Me and The Yoga



My new job offers a very nice perk, Free Yoga! So on Tuesday and Friday at Noon, you'll find me working on my Yoga with my co-workers and I do have to say that I LOVE it! I feel so relaxed by the end and I feel stronger. I'm becoming more aware of what is right for my body and I often find myself doing mini-Yoga stretches outside of work. I believe that everyone should be doing the yoga!*

Knitting: I've started the second sleeve for my Ronnie sweater. I plan to power through this one so I can get started on the back! I can not wait to wear this sweater!

Updating: I've added some book reviews to Supergirl Reads and my latest Photo Friday photo to my Photo Blog.

*also posted on Supergirl Races

Finisher
Last night I was the grand finisher! After swimming 24 laps at the pool (and feeling superhero-ish), I headed home to finish sleeve one of Ronnie and the latest Harry Potter book. I won't give any spoilers but I will say that I cried and cried at the end. My heart was broken. A full review can be found here


Before heading off to swimming, I stopped by Purlygirls to give Katie her 'Stitch and Pitch' game tickets and Meg gave me a little present -- the bumper sticker shown to the left! I love it! What a crack-up!

Busy Lazy Weekend

My Busy Lazy Weekend was just fantastic! On Friday night, I finished up Sitcom Chic (just needed to add the button) and on Saturday night after getting home from a party (the reason I was in a party dress), I photographed it.



Can I say just how much I LOVE this sweater and how sad I am that cotton-ease is discontinued because now I can't make more exactly like it in different colors?

Getting a picture of oneself at 2 a.m. isn't easy and here is how I felt trying to get a decent shot!




Today I whipped up a quick and easy scarf!


Destiny is not a fan of the modeling gig but does it because I feed her

Friday night, I heard a comotion out back and went to investigate. Imagine my surprise when I saw three Raccoons helping themselves to plums from the plum tree. I quickly grabbed Destiny (who hissed at me because she wanted to be outside but I didn't want her eaten by Raccoons.) and grabbed my camera since I have a blog to keep updated!


hard to see him here, but look closer under the plum tree

Here is Melvin the big Raccoon hamming it up for me a bit closer here. He had two little ones with him so he may be a she.



They have made visiting the plum tree part of thier nightly routine and come by around 8 p.m. It makes me scaried to let Destiny out at night since she'll try to attack them and they are much larger than her 8 pounds of hissin'.

On Saturday in my attempt to gain Destiny's wrath, I gave her a bath. She cracked me up because she looked like a little drowned rat! She was not pleased but I was! She is no longer a dusty shade of gray with a slightly stinky smell. She know smells like roses and is back to her true black color. It was worth the wrath.



Now that was a nice busy lazy weekend! I so enjoy those!

PS Yes, I got my 4 mile run in on Saturday and my 12 mile bike ride on Sunday. Both of which were fantastic!

Training for a Triathlon

I remember back when I started down the Triathlon path. I was strict with myself! No alcohol, completion of every workout or more every day and a healthy diet. I’m sad to say that some of those of fallen by the way-side. I’ve learned along the way that some wine won’t hurt your training and that if you miss a work-out, life won’t end. I have taken up the healthy eating though and have really improved it. (Want proof? Well last time my blood pressure was checked it was 135/90 (that was February), today it was 128/78!)

So Julie and I have been training for a triathlon. Yep, a long one too and while she made me commit to training, we haven’t been killing ourselves. This week was a bit hectic for both of us so there were 2 missed workout but that’s ok, because we did Bike 15 miles and run 3.5 on Sunday, Ran Hills on Wednesday, Swam more than 1200 yards on Thursday and rejoiced in our accomplishments on Friday.

Next week, we’ll be out in full-force, though I do have conflicts on two days but I’ll make it work! Tomorrow (since Julie ditched me and headed up to the San Juans for a weekend of fun) I’ll be running 4 miles with Mot and then on Sunday, I’m making her bike 12 miles. She’s going to love me by the end of the weekend! Monday is swimming, Tuesday is a easy 45 minute bike ride but we’ll need to throw in some hills to make up for this week, Wednesday I’m working the Tears for Fears concert and Thursday attending the Stitch and Pitch at the Stadium. So Friday instead of resting, I’ll be swimming.

Then it will start all over again and I’ll like it.

(also posted over at Racing)

I love my mailman!

Yesterday he delivered TWO packages of yarn to me. One was the cotton-ease I ordered off EBay and the other was my membership yarn from Rowan. All in all, a good yarn day!



