Counting Rows

NLDS - The only post season Game in STL

2009-10-16T17:17:00.002-05:00

Short post season for the Cards this year. Rooting for the Phillies to get to the World Series.....

More photos in the album -------------->

More Knitting FOs

2009-09-04T17:43:00.003-05:00

Some FOs for my mom's 81st birthday..........

Working on more birthday and holiday gifts.

Visit with the Clydesdale

2009-08-01T14:36:00.002-05:00

Photo Op with a Clydesdale today.....

More photos in the album >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

All Star Week in St. Louis

2009-07-14T14:48:00.003-05:00

More photos of the sights and the New City Garden in album on right --------->

Echo Company 787th Military Police Battalion Graduation

2009-05-29T16:23:00.003-05:00

I am so very proud of my nephew, Andrew, who graduated from U.S. Army Basic Training and Military Police Training....

More photos at the link to the right ----->>>>>

He's off to Airborne School at Ft. Benning, Georgia, then home for 14 days, then to his assignment at Fort Bragg, NC.

Knitting for your health

2009-04-29T17:46:00.002-05:00

Watch CBS Videos Online

Just imagine you are in the tropics...

2008-06-22T17:12:00.006-05:00

that's what my neighbor said to me as he was leaving my yard carrying this.....

Last Sunday, taking a rest from working in the yard, I sat down to have lunch. I looked up and saw an iguana hanging in the mimosa tree and I thought to myself, ok, which one of my friends is trying to drive me over the edge. Then I saw it's eyes move. F&*(%$# it's alive. (sorry to all of my Soulard friends for being suspicious of you doing something you had nothing to do with)

So, I have to have evidence, I run into the house for my camera. By the time I got back outside, it was no longer in the tree. Now what??? But it was just below the tree. I snapped a bunch of photos, 2 of which are above. Then it started down the walk next to the garage. What am I going to do to stop it??? Into the garage I went and found one of those plastic storage boxes (for those of you who know Dave - we always have plenty of them on hand) This should do it, so off to trap the iguana. I moved too fast at first, but after slowing down, I trapped it under the box. I made sure it could get some air, and ran back into the house to call the neighbor.

When the neighbor answered the phone, I said, J*& are you missing an iguana? He said, "Is he over there? I'll be right there." He abruptly hung up. Oh, boy, I'm thinking, I hope he hasn't had his adult beverages already today. As soon as he arrived, I told him where it was and he tried to explain to me that he had it in this big birdcage on his deck and couldn't understand how it escaped. So after giving him dirty looks and the "evil eye" he said "Just imagine you are in the tropics." I did not say another word to him. If looks could kill, he would not be walking on this planet right now.

So, I'm wondering how many reptiles he is housing again and how many are illegal????

Anyway, here are a few shots which are a result of my weekend work in the yard....

Graduation & Mother's Day Weekend

2008-05-14T18:20:00.005-05:00

Celebrated Christopher's Graduation from Moravian College and Mother's Day at the Caras' Honeysuckle Manor with family.

More photos in the albums on the right.

Yikes!

2008-03-23T16:33:00.005-05:00

Where have I been? Spending a lot of time on Ravelry, an online knitting & crocheting community and hibernating! The calendar says it is spring, but the weather isn't cooperating. I am sooooo ready for warm weather. At least the crocus are in bloom and the daffodils and tulips are coming up. I want to get in the garden. Garden gloves are ready. Need to order the zinnia seeds.

Finished a pair of socks just for me today.....

Love them!

Working on a special request of a Fair Isle Sock creation for a dear friend. Picture of what I'm attempting and where I am with the creation...

Lots of stuff happened over the last few months - pictures in the albums on the right...

Road trip to Memphis to see Gil & Carlas with Doc Severenson and the Symphony

Maria & Dave got married on 12th Night

Soulard Mardi Gras 2008

Happy Spring!!

What time of year is it?

2007-11-23T09:22:00.000-06:00

This Iris is very confused about the time of year. I discovered it last weekend while cleaning up the leaves in the yard. I waited until Tuesday night to bring it in the house since the unusually warm weather was about to turn seasonal.......

