...

Queen Lola (I love that shot - are you clicking

their linked names for more pics?) just

laughed and said "no thanks..."

Enjoy the rest of your little Friday. The kids are looking forward to hanging out on the porch watching for those pesky critters this weekend!

The race is on!

Dish Rag Tag: The Sequel, that is! I received the Deuces Wild box from Robin in NJ yesterday afternoon... knit my little heart out during the first hour of the new 90210 (haven't decided if this is too juvenille yet, but boy does it bring back memories!), then Big Brother... and got the little box racing off to Martha in VT at 8:15 am this morning!

If you participated last year, but not this... well, there are a few changes. One of which is the boxes are much smaller, you only send 1 ball of cotton and there is an official pattern this year (which is a great - thanks Emily, I've stashed this one in my file for future use). Here's what I found in my box from Robin...

Inside I found a beautiful blue color dish rag, a skein of lime stripes for me to knit with, the official pattern & instruction sheets, a mini Hula kit, some chocolates (gone before the photo!) and the coolest hair barrett/clip from Jak Random Art & Designs, a friend of Robin's.

She recyles old records into unique jewelry! As you can see in the photo above, Robin read up on my love of dogs and rescue organizations.... this barrett features Honecomb, a pit bull and proceeds go to Earth Angels Canine Rescue! COOL. Be sure to check out her etsy shop linked above. Thank you Robin - that was the best!!!!!!

After my excitement over the hair clip settled, I then opened another box that arrived yesterday from Jillian over at Wee Ones (there will be a review of her awesome products coming soon... stay tuned!). It was my custom ordered Sophie needles (and a few sets of stitch markers... after all, I can't make her just send me one thing all the way from Hawaii now, can I?)!

I still haven't opened up the markers yet, but I knew exactly what the first thing I would knit with Miss Sophie's needles was going to be (and I got to use Zeus & Lola stitch markers)...

Here is the dish rag Robin knit for me next to the one I knit for Martha and a close up of the lovely stitch pattern...

Hopefully Martha gets the box tomorrow... it looks like Deuces Wild are currently tied for first place... woo hoo!

I just adore my new Sophie needles... they are a lot smaller (wee ones!) than my original Zeus, Lola & Tut ones... but so cool and so light on the hands. I think I might have to commission Jillian to make me 3 more pairs...

The 4 kids... now all mortalized in the knitting world...

Let's Go Deuces Wild... the race is on.........

REVIEW: Planet Dog

Planet Dog toys & collars
Where to Find: Planet Dog

This review may be considered a little bias by some, but I'll be the first to admit that I am a huge lover of all things Planet Dog! I have been a fan of their products and business style & philanthropy for many years and was thrilled to be able to review some of the products with my kids.

Of course, the toys were first to be tested out! We were sent a medium blue/brown Slobber-Wick Squeak Buddy, small pink Slobber-Wick Squeakless Buddy, a Squeaky Sport Tennis Ball and a Orbee-Tuff Recycle Ball. All of which were promptly snatched up and put to the true test...

I adore Planet Dog's new fast-drying, easy-cleaning Slobber-Wick Buddies! You can decide if you want the squeaky or the squeakless version and each comes in three sizes to accommodate a wide range of droolers. I love how these have been made with a gusset, which adds extra "chomp" to your dog's soft toy gnawing experience. So far, these Slobber-Wicks have stood up quite nicely to our 4 serious chompers... and not to mention, they are quite cute as well!

We've had various Orbee toys in our household before, including various bones and balls. When I learned how and why the Recycle Balls were made, I was even more proud to be a customer! As stated on the Planet Dog website, "Recyle. Reuse. Rewoof. What other toy company takes their leftover material and makes productive use of it? We don't know of any. Our Recycle Balls are made "regrind" - 100% 1st quality Orbee-Tuff material that would otherwise be discarded." How cool is that? The leftovers from producing other Orbee toys are saved and used to make this ball!

Besides wonderful - and tough! - dog toys, Planet Dog also makes some beautiful collars, harnesses and leashes. My Sophie has been sporting a lovely Cozy Hemp Harness for months (Lola also has a matching one, but only wears hers when we go out on day trips) and was excited to be granted an almost-matching collar!

The Cozy Hemp Adjustable Collar is made from eco-friendly, naturally dyed pure hemp - one of nature's strongest fabrics. The collars are made with a nylon-reinforced plastic quick-release buckle for extra durability and have a super soft fleece lining to ensure optimal comfort for your furbaby - it's what you would wear if you were a dog! According to the product description, "you’ll find this collar will stand up to the more rigorous salt-water swims, mud puddle baths, snowy romps and the occasional roll in the sand." I can attest to the harness, which Sophie wears 24/7, truly does stand up to everything... even her pesky sister, who managed to unbuckle it during an inside wrestling match, then proudly carried it around the house like a trophy!

