From Beaches to Rock Art...

Last weekend I went camping just past Santa Barbara and today went to Mojave Preserve to look at Rock Art....

Sunset time at El Capitan State Beach

(Fellow campers dipping their toes)

Giant Starfish was the reason for the pic (this was at low tide) but w/the sun setting-got some great colors off the rock and mussels...

Friend from work was willing to get up early on a Sat mornin to go look at rock art w/me (we met a group just outside the Preserve, tour was lead by a rock art specialist and the Preserve's archaeologist)

This design looks like fabric or a rug...

Just a sampling of the panels that can be seen out here...Everywhere one looks... Was fun scrambling over the boulders too....

A meme....

Well since I was tagged by Ms Cami....

4 things I did today....
-- Took a nap
--Walked down the grocery store
--Finished the toe portion of a sock
--Made dinner

4 things I need to do....
--Arranging to have my wisdom teeth out
--Arrange to rent a car for two separate trips (camping and Thanksgiving)
--Study motorcycle handbook so I can get my permit
--Change the cat litter

4 guilty pleasures....
--Yep-Heros, thats one for me too....
--Sleeping in w/my cats all curled up w/me (well actually just Felix normally)
--Lazy nappy weekends
--Home baked goods-baking and eating

4 random facts 'bout me....
--Finally got my drivers license and I'm 30....
--I got into rock climbing because it makes me feel strong and powerful (self esteem issue I suppose....)
--I handled and shot a gun for the first time a couple weekends ago. Friend of mine and her BF are big into shooting so I got to go the shooting range.... Handled rifles and a handgun. Very interesting experience..... And don't worry-safety is a must.
--I'm not good w/affection...really not a huggy person. Have gotten better as I've gotten older and well I gained friends who do hug.... And honestly-its a good thing...

And to tag at least a couple of people.... I tag Melissa and Apryl....

Oh and Cami--yeah...the modern quilt wrap got set aside for these finished pair of socks,


these pair of socks in the works, (left-actually started the heel flap, right-completely done w/the toe of it's mate done)














a baby hat (left), and an adult hat (right)














Oh and I dyed yarn via Kool-Aid.... (one on the right was used for the stripey socks above)

The Magic is in the Hole....

I was in Portland for the Great Basin Archaeology Conference last week which I throughly enjoyed but the real treat was a trip to Voo Doo Doughnuts.....

And here is one of the classics that was obtained by a co-hart....


There has been knitting--socks and a baby hat, new yarn has been bought, yarn dyed via Kool-Aid..... Been a busy girl and it's not slowin down anytime soon.....

Okay a little overdue....

Been knitting though!

More progress on the quilt wrap.... (which I never showed the beginning progress on here...)


But set it aside to get some socks done (x-mas presents and all)
Finished KC's today.... And started on Belinda's (no pics yet of hers)


And I was able to gift my second baby kimono to Jessica who was soooo thrilled! It's nice to have one's knitting appreciated so well.


And I never showed my finished Tendril Socks on here.... Wow I am behind....


Even did a quick hat for myself in here....

Not much else going on, been working outside quite a bit (yes in 100+ degree heat-not fun). Done with the outside for the most part--small things here and there.

Just a pretty picture....

Grand Canyon is one of the most beautiful places ever.
Can't wait to go back

Various Pics....

Happy Birthday Sis!
(it is in the mail for her-hopefully she'll get tomorrow)

2nd Tendril...its getting there...

Start of pretty pink socks for KC
(yes I did cast on a totally different sock)
It's Lotus Yarn in Love My Way

The 2nd baby Kimono sweater is also moving along....

Next installment of the Punk Sock Club via Lotus
Loose Nut--will become socks for Belinda at some point.....

(Have yarn from my Teal Appeal Swap but haven't taken a pic yet....)

Misty (also known as Mama Kitty) guarding her scratchy thing
I did get it for her since she was going after the carpet a bit much

Felix in the tall box...been great amusement for him

And the so called runt of the litter that barely fits in the window sill that he needs to brace his feetsies on the headboard.... Yeah the runt is my biggest cat. Loves his belly rubs when in the window sill though....

The 2008 edition of getting to know your friends!

Change the answers to apply to you!
 Have fun and be truthful! 
(Did this initially at work via email so
answers reflect that time period....)

