RYOB Books 5, 6, 7

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Fool: A Novel by Christopher Moore

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Book 5 in RYOB challenge. Funny and bawdy, a retelling of King Lear from the fools perspective. It was engaging and I did finish the book in Just over a week. I still don't find him as funny on page as I did in person.


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Night Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Book 6 in RYOB challenge. I purchased the last 3 books in the challange which does count, but I will start reading books I already have after this book.



I started the book on the flight to the UK. The 2 films based on this book are amazing and I had to get the books. The thing I found most suprising is it could almost be 3 different books. I have to admit I didn't find the books as incredible as the films, but I really enjoyed the book.



A Russian book, translated into English, there are a few references to Moscow life and Russia that I may not have fully understood. The stories are really compelling however and the struggle between light and dark, good and evil is great. Anton's, the protagonist, struggle with the concept of his own lightness and the blurred lines of morality is the best part of the story. I will be ready Day Watch and the other sequels. This s some of the best fantasy writing I've read in a while.


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The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson

My review

Book 7 in RYOB challenge. I might actually get to my goal of 20 books before the end of the year.


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RYOB Books 3, 4, and 5

Monday, March 30, 2009

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
The third book in my RYOB challenge. Ruth and I met the author at a book signing and he was so funny I had to move this up in my reading list.



The story was entertaining and sweet. It wasn't nearly as funny as I had expected after meeting the author. I did enjoy the idea of Jesus studying with Buddhists and Hindus. Over all an entertaining read.


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Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Book #4 in the RYOB challenge. I received this book as pat of the Love Bites Vampire Valentine swap on Ravelry.



The book is a light, trashy read. Sookie can be very stupid and annoying, but it was fun for what it is. I'll probably read the other book in the series. I happy with the progress on this book. I actually read it in a week. This may be a good sign for getting 20 books read.


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Fool: A Novel by Christopher Moore

My review

Book 5 in RYOB challenge. I purchased this book when we saw Christopher Moore at The Tattered Cover. It's an autographed copy to Ruth. It will be her birthday present from me once I've read it.

Provincial Waistcoat

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

I finished the Provincial Waistcoat from the winter 2006 issue if Interweave Knits. It was a great quick knit and I think a flattering shape for most people. I love the buttons for this and I didn't even have to look for them. Jen brought them back from her trip to England (she wants to carry them in Purls). I saw them and knew they were made for this project.

I made some adjustments to the pattern for the back. The way the pattern is written for the larger sizes, the stitch pattern doesn't line up after the 1x1 rib. It also goes to p1, k1, p1 in between the cross over stitch pattern. That means there would be a line of knits over the purls and my eyes just couldn't take it.

The adjustment to make everything line up is in Row 1 after the k1, p1 rib waist. Here's my new bodice row 1: Work 16 sts in pattern [k2, p2] 2 times, k2, p1, M1, pm for side seam, k1, M1, p1, [k2, p2] 2 times, [k1, p1] 2 times [Cross 2, k1, Cross 2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1] 4 times, k1, p1, k1, [p2, k2] 2 times, p1, M1, pm, k1, M1, p1, k2, [p2, k2] 2 times, work 16 stitches in patt

Those adjustments are for size 35 only. I didn't figure it out for the larger sizes and the smaller size lines up without adjustment.

Facebook

Friday, February 27, 2009

Facebook is such a strange thing. I've been getting in contact with people I haven't spoken to in years. My husband's best friend in England and I chat all the time on there (I've never actually met him in real life). Some of my cousins are on there, but the suprise family member was my dad. He joined last week! He's 64 and not very social so seeing him on Facebook was a big shock.



He told me he joined because the group he rode horses with as a teenager, California Rangers, was on there and they wanted pictures from him. While he was part of the organization he was Mr California Ranger. So now there are pictures of my teenaged dad on Facebook. So cute!

RYOB Update

Monday, February 23, 2009

Red Dragon by Thomas Harris

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
My second book for the RYOB challenge. I won't get to my 20 books if I keep reading at this pace. I really enjoyed it, I don't know why it took me so long. It is a better story then Silence of the Lambs, although I thought that was a great book too. The killer in this is very chilling and yet there is a bit of hope that he will redeem himself.


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Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore

My review

The third book in my RYOB challenge. Ruth and I met the author at a book signing and he was so funny I had to move this up in my reading list.


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Name Part of the Space Station

Friday, February 20, 2009

Nasa is currently holding a poll to name the International Space Stations Node 3 modual before they are launched and installed. Being such a Whedon geek I was very excited to see Serenity as one of the options. Right now it has 86% of the votes. Tere is also a write in option. Go vote for Serenity so she can fly again!

SP13 Swap Package #3

Sunday, February 08, 2009

My SP 13 rocks. She sent me another great package.

