theraineysisters knitting and so much more

…a Minnesota thing!  Mostly, anyway.  It was really fun reading about all of the traditions and mores from around the country. 

As you can probably surmise, I have done very little knitting of late.  A lot of running around, a lot of shopping, a lot of “preparation.”  But not a lot of knitting.  I have stolen a few moments here and there to work on the Mystic Waters Shawl and bought some really pretty fabric to make a dress/jumper to wear with it.

As for the party, we are not doing a lot to our house — some people do a full home makeover from roof to basement.  BUT, this was the perfect excuse to buy a new sofa for the downstairs family room.  The old one was 35 YEARS OLD!!!!!    It was a rust-colored loveseat that I slip-covered several years ago.  The joy I felt when that thing was dragged out to the dumpster is beyond belief.    It actually had springs poking out of it like in the cartoons!  It was stained, holey, ripped and lumpy.  OMG!  The new sofa is lovely and no lumps, no springs, no rips. 

Now it’s back to work!

I am talking about the obligatory “Graduation Open House” aka “High School Graduate Fundraising Event.”  In Minnesota, everyone has to host these events for the new graduate.  To not do so means that a) you do not love your little darling and b) your child will start out broke.

There are only so many weekends available, so scheduling your event is tricky (ours is next weekend).  This often means trekking from one open house (OH) to another to pay off congratulate the honoree.  The typical OH consists of tables and chairs set up outside or — in case of rain — in the garage.  Food is simple and served buffet style.

I have been dreading looking forward to this fiasco celebration for 13 years — since Laura started her first day of kindergarten.  I am not one for hosting large parties and avoid entertaining whenever possible. 

So, last weekend I attended my first in a series of open houses and had an epiphany.  The hosts are really good friends of ours and always throw great parties, so I knew it would be nice.  It was nice and not overly lavish — yay!  But here is what Gina said that turned on the light bulb for me: “We decided to have the party indoors.”  I should have realized this as I was standing in her kitchen at the time, but I am a little slow on the uptake.

I realized that what I had been dreading all these years was trying to put on an outdoor party: Our garage is crap, our deck unfinished; what about renting tables and chairs and tents and serving warmers, the weather, etc. etc.  How do you keep the hot food hot, the cold food cold….OMG!  Now that we have decided to have the party inside, it is a much more attainable goal.  I also decided to keep everything very simple and not do any of the cooking: all the food is being prepared elsewhere. 

I think I can do this now!  Laura will feel loved, and Laura will not be broke — though of course, I will be!

PS from Susan: I tried to drop a subtle hint to Laura about “eloping” (i.e., give her the $$ that I would have spent, but not host the gig), but then ALL the criteria would not be met: I would be broke, Laura would not be broke, but Laura would not feel loved.  So, the gig goes on!

PS2: Our school also hosted an all-night party the night of graduation.  It cost $175 — my daughter did not want to attend, so we got off the hook there, though I heard it was fun.  She wanted to spend the evening with friends from a neighboring school who would not be able to attend.

Today we reached a milestone of mega-proportions.  My oldest daughter graduated from high school.  It’s true! I know this happens to just about everyone sooner or later, but it still feels pretty special to me.  I am bursting with pride!

It’s hard to believe that the little peanut John is holding (with those unbelievable cheeks ) grew into the lithe and beautiful young woman pictured.

Laura is bright and talented and artistic, and wise beyond her years.  Graceful, gentle, with more than a touch of class and elegance.

Laura, you are special and loved! And, you’re not my little baby any more!

PS (June 1) — Commencement was tonight and now it is official! Hats off to you, Graduates!

Last night was the knitters guild meeting — very well attended with many new knitting peeps!  We had a couple of guests.  The first was Jennifer Castellanos who represented Project Little Lambs.  They need 200 baby afghans by August 1.  The afghans will go to babies and children whose families have been victimized by domestic violence.  The brochure shows how you can sign up to knit an afghan or donate money.  This is a worthy cause and the afghans do not need to be large or expensive.

Contact info for Project Little Lambs: Jennifer Castellanos, 612-335-2759; or Jennifer.castellanos@k-a-c.com

Our second guest was the aforementioned (in an earlier post) Kari Cornell, co-author of Retro Knits. 

OMG!  What a fun book!  She brought the original source material for us to look at — several people recognized some of the sweaters and patterns from their own childhoods (“My mom made my brother that sweater!”).  The patterns have been re-worked with yarn weights rather than the way they were originally written: for a particular yarn brand.  Just as many companies today put out pattern books to support their yarn, so did the companies of yesteryear.  Most of those companies are gone.  It was amazing to see styles from the past that are stylish today: shrugs and wraps, etc.  One observation: the designers were unknown…no names listed anywhere.  Now, we seek out particular, well-loved designers.

So, I bought the book as I expected and Surly, your signed copy will be in the mail soon!