I'm Green...

with envy at your 3 days of solitude. I'm assuming Brian was working so you had at least a few hours a day all to yourself. Don hasn't worked all week; the only time he's scheduled is Saturday from 10-3 and this week, this one week, I'm working Saturday from 10-4. Drat.

I'm liking Rialto. See you Thursday. Haven't seen or heard Jenny since sometime last week. I wonder if she ran away?

--Barbara

Fern Feet *Edited*

I'm still on the slipper jag, even though I should be knitting on my Red Licorice sweater sleeve. I am knitting on it, I am, aiming for at least 8 rows a day, but I can't resist quick knits. I promise to "sleeve" while I watch TV after supper. Cross my heart.

These are made with this pattern and Patons Rumor, which is evidently discontinued because it's not on the Patons site. Too bad, because it's nice acrylic and alpaca yarn. The only change I made to the pattern was I used US 11 straight needles for the first 18 rows so the stitches stay on the needle and don't sproing off the recommended US 11 DPNs.

*I decided to give these to Mom for Mother's Day anyway. She'll figure out a way to get them on, I'm certain. And I had the idea of whipping up a pair for each of my roomies at writing camp in Sept. so I'll have to make a few more pairs. Aw, too bad.

Bare Knees

I really don't have a whole lot on my mind this morning, but I thought I should try and get it said anyway. So, today I'm going back to work after a nice three-day weekend. Everyone should have one from time to time. Especially you, Jenny. I know how much you love your job. You have said as much, and I trust that you were not being ironic at the time. And so, enjoy this exquisite weather. I am off to spend some quality time at Luna Cafe, sucking coffee and reading The Yiddish Policeman's Union.

Bob ;-)

Secret Projects Revealed

Last night was the couples wedding shower for our son, David and his bride, Abby which means I can finally put pictures of the things I made for them on the blog. The shower was hostess-ed by six of Abby's mom's friends and it was very nice and a lot of fun. Abby's brother and his wife came from Minneapolis too. The food was terrific. What is it about hors d'oeuvres that makes you want to eat only them? I could have stood next to the kitchen island and scarfed down cheese and rumaki (water chestnuts wrapped in bacon) and taco dip and cheese and dates wrapped in bacon (to die for but they're really hot right out of the oven) and did I mention cheese? The main meal was 3 different kinds of brats, German potato salad almost as good as Mom's, sauerkraut, some yummy baked beans and a grape salad. I'd never had it or heard of it but it's red and green grapes in a sauce of vanilla pudding and sour cream topped with brown sugar and chopped walnuts. Now that's my kind of salad. Oh and nearly everything had Nueske's bacon in it or on it. That's the best bacon on earth. So basically we ate cheese and bacon with some pudding-topped grapes on the side. With apple kuchen and cream puffs for dessert. Everything was delicious. For entertainment there was a beer and wine tasting game, which I totally sucked at, and a song or two by Jane who can really sing but can't come to the wedding. Then the gifts were opened. Finally. I was getting impatient, I can't imagine how eager David and Abby were. Fortunately, our gifts were a big hit because we worked hard to make them just right. I crocheted a ribbon and pearl purse for Abby and knitted a stuffed beer for David (it says Laundry Room Ale on the side which was the first beer he ever brewed--in the laundry room of his army barracks in Ft. Lewis, WA). Here's a pic of them opening Don's gift, a treasure chest full of things for them to take on their honeymoon to Bonaire. Get your minds out of the gutter! It's pictures, brochures and restaurant recommendations from Bonaire that Don collected when we were there in January to share with them. Tsk. You people.

Laughing

That's what I liked most about group. Just laughing. Any time I can be less serious about myself and whatever's on in my life is golden. You may get a chuckle or two from Rialto, as well. What I'd like you and Jenny to do is to pay special attention to what Kyle thinks. When you read Rialto, the question (or one of the questions) you should be asking is: is Kyle thinking the thoughts of a 19 or 20 year old. I was concerned that he may be having thoughts too mature for his age. Oh, and how is it going with the soap?

Bob ;-)

Desert Boots Done!

Actually, I wouldn't recommend wearing these in the desert since they might be a bit too warm but their real name is Dorm Boots and I don't live in a dorm and the name of the yarn color is Spring Desert so I'm calling them Desert Boots. I could call them Dessert Boots when I'm eating my nightly bowl of ice cream but then I'd feel like I should be having dessert for breakfast too since I wear them when I get up in the morning and I try not to eat dessert for breakfast. Sometimes I do, but mostly I eat healthy things like bagels or cereal or, if I'm feeling very healthy, oatmeal with dried cherries. Anyway, here's the picture of the finished Desert Boots.

I'm quite impressed that I managed to knit two pairs of house slippers out of 4-55 yd. skeins of yarn and have about a half a skein left over. Imagine that.

Slightly Reinspired

Thanks, Bob, for a fun night at writer's. It was a relief to actually be able to write two exercises. I was beginning to think I'd lost it. Not that I ever really had it, but I like to think I had hold of a tiny corner of whatever "it" is. I'm looking forward to reading the rewrite of Rialto.

--Barbara