Trish Knits.com

Tag: snow

  • Flippin’ for Flip!

    Last week, I got a new video camera. I got the Flip Video Ultra Series Camcorder, in pink. You know what? I didn’t want to like this camera. I really didn’t. But I can’t help myself. I LOVE it. I really do.

    Over the summer I got a different portable video camera, and I got it because it has several advantages over the Flip. One, it stores video to a memory card, which means you can swap cards on the fly without worrying about filling up the memory. Better for a full day of shooting, right? Also, it shoots video in full resolution, which could be better for showing on TV than the Flip. It was small, but a bit awkward, and the video quality wasn’t that great. In addition, and perhaps most important, I had a hard time holding and operating it.

    What do I like best about the Flip? Well, for one thing, it’s flippin’ cute. And it matches my Namaste Malibu Bag. But the camera is SO lightweight, it doesn’t weigh the bag down. It’s easy to hold and carry, to just whip out and take a quick little video just about anywhere. It also has its own on-board USB connector, so there are no cables to mess with and keep track of, either. This is a HUGE plus.

    I have the option of saving the video files as is to the computer, and then opening in my fancy video editing software to create fairly sophisticated movies. But, the option to take the easy way out is amazing. Plug in the camera, it launches its own software. Do a couple of basic editing tricks, save, and upload right to YouTube. Easy-Peasy! I hope maybe I’ll be able to add a couple of knitting related videos sometime soon, but I have to figure out what to do that hasn’t already been overdone. Stay tuned on that one!

    Yesterday morning we had an unexpected snow squall in the area. For some reason our town was particularly hard-hit. People not from the DC area always laugh at us and how we can’t handle the snow here. But the fact is, it’s warm here most of the time, so we’re not used to it. And, when we do get snow, it’s usually the heavy, wet, icy kind that makes for especially dangerous driving. Because yesterday’s snow was not predicted, the roads were not treated with chemicals in advance. So we got a light dusting, which turned to a thin glaze of ice on contact with vehicle tires. Accidents were everywhere in our neighborhood. Sometimes it’s the small snows around here that are the most dangerous, because in the really big ones, people have sense enough to stay home. Not so yesterday, so it was slow going.

    And thus, the occasion of yesterday’s snowfall was the reason for my first posted video from my new little Flip-friend:

    Not the most exciting piece of cinema in the world, but I really thought we’d be in for it since the sky was so dark. But, as quickly as it came, the sun came again. We wound up having a short day anyway, on account of a kid deciding to get a fever sometime between chapel and snack time yesterday. This morning I had to schlep him to the doctor in weather that was something-teen degrees. Sick kid with high fever and extreme cold are a bad combo. Steven has informed me that he would like everyone I know to cross their fingers on his behalf, because his birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese is set for this weekend, and he’s hoping we don’t have to reschedule. His dad and I, on the other hand, are hoping that we don’t get sick instead. So, either way, cross your fingers! We’re going to need all the luck we can get.

    It was so cold today that Tegan re-discovered her Cozy Cushion. She has spent this entire day curled up under my desk, at my feet.

    Tegan sleeping at my feet
    Tegan sleeping at my feet

    Poor thing, she’s so old and thin. She has been a wonderful companion her whole life. She follows me like a puppy. Everywhere. And she’s the noisy, fussy kind, so I feel like I always have someone to talk to. Something tells me the day will be here soon that I will be missing her very much, so for now, I’m trying to appreciate every moment.

    I wish I had a cozy cushion, too! I’m cold.

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  • Knitting Weather

    Today we had to leave work early because our kids’ school closed early. Why? Because of this:

    snow in the bushes
    snow in the bushes
    snow in the yard
    snow in the yard

    It started snowing a little late this morning for schools to be closed for the day, but by the time we were ready to leave for school and work the driveway had to be shoveled first. So we kinda figured we wouldn’t be there the whole day. In fact, we had only been there for a few minutes when we heard the news that we would be leaving early. So the kids got a little outdoor playtime this afternoon and I got to spend some time knitting.

