Anticipation

Stephanie wrote:

All summer long anticipation and excitement have been building for Sock Summit. From internet forums to weekly knit nights Sock Summit has been a hot topic of discussion among knitters. Finally, the week has arrived. Whatever Sock Summit is to be, it will be so later this week.

And it will be different things for different people. Some will go for the classes, others will go for the marketplace. And there are those who will attend just to hang out, knit and enjoy the company of other knitters. Sock Summit has the potential to be a memorable experience.

True to form Mona and I are scrambling up until the last minute. Sock Summit has consumed every waking moment not already filled with other obligations. Checking lists, counting and re-counting. Making sure nothing is forgotten. Shipping a last minute box of goodies to our hotel.

And finishing samples. This one, among others, was finished over the weekend.

Wine and Roses in the to-be-released-at-Sock-Summit Bunny Sox. I must say this pattern is well constructed and the finished mitt is very comfortable. I've added this to my own list of knits for the fall.

Tomorrow when Mona and I collapse into our seats on the plane we can heave a huge sigh of relief. The planning and preparation will be over. All that will be left is the event itself. And we will relish the long flight west as time to sit and knit. Or time to fall into a much deserved, deep sleep.

Morning Routine

Stephanie wrote:

Mornings are my time. I'm up early, enjoy my coffee and get as much work done as possible before the rest of the household rouses. Recently we've made an adjustment to that schedule - the kids and I take a morning hike at a nearby reservation.

I don't get everyone up at the crack of dawn so I still have some morning time to myself. But the hikes have cut into my work time which means more juggling throughout the day.

Our hikes have been fun, creative, educational and entertaining. And there's been a bonus.

Blueberries. Loads and loads of blueberries. I've heard from others who have picked here for many years that the berries have never been so plentiful. This must be nature's compensation for a cool, wet June.

Mostly blueberries with a few random berries mixed in. We've been enjoying blueberries in pie, cobbler, muffins, pancakes - with plenty left over for the freezer.

The dye pots are keeping me busy so knitting time is scarce. When I do have time to knit a few rounds, this is what I've been working on.

The pattern is Wine and Roses. I'm using Bunny Sox Mulled Wine - sorry it's still not on our website. I'm almost finished with the cuff and am enjoying the pattern. And the yarn is scrumptious - just the thing when you want to treat yourself to something extra special.