Almost Heaven

I'm packed and heading out first thing in the morning.  A blissful (hopefully) 5 day retreat awaits.  I don't have a problem packing for vacation in a college town, that's easy.  Jeans, t-shirts, flip-flops, jammies and clean underwear. Clothing wise, this is a no-brainer trip.  No fancy dinners are planned though we do have a fancy Sunday brunch planned at a wonderful spot where my niece fell head over heels for a boxer pup last fall.  I'll wear jeans, a tee and flip flops to that and we'll take the dog to the spot we all first met her.

I'm packing the following meds: levaquin, medrol dose pack, albuterol and my personal favorite today, robitussin with codeine (I haven't slept due to my cough for 5 days.)  I promise not to take the codeine until I reach VA.  After that, I'm having a lie down.

I am having a bit of difficulty deciding just which yarn to pack.  I packed ALL of the yarn I'm using to work on my sister's anniversary/house warming gift (even the stuff to make the edging.)  I took out the yarn swift and ball winder and rolled it all.  I think it may be ambitious but perhaps I'll be inspired.  I packed the rest of the pink sweater yarn in case I get to start the sleeves (I am so close to binding off the sweater-I swear.)  I packed the Chinatown Apple Smooshy and extra sock needles.  Also in the bag are two other socks I'm working on.  That should do it and if for some reason I find myself yearning for something new, there are two decent yarn stores in town.  I should leave my amex at home.  I don't suffer from project loyalty (much) but feel inspired by a variety of options (yeah, right.)  I also packed one book, nothing special and my favorite, ACLS (advanced cardiac life support) review.  I can't believe I'm taking this......

As soon as Miss R is on the bus for school, I'm off.  I'll send pictures from the city that gave us 3 U.S. Presidents- Jefferson, Madison and Monroe.   If time permits, I want to wander around Monticello again.  At a store on the grounds, I can buy seedling plants from Jefferson's estate.  I'm hoping for a little lily of the valley and anything else I think may grow well this far north. I'm also hoping to snag my very own picture of one of these creatures.

 For my musical enjoyment today, I've removed the dog's music and replaced it with this:

Gone Knitting and Stash Diving

I love clever and useful knitting ideas.  While snooping around my favorite on line yarn store, I found this idea for a knitted afghan.  It's brilliant.  It appeals to me because I can just add to it when I feel like it and use it while it is growing.  I love scarves (this winter I loved my moebious best of all).  They keep me warm and looking stylish.  This winter, multiple scarves were a necessity.  Best of all, since they are my own creation, I don't see myself coming and going.

The added benefit of knitting an afghan like this is the ability to drag out my stitch dictionaries and practice a few new stitches and patterns.  I own the vogue line of stitchionaries and love them. The last scarf I made was for a friend utilizing alpaca (from Peru) and a Peruvian Lace stitch found in Vogue's volume 1.  She had spent many years in Peru.   I loved it and so did she.

So there is my plan.  A scarf a month (and darned if I don't use up my stash) until I have what I need.   Then, I'll stitch them together and voila! An afghan is born.  Very clever.  Thanks Jimmy Beans.