oops nearly forgot... Drink Aid silk scarf.

And this silk scarf is also Drink Aid dyed. I almost forgot it as I am actually wearing it to work today. Out of site out of mind. First soaked it in white vinegar and water solution and then I dripped the colours on it and then zapped it in the microwave for 2 minute intervals x2 or 3.

--of note when zapping your scarf make certain you don't burn it, i.e., keep it wet with water.

Drink Aid...successes.

Saturday's mad scientist experiments:

1. - pink: pink lemonade (1) & then pink lemonade (1). skein died with each packet separately (one at a time). This skein is part wool and part silk and I will by using it for my Cynthia shawl project along with silver lined beads. I am VERY pleased with how this came out even though I am not a pink person.

2.- grape: 1 pack of grape.

3.-Tri-colour: orange (1)-whole skein dyed in the orange, -- tropical punch (1) -three-fourths skein dyed by dunk dipping and holding out 1/4 of skein,-- grape (1)-one fourth of skein dyed by dunk dipping and holding out 3/4 of skein. I am very pleased with how this turned out!!! This is almost exactly what I want for my In Dreams project. I hope to dye the lace this week or by the weekend.

- these skeins were soaked overnight in white vinegar and water solution for 24 hours before dyeing.

Drink Aid yarn dyeing...trial & error.

Thursday's mad scientist experiments:

First-orange(1) whole skein dyed in orange & then tropical punch(1)-half of skein dyed. This skein gave me my later success.

Second- Half lemonade(8)and half grape(3)-the lemon is still not lemon-sheesh even after 8 packets.

Third-orange (1), tropical punch(1), cherry(1)- colours all dyed together. this came out a dark red and I like it.

-the number in parenthesis is how many packets of Drink Aid that I used. Also these skeins were soaked over night in white vinegar and water solution for 48 hours before dyeing. I think Kool-Aid is better to use. Even though supposedly the ingredients are the same or similar. I went cheap this week as Drink Aid was on sale and I just wanted to play around for my later experiments.

I love black and white...

This is a favorite picture of mine. I truly love a well done black and white photo that makes your brain input the colours. This is DD and her cello. And if you play an instrument, yes, DD is holding the bow incorrectly but the photographer insisted to get the correct light. DD tried to refuse but the photographer won out and it really has bothered DD every time she looks at the photo. Such is life and the compromises we make. I bet you didn't know she was holding the bow wrong anyway. ;)

-this picture is copyrighted please do not use it. thank you.

Gram's posts today...

is moving. Goodnight Gram. Gram amazes me in how well she is able to capture the wonderful descriptions of life and living.

Blessings to all of you on this day. And as Goodnight states, "don't start tomorrow before you have to."

Knitting...2010 Kalendar scarf.

Look how pretty this is. This is the July clue.
As I wait for the next clue on the KBC Mystery sock III-Family Jewels, I am trying not to cast on to anything else before finishing some wips (work in progress). I am embarrassed to say that I have 13 wips.

I am currently on the August clue for this scarf and it is difficult. Moving stitches which means moving stitch markers, left and right twists, yarn overs and a Make7, certainly keep you very busy on this clue.

Ooops...Sizzilin Sixteen.

I can't believe what I said about this book. I began it the day before yesterday and finished last night. Who said it was slow? Oh, yeah--me, and yet I am already finished. huh-go figure. It is a bit slow at first and then after about page 130 it picked up for me. Lula is so funny with her "one diet." If you pick this book up to read it you will like it. Even if it is slow???

Sizzlin Sixteen by Janet Evanovich.

I am currently reading Janet's recent publication. Usually I enjoy her writing style and I certainly relate to her character Stephanie Plum. Whilst I do not have naturally curly hair I do have an on again/off again relationship with my boyfriend. I also have a great dysfunctional family.

I do find that this book is a bit slow on the uptake and not one of her better writes. Maybe its just me. Or maybe there is only so many ways you can present dysfunctionality with the same characters--sixteen so far. And really that pet hamster should be dead by now (mine is -and I cried and cried). huh.

The characters are fun and you don't have to think about things too much.

