March 27, 2008

Movie Meme Thursday

The drama and trauma of the past week have drained my blogging mojo, I think. So, today you get the movie meme that everyone else has already posted. Hello, bandwagon.

Just in case you've been under a rock, here are the rules:

1. Pick 10 of your favorite movies.
2. Go to IMDb and find a quote from each movie.
3. Post them on your blog for everyone to guess.
4. Strike it out when someone guesses correctly, and put who guessed it and the movie.
5. Looking them up is cheating, please don’t.

Here we go!

1. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. When Harry Met Sally, identified by Maryse
2. You get a nervous mother, you could wind up in a doctor's office. Ferris Bueller's Day Off, identified by Wendy
3. Roll, roll, roll in ze hay. Young Frankenstein, identified by Jessie
4. Couldn't go on? You'll give the performance of your life. All About Eve, identified by Liz in IN
5. No! Not both of us! Not all of us!Gettysburg, identified by Robin
6. You're overwrought, madam. I've opened a window for you.
7. That's cool baby, you know how it is, rockin' and rollin' and what not. Grease, identified by Wendy
8. As you wish. Princess Bride, identified by Jessie
9. He gave us two soap dolls, a broken watch and chain, a knife, and our lives. To Kill A Mockingbird, identified by Blogless Jan
10.I fart in your general direction. Monty Python and the Holy Grail, identified by Jessie

Have at it - and good luck!

ETA: Wow, you guys are fast! All ten movies were identified in less than an hour and a half. I guess I don't watch very obscure movies. Either that or you're all way more into movies than I realized.

Posted by Carole at 6:30 AM | Comments (24)

June 13, 2007

It IS Easy Being Green

When it comes to memes, I'm generally in the "been there, done that" camp. However, yesterday I read a meme over at Kristi's and I just can't resist this one. It's pretty simple: make a list of the things you're doing to help our environment.

~I knit with green yarn. Okay, so this isn't really an environmental thing but I wanted to show you how the Early Spring Maple yarn I dyed is knitting up. And let's face it, all that wool I have around my house must be acting as some sort of insulation. Right?

~ I signed up for Green Dimes. Not only are they reducing my junk mail but they are also planting a tree in my name every month.

~I use a company called Green Earth Cleaning for my house cleaning services. This company is owned by my two sisters-in-law Mary (the one I knit socks for) and Jen (the one who finds spinning wheels at yard sales). They use only natural cleaners and essential oils and everything is environmentally friendly. No harsh chemicals for my home, thankyouverymuch.

~Dale wrapped our hot water heater in an insulated blanket.

~We switched to compact fluorescent light bulbs. This one is a no brainer, people.

~We wash only full loads of laundry, in cold water, and hang things outside on a clothes line whenever possible.

~We recycle everything that can be recycled. Curb side recycling in our town has made this very simple.

~Dale installed a digital programmable thermostat for our furnace but we primarily heat with wood. And our wood stove has a catalytic converter. We also have ceiling fans.

~Our refrigerator and dishwasher are both new and have great energy efficiency ratings.

~We joined a CSA this year. We expect to pick up our first share next week and are really excited about this. We also eat local beef as we have friends who raise their own beef.

~Dale and I work to make our schedules compatible in the summer months so that we can carpool to work. This one involves some sacrifices on both our parts but it really helps with the gas bill.

As you can see, most of the things we do at Chez Carole Knits are very basic and pretty simple. But, there might be something new to you on this list and that's why I think this is a really worthwhile meme. So go on, show me your green list. I bet I'll get some great new ideas.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (38)

March 27, 2007

The Interview

I read an interview over at Knitiot Savant yesterday and decided that looked like fun so I asked Susan to send me 5 questions to answer for ya'll. Really, it had nothing to do with the fact that I have nothing else to talk about today.

1. Has spinning enriched your knitting experience? If so, how?
Now that I am spinning yarn and actually knitting with it, I can say that spinning has definitely enriched my knitting experience. There's something truly satisfying about knitting with your own handspun yarn. It may not be as perfect as commercially spun yarn but it feels like a great accomplishment. I'm prouder of the things I've knit with my handspun than any other things I've knit.

2. What's your favorite quilt block pattern?
Oooh, a quilting question! My favorite quilt block pattern is Log Cabin. It's so versatile and looks great whether pieced with scraps or newly purchased fabrics. There are loads of different layouts and I just never get tired of making Log Cabin quilts.

3. What's a 'comfort food' for you?
My favorite comfort food is mashed potatoes and gravy. I'm also big on homemade mac 'n cheese. Bring on the carbs.

4. Why did you become a librarian?
I became a librarian because I like research. There's nothing so satisfying as answering a tough reference question. Of course, most of what I do on a daily basis has less to do with libraries and more to do with management, but that's okay because I like management, too. I wrote a post about my childhood librarian and the way she inspired me here.

5. What's your favorite book and why?
Now this is tough because it changes depending on my mood, my age, my experience and my surroundings. I will say that the book I've read more times than any other is Pride and Prejudice. Honestly, though, I think my favorite book ever is The Time Traveler's Wife. Heartbreaking but satisfying.

