tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-219201502024-03-07T11:42:16.499-05:00Blogging [Beta]Betahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618328178283196044noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21920150.post-65175564638985603112010-02-26T22:06:00.002-05:002010-02-26T22:34:28.460-05:00Personal BestHa! The knitting gods did not smite me down for my arrogant prediction that I'd finish early. Total length (unblocked) - 65" I used up both balls (that was the point). I'm liking the ploofiness of it right now so I probably won't block it.Great pattern; only downside was that I had to watch what I was doing which meant missing much of the Olympic action. However, thanks to the NBC announcers (Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893603498265110123noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21920150.post-10315380722988682602010-02-25T20:41:00.004-05:002010-02-25T21:02:04.169-05:00I'll call him George*I'm at the wonderful point in Wisp where I can wear it while knitting. If I could stay off the computer for 2 seconds I might actually have a shot at finishing it tonight. Short post tonight. I'll leave you with a couple of photos, unrelated to the post's topic.Our super-awesome new spoon rest.Bought in Portland, ME on a weekend getaway.Enjoying the chilly weekend in Portland.*Qiviut/Silk: I Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893603498265110123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21920150.post-29688496885229618482010-02-24T10:49:00.002-05:002010-02-24T12:27:23.829-05:00Home StretchI'm going to go ahead and shock knitters reading this: I think I'll probably finish my Wisp early! Yes, I realize the deep jink-potential in that statement. I'm embracing it in fact. I know I should know better than to make such a hubristic pronouncement (I am an avid reader of the Yarn Harlot after all). Oh well!Good luck to all the other knitting olympians out there who have been staying up tooBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893603498265110123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21920150.post-20951911026572542212010-02-15T20:09:00.003-05:002010-02-25T22:48:41.542-05:00Last Olympic AppearanceWhile working the first few rows of Wisp during the opening ceremonies, I had a flashback to my last olympic project. It's both humbling and amusing to remember that at the time (2006), a pair of mittens was chosen as a challenging enough project for the endeavor. Looking back, I wouldn't exactly say that such a basic mitten pattern was that difficult for me. But because I'd never done socks, Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893603498265110123noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21920150.post-25710937861324022022010-02-12T22:46:00.002-05:002010-02-12T22:56:22.747-05:00WispyWhat does it say about me that my first post in five months is because of the knitting olympics?Actually, that line of thinking might not be too productive to spend any time on.For now, this is just a placeholder until I get around to waxing poetic about my chosen project: Cheryl Niamath's Wisp using the infamous Qiviut yarn that Passionknitly gave me in 2006. I'd say the biggest challenge for meBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893603498265110123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21920150.post-1007991362964776852009-09-18T09:29:00.005-05:002009-09-18T10:08:36.284-05:00Food of the momentYou know how you sometimes go through these food obsessions or phases where certain recipes are in constant rotation (maybe even despite protests from others in your household)? I didn't realize I did that much until I recently noted that I was whipping up the 3rd batch of white bean dip in 10 days. If you've been following this blog for awhile, you might remember a previous obsession: roasted Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893603498265110123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21920150.post-65265589128041769832009-08-22T21:02:00.003-05:002009-08-22T21:45:35.297-05:005 ShowsIt's Always Sunny in PhiladelphiaI cannot wait for the next season to start. Not that we can actually watch a show when it's actually on. But FX.com works for me. And we're only a tiny bit ashamed that this show provides us so much enjoyment. Despite the questionable themes, as recently described by PrincessSara. Our favorite episode is Manhunter.Flight of the ConchordsWe got into this later Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893603498265110123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21920150.post-38343721518981823182009-07-29T11:14:00.000-05:002009-08-07T12:34:13.845-05:00De-lurking on my own blogI was just telling a friend that for the past few months, I've had a tough time aligning both motivation and time for this ole blog. The moments when motivation is high are usually extremely inconvenient - just as I'm drifting off to sleep, or in the middle of a bike ride for a series of errands, etc. Then when I have time, blogging isn't how I want to spend it. I'm not sure if this is a phase orBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893603498265110123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21920150.post-91670076999203831942009-04-06T09:46:00.004-05:002010-03-01T14:06:37.571-05:00Time for your monthly dose of BetaSo much news to report! But I can't imagine it's news that any of you haven't heard yet.Regardless....We're moving to Boston! E* got a residency at Mass General cuz he's wicked smaht and it starts in mid-June so things are moving quickly. Thanks to craigslist and some VERY helpful friends, we managed to secure an apartment in 5 days. Although it doesn't have any outdoor space, it IS in a very Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893603498265110123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21920150.post-77119298345605513072009-03-06T10:29:00.002-05:002009-03-06T10:59:27.825-05:00Forgive MeFor I have comitted a knitting sin.I ripped out my first pair of socks.And I feel great about it!!See, I didn't really know what I was doing when I started these back in 2006. I got the pattern right, but the yarn and needle combination was horrible. The resulting fabric was so dense - I've always hated the feel of it. Plus I bound-off one of the socks rather tightly making it extremely difficultBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893603498265110123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21920150.post-25422026975992642142009-03-03T10:37:00.001-05:002009-03-03T10:39:08.130-05:00Employee Free Choice ActI have a lot to say about this actually but for now I'll just post this amusing video.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893603498265110123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21920150.post-1854387435477714522009-02-27T10:20:00.008-05:002009-07-29T09:35:23.753-05:005 ThingsStolen SHAMELESSLY from a friend's blog (not sure if she wants to be blog-outed just yet)5 Computery Things That I Think You Should Know*Or I am a Huge Dork, the Abridged VersionAlt+Tab - Used to switch between open programs without using the mouse. I probably use this more than any shortcut keys besides CTRL+C and V. I tried to take a screenshot of what this looks like but it doesn't work - the Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893603498265110123noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21920150.post-15426406192473761572009-02-23T15:39:00.013-05:002009-02-25T17:39:05.019-05:00I didn't post just to get attentionAnd it worked! It's like the silent treatment for blogs!(but secretly we all know I just got lazy...)Is your life low on bullet points? Then you've come to the right place...World of Goo (plus Sonic, Donkey Kong, and Wild West) - we finally started using some gifted wii points (thanks princess sara) and purchased these 4 games. World of Goo is AWESOME! Highly recommend. It's good enough to make EBetahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618328178283196044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21920150.post-46095937849508181552009-02-22T10:26:00.002-05:002009-02-23T10:54:28.723-05:00Blerg.Edited: Oh well, it was worth a shot.You all (both?) know how it can get with a blog....a little time gets away from you and the task of updating becomes über-intimidating.Betahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618328178283196044noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21920150.post-75621404642302735172009-01-16T11:27:00.003-05:002009-01-16T16:30:45.989-05:00More than a monthEven when things are busy, I try to make sure I post at least once in a 30 day period. Well, blog fail. (D'oh, I promised not to use that word again cuz it's so overused. oh well.)Throughout the day today, I will periodically add to this post with short updates or tidbits until it becomes worth posting. So don't expect transitions or good prose or anything (ha, like you were anyway?)I won 2 Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17893603498265110123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21920150.post-63017886328801455842008-12-09T17:03:00.003-05:002008-12-09T17:36:58.143-05:00What's new with meI'm cranking along on Christmas knitting projects! Finished: scarf & hat set for my niece, socks for my gram, and felted purse for my MIL. Not so finished: pink scarf for aunt, the yarn for which is on back order (I'm not very happy w/ the online yarn store...won't get into that now), blue chenille scarf for my mom, and crocheted snowflake(s) for family friend. I was especially glad to Betahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618328178283196044noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21920150.post-63993269073555481582008-11-11T22:04:00.003-05:002008-11-11T22:20:05.902-05:00Chile Chocolate CupcakesI've had this recipe on file for awhile, awaiting the right opportunity. A couple days after I got back from Miami, the temperature started dropping here in DC. So these cupcakes that pack some heat seemed like a good idea during the chillier days. A member of our knitting group is leaving us for Chicago next week (and a better job in yet another restaurant