And last night, I sat down and finished up most of my Sitcom Chic. Look for photos later this weekend!

Mi Perro

Matya brought me a wonderful present back from San Diego.

She brought me Henri Rosa!



He may be small and he may be pink BUT he's my very own DOG!

Yea, I know the other dogs will have troubles playing with him but he can go everywhere with me! The park, work, everywhere!

What I'm currently lovin'



Tickets to a Mariner's game which put me just two rows behind the dugout and gave me the opportunity to see



Palmerio's 3,000 hit!

Starting a new sweater



while working the G-Sale


*I'm exhausted from all the G-saling! These things are a lot of work!

and making the G-money!



And finally, I'm lovin'



With all these things that I'm loving, there are few things I'm not lovin' as much.



One is nearing completion on my Sitcom Chic but running out of yarn when all I need to do is finish the neckband and the left/right front bands! Of course I'm making this out of Cotton-Ease, the famously discontinued yarn! I've been doing some hunting and I think I've located some BUT if you have at least half a skein of Licorce (black) cotton-ease. Contact me at Reebecki (dot) gmail (dot) com so we can chat!

I do have to say that the Sitcom Chic is the CUTEST sweater ever and I've been wearing it around the house while making everyone tell me how cute it is. Even Destiny isn't safe from my questions which then roll into the whining about how I ran out of yarn and how it is discontinued and whine, whine, whine!

And the last thing, I'm not loving is not having the time to read The Harry Potter very much yet!

Presents are best

This weekend I received my present from Peter who does the PR for Flying Fingers in New York. You know, they are the ones with the YARN BUS!

SO look at all the goodies I received!



Thank you Peter!

Somehow the Puppy became a *gasp* DOG!

Somehow Phoenix (My brother's dog) has gone from being a sweet (furious biter!) soft puppy



to a DOG!



Where did the cute puppy go? Who allowed this grown-up dog into the house? And why is he so much more well behaved than that puppy?

This weekend Phoenix and I spent some quality time together. I took him for a run with Zubin (and he did so very good! I was quite impressed.), we played at Zubin's house, he helped me knit (meaning he tried to eat the yarn ball and I yelled alot) and now he is begging me to go on a W-A-L-K (and yes it is cute because he keeps huffing at me and we're going in a minute, gesh!)

Phoenix also reminded me about how dogs never let you do anything alone (Oh, you're going to the bathroom - let me in there! Taking a shower -- can I peek into the curtain?) and taught me how to properly play rope.



In addition, he was there for the pinnacle moment in Sitcom Chic -- the joining of the sleeves to the body which can only mean a finish Sitcom Chic should happen sometime this year!



Ta!

Anxiously Awaiting...

In six days, I shall be holding my own copy of this



And I am SOOOOO excited you'd think I was a five year old getting ready to visit The Chocolate Factory which is another place I am excited to visit but just not as excited as I am about Harry.

Updates

Updates

Updated Racing with my new Tri Training schedule for July.

Updated 30 in 30 goals, I'm doing quite well! I've accomplished 13 out of 30 goals so far!

Updated this week's Photo Friday entry with a picture of Zubin for "Candid"

Still need to update reading!

And I've been meaning to reveal this one for a bit.

Cooking with Spice

Cooking with Spice



Yesterday after work, Mot joined me for a cooking class on Indian food (you know the stuff from India, full of spicy goodness). After getting over my initial shock of what the chef (a Califorian Surfer Dude if I've ever seen one!) looked like I was deeply enthralled. We learned that he had grown up in SouthEast Asia and really knew his stuff.



I scribbled notes and had to stop my drool while he created such delicious dishes as:

o Cucumber Salad with Peanuts
o Major Grey Chicken Curry with Coconut Cilantro Rice
o Saag Gosht (Lamb and Spinach Simmered Curry Dish)
o Velvet Butter Gobi (There is a 1/2 pound of butter in this dish!)
o Sweet Mango Lassi (drinkable yogurt drink which I could not try because drinkable yogurt grosses me out! but Mot said it was very good)

I'd have to say that my favorite dish (and the one I see myself making) was the Saag Gosht. It had spinach and very tender lamb. Oh so tasty!

It was a fun ending to a day which started out with such terrible news. It was fantastic to see the British on the television going about their regular routines today. As someone else said, they do have pluck!

