Christmas Knitting Wrap Up or At Least a Shoulder Cozy

First I want to say to all of my friends, I hope you had wonder holidays and are looking forward to a fabulous new year.  Next I need to discuss a problem in the knitting world.  Yes, you knitters know about this problem, holiday knitting.  In my case the words "Christmas knitting,"  should have the ominous, da-da-daa sound after it.  Because you start with good intentions about sharing your talent with people you love and you end up late on Christmas eve night madly knitting trying to get everything done.  You always promise yourself, you will never do this again.  You will buy presents or start knitting tomorrow for the next holiday season.  Then somewhere between December 25 and September you totally forget this vow.

Jessica in Shoulder Cozy

Mom in Shoulder Cozy
 

This year I really did try to be laid back about what I was going to knit, and for awhile I did seem to have it under control.  In September I knitted two very lovely shoulder cozies for my mom and baby sis.  They turned out so lovely, I especially liked how baby sis looks in hers.  She could not have worn a more perfect dress to wear with the cozy.  Both of the ladies rocked the hand knits.

Scrunchable Scarf for My Minion

I kept a scrunchable scarf in my desk at work, knitting it on lunch and break (sort of) through out the year.  I wanted to make a long scarf for my tall minion, Steve.  About late November, I noticed I was only half way to the finished project (too many naps at lunch).  Less naps and more knitting were required.  The scrunchable scarf just barely got done.  I think I was weaving in ends as he walked through the door.  He seemed to like the scarf, but minions are mysterious.  The yarn I used, a Michael's brand acrylic, pooled up very interesting in the first half of the project, but not the second half.  Look at the photo and pretend the scarf all looks that graphic.

Cheyenne, Tammy, and Sheree Sporting Their New Berets.

I also knit three slouchy lace beret.  One for my niece, my great niece, and of course Tammy, niece's mother.  These were some serious lace berets and I have to say there were a few touch and go moments, but overall, I love how these turned out.  Great niece, Cheyenne, looks exceptionally moppetish in hers.

Cheyenne Modeling for Her Aunt

I also knit a second pencil scarf, because, nothing says I love you like the gift of a bright yellow pencil scarf.  I found a pattern online for a pencil scarf, but it took multiple tries to get the right look.  In the end I did love how the silly thing turned out and I learned a valuable lesson, pencils need to be knitted in the round.

Pencil Scarf #2

Finally, I noticed that my wife really liked a felted bowler hat we saw at the annual Weaver's Guild show.  She looked really cute in it too.  I decided she definitely needed one.  I trolled around on Ravelry and found just the pattern, the fabulous felted hat (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/felted-fabulous-hat).  As much as I wanted to knit one for her, I was cautious.  Felting can be tricky, a swatch would help.  A swatch would help, but making a proto type first would help more.  I committed myself to experimenting on one for me and then knitting her the perfected second hat..  Such a good plan, but unfortunately not a successful plan.  The first hat got done, the second one remains a large sack of an item which is currently awaiting the hot water bath. 

Felted and Unfelted Fabulous Felted Hats

Natalie was a good sport about the delayed gratification of her own purple bowler, but I was a little disappointed in myself. I can only hope the end product will be worth the wait.  In the meantime, I am thinking I should start today planning my 2013 holiday knitting. 

Oh I Love My Fiestaware!

My loved ones did very well this holiday season in providing me with my drug of choice, Fiestaware.  I got five new items and a gift card to Cornucopia, where Fiestaware lives.  I always get excited when I am handed a heavy package.  I know pottery goodness is within, that or someone is giving me leg weights. 



Holiday Fiestaware Loot

My minion gave me my own rectangle casserole dish in tangerine, which is almost too pretty to use.  My friend Kim gave me new lemon grass oval platter which debuted on Christmas day filled with pot roast.  My mom gave me a new lemon grass canister.  And lastly, I got two new demitasse cups to round out my set.  I am so loved.

Set of Six Demitasse Cups

Coveting My Friends Socks!

