Pineapple - picked!

Did you  notice in my last pineapple update that it was starting to ripen? Well, neither did I. So imagine my surprise when I looked out the window and saw this:

The fruit is about 6 inches tall when you get close to the plant you can smell it. It looked like it would benefit by another day on the plant, but I didn't want to chance it and end up with something that was over ripe. So with a simple snip:

The pineapple is picked!

Still got nothing...

Still no progess photos to show you... a few more rows to go on Haruni, and not much to show on 20 Flowers, so here's a picture from the park.

More snacks from Japan

No progress to report my projects, unless you count ripping back many rows on Haruni to correct the stitch count to start the next section. Today I have candy from Japan.

First is Kinako and Sweet Potato Kit Kat. The Sweet Potato flavored one was a yellow color, but I didn't open the package until after I took the pictures.

Next is Green Tea flavored Kit Kat, which didn't really have any green tea flavor, tasted more like white chocolate. On the back of the packages is the phrase, "Have a break, have a Kit Kat".

20 flowers - WIP

Just a bit more done this week. Still only stitching during my lunch break.

Pineapple update

Did I hear someone ask for an update on the pineapple? Well, it's still there... The fruit hasn't gotten any bigger, but the crown has doubled in size. See really tiny... probably only enough for a taste after it is peeled.

Remember Pop Rocks?

My friend passed out candy that she bought while on vacation. Do you remember Pop Rocks? The candy seems to be popping up in all sorts of places. Of course, I chose the dark chocolate bar...

We let the chocolate melt in your mouth to get the popping effect of the candy. Cool! Thanks, friend, for thinking of us.

used book finds

I love my library! They have an ongoing fundraiser of used books, both from donations and books taken out of circulation. You never know what you will find on the shelves. Most of the books are $1-$2 and paperbacks are 50 cents. Here's some from my recent visits. Most of the craft books are in excellent condition. Older books show more wear, but these have been published within the last 5 years or so. If they have a pattern or two that I may consider making or if it is a reference book, like the Crochey Bible on the bottom on the stack I'll add them to my collection. Sometimes, I'll bring them home and decide that there is really nothing that I would stitch in them, so back into my library bag it goes to be donated back to the library for the next crafter.

Haruni - WIP

I started my knitting project this weekend. I have some KnitPicks Palette that has been sitting. The green is a little darker than I thought it would be, but there's enough for a shawl. So in my search for a project on Ravelry, I found this shawl, but Emily Ross. In my mind, I translated it from Japanese as "in spring" (haru =spring). Ha, ha the joke's on me - the designer translates Haruni as "grandmother" in Quenya (Tolkien's elven language), since she designed the shawl for her Grandmother.

I've made a bit of progress this weekend, almost done with the first ball. This first section is easy to memorize and Miss Ross has written excellent notes in her pattern. The pattern has both charts and written instructions. I don't think I'll be able to finish the Chart A repeats without opening a second ball. Good thing I have 3 of this green in my stash, I just may need all of it.

20 Flowers - WIP

Here's my 20 Flowers update for last week. I worked on this during my lunch hours at work, so the the progress is slow, but at least it's starting to look look like something. The piece is outlined in Wild Violets Overdyed Silk.

a quick pic from my morning walk... these finches are waiting for breakfast...

More hat for Hospice

I still haven't decided on my next project to cast on. I really should be fixing the Traveling Woman Shawl. But knitting hats is a lot more fun. Using my last skein of Dark Blue Caron Simply soft, I completed Sarah (left) and a Beaufort Hat (right).

Most of the blue was knitted into Geometric Hats last month. This has been my 'go-to" pattern. It's very simple, but produces a wonderful pattern. That's the last of the blue yarn, I think I'll switch to a lighter color for my next hat.

Soft Tam Beret - DONE

This beret has actually been done for awhile, just didn't get a pic of it until this weekend. I started it with Lion Brand Homespun, but didn't have enough to make it through 5 rounds. So the Homespun was frogged and I used the last of this thrifted pink wool. Not as soft as the homespun, but very warm. I should find more crochet hat patterns. They seem to fly off the hooks. This one stitched up quickly, but is on the smaller side. Hopefully it will brighten up someone's day.

20 flowers...

Starting on the first of the 20 flowers. There should be 20 flowers in the design to represent the 20 years that the shop has been in business, hence the name of the chart. I started with the rose on the flap. Here's my progess after lunch on Friday. This should be a fairly quick stitch. The silk is wonderful to work with.  I

20 Flowers by Just Nan - WIP

Way back when (apparently it was 2004), I purchased these limited edition kits by Just Nan from The Silver Needle. They were designed to celebrate The Silver Needle's 20th anniversary.

I intended to stitch it as soon as it arrived, but that never happened. New projects are added to the ever growing list. So here we are in 2010 and it's still sitting in the stash. Until yesterday, that is. After the two not so great ends to my last knitting projects (short scarf and tight bind off), I'm picking up a cross stitch project. Don't get me wrong, I still hear socks calling me... and will probably cast on something very soon. But putting needle to fabric seems like a refreshing change of pace.

Here's what the contents of the kit. It contains silk floss and cashel linen. Not too thrilled about working on linen, but the finished product should be beautiful. I love how the floss is neatly carded and a floss color card is included, so there is time wasted sorting the silks.

I've put a few stitches in and will post an update next time...

Entrelac scarf? - DONE

It's just about done, well, done because I miscalculated the yardage and the "scarf" is just not long enough. As much as I hate to frog this, I'm sure that I can find a better use for this yarn. Here's what it looks like...

I don't think blocking it will give it the length it needs to be a scarf. And it will lose much of it's weave if it's stretched too much. Oh well, think I'll just put it aside while I ponder it's fate.

Anyway, this was my first entrelac project and it really isn't as hard as it looks. I'm building up my confidence to start the Forest Path Stole. But for now, I think I hear a sock pattern calling me...

That's all folks

Every one asks... "what do you play?" We stick to video poker with the occasional penny slots for amusement. Catch the Big one and Time Machine provided a little extra spending money. I'll end the Vegas posts by saying that we didn't hit any royals on this trip, but we each held our own... Until next time...

Next stop... pizza!

On previous trips, we've stayed out in the Summerlin area. So when we felt like a pizza, it meant a stop at Rocco's New York Pizza. If you go there, be sure to try the cannoli, yum! But this time we stayed on the strip, so the drive out to Summerlin was a bit too far for pizza. Luckily, we passed Metro Pizza on Decatur. It's always on the Review Journals Best of Las Vegas list. This location is in the strip mall with Makino Sushi. We always drive pass the area but never stopped for pizza.

M ordered the meatball sandwich. As usual, you have to be fast with the camera or there may be nothing left. G & I each ordered an individual pizza. Yup, that's for one person. Considering I also had a small salad as part of the lunch special, I'd say the portions are generous and the prices are reasonable. Metro Pizza is worth the stop!