Of note -- there is a movie being made out of Janet's first book, "One for the Money." I can't wait to see it.

Persuasion by Jane Austin...

Persuasion is my current read. Rather I am listening to it so that I can knit. I obtained a media player format of it from my local library. I have to provide the headphones (I almost couldn't find any)ha that certainly would put a damper in this little experiment.

I think that I may prefer it in CD format as I don't really care to walk around the house with headphones on as it hurts my ears after a while and my CD player can be heard from any room I am in as it is centrally located. I do like being able to knit and "read" a book. It was handy when I also took the dog for a walk.

I am thinking about how much we are all influenced or "persuaded" to think and feel a certain way. Whether by our own emotional state or from others and that in a nutshell is what the book is about. Jane Austin is an amusing author and I do enjoy her formal writing style and her influences of the "proper" manners for the time period. She was definitely ahead of her time and lamented her state of not being able to make a living without having to marry well.

I, myself, am thinking about how to make better, more positive decisions by not being so easily "persuaded" (I couldn't help myself regarding the corny pun--forgive me)through the influence of my emotions.

Balance...

Lady Justice personifies balancing the scales of truth and fairness. She is blindfolded for objectivity. The scales represent the strengths and opposition of a case. The double-edged sword the power of reason and justice.

Lately I have been contemplating balance. Balance in my life. Balance in nature. Mental balance. Physical balance. Balance of responsibilities. Balance of work. Balance of recreation. You get the picture. For me, the picture of Lady Justice is a perfect symbol of balance. She provides a reminder of strengths, opposition, truth, fairness, justice and the reasoning used to obtain a decision.

For today, I'll contemplate balance.

No More FML...

until today I had no idea what this meant. I agree with this woman's post on this blog.
She encourages people to quit the FML and be realistic. Although, I do not have a Facebook or My Space or Twitter. I prefer dealing with obnoxious people like myself in person, face to face. Otherwise how am I ever going to learn to be more tactful?

Please read Blog Her find your passion and stick with it through all the ups and downs. Be realistic and trudge through the muck like the rest of us. Enjoy life--learn from life and ALL it has to offer: good & bad.

Movies...Inception & Despicable Me.

Inception is a terrific movie. Leo has certainly come into his own regarding his acting. In my opinion he is now able to take on a wide range of characters from young to old and be believable. This movie was very intense and well worth seeing. The plot is believable the actors and supporting actors were all well done and I absolutely love it when a movie ends and it still keeps you guessing. That's when you truly know everyone, from the director on down, has done an exceptional job. this is one to purchase.

Despicable Me - is cute and entertaining. You can tell everyone had a good time making this cartoon movie and the finished product is well worth taking your time to view it. It made you laugh it made you cry and now I know why everyone is Minion crazed. This is one to purchase.

Movies...

Mail Order Bride is another movie I obtained from the library. Its a cute idea for a story line but the acting is not so great. Very B grade movie acting. Greg Evegan is in it and he plays a bad guy. The best thing about the whole movie is you get to see that Cameron Bancroft, who plays the hero, has a great body!! Yum...

The Hoax, with Richard Gere, is much better. Better acting, better story. This is a true events story about a writer who is going broke in the 1960s. He eventually gets the bright idea to pretend that he has been hired by Howard Hughes' to write his autobiography. Its quite amusing how much money he defrauded from the publisher. Well worth viewing.

Limpetiole...

Is now complete. I love a quick knit that gives such instant gratification and satisfaction. I should make this year my year for hats. mmm, no- I love lace too much. Maybe next year.

Ladies in Lavendar...

This is the current movie that I obtained from my library. It is very poignant and I just love Judith Dench (Agent M in 007, Pride and Prejudice) and Maggie Smith (a professor in Harry Potter). Its a stirring story about love, human nature and learning from both.

Colorado Crud...

I currently have the Colorado Crud as I like to call it. This stuff stays around forever, 2-4 weeks. I have been drinking lots of herbal tea, ecanasia, chewable zinc from Sundown--its the best zinc out there and I have tried them all, chewable vitamin C, tea tree oil-topical on the nose, vicks for the throat and chest, 2 humidifiers going at full blast and the teapot on the stove all day.

