Golden Gate National Recreation Area

I was planning on hiking around Angel Island, but I got going late and did you know that the ferry stops running at 4:00 pm?  I didn't want to be thinking about not making the ferry back, since then I wouldn't be enjoying the experience, I'd just be thinking about missing the ferry. Yes, I am a basket case occasionally.

As usual, when it's hot weather in the East Bay, it's cold, windy and overcast on the coast. 

So, I ended up exploring the Marin Headlands and eventually made it over to Rodeo Beach. What I don't know is why I haven't been over to this area before because it was very scenic. I'll definitely be back.

I parked at the visitor's center and in the interests of getting at least a short hike took the trail from there down to Rodeo beach.

Along the way I saw some wild roses. They were growing in big bushes at various places along the trail. Yep, these are the original flower that our multi-petaled rose comes from. I love the smell of roses and these smell amazing. Watch the thorns though, cause they are wicked.

The trail dipped down through a shaded glade and there were some of these tall purple items. I have no idea what they are. Just took a picture cause they were cool.

Made it down to the beach and just sat for a while watching and listening to the ocean. It was nice and relaxing. I headed back when I started feeling really cold. The wind was blowing and it was overcast, although the sun did manage to break through here and there.

I did bring my knitting and do a few more rows on my Clapotis.




That concludes my outdoor adventures. I have been working diligently on all of the gift slippers I am making and they are done and felted. I also put puffy paint on the bottoms for better traction. I think they turned out great. I'm glad I'm done with these and I can move on to other projects.

Time flies...

...whenever you are not watching it closely. Besides knitting (I know, the most important thing in the universe) this is what I'm also doing this summer.
(1) Getting back into working out. Not exercising for 7 months and then working out - it's hard and very tiring. Who knew? Yes, I am out of shape but I'm working on it.
(2) Taking care of various things - car repair, dental repair, doctor's visit, DMV stuff - etc. etc. all that stuff that I never have time to take care of during school.
(3) Completing classes for Masters. I have two more.

Yep, just a tad busy. Anyway, not been working on any posted projects lately as quite some time ago I decided that making felted slippers for gifts would be a Good Idea. 4 pair had to be done by the end of July - so well, that's what I've been doing when not taking care of the above stuff.  These are DONE except for sewing up and then throwing in the washer for the magic shrinking process.

Yay! Now I can go back to other knitting projects instead of working on one more pair of slippers.

You can always have one more...

I have determined that I am an ADD craft person. I don't like working on just one project. 5 projects are good and 10 projects are even better. Of course, this means that I jump around from item to item, but hey, it's what makes me happy. Oh, and being a teacher isn't so great sometimes but summer vacation really rocks.

I've been diligently (well somewhat) working on the Diagonal Rib Top. I can only work on it for so long at a time because row after row of knit and purl is Deadly Dull. Anyway, here is where I'm at:

And yes, there is a problem. What is it? Well, there are two problems really. And, no it's not the fit. The thing fits great and I really like the way it looks. But it is TOO SHORT and I know that it will bug me, and that I will not wear it, and then all my work will be wasted.

The 2nd thing is that the neckline is really low. Which would be fine if I was going to to a club, but since I want to wear this for work and during the day, I need to raise the neckline.

So, I've got to rip it back all the way to the neckline and then do more rows and then start over with the whole division thing, etc. What really makes me crazy here is that I already had extra rows but in a fit of insanity decided to rip them out. So, now I have to rip back so I can re-knit the rows I already knit and ripped out. I'll be happier though so it just has to happen.

I then cast on for this for solace.

It's Poplar and Elm, a very nice openwork lace cardigan. I'm doing it in Rowan Bamboo Soft which is very nice and soft. Super drape.

What about those other projects? Oh, they are all still on the needles. I'm working on the felted slipper sets (I have two more sets to complete before the end of July) and the Clapotis has been relegated to my "take-along" knitting since I don't have to count it, don't need to finish a row to know where I am and I don't need the pattern for quite some time. And yes, row after row of stockinette is again, Deadly Dull,  So, it's perfect for the project that I won't mess up as I sit and chat or that I do a few stitches/rows on here and there.

Why do things like this happen to me?

So today I come home to this:

What is the problem here you may ask. A box? Cool. Someone sending me something? Even more cool.

The problem is that this is a box that I shipped out from the Post Office yesterday. Why is it on my doorstep? I really don't know. My only guess at this point is that the Postal Employee who looked at this did not know the meaning of the words From and To. So, off the post office tomorrow...

However, Clapotis is coming along. I've been knitting on it every day. Yes, it is boring but the drop stitches make it all worth it. There is a lot more than there was last time but the Giant Ball of Yarn has not appreciably diminished. Thank goodness for my kitchen scale which assures me that yes, this ball is 2 oz lighter than it used to be.