Thanks for the great questions, Susan, I had fun answering them. And I hope you all had fun reading my answers. If you want me to interview you, just let me know and I'll send you five questions.

And, finally, because a blog post without a photo is like a day without coffee - dull and lifeless - I give you a photo of Hannah taken while we were shopping a week or so ago. She just lurved this shirt.

No. I did not buy it for her.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (52)

March 6, 2007

For My People

As we all know, sometimes it's hard to come up with stuff for the blog. That's when it's nice to have friends that inspire you demand stuff from you. So, today is about satisfying 3 different friends. Hopefully the rest of you will also be mildly entertained, too.

For La.

Mason's feet. Aren't they just about the cutest kitty feet you've ever seen? Rich and chocolate-y brown and oh-so-fuzzy. I just love Mason's paws.

For Margene.

Here is Seraphim in her current state. Lots and lots of stockinette and just a tiny bit of lace so far. The yarn is the handspun I showed you last week and it is so soft and silky. I love knitting with it and I can't wait to finish it and wear it because it's going to be toasty warm and wicked soft.

For Scout.

My tattoo is on my right ankle. Damn, it's hard to take a picture of your ankle. But just because I love Scout (and all y'all, too) I not only took the picture but I shaved my legs for the occasion.

That should satisfy the masses. And if the rest of you want anything, get in line. Mwah.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (46)

December 14, 2006

Holiday Meme

This part is for Kat. My entry in the XXmass Contest.

The minute I read about this contest I knew exactly which house I would photograph. Amazing, isn't it? Of course, to get the full effect, you have to be there. They even play Christmas music on outside speakers. I'm so glad I don't live in this neighborhood.

Now this part is for Maryse. But you're all encouraged to read along.

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Hot chocolate. With Peppermint Schnapps and a candy cane.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree?
Oh, puh-lease. Santa does not have time to wrap.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
White lights in the windows. Colored lights outside and on the tree. But not those mini lights that come in pink and lime green. The big, old-fashioned bulbs that are red and blue and green and orange.
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
Oh yeah.
5. When do you put up your decorations?
Right after Thanksgiving.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish?
Swedish meatballs.
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
I can remember getting up with my brothers, emptying our stockings and then putting everything back in the stocking exactly the way it was so that no one would know we had already looked at the stuff.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
What truth about Santa?
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Yes. It's a Swedish tradition. When I was a kid it was always a new nightgown.
10. What kind of decorations are on your Christmas Tree?
Ornaments I've bought at craft fairs or old-fashioned things that the kids have made. There are actually two glitter pine cones, one that I made in kindergarten and one that Hannah made when she was in kindergarten. And there are lots and lots of ornaments on there that I've had my whole life because when I was a kid I had my own tree in my room. It was a gift from my godparents and every year they bought me a new ornament to hang on it. Those are really my most treasured ornaments.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread?
I do love it. I don't like driving in it, though.
12. Can you ice skate?
I used to be able to so I assume I still can. Then again, I assume I can still do a cartwheel but I wouldn't want to try it.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Yes. I got a playhouse when I was about 5. It was a big plastic thing that I could sit in. I went inside and announced that I would be opening all my presents from inside the playhouse. I was swiftly pulled out of the playhouse and made to open my presents so everyone could see.
14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Being with family and eating Swedish foods.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Christmas cookies!
16 What is your favorite holiday tradition?
We have everyone over to our house for Christmas Eve and I really love that.
17. What tops your tree?
We've had various toppers on the tree over the years. This year it will be an angel.
18. What is your favourite holiday book?
How funny is it that I'm a librarian and I don't have an answer to this question?
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
Oh Come All Ye Faithful.
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yummy?
Yummy.

Thanks for reading. Now it's your turn.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (24)

November 29, 2006

Meme and Ping

So there's this guy with a blog and he's asking for help in the Name of Science. See, he's presenting a paper at MLA about how meme's circulate around the blogosphere. I saw this over at Cate's and told her I'd play along. I also told her I'd get all you guys to play along to. All you have to do is write something about this on your blog, link to the project, and then ping over here and you're done. Simple, right? I'm sure the whole thing is way more complex than this but, whatever, I'm no scientist or linguist or professional blogger. I'm just another knitter with a blog. And we're a mighty force to be reckoned with, ya know.

And just so you don't think you came over here for nothing, howzabout a meme? Anne wrote a fun post a while ago about the things she sees while driving to and from work. In a flash of brilliance (or desperation for something to blog about) I thought this would make a fun meme.

So, here they are, the 5 most amusing/unusual/weird things I have seen while going to work and the frequency with which I have seen them:
1. sheep - every day
2. deer - sometimes
3. turkeys - frequently
4. red tail hawk - almost every day
5. pheasant - rarely

Will you play along? Tell me what you see while driving to work. And don't forget about the blog project up there at the top of the post! Thanks, guys.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (13)

November 23, 2006

Thanksgiving Meme

This is another wall hanging that I made back when I was quilting more frequently. Tiny one-inch strips are used to make the corn and the bow and leaves are applique.

