After completing the three sweaters and the Allegra, I was itching to start something for me again. So, took a trip to Northampton, MA.

I cannot believe I have not been here before. Few days ago, I thought I needed a break, a getaway or rather a runaway from town. I thought to going to Webs in Northampton. As I was still mulling over whether to go or not. I asked a colleague at work, if his wife, (equally avid knitter), would like to go. One thing led to another, and it became a field trip to Mecca of Yarn.

We started early around 9AM, had a great drive to Northhampton. I love this town! We parked to get coffee at La Fiorentina Pastry Shop, on 19 Armory street. Had a cappacino with two biscotti's (one Anisette and the other Almond). Coffee was to die for, and so was the Anisette biscotti. Once fed, we were ready to tackle webs. Driving up to it, felt like driving up to a warehouse, and I had butterflies and was so nervous, that my hands were shaking. I had no idea what to expect, but it just felt so exciting and fun and content and happy. I had not even stepped over the threshold.

The place is insane!!! Insanely great! I am so hooked. Why did I not get here before. So much yarn, so many books, so little time. Man, I need to get more hands to knit everything. And prices are so unbelievable. If this is how it feels to be in love, then I am in love. I came away with  the following in my cart.

1. Adrienne Vittadini Catalogs (Love these, I want to make them all): Spring 2004, Fall 2004, Fall 2005.
2. Plymouth Yarh: Baby Alpaca Brush (in light steel blue) for Vittadini Fall 2005 Antonia 5. Needed to do substitution as Antonia is either too expensive or discontinued.
3. Elsebeth Lavold: 1 skein Silky Wool in Moss Green for a scarf. Hmmm, loved the yarn so bought a skein in cream and maroon. No idea what I am going to make of these, but loved it, so it had to be adopted. :)
4. Rowan: 3 skeins Kid Silk Haze for Butterfly project from Rowan Magazine 37
5. Rowan: 1 skein Kid Silk Haze White/Pearl.... just because.....
6. Reynolds Yarns: Saucy Sport, 100% Mercerized Cotton: 2 skeins brilliant Green, 2 skeins light Blue, 4 skeins in Cream for a Crochet Shawl, pattern TBD. I think I got these because the colors and sheen so vibrant and so yummy.

(Note: The colors look all washed out, because they are most pastels and I took the picture in full sun.

I am heaven, so happy, so content, so needed to be back to start knitting!! But this was just the beginning. We parked in town, and walked along Main street. What a fabulous town! I just love the feel of town centers, with plenty to do, just rightly balanced at being laid back and active.   We ate lunch at a Mediterranean restuarant. I had fabulous lamb kabob plate with salad (best I have had in ages or rather first I had in ages).  After that we wandered around, stopped in used book store and bought a knitting book (of course). Couple of hours later, we stopped at HayMarket, a hole in the wall, with plenty of space once, you made through the hole in the wall. Again, had great coffee with Coconut Almond Shortcake cookie. Yum..... Forget counting the calories, I was there to savor every darn minute of it, and by god, I did. I am glad I don't this often, but when I do, I really do relish it and it stays with me for the long long time.... and the cookie and biscotti and lamn stick to my... you know where for a long time too. But what the heck. We wandered around a  bit, and was glad to be walking to work off the 5000 calorie day. It was great to see the place with friends who knew the place well (they went to school in the neighborhood and were married in this town)...... hmmm definitely a town worth saving.

Knitting for tots again! This time I am knitting with Sirdar Snuggly (double knitting) in Royal Blue and my fast becoming favorite yarn for tots Sirdar Snowflake (double knitting) in Pink. 

 

Knitting the pink as a raglan sleeved sweater was a breeze and I am proud of the end result. But the blue drove me pots. Perhaps, it was because, the number of pieces that needed to be knitted with few stitches and then seamed and arrghhhh, I had cut my left fingers cutting pineapple. Or it may be because I was making two of the exactly same pattern in the same color!! When I was knitting up the second, it was deja vu, like, wasn't I just here increasing and decreasing at same places with same color yarn.

I am happy with how they turned out, but blue was aggravating, pink was a pleasure. But the three (Blue x 2 + Pink x 1) are done and shipped off.

Inspectors: WHAT would I do without these chaps!!!
 

Spent the evening with friends watching them play Cleopatra and playing 1/2 a game (don't remember what it was called). I liked Cleopatra, especially collecting the talents and more so the corruption coins. It was weird just watching the game. I would rather be playing. But, I did not make in time for the instructions. Ah well! next time.