Earlier this year some of friends showed up with these awesome mismatched socks called Solmates.  Apparently, the company makes socks which though similar in design are actually not identical.  I have coveted these socks since first sight.  I kept promising myself I would get a pair or two, but to date I have not kept my vow.  However, the clan at Rivendell saw the longing in my eyes and for Christmas got me my own very special pair.  Can I just say, I LOVE these socks!  I have some of the best friends, thank you Rivendell.

Tribe of Knitters

I love my knitting crews!  Last week I went to two of the best knitting parties, ever.  First I went to a yarn swap and came home with some great new to me yarn, in awesome shades of green.  Yarn haul aside it was so much fun to sit with my original knit tribe and talk about life, the world, and putting together a good stitch.


Haul from Yarn Swap

My Sunday knit crowd also did a holiday party.  We drew names and exchanged presents.  I am always amazed by how beautiful presents are from handcrafters.  I received a gorgeous, green bag, a fun, felted bowl, and a lovely button up neck gaiter.  The bag was not only the perfect color, but the level of detail my fellow knitter put in it from top stitching to the polka dot lining charmed me to the core of my fibernista's heart.

Wonderful Gifts from Heather, Loved that All Three Were Handmade.

The gifts and yarn aside the time spent in the company of the knitting circles into which I subscribe made for good times.  One of the women even brought her very artistic daughter who made a point to draw most of us pictures to take home.  Thank you Lael, I love my tree next to the bright flower.

Lael, One of My Tribes Daughter, Drew Me a Forrest Scene

In the end both parties were filled with many warm wishes.  I also left with something else, a sense of community that made me feel proud to be a part of a tribe of such amazing and kind people. 

Bossy!

I admit it I am bossy.  I try not to be, but it happens.  When I observe someone, doing something, and I think it could be improved, I can't help but make a polite suggestion.  Okay, maybe I could help myself, but duct tape might have to be involved. 

One day in a bit of pique because I had been called bossy for the millionth time, I quipped, "I am bossy for the greater good."  I meant it too, I am never bossy just because I can be.  I am bossy because I think I am helping.  If bossy was my super power, I promise to only use that talent for the good of humanity.  I swear.

 

One of my dear friends heard me use that statement as a defense on charges of being too bossy.  She and her partner decided I needed a shirt for Christmas proclaiming my proclivity.  They even further branded the shirt by putting a signature flamingo on the front of the shirt.  Needless to say I love it.

I loved the new shirt so much I wore it the next day to go shopping.  At least three different woman commented on how much they loved the saying.  They wanted to know where they could get one like mine.  Obviously, I am not the only one who has issues with people thinking they are just too bossy.

Suwannee River Valley or Some Fine Ice Tea

Tis the season for much busy-ness.  Before things get anymore frenetic I want to do a wrap up our recent trip to Florida before it is too late to write about the experience.  Because I did have some experiences in the sunshine state.  I could talk about the weather, the lack of a beach, or the insane traffic in Gainesville, but I want to discuss shopping with my nearest and dearest.

My mother is a quilter, an amazing quilter at that, she loves looking at fabric, patterns, and specialty sewing machines.  When we travel with mom, a quilt shop or more like a half dozen is on the list of places we will visit.  I can't complain, because she gets it when I mention a yarn shop I want to visit.  We tried to find a quilt shop in Gainesville, but the one there was very disappointing.  In an effort to make amends we found one outside of town.  Thirty-one miles of country road later we found ourselves in Trenton FL at the Suwannee River Valley Quilt Shoppe and Cafe http://www.suwanneeshops.com/quiltshoppe.html). 

We arrived hungry and ready to find something worth the journey and remarkably we did.  My mom acted like a 7 year old in a toy store once inside, it took a few sterns looks to get her to put a lunch order in before she was off to browse.  Our waiter brought us a round of ice tea and I am here to say southerns get ice tea.  First, unless you tell them otherwise, the tea shows up sweet and always freshly brewed.  They know better than to brew it through a coffee pot, and they clean the tea urn at least once a day to keep it from getting that nasty rancid tang.  Southern tea is rarely too strong or watered down to carmel colored swill.  So when I say this to you, understand, I know good tea and the glass they put in front of me was easily in the top 5 glasses of tea I have ever had in my life.  I was in tea heaven.

