Toys and Games oh my!

Starting with the toy, here's my bunny. Well, not my bunny anymore. But I did breath life into him! And now I've sent him on to fulfill his mission to love and be loved by a beautiful baby boy.

This is the Lola Bunny designed by Beth Skwarecki ( free pattern download here ) and it is the first toy I've ever knit and it won't be the last. I can say that with some certainty because I've already had a request for another one! From Steve (giggle). When he saw this little bunny finished he was so impressed and liked him so well he asked me to make one for him - or perhaps a dog or a lion. So, a big shout out to anyone who knows a great pattern for a knit dog or lion to please hook me up.

This is a good sized bunny - approximately 12 to 13 inches from the top his head to the bottom of his legs. Unfortunately I forgot to measure him before he was sent, but he's a nice size. Not too small and would work for a child of almost any age (giggle).

While I was knitting this bunny I got to thinking about children's toys and in particular the toy in the story The Steadfast Tin-Soldier. The Steadfast Tin-Soldier is a fairy tale written by Hans Christian Anderson. You are probably familiar with H.C. Anderson's more popular fairy tales such as The Princess and the Pea or The Little Mermaid but he wrote quite a few fairy tales most of which are incredibly sad - guaranteed to traumatize any child of sensitivity. Anywho, the beauty to be gleaned from the story of The Steadfast Tin-Soldier comes from revealing that no matter what our outward appearance or how we are treated in life we can still have a beautiful heart and, in the end, that's all that really matters.

Specs: Pattern Lola Bunny Love; 1 skein Schaefer Yarn - Little Lola - 100% superwash merino 280 yrds; US3 double pointed needles; finished dimensions approximately 12-13 inches. The only modification I made was to close the bum segment more rapidly to create a flatter bottom so that the bunny would sit up more easily. To do this I simply made my decreases all the way around each row rather than just once on each needle. I have to say this is a really well written pattern and was a pleasure to knit.

Bye bye Bunny.

On to Tagging Games......

Do you ever get the impression that my maturity level might be a little lagging behind my chronological age. Maybe that's why Steve and I get along so well. Hum, something to think about. Kidding aside, these games are a fun way to share a little about yourself and in turn learn a little about the bloggers that you read. I was favored with a tag by both Denise at The Knitting Den and Bridget at The Ravell'd Sleave, both of whom have really interesting things to share.

Here are the rules for this MEME:

"The rules of the game get posted at the beginning. Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer."

1) What was I doing 10 years ago?

Practicing law and living in South Bend, Indiana in a house situationed on the St. Joseph river in the middle of a beautiful wooded area. I still miss that home and the beauty of the changing seasons.

2) What are 5 things on my to-do list for today?
Since it's late in the day this is my to-do list for tomorrow. Morning: meet a legal colleague for coffee and give him the exhibit I worked on today and then I'm off to grocery shop at Whole Foods Market. I love this market - everything is organic and tastes so much better than conventionally grown/raised food. I know they say you can't taste the difference - but I can. I know I can so don't try and convince me otherwise. As an aside, you know you are working too hard when the highlight of your week is a trip to the grocery store. Afternoon: (1) draft corporate resolutions; (2) research a tax issue; and Evening: manicure finger nails and play with Mr Puffy (not necessarily in this order).

3) Snacks I enjoy: Good for me snacks: carrot sticks dipped in hummus or wasabi peas. Bad for me snacks: Chocolates or potato chips. Unfortunately, and truthfully, I eat way more of the bad for me snacks.

4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire: For myself, I would travel to all parts of the world focusing on the best beaches (my personal favorite so far is on Eleuthera Island which has incredible pink sand beaches). For others, I would fund education and medical research programs.

5) Places I have lived:

I was born and raised in Santa Barbara, California. After graduating from the University of California, Santa Barbara, I left Santa Barbara to live in Los Angeles, California until I moved back to the Midwest to go to law school at the University of Notre Dame . After about ten years in South Bend, Indiana I moved back to California and now live in Topanga (a suburb of Los Angeles) and have for the last three years split my time between Topanga and San Clemente (a small surf town located between San Diego and Los Angeles).

6) Jobs I have had: As a teenager one of the jobs I had was selling flowers on the street corner (not a job I would recommend but the tips were good). After college I have worked as a certified public accountant and as a lawyer.

7) Bloggers I am tagging who you will enjoy getting to know better:

Jillian at Sknitty (a fellow LA girl);
Hilary at The Yarnaid (check out her beautiful Safire bolero Ravelry Link she designed it herself);
Theresa at T Does Wool (a fun new blogger);
Amanda at FancyPants Knits (she really knows how to knit that perfect fit sweater);
Marie at Knitted Gems (a knitter who knows no pattern limitations).

Have a wonderful and relaxing Memorial Day Holiday!

Cups for Tea and a Book meme

I learned about the Hospital-i-Tea-a-Thon from Rosanne at Firefly Nights and since tea is such a big part of my life, I've decided to join in. I'm a little late beginning so have two topics this time.

The Teacup Stories
Assignment: Share a picture of your favorite teacup and explain why it's meaningful.

My favorite teacup came from my Auntie Fay, who isn't really my Auntie at all but a dear family friend who remembered me on all the special occasions of my life and, in practice, was more than any actual extended family to me.



