Roses and toeses

One of the fun things about living in a new place is that you have no idea what will be growing in the garden. This May I was definitely missing the Lily of the Valley along the walkway of my last apartment. However, I've been excited by what has been growing at our new apartment. It has a large lilac bush in the back yard, which was lovely for the past couple of weeks. My mom was up last weekend and pointed out some new plants that I was unfamiliar with. These are Rugosa roses that just started blooming today. I wish I could include the scent with the pictures. It is intoxicating.

Also, a little past peak, but still blooming is the Dutchman's Trousers. Being part Dutch myself, I get a kick out of thinking of my ancestors wearing trousers like these.

The other big event of the week is that Owen discovered his feet. So cute! Having taken a few yoga classes, I instantly recognized the "happy baby" pose.


Finally, work on the secret project nears completion. Here is a slightly blurry hint.

Spoiled again

I woke up this morning with a scratchy throat, a fuzzy head, and the sad realization that as a mother, I can no longer afford the luxury of being sick. At least not in the stay in bed all day way.

But then I remembered this and felt a bit better.

My mom and sister were in town for the weekend. It was purely coincidental that it was also the weekend of Webs' tent sale (at least I think it was). I had resolved to ignore the reminder emails and snail mail cards reminding me weekly of the upcoming event for the following reasons:
1. Although I may want, I do not need more yarn at this time.
2. I am not working and Dave is a grad student.
3. I have plenty of projects to work on and little time to knit these days.

But I forgot that:
1. My mom and sister are knitters (I taught both of them).
2. They love going to Webs.
3. My mom was in a mood to spoil her daughters.

So the next thing I knew, we were at Webs drooling over yarn at such great deals. My sister was actually the first to spot the Tosca yarn in its lovely denim blue hues. For a long time I've been wanting to make the hooded pullover in the "Yarn Girls' Guide to Simple Knits", but it requires lots of yarn. Two bags of 10 skeins each at easily fit the bill. And it was only $30 a bag. That's right, I'm going to knit a hooded sweater with yarn priced at $3 a skein purchased by my wonderful mother (thanks, Mom!).

Rubbish!

I've been complete rubbish at blogging these past few weeks! Can you tell I was talking to my English friend Emmy today? She must have been rubbish at something at least 20 times in our conversation. Heehee. Rubbish is funny word because you know exactly what it means, but Americans almost never use it. But it wouldn't work if I tried to Americanize the sentiment by saying I was complete trash. Sort of implies something else.

Anyway, I have been knitting, but not the lace v-neck sweater. It's a secret, which is the reason for my blog silence. But here's a not very revealing photo proving that I am doing something.

Also, Happy Mother's Day to all you Moms out there. I've had a nice first Mother's Day. Owen sent his dad out to Burdicks to get me some chocolate penguins. Yum! Such a sweet boy. But, of course, Owen is the best present I could ask for.

It's good to be the baby...

... especially when you are the recipient of beautiful handknit gifts. Yes, Mr. Owen made out well again this weekend.

On Saturday Emily was in town to stock up on yarn at Webs, where I met her. I watched jealously as she partially filled a cart with lots of goodies (having a job is a good thing). Of course I invited her over to meet Owen. She gave him the sweetest little gray bear.

Then on Sunday we were visiting friends Bia and Matt in Boston. Bia made Owen the bib and burp cloth from the new Mason Dixon Knitting book.
Owen has already tested the absorbancy of the colorful bib. Works great!