The rest of lunch was equally as sublime.  My BLT tasty, broccoli salad yummy, and my bread pudding orgasmic.  I am glad the cafe of the quilt shop was mostly empty, because I made noises that would have frightened a feral cat.  Natalie indulged my multiple exclamations of exhalations and moans of pleasure.  We were both glad we had skipped IHOP for the cafe.

The shop and cafe were in an old Coke Cola building which had been rehabbed and filled with rooms of brightly colored bolts of fabric.  I think my mom must have made 3 tours of the store before deciding on her purchases.  While she shopped I drank tea, lots of tea and started up a conversation with a lady who had bravely decided to sit at the table across from me. 

The shop was worth everyone of those country road miles to Trenton.  My mom bought fabric, Natalie got whistled at by a parrot, and I was sated with good food, so we all left the shop happy.  While we walked back to the car a 1 ton truck drove by us and blew its very loud air horn.  The lady at the table across from me smiled and waved out the truck window as she drove away.  That is me making friends and drinking some fine ice tea.

Tempest Tease

I am superficial enough to be exceptional flattered by my good friend at Dyaebolical Yarn (http://www.dyeabolicalyarns.com/) for naming a yarn colorway after me.  And of course I am vain enough that I had to buy some of this limited edition yarn for myself.  The yarn is a lovely shade of green, which falls in the pantheon of greens I adore.  So thank you Dyeabolical for giving my already healthy ego a boost.  Love the yarn too.

Thanksgiving In Florida

This year my wife and I went to Gainesville, Florida for Thanksgiving.  My in-laws were wanting to have a holiday family gathering at their home.  Gainesville is not the most exciting travel destination, but the opportunity to see our little nephew and have a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, made for an irresistible combination.  As I had previously posted about being thankful for the people in my life, I had a whole week to live in that thankfulness.  My traveling companions were Natalie and my mom, always delightful companions.

Last week my days were filled with much love, much food, and much knitting.  My brother-in-law, Gene,  put together an amazing menu for his family and ours.  We all kept asking what we could do to help, but he and his wife, Dora, were a well oiled machine of efficiency.  They had spent the last year searching the web and practicing recipes to present to us a perfect feast.  They were a great team in the kitchen, with his first turkey turning out to be one of the best I have eaten in a very long time.  The group of appreciative eaters around the table concurred, dinner was par excellent.

We supplemented the Florida in-laws visit with a night in Jacksonville to see our godson, Jase and his mother, diane (the little d is intentional).  Again I say irresistible!  We had another wonderful meal while catching up and laughing until our sides hurt.  Parting was so hard as we hugged each other in the kitchen, then in the garage, and finally at our cars.  Sometimes, though geography separates you, good memories and love do not. 

Last week my cup ran over with people who I wished I saw more often, and with this visit I am even more grateful for all the wonderful people in my life.

A Thankful Tempesttea

Several of my friends have been posting on facebook something they are thankful for every day this month.  I have enjoyed seeing those posts and learning more about the depths of my friends' personalities.  3 years ago I spent the month of November doing the same thing on my blog.  Faithfully, I searched my soul for something that made my life worth living.  At the end of the month I discovered, Fiestaware dishes aside, I was most grateful for the people in my life.  (http://tempestinapot.blogspot.com/2009/11/day-thirty-gratitude.html). 

3 years hence on the cusp of Thanksgiving I have to say this truth is even more important to me now.  The people in my life have been my comfort, my support, and my source of much joy. I would be lost without these connections, so vital to my existence.

 

I am only making one post on thankfulness this year and I want to make it a worthy one.  I am again so thankful for you my friends and family.  Those of you who get me, or try to get me, those of you who are the ones who remind me daily how lucky I am to know you.  We may not always agree on everything or have voted the same way in the last election, but I would be less without you. I thank you for everything you do to make my life a richer more brilliant tapestry.   I can only hope that I am a friend equally as deserving of your care. 