This is a variety from my friend Lindy, who I must check with to see what it's called.

Had a wonderful Thanksgiving with the Soulard family - wondeful friends, lots of laughs, delicious food. Always too much food.

In knitting news, have frogged the Scrawl and it is in hibernation. Trying to get Gretel done, but have had many problems, starting with the tubular cast on being too tight. Learned a new method to do the tubular cast on, but ended up with the wrong number of stitches. UGH!!!Frogged it for the 4th time this morning. Will attempt to cast it back on the needles this afternoon.

Have to get busy on a Christmas gift exchange project this weekend. Still haven't decided what I want to do.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

Go Pink for October

2007-10-07T09:01:00.000-05:00

www.pinkforoctober.org

Quote of the day.....

2007-09-25T18:49:00.000-05:00

Good friends are hard to find, harder to leave, and impossible to forget.

A Long Weekend with Family and Friends

2007-09-22T17:50:00.000-05:00

We took a long weekend last week, visiting family in PA and dear friends in VA, where we attended the 25th Annual Fab 5 Pig Roast. Loads of fun.

Mom's birthday socks fit perfectly.....

We visited, celebrated birthdays and ate and ate.....

The pig was cooked to perfection....

It's always great to see Lindy....

Work on the scrawl is progressing...

It was a great time.

Rainy Saturday

2007-09-08T17:02:00.000-05:00

Finally getting around to posting again. Where is this year going? Finished the Monkey Socks in Trekking XXL for my mom for her birthday. She brought me the yarn from Germany in March. I wasn't wild about the color, but she told me it was her favorite. So, it was meant to be socks for her. The color worked out great with the pattern. I'm very pleased with how they turned out. I hope she will like them. The foot looks small - but she wears a size 5 shoe.

We got together with our Soulard family to celebrate Labor Day last Sunday. What a great way to celebrate getting another year older. Photo album is linked on the right -->

Lots of September birthdays to celebrate: Marta, Nadine, John, Mona, my mom, my nephew Andrew

Off to celebrate Mona's birthday.....

Knitting has Health Benefits!

2007-08-20T19:26:00.000-05:00

Knitting and crochet enthusiasts are smiling because their hobbies may have the added benefit of helping their minds and bodies

Manhattan, New York - August 17, 2007 – Have you ever wondered why people who craft yarn into garments always seem to be smiling and happy? It turns out that the repetitive actions needed for knitting and crochet can bring the mind and body to a state called a "relaxation response" that is quite similar to what people experience with techniques such as repetitive prayer, yoga, meditation, Tai Chi, and other relaxation disciplines.

Research at the Harvard Medical School Mind/Body Institute has found that when an individual is knitting her heart rate can drop 11 beats a minute and her blood pressure drops as well. These results can have significant health benefits for people who knit and crochet.In the U.S. many institutions are taking advantage of these health benefits by incorporating knitting and crochet into the activities that they provide.

Gilda's Clubs which offers family cancer support in locations across the U.S., now provide knitting to help with the emotional upheaval of dealing with cancer. At the Duke Diet and Fitness Center, knitting is used to lower stress for its clients. Children and their parents are seeing the benefits of knitting and crochet as well. Grade schools from Oregon to New Jersey have incorporated knitting into their curriculum, not only for the health benefits, but to help build creativity and improve math skills."Knitting benefits an individuals emotional and physical health.

Knitting can reduce stress in an individual who is trying to manage the severity of their chronic illness. It can also help reduce stress in individuals who lead very hectic lifestlyes."said Gary Scholar, Health & Wellness Consultant to the employees of the American Hospital Association. "I have incorporated knitting classes in my Health & Wellness programs for employees because of the health benefits. I would like to see implemented at Children's hospitals a program to teach sick children how to knit so they have something to keep their minds occupied and be proud of what they have made if they are in the hospital for an extended time,"

A new children's book ANGORA, I'm Knot Just Fluff I'm Always Enough was recently published by Scholar about a bunny who is taught by her mother and grandmother how to knit using magic carrot knitting needles to give her self esteem to dance in her dance recital.

