It was a good weekend. Saturday, while dreary, was very productive--and I like a good rainy day every now and again. The big trip was to the Apple store, where I finally purchased iPhones--one for each of us. I have been eying them for some time since the new 3G came out (well, let me be perfectly honest, I've started eying just about everything (i) for about the last year now. While wading through the hippest hippies at the Apple store on numerous weekend shopping trips, I have been converted. Hook me up with some Crisco for dreadlocks and some ratty Converse All-stars, baby--I'm there!). Salmaan managed to get sucked up in my obsession somewhere along the way (sans All-stars), and this was my present to him for working so hard to pass his licensure exam. (Still no word on that, I'll let you know when wedo). We've been playing with them all weekend, and I. Am. In. Love. So cool, so innovative, so USEFUL. My only fear is dropping it and watching all of my carefully entered data shatter into a million ruined pieces. We each purchased protective covers--hopefully they'll do the trick. I can even BLOG from it--rock ON!
This morning I got to sleep in, which always feels amazing. Salmaan suggested that we enjoy a relaxed brunch together at Lulu's, and I reluctantly agreed. We haven't had stellar experiences there--one brunch, one lunch, and one dinner. The brunch and lunch were alright, but the dinner was *bleck* (salmon dish, I was not impressed) and pricey. Plus, they don't serve any appetizers during happy hour, which I think is a real bummer. However, I was open to giving it One More Go. I'm glad we did. I had a bacon, egg, lettuce and tomato sandwich on multigrain toast that was to DIE for, and Salmaan really enjoyed his BBQ sandwich. We got out of there with a $20 tab, and that meal kept me going throughout the entire afternoon and early evening.
From there we headed to the grocery store, and I was amazed to see our bill was $60--that NEVER happens--especially considering that we're cooking every night this coming week. Another nice surprise were these grapes. Normally I buy grapes based on feel--if they feel like dead people's fingers, it's a no-go. If they're firm and tight, I buy 'em and hope for the best. We tried these once we got home and they were washed, and they are INCREDIBLE--sweet, tart, and bursting with juicy flavor. Aren't they beautiful?
After walking River, I spent most of the afternoon on our back deck, knitting and enjoying the blue sky and fallish weather.
I spent my time working on the Baby Kimono that I started ages ago. The recipient is due to be born in the next few weeks, so I had to get a move on. I made it all the way to the start of the left sleeve. I'll work on it more throughout this week--my goal is to have it blocked and all sewn up by next weekend so that it'll be there in time for her Birth Day. It's so small...are babies really THIS SMALL?!?!?! I sure hope so...
Oh, and MAJOR developments on the sweater front. Remember this pileof awesome Malabrigo? I had initially intended that it be used for the February Lady Sweater, but Thursday I changed my mind. I wanted for my first sweater project to be something a little simpler, with very clearly written directions. I knew I wouldn't likely be making any mods my first go round, so I felt a straightforward crewneck was a logical choice.
I finally settled down with confidence on Saturday to begin knitting the Neckdown Midweight Crewneck Sweaterby Knitting Pure and Simple. I completed my gauge swatch on Friday night.
The pattern suggests #6 for the body, in order to obtain 5 stitches per inch. I started out with #7's, knowing I'm a tighter knitter. I went all the way up to #9's, and finally decided to go with #8's, although my gauge wasn't right on. I kept getting a little more than 5 stitches to the inch--not quite 5 1/2, but not quite 5 either. I'm hoping since I'm making one size up that it'll all turn out fine. Plus, it's a crewneck sweater, so I'm okay with it coming out snugger or loser--either is peachy.
At this point, my goal before bed is to get through the entire top half, up to the point where you have to divide the stitches for the upper sleeves and place them on scrap yarn. I'm really excited to reach this goal, because then all I have to do is knit knit knit knit knit knit KNIT the body rounds, all the way down to the bottom edge. It's a good place to be going into the work week. I find that I don't have the attention span to pay close attention to pattern directions at the end of a work day. *yawn* We'll see if I make it. Here's where I am:
A note on the color: this dye lot had a lot of black in it, which I was initially worried about. However, now that I'm seeing it in Stockinette, I'm digging it. Unlike the other dye lot of burgundy I have, this one looks a bit softer and dustier. I think it'll look great with jeans and my garnet jewelry.
I also got my bake on this evening with some of Lala's Pumpkin Bread--recipe to come. It came out a *tad* dry, but that's something that can be easily remedied by a little cream cheese...yum!
Isn't it a wonderful thing when productivity is relaxing?
I love my phone. Thanks for such an awesome gift. The grapes were awesome too.
Posted by: Salmaan | September 09, 2008 at 04:38 PM