London

London

My heartfelt sympathies to those who have and are suffering though this terrible time. I've checked in with most people I know there and so far, all are well

In times like these, I'm at a loss for why people have so much hate for others.

Summer Sunsets

Summer Sunsets

This past Sunday, I went to a friend's house for BBQing and games. The view from thier house was so beautiful.



If I had this view, I wouldn't leave the house!

Today's workout torture was an 8 mile hilly bike ride. I actually did a lot better than I thought I would! The last time I rode this hill, I had to stop because I was pedaling so slowly I feared I would go backwards down the hill. Not this time, this time I pedaled and pedaled and made it up the hill without going into the granny gear! Success for me!

Knitting on the Sitcom Chic is going well. The second sleeve is about half way done and soon I'll be joining the yoke and there will be smooth sailing ahead. Now if only I dedicated as much time to the knitting as I do to sleeping!

Fourth of July-ing

Fourth of July-ing



Happy Fourth of July! I skipped the fireworks this year but did make it down to the waterfront to check out a friend who was performing on one of the many stages set up to celebrate the Fourth. The fireboat was all afloat for the fourth and the sun was out in full force!

This was a busy busy weekend with lots of bike riding, running and lake swimming. Unfortunately there wasn't much time for knitting but I was able to fit some in while at the waterfront today.

And now the whole neighborhood sounds like a war zone with bursts, blasts and things lighting up the sky. Destiny has retreated to under the bed and I shall attempt to get some sleep soon.

It's time to start another week! Although this one has only four working days!

Hankering for the Weekend

Oh the joy of the three-day weekend in summer! How I love thee! And I especially love the ones where I have very little planned.

So far I am planning to:

*Go Running
*Go on a Bike Ride
*Go Swimming
*Go to the Farmer's Market for tasty veggies!
*Go out to dinner with a friend visiting from Boston
*Clean the house
*KNIT!

I'm feeling so very excited about the weekend. The weekend of relaxation and sleep. Sleep has become a very important priority for me, so much so that I am probably skipping the firework show on Monday night in order to be rested up for work. This new job is great! But I do a lot more work which wears a person out, in a good way.

Hmmmmm, three day weekend...counting down the hours till I can enjoy it...

PS Anyone know why my font size is all funky? I just can't figure out why this is suddenly happening. I've not made any template changes or anything.

Things that I wonder about...

Why the lady at the yarn shop told me that alpaca was wool. Since when did alpaca come from sheep? I thought alpaca yarn came from strangely enough; alpacas and that wool yarn came from sheep.

Why people feel the need to honk at you when the car in front of you moves 3 inches and you don’t creep up to kiss its bumper. Come on people! Its 3 inches! Is that really going to get us there any faster?

What is up with Seattle weather? The calendar reads Summer but outside looks like cold, wintry spring!

And finally...

How is it possible that my baby brother turns 29 today! Wasn’t he just a little brat that bugged me when we were in junior high? And now he owns a house and is married? Whoa! This age thing is creeping up on us!

Happy Birthday Little Brother!

1,000

That is the number of stairs that Julie and I ran tonight. It was a killer workout but oh so good! My legs were shaking and my heart was pumping but there was joy in the accomplishment of climbing so many steps.

My Spanish class was cancelled due to teacher illness which gave me more time for the stair torture and a quick visit to REI.

Two more days until my brother turns 29 and we are celebrating by going to see, "War of the Worlds" which will be great!

Now back to those Sitcom Sleeves! I'm back on number two.

How can it already be Sunday Night?

Really! Wasn't it just Friday evening? Where did my weekend go and why did it go by so quickly!?!

Saturday was my last day with the cats and Chloe.

Chloe whimpered as I drove away which was precious but I know she's just fine with her new petsitter.



and I just loved the expression on one of the cat's faces. Callie always looks mad at you even when she is purring up a storm.



Saturday was also my Aunt's wedding which was quite gorgous and I think I wore myself out taking photos. There were all on film which are being developed so no photos here just yet.

Today was a gorgeous Seattle day. I met a friend for a bike ride and then we visited another friend's house for little get-together.

In between there was some knitting on the Sitcom Chic. I was so happy when I thought I had finished one sleeve and started right up on the second. It wasn't until a bit later when I noticed a HUGE hole in the first sleeve. I only need to rip back about 8 rows but I THOUGHT I WAS DONE WITH THAT SLEEVE! HURMPHHPPH!



So I'll be fixing the first sleeve tonight and continuing progress on the second which is much further along than this photo shows since this was taken Friday evening.

