The Meema Files

Fry time

2009-07-12T00:30:00.000-05:00

Almost forgot to update: Mama Molly (the fish) let loose with a new batch of a couple dozen fry last weekend. Probably more. Can't count darting little slivers of fishiness very easily. Seriously, these fish need a new hobby other than sex.

My offer to provide you with entertaining fishies still stands, people. All you have to do is speak up.

Anyone?

Bueller?

The shameless plug

2009-07-11T23:54:00.000-05:00

I'm only going to run the big ad once - promise - so listen up:

Tickets are now available for the twelve (12!) performances of Eagan Community Theater's production of Fiddler on the Roof. Call the Box Office at 651.683.6964 between the hours of 1:00 and 4:00 pm weekdays to reserve yours.While the rest of the Twin Cities was enjoying a glorious summer day today, we had our first tech/dress rehearsal. For a first run-thru, it went very smoothly. I wish I could watch "Tevye's Dream" from the house - amazing costumes!

If you're able to come (and I hope you can), let me know which performance you'll be at so I can say hi. Thanks for listening.

OMV

2009-07-08T23:59:00.004-05:00

A crochet pattern for all your fertility needs... meet Venus.

Hoo boy.

Bang

2009-07-02T23:03:00.013-05:00

As I sit in my living room at the onset of the holiday weekend, this is what runs through my head: I'm all for celebrations and patriotic displays and pyrotechnics in general, but I get a little edgy in the summertime when everyone and their brother is lighting Roman candles in the alley all night. Call me crazy, but black powder sounds like gun powder. Dial 911, or no? Sigh.

(Good lord, I sound like an old woman - "Crazy kids, get off my lawn" and all that. Oy.)

Weeeds

2009-06-26T21:43:00.005-05:00

This very cute - and very FREE - knitting pattern comes from Anna at Mochimochiland. Go here to download the pdf file, then make as many as you like - the neighbors won't mind one bit.

Kidlet saw me open the email announcement and went absolutely ape for these little guys. She has seen it her mission this year to help dandies propagate, much to the chagrin of Grammy's association's lawn maintenance crew...

The b!tch is back

2009-06-24T22:47:00.001-05:00

Greetings, fellow travelers! Three weeks have passed, and much has transpired. Here are the Cliff Notes to get you back up to speed:

Had an audition and two callbacks at the beginning of the month, and was cast as Golde in Eagan Community Theater's production of Fiddler on the Roof. Last played this role [coughtwentysevenyearsagocough] at Winnequah Middle School. We have been rehearsing e v e r y night - but they didn't schedule me tonight. WOOT! Come see it. We have a lovely air-conditioned auditorium...
St. Paul's Choir threw one heckuva spring gala, complete with a brand new (for us) grand piano and a huge Abba singalong; the songs from which are slowly leaving my brain.
The school year ended, another batch of 18-year-olds was released onto an unsuspecting world, and the parade of graduation open houses began.
Animal world update: mollies, mollies, mollies. Oh, and baby snails at J's place. Heh heh heh. AND Mom and Dad adopted the little orphaned kitten they found under their front step one morning. Dad tried to name him Emil (pronounced EE-mull. I know - he was vetoed). Their "mature" cat, Lily, is tolerating him mildly.
IT"S BEEN HOT AS HADES AND HUMID AS... HADES.
My summer voice studio is up and running. There is a part of my Taurean nature that loves a structured schedule.
Knitting a little pink sweater during rehearsals and shifts at El Yarnery. It's the twin sister to the little blue sweater previously posted. Photos to come.

So that brings us to my rehearsal-free evening. And how did I spend it? Combing area thrift stores for "black or brown ankle boots with little to no heel". Gar.

Mollies, mollies everywhere

2009-06-03T18:10:00.002-05:00

If they were insects or rodents, we'd have a serious issue on our hands.As it stands, all is well.

Perspective

2009-06-01T14:29:00.003-05:00

-- rant alert -- rant alert --

OK, I love reading Heather Armstrong's blog - she is the queen of snarky mamahood. Today, though, she hit on one of my pet peeves.

You know how a mobile hangs above a baby's crib to distract and stimulate them, comfort them when their grownups' faces aren't hovering above? Someone please tell my WHY people insist on manufacturing mobiles that are visually pleasing ONLY to the ambulatory adults in the room? This mobile, installed over Dooce's new crib, WILL LOOK LIKE TINY ROTATING LINES TO THE BABY. Hello, edges of paper? Not so engaging.

Face 'em down, people. This is all I ask.

Summer with a Twist

2009-06-01T13:57:00.003-05:00

The summer issue of The Twist Collective is up and running.

Beautiful patterns, goodness from Franklin's pen - what more could you want?

A little cush for your tush

2009-05-31T08:00:00.000-05:00

This summer let your patio proclaim, "A knitter lives here."

Click to enter The Knitted Chairs project.

Free things

2009-05-30T20:23:00.011-05:00

Happy Shop Hop weekend! The weather here in the Twin Cities has been perfect for a good meander, drive, picnic - pretty much whatever your heart has desired.

Paperless patterns
Head over to Knitting Daily's website for downloadable bundles of five sock patterns and seven lace patterns. A quick registration (if you haven't already), and you're set. Offer ends soon, I'm assuming, so get 'em while the gettin's good.

Aquatic adoption
Auntie Audi has a friend who is relocating and couldn't take the livestock with her. Audi made a mercy call, and two hours later she and two coolers arrived at my apartment where Kidlet and I opened our door to a school of mollies: two ginormous adults, and about 50 fry of varying ages. All to prevent the untimely flushing of innocent fishies. I. am. such. a. sucker.

Anyone want a fish or five?

The magnificent seven

2009-05-28T10:55:00.010-05:00

OK, so in my humble and "unbiased" opinion, it's more like the magnificent bride and six bridesmaids...

