Monday, October 26, 2009

Looking Out my Front Door


There's no place like home when it comes to a vacation. One doesn't have to spend hours and hours traveling and effectively knocking 2 days off your relaxing vacation. If you're not flying, you don't have to perseverate on what kind of cooties your seatmates are hacking into the shared ventilation system. When finished commuting, you don't have to worry about whether your back will tolerate sleeping on a strange or inferior bed. You don't have to obsess think about how well (more likely not well) housekeeping cleaned your room, bed, bedspread, glassware, tub, toilet and doorknobs, and you don't have to inspect the room for signs of uninvited roommates like, Cimex lectularius (bedbugs). You know how well it was or wasn't cleaned because likely, you are housekeeping and you've only yourself to blame if it's less than perfect.

Not my house

Another highlight is that you don't have to kick yourself in the butt when TSA confiscates your mascara because it wasn't in a baggie, or you forgot something important at home. You are home and nothing is missing. I like it. I'm rested. I have a new attitude and a very scenic landscape to admire. The changes in the neighborhood make it seem like I'm away.


Sara's sweater is mostly done. I just need to seam the sleeves, find the perfect button and do a little blocking in order to cross it off the list. The thick and thin sweater hasn't been touched. I've been led astray. Again. Am I easily distracted, or what?


This is the Pretty as a Peacock Shawl by Some Knitting Required. I know it's not much yet, but I have plowed my way through all of chart A and half of chart B all since Saturday night. It's grown from the 23 stitch cast on to 184 stitches on the needles and is at a point where I can at least read the pattern that's emerging. The yarn is Louet Gems Sport in a natural color (all the better to see the stitches with, my dear) on a cone. I had to special order the cones through my local yarn store, but working this way is so worth it since I have no collapsing cakes of yarn to deal with and instead of 7 skeins and 7 joins, I'll only have 3 joins to fiddle with.


My friend Sarah will dye it a deep teal color when it's off the needles. She's a wonderful color artist, but a bit nervous about taking on this project. I keep assuring her that if the color isn't fabulous, she can always over dye the shawl with black. Over dyed yarns have beautiful depth and it's something I think we may want to consider doing. Maybe I'll knit her a couple of more swatches to fiddle with.

I didn't win the lottery while I was off work, so it's back to the daily grind for me. Sadly, my housekeeper is a slacker and didn't get any laundry done this week. I hope there's at least one set of scrubs that are clean.

11 comments:

Stephanie V said...

So glad you posted the link to CCR - I was singin' it at soon as I read your title.
Staycations are the best and for all the reasons you've listed. You forgot one, though. Home is where all your Stuff is. I hate having to think ahead to what I might want/need. Who knows?
The shawl is off to a good start. I like the idea of dyeing and then over-dyeing.

Jane said...

That shawl is beautiful, reminds me of an antique lace collar. So glad you are rested and have enjoyed your time at home

Anonymous said...

Oh I agree about the staycation. I get a little wonderlust now and then but I remember all you said and it is gone. Glad you feel rested.
QMM

Miss T said...

Sounds like a perfect vacation to me. Your shawl is going to be gorgeous!

clairedulalune said...

The shawl looks beautiful and I loved your friends Sarah's Esty shop! Nice to see you enjoying your home, I loved the picture of outside you house too!

Brenda said...

My husband and I would agree with you on staying at home for a restful vacation. The trees are so beautiful this year and your area is gorgeous. The shawl will be very pretty!

Quiltluver said...

Your shawl is very pretty. I love the lacy look. Can't wait to see it finished. Karen

Renie Burghardt said...

Oh, I sure do agree about home being the best vacation spot! Your neighborhood looks very pretty, Rudee. As does your shawl. Ewww, on bedbugs!

NCmountainwoman said...

Dorothy had is so right, "There's no place like home."

sandy said...

Wow, those are gorgeous photos.

laurie said...

that shawl is spectacular!

and re the flu: my grandmother's brother lost his fiancee in the influenza epidemic of 1919. he was never the same. flu is dangerous.