And so the next adventure begins!

As of today, I have officially launched my 10th year of teaching! I have learned so much, made so many mistakes, and while there is a part of me that feels terrible for the teacher I as the last three years, I'm also looking forward to this new chapter. A chapter where I will be supported and encouraged to grow as a teacher. A chapter where my educational philosophy lines up so much better with the school I'm working in. A chapter where I will have some margin space. A chapter where almost anything can happen!

In the week leading up to school, my main project was finishing up my Cityscape Tank. I ended up pulling out the whole upper back and half the upper front when I realized I was doing a decrease incorrectly. It doesn't show super well, but see that rather lumpy, messy line in the first picture, compared to the lovely smooth line in the second?

I re-knit the backs and fronts, joined the shoulders, then completed the edgings in time to wash and block in Friday so I could wear it on Saturday. I LOVE this top--I was afraid it wouldn't fit right or would be too narrow in the straps, but I won the gauge gamble! If I do make it again (sorely tempted), I will probably chance the straps just a bit to make them a tad wider, but this is an exciting new addition to my summer wardrobe!

Also, that finish meant that I not only made my 3k goal for Stash Dash, but I exceeded it and reached 5k for the first time ever! Of course that was in large part due to the spinning I did, but STILL! I'm pretty pleased with what I accomplished.

There were a few trunk shows at my delightful LYS Yarnia last week, so I popped in after inservice on Wednesday and Friday to be tempted. I've got serious plans to save up for a project's worth of Round Table Yarns delightful kettle dyed fingering. And yes, the fact that I'm a medieval lit nerd totally adds to the appeal! The dyer I meet on Friday, Chicken Coop Dyeworks was also delightful, and we found out that we had time in Africa in common. Much to my surprise I was gifted a set of her lovely Leghorn yarn so I could make the shawl pattern, Birds of a Feather, that I had discovered and decided I needed to make with my deep stash Kidsilk Haze.

I'm trying to remember how long I've had that Kidsilk Haze; it must be either pre-Zambia or an early trip home as I'm pretty sure I got it when the yarn store in Tyler downsized... This weekend I cast on, and guys, this is such a beautiful, soft, fluffy thing I can hardly wait for it to be finished so I can wrap myself up in it! And, the yarns go together *perfectly*.

Yesterday I started a necessary thing; a crochet bowl cozy. Since I now have a microwave, it makes sense to have one rather than the rather haphazard use of pot holders I have been practicing so far. I found a knit pattern for the same thing, but this is one of those occasions when I think crochet is much better. Also, I was in the mood for something a little different. So here is the double thick base and the first row of the sides done; hopefully it will be a quick job from there. I might need to get some more cotton...

Today was the first day of school, and while it was a half-day, I had some work to do before leaving. Once I got out to my car I found that my battery had died, so a co-worker jump started me and sent me to the Ford dealership where it just so happens one of my student's father's works. I was taken care of quickly, and was so grateful for an easily resolved issue. It was also nice to make a connection with one of our families. So, while it was a frustrating extra expense, everything is taken care of and I'm all set to go. And, since it was the Starbucks first day of fall, I indulged in my first pumpkin spice latte of the season--even though it was over 100 today. Come quickly fall!

Well, I have a bit more to do before turning into a bed, so I'll leave you with this rare picture of Neko on my lap. Notice that he is curled up on my dark Cityscape tank--that seems to be the only way he'll sit with me for a few minutes. Good thing I bought a lint roller... My black trousers have already fallen prey to him!

Meetings, more blue knitting, and a trip.

Last week was pretty dull--if you aren't me. Lots of reading, three meetings to start hammering out science--I'm teaching 7th and 8th grade now, Omnibus, and discuss overlap between my government class and Omnibus III. Lots of reading, the beginnings of my 'battle plans,' continuing to make good use of my Prime trial by enjoying Endeavour in the evenings. I love a good mystery show with a complex protagonist... Some cooking, some recreational reading, errands here and there...pretty boring to write about. This weekend I hit the dividing point--the point where it was time to divide and work the front and back of my Cityscape separately. I'm getting close to finishing the back, and as usual Neko had to come inspect the knitting on the floor.