 

Much, much love.

Tempesttea



Special Day with My Wife

The Birthday Girl

Today is my wife's, Natalie's, birthday.  I took the day off to try and give her a special day.  Now let me start with she and I are as different as night and day.  Our differences are so significant that if I am picking something out for her I think about what I would want and pick the exact opposite thing.  We do struggle with these differences. 

Our refrigerator is a case in point to our schism of likes and dislikes.  We have wheat & white bread, almond & whole milk, large & small curd cottage cheese.  We can't even agree on Cheetos.  I like the puffs, she likes the crunchy.  Years of compromise and working together has made it okay to have two types of bread, but our dance of differences did not come easily.

Birthday celebrations are another case in point.  I want the ticker tape parade and national holiday to accompany my special day.  Natalie, not so much, she wants a day that is as stress free as possible.  She never wants the wait staff at a restaurant to know it is her birthday because she doesn't want anyone to make a fuss over her.  I thought long and hard on how to make today the kind of day she would love.  Nothing to over much for her.

My plan was to start the day early (for me) by giving her her presents (book, DVDs, robe, sweat pants, and yarn) and taking her to breakfast.  My wife loves breakfast.  After our meal I took her to her favorite type of shops (book, pet, and music stores).  Then home for time with her dogs, the Taters.  We ended our day with dinner out than home for DVDs and knitting.  I know, not exciting, but exactly the kind of day she wanted.  And you know that is what I tried to do give her a perfect day.  Now in March ( my birthday month) bring on the confetti and marching bands, cause I do like a fuss.

RAINBOW TIDE COMING THROUGH!

Today was one of those days where nothing was going to be a hole in my rainbow colored bucket.  I saw states rejecting discrimination and reaching out to their alternative lifestyle neighbors and saying we are all equal.  Ware going somewhere over the rainbow folks and I am overcome with joy.

As you may know about a year and a half ago my wife and I made the trek to Iowa to be married (http://tempestinapot.blogspot.com/2011/03/lucky-in-iowa-or-how-i-got-married.html).  I can't lie to you it was one of the happiest days of my life.  My joy could only be dampened by going home to a state that not only does not recognize my marriage certificate, but has codified this discrimination in the state constitution.  I am not equal under the law and it hurts.

 

I keep a map which I have colored pink all the states that I am married in.  This morning with my highlighter in hand I updated my map.  I did every thing, but burst into a chorus of "Over the Rainbow."  My co-workers were happy for me as I held up the new and improved map flapping it around in victory. Thank you all my friends and family for the support, I can see the changes coming like a rainbow tide and one day my map will be all pink.

Jessica, Madonna, and a Bottle of Raspberry Wine

In 2006 my mom, Natalie, and I went to Hawaii to celebrate my mom's 65th birthday.  We had a really good time as you would expect travelers to Hawaii to do.  One of the last things I purchased in Maui was a bottle of raspberry wine (http://www.mauiwine.com/specialty/).  My thought was I would save it for a special occasion and share it with my friends.

Last week the bottle still resided in the bottom of my refrigerator, mocking me. Translated the last six years have not really been full of moments conducive to drinking raspberry wine.  My wedding day might have been a good day, but my dearest Natalie does not drink alcohol.  I got to a point that I no longer even saw the bottle and gave up on the hope of an occasion to drink the wine.

Forgotten the bottle became one of those things (like that stray tube of wasabi) taking up real estate in my frig.  Until Thursday night when the stars finally aligned and a corkscrew was found to open this symbol of  lost hope.  My sister and I dragged ourselves home in the wee hours of the morning from the Madonna concert thirsty and feeling an occasion coming on.

Yes, I said Madonna. Many months back my spouse bought two tickets to the Madonna concert for my sister and I to go, cause Natalie is awesome that way.  She knew after over twenty plus years of loving Madonna and never having the opportunity to see her in concert I would want to go.  Jessica, my sister, picked up my love of Madonna somewhere in the days when she was strapped into a car seat forced to hear me sing along to all the songs on "Like a Prayer."  My poor vocal abilities aside Jessica learned to love the Queen of pop too. 

