Jun 22 2005
Summer Lovin’
I live in a town with funny street names. In fact, one of my town’s main characteristics is the street signs with the funny names on them. Although I have not seen the actual sign, I am sure there is a "Deer-Drinking-Water-From-Serene-River Way" or "Rabbit-Chased-Into-Small-Burrough-Narrowly-Escaping-Death-by-Huge-SUV Lane" (okay, maybe not the last one…) Nevertheless, it is pretty interesting driving around town and seeing the names of the streets. Imagine my excitement when I saw this one:
Perhaps I should get a chair and just sit and knit on my Kahlo Homespun afghan under this sign? It is just so fitting 
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Now it looks like a huge market bag, or a giant Rastafarian hat… but soon, it will look like this (with a few color alterartions). The afghan is a joy to work on–I love this circular technique. |
Work also continues on my Rhapsody pullover, the entire pullover is in stockinette stitch. However, this is not boring me. In fact, while knitting this pullover, I have been able to watch 4 films with subtitles and knit at the same time; it is the perfect knitting for movie-watching/reading. (What did I watch? Well, my foreign film extravaganza continues: El Crimen del Padre Amaro, Amelie (for the umpteenth time), Lucia y el Sexo, and House of Flying Daggers)
About 8.5 inches up, another 7 to go before the raglan shaping.
To celebrate the Summer Solstice, and for some fresh air, we took the girls on a car ride last night. I think it was the best day of their lives. They love to go for rides! These were my hot dates for Tuesday night!
When we came back to our house, there was a small neighborhood party going on. We were able to catch up with some of our neighbors, and consume a few yummy drinks. It was fun… almost so much that I forgot I had to go to work the next day…
In celebration of the start of summer, here are some photos from our garden.
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We planted our grapes three summers ago, and this is the first time we have seen any fruit on the vine! I am not sure exactly what the grapes will taste like, but it is exciting nonetheless. The lilies are beginning to wane, I wanted to catch a few more pics before the petals fell off!
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We put the last of our ladybugs out last night. You are supposed to put them out at night so that they can eat the "bad bugs" throughout the night before their flights the next day. Very few of the bugs we bought remain, but they did help our plants. |
**This week’s Knit Nite will be a special affair: Tanya Indigo Muse is in town, and Heather, Eilene, and I are meeting her on Thursday night for a fun time! Too bad sweet Donna will miss it, she is on vacation in Cape Cod. As always, you know that copious amount of pictures will follow
ISRAEL PICTURES OF THE DAY
Marking the five-year anniversary of my study-abroad trip to Israel in June/July 2000
The history of the land of Israel is so vast, with remains from Prehistoric Ages, into medieval times. Most of my time was spent studying the remains at the Tel Beth Shemesh Field School, but on the long weekends, Becca and I were able to travel the whole of the country, taking in as much as we could. The highlight of our trip to the Negev desert was our tour of the citadel Avdat. Serving as a caravan station on many trade routes, the large part of the city was built by the Arab Nabateans in the the first century BCE. The citadel is also home to an ancient church, monastery built in the Byzantine era, and the older trade station. The arches above (one of my favorite pictures from the trip) outline the Byzantine architecture in the region. The walls around the arches are no longer in tact, but they remain.
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From the citadel, one could see for tens of miles all around. It was a beautiful site, and we even saw some Bedouin herding their large camels. It was worth the heat (around 120 degrees that day!) to see these amazing ruins. |
I can’t wait to see the Homespun finished - I’m totally intrigued by the pattern.
The Israel pictures are wonderful! I’m loving your memories and my own memories sparked by them. Thank you for sharing.
We have a grape vine too. In fact, after all these years (it was planted before we even moved in 11 years ago) we get quite a bit of fruit. They’re really bitter concord grapes but they make excellent jelly. We haven’t tried making wine yet, maybe this season!
How was House of Flying Daggers? I saw a preview for it a little while ago and it looked good. And boy, knit and read subtitles at the same time! You are talented!
The afghan is going to be beautiful! It looks really fun to knit. And that Rhapsody pullover is such a pretty vibrant summer color!
I LOVE Amelie. Have you seen any other Audrey Tautou films? “He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not” and “Happenstance” are great too!