The Cozy Hemp Adjustable Collars come in 3 sizes, Small (9 - 13" neck), Medium (12 - 19" neck) and Large (18 - 28" neck).

Since the purple versions sent to us for review weren't Sophie sized, she opted to go with the green... becoming a little purple & green machine...

Planet Dog is known for supporting adoption programs, which is always tops on my list. From their website, "As a values-based industry leader, we are compelled to help find these deserving animals loving forever homes. That’s why we’re working with The Humane Society of the United States, the world’s most respected animal welfare organization, in spearheading a national public awareness program called rescue. raise. love. adopt."

The Planet Dog Foundation is another wonderful extension of this remarkable, animal loving company. "The mission of the Planet Dog Foundation is to promote and celebrate programs in which dogs serve and support their best friends. "

I urge everyone to check out Planet Dog if you haven't already... this is truly a company where once a customer, you'll always be a customer!

CONTEST! Would you like to win a purple Cozy Hemp Adjustable Collar, size Small (9 - 13" neck) for your furbaby? If so, just leave a comment here (be sure to include a means of contact if your comment doesn't automatically link to your email or blog) telling me who the lucky recipient would be of this super soft, chic collar should you win! Deadline to enter is Tuesday, Sept. 9th at midnight.

The winner of the Cool Crocheted Hats book from a previous review was drawn via random number generator... Congratulations Chan! Your book will be on its way shortly...

Goobling up Finished Objects

After a nice long weekend, I was greeted at the front door on my way into the office this morning with some gooble-goobles...

The male was literally right in front of the door, all fluffed up and I felt like I was talking to my dogs when I blurted out "could you please move your butt from in front of the door?," just as the female came waddling over to him as if to say "hey stupid, move..." and they waddled out on to the grass to allow me to go in. Too funny! I'm guessing they are the same 2 that we had hanging around for a week back in March, only they're down one man....

I also had an email from my Mom this morning ... "are you okay? you haven't posted anything to your blog since Thursday!?!?" Yes Mother, I am okay... and yes, I am behind in blogging... oops! I guess I got a little lazy over the long weekend? Yesterday, in between starting to clean our oversized walk in junk closet sunroom and playing with the dogs, I got caught up in the all day marathon of Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood... and if I didn't adore Tori before, I certainly do now. What a riot... and so truly a down to earth, real girl!

Over the 3 day weekend, I did not get the new stitch markers made that I had hoped to (new fall and Christmas themes), but I did get a bit of knitting done and photoed a bunch of things....

I've been in a no-brainer-knit and finish-it-up mode the past week, so I took my Cross Stitch Scarf (sorry if you're not on Ravelry, but seriously now... if you're not, what the heck are you waiting for?) to Matt's racing on Sunday and got it finished!



Notice the GoKnit pouch in action? Love it! I also love this pattern.... such an easy 2 row repeat, making for great mindless, on the go knitting. This is the 2nd one I've made and will certainly do more for gifts.

For mine, I used one skein of Rowan Colourscape Chunky, which was wonderful to work with... beautiful colors, easy on the hands... My only complaint is that I accidentally broke the yarn about 3 times while knitting with it (it definitely has a lovely, handspun way about it). That might've been my own fault, but if you do knit with it, be careful.

Apparently, this scarf met Teutul's sniff of approval as well...

I have another FO to show you... although it was finished on August 2, I just got around to weaving in the ends and taking photos this weekend. Its the Virginia Shawl, which was done as part of the A Knitter's Garden KAL... except mine resulted in a Virginia SCARF.

I used Mission Falls 1824 wool, which was a dream to work with... so soft and lovely... however, not the right drape for this project! Mine came out about 1/3 the size of blogless Cheryl's, which is absolutely gorgeous! After I hemmed and hawed, Joanne suggested that it would make a great neck wrap/scarf ... and she was right! It really is the perfect, soft wool for wrapping close to your skin! My big guy didn't even seem to mind modeling it for me!

Last night, still in finish-it-up mode, I began working the 3rd skein in to my Fallish One Row scarf. I will definitely have this one ready for the cool, crisp days that are beginning to come up on us. (no updated pic, sorry)

I put my Ravelympics project, the Offset Wraplan baby sweater, aside for a bit, but it is almost finished! Although I got discouraged when I had to rip back a nearly finished sleeve and didn't finish it for the deadline, I feel I accomplised my Ravelympic goals of knitting my first real sweater. I don't have a baby in mind for it just yet, but I picked up the cutest little pink elephant buttons for it last week.

I'm working on the Eyelet Chemo Cap from Knitting For Peace. I need to get this finished up so I can send it up with all the wonderful chemo hats that so many of you have graciously made and sent for the Chemo Cap Drive in honor of my Mom & Dad. I took photos of the hats yesterday and will post about them this week, as I just received another today and want to make sure I get them all in!

Hope everyone had a nice long weekend and I hope all of our friends in the South are safe after Gustav rolled through!