Another Charitable Knitting Opportunity

Just a quick note to pass along another charitable knitting opportunity. Knit (or crochet) a scarf for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games. Details are on the Coats and Clark Web site.

Must See!

Seriously.

Go watch. Now.

You gotta love Joss Whedon.

(If you're not convinced, check out the trailer, first.)

Little Things

I am constantly amazed at the little things I notice and the little things I miss completely. In my work life, part of my job is to make sure all the little details are right, and I'm pretty good at it. But in my real life, I'm forever missing some of the best little details.

Case in point: On a recent walk, the DBF pointed these little guys out. I would have walked right past them.

I was too distracted by this.




Not a bad distraction, to be sure. But definitely far more obvious than the little birds. (And, truth be told, I spent as much time looking at the houses across the street as I did taking in the breathtaking scenery.)

Maybe the difference is that at work, I know what I'm looking for, and in real life, I generally just think about what I'm looking at. Or maybe it's because it's easier to spot what's amiss than what's in harmony. Or perhaps I'm too focused on what's straight ahead to even consider looking around. But I think it's mostly that I'm too busy inside my own head to notice the wonder around me. I need to work on that. In the mean time, I'm very fortunate to have found someone willing to lend me his eyes.

Not literally, of course. That would be gross...

Let me explain. No--wait. There is too much.

Let me sum up.*

Instant Gratification Cardi: done

Jam (olallieberry on the left, and rose petal on the right): done

Summer of Socks kick off project (Fawkes): started

... ? ...

Packing for the trip that requires I leave at 5 a.m. tomorrow: um, packing? hmm...

*Extra points if you know where that's from.

Wrapped in Care

Like to knit shawls, or know someone else who does? Want to help someone who's going through a difficult time? Knit a shawl for someone who must leave the Birth Center or Newborn Intensive Care Unit with empty arms. All the details (including patterns, if you need them) can be found in Susan Rainey's "Wrapped in Care" post on the Rainey Sisters' blog. Please check it out and help spread the word.

Cuteness

While I'm trying to finish up my Instant Gratification Cardi and prepare for the Summer of Socks, here's a little cuteness to keep you occupied.


The latest additions to my Dad's household.

Winning news and other randomness

Winning news:

This is the inside of my freezer.

"Winning news" doesn't immediately jump to mind when you look at this, does it? This sad photo gives you a pretty accurate glimpse into what a weeknight dinner is for me. It's not that I can't cook, but that I'm usually too tired, too distracted, or too lazy to cook after a long day at work. Especially if I'm just cooking for me, which is about 80% of the time.

Why would I show you this? Because soon--very soon--I should be eating quick, healthy dinners, thanks to Wendy. I won a copy of The Splendid Table's How to Eat Supper through one of her fabulous blog contests! Perhaps I'll even blog a meal or two once I get the book. Stay tuned.

Other randomness:

• * I did, in fact, sign up for the Summer of Socks 2008. I figure it shouldn't be too tough to do better than I did last year. And I will likely enter the "Socks on Vacation" contest. I will not be entering the "Most Socks" contest. Clearly.



• * Here's a photo of the slow progress on the Instant Gratification Cardi Jacket. (In my defense, I've been traveling, so I haven't touched it in three days.)





• * And a photo of the even slower progress on the fingerless gloves. I have no defense for the lack of progress here, although I will say that on the aforementioned trip, I chose to try and sleep on the plane, rather than read or knit, given it was essentially two cross-country (SFO-JFK-SFO) red-eyes with an all day meeting in the middle.





• * Should you ever find yourself at JFK looking for a pleasant meal and a drink, steer clear of the Bacardi Lounge. The service is both slow and surly, and the drinks are overpriced.



• * And since you're here... I'm going to take advantage of my increased Web traffic (since Wendy linked to me, and all) to let you know about two great hat-knitting-for-charity opportunities:




• - Coveted Yarn's quarterly newborn hat drawing--a great cause and a great prize ($50 gift certificate at Coveted Yarn's online store)
  
• - Kristy's "300 Hat Project", which I first read about on RC's blog. I understand there is also a Ravelry group for this worthy project. The hats are for orphans in the Ukraine, and if that's not enough incentive for you, RC's putting together a contest for the project.

It's shaping up to be a tasty meal-making, happy sock- and hat-knitting summer!