HSKS 8 game 2

Good Luck and Have Fun!!
Let the anagram solving begin!
In the second volume of the HP books by JK Rowling, The (#1)Chrome Cab Festers, we continue to learn the incredible adventures of Hogwarts student (#2) Parry He Trot and his friends (#3) Oral Weensy and (#4) Angering Her More. Belonging to the house of (#5) Dry Off Grin, they attend Defense Against the (#6) Ark Darts taught by Wizarding celebrity (#7) Oracle Dorky Light, a none-too-bright fellow who cannot even handle pixies!

In The (#8) Chrome Cab Festers, we also meet Dobby a (#9)See Flu Oh for the first time. Determined Dobby seeks to sabotage the return of (#10) Parry He Trot to Hogwarts and is pretty persistent but is unsuccessful. After a few weeks at school, the deceased Ravenclaw student who haunts the girls lavatory, also known as (#11) My Molten Grain, shows (#12) Parry He Trot and (#13) Oral Weensy an old empty diary that dropped through her ghostly form out of thin air!

Many nifty things continue to happen for the next several months… we won’t go into all the juicy details right now… however, the ending is prime reading indeed!! (#14) Parry He Trot finally kills Tom Riddle’s (a.k.a #15 Mold Voter) sneaky diary (which we now know is a #16 Crux Rho) and saves the sister of (#17) Oral Weensy, (#18) Gayly Nine Sew!!!

Oh! Of course, we must mention that the thickheaded (#19) Oracle Dorky Light unintentionally erased his own memory, so he won’t be back for book three, The (#20) Snob In A Froze Parka…




1. Chamber of Secrets
2. Harry Potter
3. Ron Weasley
4. Hermione Granger
5. Gryffindor
6. Dark Arts
7. Gilderoy Lockhart
8. Chamber of Secrets
9. House Elf
10 Harry Potter
11. Moaning Myrtle
12. Harry Potter
13. Ron Weasley
14. Harry Potter
15. Voldemort
16. Horcrux
17. Ron Weasley
18. Ginny Weasley
19. Gildeory Lockhart
20. Prisoner of Azkaban


ETA: Fixed spelling of #16- I can't spell!!

CSA week 7

Last week's share was huge again!! We had Mushrooms, sugar snap peas, regular peas, cauliflower, peppers, more beets, romaine lettuce, red new potatoes, mint, zucchini, cucumbers, and I'm sure I'm missing something. They also gave us extra cucumbers, potatoes, and some flowers! The peonies are just gorgeous, and love the pink little flowers in with them. Brightened our house this week, for sure!

Overall, I'm thrilled with this CSA. We get tons of food, and it's all incredible.

Here's a pic of some potatoes I made last week- fried them up in some olive oil, with the onions and green pepper, salt and pepper. SO much flavor, so tender and yummy, and just fresh.

csa weeks 3-6

I've missed af ew weeks posting pics/info on the CSA! Here is what we got week 3:


Lettuce, spinach, rhubarb, strawberries, mint, asparagus, spring onions, and peas! Yummy salads, made another rhubarb/strawberry crisp, some mojitos, and sauteed the peas with olive oil, a bit of butter, salt and pepper.

Week 4 I missed pics of week 4. I know there were more lettuces, peas, strawberries, spring onions, and mint, tomatoes and mushrooms.

Week 5: again, missed pics. or they aren't off the camera yet...not sure which. Definitely more lettuce, tomatoes, mushrooms, pak choi, 2 kinds of peas, turnips, white new potatoes, strawberries, and something else I'm sure I'm forgetting. Oh, the flowers- they had extras and gave them to us. Yay!

Week 6 was more lettuce, 2 kinds of peas, beets, more turnips, red new potatoes, green pepper, onions, strawberries and maybe more- don't remember again. This one I know I have a pic of on my camera.


So far we're really enjoying getting fresh veggies and fruit every week. Loving the quality of the produce- made the potatoes with the onions and pepper the other day, and they were so tender and delicious.

ETA: Pic from week 6.

Happy June.

Wow, is it really June already?! June has always been my favorite month- since my B-day is on the 25th. I can't believe I haven't posted in SO long! Lots has been going on here. Lots of yarny news coming, so stay tuned! But for now...

I've joined the HSKS 8 Summer camp, and I'm SO excited about that! It's going to be a blast. Looking forward to spoiling my pal rotten, and getting to know everyone in my cabin.

