monday's musing

I've watched this several times, and I find it incredibly inspiring! My worst day can't hold a candle to this "Bad Day at the Office."

Have a great week. :)

watery

Working working working on my watery shawl...

while I work on several other projects, including one for Craftsy (woot!).

Stand by!

leafy

It's progressing -

slowly, because I am not being a monogamous knitter these days.

It's so difficult going slow on a lace sweater, because I can't get a very good idea of how it will block out until it's finished, and I want to see! I know what I have in my mind's eye, and I did a swatch, but it's really not the same. I want to wear it.

I am still loving those raglan increases.

It's going to have longer fronts; I want it to drape beautifully.

I can't wait to finish!

monday's musing

Don't forget to take advantage of your Mother's Day treat! Until midnight PDT tonight (May 13), take 15% off my patterns on Ravelry with coupon code: yomama2013 at checkout.

And onward.... Today's musing was brought on by a recent discussion that reminded me of the time - long ago - when I wasn't hired for a job because I was, in the opinion of the company, "too nice." They hired someone who turned out to be "rude, brash, and uncultured," according to the head hunter who called me back in a few months (after I'd found different employment), and asked if I'd like to have the job. Heh heh.

And so I say to all those who think that nice equals pushover, dumb, and boring:

"To me, being nice doesn't mean having no opinions. It doesn't mean you can't disagree or stand up for yourself or something you believe in. It means being gracious, courteous and respectful of others: their feelings, opinions, and rights." - Romi

After all:

"You catch more flies with honey than vinegar." - unknown

And to those of you who wonder: the fact that I work to be as gracious and respectful as possible does not mean I'm a Stepford Wife. I just feel there's a time and place for everything. I choose my fights, and I choose how I fight. That's just me, and I respect others' different opinions of what they feel is appropriate for them. I'm a live and let live kinda gal. In fact, as long as you don't hurt anyone, it really doesn't matter to me how you run your life. I only hope you are content and happy. And that's a totally snark-free comment.

Have a great week!

celebrating mothers

...with 15% off my patterns! Until Monday the 13th at midnight PDT, take 15 % off with coupon code: yomama2013 at checkout.

Happy Mother's Day!

photo safari

My foot may not be functioning fully quite yet, but yesterday, I took my very first photo safari of the year. I had missed it so much.

It was a lovely morning, and flowers raised their bright faces.

It seemed as though the sun had shed bits of golden yellow across the ground.

Winter's brown was giving way to green,

and the smell of sage was pungent.

A single spear of purple caught my eye.

And then I began to notice more in the half shadows,

and in the morning sun.

As I bent down to take a closer look, tiny bits of white caught my eye.

I couldn't quite tell if they were flowers,

so I moved even closer with my favorite macro lens. 

Yes. Flowers.

And they covered the ground.

moving right along

Now available: Dusk into Twilight, demi size!

I love this size, actually.

Even though I like the bigger one too, there's just something so satisfying in going stash diving and then knitting it up. I've wanted to do something with my skeins of Koigu for a long time and I'm happy that three of them found a nice home. :)

The watery shawl is moving along nicely, too. I love the top stitch pattern. It looks like riffles in a stream to me.

I am particularly fond of the spine on this one.

I don't like to use the usual increase spine and it makes my obsessive little heart purr with joy when I figure out a cool way to increase. This one is a cable.

And I love the yummy Shalimar Breathless yarn! Mmmmmmmmm.

Randomness:
1. My dog likes eating apples.
2. I got my boot off a week last Monday and today was the first time I was able to walk across the room without pain. I almost cried with joy.
3. Still no kitteh, and we have given up looking and calling. When the rain stops, we'll post some pictures at the mailboxes. She's microchipped so we're hoping she might turn up. I don't want to think about coyotes.
4. The rain has been making the sage smell particularly pungent. It is incredible.
5. I've decided that I must go to knitting group tomorrow. I need diversion.
6. I am working on a secret project and I'll ask tomorrow when I can reveal it.
7. And now...back to my knitting and audio book. This is the life!