And so.

I've been saying that word a lot lately - the word "so".
Sometimes twice in the same sentence, or thought. Maybe I've always had a habit of doing that, but I just noticed it this week. I really don't know why I say it, except that maybe I just feel the need to explain myself; especially in light of the whirlwind of change that seems to be going on around me. Nothing is really changing for me - just for people of somewhat close association with me. I can't keep up, so I've just found myself content to just sit in the eye of the storm and observe everything happen around me. Since I've remained un-involved, I have to preemptively think up some creative excuses for my laziness, somehow making my life seem busier and more interesting than it really is, sitting here in my calm little bubble. That's where the "so"s come in.
So anyway, here are just a few of the little things that have gone on in my life as of late:

• I saw an alpaca today rolling around in a grassy field. This made me very happy.
• I got a Canon 5D!! I ordered it on Sunday and just received it yesterday. Bought it from a private seller on Amazon.. $845.00 - a screamin' deal for a full sensor camera. I was not prepared for the fact that I would need to invest in another type of memory card for it and that my Rebel kit lens would not be suitable for it. Just some of the details to work out :)
• I tore out the cardi I was working on, and started on another pattern: Concur cardigan. I don't want to have to explain why I did it. I shall have this done possibly by next Spring.
• A guinea pig got his sweater!! Yes, sweet little Mac finally got to sport his tailor made sweater about a week and a half ago. 

• Two very important people in my life got married just a few weeks ago!!! Josh & Rhianna of J.michel Photography. I had the privilege of photographing the event alongside two other inspirational and talented photographers: Natalie Braham of Natalie Bee Photography and Ifong Chen of Ifong Photography. I am now in the process of editing my shots. I hope I can get them all done soon!!!

• oh oh oh, and upcoming trips: 
• Coastal camping adventure with my little brother over Memorial day!! 
• My cousin's wedding in Wisconsin in mid June!!
• And a friend's wedding in Portland in mid July!!

So, for now, I feel pretty content to just remain in the eye of the storm. Something big is going to happen soon, I just know it ;)

A Tale of Two Sweaters

A cardigan and a guinea pig sweater are what's OTN (on the needles, tehe... I feel clever). Anyway, yeah. I started a guinea pig sweater. No pattern, just making it up as I go! I should have it done soon. It's my instant gratification project for now. The other sweater now, I actually haven't knit a stitch on it since I was sick a couple weeks ago. I have to be in the right mood for it, and have a good lineup of shows on Hulu to catch up on. That way, I can knit while watching "TV" and have the pattern right in front of me too... 'cause the pattern is on my computer you see and not on paper ... being green and all that jazz. Or maybe my printer might just be refusing to work.

Speaking of being green - Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!!!! Oh, and my basil and thyme are growing!! Not as fast as I'd like them to. Of course if I was uber serious about growing anything, I'd have flats lined out with dozens of little seedlings and a heat lamp over them like my daddy does. And it would drive my roommates nuts. Plus, I'm definitely not one to be any kind of efficient about anything I do.

Also, one more thing - I would like to introduce you to my latest singer/songwriter obsession - Rosi Golan. Some of her music has banjos in it. It makes my heart super happy. Hope you enjoy too!!

Monkey {fingerless} Mitts!

They are finished! And have been documented.
For more details on this pattern, see http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/monkey-fingerless-mitts on Ravelry!

I used an alpaca/silk blend 3 ply, worsted from Alpaca Direct in Hayden, ID - 1 skein, 200 yards. I am super overjoyed that it didn't run out!! It would have been a sad thing to have to get more - knowing that they *may* or *may not* have the same dye lot!

So now, I'm on to bigger, more complicated projects, like this cardigan. I feel super accomplished for getting through the most challenging stitch I've ever attempted in my life - the mussel stitch. This will truly be an adventure in the making! :)

The Beginning of Something Beautiful

I have now been working on my first cardigan sweater for a little more than a day and THIS is what I have to show for it. 6 rows of garter stitch plus 2 rows of the Mussel Stitch from this lovely little pattern:  http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/us/pattern.php?id=5033&lang=us .
And yes, I changed my mind about my shrug again. I just thought this was lovelier. And maybe a bit simpler. And I believe I may have been wrong about the latter statement! It took me starting this pattern three times, contemplating substituting cables for the mussel stitch and watching a YouTube video several times to finally get me on the right track! Anyway, I'm excited about how this will turn out.
FYI if anyone decides to partake in this pattern:

Oh! and another lovely little thing that is just beginning - I planted some herb seeds and they are sprouting! Here's a sprig of the basil I planted, compliments of Josh Michel, who clicked the shutter button on my little camera :) I am very much looking forward to throwing in some fresh herbs with some tomatoes and chicken!