Warmth at the Huntington

Today was another warm day at the Huntington Library. The Roses were still in force (have quite a few more photos to share over the next couple of posts). The fragrance of their Rose gardens in the heat of the day is amazing, the quiet only broken by the buzz of the honey bees.
The colors of nature astounds me, the vivid orange red against the soft yellow, with the sun streaming through the petals, wish I could have done it justice, but this was the best that I could do, still nice - even in the photo.
It became a little too warm to continue strolling in the sun. The cafe's tables sit under these amazing trees. Gently sheltering you from the direct sun, but still bright enough to sit and read comfortably.
Yummm - French Fries, spring water (in a wonderfully thick glass bottle) and a new book. What more could one ask for? Well I did have the company of a tremendously great friend who shared the French Fries with me.
I really did intend to share knitting photos with you this post, I even made sure to bring a WIP with me(you can see the circular needles just peeking out of my bag) and intended to knit while sitting on the Veranda. It's right off the main house and is donned with the most delightful wicker chairs, beautiful potted plants and statues. There is this perfect breeze, even on warmer days, it gently cools you. I thought about the Huntingtons and how their family must have enjoyed afternoon teas. It is a place for day dreaming (which is what I did) along with a little more reading.
When I looked up from my book, this is one of the statues that I could gaze at. Sigh - so peaceful.
Everywhere you turn there is beauty, the soft curves worn a little by the ages, still breathtaking - still beautiful.
Ooops! Looked what I missed, I noticed this on my way out, looks like I'll have to go back in a couple of weeks and visit this new exhibit. Next post I will be sure to include knitting photos!

Happy Friday!

Well I finished the Monkey socks for my neighbor Tammy, I hope she loves them. Knitting two at a time was not that bad (although a little slow), I'll probably use this technique again when I know that I will be altering the pattern, I love the fact that they both turned out identical. The colors of these socks are so rich (photo doesn't quite show this). I made them shorter in every way as Tammy has a size 5 foot and is quite petite - being under 5 feet tall. I love this pattern so much that I dug through my stash and found a soft hand painted gray and beige merino bamboo blend that I think will do nicely. I could not believe that I dropped the WIP as I came into the front door and the yarn unwound nicely all the way through the house. This would not have been a problem had is not been for the 3 dancing Standard Poodles that had become tangled in the yarn. I saw the yarn take a leap into the air and snap between two of the dogs. I quickly managed to grab the yarn and haul it in. I quickly grabbed the second half and followed it out the front door - where Momma kitty was about to en snag it with her paw - I actually caught her with her paw in the air and she ran off in fright when she saw me charging trying to rescue my poor little WIP. I think it will be okay and will try knitting on it tomorrow. Since it will have to have a knot now, would the knot go on the top of the sock? Any ideas?
I came across this photo in my archives and it brought back memories of my vacation in Solvang. I love flowers, even just a few simple flowers can bring joy to your heart. I love the colors in this flower (would these colors be great for a sock yarn?)
Photo of Oranges at the LA Farmer's Market, it's hard to improve on nature don't you think? These oranges glistened like jewels, each one unique in its own way and you could smell all the surrounding fruits that filled the air with their sweet fragrances.
I love receiving gifts, one of my friends gave me these three bottles of soda. Their flavor was unbelievable! My favorite is the golden colored soda, it tastes like tart green pears. I savored each one, their color and aroma, their amazing flavors. The kindness of others touches my heart and simple gestures are so appreciated.

Too tired to be clever

The hours of overtime this past two weeks has been very challenging, but I am grateful to have a job and now have more financial responsibilities - so it is very much needed. It does make blogging a challenge. This is my latest project - Cookie's Monkey socks with Paton's sock yarn and I'm trying my hand at knitting two at a time. Last night I attended a local knitting group that meets at the Anaheim Starbucks on Lincoln, we had a great time. They call themselves All Things String (yahoo group). I will definitely make this a regular thing, so nice to sit and chat with fellow knitters.
This sock (may it rest in peace) was going to be for my neighbor - after frogging them three times in an attempt to make them a little more comfortable (they felt HORRIBLY stiff and I think would be tortuous to wear), now they are destined for the frog pond. It made me a little sad as I do so love the design and it was fun to do, but how do you make these things wearable? The yarn was reused for the monkey socks above and the blue will be used for another nice sock design.