After Cleopatra was done, I joined in for another game, (for the life of me, cannot remember what it was). If you are reading this, and know what this game is, do let me know. The game dealt with each player (in our case 7) picking from a set of card, one whose identity you were going to be for the round. The identities were Assassin, Thief, Bishop, Merchant, King etc etc. Each of the identity had the order in which the players played. Assasin (1), Thief (2) etc etc. The person who picked Assasin goes first and names a identity to kill. If you are the one called, then at your turn, you miss the turn. If you are the thief, then you collect gold coins from the person you named to steal from. In your turn, you can use the coins to pick cards to build, and build with the coins you have. I forget who wins, but then I couldn't stay till the end, so no clue what is criteria is to win. This is sloppy. Why am I being sloppy?

This evening, it was great to be there, but felt I needed to be somewhere else. Sorry, Jess/Amy, it was just weird.

For the game party I made Chicken and Mushroom puff pastry. The receipe was okay, nothing too spectacular, and I think the receipe called for too much corn starch. Note to self, next time put less. There was plenty to eat and drink and all of it very tasty.

Enjoy! (More pictures)

9:00AM: Last day of vacation, and Allegra is done. A day to celebrate! I am proud of this one. I had completed the back and front sometime back and somehow just could not get myself to complete seaming. I think it sometimes needs destiny to kick in, well, this morning it did. Around 6AM, after a cup of coffee, I got down to the business of seaming. After roughly three hours, it was done. I could wait, needed to take a picture. After couple of silly self pictures, I ran over to my neighbors', bare foot and fingers crossed (hoping to catch her at home), and had her stop breakfast and take a picture. So, here it is!!! This is how it all began: 1. Friday, July 10th: Concept to project 2. Wednesday, July 19th: Back made some serious progress with Allegra back progress 3. Saturday, August 5th: Back completed! Front is where it is at. Allegra front progress 4. Sunday, August 20th: Front completed! Knitting done 5. Several days: Got lazy and/or blaming destiny for not completing the seaming 6. Monday, Sept 11th: Done...... this is it. Roughly two months, with off and on knitting.

The Pink Velour Crape Myrtle bloomed! I planted a small shrub, about 8in tall, which is supposed to grow to about 10 feet. The plant is just about a foot, but it is blooming! I have two other Crape Myrtles, another Pink Velour and one Red Dynamite. So, far they are growing but they are not as ambitious as the first to be flowering. But I am not going to force it. I had planted three other small shrubs, all three Lilacs (Miss Kim), they were in their temporary planting location. They don't appear to be growing (or dying) where I planted them, so, they have been transplanted to new locations. Lets see how they do there. But, I am encouraged to plant blubs this fall, and then some serious planting in spring 2007. Oh, finally the yard work with the retaining walls is complete. One huge to do item checked off from the list. Now, I have to keep up with weeding, and that will keep me busy for the next two months.

What happens when this innocent crop called corn is grown in fields? Sometimes, it is eaten by humans, sometimes cows and sometimes one or more wooden bridges are built and paths are cut and if it falls in the hands of Adrian Fisher, then it turns into aMazing Cornfield Maze!

A very eventful afternoon with friends at Davis' Mega Maze, in Sterling MA. This year it has gone Hollywood, with Box Office (Special Edition) called The Great Movie Maze. This maze is designed by Adrian Fisher (England), the world's leading maze designer and holder of 7 Guinness World records. The Davis' Maze is unique, because it has the ability to change everyday, so no two trips are the same.

This was my first visit ever to the maze and was glad I did not go alone (as previously planned). We started around 2pm and were still in the maze around 4pm. I don't think we had a goal, but after a while it became a quest to cross all 10 bridges, and we did. Along with that we completed all 6 Hollywood Walk of Fame Maze Map stamps, collected all five Star Search stamps. Of the 12 Star Profile, we got 11, and had to back track to the beginning for the last one. Maybe backtracking was cheating for the last one, but after being in there for so long, I think we deserved a a break and a treat.  This was fun, and walk did us good too. We were lost so many times and felt trapped and felt like we were going round and round in circles. The sheer complexity of it was indeed awesome. I am pretty sure I am going to go again.

According to Guinness Book of World Records: The world's largest temporary corn maze measured 89,901 m² (22.21 acres) when opened to the public on August 13, 2005 in Flanders, Assenede, Belgium. The maze was designed and created by Workgroup Labyrinth. And the world's largest permanent hedge maze is the Peace Maze at Castlewellan Forest Park, Co. Down, Northern Ireland, which has a total area of 11,215 m² (2.771 acres), a total path length of 3.515 km (2.184 miles) and opened on September 12, 2001. The maze was designed by Beverley Lear (UK) and created by, Northern Ireland and members of the public.

