Magnificent Manos

My red sweater is finally done. The colors are more of a deep red than they look in this pic. I did the sleeves at the same time on a long circular needle, which was awesome. Automatically identical decreases, and it seems to go more quickly. Definitely a repeatable technique.

RIGHT NOW!!!!

GO SEE CASINO ROYALE!! RIGHT NOW!!!!!
It's the Best. Bond. Film. Ever.
Seriously.

And Daniel Craig is the best Bond ever.
Yes!

A Grateful Thanksgiving

The girls came for a four day visit. In addition to the spectacularly superb feast my astoundingly amazing husband cooked, we watched movies, talked about poetry, amused the critters, and generally had a cozy family holiday. We couldn't resist the turkey cake at the grocery store. :) For fun, we felted a bunch of thrift-shop sweaters, then carved them up to make new projects while Daddy slept off the Tryptophan. Maddie's purse isn't quite done. Gillie produced a sock monster in a fetching two-piece suit, while I generated a Needlegrrl bag: If you follow the storyline around, you can see the sheep with its fleece, roving being spun into yarn, dye dripping down, knitting needles at work in the colored yarn, and then the final sweater... on the shorn sheep. A little nod at my heros, Wallace & Gromit. The teal lining is from a wool coat also found in the Goodwill bins. A side note: The blue wool came from what was obviously a handknit back piece of an Unfinished Object. I "felt" sorry for the original knitter, but at least it found its way into another project.

Austins for sale

Feathers has a happy new life, but we still need to find a home for Wallace. He's a reliable daily driver and quite gorgeous. Tell your friends!

The Features of a Coon Cat

If calculating genetic engineers were to design the perfect cat, it would be a Maine Coon. Their coats are supersoft clouds, but they don't shed. They can tell if you want to play rough or not. I can pick Fig up and muss him, juggle him, whatever, and the claws never come out. Yet Matt (who appreciates DangerCats) will regularly be savagely bitten in the middle of the night. The Monster Under the Bed uses the sharp bits on him, but I get soft paws. He loves to sit squished up next to me on the couch for belly and head rubs. MCCs require more than average attention and stimulation, so it's best to acquire them in pairs or at least have other critters. They bow to bunnies but trounce cats and dogs. Identifying characteristics: Ear tufts, saber teeth (click pic to enlarge and see), huge paws, toe feathers, fluffy tail, bloomers, tiny chirpy voice constantly in use, and a second growth spurt at 2 years that results in giantism (20+ pounds).

The Bodies Exhibition

This show should be required viewing for anyone with a human body. Utterly amazing. My two favorite pieces: The one pictured here, which actually has the discs separated from the vertebrae, and one that has a skeleton facing the rest of the cadaver. The dissections are simply brilliant. Run, don't walk, to get your tickets! The audio tour is useful for laypeople, but medical types can skip it.

We plan, God laughs.

Changes, changes! Matt is taking more time off from work. Feathers is for sale (spread the word!) We are casting our nets to find the best combination of a med school for me and a residency for him when he's ready. I've been laboring over research rather than knitting, so my sweater has halted in its wooly tracks. Here's a pic of the progress so far, along with Peachy and a sneak peek at a secret project. Sharp eyed readers will note that our stripey cat has a perfect top view of the USS Enterprise on his forehead. He's always had it, but I've avoided posting it for fear of being deluged by deranged Star Trek fans. :)