Crazy life and the Qboro Cowl

Things are still crazy here, but that's nothing new, right?  I would like to say that hopefully they will settle down soon, but I am always hopeful that things will settle down and they rarely do.

I often hear myself say "After the end of the semester," "During this upcoming break in classes," and so on.  However, I'm beginning to realize (boo, maturity!) that when that break gets here or the semester ends, there will still be craziness, whether it's from work or it's just me.  So I've decided to embrace the crazy.  And why not?  It certainly makes life more interesting.  (This also works if you have a crazy family, but really, don't we all?)

Sometimes, when the crazy gets to be a little too much, I like to take comfort in an oasis of soft, colorful yarn and a simple pattern.  It's for that reason that I designed the Qboro Cowl (that's pronounced Q(like in quack)-boro).

It calls for 220 yds of worsted weight yarn.  Pictured here in KnitPicks Swish worsted in Wonderland Heather, it would be great for any single skein of worsted that happens to be hanging out in your stash.  Plus a cowl would be a fast project to knit for both the guys and girls in your life that you want to keep nice and toasty (cough cough Christmas knitting cough cough).  Oh, and did I mention the best part?  The pattern is free!!!

Speaking of things that drive me crazy (but are still super cool and awesome), Polly had a birthday last month.  She is officially a year old.  (Look at that face! No, wait, don't.  It will make you want to do things like give it Snausages and Beggin' Strips.)

Don't let the grey beard and old man looks fool you, she's still a crazy youngster.  She will often try to persuade me to do what she wants, such as give her my yogurt.  Usually it involves this face (and that hair!):

which, I'm only slightly ashamed to admit, I find irresistible. 

Don't be silly, Polly doesn't want a cracker (at least, not without cheese),

Joyce

World Wide Knit in Public Day (Week?!?!)

WWKIP day (which I've recently discovered has since expanded into a week) was this past Saturday.   The knitting ladies and I usually spend it in Bryant Park at Knitty City's annual celebration.

Gertrude Stein is nice and toasty on a warm June day.

There are usually over 30 knitters that turn out and sometimes there's even live entertainment and snacks.  Last year there was a great turnout.

We even had our own designated table and a hand made sign.  Pearl from Knitty City makes all fiber crafters feel like old friends.  That's why I think Knitty City is the best yarn store in the world.

Our table sign.

We are the Astoria Knitting ladies. (And we really like our sunglasses.)

This year, however, we had to miss the Knitty City gathering to attend a different more awesome event: Brandy's bridal shower!  She's getting married in September and her family and friends got together to celebrate.  We're super happy for her and her groom.

Brandy in her ribbon bonnet.

And there was, of course, still knitting in public that day.  You can't keep a good (obsessed, whatever!) knitter down.  There were three shawls, a sweater, and a blanket all being worked on while Brandy opened presents.  We heard a lot of' "I should have brought my knitting (crochet, etc.)" as people passed our table, but my favorite was "Oh! You really ARE the knitting group!"  

Yes, yes we are,

Joyce

P.S. Brandy isn't the only lady in our group that's getting married this year.  (I'd worry that it's contagious except I've been married quite a while now.  Which means I'm a carrier!) The other one, however, is getting married on Rhinebeck weekend.  Luckily Rhinebeck is two days, so we don't have to make any awkward decisions. (Who am I kidding? We wouldn't dream of missing her wedding!  But maybe I should distribute a calendar of important knitting dates next year.)

Catching up - Graduation

Yep, you heard me right.  I graduated!!!  I'm officially a Dr. now! (of the PhD kind, so please don't ask me about your mole.  Unless you're just looking for someone to go 'EW!' with you because I can totally do that!)  There was cake and everything!

My defense was held on Dec. 21, 2012.

Yes, the day the world was supposed to end.  I figured either way it was a win/win situation for me.  Either the world would end and I wouldn't have to defend.  Or the world would keep on spinning and my defense would be over by the end of the day.  Happily the world didn't end and I successfully defended my thesis!!!  (If you're wondering, yes, the picture above WAS part of my defense talk.  Had to give a shout out to my love of fibery things.)

Gigi came up for my defense and for graduation.  She surprised me with a 'congrats on your successful defense' hat with beetles on it.  I had already made myself an awesome highlighter scarf out of Madtosh Pashmina to celebrate the occasion.  They don't match at all, but they kept me toasty all through winter.

Graduation was great! Gigi, Elle, the twins (TK and KT), and of course Hubbie all came. (There were a limited number of tickets otherwise it would have been a madhouse!) The cap and gown for graduation were pretty ridiculous.

Hubbie joked that I looked like I was doing Harry Potter cosplay. (Not that there's anything wrong with that.)  It rained really hard that morning which made me happy. (I love the rain!  It also helps that I didn't get soaked. :-D)

Gigi and the twins gave me flowers.  Peonies all around. (My favorite! They were SO pretty!!!!)  GiGi brought me one from her garden at home.

It still doesn't feel quite real.  I've been asked several times if I have a PhD, and a couple of times I've almost said no.  But I'm getting there.  How can it not be true?  There was cake and balloons.  They wouldn't lie, right?

I'll try not to let it go to my head,
Dr. Joyce

Dusty... Where did the time go?

Shew! This blog is covered in dust!  Where's my rag?  ::wipe, wipe, ACHOO!::
There, that's better.

It's been crazy around here since the last time we talked.  Turns out that a lot can happen in a year and a half.  I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to tell you all about it over the next few weeks while we catch up. Can't talk much today though 'cause I'm feel a nap coming on after all of that dusting.

Before I go, I absolutely have to share one of the amazing things that happened since we last spoke.

This is Polly Prissypants!  (We got a puppy!!!!)

Here she is at 7 weeks...

And now, nearly five months later...

She's Chihuahua/Terrier mix (A cheerier!!!) and about 8.5 lbs right now.  And I love love love her! (I'm sure you couldn't tell, right?)

Excuse me while I go give puppy kisses!
Joyce