The Twin Cities' annual Yarn Shop Hop starts tomorrow! For three days, seven metro yarn shops will be giving out free patterns and enabling your yarny addiction, while helping local food shelves at the same time:

The Yarnery, St. Paul
3 Kittens Needle Arts, Mendota
A Sheepy Yarn Shoppe, White Bear Lake
Amazing Threads, Maple Grove
Coldwater Collaborative, Excelsior
Needlework Unlimited, Minneapolis
Zandy's Yarn, Etc., Burnsville

For all the details, check this post on The Yarnery Blog.

I'll be working at El Y on Sunday - hope to see you there!!

Country roads

2009-05-25T21:28:00.000-05:00

I am one tired Meema.

Mom and Dad moved to New Richland this weekend. It's only five intersections and 90 miles away.This is the middle of God's country, if said country is not near anything else. It was a long, rather straight drive; the trip was made seasonally charming by the 5 o' clock shadow of tiny plants covering the fields. That, and passing a farm with a Santa and eight tiny reindeer still suspended across the driveway.

Anyhoo, they have been doing much work on (and cleaning out of) my maternal grandparents' old home. It's a cute house with a huge yard right next to the high school. And yes, my grandfather put faces on several of his trees, much to the delight of Kidlet. Two blocks further south is - and I mean this in every literal sense - the End of Town. The road comes to an abrupt finality of pavement, a couple of trees, and corn fields. Or maybe soybeans. I'll keep you updated.

Being Memorial Day, Old Glory was hoisted in the front yard before we returned the moving truck.

Nana and Papa, I hope you're turning in early tonight.

Going40 in iRecital

2009-05-21T22:19:00.013-05:00

Tonight was the final event of Scott's undergraduate degree pursuit: his senior recital. An enthusiastic and sizable audience gathered at Sundin Recital Hall for an evening of piano music. Half of the audience was utilizing their iPhones before the recital started. I had to laugh, thinking back to how un-tech my recital experience at Luther compared, lo se-e-everal years ago. Bloggers to my left, bloggers in front of me, bloggers to my right - a person couldn't spit without hitting one (classy, I know). Here you see Sous-Blogger Deb working hard to keep her title. A more devoted friend would be hard for Scooter to find. Truly. (BTW, I enjoy taking random aerial photos even more than one-arm self portraiture - I was sitting next to Deb.)Scott played a wonderful program of Bach, Mendelssohn, Chopin and Ravel, featuring a world premiere by David Evan Thomas. Even though I am in NO WAY pianistically inclined, it was clear this was an exceptional performance. I marvelled at the voicing and power in the Mendelssohn. (Kidlet, I promise to make you take piano lessons. Early and often.)

Below, a herd of Scott's fans from St. Paul's; proud partner Eric, right, covered the receiving line.

We are all crazy proud of you, Scott - CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Knitterly update

2009-05-20T21:21:00.003-05:00

It's true - I've actually been knitting lately, just not documenting it very well. Fellow Ravelers can check my Projects page over yonder - I tend to update there first. Does anyone else find it hard to serve the multiple masters of blogging/FB/Ravelry? Good grief.

This is one of two baby sweaters for an anticipated July delivery. Boy Sweater needs only to be seamed; Girl Sweater has yet to be cast on, preempted by...

Jorid Linvik's beautiful Wedding Mittens, of which the cuffs are shown here. I'm doing the lefts of each pair on Magic Loop, then the rights; hopefully this will save a bit of time that would have been spent flipping from chart to chart, let alone Second (and Third, and Fourth) Mitten Syndrome.

Ooh, and I found a yummy new yarn online last week. I'll type slowly so you may savor the thought:

m i n k
a n d
c a s h m e r e

It's as soft as you might think, and not nearly as expensive as it should be (70% mink, 30% cashmere). I purchased two 100-yard skeins of the DK weight yarn, one Jet Black and one natural, for the ridiculous price of US $9.95 each (they also sell 200-yard skeins for US $19.50). And now until Memorial Day/May 25, they are selling all yarn at 25% OFF LISTED PRICE! Check it out - and when you check out, use promotional code 525 for the discount.

Sumer Is Icumen In

2009-05-19T22:01:00.001-05:00

OK, people - it is 10:02pm in the Twin Cities on May 19, and it's 89 freakin' degrees.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE???

On being Norwegian

2009-05-18T21:33:00.012-05:00

Yesterday was Syttende Mai (Norwegian Constitution Day), and the Paulson clan gathered in Hugo to celebrate with a feast of Norsk cuisine. Lefse, meatballs, herring, gjetost - the works. As an added bonus, it was a beautiful spring day.

I rushed home from church to make my contribution, fløtegrøt. If you're not familiar, close your eyes and envision a) white; b) bland; and c) crazily dairy-fat based. That about covers it. The recipe called for heavy cream, whole milk, and flour; from this over a cup of clarified butter lets from the custardy goo. "Seasoning" consists of said butter, sugar and (uff da!) cinnamon.

My moment of koldtbord bravery? Two words - head cheese.
Two more words - never again.

Texture 101

2009-05-12T23:34:00.016-05:00

Terracotta pots have never been so cozy.

Check out this article for instructions on how to make these felted flower pot covers, plus other ways to creatively contain green things.

Thanks, Barb, for the heads up on this!

Bright eyed and bushy... tailed

2009-05-10T12:28:00.006-05:00

And in church choir news, eWAC brought his blankie to rehearsal for show-and-tell last week. It is fan-freakin'-tastic. (Regrettably, I didn't photograph the reverse, which is dancing hibiscus ladies.)

And it was only a little distracting to the altos and sopranos in the front row - well, some of them, anyway.

She made Jesus cry

2009-05-09T22:27:00.000-05:00

Apparently owning a European luxury car exempts you from accountability for things mundane like... oh, I don't know... making sure your gas pump shuts off.

Seriously, dear, stay in your car on your cell phone. The newly born baby woodland creatures don't need unpolluted ground water.

G.I. No

2009-05-01T23:34:00.002-05:00

I don't think I want the picture on my blog. Go see it for yourself.

