A knitting post!!!

I know, I know, it's been ages since I posted about my knitting.
I haven't been doing much. Firstly because it has been so hot for the past while, and secondly because I hadn't been feeling terribly well.
Thankfully, it finally cooled down a couple of days ago, and I'm feeling much better.

My sister's birthday is coming up awfully soon, and although I have a couple of things to send her, I really wanted to include something hand-knit. So I'm quickly whipping up a little lace scarf.

I've got about 6" done already:


I'm using Lily Sugar'n'Cream in Cornflower blue. Because it's a worsted weight yarn I'm getting on quickly, and hope to have it done in time to put it in the mail by Wednesday or Thursday.

Summer - my favourite things...

On her blog, Ridiculous Obsession, Laverna is asking her readers what we like about summer. Here's my list:


1. Eating dinner al-fresco. There's just something so elegant about it.
2. Wearing open-toed shoes so I can show off my pedicure.
3. Summer fruit, especially cherries.
4. My birthday !!!!!!!!!

Ten on Tuesday

Ten movies I'm excited to see
(Thankfully, they don't have to be new/upcoming releases.)

1. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
2. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
3. Get Smart
4. The X-files: I want to believe
5. Mamma Mia
6. Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2
7. How the Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer
8. Juno
9. Cranford (The BBC drama series adapted from Mary Gaskells classic novels.)
10. Young at Heart

Your brain on hope

In January, In January, MoveOn members voted on which candidate the organization should endorse, and Barack Obama won. Some time ago, they had a contest for people to make a 30-second pro-Obama political ad. The judges, a panel of top filmmakers, artists, musicians, and progressive heroes, chose a winner called Obamacam, but my favourite is one of the runners-up:

Happy Mother's Day!

I sent my ma a blooming tea sampler. I thought it was a clever play on flowers. When I talked to her a while ago, she said she "was quite excited" when she opened the package. She loves blooming teas, and the ones in the sampler are pretty fancy.

Tod sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers in a purple glass jug.

My step-son Sean called to wish me a Happy Mother's Day. He's working and studying and finishing up school projects so I won't see him today, but I was really touched that he remembered to call.

Katy gave me some beautiful rosebuds made of wood (!) that look like real roses, and an IOU for a Fullerton parent t-shirt.

My very meek and shy friend Virginia, who is overseas in Afghanistan, sent me a lovely Mother's Day/Thank You card for being so supportive.

We'll be having dinner at Kyle (Tod's brother) and Betsy's house. My MIL, Bonnie will be there, as will Betsy's mom, Mary. And Tod's sister Monica and daughter Meg, and Meg's friend Diana are visiting from Texas for the week, so along with Great-Aunt Annie, and Betsy's brother and sister and Michael (Kyle & Betsy's son) we'll have quite a crowd.

Added Monday morning:
It was a wonderful evening. I came very late to being a parent-figure, but it seems I'm doing okay.

My Brain

The Scrabblequeen had this on her blog, and I decided to give it a shot.
It's eerily accurate, especially the right-brain part.

You Are 45% Left Brained, 55% Right Brained

The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning. Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others. If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic. Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet. The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.

Are You Right or Left Brained?

Just finished reading...

Mummy Dearest by Joan Hess.

Claire Malloy and Peter Rosen are finally married. They've headed to Egypt for their honeymoon -- sort of.
Peter went ahead to take care of some mysterious business in connection with his new mysterious government job. Claire, her daughter Caron, and Caron's friend Inez follow, and check into the Winter Palace hotel in Luxor.
When they arrive, Claire is greeted by the resident expatriate contingent, mostly Britons, who are thrilled to meet such a famous sleuth. (Once they found out the name of the new arrival, they Googled it to find out all about her.)

Although Claire's intent is to have as relaxing and romantic a honeymoon as she can with two teenagers around and her new husband working, of course it doesn't turn out that way.

Joan Hess accompanied Elizabeth Peters (author of the Amelia Peabody mysteries) to Egypt in 2005 and this book is the result. It's one of the best I've read in this series, as Hess pays tribute some classic mystery writers such as Agatha Christie.