Happy Trails: An Update: Brought to You by the Letter "B"

NOTE: This theme wholly inspired by the Barefoot Rooster.

Boxes: Packing has been going well, and I feel like we're making pretty good progress--hopefully enough every weekend to where hardly anything will need to be done at the last minute. The boxes, however, are taking over the house, and I am getting scarily used to the smell of cardboard.

As it stands now, we close on December 19th in the evening. Carpet installation will happen on December 20th, as well as appliance delivery and installation. The 20th and 21st will also be a time to tape out all the rooms for painting, and probably priming the kitchen. My parents arrive on the 22nd, at which time we will paint until we drop, and the movers are scheduled for December 23rd. Christmas Eve will be spent unpacking, and hopefully by Christmas day we'll have some time where we can relax! It will be a weird holiday, but we're happy to have the the time off from work to be able to get it done without having to take much vacation time.

So this is what we've gotten totally squared away so far, and in organizing my things for packing, I had the opportunity to go through my stash. I have.....A lot....of yarn. And it's good stuff too. I must, MUST go on a yarn diet until at least the spring. Luckily, I did not have this striking realization until AFTER I bought 3 skeins of luscious Malabrigo Sock Yarn....yay! A happy accident. Sadly, no pictures as it has not yet arrived--but over 800 yards of fingering makes me think a Shetland Triangle is begging to be made...

Biking: I went mountain biking with a co-worker on Friday afternoon, and had an awesome time. There is a state park pretty close to us, and there are fire roads and biking trails all over the place! He calls the bike I used "The Magic Bike" because everyone who tries mountain biking on it ends up getting into the sport. I really want to get into it, the only part of my body that disagrees with me is my Butt, which is so sore from that friggin' seat that I can hardly sit down. However, apparently there are padded shorts that are inexpensive and *crucial*. While I enjoyed the more technical trails, I really liked the fire roads better, since I could go really fast, and didn't have to worry about turning on a dime. The fall colors were gorgeous, and since it was rainy out, the world smelled so earthy and clean. I'll be going again, and hopefully Salmaan will enjoy it has much as I did.

Body--besides mine being terribly sore, I have exciting news to report! I have finished the body of my Knitting Pure and Simple Neckdown Crewneck Sweater!

I picked up the stitches and began to knit the left arm last night. It is coming along so well, and I'll tell you--it felt AWESOME to cast off the collar, and finally be able to try it on! It fits quite nicely. While it is a little boxy, it isn't baggy (I chose not to switch to a smaller needle for body shaping, since my gauge was a little smaller than that called for in the pattern), and the yarn is SO SOFT and warm (Malabrigo Merino Worsted--color: Burgundy). I can't wait to rock out the sleeves!

I have also been making nice progress on my Perelandran Forest Canopy shawl, which gives me great pride. I started this project many moons ago, made a ton of mistakes, and had to frog it, which CRUSHED me because I had gotten so much of it done. I am now finally past the spot where I frogged, and am really enjoying watching the lace develop. Initially I worried that 500 yards wouldn't be enough for a nice sized shawl, but I'm feeling more confident now that it will work out. The Bamboo Cotton is lovely, and I adore the colorway.

Salmaan and I also had the pleasure of making a nice big Brunch on Saturday morning for a friend--we celebrated her getting a wonderful job offer, with the possibility of another in the near future! The only bad part is that the job will take her out of the area--but she's been wanting to move there for a long time, and luckily, we are the halfway point between the new area and her parents' house, so we know we'll still be able to visit with her often! On the menu: Bacon onion quiche (SO good), Banana bread with walnuts and golden raisins, Breakfast sausage, fruit salad, and of course, mimosas.

And that's about it for updates! We're off to pick out paint colors for the house, and check out one of our favorite kebab places for lunch and take-out hummus. Hope you've had a wonderful weekend!

Comments

Ah, the joys of packing. This summer was the first in 6 that I didn't move, and I loved every minute of it.

Congrats on the sweater and shawl progress!

Posted by: mick | November 16, 2008 at 01:54 PM

I finally checked in to see what you're up to and wow! The house looks great, I am so impressed by all your projects, and I'm craving some of your curry. Good luck with the actual moving in. Hope you get some rest for the holidays.

Posted by: Heather | November 17, 2008 at 06:04 PM