Last Post

Juliana wanted me to write on her blog a final update for anyone out there still paying attention. She passed-away on 8th September following complications of the heart-transplant for which she waited 10 months in hospital. I will probably delete this blog on 1st November unless anyone can give me a good reason not to.

Reporting Back From The Battlefield

What can I say? I am amazed that there is still someone out there reading my blog, considering the long absence. It makes me feel pretty good!

But I have no good to report. After a few serious heart issues and an emergency surgery I am now waiting for a new heart... in hospital. I am not going home until a transplant has been successful.

Knitting has not been happening for the last 2 1/2 months, although I am slowly getting stronger again thanks to modern chemistry. I hope to be able to transfer to Cologne to the Heart Centre until the Transplant, there I can see my family every day, be supplied by my LYS, (Maschenkunst...) and revive my blogging and pattern writing.

For those of you who have received a cryptic e-mail... please forgive me, I had 30 seconds on someones computer. I will start writing 'normal' e-mails again soon.

"What Is This?" Sunday

I am sorry for the delay. I guess I should get my own Internet access some time to make things easier... But here we go!

What Is This?Fame and Honor To: thereyougothen, Sally and Jenny! Good job, thank you for playing!

"What Is This?" Sunday

In good old tradition we hereby proceed to the well beloved feature...

What Is This?

I am certain you should have no problem with this, and I also think I should pick trickier stuff.
Last week it was, of course, a tea bag. Jhadur, Fame and Honor to you!

Today is a very exciting day for me. Family from the USA is coming to visit, for 2 weeks and I can't wait for them to finally get here. Richard is picking them up from the airport, and of course he could not help himself and had to take Elijah with. They haven't seen him since he was 7 months, and they are going to be so amazed to see how much he grew and how much he learned. He now walks, semi talks and eats anything he can get his little hands on. And then there is the firm believe that he is a mountaineer, nothing is to high for him to climb on. (A new set of challenges, diving head first of the bed did not do him all that good. The bruise is slowly getting better though...) But we do practice, and it is quite a blast to see him walk now.

Elijah's Easy-On Preview

May I present: Elijah's Easy-On. It is a vest, but on the left side it is open and can be buttoned if the designated wearer prefers to be dressed in an alternate way. My baby does...
This was a pretty quick knit. If other projects had not taken up so much time in between I might have finished this in a few days. The size is generous, but hey, they grow fast and I rather have him look funny for a month than have me do all the work for nothing.
The yarn used is Rowan Wool Cotton, and I do like it for this project even though it is a rather heavy, drapery stuff and it will stretch a bit, so after the fist wash you probably gain 1" in lenght. That is not bad but good to know.
This pattern should be ready to be published this month, but due to a short visit in hospital (again) I am feeling a bit tired, I need to rest a lot and so I am behind in quite a few duties and likes.

On to a different subject: I did receive this book in the mail, send to me by Natalie (from the Yarn Yard in case I did not mention it before, go look at her beautiful stuff!) and she got it for me at the I-Knit in London early September. I did ask if she could bring me something because I am no longer allowed to travel, and it was awfully nice of her to do so. The Yarn Harlot was there, and this book is signed! I don't get very excited about autographed items, but this is very neat. So: Thank you Natalie!

Shopping... And Socks...

There has been knitting. And shopping. Honestly, mostly shopping... but let's talk about knitting first. I finished a pair of socks for a very good friend of mine, Sanda. She has been helping me for a long time, taking care of Elijah when I was in hospital and now after we moved she has super cleaned the new apartment so that Richard and I have less work ahead when we are on our own. But I think I mentioned that previously...
I tried to keep them simple, and to make them nice and warm. and thinking of Sanda's Romanian heritage I added a little detail. I do not have much experience with adorning knitted items, so I decided to try that more often. She was so happy, I should really knit more often for her...
Here you find a blog where Lene is embroidering so beautifully, it's an inspiration. Just take the time to look a bit through the archive and you'll find a lot of treasures.

Now to one of my favorite subjects: shopping for yarn! Now where I moved to Cologne I had to visit Daniela at her shop. And of course there was no 'just visiting'... You see the little niceties I just had to bring along.

We have 'Katia Colibri'.And 'Louisa Harding's Coquette'.

And 'Cedifra Opulenz'.

And since I am way behind in my to-do list for Christmas there will be a few nice one-skein projects.

Oh, in my poll what season people like the best: the result was Fall, with 45% of votes. Followed by Summer (25%), Winter and Spring. Why am I not surprised?

