Grossssssss.........................

LOOK at all these "things" we found all over our tomato plants yesterday!!! ICK!!! Wayne says they are horn worms or horny worms or something. They must be horny worms because there was a mass population explosion of these things that has basically decimated our tomato plants!!

I know the tomato plants were pretty much done for anyways but now they are REALLY gone. Wayne must have pulled off about 30 of these things! I was the "finder" and Wayne was the "puller" as I do not touch things that have more than 4 legs and certainly not things that have like 40 legs.

On another note, Check THESE out!

I know, the flash is in the way. Here's one without the flash but it's a little fuzzy.

These are the DPNs that earned the MacGyver badge. Wayne made these for me out of bamboo skewers and they are a perfect size 2! He soaked them in some fancy stuff to make them harder (I think it was a Viagra slurry but I'm not sure - haha!) and then he filed them and sanded them and they are perfect! I'm going to try them out later tonight. Hmmmm......which yarn looks like it wants to be the next pair of socks??

I'm going with the black and blue Jawoll. I think I'll even write my own pattern!

Must Read for Knitters.............

THIS is hilarious! You have to check out THIS page. There are "knitting badges" from Cast On that you can see if you have earned or not. I can't get the pictures to copy and paste dammit so I have to tell you which badges I have or don't have without the fun pictures. Let's see how many badges the Knit Witch has shall we??

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The “Proselytize Knitting” Badge - A requirement for all Knitting Scouts, the recipient must do his or her bit to present knitting in a positive light, whilst at the same time avoiding all references to “hipness”, grandmothers, and yoga. Got this one - easy, right?

The “MacGyver” Badge (Level One) - The recipient must demonstrate clever use of a non-knitting tool in a knitting-related scenario. For instance, recipient has used paper clips as stitch markers, or successfully whittled and then utilized bamboo skewers as dpns. Definitely got this one - hubby just made me some size 2 DPNs out of skewers today! Hmmm...maybe HE gets the badge - well, I'm taking credit for it because..............well, because I can!

The “MacGyver” Badge (Level Two) - The recipient must demonstrate clever use of a knitting tool in a non-knitting-related scenario. For instance, recipient has used a strand of Regia Bamboo to slice cheese, or repaired a small appliance with a metal knitting needle. Hmmm, am I anal if I would never let someone use one of my needles to repair an appliance? Does keeping your bun in place with a knitting needle count? Yes? Great! Got this one too then.

The “MacGyver” Badge (Level Three) - The recipient must demonstrate clever use of a knitting tool in a non-knitting-related scenario working towards the Greater Good. For instance, recipient used a Clover yarn cutter, a 30” Addi Turbo circular needle, and a copy of Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Knitting Without Tears to foster world peace. I better stop with the level 2 badge.......

The “I’ve Been Published in a Knitting Magazine” badge - The recipient has been published in a print or online knitting magazine. Nope, not yet.

The “I’ve Been Rejected by a Knitting Magazine” Badge - The recipient has had a design or article rejected by a print or online knitting magazine. Nope, not yet.

The “I’ve Written a Knitting Book” Badge - The recipient has written and published a book in which knitting patterns and beautifully photographed knitting feature prominently; Or, the recipient has written and published a book in which he/she writes eloquently about the knitting experience. No extra credit, but proper snaps if the recipient actually makes any money at it. I have one in progress so I'll take a 1/2 of a badge here. I mean, come on! I need all the badge credit I can get! I'm putting these things on my "accomplishments" page in my book!

The “I Host a Knitting Podcast” Badge - The recipient hosts a podcast in which knitting is a primary focus. Presumes a thorough understanding of rss feeds, and skype recording with minimal audio disruption. Recipient must demonstrate ability to make oneself sound way smarter in a podcast than in person. Nope.

The “I Can Be an Asshole When It Comes To Knitting” Badge - In which the recipient is so passionate, opinionated and entirely convinced of his/her own superior knowledge about all things knitting, that he/she may appear pompous, rude, or self-righteous. Totally have this one. My husband knows the look too -- that's when he knows to go pour wine immediately.

The “Knitting Whilst Under the Influence” Badge - This applies to both actual knitting under the influence, as well as achieving moments of stunning intellectual clarity about ones knitting under the influence. Presumes talking about knitting whilst under the influence a given. Oh, for sure.....see the above badge. Do you know there are people out there who think that knitters don't drink?? Seriously!

The “I Will Impress You With My Math Prowess” Badge - The recipient is a whiz at substituting yarns and calculating gauge, can space increases and decreases evenly and is fully comfortable with the basic math encountered in all knitting projects. I can claim this one.

The “I Will Crush You With My Math Prowess” Badge - The recipient has applied the principles of higher mathematics to knitting including, but not limited to hyperbolic planes, Fibonacci sequences, Klein bottles, Moebius strips, fractals and Flying Spaghetti Monster hats. I cannot claim this one - the math only goes far enough to get me through a sweater.

The “Inordinately Fond of Novelty Yarn” Badge - In which the recipient professes an arguably unhealthy affinity for yarn with slubs, sparkles, spangles, fur, feathery bits, and an unconscionable proportion of man-made fibre. Recipient makes no apology for the preference. This badge I am actually proud NOT to own.