Lolly lolly lolly

2009-05-01T23:02:00.006-05:00

So we were erranding at Walgreen's this afternoon, and the nice pharmacy tech offered Kidlet a lollipop. The promise of a little sugar sends Kidlet into giddy convulsions every time without fail (picture Wallace waving his hands alongside his face when he says "Cheeeese!"). She selected her lolly, said thank you, and we sat in the little waiting area so she could eat her treat.

Kidlet sat on the demo strap-a-back-rub-to-your-office-chair thing; a touch of the power button, and the entertainment began. She was enthralled with the massaging action, especially because it went up to her head - would've been shoulder blade height on a grownup.

The sucker was disappearing quickly, and J asked her what flavor it was.

"Sweet."

Mommy and Meema lost it.

FYI, it was Pink Lemonade.

He kisses his mother with that mouth?

2009-04-29T22:27:00.005-05:00

I don't know about you, but I feel there's a bit of global paranoia brewing regarding a certain strain of influenza. Aside from fleeing to the hills, there are basic hygiene practices you can adopt to help keep yourself healthy:

Wash your hands.
Cover your cough and sneeze.
Stay the hell home when you're sick.
Don't lick pig snouts.

His mama is so proud.

Taking a back seat

2009-04-20T14:24:00.005-05:00

The blogoversary will have to wait, for there is sad news to share in the knitting world: Kay Gardiner (of Mason-Dixon Knitting fame) lost her husband, Peter, on Saturday to a brief illness. You can read her cohort Ann's brief blog entry here.

I'm sure Kay and their children would welcome all thoughts and prayers.

Blog 2.0

2009-04-20T09:41:00.001-05:00

The Meema Files is now entering the terrible two's. Hang on, kiddies!
(Blogoversary event details coming soon...)

An Easter Week miracle?

2009-04-19T05:31:00.000-05:00

Apparently there has been a tear in the cosmic time/space continuum because Miranda and Colleen are appearing in the same YouTube clip (along with some major powers-that-be, listed below).

Richard Jay-Alexander (director), Donna McKechnie (choreographer), Kevin Stites (musical director), Steve Linder (producer) Brian Grohl (producer), Ben Toth (assistant MD), James Kinney (associate choreographer), Michael Donovan (casting director), and "Miranda Sings" (Colleen Ballinger)

Free and clear

2009-04-18T13:03:00.004-05:00

The people at GlassDharma have a heckuva deal in anticipation of Earth Day. Would you like a reusable glass drinking straw for free? Follow the simple instructions here to get your own Simple Elegance drinking straw. Who knows - it could be the summer party theme you've been looking for.

(BTW, they also carry hard cases, soft pouches, and brushes for cleaning said straws. Other styles and sizes also available.)

Easter 2009

2009-04-16T17:12:00.011-05:00

Easter Sunday was a beautiful spring day in Minnesota (finally!). Busy, too. Church service and egg hunt in the morning, noontime meal at M&D's, then Kidlet was off to Grammy's fro the evening meal. Quite the haul was made - she had three Easter Bunny egg/nest/basket opportunities. Yikes.

I realize I never documented holiday knitting FO's very well. Oops. Since there's no time like the present to start setting things aright, here are the details for Kidlet's Easter shrug:

pattern: adapted from One Skein Wonder, by Stefanie Japel
yarns: body in Classic Elite Soft Linen (35% linen, 35% wool, 30% baby alpaca), trim in Rowan Kidsilk Haze (70% super kid mohair, 30% silk)
needles: Knit Picks Harmony interchangeables, US5 and US6
cast on: 27 Mar 2009
completed: 11 April 2009

Rock the resurrection

2009-04-16T16:23:00.003-05:00

Get your God groove on here:

Christos anesti!

2009-04-12T00:01:00.001-05:00

Alethos anesti - alleluia!

While we wait for a miracle

2009-04-11T22:07:00.001-05:00

... we do odd things to eggs.

Kidlet and I galhandled 82 eggs in preparation for tomorrow, both candy-filled (for the egg hunt at St. Paul's) and hard-boiled (to help the Easter Bunny). She was very focused and paid great attention to detail. Best of all, there were no dye stains on Nana & Papa's beige carpet - woot!

The Wright stuff

2009-04-09T22:01:00.001-05:00

(I'm sorry - the title had to be writ.)

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Frank Lloyd Wright (1867–1959). My, but he was long-lived. And creative. And prolific. And genius. And durn clever at financing his grand architectural works of art (read: squeezing every penny and then some out of his customers).

I'm convinced I was born a century too late. Living in south Minneapolis I grew to adore the American Arts and Crafts movement, to the point where I have dreams about Stickley. I could (and have) spent hours pouring over tile and wallpaper friezes and light fixtures and did I mention furniture?

Wright took the A&C movement and married it to the "modernity" of the 20th century in a very organic and non-offensive way. (Can you tell je deteste International architecture? Blech.) The way the walls of windows in his Prairie School homes (Fallingwater, at left) embraced and framed the natural view as art, to the conch-like structure of the Guggenheim (right) - he totally does it for me.

Thanks, Frank.

The look... the feel... the smell?

2009-04-09T07:14:00.000-05:00

What is more important to you when choosing a yarn - the look of the resulting fabric, or the feel of the yarn? [insert Jeopardy theme song here]

This was the weekly question on Knitter's Review, a weekly e-newsletter by Clara Parkes featuring a review (doh) of a yarn or product each issue, along with a readers' poll; the archive of yarn reviews is an invaluable resource, IMHO. If KR doesn't already appear in your inbox, go sign up. I'll wait.

Take the poll and make your senses heard, then feel free to share a comment here about a yarn experience you've had - good, bad, or downright ugly. Was the allure of a beautifully twisted skein deceptively harsh on your skin? Did an ugly duckling yarn transform into a swan-like fabric once knitted? (And I'm OK with using actual brand names if you are.) Inquiring minds want to know!

DIY cosmetology

2009-04-08T21:54:00.006-05:00

Well, it had to happen sooner or later.

