DANCING IN THE DARK: 2011

Friday, December 30, 2011

{This Moment}

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit SouleMama leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

DAVID AUSTIN ENGLISH ROSE named BELLE STORY
grown in my garden by me.

Friday, December 23, 2011

I rode in a Prototype

Kia Cadenza. I had a fun ride!!!

my son took me on a long drive, 250 miles yesterday in this car.
Kia Cadenza Bows In Korea replacing Amanti in the USA.
This car is not available in the USA. He works for kia and this is a prototype.
he was testing the car and it was so much fun.
the 2013 car may be available to americans sometime. i don't know these
things. my son has a great job.
he drove pretty zippy but it was fun.
Here is my son. I'm so proud of him.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Update on the Broken Fingernail

One month after "my accident"............
I know this is gross. I just want to keep a record so I can look back in a few year to see if it was really as bad as it feels.
As you remember the first photos were taken a day or two after the accident happened. My Accident

NOW this is how I am healing.

The good nail is growing under the older nail. Towards my fingertip the older nail is still very much connected like a nail should be. Now there is a stair step between the new and the old. It catches on things and it hurts when that happens.
Washing dishes seems to make it better. It keeps it nice and clean.

So that is the update on the 'ol finger.
The update on Oliver, my cat, is not good. He is still missing. I sure do miss him.

Friday, December 16, 2011

{This Moment}

Friday, December 9, 2011

{This Moment}

Disneyland trip for Peanut's 10th birthday.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

40 Tips for Writing Good English

1. Avoid alliteration. Always.

2. Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.

3. Avoid cliches like the plague; they’re old hat

4. Employ the vernacular.

5. Eschew ampersands & abbreviations, etc.

6. Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are unnecessary.

7. Remember to never split an infinitive.

8. Contractions aren’t necessary.

9. Foreign words and phrases are not apropos.

10. One should never generalize.

11. Eliminate quotations. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “I hate quotations. Tell me what you know.”

12. Comparisons are as bad as cliches.

13. Don’t be redundant; don’t use more words than necessary; it’s highly superfluous.

14. Be more or less specific.

15. Understatement is always best.

16. One-word sentences? Eliminate.

17. Analogies in writing are like feathers on a snake.

18. The passive voice is to be avoided.

19. Go around the barn at high noon to avoid colloquialisms.

20. Even if a mixed metaphor sings, it should be derailed.

21. Who needs rhetorical questions?

22. Exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatement.

23. Don’t never use a double negation.

24. capitalize every sentence and remember always end it with point

25. Do not put statements in the negative form.

26. Verbs has to agree with their subjects.

27. Proofread carefully to see if you words out.

28. If you reread your work, you can find on rereading a great deal of repetition can be avoided by rereading and editing.

29. A writer must not shift your point of view.

30. And don’t start a sentence with a conjunction. (Remember, too, a preposition is a terrible word to end a sentence with.)

31. Don’t overuse exclamation marks!!

32. Place pronouns as close as possible, especially in long sentences, as of 10 or more words, to their antecedents.

33. Writing carefully, dangling participles must be avoided.

34. If any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a linking verb is.

35. Take the bull by the hand and avoid mixing metaphors.

36. Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky.

37. Everyone should be careful to use a singular pronoun with singular nouns in their writing.

38. Always pick on the correct idiom.

39. The adverb always follows the verb.

40. And always be sure to finish what

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

First blog on iPad2

This is my first time to blog on my iPad2. Yesterday I had to take my MacBook Pro laptop in for repairs. The DVD drive was not working. So how could I go a full week with no Internet?

I use my computer for business and financial stuff. I don't have a smart phone so I decided to buy an iPad2. I have wanted one ever since the first iPad came out.

I am trying to get use to this touch keyboard. I'm use to typing without looking at the keyboard but with this touch screen I do have to look. Or maybe this is my learning period?

Update on Oliver. He is still missing. We have walked the whole neighborhood and can't find him. I miss him so much.
I'm not letting Coraline out anymore and she is kinda crazy. She stares out the window. She runs through the house like a maniac. She is bored too and sleeps a lot.

Here is some knitting I am doing. This is the back ok the Cassidy sweater. The yarn is Madelinetosh DK. I love the color but not sure if it is too variegated.
The cables are easier than I had anticipated.

I'm also working on some gloves and a hat at the same time.

Well I do like this iPad. It is different and I'm glad that I have the Mac for serious typing. I also don't know yet how to see all the blogs that I usually read from my mail.