All of the loot: Knitting Lingerie Style, Knit So Fine, Matryoshka salt and pepper shakers, adorable buttons from Buttons By Robin on etsy and a super cute puppy heart necklace from Mark Puolin Enamel Jewelry on etsy.

Close up of the puppy necklace

The buttons.


Salt and Pepper shakers to add to my collection.

Bella's Mittens KAL

Thursday, February 05, 2009

I'm starting a KAL at Purls of Wisdom for Bella's Mittens. We will start them on Saturday. The mittens were from the Twilight movie. I've never read the books or seen the film, but the mittens are very cute. Join us if you can!

I'm Blogging Ruth!

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

I'm Just not feeling like blogging but I know I have to. I've been participating in a few swaps lately. I'm in the Love Bites Valentine Vampire Swap and just signed up for the Earth Day Swap both on Ravelry. I've just sent out my last package for the Secret Pal Swap. My partner is in Germany and I think I'll have to say US only next time, because shipping was killing me.

Daren and I are still snow boarding, we go up about once a week. We've now got our own equipment and are doing really well. I'm still falling, but not nearly as bad. I'm not as scard to go fast and spend most of the time with my nose pointed down the mountain. Yay me!

Dark Harvest

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Dark Harvest by Norman Partridge

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
It was an ok book. It was a quick read and an unusual story. It would be a great book to read around Halloween. It was the first book in the RYOB challenge.


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Red Dragon by Thomas Harris

My review

My second book for the RYOB challange.


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Bad Blogger

I've been terrible about blogging. My poor SP13 partner hasn't heard from me in weeks. The holidays were nice. Daren and I finished our snow boarding lessons, have season passes to Loveland and bought equipment. I managed to hurt my wrist this past Sunday. I didn't even realize I landed on my wrist until I went back up the lift and had to do my bindings. I was told not to knit for at least a week. I hardly know what to do with myself. I'm thinking it's a good time to catch up on reading.

In other news Daren and I had his green card interview yesterday and it went great. Daren is now a US resident. He can actually get citizenship in 3 years.

Exterminate!

Monday, December 15, 2008

I finished the Dalek for my nephew. He's so evil and cuddly. He can't go under the tree because Jezebel thinks he is a dog toy.

My in laws will be in town tonight. They are staying until the 31st. It's a good thing I like them and we get along.

The Penis Fish has Eyes!

Thursday, December 04, 2008

Gold Fish
Originally uploaded by surfdonna

Daren has named this poor little guy the penis fish. Hopefully he looks more like a cute goldfish. I actually finished him before we moved from Miami, I just didn't give him eyes. Now he can see!

Book Challenge

I'm joining Kelly in this book challenge. It is read your own books between January - December 2009. Most of the books are from Ruth, but I have quite a few around the house that I have not picked up. I'm going to try for 20 books. It's more modest then Kelly's 50.

Check it out if you want to sign up.

Swaps and Gifts

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

I got this great swap package from my SP13 partner. Daren was very excited about the candies and had already broke into the soda gummies (his favorite) before I could take the picture. How cute are my new gingerbread men salt and pepper shakers.

Speaking of salt and pepper shakers, I got these from Peter and Theresa. They got them for me in Amsterdam. The little windmills spin.

Snowboarding

Monday, December 01, 2008

Daren and I took snowboarding lessons on Friday. He's been skiing before and I have never really done any snow related activities. Everyone who told me that it would be easy because I've surfed are big, fat liars. My ass is very bruised. I had a great time though. We're taking Lesson #2 on Saturday.

Ruth lent me her snow boarding gear and I made the hat in the picture to wear during our lesson. It's a 2x2 rib I made on Thanksgiving. I ended up letting Ruth have the hat because it fits her head and matches her coat.

Salt and Pepper Shakers

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

LaDonna had mentioned she would like to see the Sumo salt and pepper shakers I mentioned in yesterday's post. So here they are in all their beauty.


This is actually my entire collection. I thought I had more, I've lost some in my various moves. Bummer.

SP13 Questionnaire

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I am a yarn snob. I prefer natural fibers (especially alpaca). I love local yarns. I knit a lot of socks, but don't why you would make socks that are not machine washable.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a basket for my straights, a vase for the longer straights. I use a mini wicker chest to hold my circulars and dp's. I'm in desperate need of better options

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've been knitting for over 6 years. I learned in early 2002 and taught myself off the internet. I consider myself intermediate/advanced. I can do most techniques, but I could still learn a lot.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Esty favorites



5. What's your favorite scent?
I love fresh citrus scents. My favorite perfumes are Fresh Lemon Sugar and Elizabeth Arden Green Tea. I also like lavender and mint scents.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I have a major sweet tooth. I love toffee chocolate and mint chocolate. No raisins or licorice, but other than that I'll take anything. My husband loves gummies. Anything European would be great, especially English.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I sew and have done beading. I don't quilt or spin.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I like a lot of different music. I don't like country, except Johnny Cash. I love surf guitar. I mostly listen to alternative rock. I have an Ipod.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
My favorite color is royal blue. I also love sea colors and jewel tones.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am married with no kids (yet). We have a 7 year old Labrador.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I wear scarves, hats and mittens. I can't stand ponchos.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I like to knit lots of things. I always have socks on needles as well as a larger project.