Kidlet + scissors + a moment alone = self-styled hairdo

Considering a 4-year-old was wielding the shears, it couldn't have been tamer. She basically extended her bangs by a lock of hair on one side. A trip to Kids' Hair (god love 'em) to balance the look, and you really can't tell anything transpired.

I don't recall cutting my own hair as a child, but I do remember giving my sister a trim. I was about 5 or 6 (which means Ness was 3 or 4). We were supposed to be napping together on the big bed; instead of sleeping I cut her hair and, being the clever older sister, dropped the evidence behind the headboard. Yeah. No one will ever find it there, I thought. Not Mom, who cleaned the floors religiously because we had a Dalmatian who shed every time she breathed and it was the 1970s and we had a black Naugahyde couch and red shag carpet in the living room that showed every short white hair. Nope.

You may ask, "Did you ever do it again?" Hell no. Especially when Mom said if I did, she was giving Ness the scissors with permission to cut my hair.

Smart mom.

Peep. Peep peep.

2009-04-06T20:41:00.002-05:00

Scooter, it's time. I bet Phil would even co-farm with you.

Photo from my un-iPhone.

Summer in a bottle

2009-04-06T19:15:00.004-05:00

Direct from Capri to me (via my friend, Laura):

Limoncello e Crema di Limoni.

The RHS Chorale spent their Spring Break singing their way through southern Italy. Sigh. Laura brought this back for me as a grazie for shuttling her to the airport for their early departure. Mmm.

Pitch, 10; Rhythm, 3

2009-04-04T09:24:00.007-05:00

Ooh, it's the morning of the district Solo/Ensemble Contest!!!

Did anyone else go through this rite of musical passage? I'm sure most of my students woke up with butterflies in their teenage tummies in anticipation. All that preparation (or last-minute memorization) for a 10-minute slice of your life to be dissected and evaluated and r a t e d.

And on top of that, seven lucky events get to have me as their accompanist. Mwah hah hah...

Saint Cecilia, pray for us.

UPDATE: No one died. Several cried (not mine), mainly because of one very questionable judge. My piano skills did not inflict pain or suffering.

Do you like holes in your knitting?

2009-04-03T18:59:00.003-05:00

Then go sign up for Knitting Daily. It's free e-newsletter published by Interweave Knits, and they currently have a bundle of 7 free lace patterns for you to download. Can't shake a pointy stick at that price...

Note to self:

2009-04-02T22:10:00.005-05:00

Check the homework before it leaves the house.

Exhibit A: The Artwork

Exhibit B: The Explanatory Note

Knitters are clever people

2009-04-01T20:37:00.002-05:00

From the Knitter's Review article:

We have an insatiable appetite for new and novel fibers. We've created yarns made from corn and bamboo. We've seen yarns dusted with jade, laced with copper, and even fortified with crushed crab shells and seaweed. So it should come as no surprise when I tell you about a new company that has just launched a line of yarns made with recycled kitty litter.

Based in Urbana, Illinois, the company is called PurrFect Yarns. It was founded by inveterate knitter and former R&D scientist Patricia Krapsch—who also happens to have a household full of cats.

"It really bothered me that I couldn't easily flush my used kitty litter down the toilet, nor could I spread it on my garden," she told me. "Every week I'd carry huge plastic garbage bags of used kitty litter out to the curb, and the waste really bothered me. So I thought, hey, I'm a scientist. I should do something about this."

You can read the full article here.

The OMG update where Meema eats crow

2009-03-29T23:48:00.004-05:00

Friends, we are in the presence of greatness: meet the very real, verrrrry talented Colleen Ballinger.

All I have to say is TGIF - Thank God It's Faked!
(Here's her YouTube channel.)

Heroes

2009-03-26T21:43:00.008-05:00

For those knitters who collect/read/enjoy ~~comic books~~ graphic novels, meet your new best friends:

Handknit Heroes! Each issue comes with a pattern in the back. Subscriptions are $20/year for quarterly issues mailed right to your door. No e-publications here - you can almost smell the ink...

Oh. My. God.

2009-03-26T10:47:00.003-05:00

Hello from somewhere beneath my taxes...

I know, I know - it's another YouTube post, but I need the readership's help with this one.

Is this woman really serious, or is this an attempt at comedy? Please cast your vote in the sidebar poll, and a few evaluative statements in the comments.

Norwegian purls

2009-03-19T19:39:00.001-05:00

What? Purling with the yarn in the back? Say it isn't so...

Those clever Norwegians!

p.s.

2009-03-17T22:44:00.001-05:00

Happy birthday, Caytie!!!

Is this thing on?

2009-03-17T22:36:00.001-05:00

Hi, I'm Meema. Apparently I'm the author of this blog. Nice to see you again.

I can't complain about the recent weather. I saw my first robin this weekend, but honestly, I wasn't looking hard for them, because I thought spring was never. going. to. get. here.

So tonight I was flipping through the spring issue of Knitter's Magazine at the LYS and saw an little blurb about

KnitGauge , an application for (what else) the iPhone. Can you say craftech? Dang. When I went online to check it out, I also found a link to KnittyBag, a very handy way to inventory your knitting needles. Don't tell my phone, but I'm a wee bit jealous.

Many mumbling choral singers

2009-03-02T11:24:00.007-06:00

Today is the 105th birthday of Theodor Seuss "Dr. Seuss" Geisel!.

As a child, I fell in love with the inventive language in his books. Even today, I still have ample opportunity to enjoy his alliterative powers. Karle Erickson (a name I never thought I'd type into my blog, but that's another story) wrote an oft-used set of choral warmups using the text from Dr. Seuss's A-B-C. "Many mumbling mice" makes multiple manifestations in rehearsals at St. Paul's. I dare say this collection has become a choral classic.

(And a big thank you to Google for pointing this out - so informative, they are.)

