Upheaval

The view from my front door:



Last week, our hardscape contractor started the garden renovation project that the Witty One and I have been planning for two years now. We are thrilled that we will one day have a lovely garden in which to dally, however we are struggling now with the logistics of entering our home. Can you see the obstacles?

Until the obstacles are removed, we are forced go cross-country to enter through our back door. Thankfully, we can walk up our neighbors' driveways to access our back yard!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Returning to that fabulous meal we had at Roy's on Sunday night. Here is a photo of Roy introducing his talented team of chefs.

They are all very talented, and I look forward to many more meals imagined and executed by these masters.

Bon appétit!

Sock Woes

This post relects my recent sock challenges.

For some reason, I thought it would be a good idea to knit STR-Lightweight with 2.00 mm (US 0) needles. Despite getting the gauge I thought I wanted, these socks will NOT fit the Witty One. They are too tight along his instep.

Pattern: Gentleman's Fancy Sock

Designer: Nancy Bush

Source: Knitting Vintage Socks

Yarn: BMFA, STR-LW in Sand

Needles: 2 Addi Turbo Circulars in 2.0 mm (US 0)

I let my dad try them on, and he said he'd never wear them. He's so sensitive to wool that Mamaw used to line his wool pants when he was a kid.

I haven't completed the toe on the second sock because I may need to rework the length depending on who gets them. Since those are my size 4 feet inside those socks, I'm starting to think a woman with longer feet might appreciate them. Hmmm... I have just the friend in mind...

I really enjoyed knitting the first Winter's Eve sock, but I am not pleased with the way the beads zig zag on the cuff. I spent a long time seeking just the right color for the beads (which look much better in person than in this photo). Unfortunately, the beads which were the color I preferred were a smidge too big. I chose to use them anyway, and now they zig and zag. Argh!

Pattern: Winter's Eve

Designer: Sivia Harding

Source: BMFA, Rockin' Sock Club, Dec. 2006 Kit

Yarn: BMFA, STR - Lightweight in Mustang Sally

Needles: 2 Addi Turbo Circulars in 2.5 mm (US 1)

As I knit this sock, I kept daydreaming of beaded wristwarmers and beaded gauntlets. Since I have thousands and thousands of beads in my stash, I plan to spend some time this summer matching beads and yarn. I haven't begun my search for patterns, but I just might try my hand at designing a pattern.

OK, it's probably not fair to these socks to include them in my sock woes collection, however I have been unhappy with their lack of durability. I knit them in January, and they are pilling, pilling, pilling. I think the yarn is just not as hardy as my beloved STR.

Pattern: Monkey

Designer: Cookie A.

Source: Knitty

Yarn: Claudia's Hand Painted Fingering in Toast

I have another 2 skeins of Claudia's (in Pistachio) that I've already wound, and there were knots in both skeins! Now I have 4 small balls of yarn. I love Claudia's colorways, but I'm not impressed by her choice of base yarn.

In foodie news, the Witty One and I attended a great dinner at Roy's last night*. Roy and some of his top chefs flew into town to cook their special James Beard dinner for our gastronomic society. Not only was the food delectable, Roy and his chefs served properly sized portions (i.e., small)! My favorite dish was the terrine, however my taste buds delighted in all of the courses. Bravo!!

Have a lovely week!

Cheers,

Deb in Atlanta

* Actually, through the "magic" of Blogger, my post reflects a publish date of April 29, 2007. Truly, I posted it on April 30, 2007. I couldn't have met Roy on April 28, 2007, because he was in Waikiki opening yet another restaurant. The man is a force!