Finished!

I did not quite get these done in time for my aunt's birthday, but considering they have been on the needles for 13 months, a week or two late is not too bad.

Pattern: Dancing Diamond Socks by Wendy D. Johnson
Yarn: Neighborhood Fiber Co. Studio Sock in Dupont Circle
Needle: size 1.5 circular
Date Started: May 21, 2010
Date Finished: June 23, 2011
Comments: This was a really fun pattern, once I got the hang of it. As always, Wendy's pattern was perfect- no errors and easy to understand. I also found the lace quite "readable" so even when my chart marker slipped, I could figure out where I was quite easily. I got the yarn at the Washington Nationals Stitch n Pitch last year, and even got to meet the dyer. She was super-sweet. Wendy also lives in this area, so between the dyer, designer, and the name of the colorway, I think of this as a "local" project.

Trip to Boston

Mr. DB and I went to Boston last weekend for a whole host of my family events: my cousin's graduation, my aunt's birthday, Father's day x2, my stepmother's birthday, and most importantly, the first time a lot of my family met Mr. DB. I think it went really well. Of course everyone loved him (or at least would not dare say otherwise to me). One of my brothers was away at Philmont, and we did not make it to Fenway Park, so I guess we will have to go back soon. :)

Monday we had some free time, so we went to lunch with a friend from graduate school and had dinner with two of my high school friends. In between, we walked around downtown Boston. We went to Downtown Crossing, Park Street, shopped a little by Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall, and even rode the swan boats. Yes, it is cheesy, but also very cute and romantic.

This was my favorite tree. Isn't it beautiful?

Look What's Back in Action

Remember these? Ok, it is an old picture, but I am actually about at this point on the second sock.  I decided it was time to take them out of hibernation and finish them for my aunt's special birthday on Friday. Yes, I know finishing a sock with this type of patterning in one week with everything else I have to do is quite ambitious. We will see if I can finish it. My fingers are crossed. The yarn really is too pretty to languish in a project bag.

First 2011 Goal Completed!

It is June, and I have finally completed my first 2011 goal. Look over on the sidebar. Yup, I finished reading 11 books by 11 authors. Actually, I have read more than 11 non-school books so far this year, but I got on a Jane Austen and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle kick. I am sure I will be reading many more books, but I love the feeling of accomplishment. I think having a Nook has really aided in my reading. I have always loved to read, but never thought to carry around a book, so I did not read as much as I like. I do not think that technology can ever replace the wonderful feeling of a book in your hands, but it is not a bad aid to reading more when you are out and about. Do you have a Nook or Kindle? Has it changed your reading habits?

Memorial Day Weekend

Mr. DB and I went to his childhood friend's wedding in Saint Louis over Memorial Day weekend. It was a very pretty wedding, but I did not take many pictures. Every time Mr. DB and I are together, I am determined to get a good picture of us. I have one on my iPhone, but it is a little blurry. Hopefully his SIL got a better one. However, I did take some pictures of our outing the day before. Can you guess where we went?

That's right,Anheuser-Busch brewery. It was fun, but after watching the documentary Beer Wars (it is fantastic, btw), I feel sort of guilty for going there instead of to a microbrewery.

2011 Goals- May Recap

Where did May go? Seriously, I have no idea. I have a feeling this summer is going to fly by. I did not do so well on my goals this month.

1. Make one scrapbook- no
2. Start and finish a sweater- still in progress
3. Make a color work project- no
4. Knit Nana and Grandad socks- no
5. Finish or frog all 2010 knitting projects- same place as last month
6. Make a felt advent calendar- no
7. Work out 111 times-worked out 12 times
8. Lose 11% of my body weight- 5% and counting
9. Learn to walk in high heels- no
10. Prepare an academic paper for submission to a journal- no
11. Read 11 non-school books by different authors- first month I did not read anything by a new author. I have been working my way through the complete works of Jane Austen.