Here is my week 1 summer game!
Week #1: New to Camp!


Part 1: "What's in your trunk?"
elastics for my hair- to pull it back
extendable ears
earplugs (in case someone snores)
earbuds (for my muggle music player)
earl grey tea (for my morning pick-me-up)
everready batteries (you never know when you'll need batteries!)
everlasting gobstopper (I just watched Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory)
easter candy
earrings
earthworms


Part 2: WINGO
Still working on this...

W1:
W2:
W3:
W4:
W5:

I1:
I2:
I3:
I4:
I5:

N1:
N2:
N3:
N4:
N5:

G1:
G2:
G3:
G4:
G5:

O1:
O2:
O3:
O4:
O5:

Part 3: Get to know your pals:

My spoilee is Nosheepforchelle, and she had so many projects that I loved it was hard to pick one. BUT, I selected her Ishbel because I love the color- a deep blue, and I just finished my Ishbel, so it was fun to see how she did hers. Love it!
Jellybeaninc is my spoiler, and she has some great Twilight socks in purples (my favorite color!), which I just love. Had to comment on them.

CSA week 2

Here is the last share from the CSA. Love, love, love!!

We've got:
spinach
boston lettuce
romaine lettuce
watercress
snap peas
rhubarb
strawberries
mint
spring onions
asparagus

Let's just say, we've had several salads with the different lettuces and watercress. Sauteed spinach, roasted asparagus, and a strawberry/rhubarb crisp. And more to come. Loving all the fresh veggies. I've never tried watercress before, so it was awesome to get to try that. Really yummy!

girls weekend

So for the last few years, my FIL, husband and his two BILs went camping for a weekend in October. They decided that a guys weekend would be a fun way to get together, get to know each other better, and have some fun. When I saw my two SILs in March, they suggested we do the same thing as girls, along with my MIL. So that happened this past weekend.

Overall, it was fun. It was good to get to hang out with no other obligations (kids, spouses, etc). We relaxed, got massages, ate some yummy food, and drank some. And of course, I knitted a bit, while they scrapbooked and watched movies. It was very productive! I ended up making lots of progress on my Ishbel, and even finished it! Here is the unblocked photo:


So on Saturday as we were waiting for massages, I noticed a sign on a building across from where the spa was. It was for a tattoo place. I've been wanting another one for quite some time now, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to see if they had any openings. So I went in, and they were booked solid. But they said I could try calling after 6:30 pm and see if anything was available. I called, and there wasn't. So she said she'd take my number and call me if things were looking good. About 20 minutes later, my cell rang and I was in the car on my way to get my third tattoo! Yay!!


I had wanted to do something for my kids, so I went with simple. Each of their names around my ankle, with a heart separating them. Here it is:




It didn't hurt too badly, except for the place near the ankle bone. It was SO worth it. I love it, the script he chose was perfect, and I'm just so thrilled with it. Now to plan my next one- which will be bigger. And on my back/shoulder. Hmmm...

I got home Sunday afternoon, and slept for 2 hours. I was exhausted!! So glad this coming weekend is a long weekend. I really need it!

Huge news!

I have some really big, really awesome news!!

So, I was looking on Ravelry the other day, and saw something about the TKGA Knit and Crochet show happening this summer. In Buffalo! Which is where I'm from. At first, I was thinking it might be fun to go up for it and go with my mom, since she always comes down to Maryland for Sheep and Wool and came last year to Stitches East. And then it dawned on me...that it might be fun to try to apply for a vendor spot. If they actually had any left. So I talked to my DH about it, and talked to my mom about it (she's been a great sounding board for me). And I came to the conclusion that I should absolutely apply, and see what happens!

So yesterday, I faxed the application over, and 3 hours later, I got an e-mail that I have been accepted, and will be a vendor! So, there will be tons of dyeing happening at my house over the next 3 months. And tons of Harry Potter colorways to come up with! I'm over the moon with excitement. Cannot wait!! I'm thrilled that my first solo big show will be in my hometown. With my mom there to help me. And some good friends and other family members there to support me. I am still in shock. And in that "what the heck was I thinking?!!" mentality. But I am SO excited.

I leave you with a pic of some of the yarn that will be at the show!