This Saturday is the meeting of our monthly knitting group at the LA Farmer's Market, we meet from 10am through noonish. On my last trip there I strolled by this candy display and thought - how many children must pass this, their eyes wide open, filling their heads with sweet dreams of rainbow lollipops. The L A Farmer's market is a wonderful place to go, I have to visit it each month, with each step you are rewarded with wonderful aromas from the surrounding cafes, creating a dilema as to where and what you will choose to experience. The worlds best donuts (Bob's)? Incredibly tender Belgian Waffles? Perhaps sitting at the french cafe with a bon amie?
Then after my knitting group I'll wander over to the Barnes & Noble for another book and visit Gary and have him rescue another pair of shoes. I love everything about this place!

Quick WIP's

Here is the beginnings of the scarf for the Red Scarf Project. The yarn is Berroco Alpaca and the pattern is something I put together from a stitch dictionary called a flat diamond stitch (will not need blocking) and bordered by Seed stitches. I am knitting on size 8 knitting needle so that it will drape nicely. If anyone is interested in this pattern I would be more than happy to email them a copy of what I wrote down (free).

My neighbor's son is now in junior high school and recently came through knee surgery successfully. He is such an exceptional person and has been involved in sports his entire youth. His local sports teams have made him an honorary team member and he will support the teams by attending every game, supporting them from the bench. The colors for his basketball team are royal blue and gold. It's going to get a little chilly at some of the practices so I thought it would be nice for him to have a warm hat, this is a nice merino and I am knitting it in the seaman's cap. He is so appreciative of my work and that touches my heart.
I was able to purchase 4 pairs of Addi Turbo circular needles from a dear person who had to retire from knitting. One of the girls from my knitting group gave her my info and now I am so much richer from this experience. It is sad when one has to give up something they love for health reasons, but these knitting needles will be well used for many years to come.
The Grove (behind the LA Farmer's Market) has a Barnes & Noble, but not just any Barnes & Noble, this bookstore has character, it has style, the books are shown in a way that I can only consider Art. I snapped away at so many books and their arrangements, these two stood out.
I just wished I had more time and energy, many authors do books signings and readings at this store, but they are usually during the weekdays, traffic and distance are prohibit me from attending them, why can't they have a bookstore like this in Orange County?

Latte Knitting

Located in the charming old town section of Camarillo is the coffee house "Element" and it welcomes you into its doors like an old friend. This was my first time in this place and Mike greets everyone with a warmth that you just don't find at most places (including my favorite LA coffee house). I studied the coffee board and the first thing that caught my eye was an Agave Latte?
Doesn't it look yummy! I did behave myself and ordered it in Nonfat, and wasn't the least bit cheated - it was creamy and the Agave did not overpower the deep rich flavor of the espresso. This has to be one of the best Lattes I've ever had in my life! I actually had to order a second one to accompany my knitting as the first one was polished off while reading the third book in the series "A Deadly Yarn". I also was exploring my stitch dictionary for an appropriate pattern to use for a scarf for the "Red Scarf Project" that Ellen had shared with us on her blog L.A. Is My Beat. The Yarn I selected is a Red Alpaca and the pattern is mulling around in my head. Should get started on this by the weekend.

