Hi all. I'm a little distracted. And distracted = no blogging. Sorry.
Here again for your viewing pleasure is Mister Distraction, himself:
He is under the chair where I sit to work on the computer. (The devilish look results from the red eye correction I think -- he's not bad, just a 12-week old puppy.) Just before this photo, he was assiduously trying to chew my slippers. While they were on my feet. Here, Monte, have a pig's ear, for God's sake, will ya?
The last week and a half, I think we've had one day above freezing, and most days have had highs in the teens. It's like this all over the country, I think, and worse up north. My question is: "Whose bright idea was it to try to house break a puppy in January?" You know the answer. My housebreaking utensils are as follows:
Warm boots, unlaced for quick entry, and long leash at the ready.
And if I have time, this conglomeration of winter wear. When I'm bundled up, I look like the Easter Bunny barfed on the Abominable Snow Man. But I'm warm. The scarf is one dear daughter knit out of Patons Melody a few years ago. It is wide and warm. The scarves I knit, while lovely with my light jackets and vests, are proving hugely inadequate in this cold. The mittens are fine, though. And they're getting so much use that I washed an entire mud pie out of them yesterday, seems like. The only problem is that the coat isn't long enough to be out at 4:30 in the morning in your jammies when it's 4 degrees. Whew. Cold knees. So today I ordered this -- it'll get here just in time for this cold spell to break, I'm sure. But I'll have it for the next one.
I can't take credit for all the training, though. Big dog is doing yeoman's work.
Well... here, she looks long-suffering. But she does play endlessly with the boy -- outdoors and in -- and while some of the play makes me nervous, it seems to be in fun. When she's sick of him, she goes to that gate right behind her, gives it a paw or a quick bark, we let her though, and all's well.
And I've been meeting with a contractor to re-do the front of the house -- see the lovely '70s linoleum? Um, yeah. It's gone.
The good thing about a new puppy is that you have to sit in the kitchen with him a lot. And you can only wipe the counters or load the dishwasher so many times. So... there is knitting.
First up is a toe up sock a la Wendy for a friend with teeny tiny feet. Fleece Artist, old put-up, 56 stitches on a 47 inch number 1 circular needle. So fast and easy. I'm not really facile at the double wrapped heels yet, but the second one is coming along better.
I don't want to start the leg on the second sock until this gal tries on the first one -- it seems really, really small...
And there has been progress on the Baby Buckeye Sweater (Family reading this? Avert your eyes or risk not being surprised at the shower. You have been warned.)
Two fronts and the start of a sleeve. I'm on a small needle kick, I guess.
And a fair isle kick.
I ordered this kit 2 and a half years ago -- way before I was ready to tackle it.
I'm ready now. The thing about this pattern is that there is not really a repetitive groove to get into. The pattern is a picture of a lion and he's big -- like 25 rows tall -- so I'm pretty pattern dependent. No little peeries to relax into. I'm two rows from some blue and I can't wait. That's a couple hours worth there, less than half of one repeat of 10. Yeah, it's a long term thing. But it'll go with my new coat and it'll be wide and warm. For next winter. In the pattern notes, Jade Starmoore says that she likes hers draped over the stair in the hall when she's not wearing it...like art ('cause it was so much knitting I think).
Let me leave you with these:
A picture of my puppy ... and a picture of a full grown blond Akita that I found online:
Husky mix my foot.
For someone being trained by a puppy, you are remarkably productive.
Posted by: Lucia | February 06, 2007 at 11:01 AM
I love the Easter Bunny/Abominable Snowman analogy!
Posted by: Carole | February 06, 2007 at 11:13 AM
Monte is going to be a beautiful dog! We got Murphy during the winter of 1992-3. Sixty inches of snow came down in 24 hours. He had no idea how to pee on grass until it all melted in June. He always did like winter;-)
Posted by: margene | February 06, 2007 at 11:59 AM
The puppy is so cute! You have some great knit going on there. The fair isle is going to be beautiful. Love those colors. Good lucking with the puppy training!
Posted by: Kelly | February 06, 2007 at 01:20 PM
Did you mean to ge a puppy that would match your kitchen? If so, you did a great job. He is beautiful and has really grown. Maybe he's a husky/akita mix.
Posted by: Amanda | February 06, 2007 at 01:21 PM
Monte is gorgeous! What ever he is - and I have to agree with you he ain't husky :-) He is going to be one hunk when he is grown up. My dog has never met snow - but they are forecasting the risk of some tomorrow! ( first time in 6 years)
Posted by: Janine | February 06, 2007 at 01:25 PM
I loved the Easter Bunny comment as well. And your knits do look so yummy. Are you doing 40 Days for Others again? Should I warm up my hat needles for it? Stay warm!
Posted by: Pat K | February 06, 2007 at 02:41 PM
Love the puppy and dog photos and stories - the knits - love those mittens!! Get a brown coat - everything goes with brown. heh
And the Starmore scarf! Wow how pretty. Fun project - I bet it'll be WARM! :)
Posted by: Laura | February 06, 2007 at 03:33 PM
What a beautiful scarf! You can see that Monty is getting to be a big boy, it's fun to watch pups grow up.
Posted by: Lisa | February 06, 2007 at 05:52 PM
Monte looks so cute and soft!
Posted by: Jennifer | February 06, 2007 at 08:02 PM
Monte has paws like manhole covers. He's going to be ginormous.
And cute.
Posted by: Ruth | February 07, 2007 at 06:54 AM
Oh, the cuteness!
Posted by: Songbird | February 07, 2007 at 06:27 PM
What an adorable puppy! I love your fairisle work too.
Posted by: Jane | February 08, 2007 at 06:47 PM
awwww..........He's adorable!!!!
Posted by: Kim | February 10, 2007 at 05:44 PM