My Star Profile: (in Brown is what I would have liked to have chosen, given the option.) 
Screen Name: Captain Julia Apple Jolie (Ghani) The Melodramatic (??? Jury is still out)
Movie Genre: Animated (Mixed, but mostly intelligent, mystery and thrillers, that sounds interesting, but really whatever.)
Agent: Secret Agent (Shhhh!)
Job Preference: Supporting Role (hmmm, all sorts of role, I am up for anything)
Look Alike: Halle Berry (! I don't think there is anyone)
Motto: Here's looking at you kid (Aww, love that line)
Celebrity Sighting: Private Island (Not seen anywhere!! Now, won't that be wicked cool)
Dwelling: Bungalow (this one is where we backtracked)
Costume: Evening Gown (Evening Gown)
Transportation: Private Jet (Private Jet)
Dating: George Clooney (Possibly! nah not really, but that was the nearest to cool option I would have chosen, my choice in no particular order: Gerard Butler, Matthew Macfadyen, Matt Damon, and well someone closer to home.)
Rehearsal Strategy: Read the script (Read the script, define options, prep for the outcomes and accept what it really turns out to be)

It is 6:00 in the morning, and I cannot stay away from a computer (promise no work, only play). As I was sipping my coffee, I got worried about my Maidenhair Fern. It is started to turn white. Oh dear! humidity low? water low? I dashed them off to the kitchen watered and misted them. Hmmm, if this is the state in the beginning of fall, I am going to have to be doubly vigilant in later fall and winter. It is going to get dry. One option would be to migrate them to the bathroom, or maybe get a humidifier or humidity trays. What are humidity trays anyways? Perhaps I can make them! I think it is a tray, and a rack to allow water drain off, so the plant does not sit in water. Hmmm, not rocket science. I am going to try making one. Perhaps the maidenhair fern needs some light. So, by 6:30 they are watered, misted, plonked in a white tray and relocated to dinning room window for some east-northeast light.

But, wait, I did not get on the computer to blog about ferns, but to research about humidity trays, when something unexpected happened. Baxter (Bunny), came sat next to me, looked at me, butted his head against my arm, and when I moved to scratch his head/neck, he clambered onto my lap and curled left, curled right, stuck his butt in my face, curled again clockwise and settled himself on my lap. Ohhhhhh! priceless, so utterly priceless. When finally he appeared settled, I asked "Comfy?", I got a very resonant "Meow". How can one not fall in love with him? Something is definitely up, Bunny has been following me all morning and getting quite comfortable in jumping onto my lap anytime I am stationary for more that five mins.

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Thank you De's (especially Anup & Anish), Father, Leader Bank, Steven, Valerie and Heather for the warm wishes. Special thanks also to Veebs and Bunny for waking me up to great vocal "Meow" (I like to think they are wishing me).

The day started with me driving over to work, just because I absolutely detest the silly b'day sheet that Judy puts up on all our computer desk. And I wanted to get it down as I am going to be on vacation for next four days. Well! She was not in, Maureen was, but there was no sheet, AWESOME!! Hmmm, why am I surprised, I shouldn't be, Judy put the sheet up for the next two days, and perhaps I was lucky and she was on vacation too. Awesome! I knew this was going to be a great day.  I drove over to home town and lounged in Panera bread for a great cup of Hazelnut coffee and Oatmeal (Apples and Cinammon).

I was going to treat myself today and go Peaches picking on a farm in Concord, and also help on their farm (to pick fruit) for their stand and just maybe they would assign me to tend the pigs (being the rookie). But that did not happen. I landed up driving to Barnes and Noble and spent couple of hours browsing through loads of books. I got a list to buy using my personal development money, but did not buy any. I almost bought a book on mixing drinks. I really want a good book on cocktails and Liqueurs. Beer: whatever, Wine: nice, Champagne: hmmm yum, Liqueurs: god I am in love.  It is just the sheer variety of it all, is just so amazing, love it all. Current favorites are: Sambuca, Ameretto, Galliano (I know, I know, better in mixed drinks, but oh baby, this is nice), and oh, schnapps (especially peach and peppermint), oh oh and anytthing with Vodka. Oh dear! how did I ever get side tracked with alcohol. My resolution this year to keep and maintain a well stocked bar. Good one to have.

Well, after just browsing in Barnes and Noble, I swung by to the AMC theaters to see, if anything interesting was playing, nothing was, so got back home. Lunch was a simple affair with Bean soup and summer squash. Highlight of the afternoon was watching "Mad about You" season 1 for couple of episodes and playing with Veebs and Bunny. Bunny has started walking over to me and flopping for a good tummy scratch and I love to do that. They (VanBurren and Baxter, the cats) are so adorable and so understanding and so loving, and give so much unconditionally, it is insane.  I think I should get a cat, but, I think I am allergic, I have not stopped sneezing since they have moved in..... Dan/Li, what was that allergies medicine again? I'll call to find out. As I am writing this, they are slumped over and sleeping like babies. Aw, they are so cute together (pics coming soon). 