Happy Thanksgiving! Yesterday I made four pies: pumpkin, mincemeat, cranberry-pecan and chocolate cream. I saved the apple for today because it really is best on the day it's made. In between pie baking I did some more Red Scarf knitting and some spinning, too. But again, not much worth showing the blog. So, I saw this meme over at Knit Think and decided it would make for an appropriate Thanksgiving post.

1. Which do you like better: Cooking at your house, or going elsewhere? I have to say, I enjoy entertaining and would rather cook at my house. However, I don't cook at home, we go to Lois'.

2. Do you buy a fresh or frozen bird? I prefer fresh but I get a frozen turkey from work every year.

3. What kind of stuffing? Pepperidge Farm with lots of sage.

4. Sweet potato or pumpkin pie? Pumpkin pie. And apple pie and mincemeat pie and pecan pie and chocolate cream pie . . .

5. Do you believe that turkey leftovers are a curse, or the point of the whole thing? I love me some leftovers. There's nothing like hot turkey sandwiches for supper on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

6. Which side dish would provoke a riot if you left it off the menu? Homemade cranberry sauce.

7. Do you save the carcass to make soup or stock? Yes, I save the carcass and make soup. Turkey soup is one of the best soups ever.

8. What do you wish you had that would make preparing Thanksgiving dinner easier? My mom always wished she had two ovens so I'll go with that. At Christmas I always wish for an extra fridge.

9. Do you get up at the crack of dawn to have dinner ready in the early afternoon, or do you eat at your normal dinner hour? I really like a candlelit Thanksgiving dinner so I prefer to eat in the late afternoon.

10. If you go to somebody else's house, what's your favorite dish to bring? I bring all the pies. And I love making pie so it's definitely my favorite dish to bring. I also bring the homemade cranberry sauce.

11. What do you wish one of your guests wouldn't bring to your house? I don't have guests but if I did I wouldn't complain about anything they brought because every little bit helps.

12. Does your usual mix of guests result in drama, or is it a group you're happy to see? There's no drama with this group. Lois is the closest thing I have to a sister so it's like being with family. I'm always happy to see everyone.

13. What's your absolute favorite thing on the menu? Ooh, this is tough. I tend to fill my plate with turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy. I could live without the vegetables, honestly. I suppose my favorite part of the meal is the stuffing.

And I added this one:

14. What are you thankful for this year? I'm thankful that I have a terrific family. They put up with my quirks (yeah, that's the nice word for it) and love me and support me in everything I want to do. I'm also thankful for the wonderful community I've built through this blog. I never expected it but it's turned out to be an amazing thing.

Now it's your turn. What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (24)

November 22, 2006

One Word Wednesday

Thank you all for the compliments on The ManLace. And the compliments on The Man, too. Let me just say, it doesn't take any arm twisting to get him to pose in his uniform.

The knitting right now is all charity knitting and I don't have much to show you just yet so I'll throw you a meme. Hope you like it.

It's only words
You.
Can.
Only.
Type.
One.
Word.

No.
Explanations.

1. Yourself: content
2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend (spouse): funny
3. Your hair: perky
4. Your mother: missed
5. Your father: minister
6. Your favorite item: wheel
7. Your dream last night: forget
8. Your favorite drink: martini
9. Your dream car: Mercedes
10. The room you are in: cozy
11. Your ex: alcoholic
12. Your fear: death
13. What you want to be in 10 years? retired?
14. Who you hung out with last night? Dale
15. What you're not? thin
16. Muffins: nah
17. One of Your Wish List Items: Golding
18. Time: evening
19. The last thing you did: spin
20. What you are wearing: flannel
21. Your favorite weather: sunny
22. Your favorite book: classic
23. The last thing you ate: chicken
24. Your life: good
25. Your mood: relaxed
26. Your best friend: constant
27. What are you thinking about right now? knitting
28. Your car: Jeep
29. What are you doing at the moment? typing
30. Your summer: fun
31. Your relationship status: married
32. What is on your TV? Chronicle
33. What is the weather like? cold
34. When is the last time you laughed? tonight

Now I'm off to bake pies. Mmmmmmm.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (14)

November 8, 2006

48 Things You Could Care Less About

Because, really, I've got nothing for today.