The teacup she gave me is special both for it's beauty and what it represents. The beauty of this teacup speaks for itself. It is fine English bone china manufactured by Shelley China and is light as a feather, very strong, and holds heat well, the hallmarks of good bone china. I do believe a nice teacup does make drinking tea a little more enjoyable and so if you don't have a special teacup I think you ought to consider treating yourself to one!

This teacup is also special to me because of what it represents. My Auntie Fay, you see, is the essence of hospitality and you are never in her home for more than five minutes before she is putting the kettle on. It does not matter the time of day or night a cup of tea in her home means you are in for good conversation and a relaxing interlude. Countless conversations with her family and friends have taken place in her snug kitchen around a teapot covered by a wonky tea cozy and a plate of cookies. The essence of true hospitality to me.

Litera-Tea
Assignment: Share tea from the perspective of literature.

This second topic is an easy one for me. No question, the literary influence goes to Alexander McCall Smith and his The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series featuring Precious Ramotswe. It is entirely due to the protagonist Precious Ramotswe drinking daily cups of red bush tea while she ponders human nature that I have become a devotee of this tea myself. It is also known as Roobius herbal tea and I like it best in the plain unadulterated version that I buy from The Lavender Tea Company in San Clemente. I understand you can also use it in cooking - something I must look into.



A BOOK meme!
I'm always looking for a good book. I ask friends and strangers alike what they are reading and the all important question - is it a good book? So when Bridget at The Ravell'd Sleave tagged me with a book meme I thought what a great idea! I must confess, it's no longer quite the same meme as I've modified it a little to focus more on sharing favorite books.

1. What book are you currently reading?

I've only just started reading The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler. Unfortunately I'm not far enough along to say much about it other than I would not recommend it to someone unfamiliarity with all of Austen's books.

Next up for me is The Grenadillo Box by Janet Gleeson. It's a mystery set in 18th century England. I've read several Janet Gleeson books including The Serpent in the Garden and The Thief Taker and, having enjoyed both of them, imagine I'll enjoy this one too.



2. When you think of a good story what are the first 3 books that come to mind?

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. Such a creative and well written story. Winner of the Hugo and Nebula awards it is a standout in science fiction.

Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier. Novel set on the cold British moors with mysterious goings on. Classic.

The Peaceable Kingdom by Jan De Hartog. Historical novel surrounding the Quaker movement. I just find these characters and their story compelling.

Honorable mention: Mr Puffy's favorite is Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. He tears up just at the mention of the book. Such a beautiful and sad story. If you have a young teenager on your hands this summer give them this book.

3. Which 3 books would you recommend for summer 2008 beach reading?

Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach. Set in 17th century Amsterdam this story brings to life an extraordinary set of circumstances.

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke. An adult fairy tale about English magic.

Any Tea Shop Mystery by Laura Childs. Very light and fun reads.

4. Any knitting book(s) you care to share?

The Knitter's Gift, An Inspirational Bag of Words, Wisdom, and Craft, edited by Bernadette Murphy. I received this book free along with a large purchase of Fleece Artist Yarns that I made several years ago, to knit a blanket. Yes, I have knit a blanket. The book is filled with individual stories of how knitting has impacted various lives. Some of the stories are rather sad and poignant. While I would not run out and buy this book, if you are looking for a gift insert in a basket I think it would serve rather well for that purpose.

I now get to tag three bloggers and I'm tagging Rosanne at Firefly Nights who is a really talented writer, photographer, fiber enthusiast and all round clever blogger who I know will have some good books to share; Hilary at The Yarniad a fantastic knitter and I'm just nosy about what she likes to read; and Denise at The Knitting Den who I share a lot in common with including a British mother and a shared passion for Christmas fruitcake (I'm using her recipe this year) so I'm curious what books she likes. I actually would like to know what everyone reads so if you would like to share please don't wait for a tag.

A Little of This and a Little of That

I was tagged over the weekend with my first "meme" by the very sweet Rosanne of Firefly Nights.

A meme. As if. Like it's not already all about me me me all the time already! The rules for this meme are that I share six non-important things/habits/quirks about myself and Mr Puffy so, in the spirit of being a good sport, here we go:

1. I like to listen to country music when I'm in my car;

2. Mr Puffy has a criminal past (he was a chicken poacher until he had a close brush with an angry farmer. Since we've had him I've done my best to convince him chicken tastes better roasted);

3. Between Steve, Mr Puffy and myself we represent combined professional experience of a medical doctor, two lawyers, a certified public accountant, a real estate broker, a securities broker; and an ex-poacher.

4. I'm a native Californian and have been known to use the expression "dude" on ocassion;

5. Going to the Farmer's Market on the weekend is my idea of a good time; and

6. I used to play USTA league tennis and played first court doubles.

I now get to tag 6 bloggers of my choice and they are (drum roll please) Monika of Smoking Hot Needles; Bridget of The Ravell'd Sleave; Amanda of Fancie Pants Knits; Silvia of Silverknits; Vicki of Knitting Dragonflies; and Geoff of A Bubbling Cauldron (a non-knitter but a really cool dude).

On a more knitterly note, I splurged over the weekend on the new Debbie Bliss book, Coastlines. I love several of the designs but am going to start with this top (except I'm going to knit it in the color teal). The yarn is Debbie Bliss' Stella and is a blend of 60% silk, 20% rayon, and 20% cotton.