It was ten years ago today that I woke up on my own in another city for the first time.
Many things have happened since then. I learned how to knit, for one.
And now I've been and done and felt and had. Met and said and seen and went.
Onward and upward.
out of this deliciously rustic wool/llama blend
I fear I may very well perish (or something close to it.)
These mittens feature six of my favourite gastropods snailin’ it up in the garden. Perfect for those winter days when the garden is just a fond memory and the snails are snuggled down under their leaf-litter duvets, waiting for spring. Grab the pattern here, on Ravelry.
Keep those fingers crossed!
As tinyowlknits would put it, "these snails are just crawlin' along."
More mittens -- this time with snails on. Schnecke clearly approves.
These two Pewabic Pottery mugs are among some of my recent acquisitions, and we are inseparable. They are the epitome of Arts and Crafts -- both beautiful and functional -- and also (for me) wonderfully local. I can't wait to inflict my new quince green tea upon them -- I'm sure they'll understand.
...here it is: the Flamingo Mittens' pattern is now available. Please note that the pattern also includes instructions on how to make fingerless Flamingo mitts as well. 
Yes, these mittens feature everyone's favourite long-legged, lawn-dwelling, plastic-feathered friend, the ornamental flamingo. Fun, kitschy, vintage-inspired handwear for the upcoming winter (seriously, the whole time I was reminded of my grandmother's Corelle dishes.)
Left to right: Marina City; 330 North Wabash; Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago as seen from the River.
My feet standing on one of the handful of remaining wood block alleys that date from the mid-nineteenth century. Count those tree rings!
My knitting-bedecked room (Room 810) at the Hotel Indigo Chicago. Yes, I squealed when I saw it.
Vintage signage at Wrigley Field.
A view of the gorgeous, gorgeous, Carbide & Carbon Building, now the Hard Rock Hotel Chicago.
Lunch at Sheffield's. This shot reminds me of a Van Gogh cafe scene (I suspect it's the lights and the server's pose.)
Breakfast at Elly's Pancake House, fine purveyors of such delights as black cherry blintzes (which are wonderful,) at all hours of the day and night. I love the decor to distraction (and back.)
And finally, two details of Florine Stettheimer's fantastic Portrait of Virgil Thomson, which is simply amazing to experience in person. I could've stared at it for the better part of the afternoon. Alas, my attentions were required elsewhere.
when a mail carrier knocked on my door and handed me an oversized parcel from Knit Picks. I assumed that this must be the book and needles that I had recently ordered from them, but...well, isn't this box a little too large for just one book? Hmmm...
Samples of each new Fall 2010 colourway of Knit Picks Palette to play with! Let me tell you, the new colours are gorgeous!
and Schnecke (have you met Schnecke yet?) was overwhelmed, to say the least!
It is all so lovely and the fact that it was a surprise makes it doubly so. Thank you so, so much, Kelley and Stacey! I will definitely put the yarn to good use.
There are socks, they have strawberries on them, and you can now make a pair of your very own! Get it here on Ravelry, and expect it to turn up in my Etsy shop sooner or later (the ol' Etsy shop is long overdue for a massive re-stocking.)
Not exactly the piece of china that one would like to be greeted by each morning after one had recently heard the story of Lucy, as I had.