1. FIRST NAME? Carole.
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Yes, the movie actress Carole Lombard.
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? The other night when I watched Breakfast at Tiffany's.
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? When I take the time and write neatly, yes. But it's gotten rather messy in recent years because I depend on the computer so much.
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? Boar's Head Honey Maple Ham.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Oh yeah. I'm a lot of fun. And loyal, too.
7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? What do you call this blog?
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yup.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Not on your life.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Grapenuts.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Most of my shoes don't have laces but if they do, then, yes, I untie them.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Physically? Maybe. Emotionally? I've learned to be.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Peppermint Stick.
14. SHOE SIZE? 9.5
15. RED OR PINK? Red.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I get angry too quickly.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My mom.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? WHAT FOOD WILL GET YOU OUT OF BED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT? HAVE YOU EVER MADE A PRANK PHONE CALL?* I was at a slumber party once and other girls did, but not me. I've always been a bit of a goody-goody.
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Black pants, black/rose floral blouse, black lace shawl, black shoes.
20. LAST THING YOU ATE? Leftover chili.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Today's episode of "As the World Turns"
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Why would I want to be a crayon?
23. FAVORITE SMELL? Roast chicken.
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Dale.
25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Eyes.
26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON YOU STOLE THIS FROM? Oh sure.
27. FAVORITE DRINK? Everyone can answer this for me, right? A Dirty Grey Goose Martini. With extra olives, please.
28. FAVORITE SPORT? Women's College Basketball.
29. EYE COLOR? Brown.
30. HAT SIZE? Beats me. But Dale wears a 7 5/8.
31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? I used to but my eyes are too dry so I had to give them up.
32. FAVORITE FOOD? Mashed potatoes and gravy.
33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? I love scary movies.
35. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer!
36. HUGS OR KISSES? Kisses.
37. FAVORITE DESSERT? Pie. Any pie. So long as it's home made.
38. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? WHAT SIDE OF THE BED DO YOU SLEEP ON AND WHY? WHAT IS THE BEST COMPLIMENT YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED?* The best, and most consistent, compliment I've ever received is that I have a beautiful smile. It makes all those years of braces totally worth it.
39. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? IF YOU DIDN'T MAKE THE DECISION TO GET MARRIED AND HAVE A FAMILY, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING TODAY? IF YOU HAD TO PICK ONLY ONE COLOR TO WEAR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?* It would be black. Because it's so, errr, slimming.
40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? The Greatest Story Ever Sold.
41. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? I don't use a mouse pad.
42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? No TV last night. I was at the library for a spinning night.
43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Camping sounds. Birds in the trees, a crackling fire, and low conversation.
44. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES? Beatles.
45. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Salt Lake City to visit Margene!
46. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? I can make people laugh.
47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Stoughton, MA.
48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I saw it first at Cara's and then lots of other places. Most recently, though, at Vicki's.

*Ann replaced the original three for Vicki and then Vicki replaced them for me. Thanks, Vicki!

And because every blog post deserves a picture, my November calendar for Debi.

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (24)

October 5, 2006

10 Knitterly Things You Don't Know About Me: A Meme

I'm responding to Kathy's challenge and posting what I consider to be 10 knitterly things you don't know about me.

1. I'm afraid of cables. I've done some very basic cabling, like the Adrian's Irish Hiking Scarf, and Amy Boogie's Hat Trifecta but other than that? Nope, no cables in my knitting past. I'm skeered of the cables, I'll tell ya plain.

2. I don't know how to fix knitting mistakes. It's true. I've tried to drop down and fix mistakes and it always results in disaster. So, if I find a mistake, it's tinking for me.

3. And yet, despite number 2, I've never used a lifeline when knitting lace.

3. It's certainly well known that I love to knit socks. But perhaps you don't know that I always knit socks top down with a traditional heel flap and round toe. I have no interest in short row heels and short row toes or toe up socks. I'm happy with the way I'm doing things in the sock department.

5. I cast on weird. Or I used to cast on weird before I learned the cable cast on. No matter how many times I try to do the long tail cast on as described, I just keep getting it backwards. So, I don't use the long tail cast on anymore.

6. I'm a thrower. You probably know this. But what you might not know is that I can knit continental. The problem is, I can't purl continental. So, I just keep throwing.

7. I am left handed. My nana tried to teach me to knit when I was young and she assumed I would knit left handed so she had me sit across from her while I learned. It didn't take. When I finally learned to knit as an adult, I realized that I knit right handed. Geez, no wonder my nana couldn't teach me.

8. I keep my knitting "to do" list on my Palm. I'm actually a little obsessed about this task list and I'm constantly re-organizing and re-prioritizing the list of things I plan to knit. When I start a project I add a note to the task list telling me when I started. I go back and add a second line to the note when the project is finished. I'm not ashamed to admit that I get a little thrill when I cross off a finished project.

9. I sometimes worry that I don't push myself enough. I knit lots of socks and lots of shawls because they're easy for me. I think that maybe I should be knitting harder projects. Like things with cables.

10. I never leave the house without my knitting. Never, ever, ever.

So that's my list. Are you surprised by any of it? Or did you really already know all of these things about me?

Posted by Carole at 7:00 AM | Comments (45)

May 11, 2006

Holy Potluck Picnic, Batman!

I'm throwing up the knit signal, courtesy of my buddy, The Bookish Girl, to make sure you all know about the bloggers potluck picnic gathering at New Hampshire Sheep & Wool this coming Saturday.

Remembering what a great time we had when Cate organized one for Connecticut, I asked her if we could do it again. We strong armed Kellee into helping us organize and Julia offered up her advice on a spot. So, if you're interested, please meet up at Noon and bring some food to share with everyone. If the weather is fine we'll gather on the patch of grass between the dog trials area and the main festival. And if the weather is inclement (NO!NO!) then we'll meet at the covered picnic tables by the alpacas. Hope to see many of you there!

And, as further proof that the weather is crap and I can't take picture of flowers or knitting outside or nothing, I'm jumping on the quiz bandwagon.
Take MY Quiz

It was fun creating this, I can't wait to see the results!