13. What are you knitting right now?
I am working on a pair of gloves, a pair of socks, a hat for my husband, an Odessa hat for my mil and felted clogs.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
I love to received handmade gifts.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I like bamboo circulars, but I've just discovered how nice Addi's are. I have a lot of needles and probably don't need more.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
I own both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
I think my oldest UFO is 3 years old, but I'm pretty good at not letting old projects sit around unfinished.

18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?
Halloween is my favorite holiday. I celebrate winter solstice/yule and my husband and I celebrate Christmas. We are not christians, so please don't send religious items.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
I collect funky salt and pepper shakers. My favorite are my sumo wrestlers that attach at the stomachs with magnets. The only winter ones I have are snowmen. I also love Christmas ornaments, but prefer non-religious ones.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I have some books in my Amazon wish list. I love patterns by Ysolda Teague. I only have her Snow White pattern and would love Little Birds. I would also love Rogue. I have a subscription to Interweave Knits and just recently got rid of my Vogue Knitting subscription.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I think I can do most techniques. I would like to try steaking.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I am a sock knitter. My foot circumference is 8 inches and length is 8.5.

23. When is your birthday?
Nov. 12 (tomorrow!)

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
I am on ravelry. My id is surfdonna.

Warning - Geek Post Ahead

Monday, November 10, 2008

Last night Daren and I watched Blade Runner. It was on the SciFi channel, so a bit edited, but still fantastic. I made the comment that Blade Runner is the best Sci-Fi film ever made. It's 26 years old and still doesn't look dated. He disagreed and said 2001 or Alien were the best. I still think it's Blade Runner. Alien is probably the best horror film ever made and 2001 as iconic as it is, looks dated. My question to all my couple of blog readers is, what is the best science fiction film ever made?


On a side note, I wish I'd thought of it before Halloween, but how bad ass would a Pris costume be!

Ginormous Project Post

I got the urge to blog about all of my current and future projects. So here it goes.

I've finished Bellini out of Noro Silk Garden Light. This pattern was from the Noro trunk show at Elegant Stitches in Miami. The sample of this sweater in particular was the one used in the photo shoot for the pattern book. We measured the sample and it was smaller then the extra small. How are we suppose to determine how a sweater is going to look on real people when the models are that small?

Despite that. I love the way it turned out. I ended up making the small because of the finished measurements. She still needs some buttons. I've ordered some vintage faux wood buttons off of Etsy. I wore it yesterday anyway.

I’ve seen these bangles everywhere. I saw them at Old Navy recently and had to make one. Then Vogue Knitting had some on the cover. I didn't use any of the patterns from Vogue Knitting I just used a simple 9 stitch braid pattern. This is such a quick project, it only took about 2 hours to make. I got the bangle base from Hobby Lobby for $3.50. It’s made from unfinished wood to decorate however you want. I used some left-over Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino from a hat project. It a great way to use up small bits of left-over yarn.
I started these mock cable sock on my flight to England in Sept. I'm almost done with the toe on the first sock, but I've realized they 'll be too big. I'm going to finish them the way they are and give them to my mom for Christmas. It's Lorna's Laces sock yarn in Lucky Stripe.

I am poorly prepared for the winter in Colorado. I spent the last 2 winters in Miami and before that about 10 years in the Bay Area. I haven't owned real winter clothes since I was a kid. I bought this beautiful Red Rocks Aspen sock yarn from A Knitted Peace, to make some gloves. I'm using the Progressive Gloves pattern from Interweave Knits Winter 2003. You can download the pattern for free on their site. It's a formula rather then a set pattern.

I'm very close to being finished with this hat. The yarn is hand spun wool and mohair that Daren bought from the Renaissance Fair over the summer. He actually picked yarn out all by himself! This is a basic 2x2 ribbed hat for him.

Once the Renaissance hat is finished I'm casting on Odessa for Daren's mom. It out for Wool Bam Boo and pretty emerald green seed beads from Ruth (Thanks Ruth!). Wendy asked me to make her a hat last time I saw her. She asked for black or another color. Since I can't remember what the other color she asked for, it going to be black.

I'm making felted clogs for everyone for Christmas. My great aunt Clara use to make the entire family knit slippers every Christmas. She's been gone for a while now and I thought it would be a nice to start her little tradition again, but with my own twist.

I've got the bug to sew again, and have a lot of patterns and fabric. I'm going to start with this dress pattern and silk fabric. Hopefully I'm not too rusty.

I also bought some Christmas fabrics to make aprons to sell on Etsy.