Travelin'

So here I am. Sitting on the airporter and blogging. How cool is that?! I know I will sound old saying this, but it amazes me every time I can do something like this. Really. On a bus. On my computer. On the internets. Blogging. Dude!

I'm on my way to Yarnover in Minneapolis and I hope to see you there!

More when I return. Maybe. Next week is even crazier than the past few weeks have been. I was actually looking forward to a little airporter and plane time so I could knit and blog!

My little Bear is swimming in the ten and under championships on Saturday and I will be missing it. I'm wishing my cutie a fast fast pool and some amazing times. I wish I could be there. Next weekend Mr. Romi is off to a big archery shoot and I am spending Mother's Day weekend being a mother and taking the kids to a swim meet! And knitting on a secret project.

Yep. The next couple of weeks are crazy!

Monday's Musing

"To conquer oneself is a greater task than conquering others." - Buddha

I know I am not the only one who works on conquering themselves every day. Sometimes successfully, sometimes not.

Have a fabulous week, everyone!

Monday's Musing

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain." - unknown

And now for a little bit of levity.

"Bacon and Eggs: A day's worth of work for the chicken, but a lifetime commitment for the pig." - unknown

Both of these quotes are from Mr. Romi. I especially love the first one!

I'm dancing in the rain today.

These boots are made for walkin'

And that's just what they'll do.

Monday's Musing

"If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one." - Mother Theresa

And in that vein, even though I can't help everyone, maybe with your help, my Sakaki pattern will help a few!

Designed to help Japan after their devastating earthquake and tsunami, $5 from the $6.50 purchase price of each Sakaki pattern sold through the end of May will be donated to charities allowing earmarking for Japan. Beginning in June, 2011, $5 per pattern sold will be donated to Doctors without Borders, which does not allow earmarking for Japan but does wonderful work there and throughout the world. Like Brandywine for Haiti, the goal is to sell 10,000 patterns, and I will keep donating until that number is reached! (Which is basically forever). ;) I released the pattern last Friday without any announcement, except in my Ravelry group where group members were stalking the new pattern list. (Isn't that fun?!) So far, I've sold 155 - thank you so much everyone!

Sakaki comes in two flavors: unbeaded with a leaf lace panel:

and beaded with no leaf lace panel.

The lovely green yarn I used is the decadent Sunna from Spirit Trail Fiberworks.

I used one skein of the colorway Acadia, and I used almost all of the yardage (350). (I see she is already sold out of that colorway, but maybe she'll dye more for us!)

If you feel that you are a loose knitter, it might be prudent to have extra yarn on hand and/or to keep close track of yarn usage by using a handy-dandy scale (don't leave home without one).

The incredible red I used is from Alisha Goes Around. (Her Etsy shop should be returning today!)

I truly cannot do this color justice with the camera. Amazingly, it looks good on everyone who has tried it on.

It is an incredibly rich ripe tomato red: her Panoply of Peacocks fingering weight in On the Vine, along with bronze size 6/0 hex cut seed beads.

Sakaki is knit side to side and the method used creates a nicely curved shoulder wrap. Once you have the pattern memorized, it is super fun TV knitting. I knit a lot of it watching my new full Deep Space 9 dvd set. :)

My favorite site explaining the importance of the Sakaki Tree is this one belonging to UCLA's botanical gardens.

Sakaki the shawl was designed as a tribute to the amazing spirit of the Japanese people as they face - with grace and determination - what is sure to be a long recovery. Thank you for helping me help them!

Talent in the family

Ok. So I don't have pics of the second Sakaki. This is because I forgot all about the annual swim team talent show this evening! But I do have the poems #1 Son wrote and read. I think they're pretty cool, especially considering he's only 11.

Mind Over Body

one shall prevail

with his mind

at ease.

one shall prevail

when he senses

victory.

one shall prevail

with determination

on his mind.

one shall prevail.

over body;

with mind.

And then he did this one, with a little tongue in cheek last bit to it. And yes, he was fully aware that it was kitchy and silly and in the running for a "worst line of the year" literature award. It was his little joke. Blew me completely away!

California Spring

in spring

the light of sun

bursts forth through stormy clouds

to shine upon the Earth

and make peace with the elements

to bring forth the buds

and spread joy and happiness

about to bless

the world with life

then wet the leaves

with dew

so that it may sparkle

in early morning light

like millions of mirrors

in the dressing rooms

of the ants

By the way, when I said he might play more to his audience by rhyming the poetry, he announced that it "wasn't his thing." :snork: 11 going on 30. Yessirree.

Cowboy boots are a girl's best friend

And I have a weakness for them. Especially this yumminess that arrived today.

I have been coveting some Ariat boots for awhile.

But they had to be the right ones. And they had to be on sale. :) Score! I have been admiring them all day.

And that's it for now, because my camera battery died before I could take more pictures. That's my excuse anyway. ;)

Tomorrow I will try to post some pics of my finished beaded Sakaki!

Monday's Musing

"You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life." - Winston Churchill

Have a great week and be true to yourself!

Sakaki report: beaded shawl finished and ready to be blocked. Pattern test knitted. Corrections and clarifications being made. Pattern to be released this week.

Dilemma: to what charity shall the proceeds be donated? MSF is not earmarking funds for Japan but they are doing a ton of work there. As much as I admire the Red Cross, a little too much of each donation goes to overhead for my taste. I am inclined to give the first sales through some period of time (perhaps June) to a charity that allows earmarking for Japan, and the remainder (up to 10,000 patterns sold, like Brandywine) to MSF, even though they are not earmarking donations. I admire them tremendously and I know they will continue to work in Japan until they are no longer needed.

Do any of you have suggestions for a great charity doing work in Japan?