I got (and used!) my new cast iron skillet in the mail-boy have I missed having one. I made do with the frying pan from my set, but it sure helps to have something larger than 9"!

On Friday I drove 6 hours north to Oklahoma City to meet up with some friends for lunch, and as usual forgot to take any pictures. I spent the night with my sister in Plano, then had a busy Saturday in which I visited Half-Price Book, IKEA where I found this lovely thing (among others),

a yarn store where I picked up this delicious gradient to practice full brioche stitch with,

and visited the kitchen outlet in Terrell as there were some things Wal-mart just doesn't have. I suspected when I saw it that I needed a mini cutting board in my life, and it was a good call-love that thing!

This is my last week before a week of teacher training, so I'm trying to get as far ahead as I can with planning and reading, as I'm not sure how involved next week will be. I'm kind of hoping that I can get my tank top finished up this week so I can start knitting for my new niece or nephew, but we'll have to see how it goes. Having a very much wanted baby in the family makes me want to throw everything to the wind and spend all my money and time in creating baby things so that the Little Bean will be in no doubt as to how loved they are by their crazy aunt. However, I'm doing my best to temper my enthusiasm as expressed through wool, and have been having a lot of fun planning what I will make. Grow safe and strong dear one--you are already so, so loved.

Acres of blue knitting and lots of ancient Greece

Last week I finished reading Herodotus's The Histories; while it was a lot to get through in a short time, I really enjoyed it. He had some hilarious theories about things, and was a wide eyed wonderer in a world where few people traveled. I'm working on Oresteia at the moment for those who are interested in tracking my progress through the Omnibus I curriculum! Agamemnon and Cassandra are dead; I'm waiting to meet the titular character in "The Libation Bearers."

Most of my knitting has been on the Cityscape tank, or the never ending project. You guessed it--I've reached the stage where I want the product! This past week there was the interesting development of the shaping that shrinks the twisted rib section. Despite the perfectly straightforward manner of this shaping, I managed to have to do a quick 'fix' job to get everything back to where it was supposed to be. Hopefully I'll be done next week! Not like I'm going to run out of summer to wear it in, I just want to feel like I can cast something else on.

I finished and blocked my Star Trek vertebrae; it's so cute! I'm glad I was fussy with the ribbing--I think it adds a nice touch. I can't wait to see the baby it was knit for wearing it!

I finished, wove in the ends, and finally put the pom-pom on the hat out of Roundhouse Alpaca Farm fiber. Neko decided while I was photographing it that it was HIS. He is mistaken; seeing as how I made the hat from scratch (except for the pom-pom!), it is definitely MINE. He's adorable though, isn't he?

Neko isn't used to being a knitter's cat, but I also realize that cats are just honor bound to be involved in any blocking process they can reach. Behold my sophisticated efforts to protect the vertebrae from cat hair-

This Sunday I took a rest day, and sat down to try out the corner-to-corner crochet technique I saw in a class at Yarnia. It was an interesting challenge, but I don't like the texture of the surface enough to probably mess with it again. I keep thinking of this brilliant thing called double knitting... What you can't see is the shag carpet of ends on the backside where I was not great at planning ahead with color carrying. Another reason to go with double knitting!

On the cooking front I had the brain wave to make mini meatloafs- future supers + shorter cooking times. I used the keto recipe I found earlier because I liked it, and I also had all the stuff on hand. Bacon and cheese of course don't hurt the taste either!

Well, I have my third school meeting early tomorrow morning, so I'd better sign off. As a parting shot, I've been enjoying this delightful window display downtown; I'm not sure if I want the octopus or the diving helmet more...