"For many years we've heard stories and witnessed how knitting and crochet have positively affected people’s lives. We once asked our customers to share their stories of how knitting and crochet have changed their lives on our website, and to date, we’ve received over 500 touching and personal submissions " said Ilana Rabinowitz of Lion Brand Yarn. "It has only been in recent years that studies have brought to light the mental and physical benefits that crochet and knitting enthusiast can look forward to while participating in this wonderful hobby."

For more information on learning to knit and crochet, visit the Lion Brand Web site at http://www.lionbrand.com

Or if you are in St. Louis, leave a comment. Or if you are visiting and staying at The Westin, they have guest knitting supplies and join the knitting group that meets on Thursday nites, 5-7pm in the Clark Street Grill bar area will teach you how to knit.

What happened to July....

2007-08-15T20:11:00.000-05:00

Where is the time going??? Here it is the middle of August already and I've not been good about posting. July weather was absolutely beautiful. Even got to turn off the AC for many days. Now we're in the 2nd week of this record-breaking heat wave. I learned that our digital indoor/outdoor thermometer really goes above 100 degrees last Sunday when it showed 102. Today the temp reached 105!! The meteorologists are saying we will have a cold wave Friday & Saturday when the temp is the the 80s and 90s. HAH!

We spent Tuesday evening at the Lafayette Swim Club celebrating a dear friend's birthday. Here is one of the items she was gifted.....

I'm so glad they fit! This is Lorna's Laces Flamingo done toe-up. It is the last pair of sox I knit toe up. I just can't get a decent stretchy bind-off. These are just okay in my book.

The other item was Fetching from Knitty knitted with Paton's SWS Natural Denim. Fetching is such a fun pattern to knit. I've made several pair as gifts in SWS, Malabrigo and Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. I like the Cashmerino Aran the best. Haven't taken any photos. Must remember to do that. Found some other fingerless patterns I'd like to try.

Am working on Cookie A's Monkey sox from Knitty with Trekking XXL for my Mom for her birthday. She brought the yarn back from Germany for me and I wasn't wild about the orange color, but she said she really liked it. Hopefully, I'll get them done by Sep 12 when we leave to visit her in PA.

Also have a Scrawl OTN.....

I'm using Lorna's Laces Helen's Lace in the Shadow colorway. Love this yarn. Have moved on to the circulars but am struggling with the Addi Turbos. Waiting on the Knitpicks Options (a birthday gift from my Mom) to arrive to see if they will work better.

Well, 2 posts in 1 day. I really need to post more often.

Be Happy!

Wordless Wednesday

2007-08-15T19:52:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2007-06-27T05:02:00.001-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

Shreddies - Knitting with Nanas

2007-06-25T19:10:00.001-05:00

Too funny!

Extreme Knitting

2007-06-24T20:08:00.000-05:00

Extreme Knitting in New Castle

Lazy Saturday

2007-06-23T15:45:00.001-05:00

Heat, humidity and summer storms are making for a lazy Saturday. Did get a photo of the latest garden bloom before the storm hit....

Have been working on the Lorna's Laces Flamingo yarn while catching up on knitting podcasts. Socks in the City is a new podcast for me, so I listened to the first 5 episodes this afternoon. Also caught up with Sticks and String. I just love David's voice.

Was going to watch the Cardinals game and continue knitting, but turns out the game started at noon instead of 3 as we thought. Did catch the last 2 innings and a winner for a change. So, I'll knit and catch up on HGTV. Maybe take a nap.

Love my lazy Saturdays when I don't have to be anywhere.

Soulard Angels do the Race for the Cure

2007-06-17T21:49:00.000-05:00

Saturday was the St. Louis Race for the Cure and the Soulard Angels turned out to run (TC) and walk (everyone else). We were honoring our co-chairs, both survivors and some dear friends we have lost. The turnout in downtown St. Louis turned the streets pink. Here's our team photo in front of Joanie's.....

More pre-race photos are in the Soulard Angels link on the right.

