Leaving on a jet plane...

We'll be back in about a week! We're flying out today for London and Paris! I'm excited about Europe, but I'm also excited about a week away from work and chores. Look back here for pics when we return. Yippee!

Been reading and not much else

I'm not sure how, but I've managed to finish two more books. Code Orange by Caroline B. Cooney was a great mild thriller with a very interesting premise - smallpox! Very clean, but with teen appeal, and addresses current fears of bioterrorism.

I just finished (like three minutes ago, as this is my lunch hour) Mr. Chickee's Funny Money by Christopher Paul Curtis. Curtis' The Watsons go to Birmingham - 1963 is up there on my list of favorite children's books, so I knew I would enjoy this too. It had the same sly humor and thoughfulness of The Watsons go to Birmingham - 1963, but the story is over-the-top contemporary silliness. Fun.

Finished, part 3: Job Search

It's been officially done for a few days now, but I wanted to be pretty certain I had told the news to friends and family who read this (if only occasionally).

Matt has accepted a job. A really good job. A definite step up. It's in North Carolina, not particularly close to where we live now. (Note: I'm never sure how much personal information to reveal on the ol' internet - so, for now, that's all I'll say. Anyone who knows me personally can get the details by emailing me.)

I'm excited. I hate the idea of selling our house and packing our stuff and leaving our relationships here, but I love the opportunities I know this will bring.

Finished, part 2: Socks

I'm thinking pink. Pink stripes with yarn I dyed myself. I started these December 10th and finished them about a week ago.

Finished: Book

I can't remember exactly, but sometime in the last week I finished a fun book. You can tell Clementine by Sara Pennypacker (great name, huh?) is fun just by looking at the cover. Clementine is much like another very popular book heroine, Junie B. Jones. Clementine has better grammar though. And curly hair.

Crocuses? Or is it Croci?

Whatever you call them, I think they mean spring is on the way.

little helper

He acted like he was going to help wash the sheets, but then he just sat there. Cats.

hat for matt

A couple Saturdays ago, Matt decided he wanted a hat. He was going to buy one, but I said no way, it'd be more fun if I knit him one. So after lunch, we headed out to a somewhat nearby yarn store, picked up a skein of Cascade 220, and by that night, the hat was done.
It fits me too. I kinda made up the pattern knowing the measurements and shape I was going for.

Yarn: worsted weight wool
Needles: size 6 circular 16 in.

Cast on 80 sts. Join, being careful not to twist the stitches.
Work in K2, p2 rib for 2 inches.
Work in st st (knit every round) until it measures 6 inches from cast-on.
Begin decreases (at some point in the decreases, convert to magic loop method):
Row 1: k14, k2tog to end.
Row 2: k13, k2tog to end.
Row 3: k12, k2tog to end.
Row 4: k11, k2tog to end.
Row 5: k10, k2tog to end.
Row 6: k9, k2tog to end.
Row 7: k8, k2tog to end.
Row 8: k7, k2tog to end.
Row 9: k6, k2tog to end.
Row 10: k5, k2tog to end.
Row 11: k4, k2tog to end.
Row 12: k3, k2tog to end.
Row 13: k2, k2tog to end.
Row 14: k1, k2tog to end.
Row 15: k2tog to end.

Break yarn, leaving about a 7 inch tail. Thread tail on tapestry needle, then sew through loops on needle to close hole. Weave in ends and you're done.

what I'm reading

Yep, I'm reading a cookbook. It has very pretty pictures. And, she seems to like mayonaisse and onions as much as I do.

Work in progress