that I can't afford :) so I made some Betahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618328178283196044noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21920150.post-3563736215971954062008-11-08T13:10:00.005-05:002008-11-08T13:20:54.980-05:00DecisionsSeveral decisions have been made since last I blogged.Here's the result of one of them:Another decision that was made carries less importance for the country, but still affects the quality of my sleep.Here it is:Thanks for all of your input!!! Betahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618328178283196044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21920150.post-5295286992769821902008-10-15T09:56:00.003-05:002008-10-15T10:22:57.293-05:00Ms. Passionknitly comes to WashingtonWho wants a list!? My mom's flying in tonight and staying for a week so if I don't post this now, it might never get done. Thus, we're opting for the list format to speed things up. FridaySox game. Yay!SaturdaySculpture Garden and Fountain by the National Gallery of Art. Lot of knitting and people-watching. Someone (not one of us) got asked to leave after she jumped (fully clothed) into the Betahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618328178283196044noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21920150.post-40818034812908769422008-10-08T16:00:00.004-05:002008-10-15T09:44:54.730-05:00The environment vs. my healthI was putting some milk in my coffee the other morning in the office kitchen when someone I don't know (from another department?) said, "You know those are bad for you, right?"I looked up and realized he was referring to my small Nalgene bottle which I fill with milk at the beginning of the week and keep in the fridge at work. I replied that I was aware of the issue but that I had never really Betahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618328178283196044noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21920150.post-20844811623267145652008-09-29T21:09:00.004-05:002008-09-30T13:32:33.419-05:00Duvet short listI swear, this is almost over. We will soon be back to our regularly (and equally mundane) programming.After lots of helpful input, we have this lovely short list. Feel free to weigh in again! I've tried to add one semi-negative comment for each one. Don't ask me why - that seemed like a good idea.Fairhaven: No blue!Twighlight: Matches our shower curtain. Is that good or bad?Marimekko Ruovikko: Betahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618328178283196044noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21920150.post-69673679840445705512008-09-25T10:58:00.004-05:002008-09-26T22:33:08.973-05:00Time to buy some beddingWhen we got married, we didn't put any bedding on the registry. We were already happy with what we had (same goes for towels, bathroom stuff, etc). But over time, I've grown to loathe how haphazard our bedroom feels. Between the navy blue duvet cover and the various pillowcases on the bed at any time, we're looking at navy blue, black, white, and forest green. I don't like the furniture either Betahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618328178283196044noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21920150.post-90794362618870362792008-09-12T22:17:00.006-05:002008-09-12T22:53:30.333-05:00Weather, a cold, and a cardigan - Fall's on the wayWe went to a wedding last weekend - the bride and groom were especially thankful that their guests came out to celebrate despite the near hurricane conditions outside. Also, Erich and I learned that the quasi-salsa and semi-swing dancing we do impresses lots of people. I think the trick is to know about 4 different kinds of turns/spins and make sure the follower knows the leader's signals. Then Betahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618328178283196044noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21920150.post-17011101946680724922008-09-02T09:08:00.004-05:002008-09-08T17:03:09.210-05:00Labor Day weekendThe following was supposed to just be an outline for a more interesting post. But too much time has past so this is all you get.Context is that our good friend Darragh had been visiting for nearly a week and went home to England on Wednesday afternoon. Erich had the next 4 days off with only his personal statement for the residency application on his to-do list.Wednesdaychampagne and photo Betahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618328178283196044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21920150.post-42944126930616849252008-08-19T09:46:00.006-05:002008-08-19T11:10:29.346-05:00I love weekends like that!There are so many other weekend updates that I had planned for you. But you'll have to settle for just this one for now.FridayRed Derby - E* and I met up with a friend we hadn't seen in awhile. Red Derby is about 6 or 7 blocks north of us and they've been open less than a year. I think they're known for their crazy selection of canned beer. That might be all they have - beer in cans. Also, we Betahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00618328178283196044noreply@blogger.com1