The Soulard Angels had a fundraiser in June, the Lady Can Sing, for the Gateway to Hope Program. As soon as we get the final numbers I'll blog about the event and upload all the great photos.

Some progress being made on the Lorna's Laces Flamingo socks - turned the heel and working my way up the leg. Will have photos soon.

Where did the weekend go?

Wordless Wednesday

2007-06-13T20:51:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2007-06-06T05:17:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

Flamingos Have Landed

2007-06-05T21:22:00.000-05:00

It's been too long since I last blogged. The Flamingos have landed in the garden! Have taken several garden photos which are in the album on the right.Knitting has been slow. SO had surgery to repair a detached retina and I'm dealing with my 2nd bout of a springtime cold. So things haven't been much fun at Chez Counting Rows.

I've made progress on 2 knitting projects since May when I took these photos. Toe up socks, 2 on 2 circs - Lornas Laces Flamingo. Destined to be gift socks.

The Scrawl with Lornas Laces Helen's Lace for me.

I'm loving both projects and have a hard time deciding which one to work on.

Hope to update more often.

Til next time. Happy Knitting & Happy Summer!

Wordless Wednesday

2007-04-11T20:57:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Easter

2007-04-08T21:13:00.000-05:00

Wow, what a weekend filled with friends and fun. Friday was our Easter Egg Dying Happy Hour.....

Saturday was the annual Easter Egg Hunt....

Sunday was Easter Dinner....

More pictures will be uploaded into albums this week.
Just a little knitting on socks and scrawl.
Tomorrow is my first day at the new job. It will be an interesting week.

Wordless Wednesday

2007-04-04T08:57:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

Where did March go?

2007-04-03T19:45:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it's been a month since I posted. So much has happened. At the top of the list is "I'm Hired!!!" I start work as a software test coordinator on April 9. I'm so excited. Something new, lots to learn. We celebrated with a Friday Happy Hour in the garage (it was wet outside) with Nathan's hotdogs and Carnegie Cafe's mac & cheese. (Thanks, Jeanne!)

Had a great vacation with friends in Puerto Vallarta. Lots of fun, food and drink along with riding dune buggies. We stayed in El Centro at the north end of the Malecon. Our favorite restaurant was the Happy Lobster. Wish we had a photo of the seafood platters we ate. Carlos took really good care of us with the tequila and the flaming coffees. See the photo album in the sidebar. Here is a sample of the fun we had.....

The photos don't show how dirty and wet we got - but it sure was fun.

I spent a few hours at one of my favorite haunts and favorite LYS, Knitorious, learning about alternative fibers and how they behave or misbehave. I've been knitting eye pillows with Euroflax Linen which I love. The pillows make great gifts. I have one ready to go into the washer and then stuffed. It will be part of a spa basket that a few of us are donating to the SRG Trivia Night Silent Auction.

The Cardinals' Opening Day was on Sunday and bunch of us got together at the Lucas School House to kick 0ff the season. They have a gigantic screen in the Lounge and we made ourselves at home with Fred Bird and the players masks we used during the Worlds Series. But, the mojo wasn't there and the Cards lost.

My mom sent me a package of sock yarn and needles she got for me while she was in Germany. WOW!! Now to get some of the WIPs finished so I can work on some socks with this. The orange is destined for birthday socks for mom - thank goodness I have until September!

Until next time....

Westin SnB & WIPs

2007-03-02T10:36:00.000-06:00

Tuesday night was the weekly SnB at the Westin in downtown St. Louis. It was a small group this week but we always enjoy ourselves. Here's a photo of the group this week....

Have been busy working on birthday gifts and organizing to re-start Maria's socks. I need todouble check foot measurements before I start again. Here is what I had done on the first go-round - the fairisle just became too tight to go over the heel. What was I thinking? I was just having too much fun knitting the designs!

Well, I'm off to pack for our trip which starts tomorow!

Stitch on....

Learning Blogger & Photo Updates

2007-02-27T15:20:00.000-06:00

is becoming frustrating. Now that I have the image I want in my header, I want to move the title & description to the right of the image. I think it should be simple, but I just can't figure it out - even after reading "Blogger for Dummies" and posting a question on the blogger help group. I guess I'll just leave it as is for now, but it is bugging me.