For A Nice Lady I'll Do Anything

Go and check out this post from a very nice Natalie. You know her as the owner of the Yarn Yard, but she's also a good blogger too!

"What Is This" Sunday

Another week passed by, and that can only mean it is time for:

What Is This?

I am sure there will be no problem solving this one... It is something most of us have at home, and almost all of us like to have it.
Last Sunday's picture was of a massage ball. I use it to help with the circulation in my legs, it's a funky feeling as I am really ticklish, and I am not really sure where it is now since Elijah went to play with it. Jenny was close, so Fame and Honor to you! And yes, I have seen the laundry as well as the puppy version. Close, oh so close...

Since my husband, Elijah and I have been reunited, Elijah is a even happier baby. The time he spends with his Dad is so precious, they just get along so well and my husband is a very good and loving parent. Although I do need to remind him that it does not help to say "No!" and just sit back and smile when Elijah is going for it anyhow, 'cause Dad's a softy, he knows...

Knitting!

I decided to show some of my Christmas knitting in the hope that the persons involved do not all the sudden decide to visit my blog after all.
Samira does have cold feet all the time, and she loooooves pretty things. Preferably pink, princess related or sparkly. Although I can't really provide her with the named I am able to make her something nice and even girly. I hope it's girly, otherwise it's doomed...

For the second project I can only show one completed sock... And yes, I only have a few details handy. But soon I present a complete pair, since I do not suffer the lonely sock disease.
This pair is for a very nice Lady that has been helping me with my son and the household, I do pay her as much as I can but of course there is no way I can pay her for all the extra work she is doing. So I pay her in warm feet and warm hands. Well, at least it is some form of restitution... And she is one of the few people I know that really understands poverty and desperation. Growing up in a very poor oppressed country she seems to give things the right value. I do learn a lot from her, especially from her humble ways.
The heel I decided to use is the afterthought heel, or at least how I think it might be done. You can find a good take on it here. The sock itself is knit toe up, I still suffer the fear that I might run out of yarn before I am done and so most of my projects are done toe up. Ridiculous, I do know, but I simply can not help myself on this one.
So, I'm off knitting #2...

"What Is This" Sunday

It seems I have some timing issues... But I did successfully move this weekend, and now I even have Internet back. So let's proceed to:

What Is This?

So let's see who knows this.

Last weeks picture was, indeed, of a lamp. It is a lamp my mother bought at this Swedish furniture house, and a friend of hers covered it in this interesting paper. Margarete knew this one too, and so once more it is Fame and Honor to you!

Other news: I am doing quite well right now. And I am excited because here in the big city I'll find more knitting and people... And family from the USA is coming in October, that is very nice indeed.
And I am still knitting. Really.

"What Is This" Sunday

I know. It's too early, we don't have Sunday yet. But due to some unforeseen events I won't be there tomorrow, and as I did not want to miss this fun part of my week I just present you a bit earlier with:

What Is This?

Last week It was: A water bottle. "One of the most successful designs of the sixties, in Germany that is, done 1969 by Günter Kupitz." as Margarete knew. I did not know the fancy facts, just the basic... Thank you! Fame and honor to you!
I personally think this next one is impossible to guess. Unless you know a certain large Swedish... Sorry, can't reveal any more.

Last point on my agenda: you might have noticed that the features on my sidebar change a lot right now. I am experimenting, and hope that all is nice and how I want it pretty soon. Unfortunately I am no HTML genius and totally incapable of creating my own widgets, and Blogger is not exactly widget paradise, (although I am pretty happy whit it otherwise) and moving to another provider just is to much fuss. Right now. Well, for a long time.

A Needed Review

Do you remember Samira? I talked about her some time ago. She is still waiting for a heart, and when I visited her in August she looked a lot thinner. She was weak, she was loosing her faith, and no longer even believes that there is a chance for her. And if she does not get a new heart soon her prospects are grim.
Now I am not someone who wants to shock to get a good result, or to force an opinion. We have free will and should be able to decide for ourselves. But please, let's make it an informed decision...
Here is the Organ Donation Information sites for Germany , USA , Canada , UK . Go there and sign up.

The big machine in front of Samira (little girl in the front) is the pump that is taking over the work her heart can no longer do. She will actually push it around anywhere she goes and she is playing like any other kid, her Mom is always so scared because Samira totally forgets the wires and tubes connected to her.

The young man standing behind her (5th from the left, top row) is called Daniel. He is now 18 years old and is waiting for a new heart since 2006. He had a failed transplantation attempt May 2008, and I have to admire him and his Mother to not give up. Failed transplantations are extremely rare, the new organ did not want to start beating and he luckily survived the re-transplant of his own heart.