And I got my Interweave Knits. I just love Kate's sweater!

PS Carolyn -- For you, anything!

Cupcakes and Chloe

Last night after my bike ride was cancelled due to thunder and lighting, I decided to make more of my Famous Cupcakes.



And today I will share the famous recipe with everyone.

Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C)

1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

½ cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder

¾ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

1 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

¾ cup buttermilk

½ cup semisweet chocolate chips

Filling

1 cup marshmallow crème

Glaze

½ cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/3 cup whipping cream

1. In a small bowl, mix together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, oil, egg and vanilla until smooth. Alternately beat in flour mixture and buttermilk, beating until smooth. Stir in chocolate chips (I always add a few extra!)
3. Scoop batter into prepared muffin tin (lined with paper liners). Bake in oven at 350F for 22 to 27 minutes or until cupcakes are baked. Insert a toothpick into the center and when it comes out clean, cupcakes are done! Let cool in pan for 10 minutes. Then remove from pan and let cool completely on rack.
4. When cupcakes are completely cool, remove paper liners and slice cupcakes in half horizontally.
5. Filling: Spread a layer of marshmallow crème on cut side of bottom half of cupcake. Replace top half and sandwich two halves together. Repeat with remaining cupcakes.
6. Glaze: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and whipping cream. Microwave until chocolate is melted. Stir until smooth and allow to stand for 5 minutes to cool slightly.
7. Pour glaze over cupcakes. Place cupcakes on platter and refrigerate until glaze is firm.
8. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve and Enjoy!

This was Chloe watching me the entire time I baked cupcakes but because they were chocolate and because she has a sensitive stomach, there were none to be shared with her.

Sittin

I'm dog/cat/house sitting again this week for a local spinner and knitter that I met through Ryan at some knitting party. Hey! Speaking of Ryan, did you see the total number of Dulaan donations? Did ya? 3,507 items! I am AMAZED! WOW! Oh so yes, I'm housesitting and the pets are really nice though I did just catch one of the cat's trying to steal the other cat's food!

I've got a lot on my plate this week and I need sleep! Julie and I are in our Prep Week 1 for our Olympic Tri training so tonight is the dreaded hill repeats. That is when you ride your bike up and down the same hill in an attempt to build strength. They are hard but very beneficial.

I also started Spanish up again and my Aunt is getting married on Saturday so I need to find a present for that. Not sure what to get but I'm sure some ideas will come to mind.

Cupcakes! Tomorrow (or possibly tonight depending on my mood) I will post the Smores cupcake recipe! Kate -- I am trying to figure out how one would ship those to Paris! Give me time, I'm crafty!

OK and so I'm off. Sorry for the random string in this post but hey! It's my blog and I feel random!

Fremont Fairing and Sitcom Chicing



Another busy but fun weekend! Saturday was the Fremont Fair which meant parade time! The naked bicyclists were out in force and the quirky floats were abundant!

One of my favorite creations was the HUGE robot!



And the Art Cars were in full force!



Today while celebrating Father's Day with the family, I got in some Sitcom Chic knitting time. There was wine, sun and yarn! Just about the perfect day!



I got quite a bit done too!



And I don't talk about work stuff here very much but I would like to brag just a tiny bit. On Friday, my Smore Cupcakes were judged by a famous chef and given the "Best in Show" award!

Bet you wish you could get some of these treats!

It’s been so very long…

What a week! I have just been running at full force over here. Settling into the new job, recovering from Chicago, discussing Proust and swimming in Martha Lake (yep, still LOVING the wetsuit).


Millenium Park at dusk -- the children really knew how to cool off!

So Chicago, I promised a recap. Matya arrived on Thursday night and stayed with her sister-in-law who is in town working on a movie. It’s got famous people in it, sounds funny and I can’t wait to see it. Jen always works on the coolest movies! Liz and I met up on Friday at O’Hare and took the train into the city. It was the HOTTEST place I had ever been. We renamed the train, “SubHell” due to the amount of heat and sweating. Yes, I whined. Yes, Carolyn told me to shut it.

We spent Saturday shopping along the “Magnificent Mile” where I made sure to spend some quality time at H&M. Lunch was traditional Chicago pizza with more shopping in the afternoon. Saturday evening we ate at Berghoff Restaurant which Liz said reminded her of a German Denny’s. Then we met up with Jen again and headed over to the Excalibur for dancing until 4 a.m. My footsies were so tired!

