I promised many people to stay in touch once I left DC and so here I am.

My move to Portland was completely uneventful; a true blessing considering today’s airline problems. I arrived with a plan in hand, one where I had to find a place to live as soon as possible. I had emailed three places before I left DC and was able to see all three within 48 hrs. Me being the detailed and anal person, I had to have something settled before the weekend was up since I was due to start at my new job the following Monday. Now you would think that Portland is an easy city to rent in, oh no, not at all. In fact, Portland is a HOT rental and buying market and the most desirable places go within a week if not a day.

So, here I am with three places to check out in 2 days. I go to the first place and fall in absolute love with it! The whole deal was sweet. The second place sucked and not much more to say about it. The third place was, shall we say, a joke. See if you want to live close in to the city you have to pay serious $ for very little, sort of like NYC except Portland is NOT NYC. Nope, not at all. The owner was asking $600/month to share a 570 sq foot “apartment”. Funny. So, I decided to go with the first place and live on the other side of town.

Mission accomplished within 2 days of arriving, and now I just had to get ready for my new job, new city, and new commute. Settling into the new job and company has gone very well. In fact, I love it. Everything about it is exhilarating and refreshing. The city is just the right size, with just the right amount of people, and so fun to roam in. Before I left DC, I decided to sell my car and settle into Portland as a public transportation user. I take the bus and train every day into work. Isn’t that great! Well, I love it and most people understand why I do it, but there are a few out there that stare at me and think that I’m crazy. Crazy. Ha! I’m able to spend at least one hour reading and relaxing, while others sit in cars inhaling fumes. Oh, and I walk at least 2 miles per day. I may be crazy but man I’ve never felt so great in my life!

Fast forward to today. Work is good. Portland fucking rocks. Steve is arriving soon and we signed a lease on a house. Ahh…yea…Remember when I said I had found a place to live? A week after agreeing to rent the perfect room in the perfect house, I get a call from the hubby saying he was moving to Portland much sooner than expected. So, I scrambled and found a house within 1 day. I saw an ad for a gorgeous house in this great part of town. We move in May 1st! Yippeee!!

Where’s the knitting in all of this? None. I haven’t found a groove yet, and I still need to locate a knitting group. It will happen, though, all in good time. But I did get to see Yarn Harlot speak last week, and I met a few knitters there. Portland is full of knitters, shops, and events so I’m sure I will meet a cool group soon enough. I tell ya though I miss the mighty KHers and late night! Miss them tremendously.

I’m heading home tomorrow night to spend a week wrapping up the house, and help settle things before the big move. I’m looking forward to visiting with family and friends, and hanging with the hubby and cats. Don’t ask about MDSW, let’s just say the family has other plans for me and the house move requires my attention. Sad.

So Steph and Erin have thoughts on my top 5 singer/songwriters. It seems Patti Smith is not as cool as I thought, Neko Case deserves a higher listing, and so on. Now I have to revise my list not because of influence from others but because I missed Daniel Johnston!!!

My new male singer list:

1. Neil Young

2. Bob Dylan

3. Elliott Smith

4. Johnny Cash

5. Nick Cave –> Daniel Johnston

Rules for the Mimosa Music Top 5

1. List 5 singer/songwriters, and yes, you can do two lists. One for female and one for male.

2. The musicians are, for the most part, solo artists not part of bands. Kim Gordon doesn’t qualify ’cause she’s better known as part of Sonic Youth, and same with John Lennon or Paul McCartney.

3. They don’t have to be contemporary.

4. Tag whomever you want or not. I just want to read about your musical tastes.

I’m tagging Erin, Steph, Lisa, Becky, and Lolly. What are your faves?

Yesterday on my drive home, bored out of my mind, I was thinking about my top 5 singer/songwriters and who would they be. This was sparked by some “Cinnamon Girl” playing on Sirius and my love for Neil Young. And then I started thinking about the two things I would need if I had to get rid of my possessions. Music and books. I could survive with those two in my life but would be sad to not have my beading, knitting, or spinning hobby to keep them company. I digress back to my top 5 singer/songwriters, here’s my list and split by gender:

1. Neil Young - THE MAN. He doesn’t need instruments to make beautiful songs. He knows how to construct memorable lyrics, and sing with a soulful voice.