Posted by Carole at 6:55 AM | Comments (29)

March 28, 2006

Taking Care of Business

Before we get to the meme, I need to update the Buy More Yarn program with some exciting news. Missa of kpixie emailed me this weekend and said that they will match my gift of $25 to make the prize a $50 kpixie gift certificate. Isn't that great?!? Just remember, there's only a few days left to shop. I must receive all purchase updates by midnight on Saturday, April 1, 2006. I'll announce the winner on Monday, April 3rd.

Okay, on to other business.

By now, you've all seen the meme that our buddies over at JenLa created. Here's my two cents.

Rules:
-Your finds must come from knit blogs.
-You may not use a blog for more than one item-all items must come from different sources.
-Finds can come from current entries or archives.
-You must post your answers with the title of the blogs they were found on and a link to the blog/item (permalinks where appropriate) on your blog. If no permalink is available, give us the post date.
-Do not steal anyone’s bandwidth-which means you should not hotlink pictures.
-You need to comment and let us know when you have completed this meme.

1. A blog which you think people have not discovered.
Want to read about a knitter and teacher living in Japan? Go visit Molly. She has a really cool mom, too.

2. A blog whose author lives close to you physically. Just get as close as you can, it’s all relative.
I'm so lucky to live in the Boston area, where we're over-run with knit bloggers. But, practically in my backyard, I've got Martita Rampage and Maggie!

3. An unusual or weird animal picture.
Go see poor Buck Rogers after his shave and a haircut. He's downright embarassed!

4. An entry that made you laugh and got you strange looks from family or co-workers.
The one where Stephanie tried to put boxes under her bed had me laughing out loud.

5. An idea you wish you’d thought of.
Mamacate's Random Wednesdays. I know I've got "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" but it's not nearly as cool as the random thing.

6. Something you’d like to knit.
Celtic Dreams. Here's Cassie's.

7. A picture of something you consider beautiful.
Judy's garden photos are gorgeous. As are most of her other photos, too. And her yarn!

8. A blog whose author you’d like to one day meet in person.
The answer to this one is tough. I would normally have said Margene and Snow and that's still true. So, true, in fact, that I'm going to visit them in June. So I feel like I need to pick a different blogger. One that I would love to meet but don't yet have plans to meet. And that's Vicki.

9. A blog of someone you have already met in person.
Oh, man, this is tough, too, because I've met so many bloggers already. It wouldn't be fair to choose just one, so I'll choose the one I've seen most recently. My buddy, Kathy. She came over on Sunday and Blogless Sharon and I helped her make her very first skein of yarn. Go on over and congratulate her, would you?

Posted by Carole at 7:20 AM | Comments (27)

March 8, 2006

Meme: Books I Know

We're all memes, all the time here at Carole Knits. I owe this one to Amy. Actually, I asked to be tagged for this. I just seems to fit, you know? Because I am a librarian, after all. And book are just about everywhere in my life.

Meme instructions: Look at the list of books below. Bold the ones you've read, italicize the ones you might read, cross out the ones you won't, underline the ones on your book shelf, and place parentheses around the ones you've never even heard of.

The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
The Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger
The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy - Douglas Adams
The Great Gatsby - F.Scott Fitzgerald
To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
(His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - J. K. Rowling
Life of Pi - Yann Martel
Animal Farm: A Fairy Story - George Orwell
Catch-22 - Joseph Heller
The Hobbit - J. R. R. Tolkien
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
Lord of the Flies - William Golding
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
1984 - George Orwell
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - J. K. Rowling
One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
Slaughterhouse 5 - Kurt Vonnegut
The Secret History - Donna Tartt
Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - C. S. Lewis
Middlesex - Jeffrey Eugenides
Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
Atonement - Ian McEwan
The Shadow Of The Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The Old Man and the Sea - Ernest Hemingway
The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
Dune - Frank Herbert

I'm tagging other bloggers who have (or are getting) their MLIS degrees: Liz, Cara, Lolly, and Mim. Have at it if you're willing, ladies.

Posted by Carole at 12:00 PM | Comments (18)

March 7, 2006

Meme: The Front Door View

Oy. I owe memes! I owe so many memes, I'm not sure who I owe them to anymore. But here's the one that Becky started, nearly a month ago, asking for pictures of the view from my front door.

Can I just say? The view in March is rather pitiful. The grass is brown, there are no leaves on the trees and the garden is just a patch of earth and mud. I didn't even manage to capture any birds at the bird feeders.

This is the view as I look to the left of my front door. It's where we have our garden in the summer, as evidenced by that big patch of brown. No, not the brown grass. The brown mud. While it may seem strange to some people to put the garden in the front yard, it's where we get the most sun. It's also right outside my kitchen door, making it an old-fashioned (and very convenient) kitchen garden.

This is what I see if I look straight ahead while standing on my front stoop. Bird bath, bird feeders, but no birds. Trust me, they are usually there. We get chickadees and cardinals and lots of sparrows. There are goldfinches and tufted titmice and several different varieties of woodpeckers. There's even an occasional hawk on the hunt. It's quite entertaining for Mason, really.

Finally, this is my view to the right. As you can see, I live on a corner lot and this is basically main street in my town. I do love my neighbor's house, it's such a charming example of New England.