Spring with a twist

2009-03-02T10:20:00.003-06:00

The spring issue of Twist Collective is online, and it is a feast for the eyeballs - beautiful sweaters, socks with texture, baby items, and an intro to wire knitting. I could go on, but you need to see it yourself.

Must. Knit. Now.

The end of the story

2009-03-01T17:53:00.007-06:00

Paul Harvey, legendary radio personality, died yesterday at the age of 90.

His news spots are a huge nostalgia trigger for me. I have many memories of hearing his reports, which were (and are) the ultimate cliffhanger format; it's hard to imagine anything that could have kept two kids riveted to the car radio like "The Rest of the Story".

Amazingly, but not surprisingly, he was still under a 10-year, $100 million contract with ABC Radio.

Paul Harvey. Good day.

Open that bottle

2009-02-25T22:59:00.005-06:00

Do you have a special bottle of wine waiting for a special occasion, but there never seems to be a day significant enough to uncork it? As luck would have it, this Saturday is the tenth annual Open That Bottle Night! Join sentimentalists everywhere and finally enjoy that bottle that longs to breathe.

Yeah

2009-02-22T15:32:00.002-06:00

Well, heck, why wouldn't ya, it bein' Oscar night and all?

Barbie turns 50

2009-02-16T22:56:00.007-06:00

As much as I generally eschew the Barbie empire, it is a landmark year for Her Plasticness. The fashion world's take on this injection-mold diva is inspired.

As for Kidlet? I don't think she's been exposed yet, but my childhood dolls (and a couple of Nana's) have been secured in an undisclosed location...

From the silver screen to your needles

2009-02-15T18:36:00.002-06:00

You may recall last spring when I posted the teeny tiny knitwear by Althea Crome. Well, the BugKnits creator has gone Hollywood - she knitted the sweater and gloves worn by the heroine of Tim Burton's excessively handmade creation, Coraline.

And if you long for a vehicle by which your knitting world and geeky proclivities may cross, here are life-sized patterns to make your own starry sweater and stripey gloves.

He doesn't look a day over 183

2009-02-12T22:41:00.006-06:00

Today was the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. Many people have written of his greatness, highlighting the way our recent election has drawn his work full circle. I'd like to share the end of his first inaugural address - one of my favorite Lincoln moments.

I am loth to close. We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stre[t]ching from every battle-field, and patriot grave, to every living heart and hearthstone, all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.

The man could write.

Warning: Objects in mirror may be closer than they appear.

2009-02-11T21:04:00.000-06:00

Bowling to the beat of his own drummer (?).

I don't know about you, but he puts my average to shame.

Stormy weather

2009-02-09T23:00:00.001-06:00

In Minnesota, if you don't like the weather, just wait a day.

At the tone the time will be 11:00 pm.
Current temperature is 44F.

Above zero.

And more rain is forecast for tomorrow. It's a struggle to know what to dress for some days.

The bonds of love

2009-02-08T23:34:00.004-06:00

Again, the Squab has her finger on the pulse of the blogosphere. She posted this video tonight, and it bears repeating. LOUD repeating, all over this nation and world.

"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo

Please share this video with everyone. And thanks, Elise.

Initial meme

2009-02-06T20:40:00.005-06:00

The guidelines: Copy to your own blog/FB note/what-have-you, erase my answers, enter yours, and tag 10 people. Use the first letter of your name to answer each of the following questions. Your responses should be real; you'll receive no points for excessive "creativity"! If the person before you had the same first initial, you must use different answers. You cannot use any word twice and you can't use your own name for #3 or #4. Enjoy!

1. What is your name: Angie
2. A four letter word: arse
3. A boy's name: Andrew
4. A girl's name: Amalia
5. An occupation: anthropologist
7. Something you wear: argyle socks
8. A food: artichokes
9. Something found in the bathroom: astringent
10. A place: Antwerp
11. A reason for being: artistry
12. Something you shout: Ahoy!
13. A movie title: A Room with a View
14. Something you drink: absinthe
15. A musical group: ABBA
16. An animal: antelope
17. A street name: Aldrich
18. A type of car: Audi
19. A song title: Anything You Can Do
20. A verb: anticipate

In deference to the wise and expectant Squab (from whom I've shamelessly lifted this posting idea), consider yourself tagged. Now go!

Think spring

2009-02-04T21:28:00.001-06:00

If you're not from Minnesota, you may not have been dealing with the persistent bitter cold we have this season. Are you ready for warmer weather and growing things? Follow this link and click anywhere on the black screen.

Thanks, Mom & Dad!

Hail to the Secretary

2009-02-03T13:45:00.000-06:00

Yesterday Hillary Rodham Clinton was officially sworn in as Secretary of State by Vice President Biden, and upon taking her oath thanked her family at the ceremony:

"I could not be standing here today, without the three people standing here on this stage. It's literally true, I wouldn't be here without my mother... [acknowledgement of Chelsea] ...And finally to my husband, who understands too well the awesome responsibilities resting on the shoulders of President Obama....I am so grateful to him for a lifetime of all kinds of experiences."

He's not going to be ~~able~~ allowed to forget any time soon, is he?

Shift-eyed little rodent... can't be trusted...

2009-02-02T11:50:00.003-06:00

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

"Hear ye! Hear ye!
On Gobbler’s Knob this glorious Groundhog Day,
February 2nd, 2009,
Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers,
Prognosticator of all Prognosticators,
Awoke to the call of President Bill Cooper
And greeted his handlers, Ben Hughes and John Griffiths.
After casting a joyful eye towards thousands of his faithful followers,
Phil proclaimed that his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers were World Champions one more time...
And a bright sky above me
Showed my shadow beside me,
So 6 more weeks of winter it will be."

Dammit.

Can TiVo just record the ads?

2009-02-02T11:39:00.006-06:00

I love it when, every year, the advertising industry pours on the creativity for 30 seconds at a time. Check out this year's parade of Super Bowl commercials here. They're counting votes for best ad until Wednesday.

What - there was a game, too?

Four!