Being sick did give me a chance to weave in all the ends to my sock and start the 2nd one. I am almost done reading Eight Days to Live, which is a little slow to start but became more interesting the further I read. I also started a second Limpetiole beret from -Wooly Wormhead. I really do like this beret and the designer.

Current read - 8 days to live - Iris Johansen

Eight days to Live by Iris Johansen is an exciting, gruesome read. You need to read a couple of the Eve Duncan series to understand where this book is at.

Things complete...

Crossfire is now read and it was a great read!! It kept steeple chase information at a minimum and concentrated on financial hedge fund frauds. A scheme that we all need to stay away or you'll lose your socks on it. The main character just returned from Afghanistan without a foot and was dealing with this as well.

I also have one sock done on a sock swap, one to go. Happy Hour for Friday. Had lots of fun laughing and talking with peeps. Saturday, went to the Manitou Fruit Cake toss, which has been happening for 16 years. Its fun to see all the ideas regarding machinery that is used to catapult the cakes. Then walked the shops in Manitou, which is something that I always like to do. In the evening, went to a 30th birthday party; played ping-pong, and Sunday went bowling. A 100 and a 115 for my two scores. Needed to do more things at home but instead read and knit. Snow came in on Sunday, just enough to make things slow down.

Hope you all had a productive weekend.

Crossfire-Dick and Felix Francis...currently reading.

Dick Francis is a favorite author of mine. Sadly he passed away in February 2010 at the lovely age of 89. I have read all of his books except his autobiography. They are all well written. Nerve, Whip-Hand, Reflex, and To The Hilt are some favs.

I have not read the co-authored books with his son Felix. There are three. If you need another mystery author to read this one would be one to consider. I will warn you most of the books are centered around horses and steeple chase (horse jump racing--very exciting, rent National Velvet if you don't think so). Dick (rest his sole) was a very accomplished jockey early in his life and when he retired went on to author mystery books centered around his previous love.

Gray Gardens...

Gray Gardens is about Edith Bouvier Beale Sr. and Edith Bouvier Beale. It is a movie that I recently obtained from my library to view.

They are related to Jacquelyn Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. Edie,Sr. is her Aunt. I wonder if these women would have received the notoriety that they did had they not been related to Jackie. I think not. I wonder as to the intention of the brothers, Albert and David Maysles, making the documentary. Was it to hurt, harm, shock or move ahead in the film industry, or for art? It wasn't money. I believe the shock value and they took advantage of these two women because of to whom they were related and their mental capacities.

The documentary is shocking and heartbreaking--I've seen parts of it. The film is heartwarming and I believe Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore were absolutely incredible in it. It is hard to imagine how draining it was for both of them to get into character. It is a lovely film. I find it interesting that the film moved back and forth from early times in their lives to the later times, so you might have a much better understanding how they ended up regarding their later lifestyle.

Little Edie's signature was to wear a head covering with a lovely pin as she had lost all of her hair due to stress. The head coverings consisted of anything. Shirts, sweaters whatever might be handy and she thought pretty that would go with her outfit. She's quirky, fun and moody and loves to dance.

Big Edie loves to sing and was always "looked" after by the men in her life. It starts to unravel when her marriage unravels during the depression times and eventually her husband divorces her and no longer takes care of her. Her family trust fund also runs out.

You see the strength in each woman and how much they love & hurt each other. It truly is an amazing true story. Worthwhile to obtain the documentary and the movie.

Reviews (from the Maysles website):

"It's sad, it's funny, it's disturbing -- but Grey Gardens
reminds us that the camera can be used for dramatic
effect, even when the drama is rooted in real life."
- Arthur Knight

"I've seen Grey Gardens four times! I felt that I was
looking at two eccentric women and I was embarrassed,
but the fault was in me, because slowly but surely I was
opened to these women on any number of levels that
I'm still exploring." -- Judith Crist, 1974

"To my mother and me, Grey Gardens is a breakthrough
to something beautiful and precious called life."
-- Edie Beale, 1974

The Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12...