Have a great day. It is windy here with the Santa Anna winds keeping us cold and with hair that looks like we put our finger in a light socket.

Happy Knitting!
Carol

Friday, December 2, 2011

{This Moment}

Friday, November 25, 2011

{This Moment}

Thursday, November 24, 2011

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I am so very blessed and I give thanks and praise to my Lord Jesus Christ.

I have a warm home, food, clothes and a wonderful family.
We go to bed each night with a full tummy,
a bed
P.J.'s
Bible
no fear of danger
the love of family
a heater
prayer
and we wake up each morning with
oatmeal
a warm bath
clothing
a lick from the dog
a purr from the kitties
prayer
school
car with gas
a bible study church
Love of my family
Love of my friends
and knitting
painting
journaling

and so goes our day. We are so very blessed in our lives.
Thank you to all my family and friends for being in my life. You make it so good.
Most of all, Thank you JESUS for your daily blessings and grace.

Friday, November 18, 2011

{This Moment}

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

My Accident

Yes I had an accident. Not in a car, not in a train, I was in pain as my finger was slain.

One hour after the smack down. 11/14/11

I was opening a gate and it won. It had tension on it and when I released the loop holding onto it's pole it went flying. My finger got smacked like no tomorrow. It happened so quickly that I am not sure what exactly happened. I was the kind of pain that you feel faint and I had to sit down. I got quiet like I was in another state of mind. The blood gushed out. At first I held this hand with my other hand and then both hands filled with blood. Peanut got me some napkins from the car. The pain traveled all the way down my arm to the elbow. The whole arm throbbed as did my hand and finger. It was incredible pain.

I needed to get home so I composed myself and drove Peanut and myself home. I kept feeling like I wanted to cry but it didn't come till last night (2nd day). I think I was feeling sorry for myself that I didn't have my sweet hubby here to take care of me.

Two hours after the smack down. 11/14/11

Next day after the smack down. 11/15/11

Yes it hurts. No I didn't go to the doctor. I don't have health insurance.
I've seen my late husband and my son's get hurt like this and they never went to the doctor. I am taking good care of my boo boo. I put neosporine on it and keep it clean.

I will probably loose the nail. I doubt that a doctor would remove it since the break is so close to the cuticle and the lower part is VERY connected. The skin under that part of the nail is a healthy pink.

It's annoying because this is on my right hand. I'm right handed. It's hard to do chores, type, KNIT, and dress.
Praise the LORD that the pole didn't hit Peanut who was standing right next to me.

Strange story but related. A couple days ago I wanted to wear a pair of earring post that my late hubby had given me. They had a beautiful garnet center stone with 4 diamonds around it and set in gold. He gave them to me for my birthday a couple years before he died. Well a few days ago I was looking for them and I could only find one. I looked in my top drawer where I keep most of my jewelry. I looked in the trays and in the little boxes. I took EVERYTHING out of the drawer and I could not find the second earring. I pulled the dresser away from the wall to see if it fell behind. No it didn't. I looked in the drawer below the top drawer and nothing. I felt so bad that one was lost. It wasn't that they were probably the most expensive earrings he gave me but I was sad because he gave them to me and now he is gone and so was one of them.
Well the day after my finger accident I was sitting on my bed and I was crying. I was missing him and missing that he couldn't pamper me. I got up to get a tissue and something told me to look in the drawer again. So I did. There was the one earring that I still had. I picked it up and held it close. Then I something told me to look in one of the little boxes that I had looked in 3 times already. So I opened the box and right on top was the 2nd earring. Not under the other earrings that were in that box but right on top like it was laid there on purpose.
I might me a strange girl but I think it was a sign from Richard that he is with me. He is not far. He is here to comfort me. I will never forget this story. I love you Rich.

Well that is the latest at Casa Carol.

Friday, November 11, 2011

{This Moment}

{this moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit SouleMama leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Friday, November 4, 2011

{This Moment}

(not a single photo)

Monday, October 31, 2011

Halloween 2011 brings out the Scary Cat!!!

Peanut wanted to be a cat. I love it. She is very thin but very tall and the costume fits although it needs a few inches of length.
She did her own make-up. I think my little girl is growing up.

In the spring we planted a pumpkin plant. The variety was named Jack-O-Lantern.
We only got one pumpkin on this rather big sprawling vine.
I told Peanut that it was her pumpkin plant. She watched over it like a mother expecting her first baby. She waited and waited for it to get big enough to pick.