2009-01-30T23:41:00.001-06:00

Four years ago I watched with amazement as this little girl peeked out at the big bad world for the first time. "Someday this will all be mine," she thought.

I think she believes that someday is here.

Happy birthday, Kidlet. I love you so big!

Twist-ed

2009-01-28T21:34:00.005-06:00

If you're not familiar with the Twist Collective (an online knitting magazine), it is well worth a look. Here's a peek at the twisted cast-on technique they highlighted: Designer Stephanie van der Linden suggests that, in addition to her sock cuff, it would work well "with a four or five stitch repeat for a sweet edging on mittens and children's sweaters". What a nice alternative to plain ribbing!

A conversion of greatness

2009-01-27T22:36:00.007-06:00

I go to church with amazing young people. This fall I told you about Andrew; today his twin sister, Lindsey, was named Athlete of the Week by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune for winning the Twin Cities Conference Nordic ski meet. Check out her write-up from today's paper.

I can only hope Kidlet continues to look up to these two as role models - kinder, more conscientious (and multi-talented) young adults would be hard to find.

Congratulations, Lindsey!

FO parade, Page 1

2009-01-26T00:40:00.000-06:00

I haven't posted any finished knitting projects in, like, forever - dude, my bad. Here is the beginning of my attempt to make up for lost blogging.

I mentioned last week that weaving in ends was the least of my knitting joys, in not so many words. Here is the evidence:

Not too rough...

... and the oh so nasty, a.k.a. "cat yack."

The end result was a pair of hats. Right and center view:

Center and left view:

The willing recipients, eWAC and Going40.

The project details:

pattern: based on Grassroots Hat by C Jane Knit
yarn: Cascade Pastaza (50% llama, 50% wool)
needles: US #5 AND #7 Addi Turbo circulars (only because my Harmony needles were occupied, and my Denise needles almost made me do grievous bodily injury unto myself. And yes, I did feel like a traitor.)

After knitting the logo chart twice, I learned a little something: working the lower half of the logo as a solid red field, then applying the white stripes in duplicate stitch makes for muuuch friendlier cleanup (10 ends to weave in, as opposed to 24).

More to come after sleeping.

At the tone

2009-01-24T11:15:00.001-06:00

... the time will be 11:15 AM. The weather in Saint Paul is sunny and a freakin' cold -8F.

That's just not nice, but it does make a girl want to knit.

Handy McHanderson

2009-01-23T06:00:00.000-06:00

Sweet fancy Moses, my lesbian tool-loving blood is racing.

Check this out - it's like a Swiss Army Knife - no, a Leatherman - for knitters. And it's purdy to boot.

Now, how to convince The Powers That Be at the LYS that we need this. Hmm. Must initiate clever mind-control plot. Note to self: must not post that publicly next time.

Give me a W...

2009-01-22T18:14:00.006-06:00

(Not THAT one - I thought you knew me better than that!)

... O... O...L! Yay, sheepies!

Were you aware, fellow knitters, that the General Assembly of the United Nations declared 2009 as The International Year of Natural Fibres? Apparently this was waaay back in '06. Remember '06? Deeply embedded we were in an Administration of shame... I digress; pardon me.

The year was officially launched today (22 Jan). I think everyone is hereby entitled to knit something very special from the natural fibre of their choice this year.

For. Yourself.

That's right - enough of this "I don't need to spend that much time on myself, yadda yadda yadda." Fuggedaboudit! Holidays are done, and it's time to appreciate your own craftiness.

After you give it a bit of thought, I encourage you to let us know what you're going to make for yourself. Leave a comment on this post with your project idea (including fibre details), and let the crafting commence.

And you thought that Tuesday was as good as it got!

Stashbuster #1

2009-01-22T17:57:00.004-06:00

If you find yourself with a random collection of feltable wool, here's a nifty little project: Dryer Balls! They're a chemical-free way to beat static cling - literally - in your dryer. If you're living in a wintry (read: drydrydry heated) northern clime, you know how valuable it is to kick static's @$$ at every opportunity. Argh.

Now if only there was a way to knit away the constant salt stains on my black boots. Double argh.

Hope arrives

2009-01-20T22:03:00.010-06:00

What a day.

What a fantastic, inspiring day! It's still a bit overwhelming; I vacillate between grinning like an idiot and getting all verklempt at the thought of what we witnessed today.

Kidlet, Papa and I watched the inauguration together. I held her as we listened to Obama take the oath of office, and we stood right along with the masses. I doubt the enormity of the day registered, but she will know she was there.

Oh, and the other moment I made sure she watched? The Bush-laden helicopter gettin' the heck outta Dodge. Fly, baby, fly.

Last dance

2009-01-19T10:55:00.005-06:00

In honor of Dubya's last day, go have some fun on this site. I can't remember which of my disturbed friends first shared it with me. Feel free to encourage his movements by catching any old body part and dragging him around. (This one is fun, too.)

Does it seem like this day would never come? We made it, people, but barely. Our dashing hero approaches at noon tomorrow.

Color me conflicted

2009-01-16T21:53:00.003-06:00

Colorwork = good.
Weaving in ends = bad.

Pictures to prove my point in a few days.

Tuffet wanted

2009-01-09T10:54:00.002-06:00

These Flocks (a fiber-oriented company out of Rotterdam) have a knitted pouf with your name on it. Well, not really. You know what I mean.

Best not to wear shorts when you sit upon it, methinks.

Wii are all that

2009-01-08T15:05:00.005-06:00

Knitters, embrace your cultural influence.

Get ready for the newest Wii application: Kniitiing!

I'm not kiidiing. heh. It's still in beta stage, but above are screen shots of how to hold the controls for virtual knitting, and game level selection by "pattern".

This is a Wii game my mom might actually play. Ness, you see this?

Hail to the Chiefs

2009-01-07T18:33:00.000-06:00

Leaving behind the Twelve Days of Christmas, we have arrived at the last twelve days of the Bush administration. Today President-Elect Obama met with the current and all living former Presidents in the Oval Office. The pictures alone speak volumes.