Sunday brought a visit to the Art Institute of Chicago and lunch with Carolyn. Carolyn and I then headed over to the Knitting Workshop in Lincoln Park and a quick visit to Jamba Juice where we encountered some unique Chicagoans. We sat by the Lake and I really enjoyed the cool breeze!

That night, Matya, Liz, Jen and I had a traditional Brazilian meal which was delicious but very spendy. Monday was our last day and so it was spent packing and making one last stop at the Library.

And because I’ve not yet thanked Carolyn on the blog, here is the fantastic present I received from her BEFORE my trip to Chicago.

Will Post Soon! Life Busy!

Ahhh the tales I have tell about Chicago!

How one night we stayed out until 4:30 a.m., how I did massive
shopping at H&M and still managed to spend only $72.12, how great some
of the meals were, how much fun it was to meet Carolyn in person and
how there was a great visit to a yarn shop where I was too hot to buy
much, how I whined about the Chicago heat to Carolyn and everyone on
the street, how I ran into Johnny Damon of the Boston Red Socks on
Michigan Avenue and how much fun I had!

But all of that will have to wait until later when I have time to post.

Until then, Oh Chicago! I had so much fun!

So much to say

but this will have to do for now...



Guess who I got to spend time with in Chicago?

Carolyn! was that fast enough? I just barely got back here in Seattle after some plane delays. Now it is time for REST!

There she grows!



Sitcom Chic, she grows! I'm at the point where I will soon enter sleeve island. I've figured out how to conquer the "claw hand" issue but working on the sweater two rows at a time. One Knit, One Purl, Rest. It seems to work and the sweater is growing!

*RIP: Skeins closes unexpectedly!

Tired!

Whew! The first day was good but I'm tired! I think my brain is super full with all the stuff I'm learning which is nice but can wear a soul out!

Blogging will be less this week due to the new job and my trip to Chicago on Friday but I'll be checking in at least a few times this week.

Thanks for the well wishes! Now I'm off to knit and relax!

Dulaan Knit-In

Yesterday Ryan and TMK hosted a "Dulaan Knit-In" party. I was amazed at the level of donations gathered at just that one party!



Mary has knit over 45 items and though she mentioned some stiff competition from a Vermont blogger, I was quietly astounded at all her work. OK so I wasn't quiet BUT STIll I was astounded! I mean 45 items! She's a Dulaan GODDESS! I bow to her glory.

In between being amazed at my fellow knitters, I donated a few items of my own



and cast on and knitted a hat while enjoying yummy food and great knitters!



I even caught Frankie modeling a Dulaan hat with Ryan!



I had such a great afternoon knitting for people who will really appreciate the warmth of knitted garments, spending time laughing with Karen, June, Kit and Mary B. TMK said we were at the trouble makers table.

And I finally figured out the mystery of the felted blankets! I just couldn't understand why all these people were buying pieces of felt and cutting them up when in my mind, all they needed to do was cut a simple square. WELL yesterday I saw a finished one and it had TWO pieces of felt put together. That's what all the tying if for! It was a lightbulb moment. Well a dim one for a dim knitter!

Tomorrow, start of the new job! Wish me luck!

Wetsuit Love

Today on my last day of work, I purchased a WETSUIT! This summer when I'm training for my triathlon and then actually doing the triathlon, this suit will be a huge asset. LeAnne -- I'm about 99% positive I'll be doing Black Diamond, though my course will be a bit shorter than your more impressive length.

So here in all her glory, is my new wetsuit...


LeAnne -- click on photo for larger view

Wheeee! I'm so excited! I can't wait to go swimming!

Cookie Evening

Last night after leaving work, I had great plans for myself. I was going to run a few pesky errands, workout, knit on my sitcom chic and finish my Espanol homework.

Instead after one errand (dropping off my shoes for repair), I was struck with a massive headache. I did manage one more errand (stopping by the car dealer for touch-up paint that they did not have) before admitting defeat and heading home. Cookie was excited to see me and quickly jumped into my lap for scratches.



Cookie let me know that she was not pleased with the rainy weather and made a point to tell me through the night. (I secretly like the rain!)



I did manage to get most of my Espanol homework complete before admitting defeat to the headache and going to bed. Unfortunately the darn thing was still with me this morning but a few advil later, I'm feeling better. Tonight! Sitcom Chic is sooooo being knitted on! Headache or not! (famous last words?)