    After yesterday’s heart turning out wonky, I did a Ravelry search and found a cute knitted heart by Elizabeth Zimmermann. It’s part of the Heart Hat pattern, but the heart itself can be knit as a standalone object.

    Problem is I don’t understand the pattern. Obviously there is some short-rowing going on, but I can tell already that I’m missing something and my counts are weird. Has anybody out there made this? Are there short rows on both ends, or one end only? Help?

    Thanks in advance….

    Trish, the Heart-Obsessed Totally Confused Knitter

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  • Oh, the First Snowfall of the Winter….

    DH and I telecommuted today and for a moment this afternoon we looked out and saw this:

    snow clouds hang low and threatening
    snow clouds hang low and threatening
    snow shower
    snow shower

    And then? Just like that, it was gone. It would have been great for knitting!

    Here’s One from the “Now I’ve Seen a Knitting Book for Just About Everything” Department

    I recently received a copy of the book, Knitted Icons: 25 Celebrity Doll Patterns, and let me tell you. Now I think I’ve seen everything. This book features a pattern for a basic knitted doll, and depending on how you accessorize, it can be anything from Madonna to Marilyn Monroe or Abraham Lincoln, or Jimi Hendrix. For some reason, there’s even a Che Guevara doll. If you’re into knitting dolls, or doing knit projects that are a bit off beat or downright amusing, then this is the book for you. Me? I think I need a knitted Audrey Hepburn.

    In other knitting news, if I have any, I’m still working on my giant mitered square, and the hat for my daughter. But I really need to get motivated to finish the brown ripple afghan so I can get that one off my plate. Hopefully, I’ll have an update on that project soon. I’m hoping that mentioning it publicly will motivate me. Wish me luck!

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  • Again!

    Snow coming down, view from my porch

    It’s snowing again! The snow from the other day only hung around for a couple of hours, but this one is hanging around a bit longer. You think I’d be knitting, but no, I’m working today. (Taking my lunch break, of course…) My kids are scheduled to only have a half day of school tomorrow, so if our county decides to do a delayed opening tomorrow, it means our school will be closed. If that happens, THEN maybe I can have my snowy knitting day. I’ve got my fingers crossed, and I’ll be wearing my jammies inside out tonight! (No, you’re never too old to dream.)

  • Blankie Report

    Ripple blanket in progress

    I decided to shoot a quick photo of the blankie this morning… it is coming along nicely, eh? I really love how it looks, and especially how it feels. It is SO soft! I hope Miss Z. will like it.

    Speaking of Miss Z, yesterday we had our annual holiday breakfast at work. We always do ours after the holidays since folks usually have leave and there are lots of other parties before the holidays to go to. Anyway, Miss Z. came to our party and brought her little baby and her young daughter along. The baby is just precious, as I knew she would be. But I have to say, for all she’s been through, Z. looks great! I took lots of pictures, but I don’t want to post one here because that would require getting permission from Miss Z., and I don’t want to tip her off about the blankie.

    Except that she is a teeny bit tipped off. As I was leaving yesterday I popped in to see the boss and Miss Z. was still in there, chatting away. I had my coat on and my bag with me, and the blankie was peeking out of the top of the bag. Miss Z. peeked and said, “What is THIS? A scarf or a shawl? It’s so pretty!” She didn’t take it out of the bag so couldn’t really see what it was, but the color and various textures were visible. I said “Oh, it’s a blanke….” and left it at that. She said nothing else but I don’t think she caught on. At least I hope not… I guess we’ll see!


    A Circle of Mittens…

    hand knit mittens in various colors and sizes, arranged in a circle

    So for some reason, my mom thinks I was ragging on the mittens she’s been knitting for everyone. Not so! Here’s a pic of some of them… Guess whose mittens are the purple ones??? On Sunday mom came over and we casted on for her felt hat. I hope she does ok with it… she didn’t quite get the concept of Magic Loop, but I think she will be ok eventually. She had a couple of rounds done before leaving on Sunday. Sigh… I sometimes wish I had a hat on the needles….


    Pretty…

    a quick little snow shower outside my door…

    It’s stopped already, but this is what was happening outside of my door a little while earlier today. Yes, winter is finally here.