The “Knitting Has Forced Me to Seek Medical Attention” Badge (Level One) – In which the recipient has been forced to seek the advice of a medical doctor, nurse, or alternative healthcare professional for injuries sustained as a result of knitting. I guess that's like a "I stabbed myself in the eye with a needle" kind of thing? Nope, can't claim this one. I'm a nurse - does that count? OK - I'm reaching.......

The “Knitting Has Forced Me to Seek Medical Attention” Badge (Level Two) - In which the recipient has been forced to seek the advice of a medical doctor, nurse, or alternative healthcare professional, in a hospital emergency room, for injuries sustained as a result of knitting. Nah, I have been tempted to kill someone with my needles once though.

The “I’ve Knit Items With No Conceivable Practical Application” Badge - Recipients are those “special” campers who have knit items which somehow missed the mark of their intended application. There are probably more who are deserving of this badge than one would expect. Oh, totally.

The “Knitting Got Me Through My Divorce” Badge - Better for you than wine, easier to care for than a houseful of cats, knitting probably kept you busy, and definitely kept you sane, while you navigated your way back to single life. You’re better off without him/her, honey. Unfortunately I didn't know how to knit when I got divorced.

The “Knitting Caused My Divorce” Badge - Maybe your spouse didn’t fully appreciate your chosen lifestyle, or maybe you were caught in a lie about the frequency you were having S.E.X. outside the relationship, either way you can trace beginning of the end back to your obsessive need to knit. Not yet, my husband seems amazingly tolerant so I think I'm ok here.

Total number of badges for the Knit Witch (drumroll please) = 7 1/2 - Oh you better believe I'm claiming that half!!

Ain't Knitters Great?

Today, I received this little package in my mailbox. A fellow knitter that I know via email asked for my address last week so that she could send me a "little something". So, I gave her my address hoping she isn't some skanky dirty old man just feigning that he has a knitting blog site so that he can prey upon innocent knitters. You never know - there are some downright crazies out there!!!

Anyway, today, this is what I received in the mail............

It's an Om stitch marker that she MADE! I love it! All the way from Peachtree City too. I told her she should sell them on my website! I love it when people can make cool things. I'm not sure how creative I am. I can knit and crochet and that's about it. My husband is definitely the artist in this relationship. He can make anything so he is oh so handy to have around! It's good that one of us can have the whimsical creative side and one of us (me) has the organizational and "bill paying" abilities. So, I am always impressed with people and their creative abilities.

Thanks Melissa!

Finally..........

Well, it's finally done! I actually have a FO to report! Here's the baby sweater in all it's glory. This is the 3x3 ribbing baby sweater in the last issue of Knit Simple. Whatcha think??? I made the large size since the baby is due in January (the wonderful 24th which is my birthday to be exact) so I figured the baby will probably be about 10 months old before there is any sweater wearing going on. I'm hoping it's a girl because I now think this "minty" color might be a little fruity for a boy. Even a baby boy. I'll let you know. I might have to make a blue one and then auction this one off!

Yippeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

Holy cow!! I did it!! HERE is the video of the bear. Wonders never cease. Apparently, I simply wasn't patient enough....I know, hard to believe...........

Great Friday!

Wayne and I took the day off today to go hiking at Amicalola Falls in NE Georgia today. We got up really early and were leaving the driveway around 6 AM to beat this horrible Atlanta traffic. We had a great drive and a great hike! We took the dogs so I don't expect to be hearing a peep out of them for the rest of the day - they are sacked out in various spots around the house. The coolest thing about our hike was that we saw a black bear!! It looked to be maybe around a year old or so and didn't seem bothered by us at all....he just kind of went about his business. See if you can see him in the pictures.

I tried to upload the video here that we took of him but obviously that is beyond my "webmaster" (and I use the term losely) capabilities. I'll get my husband to figure out a way to get it on here. I tried to put it on You Tube but I guess I don't know how the hell to do that either so you guys will just have to wait until my husband wakes up from his nap so he can upload it for me. Darn technology!

Anyway, all in all it was a GREAT hike and the first time either of us have ever seen a bear while we were out camping or hiking!! Here is a picture of the falls.

After hiking we went to go visit out friends up in Ellijay who we hadn't seen in WAY too long. They have a great jewlery store in East Ellijay so if any of you ever get a chance, check out North Georgia Diamond. They are having a 50% off sale this week too!!! Here's Bill and Allie WAY back when we helped them build out their jewlery store about 3 years ago!!

Anyway, GET OUT THERE and enjoy nature and wildlife and the world. We all seem to work too darn much and forget to appreciate the natural beauty of the world around us. I didn't even take any knitting on our trip!!! Although I probably should have - I'm REALLY close to finishing the baby sweater so hopefully finished pictures of that will be my next post! Well......after the black bear video!

John Mayer Rocks!

I know this has nothing to do with knitting but we went to see John Mayer last night at Philips Arena and he was GREAT! I took some videos but I can't seem to get them saved in a format that will allow me to post them, so I guess no videos for you guys. We had a really fun time and had box seats which always makes a concert way more fun! We got there early and enjoyed all the free food, beer and wine. There were six of us - My husband, my son Nathan, his girlfriend Tiana, my husband's ex-wife Sue, his son Ian and myself. We had a blast despite Sue's craziness driving and getting lost and almost running out of gas, etc.......but it was FUN and John is an amazing guitar player. Ian and Nathan are both excellent guitar players so I knew they would enjoy it. You can check out some of Ian's music on his myspace page HERE.

Well, since I don't have any video to share with you, here's a John Mayer picture at least.....