Evening, I cannot decide, whether I should go out for dinner on the town or stay indoors. I might landup going out, but don't know yet.  I have opened a great Sauvignon Blanc from Oyster Bay and love it, it complements peaches so well. Well, the night is really young, so we'll see.

Update: I did not go out for dinner, settled for a second glass of Sauvignon Blanc and a large bowl of Maple-Brown Sugar Oatmeal with Peaches and Nectarines. Yum, so much better.

4:45AM: Me, asleep, all cuddled up under fall blankets, catching all the ZZZZ's possible
4:50AM: MEOWW! Purrr! MEAOWWW!
4:50AM: I open my eyes, I see two sets of gleaming eyes staring right back at me. WHOA!! Right over my  head, two cats, sitting and looking down at me, staring at me, commanding me to get up. What a fright!
4:55AM: Ahhhh! After a few mins of catching my breath, being startled out of some dream or the other, into a reality of two gorgeous cats trying to get my attention. I remember, oh yeah, Veebs and Bunny, of course, oh, they are here, so sweet. I think I can retire my alarm. Hmmm, talking of which, how do they know, I will be up in a few mins? I did not tell them. Hey, they seem to be morning people. :) We'll get on just fine and dandy.
5:00AM: Some where in the house my alarm goes off to blaring music from Mike FM (93.7 FM). It was loud enough for all us to jump. And we are all up!!

6:20AM: I am still at home, (usually leave to catch 6:00-6:10AM bus to work), the two meowing their headoff, knowing (I like to think) that I will be gone for the day (I like to think they are going to miss me). I felt my heart thumping with just the thought that they will be alone. Finally,  after a good conversation with them (call me loony!), I head to work.

(Couldn't wait for 3:00PM), ran home (not literally, took the bus), and played with kitties.... :) 

Partners in crime, this is how I find them..... when I get home. Do they really care that I was not home? Why was I worried?

They are here! Oh! My house guests have arrived.

Prep work: I tried to get my house presentable for my guests. This is first time they are seeing the house, and their approval means a lot to me. I cleaned and scrubbed some parts, but could not get to vaccum the carpets. I hope they wouldn't mind. Around mid-morning, I got the initial checkin to see if I was ready for them. I think I was, and conveyed that the house is ready for them and it will be great to have them over. I just hope I live up to their expectations.

They arrive: They arrived will little fan fair, as royality do. I drove over and got some of their luggage and then they arrived. Initially they were tentative about the new space, and needed to acclimatize, and inspect every nook and cranny. But, soon they were up and about the house. Within few hours, they were home, it took me a little longer, to have them around (having two more souls in the house, is an adjustment for me too).

I think this is great! Welcome Veebs and Bunny!

   <== Baxter (Bunny/Sweetie)

   <== VanBurren (Veebs/Pumpkin)

What a perfect day to be working! Labor Day. Yeah, yeah, labor day is to celebrate as a holiday for the laborers, to take it easy and rest before the chaos begins again. But, I look at it as a day, for me to catch up on my work, with no one bugging me every few minutes for, "can we do this?", "can we do that?", "how about this?", "how about that?", "fix this!", "fix that!", etc. etc. 9 hours straight of getting organized for the next set of projects, planning for the team and milestones and getting requirements documented, design and prototypes generated. All in all, a very productive and very satisfying day. Bring on the next set of deliverables!

Enigma (as defined by dictionary.com) is a) a puzzling or inexplicable occurrence or situation, b) a person of puzzling or contradictory character, c) a saying, question, picture,  etc.,  containing hidden meaning and finally d) a German-built enciphering machine developed for commercial use in the 1920s and later adapted and appropriated by German  and other Axis powers for military use throught the WWII.

Over the weekend, I saw the movie Engima and fell in love once again with ciphers and codebreakers. It is good movie, not a great one, simply because, I would have liked to see more of the codebreakers work. But the story line is good, and of course the music was a tad haunting, but great.  I saw the movie once and then again with the subtitles on as I really wanted to catch all the codebreakers logic. If you haven't seen it, I recommend it, it is good one.

It has been a while since I blogged something or the other, regards something or the other interesting things going on in my life. But the past week has been rather hectic and frenzied at work with a major deadline for four interconnected projects that I manage. All four projects were in flux and under developement for enhancements for the past 8 months and finally I see the light at the end of the tunnel. After endless iterative design, changes, developement, testing and managing multiple projects, these all were delivered. I am proud to say that my 'babies' have grown into well behaved (well, most of the time!) 'toddlers'.  I should be blogging more this month.