Tempest & Jessica pre-concert

The concert was everything I could have imagined.  Lots of costumes, scantily clad dancers, interesting staging, and of course Madonna at her usual outrageous best.  The woman did it all and worked hard to give us a two hour show full of her own spin on entertainment.  Jessica and I danced and sang along basking in the glow of Madonna's starpower. Both us left the venue happy to have shared such a good time together.

Madonna Center Stage

Once home we got ready for bed, but were still a little to hyped up on adrenaline to sleep.  We decided on a snack before bed.  As I opened the refrigerator there it was the unopened bottle of wine.  I thought at last the perfect occasion has arrived.  We drank the whole bottle enjoying the sweet raspberry flavor and each others company.  I must admit we both got a little buzz from the wine.  I fell asleep happy, happy to have shared so much of a fun time with one of my favorite people. Sometimes you hold on to a special thing for just the right occasion, and when the moment happens you know life can be good, very good.

Returning from Vacation Soon

Yes, Tempest is still virtually in her pot of tea.  Will be back very soon, getting my thoughts together on a true return back to the blogosphere.  In the mean time know I am thinking about you all and getting ready to return with increased blogging vigor. 

Pencil!

I knit a pencil!

 

 

(Okay, I am still on a blog holiday, but wanted to brag a little.)

Taking A VaKay!!!

Over five years ago I started blogging (http://tempestinapot.blogspot.com/2007/09/sept.html) for several reasons.

1)     Because I was no longer able to go to my Wednesday knit night and I wanted to still have a way to connect with this awesome new circle of friends.

2)    As a new knitter, I wanted to record my knitting life in a very public forum.

3)    I like to write.

4)    My life was changing and I felt this was a great way to document these changes.

5)   Many of my new knit friends had blogs, and well I wanted one too.

Five years later my life has changed in many ways and the blogging has helped to give me perspective on so many of these changes.  Lately, one of those changes has been to ask myself why am I still blogging?  Do I feel I still need this outlet?  Would I miss blogging if I stopped?  One of my very brilliant co-workers suggested I take a vacation from blogging to see if I missed it.  I meant to take my leave of absence after the trip to Nashville, but then I wanted to brag about the color block blanket.  Next 7 got sick and I wanted to have an outlet for all the emotions that went with agony of losing a small, furry friend.  Which brings me to now, and a break from blogging. 

I want to say this is not a plea for a flood of comments saying, "OH NO, please your blog is a shining star of blogdom, you must not leave me in the lurch!"  I could only dream of such an impact and to be fair, my blog gets far more attention than I ever imaged it would receive.  I just want to examine my reasons for talking about my life so publicly and see if I miss blogging.  I will be back maybe with a new perspective and possibly a revived desire to virtually connect with my friends.  Wish me luck and thank you for letting me share snippets of my life with you over the last five years.

Much Love.
Tempest 

7 the Ginger Tabby

7 Cs 1996-2012

 

Today we said goodbye to 7 Cs one of the most lovable ginger tabbies I have ever known.  He will be much missed.

(No comments needed, but much thanks for all the love and support we have received over the last 2 weeks during this difficult time.)

Color Block Blanket and the Tribe Grows

A member of my knitting tribe is getting ready to adopt a beautiful, little girl, and we all got very excited about a wee one being added to our community.  With some guidance from one of her nearest and dearest a Color Block Blanket by BacoKnitter to match new momma's nursery was decided on.  Several of us joined the group popping out squares for the blanket.  I knitted 3 basket weave squares in magenta for the project.  Unfortunately, I was out of town for the seaming party. Truly wanted the experience of seaming with my tribe, but hopefully will be available for next group seaming.  I enjoyed the whole project, the covert knitting, the secretive emails, and the fun of being part of something so joyous.  To my tribe I say I love you guys.  To the new mom and dad I say much, much happiness. To see a photo of the project go here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/starmonkeybrass/8007495807/in/photostream) I am not smart enough to figure out how to steal the image for my blog.