Gentlemen, meet the future.

Change. Is. Good.

Check your gauge

2009-01-07T15:27:00.001-06:00

If it's not 3 stitches per yard, you may need to change needle sizes.

The twelfth day of Christmas

2009-01-05T20:58:00.000-06:00

Today marks the final day of the Christmas season (despite the fact that we haven't heard a note of holiday music on the airwaves for eleven days, but that's a rant already writ - pardon me.) Tomorrow the Magi arrive with not-so-kid-friendly gifts. If they'd only had Google...

A festive Twelfth Night to you all!

The eleventh day of Christmas

2009-01-04T16:09:00.009-06:00

After yesterday's darkly hued expression of the Twelve Days, here is a little slice of levity by way of The Dance. They apparently left the body glitter and sequins in their other bags...

I know, it's someone's low-quality cell phone video, but can these guys move or what?!

The tenth day of Christmas

2009-01-03T21:54:00.002-06:00

I wasn't feeling terribly inspired for a Tenth Day post, so I do what I often do for motivation: crank up Ye Olde Google.

I started looking for appropriate images of the Day, and came across this one. Intriguing, I thought, so I took a cursory glance through the originating page. Can you say dark, boys and girls? Holy cow.

If you've exhausted your ho-ho-ho, check out this Twelve Days series of short stories by An Unreliable Witness. Not your typical holiday fare, that's for damn sure, but oddly compelling.

The ninth day of Christmas

2009-01-02T20:58:00.004-06:00

Why does Nick & Nora not sell flannel pajamas made from this print? I'm just askin'.

Holiday on Ice by Alexander Henry Fabrics

(my girly partner fabric to eWAC's burly Heavy Equipment...)

The ghosts of New Years past

2009-01-01T00:01:00.001-06:00

Voices à la 1980 that speak relevantly today...

Happy 2009 to one and all!

Before the ball drops...

2008-12-31T12:01:00.001-06:00

... may I humbly offer for your consideration
Meema's Best of 2008 List
(continually updated as needed, and in no particular order)

Best road trip destination: Manhattan (More specific? The Guggenheim)

Best waste of time: Facebook

Best yarn shop: The Yarnery

Best knitting needles EVER: Knit Picks Harmony interchangeables

Best impersonation: Tina Fey as Governor Sarah Palin

Best theater seen: Souvenir, at The Jungle Theater

Best coffee shop: Blue Moon Coffee Café

Best public transportation: NYC subway

Best place to tell Father Christmas what you want: Steamworks Coffee & Tea

Best day for our nation: 4 November 2008

***************
And the resolutions?

1. To continue greening my life, and showing Kidlet how to do the same by way of example.

2. Knit down my fingering weight (sock?!?) stash. Good grief, it has its own ZIP code.

3. Hide from entropy. Yeah, right...

***************
A happy and safe New Year to you, readers. Come on back for another year of random blogging with me!

Where the boys knit

2008-12-30T21:50:00.007-06:00

Attention, knitterly men among us!

Registration for the 2009 Men's Spring Knitting Retreat is now open. May, upstate New York, men wielding pointy sticks - what could be grander?

(p.s. Check out the table corners - my coveted knitting machines of yore!)

The sixth day of Christmas

2008-12-30T07:04:00.003-06:00

Here are the Top 10 Quotes of 2008, as compiled by the editor of the Yale Book of Quotations (via Associated Press release):

1. "I can see Russia from my house!" — Comedian Tina Fey, while impersonating Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on the TV comedy show "Saturday Night Live," broadcast Sept. 13.

2. "All of them, any of them that have been in front of me over all these years." — Palin, responding to a request by CBS anchor Katie Couric to name the newspapers or magazines she reads, broadcast Oct. 1.

3. "We have sort of become a nation of whiners." — former Sen. Phil Gramm, an economic adviser to Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, quoted in The Washington Times, July 10.

4. "It's not based on any particular data point, we just wanted to choose a really large number." — a Treasury Department spokeswoman explaining how the $700 billion number was chosen for the initial bailout, quoted on Forbes.com Sept. 23.

5. "The fundamentals of America's economy are strong." — McCain, in an interview with Bloomberg TV, April 17.

6. "Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency." — the Treasury Department's proposed Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, September 2008.

7. "Maybe 100." — McCain, discussing in a town hall meeting in Derry, New Hampshire, how many years U.S. troops could remain in Iraq, Jan. 3.

8. "I'll see you at the debates, b------." — Paris Hilton in a video responding to a McCain television campaign ad, August 2008.

9. "Barack, he's talking down to black people. ... I want to cut his ... off." — Rev. Jesse Jackson, overheard over a live microphone before a Fox News interview, July 6.

10. (tie) "Cash for trash." — Paul Krugman discussing the financial bailout, New York Times, Sept. 22.

10. (tie) "There are no atheists in foxholes and there are no libertarians in financial crises." — Krugman, in an interview with Bill Maher on HBO's "Real Time," broadcast Sept. 19.

10. (tie) "Anyone who says we're in a recession, or heading into one — especially the worst one since the Great Depression — is making up his own private definition of 'recession'." — commentator Donald Luskin, the day before Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy, The Washington Post, Sept. 14.

The fifth day of Christmas

2008-12-29T07:48:00.002-06:00

As you all know, there was much knitting at The Meema House in preparation for Christmas. There are times I fantasize about making huge, wonderful sweaters and the like for everyone on my list; I know myself well enough, however, to know that just isn't feasible. No way, no how.

Until today!!!

A person can make as many fantastical knitted creations as they can dream up with this gem of a website.

I like the blue one. I though you should know.

The fourth day of Christmas

2008-12-28T06:01:00.002-06:00

I love these guys.

The third day of Christmas

2008-12-27T13:39:00.004-06:00

If you didn't get the opportunity this year (or just decided you'd rather not sweep up candy sprinkles for weeks), here's a great mess-free way to decorate gingerbread cookies. I made one just for you, in fact.

p.s. Mom is going home from the hospital today. She wants Chinese food for dinner - a very good sign. :-)

Lights, please

2008-12-25T01:10:00.003-06:00

If you're celebrating, have a merry one!