Hope you have a great day!
Megan
Lovin’ the street sign!
Your afghan is gorgeous. I can’t wait to hear what your sis thinks about it.
Have a great day,
Amy
Your afghan is so close to being done… already!? Wow! That is going to look amazing and its so tantalizing keeping it all bound up on the circular!
Your garden is sooo lovely! I am jealous about your grapes
What town has such great street signs?
I watched House of Flying Daggers this week too! It is such an excellent movie and rows of stockinette is the perfect compliment. Have you seen “Hero”? They are somewhat similar, however Hero far surpasses House in visual effects.
The afghan is looking so good! I’m tempted to try my hand at homewares now too…
That afghan is flying along! Look forward to seeing it in its completed state - but it does look fun now too.
Great post — lots of interesting stuff!! Homespun Drive! Your afghan is looking great — neat pattern. I am enjoying reading about Israel.
That street sign is great! It’s fun seeing your afghan coming along. I’m enjoying your Israel pictures too.
Yes, there are definitely some weird street signs in your town. Some of them make you wonder what the planners were either smoking or drinking when they were naming the streets. But pretty flowers. And it is almost time for black eyed susans to appear!!!!!
In a small town in the mountains here, there is a “Two Bar Lane” … my husband always says these people know what is important to them! LOL!
So you’ve seen “House of the Flying Daggers”? Do you like it? I LOVE “Hero(2004)” from the same director and am waiting to see the latest film.
Your afghan is looking beautiful. I do like the pattern. How do you like knitting with Homespun yarn? I think it’s so funny that there is a Homespun Drive in your town, that’s just so cute.
I love reading about your time in Israel, that is just cool. And to see the Bedouin herding their sheep, that is fabulous. Thanks for sharing your travel exploits.
I love the street sign! You have to move there!
the girls look like they had a great car ride. and i love that street sign, it is so perfect!
You have such an interesting blog! I could just read on and on. Your pictures are great also.
I love the sign.. I’m glad I’m not the only one that gets amused by street names. I’m also a foreign movie junkie - some of my favs are Amelie’, Monsoon Wedding & House of Flying Daggers. The other reviewers are right.. Hero is excellent.
Your afghan is coming along great.. such beautiful colors.
hee hee! Your street names make me laugh! homespun drive? awesome! How hilarious if you did go knit under the sign :).
The blanket is looking really good! seems to be knitting up fast, which is nice.
Both your afghan and pullover are looking good!! And your flowers are so pretty! One of my lillies bloomed the other day and a few more are going to pop out any minute. Funny how one gets excited over blooming flowers, isn’t it?
Happy knitting!
I think it would be an interesting habit to get into if we all kept track of the DVDs we watched during a particular project. And here is my Rebecca Cardi a la 24 Seasons 1 & 2, how do you like it?
haha! I’ve seen all the movies you mentioned except for Lucia; I just added her to our loooooong Netflix queue.
I would LOVE to see you sitting under the sign happily knitting away!! LOL ;c)
~hugs and love~
Great street sign! The girls look so cute, all set for a ride.
Your knits are coming quite nicely. I can’t wait to see the completed homespun.
Living in the same county as you…I am definately aware of the very different street names. That one is really cool. I have never heard of thet one.
Your afgan is really coming along. Great colors. Are you going to bring it tonight?
Fabulous photos as always!
See you tonight.
Your Isreal pictures are beautiful! Boy, I can feel the heat just looking at your pictures! Your basket afghan gives me dejavu… I am also knitting a blanket and it’s a basket too!
How fun! Maybe yall should move to Homespun Drive!
Have fun knitting with the girls tonight!
Thanks for the comment on my fairisle. It’s a really fun knit if you ever get around to doing it — I know how those wishlists can grow and never get accomplished!
It’s so exciting to have another hockey lover around who likes to knit!
BTW, homegrown grapes are the best! My ex used to grow them and they tasted so good. They didn’t last on the vine too long.
Great photo of the girls! They look so excited to be going for a ride! That afghan is going to be awesome…and what a fun way to play with color.
Oh, the Homespun Drive is so fun! I love to see different sounding street names - there is a “Penny Lane” in my hometown that always makes me smile.
Can’t wait to see the finished afghan!