We picked it in the first week of October which I used it in my autumn sock photo, Honey Badger Socks. BTW they are finished!!!

Honey Badger don't care!!! (look on YouTube to see why)

Shhhhhhhhh!!! they are a Christmas present.

So yesterday 10/30 Peanut took her pumpkin outside to carve. She didn't want any help. See what I mean that she is growing up? She did a very good job I must say.

Mr. Pumpkin (or is she a Miss/Mrs.?) sat in our window with a battery powered votive candle. It was so cute.
We left for the big Hallelujah party at our church. Peanut had a blast. She did the bounce houses and the petting zoo. She did some arts and crafts and games. Oh and she got some candy. It was very nice family fun.
Now we are home. She is tucked into bed and sleeping like a rock.

Happy Halloween Everyone!!!

Friday, October 28, 2011

{This Moment}

Friday, October 21, 2011

{This Moment}

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Butterflies Watercolor Painting of Pyrgus olieus

I painted these in May of 2011. This was part of the Imaginary Visit to the Garden.
I deviated from the lesson and did a watery background trying out a new technique that I had read about. I like it.

Butterflies fav Watercolor Painting of Pyrgus olieus

''Keep your hands open, and all the sands of the desert
can pass through them. Close them,
and all you can feel is a bit of grit.''

Taisen Deshimaru

Friday, October 14, 2011

{This Moment}

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Spinning up a Storm

I have been spinning like crazy around here. I had 2 finished yarns to share with you.

I finished up my Crown Mountain Farms Club Mystery Fiber 2011 - Debouilet. I love this fiber so much that I ordered another 4 oz. I want to knit a cable cowl and matching cable mitts. This yarn finished up soft and very bouncy. I can’t stop squishing it. The color Eternity is so vibrant yet is is difficult to capture the color with the camera.
I set out to make a 2 ply. It plied beautifully. I spun this fiber with my new Wooly Winder and I plied with the Wooly Winder too. I think it helped me spin more consistently. When one bobbin was was empty I then did an N-ply with the remainder of the other bobbin. I’m glad that I did a 2 ply on the majority of the singles because I wanted a worsted weight, not a bulky weight. But I think according to a chart I saw, any WPI less than 12 is considered Heavy.
This yarn has been washed in Soak, rinsed in water with vinegar, (forgot to Wack it) then I hung in the autumn sun and breezy to dry.

Debouilet fiber 3.75 oz or 104 g. colorway: Eternity
spun semi-woolen

2 ply - 3 1/8 oz or 96 g. 183.33 yards and 8 WPI
3 ply - 3/8 oz. or 12 g. yardage ? 6 WPI

The 3 ply. Looks like my bush has a purple catapiller!!!

Here is the 2 ply

Here is the 2 ply (large skein) and the 3 ply (mini skein)

I finally finished my Crown Mountain Farms club fiber: Columbia.I wanted a lofty yarn so I chose to spin a semi-woolen. I let the twist come into the drafting zone. I really liked this fiber and spinning it. I did remove the big nubs but left the little ones. I really like the finished yarn. It is not super soft but soft enough for some colorwork mittens or a hat.
This fiber is so smooshy and airy. I started out doing a 2 ply but I didn’t like it at all so I broke off the single. Then I switched over to an N-ply for the majority of the fiber. I found it funny that the 3 ply and the 2 ply almost had the same WPI (wraps per inch). I had just bought my Wooly Winder and so one bobbin was spun with it and another bobbin was with the Lendrum bobbin set up. I plied with the Wooly Winder. I love it.
I washed with Soak, rinsed in water with vinegar, Wacked, and hung to dry outside in the fresh autumn air.

Total fiber weighed 3 7/8 oz or 109 g. Columbia Top, colorway: Eye of the Tiger

3 ply skein is 3 3/8 oz or 97 g. and 193.33 yards. 3 ply had 8.5 WPI
2 ply skein is 3/8 oz or 12 g. and 20.5 yards. 2 ply had 9 WPI

Here is the 3 ply, chain plied

Here is the 2 ply that I don't like much.

Here is the 3 ply and the 2 ply together.

And here is the Columbia and the Debouilet together.

So that is the hand-spun yarn. The purple Debouilet is a worsted weight and I plan to knit IrishGirlieKnits new cowl and mitts. They are called Comfort Food. Comfort Food Cowl and Mitts. The pattern wants to have a yarn that glows. I think the purple in my Debouilet has that quality.

Happy Spinning!!!!

Carol