CSA

I've been such a crappy blogger lately! I'm really going to work on that! I have some great posts a'brewing, from Maryland Sheep and Wool, a few dyeing days at my place, and lots of other stuff. But first, I want to post about the new thing we've started doing this year- a CSA. One of the ladies in one of the knitting groups I go to and I have decided to split a CSA share this summer, and today was the first pick up! I met up with her, got the goods, and we split them up at her place.

Here is a pic of my half:

Here you see some purple cabbage, lettuce, spring onions, asparagus, strawberries, and mint. They were going to include radishes, but since neither of us will eat them, they gave us extra asparagus instead. Yum! And they also gave us 2 extra containers of berries, so we had double. I got them home, and stashed everything in the fridge and went outside to work in our garden. We did eat the lettuce for dinner, as well as the berries for dessert. And some mint in mojitos. It rocked. The salad was probably the yummiest salad I've had in ages. Yay for fresh produce!

So I had started loads of seedlings about 2 months ago...and they were doing great! Until someone (a rat) decided to eat the tops off of the broccoli, so they ended up being moved outside, where they'd have a chance at survival. Let's just say that they were sad, and neglected after going outside (not enough watering...less sunlight...). So I was going to plant the pathetic little things, but plan on going to pick up some actual plants this week or next. Until our neighbor gave me his extras! Now I have a few tomato and pepper plants that absolutely will survive. And the peas are already growing out in the garden, and I planted the beans today (better late than never...). We also got the beds surrounded with fencing to keep out the adorable veggie-eating bunnies. I am curious to see what will grow. We'll either end up with TONs of tomato plants or just a few.

For some knitting content- I finally finished Celia's first pair of socks! They are out of my yarn, that Celia helped me dye, and they are fabulous. Black with pinks. Really pretty. I can't wait to show them to her tomorrow! I've also made some real progress on Ishbel, which is the first lace project I've really made actual progress on. And it seems to be working and turning out really pretty. Can't wait to see how it turns out!

And last but not least, Happy Mothers Day to all of you mothers out there! I'm looking forward to a breakfast of blueberry pancakes, some good quality time with Celia, Seth and the DH, and hopefully some dyeing time. So much to do and so little time!!

TGIF!

I've been looking forward to this weekend for months! Last fall, at my knitting group, some of the ladies were talking about learning to dye at a class. I suggested we all get together some day in the spring, and dye at my place! So, tomorrow is the day! I think there will be about 10 of us (give or take a few), and we're going to set up out in my back yard, and have a dyeing day! I am so excited to get to spend an entire day dyeing, chatting, and hanging out with some knitting friends! It is going to be a blast! I haven't dyed in a group since the class I took a few years back. Some of the ladies haven't dyed before, and some have, which will be a fun combination. Can't wait to see what everyone does with their colors/yarn!

I can't wait to spend the day outside, dyeing, playing with color, drinking some wine, and just chilling. Is it tomorrow yet?!

Crosspost

I try not to crosspost too often, but I am short on time, and had to post some great pics I took this weekend!! Here you go!

Some knitting content to come!


This weekend, we spent a lot of time outside! The weather was lovely, warm, breezy, and sunny. And, our beautiful cherry tree was in bloom- each day getting a few more blossoms to pop out. So I took advantage of the situation, and took TONS of pictures of it. I got to play with my new camera a LOT, and got some amazing pics. Some I plan to blow up and put in our bathroom as art, and maybe put a few of them in Celia's room too.




We also took some time to work on our gardens. We bought the wood for the raised beds, and soil, and started working on them. Nathan also tilled all of the soil. The area where the raised bed is, was all grass before we got our hands on it this weekend. There is also another one to the left of the brick-bordered garden. The brick one is what we had last year, so we're really increasing our garden space. We also loaded them with soil, and planted some peas. The others will wait, as it's still too cool here at night to plant the tomatoes or other goodies. However I did make two window boxes for my kitchen window- one with lettuce, and the other with herbs I started.



Then a few great shots I got of the kids:





Can you tell how much I LOVE my new camera?!

Thank you!

My SP13 pal sent me the big reveal package a few weeks ago, and things have been so crazy that I completely forgot to blog about it! Bad girl- I need to be slapped.

Here is what I opened to find:



Some amazingly yummy fiber, which is just SO soft, and yummy, and amazing. I love that it's natural. So soft! I know I already said that, but it is! Then there was a drop spindle. Now the funny part about that is...that the very evening that the package arrived, I had a friend coming over to teach her how to spin!! So I parted with an old spindle and let her take that to play with, and now have a great pretty one, that I absolutely love. Also included, is some emu oil (great for cuticles she said), and some other Colorado things- a book, note cards, CHOCOLATE, and some yummy chocolate covered toffee. SO good!