Hitting the fan

2008-12-24T03:14:00.005-06:00

So here we are. Christmas Eve.

You may ask, "Meema, are you done knitting?"

Depending on my mood at the moment of asking, the response could be any number of things:

a) hearty laugh
b) "Hrumph!" (or something)
c) "Yeah, right."
or d) the Evil Eye of Doom

There are things completed, things on needles, and things which must be started YESTERDAY. I'm storing up pictures to post after the gifting.

Oh, yes, another holiday mix-in: my mom has been in the hospital since Sunday, and could be spending Christmas (and then some) there as well. Send healing thoughts Rita's way, would you?

Back to bloggerizing. I stumbled on these sites last year, and have been waiting to share until this holiest of days. Enjoy!

p.s. At 9:00 this morning, I'll be listening to the live broadcast

of A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College, Cambridge (England) on National Public Radio. It's an very traditional Anglican service, steeped in beautiful music. There's no better way to eat your breakfast on Christmas Eve morn...

A long day's night

2008-12-21T01:12:00.001-06:00

nataliedee.com

All hail the lengthening of days that comes with the winter solstice!

Woo hoo - more daylight for shoveling...

It was good for me

2008-12-17T21:30:00.004-06:00

I found it. Holiday frenzy bliss, that is:

Imagine leaning your head back into a shampoo bowl and receiving a loooong scalp massage while James Taylor is singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" on the Muzak.

Hoo boy. ;-)

A child's Christmas wish

2008-12-16T22:48:00.006-06:00

Franklin Habit is a funny man, and seasonally à propos as well. Check out the sketch he posted today.

Can I hear you say, "Amen, Brother Franklin"?

Preparation, pageantry, and L&C on ice

2008-12-15T20:49:00.016-06:00

TGIM. Strange, isn't it? It was a wonderful but crazy weekend, and I'm actually relieved to be back in the weekday routine.

Saturday started with a rehearsal for Lessons & Carols, which morphed into a long lunch with the AnderClan. Boy howdy, but the girls were squirrely! Oh well. It's amazing to watch B and Kidlet together - two peas in a pod. After lunch, Kidlet and I baked four dozen cookies, then made homemade pizza for dinner... bath, bedtime stories and songs, and one tired Meema.

Sunday morning was the children's Christmas pageant at St. Paul's 10:00 service. B and Kidlet were both cast as Mary. That's right - our Jesus had two mommies this year. Woo hoo! B struggles a bit with stage fright, but lasted much longer than previous years; Kidlet presented the baby at the end of the story while B looked on from the safety of Caytie and Mark's laps.

I've spoken many times on the love I have for my church choir. A feistier bunch of singers there isn't. Hearty, too, as yesterday would prove; Minneapolis was treated to a delightful winter rain which promptly froze as the temperatures dipped in the afternoon, just in time for our service.

Our annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols was not as well attended as hoped, but those who braved the elements were enthusiastic and received a heckuva musical experience, IMHO. The choir sang so. freakin'. well. We performed Benjamin Britten's "Hymn to the Virgin", for which the four section leaders sang antiphonally from across the nave. I was blown away with how solid and sensitively the choir sang (YAY ALTOS!!!). Several other transcendent moments took my breath away.

The wonderful thing about singing in an Episcopal church is that we know how to put on a spread. Note the lovely traditional English Tea reception:

Following the festive gathering in the undercroft, Richard and Brian annually host a gathering even more festive in their Arts & Crafts bungalow. How festive, you may ask? Feast your peepers...

B and Kidlet learned the magic behind the Christmas decorations.
Maestro Scott finally gets a chance to kick back and relax.

Our genteel hosts, Richard and Brian, a.k.a. Mr. and Mr. Christmas.

And now we return you to your holiday knitting, already in progress...

Busy, busy, busy

2008-12-13T20:37:00.007-06:00

2.5 hours of rehearsal for Lessons and Carols service? Check.

Four dozen Christmas cookies baked? Check.

Kidlet fed, bathed, and bedded? Check. (Sometimes it feels like a major event.)

Panic-driven Meema knitting down her gift list while George Bailey sticks it to Old Man Potter? Checkity check check check.

Please join us for A Festival of Lessons and Carols at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Minneapolis, tomorrow afternoon at 4:00.

Realization

2008-12-12T22:03:00.009-06:00

This morning J and Kidlet were to meet me at Steamworks Coffee for our annual visit with Father Christmas; I arrived about 15 minutes before them. As soon as I saw The Man, my eyes went misty. Good Lord, I am such. a. girl.

It was an amazing time - everything we could hope for, and then some. Seriously, Father Christmas is Kidlet's first boyfriend. She is big-time crushin'.

Anticipation

2008-12-11T21:09:00.010-06:00

Tomorrow we are visiting Father Christmas. I hope the resulting photos are in no way similar to these:

T minus 45

2008-12-04T22:53:00.000-06:00

Is this thing on?

Actual content coming soon to a blog near you.

Giving thanks

2008-11-27T10:46:00.005-06:00

Be it traditional or modern, with family, friends or in solitude, I wish you a warm and satisfying Thanksgiving.

Let the holiday season begin!

Holiday greening

2008-11-26T09:09:00.008-06:00

Check out 911earth.com's page for earth-friendly ideas to green your holiday, from recycling trees to letting the USPS print and mail your holiday cards for you.

My own personal mission: NO PLASTIC BAGS this season!!! Try IKEA's big blue shopping totes; yes, they're a bit crinkly and don't collapse into a hackey-sized pouch, but they are amazingly strong, totally cheap (59 cents!), and serve every need from gift/grocery shopping to transporting gifts on The Day. Or hauling firewood. Or stocking your snow fort with an arsenal of snowballs.

Heck, I'll bet you could even drag your dead Christmas tree to the curb on recycling day with it...