Just in case you don't want to sit at one of the tables there were also comfy chairs to lounge on and I noticed many people were on there laptops. Everyone tended to linger here, you did not feel pressured to gulp and leave.
This place has a sense of humor, when I read this sign I couldn't help but laugh, I must have a wicked sense of humor as I could picture the little one balancing an espresso cup in one hand and a kitten on the other.
It appears that they have original works of art on the walls as well (I didn't really notice the little plaques next to the paintings til now) but there were several works of art there on the walls. While I was looking at the art I happened on a fellow knitter who has a knitting group that meets there on Saturday afternoons, so the next time I'm in town I'll have to drop in for a visit. Hope Mike will be there to spoil me with another incredible Latte, they could be addicting!
Why I am including a photograph of Ice you say? Well it's so hot here that I had to prepare my local readers for what is about to follow. Think cool thoughts - no its not nearly 100 degrees any longer you are now in the midst of a cool meadow with frost coming off your breath. In which case you would need one of these.
An earflap hat! I had won the yarn on Ebay a couple of years ago, it came from a farmer/spinner who raised her own animals. The yarn is a very soft natural wool, with a fine yarn of brown alpaca and a strand of fine black mohair. It has such a home made quality about it that I find endearing.

My Hero Gary

Gary is my hero - no doubt about it, he saved my beloved shoes which I had considered replacing this year after being worn to the point where it was just embarrassing to be seen in them. Now they have a second life, this man cares about what he is doing and takes pride in his work. Honestly you have never seen anything like this, a simple task performed to perfection (and this is while he goes through the trials of dialysis - yet there is no self pity in his voice). He has his stand at the Grove (behind the LA Farmer's Market). He carries with him an album full of celebrity photos, all of whom have been his customers, which he will share with you to peruse while he is attending your shoes. He was busy when I approached his stand, a couple from the Sacramento area made sure he was one of their stops while visiting LA. After this couple had left, Gary shared with me that their family had originally owned the Farmer's Market. You meet the most interesting people at his stand!
See - they are presentable again! (Lila thought so too)
The Farmer's Market is so inspirational. Now that I have to work on a quilt for my great niece, I was inspired by so many different things.
The square containers that held the various fruits instantly brought quilt squares to mind - I love the playful color of the fruits.
This is my first attempt at a real quilt. I sewed strips of fabric together and then cut them into small strips. Quilting is hard work and at this moment I am not in love with the process. But I love my little great niece and she is worth the effort, I have never seen a baby that is so happy, she has such a gentle disposition and loves to laugh - her big blue eyes dance with merriment.
I am on a vacation now and will be dedicating my vacation time to this quilt, so will post more photos soon. I also have a few more photos to share of my favorite yarn store and also my knitting projects. Talk to you soon.

Cable Socks

The Cabled socks are completed, sorry about the photo, but the plants have a fine dust of ash on them and I couldn't find a clean outdoor surface anywhere, as soon as the plants dry, they are covered in ash again from the local fires, so I got creative and hung them from a pant hanger - not a glamorous picture, but proof they are done! My friend couldn't stop giggling with delight.
I finally got around to reading this book and was in for a pleasant surprise, it was a fun read. I can actually recommend this book - not too gory and the yarn store described in this book makes me want to move to this small imaginary town.
The author has written a series of these book -I keep surprising myself, I would not usually follow a whole series of books, but actually may this time and have bought the second book in the series and have just begun reading it, hope it is as good as the first book, now I'm torn between reading and knitting. I'll have photos next weekend of my WIP (or perhaps even a completed project if the overtime at work dies down a bit).
Did I mention that I miss cooking? I am getting a new kitchen sink and counter top, which is now on hold until some one's back gets better. So I am in kitchen limbo and hope all will be repaired fairly soon.
The new kitchen counter top is going to be mostly white tile with touches of black and the new sink is one of those smart sinks - still cast iron and very heavy (hence a back injury ensued and the project is on hold until they are mended and able to work on it again).
Flowers seem to always make everything better, you forget your problems (like the lack of a kitchen) and get lost in their color, if they have fragrance to boot, then its a double dose of pleasure.