At last, a bit of color. I can't see this first, tiny crocus from my front door, but I found it when I walked around the corner to go back in the house. Ahhh! Spring!

So, that's that. My front yard. Hope you enjoyed the scenery!

Posted by Carole at 11:34 AM | Comments (20)

February 7, 2006

Music Meme

So, the other day, I got tagged by Margene to do this music meme thing. I love me a good meme, so, of course, I'm in.

List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they’re any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now. Post these instructions in your blog along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see what they’re listening to.

Wherefore and Why ~ Gordon Lightfoot
I love Gordon Lightfoot but this one is probably my favorite. Or maybe Summertime Dream, I go back and forth. But this song just makes me happy.
When I woke this mornin, something inside of me told me this would be my day
I heard the morning train, I felt the wind change, too many times Im on my way
Come on sunshine, what can you show me
Where can you take me to make me understand
The wind can shake me, brothers forsake me
The rain can touch me, but can I touch the rain

Buffalo Moon ~ Brule
This group plays contemporary Native American music with some chanting woven in among the instruments. This particular song has more chanting than others and it's beautiful and haunting. The album is called We The People and it's fabulous.

I Run for Life ~ Melissa Etheridge
I loved this song the first time I heard it when Melissa Etheridge performed it on Oprah. It's inspirational and moving. It makes you want to kick cancer's ass.
I run for hope
I run to feel
I run for the truth
For all that is real
I run for your mother your sister your wife
I run for you and me my friend I run for life

We're Not Gonna Take It ~ Twisted Sister
You feeling rebellious? Pissed off? Misunderstood? Ignored? This is the song for you. It's been particularly inspirational for me these days!
oh you're so condescending
your gall is never ending
we don't want nothin', not a thing from you
your life is trite and jaded
boring and confiscated
if that's your best, your best won't do

oh we're not gonna take it
no, we ain't gonna take it
oh we're not gonna take it anymore

The Boy I'm Gonna Marry ~ Darlene Love
Just another Phil Spector discovery but I do love this song! Makes me feel like I'm at a high school dance, only this time, I'm having fun.

I Wanna Be Sedated ~ The Ramones
Loud and fast with very simple lyrics! Brings me back to my childhood, it does.
Twenty-twenty-twenty four hours to go I wanna be sedated
Nothin' to do and no where to go-o-o I wanna be sedated
Just put me in a wheelchair get me to the show
Hurry hurry hurry before I go loco
I can't control my fingers I can't control my toes
Oh no no no no no
Twenty-twenty-twenty four hours to go...
Just put me in a wheelchair...
Ba-ba-bamp-ba ba-ba-ba-bamp-ba I wanna be sedated
Ba-ba-bamp-ba ba-ba-ba-bamp-ba I wanna be sedated
Ba-ba-bamp-ba ba-ba-ba-bamp-ba I wanna be sedated
Ba-ba-bamp-ba ba-ba-ba-bamp-ba I wanna be sedated

Lullaby ~ Bond
This is another instrumental and I absolutely love it. They've taken Pachelbel's "Cannon" and rocked it up. Awesome!

So there's my list and it could be way longer. There's no AC/DC on there, for instance. Believe me, if it was summer and the top was off the Jeep, I'd be listening to AC/DC non-stop! But it's a good representation of some of the different stuff I listen to and it was actually pretty fun to do! Thanks, Margene, for thinking of me.

And, I'll tag (because I do think it's nice to be asked):
Amanda
Laurie
Julia
Jess
Cheryl
PumpkinMama
Becky

Posted by Carole at 1:30 PM | Comments (18)

January 17, 2006

Curses, Meme'd Again!

Betty tagged me with the latest meme that's been working it's way around. Like most of the memes I like, this one gives a hint into my personal life. I hope all you voyeurs out there enjoy it!

4 jobs you have had in your life
• Library page
• Secretary
• Switchboard Operator
• Library Director

4 movies you could watch over & over
• Gone with the Wind
• When Harry Met Sally
• Gettysburg
• Casablanca

4 places you have lived (I’ve only lived in 3 places!)
• Brockton, MA
• Norton, MA
• East Bridgewater, MA

4 TV shows you love to watch
• Oprah
• As the World Turns
• Desperate Housewives
• Gilmore Girls

4 places you have been on vacation
• The Bahamas
• Florida
• Gettysburg, PA
• Maine

4 websites you visit daily
• Carver Public Library
• Bloglines
• The Boston Channel
• SAILS Library Network

4 of your favorite foods
• Lobster
• King Crab Legs
• Mashed potatoes and gravy
• Banana Cream Pie

4 places you would rather be right now
• Visiting blog friends
• Yarn shopping
• A beach
• Touring the country in an RV with Dale

4 bloggers you are tagging
• Amanda
• Becky
• Leslie
• Margene

Finally, because I feel terrible that I haven't posted any knitting or spinning pictures, here is my first yarn spun and plied on Lucy. She and I are very pleased!

Posted by Carole at 1:32 PM | Comments (18)

December 20, 2005

I'm an Elf

Have YOU gotten your Christmas elf name yet? Dude, it's only 5 days 'til Christmas. What're you waiting for?