Water logged...must be the influence of Noah. I noticed that I have certainly been influence by Noah lately. Everything I have chosen has been about water. Today something new...The Beatitudes. They are lovely. While in BSF - Bible Study Fellowship I learned that these are the steps of being or becoming a Christian. And being the humans that we are you may have to travel the steps over and over again. The fellowship is one that I can certainly recommend you attending if you want a really in-depth study of the bible and they have classes everywhere.

They really are lovely and bring tears to my eyes.
Here they are compliments of BibleGateway.com (Jesus is speaking):

The Beatitudes
He said:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Daily reading...Genesis..Noah's story.

I just finished the story of Noah. It was like reading a much loved book that was forgot and rediscovered. Its been a very good reminder about his trials. I am amazed at Noah's extreme faith. It took him over a hundred years to build the ark. Can you imagine all the people cruelly making fun of him? I mean, building such a huge boat on dry land no where near water. The major effort it took to obtain the wood, cure it and prepare it and then put it together. I envy such faith and determination to do what is right. Of not following what everyone else is doing but making your own path.

It was also interesting reading about the ancestry of the sons and where each son went and who created which culture that still exists today.

Its Fishy today...

yahoo news-Goldfish
yahoo news - Tuna

I saw the tuna first and its the biggest one ever caught so far. 754 pounds. and sold for a whopping $396,000. No those zeros are not a typo. Oh, lots of yummy sushi! The goldfish is as big as a dog. Its kinda ugly too.

Just keep swimming...

This is parts of Australia at the moment. I'm thinking the indicators are submerged--gee how'd I guess that???

Proverbs 1:10-19...

This was what I read for last night in Proverbs. It reminds me of my nephew who is unfortunately in prison for identity theft. Yes, we all have people in our family who make really, really bad decisions. Although, I can see for the future this may be really helpful when there becomes a one-world govt. as you will need to be able to "fly under the radar" of government. It is very corrupt now, just wait and see then. It will be as it was in biblical times when we go to the thieves among us to save us. Ironic, eh?

10 My son, if sinful men entice you,
do not give in to them.
11 If they say, “Come along with us;
let’s lie in wait for innocent blood,
let’s ambush some harmless soul;
12 let’s swallow them alive, like the grave,
and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
13 we will get all sorts of valuable things
and fill our houses with plunder;
14 cast lots with us;
we will all share the loot”—
15 my son, do not go along with them,
do not set foot on their paths;
16 for their feet rush into evil,
they are swift to shed blood.
17 How useless to spread a net
where every bird can see it!
18 These men lie in wait for their own blood;
they ambush only themselves!
19 Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
it takes away the life of those who get it.

The reference is from:
BibleGateway.com

The Wrapping Scarf...

This book is a great idea. Its well written regarding the history of the wrapping scarf and the diagrams are well done and understandable. I can't wait to give a gift using this unique idea. I especially like the bamboo purse. The picnic basket wrap is a great idea and then you are able to use the wrap for your picnic blanket. The picture on the front of the book is the two bottle carrier--very cool. Who needs a wine bag when you have a scarf. So many uses, so little time. This is a book to obtain for my personal library. I love quick and stylish, that's for me.

Daily reading...Genesis.

Revelation is over!! I did like the last chapter of Revelation and my new year has begun with Genesis. Appropo for a new year and not so scary either. Although that darn snake will get you every time!! Little bugga!

I like to guess where the dinosaurs may have come in and my Aunt D taught me that she believes they came between verses 1 and 2. I think its more appropriate between day 4 and 5--verses 19 & 20. Its anybody's guess really.

Caught - Harlan Coban.

This was part of my New Years Day reading. Sadly I am already finished and sadly I did not get much knitting done as I was reading this. Caught is Harlan's newest book out that is available and like the other one this was also a great read. I am considering books on tape or CD now. I have never done this but seriously I would like to get some reading AND knitting done and the only way to do this is to acquire them in electronic format. Will have to try it out.

Happy New Year. Hope all your dreams come true for this year.