So she also revealed herself to me- She is Marin, and she is absolutely fantastic. She did such a great job spoiling me, and I had such a blast with SP13!! Thanks so much for making it such a great swap Marin!

And this is the yarn I spun up the night I taught my friend to spin. This is the yummy yarn my SP sent me a while back, the SP colorway, Starry Night. It's absolutely gorgeous!! I tried SO hard to make it really uneven, because I was going for lots of texture, and it actually worked! Yay!!

are you going??

To the Homespun Yarn Party?! I will be there! As a vendor!!! I'm so excited about this opportunity, and can't wait to check out what loads of other dyers/artists have. It's going to be SO much fun!!

Rats=DESTASH!!

I'm doing a huge destash here! Here is the first batch of pics. I have some rats burrowing in my house, and the work will cost over 2K to fix. So, we're in need of some cash fast. E-mail me at shelby AT bidwellfamily DOT net if you're interested. OR pm me on Ravelry at shelbyknits. All prices do NOT include shipping, that will be extra depending on how you want it shipped.


First we have some KnitPicks sock yarn in some fun colorways. The Simple Stripes, I will take 4.00 for the two skeins (SOLD), Sock Garden I'll take 5.00 for the two, and the Memories I'll take 6.00 (pending) for the two skeins.



This is 8 skeins of Plymouth Yarn Jeannee, Yarn Content: 51% Cotton, 49% Acrylic, 110 yds/50g ball. I paid 3.50 per skein, I'll take 25.00 for the whole lot.



Here we have some Lana Grossa sock yarn, Lang Jawoll, and Wildfoote sock yarn. For each set, I'll take 12.00.




This Fleece Artist is incredibly hard for me to part with. I love it so much, but have other colorways I love more. We have Tiger (merino for 16.00), Midnight (Somoko for 20.00) and Wildflower (seawoolfor 20.00- SOLD).




Here is some Koigu KPPPM, which I'll take 20.00 for both skeins (sold), Tofutsies, which I'll take 12.50 for, Savvyminx sock yarn, which I'll take 15 for (SOLD), and some pretty Wool in the Woods, Cyclone. Both skeins are 20.



Here is a huge lot of Koigu KPPPM and Kersti mill ends. Some skeins are larger (nearly full length) and others are shorter. I know that I paid $60 for the whole bunch, but will let it go for $40. (SOLD)



Now for some Lorna's Laces. Shepherd Sock. The first skein is Childs Play, which I'll let go for $9.00. The other colorways are Tickled Pink (sold), Lakeviewsold) and Black Pearl sold) Each pair will be 18.00.



Here are some Blue Moon Socks That Rock, the first two are from the 2007 sock club- Monsoon sold) and Silkie Socks that rock Walking on the wild tide, which are both wound into balls. I cast on for the socks but frogged them. The full amount is there. The next skein is Flower Power (also from the 2007 Rockin Sock club). The Monsoon, I'll take 16.00 sold) for, the Flower Power will be 18.00 (pending) and the Silkie will be 20.00. The next two skeins are sock yarn from Tess Designer Yarns. These will each be $15.


Here we have a skein of some Sundara Sock in Night Blossom(SOLD) Sundara Fingering Silky Merino in Life Aquatic from the Seasons club Winter edition. I'll let this go for 55.00 (SOLD). Then we have some more Socks that Rock- Blue Brick Wall and Firebird (SOLD), both of which will be 18.00.

PLease let me know if you would like anything! I'll be going through more yarn tonight, and adding more shortly (including some Kauni).

And another thank you

I had a pleasant surprise when I got home from Miami! My pal from the Starbucks and Yarn swap, Ashley sent me a ROAK package! I had spoiled her during that swap, so it was such a surprise to get something from her! Inside, is a beautiful cowel, that is in one of my favorite colors. So soft, and warm! Then there is the lotion which is really pretty and silky smooth. I love it. And the chocolate was great! It's already gone. Did I just admit that?! :) Then she put in these adorable sheep post its, and I love them! LOVE me some post-its! The lip gloss is one of my favorite kinds too- so soft. Thanks Ashley!! You really made my day.