Posted by Carole at 6:49 AM | Comments (6)

December 13, 2005

My Knitting Zone

After being tagged, along with the rest of the knit blogging universe, by Scout, I present my space. This is where I sit and knit.

And this is the view from where I sit and knit.

When the weather is warm I love to knit on the deck. Sometimes in the early morning, I knit in bed. But mostly, this is the spot. It's warm and cozy and I can watch TV and surf the internet (for yarn, of course) and keep up with the blogs.

I'm happy when I'm sitting right there, knitting away. You can't ask for more than that.

Posted by Carole at 5:59 AM | Comments (24)

November 29, 2005

Tagged Again

Crazy Aunt Purl posted this meme today and tagged "everyone on the planet" and I just couldn't resist. I had nothing else planned to post and really, I just wanted an excuse to tell you all that I'm afraid of spiders. Hope you enjoy it! And if you want to answer it for your own self, consider yourself tagged.

TEN random things you might not know about me
1. I bought a Jeep Wrangler this past summer
2. I keep a list of every book I’ve read
3. I love “to do” lists
4. Oh, I just love lists
5. I often forget to water my plants
6. I love gadgets
7. I can read and knit at the same time
8. I am currently on my 4th replacement iPod
9. I think long hair on men is sexy
10. I don’t really like afghans but I do like quilts

NINE places I’ve visited
1. Maine
2. Colorado
3. Florida
4. Indiana
5. Vermont
6. Gettysburg
7. Antietam
8. New Hampshire
9. New York City

EIGHT ways to win my heart
1. Buy me yarn
2. Buy me fiber
3. Compliment my cooking
4. Take me for a drive
5. Make the bed
6. Clean the house
7. Rub my feet

SEVEN things I want to do before I die
1. Take an Alaskan cruise
2. Visit Washington, DC
3. Buy an RV and drive around the country
4. Have all the time I want for knitting
5. Have all the time I want for spinning
6. Live in the mountains
7. Milk a cow

SIX things I’m afraid of
1. Spiders
2. Snakes
3. Burglars
4. Something bad happening to someone I love
5. Cancer
6. Far-right politics

FIVE things I don’t like
1. Lima beans
2. Teal colored fabric
3. My current dress size
4. Driving in the dark
5. Feeling lonely

FOUR ways to turn me off
1. Brag
2. Lie to me
3. Expect me to pick up after you
4. Break a promise

THREE things I do every day
1. Knit
2. Eat
3. Kiss my husband

TWO things that make me happy
1. Knitting
2. Spinning

ONE thing on my mind right now
1. Christmas shopping – ugh!

Posted by Carole at 4:00 PM | Comments (10)

November 12, 2005

Could This Be True?

For Cara!

Your Birthdate: September 21

You're a restless rebel with an unpredictable nature. Bright but unbridled, you tend to seek out wild experiences over new ideas. People are frustrated by your great potential, but you love your unconventional life. You're a heartbreaker. People get attached to you, and then you're gone. Your strength: Your thirst for adventure Your weakness: Not taking time for slow pleasures Your power color: Hot pink Your power symbol: Figure eight Your power month: March

Posted by Carole at 10:21 AM | Comments (4)

November 7, 2005

Tag! I'm It!

Ahem. Cough, cough, sputter, sputter.

Meme Meme Meeeeee

I have been tagged by the fair Julia. And, ya know what? It is nice to be asked! Having been asked, the least I can do is answer.

What is your all time favorite yarn to knit with?
I guess it depends on what I'm knitting. For worsted weight, it's Cascade 220 all the way. The variety of colors is terrific, it's very soft, and the price is reasonable. If I'm knitting socks, it's definitely Vesper Sock Yarn. It's worth every penny of the $20 a skank skein price and it knits up into a lovely fabric. And the coolest part about it? It's hard to get, therefore making it all the more coveted. That said, I also love Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn and Koigu and Rowan. Oh, and my own handspun. But I haven't knit with it yet. Right now, I'm too busy gazing at the skanks skeins in amazement at my own cleverness.

The worst thing you've ever knit?
I've had things I didn't enjoy knitting but I've still loved the finish product. Like the flower washcloth from Weekend Knitting. It's quick but it's chenille and therefore not the easiest to work with. The Einstein Coat is the worst thing I've knit (and it's still not finished) because it's just so freakin' boring. Miles and miles of garter stitch. But I know when it's finished I will love it and that motivates me to pick it up and knit a few rows every now and again. The truth is, anything I've really hated, I've ripped.

Most valuable knitting technique?
Learning to read my stitches. This has really helped with the lace patterns. I think I was about 3/4 of the way through the Leaf Lace Shawl when I suddenly could "see" the pattern and everything sort of clicked. Cabling without a cable needle is pretty cool but I only know how to do one stitch that way so far. I'm going to work on this technique when I start Dale's cabled vest.

Your most favorite knit pattern? (maybe you don't like wearing it...but it was the most fun to knit)

The Leaf Lace Shawl because it was my first lace pattern. I was frustrated at first but I learned a lot knitting that. And I love to wear it, too.

