Rocks, Rocks and more Rocks

I have been moving rocks. You know the kind, the landscape river rocks that range between a quarter and a half dollar size, along with the bigger ones around the edge. And, it's not fun. Moving rocks is very hard on the hands, and your knees and back. And this area of rocks has about four to six inches deep of the stuff. So why am I moving it?

For my garden.

You see, I was hoping to get a plot in the open space garden. But, it appears so was everyone else. And, I was too far down on the waiting list. And I want my vegetable garden. Last year I had such high hopes, but to be honest, my best crop was the tomatoes. And this year I started seeds (which are getting very tall by the way). I planted pumpkins, cucumbers, yellow squash, spinach, basil, tomatoes, green beans, peas, catnip, cat grass, corn, jalapenos, strawberries, numerous greens, cauliflower, broccoli, the list goes on. And now I need a place to plant them. And let me tell you, my garden plot from the past seven years just is not going to cut it. I need room for all of this.

So, I'm moving rock, after rock, after rock. And it's supposed to snow tonight, so I worked out there for two hours this morning until I couldn't take it anymore. I still have rocks to move, and then till the soil, amend the soil, place the boundary wood, build supports for the chicken wire to keep the bunnies out, and then, plant my plants. Which are getting tall. But we are supposed to have snow. I may have a jungle in the toy room where the seeds are in the sun before they finally get planted. And can we just say I BETTER BE HARVESTING VEGETABLES BESIDES TOMATOES!

Knitting, well, I'm knitting on a skirt, a pair of socks (okay yes you all may laugh but I am going to turn into a 2nd sock knitter one of these days and finish up some of the pairs in the yarn room), numerous sweaters and a secret project. Yes, I should be knitting, instead of sitting here on the computer at the library.

Another book read since December 15th. Yes, another murder mystery.
18. Motif For Murder by Laura Childs

At least I'm not moving rocks right now.

It's May

First of all, let's start with the books I have read before I forget what number I'm on, so books read since December 15th:

14. Photo Finished by Laura Childs
15. Bound for Murder by Laura Childs
16. Days of Gold by Jude Deveraux
17. How to Knit a Love Song by Rachael Herron

So what have you been up to? I went on a few trips during the latter part of April. The first trip was to Yarnover. I am a member of the Minnesota Knitter's Guild and I attended this annual event. Yarnover has been held for the past 22 years. It is a one day class and market event. They bring in numerous teachers such as Meg Swansen, Cat Bordhi, Lily Chin, Beth Brown-Riensel and so on to teach classes at this event and you can sign up for a 3 hour morning class and a 3 hour afternoon class. There is also a market with indie yarn dyers, local shops and farms who bring in fiber and other goodness. I took 2 classes, one was 7 Ways to Make or Break a Sweater with Margaret Fisher and Photographing your Stash with Franklin Habit. Both classes were good, however the class with Margaret was a bit below my skill level. It was aimed more towards newer sweater knitters. The class with Franklin Habit was great. He knows his stuff and is a very good speaker.

The following week I headed off to Atlanta with Leanne and we attended Stitches South. We took an excellent Intarsia class with Jane Slicer-Smith and an informative Knitting Ergonomics Class with Carson Deemers. We enjoyed spending time with Susan and Liz from Fine Points and of course bought items from them. We bought scored some Sanguine Gryphon yarns (we hit that booth first at the market) but mine were for gifts. All in all a good time.

So projects. I am on an Intarsia, Rowan, Jane Slicer-Smith, Habu and Maggie Jackson kick right now, along with knitting with Louet linen. Three of my top projects are coats, one being a Rowan, mid-calf length Intarsia masterpiece. Can you say not travel knitting? Let's just say I have PLENTY of projects in the queue and that I want to wear.

My garden. Well, I am expanding the garden in the back yard and I planted seeds that are inside until at least after Mother's Day. With these snow pellet showers we have been having, I am not putting anything in the ground yet. So, I have lots of seeds sprouting. The radishes, cauliflower, broccoli and greens have sprouted. I am still waiting on the cucumbers, tomatoes, corn, spinach, etc. I also planted some flower seeds, but where these are going in the yard remains to be seen.

Well, that's about all for now. Can you believe it's been a year since I retired?