More Heartfelt and A Pet Vacation

I'm wearing Bonnie from Kim Hargreaves' Heartfelt, The Dark House Collection. I love this pattern booklet and have already knit Calm, Haven, and Emily from it.

This pattern has a fun lace design with a zig zag insert that creates a lightweight and feminine hat. The yarn I used was given to me by my swap partner on Ravelry's Group Cuppa Tea?  and a big thank you to Jody [Ravelry ID] for being a great swap partner! She also sent some other fun gifts including Prince of Wales black tea so I feel very spoiled and had a great swap!

Even though this yarn came from a tea swap, I see nothing wrong with wearing it for a morning coffee at my favorite Santa Monica, CA cafe, Le Pain Quotidien.  On the weekend, Steve, Simcha and I often will go out for a morning coffee but I'm the only one who ever eats anything.  But what is a coffee out with no pastry?  I think his spartan view of life must come from his Midwest upbring.  But, I do not let that stop me.  This morning I had a lemon and fennel scone topped with ricotta cheese and cherry jam.  Yum yum.

Particulars: Bonnie from the Dark House Collection; 1 skein Serena Yarn by Manos del Uruguay (60% baby alpaca /40% Pima Cotton); colorway #2457; US 3 needles.

Modifications: 1. I substituted the yarn to Serena (pattern calls for Rowan Bamboo Soft); 2. Because I used a heavier gauge yarn I used larger needles (US 3) which I used for both the hat body and the hat band; 3. Again, to account from the heavier gauge yarn, I only knit the pattern repeat 3 additional times (instead of 4); 4. I knit the hat band in reverse garter stitch (i.e. I purled every row) instead of the recommended moss stitch and BO in knit stitch; and 5. I hand steamed/blocked the body of the hat prior to seaming (this hat is knit flat).

This is obviously a cold weather hat and I've worn it in the pictures just to show you how it fits.  But I am looking forward to wearing it this Fall!

A Pet Vacation

We took a pet vacation over the 4th of July holiday.  That's right, we took a vacation from our pet. I haven't felt this relaxed since, frankly, we brought Simcha home. Now before you think too badly of us I do believe Simcha had a nice time too. He stayed at a lovely "pet resort" right here in Topanga Canyon where he ran with a pack of dogs all day. He came home happy and exhausted and slept for hours. I'm beginning to warm to the idea of dropping him off periodically for their day care program.

It is with great relief that  I can report we are starting to see improvement in his behavior. Up until last week, the word "no" meant nothing to him. You may recall his "graduation" from obedience school several weeks back (a training course based on positive/reward theory). Hahahahahaha.  Nuff said.  We are now approaching his obedience training with two hour weekly private lessons, the traditional way. A natural self confident dog, Simcha simply saw all the treats he received as confirmation that he was the one destined to be our "pack leader"  This was not good for his character.



Beautiful, isn't he. You can almost understand why he believes he was born to rule.

Until next time, be well, love well, and get out and about this Summer ~ why not treat yourself to a lovely morning coffee out!