2. Bob Dylan - Blashphemous that he’s not #1 on my list. He just doesn’t compare to Neil.

3. Elliott Smith - WOW. Why, oh why, did he have to die so soon?

4. Johnny Cash - What can you say about the man in black that hasn’t already been said?

5. Nick Drake - Another one that died too young.

And for the ladies:

1. Bjork - she may have poor fashion sense but this woman is incredible. Her ear for sounds is incredible.

2. Cat Power aka Chan Marshall - whether she’s drunk or not this woman can produce some heart wrenching songs.

3. PJ Harvey - such a strong voice in such a small body.

4. Patti Smith - THE queen of cool.

5. Neko Case - She has several albums out and they just keep getting better.

Do you have any favorites?

Now for the two things to do. I was just reading Erin’s post about what to do if money were no object. For me, I would say travel to Japan for 3 months, and volunteer at an animal shelter. I’m obsessed with the Japanese culture and feel the need to get immersed, live among that society and return with arms full of kimonos. As for animal shelter, there is plenty of animals that need help and assistance.

Oh boy, how fun! Rhinebeck 2007 was everything a girl could wish for and more! The setting was magical, the vendors delightful, the food absolutely delicious and the company stupendous! I’ve posted my pics for you all.

And now for the purchases rundown..Check out ravelry for more yarn details.

1. Buttons from Autumn House Farms:

2. Dark brown skeins from Foxhill Farm (Cormo cross), and 2ply sport skeins from Ginger Hill

3. 2ply sport cone from Ginger Hill, and yummy browns from Brooks Farm

4. Two 4 ounce bags of yummy Cormo/Alpaca/Angora mix from Foxhill Farm

5. 4 ounces of delicious carded Angora:

6. Drop spindle from Hatchtown Farm

7. Fiber tops from Abi’s Farm: Pink merino top and natural colored opossum/merino blend

On and off the needles

So much! Well, not really. I’ve finished some wonderful projects but can’t for the life of me remember to take pics. You will just have to trust me when I say I’ve done them.

Project: Grandma’s stole
Pattern: Print O’ Wave Stole
Yarn: my own handspun laceweight, aka cursed yarn. This yarn was knitted up several times, and ripped several times, but it survived! Fiber came from the Silkworker, and it was a wool/silk blend.
Needles: US4 circular
Modifications: I didn’t calculate the yardage very well and ran out of yarn. The border was not done.
Thoughts: Pattern directions are AWFUL. I love Eunny’s work but this pattern lacks editing. I suggest reading this great post ahead of casting on, and find some patience.

Project: Socks for moi and then gave away to Luxecraft
Pattern: Crusoe
Yarn: From Luxecraft, purchased in Colorado
Needles: US1 circular
Thoughts: No modifications needed. I followed the pattern 100% and got beautiful socks. The socks almost exactly like the Knitty pics!

Project: Stole for moi
Pattern: Simple feather and fan
Yarn: My own handspun laceweight, from this gorgeous fiber!!
Needles: US 7 circular
Thoughts: I blocked this too long and got more of a scarf than a stole! As I told the ladies I will be ripping this back (I know the horror!), and starting all over again with more stitches and less length. I am determined to have a PERFECT cashmere/merino stole.

Those are my finished projects and now for what’s on the needles:

1. Spiral boot socks using Regia Silk

2. Lady Eleanor using Noro Silk Garden

3. Aberlady. This is my first Starmore pattern and I’m so excited! Right now I’m trying to figure out which yarn to use. The pattern calls for a 4ply such as Rowan 4ply Soft, and I’m hoping to use my School Products Lace Merino. Here’s the catch, while both yarns have the same gauge (28sts over 4in on 3.25mm needles), they don’t share the same weight. The lace merino is 3,400 yards in one pound and the Rowan 4ply Soft is 1,730 yards in one pound. If I stick with the School Products my sweater will be thinner and won’t have the same look. What to do? Double up the yarn and change the pattern? Thoughts, anyone?

We interrupt today’s post with the latest GREATEST news… He has won! HE WON! Yup, good ol’ Al Gore has won the Nobel Prize for Peace!!!! So what that he shares it, who cares that the other half belongs to the UN Panel, he was won this for his great work!

Congrats! and now can you please step up and show these idiots how a presidency should be run? Please, pretty please.

Sincerely,

Mimosa Knits