Best knit book or magazine?
For magazines, I love Interweave Knits. But a favorite book? C'mon, I'm a librarian. Questions like this should be against the law. I couldn't possibly pick one. But I do love Nancy Bush's new sock book.

Your favorite knitwear designer?
I haven't knit anything by her yet but I love all of Lisa Lloyd's designs. I've got her Cable Moss Vest pattern ready to go for Dale.

Your favorite knit blogs?
Oh, man, I can't answer this! I read so many knitting blogs! Here's a list of bloggers I've met:
Betty, Cassie, Cate, Claudia, Chris, Helen, Julia, Julie, Kat, Kathy, Kellee, Kristen, Laurie, Norma, Ruth, Sandy, Stephanie, Stitchy, Theresa, Wendy.

I love meeting other knit bloggers because the connection is instant. Here's a very limited list of who I want to meet, as soon as possible:
Ann, Annie, Cara, Juno, Lee Ann, Margene, Rachel, Risa, Vicki.

And, even with all those bloggers listed, if I've left a comment on your blog, ever, then I want to meet you, too. And I ain't no stalker. Just ask Norma.

The knit item you wear the most? (how about a picture of it!)
I love the Eyelet Cardi and I wear it a lot. I also love all my shawls. But truly, the knit item I wear the most is the Feather and Fan scarf I made from Koigu that I bought last May at NH Sheep and Wool.
It has so many colors in it that it goes with everything. I wore it when I met up with Norma in September. I wore it to the Boston Knit Out. It's just a great accessory!

That's all for me. I tag Kathy, Jessalu, Heather, Deb and Liz. But only do it if you wanna!

Posted by Carole at 10:00 AM | Comments (11)

August 31, 2005

Idiot-Syncrasies? Me?

Okay, so JessaLu tagged me for this meme back in July and I've been ignoring it ever since. Today seems like a fine time to check this off my to-do list. And I just want to say, this wasn't easy. I have lots of rules and I can be quite OCD particular about things, but idiosyncracies? Those were harder to identify. Nevertheless, here goes nothing.

id·i·o·syn·cra·sy
Pronunciation Key
n. pl. id·i·o·syn·cra·sies
A structural or behavioral characteristic peculiar to an individual or group.

Write down five of your own personal idiosyncrasies. Then, if you wish, tag five people from your live gerbil or friendslist to do the same.

1. When I channel surf, whether it's the radio or the television, I have to go from the first available channel to the last - even if I find something I want to listen to or watch before I get there. I just need to make sure there isn't something better that I could be listening to or watching.

2. I almost always read the ending of a book first. I want to make sure it's going to turn out the way I want or, if it's not, to prepare myself for the disappointment of things not going my way.

3. I can not wear my glasses while I eat. Ever.

4. Speaking of eating, I absolutely have to have a napkin when I have something to eat. Whether it's a full course meal or a teeny snack, I just have to have a napkin. Or two.

5. Popcorn at the movies? It's meant to be eaten when the movie starts. Not before the lights go down, not during the previews, not until the actual movie starts. I have had to learn to overlook this rule when going to the movies with people who share my popcorn as a matter of survival but I'm not happy about it.

Okay, that's my 5 and I'm not going to tag anyone because it took me so long to answer this that the popularity of this particular meme seems to have died down.

To update you on the comment contest - and to shamelessly quote Sally Field, you like me, you really like me! I have met so many readers in the last 2 days and it's been great! The contest continues and we're almost there, so keep those comments coming.

And, because I am committed to showing you pictures and making you laugh whenever possible, I leave you with this.

Posted by Carole at 7:11 AM | Comments (18)

August 25, 2005

I'm Winnie the Pooh! Who are You?

Take the 100 Acre Personality Quiz!

Posted by Carole at 8:11 AM | Comments (4)

July 27, 2005

No Cream In My Coffee

I Am a Plain Ole Cup of Joe But don't think plain - instead think, uncomplicated I am a low maintenance kind of girl... who can hang with the guys Down to earth, easy going, and fun! Yup, that's me: the friend everyone invites. And I'm dependable too. Both for a laugh and a sympathetic ear. What Kind Of Coffee Are You? Take This Quiz :-)

Hunh. Well, I don't know if I, myself, am a plain ole cup of Joe, and I sure as hell ain't low maintenance (just ask Dale) but I do prefer plain ole Joe over any fancy-type coffee drinks. Black, no sugar, please. Go ahead and take the quiz, it's sort of fun.

You want some knitting content? The Feather and Fan socks are done. This is good news as I really didn't enjoy this cotton yarn. (Don't ask me what it is, this is the yarn that fell in the pool and the label disintegrated.) It didn't actually make my hands hurt but it felt stiff and awkward. The pattern, however, I liked very much. It's from the book Socks Socks Socks edited by Elaine Rowley. Here's the finished product, being modeled by the Lovely Hannah, the recipient of the socks.

The crossed foot pose has nothing to do with me trying to distract you from the mismatched stripes. It's just the way she was sitting. Yup, she always sits on the deck with her feet balanced over a pot of petunias. Really. I swear. And, while those mismatched stripes bug me, they don't bug me nearly as much as they would if these were my socks. Just saying.

Posted by Carole at 8:07 AM | Comments (10)