Another Stocking and a Half

The fourth installment of Sigrid's stockings has been completed, and I've got a good start on the fifth and final one. I saved the most intricate one until last, but it turns out that it isn't that difficult to knit with two colors at once (I had done a little two-color knitting years ago). I'm really looking forward to seeing all these stockings lined up on the fireplace some day!

South Island, New Zealand

We just returned a couple of days ago from an incredible week on the South Island. The scenery overwhelms you really. It's just like the glossy pictures of New Zealand you see in books and magazines, and you often find yourself thinking that the whole island really is the most beautiful place in the world.

We started in Christchurch and then drove over the Southern Alps to Greymouth on the west coast, the Tasman Sea. Then we went down the coast a bit to the Franz Josef Glacier and Doubtful Sound. We finished the trip by crossing back up to the east coast via Queenstown and ranching country that was reminscent of Montana.

Naturally, we enjoyed the consumer side of being tourists as well! I have several nice samples of New Zealand wool to add to my stash.

Click here for more pictures of our trip!

I'm Getting the New Zealand Thing!

It is indescribably beautiful here. It's sunny and green, and there are always ocean breezes. We just got back from a 3 day sailing cruise on a 72 foot boat in the famous Bay of Islands north of Auckland. I went snorkeling for the first time in my life, and I swam in bays and lagoons with clear turquoise-colored water. We ate fish caught from the sea (smoked, and raw in sushi) and hiked barefoot on grassy islands with stunning views. I now understand the appeal of vacations on warm islands, and I really appreciate being forced to "do nothing" for 3 days. It is not over-stated to say that the trip was life-changing for me!!

Here are a few highlights. The skipper sailed up very close to the "Hole in the Rock" where the water is a dark inky blue-violet color:

The "Hole in the Rock" is behind me in this picture; it looks like a woolly mammoth from a distance.

There were stunning sunsets; this picture was taken from the land looking out into the bay:

We even got lucky and had some dolphins swim with the boat on our last day as we were heading home, and they showed off a bit for us too!

There are a few more pictures here.

First Day in Auckland

Greg took me on a tour of Auckland yesterday, and well, what can I say...it's lovely here! It reminds me somewhat of Southern California, but there are beautiful views in every direction and continual ocean breezes. The picture above was taken on North Head, a hill overlooking the entrance to the harbor.



We always manage to find a nice spot to have our coffee...here Greg's espresso is called a "short black," and my drink is a "flat white." At least I think that's the lingo.

A Shawl and Some Books

The yarn for this shawl is a wool-acrylic blend, bulky weight (Lana Grossa "Mega Stoppino Fuso"), that I just had to have when I saw it at a store in Munich. I loved the self-striping pinks, taupes and tans, and although I had no idea what I would make with it, I bought it. I then had a lot of trouble figuring out what to do with it, starting and ripping out at least four different garments before finally settling on this simple shawl pattern (available on the Lion Brand website, "Splendid Triangle Shawl"). It's odd the way it can be so difficult to match yarn to the right project.

Becoming Jane Eyre (2009) by Sheila Kohler. The author pulls you into the world of the Bronte sisters with this sweet and sad tale. Although it's imagined, it is based on research as well, and one thinks the Brontes' lives may have really been the way they are portrayed here.

Olive Kitteridge (2008) by Elizabeth Strout. Olive Kitteridge is a quirky and tragic character, and there are many memorable parts to this book. It was a real page-turner, and book clubs probably would like this one a lot.

Cranford (1851) by Elizabeth Gaskell. A classic in the style of Jane Austin, but a little rougher around the edges.

Sternstunden der Menschheit (1929) by Stefan Zweig. Zweig tells the stories in spellbinding fashion of monumental historical events, such as the fall of Constantinople, the first telegraph line across the Atlantic, and Lenin's return to Russia to lead the revolution.

Changing Places (1975) by David Lodge. This is an absolutely hilarious tale about two professors, one from California and the other from England, who exchange their teaching positions for six months. The author captures the absurdities of academia (reminiscent of Moo) in both countries in that very humorous, understated British manner.

I'm back in Spokane!

I returned home on Thursday after the usual grueling 24 hour trip across the big pond. It's great to be here with my little dogs...now if only my husband would return. But I'll see him soon, as I'm leaving to New Zealand in just one week!

A couple of finished projects are posted below. The sweater is made of two strands of light worsted weight wool held together (purchased in Munich...I forgot to note the brand name); it is really warm and fun to wear. I found the pin holding the fronts together at a small shop in Munich where the owner makes all kinds of jewelry from polished stones.

The socks are made of a self-striping sport weight wool and nylon blend by Schoeller Stahl and called "Limbo Mexiko." I like the way the stripes don't quite match.

I've always wanted to feature finished projects by friends, as well as my own, and here's an opportunity: The cross stitch teapot was done by Karen; I found it as a surprise early birthday gift in my mailbox yesterday. I love the warm red and yellow colors.

Chris and Peter Are in Munich

Chris and his good friend Peter have been here in Munich this past week, and although it's still cold and there's plenty of snow on the ground, we've been intrepid tourists. We've seen the Munich highlights, and we've traveled to Salzburg and Berlin together; today the boys are on their own for Neuschwanstein Castle (I've never managed to make it there myself). There are hundreds of great photos I could chose from to post here (thanks to Peter's photography skills), but I finally decided on the series below. These boys are not beer drinkers normally, but they wanted to live like the natives for a while. Prost!