Ikbal, who I spoke of before too, has to consider undergoing a new transplant. The current heart which she has been living with for 14 years is starting to show signs of failure.

"What Is This" Sunday

Many people do weekly little things on their blog to entertain, there is for example Jinx's WIP of Doom, and others, see Ysolda, have Eye Candy Friday, Rosie-Kim has Thursdays Are For What The Hell Is This just to name a few varieties. The above named do also shine with knitting content, and that of course is the ideal case.

Well, I want something like that too. Might it be the desperation as I can't show my current FO's online as I am a good Christmas knitter (that is going to be some photo heavy post after the Holidays...) or might it be the wish to entertain considering how much fun this could be: that is up for personal interpretation.

But no matter my motivation: I have decided to put my love for the 'macro' setting on my camera to good use, and ask you all once a week: What is this? In the ideal case there should be a few replies in comments, and although there is no prices to be won fame and honor can be gained. So to speak. Well, just do it for the fun, will ya!
Her it comes, the very first...

What Is This?

I hope this does not go down as badly as my occasional polls...

14 Days Of Sunshine - The Finale

This is the last entry for the 14 Days Of Sunshine. I edited it now as I wrote the first attempt with a rather gloomy mood. But summer is rather fun, so I could not let it stand that way. This entry should be more enjoyable.

The first picture shows a plant in our garden that does attract butterflies like honey bears, yarn knitters or babies diapers. I wish I'd been able to take a picture showing all 10 on this one bush at that time, but I just could not get a good shot.

The butterflies come each year again, they always seem to give summer a last 'hurray' and show up when the first leaves start to get that first yellow edge. We get to enjoy the display for a few days only, then they all vanish.Number two is showing the church my parents are ground keepers for. I just love how well the red stone and the dark green of the plants goes together with that blue sky. It looks a lot better if you stand in front of it.

Thirdly: may I introduce: Schnuffel, the cat. He 'picked' my family, comes and leaves at his desire, (you should hear him whine at 2am in the morning since he does not use a cat toilet. And he is going to continue on whining until someone goes downstairs and opens the door for him...) he eats only the best food available, loooves freshly washed white bedding on a muddy day and is all in all a gigantic diva.
In exchange he keeps the other cats away, presents us with freshly killed presents every 48 hours or so, snuggles and will always come to warm you when you're sick. Oh, and he is a gorgeous cat!
And number four: how could one not love summer sunsets? They seem to promise another wonderful day, and even if that only works 1 out of 10 times it is very pretty. Again: much prettier in person.
Fifth and last for this theme: the Holunder (or Elderberry) is one of the last things to really ripen in summer. I really love this plant, there is so much you can do with it starting with the flowers all the way to the fruit. See some suggestions here, and Empfehlungen here. We make juice and jelly with it, as it has to be cooked well to be fit for consumption!
And at last you can see there has also been some knitting. That's all I can show of it right now (which might be because there is no more to show as of yet...) but if I actually do get a little break this weekend I'll finish this soon.
Elijah has overcome his first children's disease. 3 Day Fever, and considering the amount of paracetamol he as been given (we are very conservative, the maximum daily dosage was never reached...) he also fights a rather fast digestive process. But he's a cheerful little guy and almost back to his usual self. I think that tomorrow I shall sleep till late in the day to regain my strenght and his Dad is going to have some fun baby sitting.

Rather serious news: I now officially "qualify for a listing on the heart transplant list". Bad news. Good news. I can't decide yet. But the timing sucks, I have no permission to travel, won't be able to see my American family clan for Christmas and will also not be able to ever, ever meet all the people I'd love to meet sometime.
I originally was hoping to go to take the opportunity to see the Yarn Harlot in London these days, and I would have also liked to say hello to some of my acquaintances from Edinburgh that are there too. So I'll just have to read all the wonderful blog posts that will follow this event.

If you are one of the lucky people to be there: enjoy, have fun and go see London!

14 Days Of Sunshine - 13

I wish one could really catch the vibrant color these flowers have, it is such a deep, warm and very, very strong pink. I am spoiled knowing my Mama's flower garden, but such clear and radiant color is rarely to be found. Saying all this: I tend to avoid pink and purples when choosing a yarn, and probably would not consider buying such.
That also makes another reason why I love summer. To see this array of colors and to find inspiration in completely unexpected places is not just happening in summer, but to see such extreme hues is.
Now I am planning to alter and finish the pink cardigan I had already begun to, I had put it aside previously as I was thinking I would never wear pink anyhow. Now I might.