Wrap = Practicing Patience

I decided to knit the Every Way Wrap from Interweave Knits, it looked like so much fun. So like a good little knitter I made enlarged copies of the chart, read all the directions and then began my project. The ribbing goes very well, then I begin the cable part of the chart and it does not look like the photo, so I'm thinking - Never mind I'm sure it will begin looking like it very soon and as I approached the 17th line of the chart - I realized that I must have gotten something wrong and frog it back to the ribbing. Ever determined I begin again with expectation - watching for the beautiful cables to begin to appear (this time quit by line 10 and know I did not make any mistakes this time). My heart sinks as I realize this looks like mud - no beautiful cables anywhere! So I put it aside and tried to calm my mind. Then it occurs to me to look at their website and BINGO there is a revised key for the chart. So I frogged once again back to the ribbing and this time the chart worked - really it did and I think it will be something versatile and comfortable to wear.

I am knitting the wrap with Frog Tree Merino in a color called Melange. In the photo it appears gray, but the color is a muted antique lavender and at certain angles you can see a glimpse of a soft antique peachy tone, the yarn is so soft and a pleasure to knit with. I am determined to knit this even in the hot weather we are experiencing.


The weather has been simply awful, temps over 100 and with the wildfires the air is smokey and difficult to breath - so I escaped to Newport Beach which was surprisingly warm at about 90 degrees, but the air was good to breath and here are the views from my suite.
We got the last room available and it had different views of the back bay. It was more at an angle to the bay, but the views were still glorious.
From this room you could also see more of the back bay in the distance and in the horizon the homes along the cliffs of the back bay. At night it was really nice to look at the distant lights that twinkled and reflected in the water.
I thought I could show you the completed pair of socks this posting, but as I was about to begin the toe decreases, I proudly held the pair up together to gaze at my accomplishment when I noticed one sock looked a little shorter than the other, I let out a groan and thought, maybe just a little stretching will do the trick - after all they are for a size 10 foot so there must be a little give - but no the sock refused to budge (darn cables). So I ripped the sock back to just above the heel and added the darn 1/2 inch. Maybe by the next post I'll have them done - besides its just WAY TOO HOT to take a photo of my friend in these socks - yes that's it - I'm being a considerate friend and sparing her the trial of donning wool socks in 100 degree weather. By the way to calm my nerves I watched Jets take off from my balcony, the different color planes were so pretty against the blue skies and for some reason comforted me.
I bought this book and want to cook the Beef Bourguignon and can hardly wait for the weather to cool off as the thought of something heavy right now is just not appealing. Hope it photographs well so that I can share it with you. I really do love cooking, usually I stick to Italian, so French style cooking should be interesting. Has anyone made this recipe? If so - what did you think of it?

Surprises

One of my friends asked me for a couple of pairs of socks, I had never knitted a pair for a woman who wears a size 10 shoe and was not sure that I had enough of the blue sockyarn, so I improvised and used some leftover tweed yarn for the top and toe. She loves them - I was so pleasantly surprised that someone would love something that I made, she just kept saying "these are sooo cool", they fit perfectly. I made a couple of alterations as the cable really tightens up the leg, so I switched to from a size 3 to a size 4 needle and went back to the size 3 about 6 inches into the pattern. I've begun the second sock and really must finish them soon while the changes I made are fresh in my mind.
When I came into work on Monday, the girls in my group had surprised me this plant. I love flower plants in the bud stage, to watch them develop and bloom fills me with wonder. The leaves on this plant are glossy and make my little space a much more pleasant place to be.

I was pulling up some of my previous photos and was surprised that I had not used this photo earlier, the flowers remind me of Southern Bells with their full skirts. Does anyone know what these flowers are called?
Surprise! Boy was I , I was taking a photo of the goodies we had from a coffee house when a bird swooped down and quickly grabbed a piece - daring little thing. It liked the berry cobbler so much that it kept landing on the chair across from me and even on the table itself and scolded me severely when I put them in the trash.