Anyway, the kitty in the header is my BT (Black & Tan, not very imaginative, but descriptive). She adopted me about 11 years ago when she decided to hang out on my deck. See where she is sitting - on the keyboard and amongst the knitting projects? She loves to be helpful. The projects in the image are the Opal socks I gifted to a friend and the Purlwise Beret that was a gift to another friend.

I added a link to my finished objects photo album. I'm missing a bunch of photos and need to find them.

Here's one of my favorite photos.....

This is the recipient of the Baby Bolero from One Skein and a rolled brim hat in Organic Cotton by Blue Sky Alpacas.

Happy blogging & knitting!

Mardi Gras Soulard Style

2007-02-19T18:30:00.000-06:00

We didn't get to ride with the Segway Precision Team in the Grand Parade on Saturday because the snow, wind and cold made it unsafe. Here I am riding the Segway the weekend before at the Pet Parade...

Our Open House after the parade was loads of fun. Friends stopped by for Cajun food, drinks and the bathroom. Wonder Woman stopped in after the cancellation of the High Heel Drag Race - what a fantastic costume! Pictures of the Open House and Pet Parade can be found in the links on the right.

If you are interested in more info on Soulard Mardi Gras and photos, click on the poster...

Two knitted items were gifted - Terri received a mini sock blocker key chain to match her real socks made in Opal Lollipop and Cecelia received a pair of Fetchings in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Black. I didn't take pictures. I'll have to check to see if I have a picture of Terri's real socks.

I'll be off to the SnB at the Westin on Tuesday.

It's about time....

2007-02-14T15:51:00.000-06:00

...I update this blog and publish it for friends and family. I started it a year ago and only posted 3 times, never publishing. So here it is. It still needs some work, so you will see changes in the next few days.

To celebrate the start of Spring Training for the STL Cardinals. I've added a countdown clock to Opening Day April 1, 2007, 12:10pm. (It's in the sidebar). Warm weather can not be far off!

Milestones since starting blog....

2006-06-05T15:20:00.000-05:00

Here it is June 4 and I'm finally getting around to posting on my blog. I've celebrated several milestones since starting this blog.....

1. Four days after returning from my Ireland business trip, I was laid off. First time I have ever lost a job. Took some time to get used to the idea. Didn't let it spoil Mardi Gras weekend in Soulard.

2. Took an entire month off - napped when I felt like it, worked in the garden, read, knitted, signed up on several job boards to get daily emails for jobs in StL.

3. Celebrated the 37th anniversary of being diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes - now known as Type 1. Have seen the technology to cope with this disease progress greatly, but still no cure. Been an insulin pumper for almost 4 years.

4. Finished 2 pair of gift socks! First pair of Opals. First pair of OnLine Summer.

5. Frogged the Elizabeth Zimmerman vest I was knitting as part of the GSLKG KAL. It just wasn't right. Must try it again, as I love the look.

6. Met the Yarn Harlot at the StL book signing. What a hoot! Stand-up knitting comedy. Laughed all night!!

Last night in Ireland

2006-02-17T14:08:00.000-06:00

I'm headed home on Saturday. Yeah! I'm more than ready. Have knitted just a little this week. Will finish the Mardi Gras Scarf for my favorite waitress at our neighborhood hangout between tonight and the long flight home tomorrow.

I'm not participating the the Knitting Olympics since I have way too many UFOs and I've been traveling for work. Saw this button and just loved it. I'm cheering on all of the participating knitters.

I'm off to pack and get to bed so I can be ready when the driver comes to take me to Shannon Airport at 7am.

Starting my blog from Ireland

2006-02-15T07:26:00.000-06:00

I've been working in Ireland this week and decided to start a blog about my knitting obession and life in general. I'm staying in Galway at the Great Southern Hotel.

Got to do some shopping on Shop Street.
Will post pics of my handknit sweaters when I get home.

The weather has been wet and it's been gloomy. Although this morning it was beautiful, but it didn't last too long. It's amazing how many people don't use umbrellas.