A microwave, two FOs & a new project

I am back from my travels, and boy, am I glad! And the reason is because of this:

Paul surprised me by finishing another piece of the kitchen puzzle. Now I'm not a big microwave user. In fact, I barely use it at all but when I do use it (reheating tea, melting butter, coagulating oatmeal) I like it to be in the vicinity of the kitchen. And that hasn't been the case since May 2007 (the start of the kitchen reno). Since that time the microwave has lived in the laundry room located in the basement. That's eight months for those of you counting. I have to admit that I wasn't counting. I just did the math and I'm REALLY glad that I didn't do that sooner (the math, not the installing). Now our kitchen is fully functional! The only things left are installing thresholds, trim, window frames and then paint for the trim and window frames. Oh, and the upper cabinet doors. I've gotten so used to the big, gaping holes that we call cabinets that I forgot about 'em.

Anyhoodles, traveling was good to me knitting-wise. Paul and I went to Collingwood to hang with a gaggle of friends, where Paul learned to snowboard and I did the walk of shame (instead of snowboarding), ate, fell down and hurt my tailbone and my pride (nothing like having 15 people witness your tumble down some stairs), played Wii (where I made up for my clumsiness by kicking ass) and knit. Our friends rented this big ol' house near Blue Mountain and at first glance it was really nice. But it was DIRTY and not in a good way. Long story short, I couldn't wait to get to my home for a shower. I know I shouldn't throw stones at glass houses as my place is not the cleanest, but at least I know WHEN I cleaned last, right? Maybe it's just that as I get older my internal Dirt-O-Meter gets more sensitive. I dunno. But I do know my friends are totally rocking and despite me being a little bit on the grossed out side we had a great time! While in Collingwood, I finished a quick project:

Ignore the weird look on my face and look at the damn scarf! What I love about this scarf is that it's made from Ms. Snark's handspun. It's awesome!!

AWESOME SNARKFEST II (the name I stole from Betharoopie)
Started: January 3, 2008
Completed: January 12, 2008
Pattern: One Row Handspun Scarf by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
Yarn: Lorena's handspun (100% Shetland Wool)
Color: : "Good Morning"
Skeins: 1
Needles: Knitpicks nickel-plated 32" 3.00mm/US2
Notes: I used all the yarn!

Once I completed that, I cast on for the second Cedar Creek sock. This UFO had been languishing in my basket since September and I really wanted to get it done. In between eating cookies and marshmallows, I was able to pick up the heel stitches before heading home. Then I had to get ready for a work trip that took me to Ontario, California. I was gone for three days and two of those days were traveling. Seriously. From door to door it was like 10+ hours each day. In fact, my one day meeting was shorter than either of my travel days. That meant more knitting! When I got home this is what I had:

I wasn't sure if TSA was going to take away my needles so I added the lifeline. I went ahead and finished that sock tonight bringing my grand total of FOs for 2008 to three. Not too shabby, if I do say so myself. A much better start than any of my previous years.

CEDAR CREEK SOCKS
Started: August 15thish, 2007
Completed: January 22, 2008
Pattern: Cedar Creek Socks by Kaci Kyler Hays
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts "Sock Candy"
Color: Scheherazade
Skeins: 2
Needles: Knitpicks nickel-plated 32" 3.00mm & 3.25mm
Notes: used larger needles than the pattern called for.

Now I just have one thing on the needles and that's the Thick & Thin Cardigan from Stephanie Japel's Fitted Knits, also known as The Jimi Hendrix X-mas Cardigan. I'm afraid it's going to be rather snug, although I think I'll be able to wear it. I just may not be able to button it.