To myself I said, hey this pattern would be perfect for all that Muench Big Baby I have been hoarding for the last few years.  Granted this was the middle of summer with temperatures in the low 100s and knitting a blanket is a bit on the mad side of things to do.  However, I was inspired by my tribe and told myself I would just work on the green basket weave squares.  I could do just one ball at a time and a 10X10 square that is not so bad, right?  Right.

Well after tearing through 10 of those in about 2 weeks, I thought well why don't I just work on some of the other colors too.  I mean I can just stop at any time and do something else.  It is not like I am going to finish this thing during a heatwave or something.  But then after another 2 weeks I had finished all the squares and I kind of wanted to see how the blocks would look together.  I thought if I sew a few of these together, I can preview the product to come.

Obsession is never pretty and in this case it was hot and ugly, but in a week I had all the blocks seamed together.  Once to this point I thought I wanted a crochet border.  Problem was I needed a jump start on the border.  I have used this border before, but I wanted some guidance on starting the crochet.  You see I only use crochet when I have to.  Not that I don't like crochet, but I really only know how to do a basic stitch.   My friend Robin, another member of my knit tribe, kick started me and the border was growing, as in seven rows of border for the blanket.

Madness, I know, but by now I realized I might as well weave in the ends and call it done, and so I did.   I even managed to make a little pillow with the scraps from the yarn.  Timing is everything and working on a heavy microfiber blanket in summer is not a suggested project, but come winter me, the blanket, and the pillow will be enjoying each others company on many late nights. 

Lucky 7, Or I Discuss My Cat

I usually try to abstain from discussing my animals.  I think, like baby photos or wedding plans, other peoples critters can be less than engaging.  I did talked about the passing of my cat Grasshopper (http://tempestinapot.blogspot.com/search?q=grasshopper).  Sorry, but once again I need to talk about a beloved pet.  This last week has been rough, my cat 7 is sick.  Yes his name is 7.  I named him 7 because when he showed up at our door we had 6 cats.  I thought naming him 7 would make me feel very aware that we had too many cats.  I would like to say that worked, but we would also adopt another cat after him.   I did not name that cat 8, I decided instead to call him Dante.

Unlike Grasshopper and the sometimes aloof 8, I mean Dante, 7 is a love of a ginger tabby.  He is the first to greet me at the door and if anything comes in with me he has to examine the new item to make sure it fits his exacting standards. When I am home he is usually not far from me.  At night he sleeps with me right above my head.  In other words the two of us are tight.

Anyway, 7 is ill.  At the ripe old age of 16, he got sick last weekend.  So sick he spent all of last week at the vet's office on an IV and a catheter.  Both he and I were very traumatized by the whole thing.  I have to tell you, bawling your eyes out inside a metal cage while trying not to step on a catheter bag is tragic and ridiculous.

Friday the vet let me take 7 home.  I spent the afternoon holding him while we snoozed on my futon.  He is happy to be home, but I can tell he is still in that grey area of discomfort and medication.  I am hoping he is just in recovery and will come back to some semblance of his former self, but I don't know.  This situation is so hard, you want to make the right choices, but I am struggling to know what that right choice is.  Please send some love to the crazy cat lady and her ailing ginger kitty.

Dead Can Dance in Nashville

Last year I heard Dead Can Dance (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_can_dance), one of my favorite groups, was putting together a world tour.   I told my lovely wife, who does not like the group, that I was going regardless of where they were playing.  This explains how we found ourselves at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville Tennessee last night waiting for Dead Can Dance to appear.