14 Days Of Sunshine - 12

Of course I love this one hour every evening where the day draws to a close. It almost makes me sad sometimes.

I would like the opportunity to assure you that this is still a knitting blog. But I am really working on Christmas, and I am also working on a pattern that I'll publish here soon, any photo would be a spoiler.
But I have more soon. Promise. Really big promise.

14 Days Of Sunshine - 11

Compared to most places in the world we in Germany have almost no poisonous animals or insects to fear. It is changing a little bit now where the climate here is indeed getting a bit warmer and species move in from the south, but at this rate we won't be a danger zone for a very long time.
I am not really at odds with creepy crawlies of any kind, although I do have a seriously bad relationship to spiders.
That was not always the case, I used to catch them with my hand to put them back outside, and as a 10 year old I even had a 'pet spider'. She was living in a big jar, with twigs and other nice furniture, and was supplied by me with flies and other delicacies. It was a school project, we where asked to observe spiders and I felt this to be the most efficient way. One morning I fed my pretty big spider a few ants, and tragically she was eaten up by them in the afternoon. I did not even get to say good bye...
Anyhow... the human-aranea relationship took a nosedive when I managed to step on a brown recluse spider in 2001. We resided in Texas at the time, and I really meant no harm, I did not even do it on purpose. I also did not know that this is indeed a poisonous spider, rarely really nasty in effect but nasty nevertheless. And at first I really did not have any major problems with this bite, it had stung quite badly but then we just had survived an invasion of fire ants and I had become pretty ignorant toward stinging or biting pains. Unfortunately it took only a few days and I noticed a white spot where the bite was located, and it did look as if it was growing. The itching and burning had not stopped either, so I showed the foot to my boss . He's a hunter and outdoor activities thingy lover, and knows quite a bit. His reaction did worry me a tad... he told me to sit tight, called my husband, told him to get his behind on the way to pick me up and to take me to the hospital for a good look. Great.
At the hospital they cleaned the site and gave me an nasty, nasty antibiotic, I think after just 3 days of taking it I was so out of it that my husband had to take me by the hand to safely lead me from a to b. I still have a little scar.
A few years later, 2007, I was taking a shower in my tiny bathtub, being 5 months pregnant and for some reason big enough to carry sextuplets, I had my first encounter with a giant house spider. This was in Scotland, mind you, and I never expected to encounter such a monstrosity there. Worst thing... I was cornered. And very inflexible, considering the belly and the heaviness and such. Well, let's just say the that spider did not make it.

14 Days Of Sunshine - 10

I love sun dried laundry. The crunchy towels, the awesome smell bedding gets hanging in the fresh air and sun, the white t-shirts get again... it's plainly awesome. I don't like my clean laundry that much in winter.
And now excuse me. A fever shaken Baby needs some cuddles.

14 Days Of Sunshine - 9

Breaking News: Science proven wrong!

Despite all research and many conclusive studies it has been noticed that Human Babies do get sick! What has been attributed to too warm clothing, hunger or bad temper is really fever, sore throat and body ache. This is revolutionary, especially since we know how to treat common diseases but struggle to wear adequate clothing, eliminate hunger or stop fighting.

Please call 1-800-OhSoSurely with any questions or comments.

OK, originally this was supposed to be a blurp about how much I love summer because I can just grab my son and go outside to snuggle and play. It is so tough to get this little guy into a full onion layered, water proof and machine washable winter gear that is appropriate for our muddy, cold and very muddy (I did say that twice on purpose!) so-called-winter. Oh, and after he did have a lot of fun we need to get the baby out of the clothing and that without ruining the whole interior from the door to the bathtub.
But I am also looking forward to winter, because I can see the little face he'll make when he grabs mud for the first time.... priceless.

14 Days Of Sunshine - 8

Today we shall talk about 'Family Barbecues'. As we have short summers here (like I mentioned previously) we tend to eat our food outside as much as we can. We just trow it in hot oil or burn it on coals, and it does taste great although it does not make us healthier as a whole. We also have a tendency to consume plenty of beer as you can see proudly displayed by my little brother. He can guzzle this stuff, and he does not seem to be affected by it at all. Scary. And the cowboy hat? It has since suffered a sad demise, and we are now looking for a good replacement. Living on the other side of the planet this is tricky indeed.
I do like to add that I never had any drinking skills, and that grilled tofu is a very yummy treat. and if you ever wondered: no, we German's don't ever consume our beer warm. It should be nice and cold, thank you.