Thanks pal!

I'm so horrible! I received a fabulous package from my SP13 right before I left for Miami. And I've been trying to find time/energy to post, and now I'm finally doing it. Just a week plus late. I am such a lucky gal, that's for sure.

Included, was some amazing fabric which I can't wait to use!! it's going to make an awesome apron or knitting tote or something great. I love it so much! Skulls, knitting needles, and other awesomeness. SO fun. Then we have a great book on knitting socks with handpainted yarn. I love the patterns and can't wait to cast on. The yarn is just perfect too! blues, purples, gold- i absolutely love it. Then we have a little kit, with the chibi needles, a mini-hook, and a pendant-needle sizer. I have been looking at these for months thinking about ordering one, and now I dont' have to! Then there are some awesome mood-beads. I'm going to make a fun bracelet with it. I may make 2, one for me and one for my daughter- her fifth birthday is coming up in a few weeks.

Here are some pics:




And here is a pic of a few books I'm working on reading. Not that I have a lot of time to read right now, but I'm trying.


I'll admit I'm not handling this whole working mom thing very well, and have been struggling a lot more especially with Seth being sick all the time. My therapist recommended these books, so I'm giving them a shot. Hopefully it will help put things into perspective. Plus Seth had a little surgery today, had tubes put in his ears, so I'm hoping that it will get better and he will stop getting sick so much. Thankfully the procedure was fast, and he's doing great now.

Miami

I have two thank you posts coming! But each one deserves it's own post, so they will be up soon.

I just spent 3 days in Miami. I went down early Saturday (left the house at 2am- ouch!), and got home at 2am on Tuesday morning. It was a fast trip, but amazing. The reason I went was to go to my aunt Debbie's memorial service. She was buried in Buffalo back in August, but since most of her life was spent in Miami, they had a big memorial there for her. It was awesome. I was thankfully able to stay with my uncle, grandmother and cousins to save some cash, which was a huge help. And I was able to help out, and just enjoy spending lots of time with my family.

The memorial service was lovely. I'm so glad I was able to go, and was wonderful to see everyone. I ended up going out both Saturday and Sunday nights with my cousins. Who knew clubbing in the Grove could be so much fun! Fat Tuesdays and Jaeger-bombs. MAN did we have some fun!!

finally finished!

I've had some fun finishing projects lately. I finally finished this:

This is a quilt that I made for Celia. I finished the top after she was born, but never put it together. Now it's finally done! I absolutely love it, and she does too. It only took me 5 years to finish it, but it's done! Can you tell I'm excited?

fun meme

This looked like fun when I saw it on Robin's blog.


The things I have done are in black.
1. Started my own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than I can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
10. Sung a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched lightening at sea
14. Taught myself art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown my own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught myself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing (indoor)
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had my portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had my picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Rode an elephant

ETA: My husband reminded me that he did get me flowers at least once for no reason at all... My bad!

thank you

My SP13 has struck twice in a week!! I received a package from her on Saturday, and it blew my mind! It was a pampering package, and had loads of awesome goodies! First up is a beautiful tea cup and some tea. Some bath herbs, hand cream and soap, some yummy candy, including loads of orange chocolate (my favorite!!), twizzlers and Reeses christmas bells (my other two favorite candies!). Then was a few Hanukkah goodies- a paint-your-own menorah, which Celia and I have already painted, some candles and a dreidel. SO cool! I absolutely love everything- thank you so much!!





Then, yesterday, I got home from work to see this: a package with the incredible SP13 roving from !! I am so excited to spin this up! I love the colorway so much, and it's going to be absolutely gorgeous.


I am so spoiled, thank you SO much pal!!!

merry christmas

We had a great christmas! Lots of fun was had by all. My favorite gift was my son, who had his first christmas. He was happy, well behaved, and healthy, which was all I asked for! Of course until we got to my friend's house for dinner. He puked all over himself, and me. Not pleasant, but worth every second that I smelled of puke. Because he was here. All the pain and grief from the years before his birth subsided, and I enjoyed every second with him. I have my 2 kids, and I couldn't be happier.

Here's a low-down of the fun gifts I got:
1. Jordana Paige bag in purple
2. box to keep tea in
3. Jewelry box
4. kitchen utensils
5. tea
6. hot cocao
7. Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics
8. organizer for the back of my car
9. Mason Dixon's new book
10. kids knits book