Natalie and I with Sheri Lynn and Brenda Kay

As we sat there waiting in our pew, 5 rows from the stage, we talked about our day.  The day where we spent 2 hours in the company of Brenday Kay and Sheri Lynn Jugg aboard a pink bus, doing the Nashtrash tour of Nashville(http://www.nashtrash.com/).  The tour was spent laughing so hard our sides still hurt.  Our guides showed us the seedier side of the city and discussed the demise of the butter Jesus in Ohio.  Natalie and I sat in the front of the bus and immediately got clocked as alternate lifestyle participants.  When they ask if we were girlfriends I held up my hand and pointed to my wedding ring.  The Juggs were tickled to death, and said to the bus, "Good for you, doesn't bother us, why should it bother anyone."  In other words great tour.  Also where else do you get to ride around in a bright pink bus?

Nashtrash Pink Bus

We ate at my favorite restaurant in Nashville, Noshville (http://www.noshville.com/).  I love this place.  Their reuben sandwich is about the best one I have ever had.  After lunch we went to yarn shops and then back to our very nice hotel suite to rest before dolling up for the concert. All in all a wonderful day about to be capped by the concert I have waited years to see.  I want to tell you my friends, it was Christmas, my birthday, and hitting a jackpot on a slot machine all rolled into one.

David Kuchermann on the handpans

The concert started on time with David Kuckhermann on the handpan drums.  These are odd, flying saucer-shaped, drums with an amazing sound resonating from them, like a steel drum only more ethereal.  He also managed to produce a song from a tambourine which was astounding.   He really set the tone for the evening.

Lisa Gerrard in the house

When the lights went down again and the band stepped on the stage, I forgot to breath.  Natalie gave my hand a squeeze and my dream of seeing Dead Can Dance came true.  I expected the concert to be good, but this exceeded anything I could have imagined.  The music was a combination of the older music and their new album, Anastasis.  Lisa Gerrard walked out looking like some regal other worldly creature dressed in a stunning dark velvet dress with a gold sash around her neck ready to play her dulcimers.  Brendan Perry haunting songs and vocals matched Gerrard's unique singing style.  Our seats were so close I could see the nuances of their interactions and presence. For me it was euphoric.  I transcended myself and was carried through the music to a place of metaphysical bliss.  Trust me on this point, (BIG SIGH) this night was magic for me.

Brendan Perry

The band did three encores and the crowd did not want to leave this sanctuary of music.  However, all things must come to an end, and as the light came up I knew it was time to return to the real world.  All I could do was look at my wife, who as I said does not really care for Dead Can Dance, swelling with love for this beautiful woman sitting next to me.  I am so lucky to have shared something I love so much with a person who just understands and loves me as I am. 

Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard

As we left the historic Ryman I ask my wife to give me just a little more time to snap a few photos highlighting the venue.   We even made a stop by the statue of Minnie Pearl to wrap her in my handknit vintage wrap(http://tempestinapot.blogspot.com/2012/02/dyeabolically-wrapped-or-i-talk-about.html) I was wearing.  Minnie looked beautiful in the colorful garment.

Minnie Pearl Statue at the Ryman

I am home in St Louis, and I need to go to bed for work tomorrow.  I just want to hold onto this feeling a little bit longer sharing my photos and prose.  I feel lucky.  Lucky to have realized the dream of seeing one of my favorite bands, lucky to have the income to travel to such a vibrant city, and so very lucky to have a wonder person in my life who did not my share my dream, but sat with me holding my hand while I fulfilled mine.

Many Shades of Green

I love my wife, you know I do.  However, relationships take time and work.  After almost 25 years together (though that number is the sum of a very complicated word problem) I recognize the ebb and flow of a relationship is not the same today as it was 10 years ago, or for that matter last week.  Some days, I admit I love Natalie more then I do other days.  I am sure it is the same for her. 

Lately, things have been good between us.  As I have alluded to before, it has been an emotional and stressful summer.  Natalie has been my rock helping and supporting me through the tempest.  I am lucky to have someone I love by my side.  I know you, my friends, are about to the gag from the mush.  Well hold on it is going to get even more sickening.

Friday, I told her I loved her more than the color green.  I love the color green, you know I do.  My wife knows it too and said, she did not believe I would love her that much.  I said of course I did because there were many shades of green and I loved her more than most of those shades.

I have told her I have love her more than: forest, kelly, ever, Dartmouth, hunter, fern, Persian, John Deere, spring, day glo, money, and institutional green.  I love her more than teal, asparagus, melon, celery, olive drab, emerald, spruce, pond scum, and lunar tide.  Tomorrow I will tell her I love her more then celadon, army green, jade, and plain olive.  I am holding out chartreuse, lime, granny smith, harlequin, girl scout green, and avocado for really special moments because those are some of my favorite shades of green. 

As you can see I am running out of shades of green.  So my friends, I need more shades of green to tell my wife I love her more than.  Any suggestions would be appreciated because I really do love my wife, you know I do.

Last Minute Catch Up

I really do try to blog at least once a week.  Apparently, August was the cruelest of months for blogging this year.  I had to cram three posts into the same week.  To be fair, I have had some personal things going on in my life that have distracted me from posting.  I have also had the drama of buying a new car, so I have been a busy woman.  I am hoping for things to slow down a little, after this weekend.  This weekend we are social butterflies (OK in our case more like social condors).  With that in mind I am trying to eek in one more blog post I have to do it now, while I am answering the phone for work.

(Yes, Mr I have already called 4 times today already, I can put Classic Rock of the 70s volume 4 on your request list.)

My knitting has not been going well right now, I am stuck on a sock pattern that is about to beat me.  I will blog about that when I either fail or succeed.  So nothing worth even posting photos of at this time.  Sorry I know you non knitters are dying to hear about the sock struggle.  But on the knitting front, I did find (be still my big girl heart) a plus size mannequin.  I found her on clearance at Jackman's.  I was so excited as I marched out of the store carrying my new purchase like a kid who just got a new bike.  I have yet to use it, but just owning one makes me feel all important and full of myself.  After the Ao Tank I discovered that having one of these could be very handy.

(No, Ms I never want to return anything, you can't keep Twilight Breaking Dork, part 2 for another month.  It needs to be returned now others are waiting for it.)

I also got seduced by my friend at Dyeabolical Yarns (http://www.etsy.com/shop/DyeabolicalYarns).  She twittered about doing a special run of mini skeins.  I could not stop myself from ordering the special limited edition set.  When the package came in the mail, I was so tickled with the mini skeins of yarn, I must have played with them for an hour.  I kept rearranging the colors and imaging all the hexipuffs I would knit with them . 

(Thank you for calling...is it time to go home yet?)

Like I said busy month.

Marriage Equality

Source: instagram.com via Tempest on Pinterest

Representing my truth for all to see.

Things Change or My New Car!!!

Recently, I have blogged about my Prius, Prudence, turning 100,000 miles  (http://tempestinapot.blogspot.com/2012/07/turning-100000.html).  I told you dear friends that I loved my car and I was committed to keeping her a little longer.  This decision was made before I took my car in for her 100,000 mile check up.  Before I had even passed the keys over, the dealer had cut me from the herd and handed me over to a nice guy named Steve.


Steve's job was to get me to trade in my Prudence and get a new car.  Now car dealers always want you to buy new cars, but his spin was a little different.  Sure buying a car would be nice, however what they really wanted was my old car.  Apparently, used vehicles are at a premium, used Priuses (Prii, unsure of the plural of Prius) even more so.  I was lured by the shiny new vehicle and the heady scent of new car, but drove away in Prudence with a packet of promotional information and much on my mind.

Natalie was not initially supportive of the idea of a new vehicle with new drains on my income, but once the thought was there, it tickled at the back of my mind.  It took 3 more visits and much financial gymnastics on both sides of table.  In the end I said yes, and Prudence is no longer mine.  Even Natalie was impressed with the deal I got on the new Prius.






I named my new silver Prius, Sookie.  Sookie comes from a Dwight Yoakam song and I do like the character from Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampire Series.  So Sookie it is.  I got the car fresh off the truck with 1 whole mile on it.  And can I say I love my new car.  I promise I will check back with you when we reach 100,000 miles together.