What is your occupation right now?
Curator and beyond.... (archaeologist, office manager,
boss's right handed person....)
What color are your socks right now?
Its summer and I'm not in the field...screw the socks
What are you listening to right now?
Typing of keyboards and co-worker chatter
What was the last thing that you ate?
Egg Bagle with honey
Can you drive a stick shift?
No
Last person you spoke to on the phone?
Admin Asst....
Do you like the person who sent this to you?
Well I have known her longer than my nephew....(that would be Kissa
since she was the last one to send it to me....)
How old are you today?
30
What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?
Don't really watch although have been watching MotoGP races lately...
(motorcylces)
What is your favorite drink?
I don't know....lately a lot of water and Propel....
Have you ever dyed your hair?
Done hightlights....
Favorite food?
Homemade stew
What is the last movie you watched?
I have no idea if I go by TV...but I did see Indiana Jones so that
was the last movie seen in a theater....
Favorite day of the year?
Thanksgiving usually....
How do you vent anger?
Yell, cry--vent at the big Sis....
What was your favorite toy as a child?
Barbies....and my trucks in my sandbox
What is your favorite season?
well it was fall....but for the desert-spring
Cherries or Blueberries?
depends on my mood
Do you want your friends to e-mail you back?
Sure
Who is the most likely to respond?
Hmmm....   Most likely already did it....
Who is least likely to respond?
hmmm....
Living arrangements?
Me and three cats....
When was the last time you cried?
Huh....its been recent....life been exhausting lately
What is on the floor of your closet?
Too much stuff honestly....
Who is the friend you have had the longest that you
are sending this to?
Liz....(minus family of course)
What did you do last night?
Made food stuffs for a work potluck, watched TV....
Daily Show, Colbert Report, Futurama....
What inspires you?
Nature-outdoors
What are you most afraid of?
Well besides people in animal costumes? Really that
I am not capable of the career I chose for myself...
Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers?
Spicy and/or cheese....
Favorite dog breed?  
Labs or Goldens....but mutts are always good (but really what
about the felines?)
Favorite day of the week? 
I suppose Saturday....
How many states have you lived in?
Two!

Same 'ol, Same 'ol

Its hot. Summer in the desert has officially began.

Not much goin on--last weekend I napped.... and this weekend was good 'ol local entertainment.... Actually while nothing exciting-its nice to just hang out with friends...actually have a social life.
And hopefully off to climb rocks again next weekend....

Still working on the 2nd baby kimono sweater (just over half way done with it) and the second Tendril sock (passed the heel). Got 2nd installment of Lotus Yarn Punk Sock Club-no pics of it yet.

While there was some knitting....its really about rocks

Heee--Boy do I love climbing cliff sides....Rock Climbing is the best sport/physical activity/outdoor activity ever. Okay to me it is.... I went to Holocomb Pinnacles this weekend and by the end I was stinky, dirty, scraped and bruised, sore, sunburned, and tired but boy was it worth it. Was able to conquer some of the hardest climbing I ever did personally and that is always an awesome feeling. Empowering.

Rest of this post is just some of the awesome pics I took of the boys (one decent one of me as well)

Matt doing the lead climb (the first one up with the rope and getting it to the anchor) on Lizard Rock--just a cool pic. This was a fairly easy route.


James tried and tried but could not get over the roof....He almost had it here. I couldn't even get that far and I really wanted to try getting over the roof part...phooey.

Alex on the same route-he made it over of course...happen to like this shot so including it too.

Alex makes it look so damn easy....He decided to see if he could over this little overhang and as you can tell-he did

Nick at the beginning of a route-our last one of the weekend. As you can tell in the below pic-I made it a bit further then he did....


Yes that is me-hanging onto what we call the 'thank god' hold. This is after some tricky maneuvering and thank goodness you get a hold of a very nice large stable hand hold....This was the hardest climb I was ever able to do--took me a bit to get to the top but I made it....

(and yes there has been some knitting--2nd baby Kimono and 2nd Tendril sock--sock has a heel now)

I'm quirky with an European flair....

Why? Cause of this....


Yep he made it safe and sound....my Scarabeo 200 Aprilia scooter.... Need to practice starting and stopping but I'm okay once going! He still needs his mirrors and windshield to be attatched but I don't have directions on how to do that (in the mail...). And he needs to be cleaned (darn sprinklers) and a cover (protect him from the evil sprinklers).
And boy am I grateful to have really good friends that are willing to meet at Home Depot to unload a scooter and take it back to my apt.... Be baking some brownies from scratch for one of these people here soon (course I think her son and beau will be the ones eating them....but thats okay)

And I saw this on Cami's blog then Miss Melly did it too.... and I just had to do it myself...

Mosaic of me....

And apparently I can knit a baby hat in 24 hrs...who knew?


Started another baby item and have the back done--another baby kimono...










And my enabler of Milwaukee is sending me non-yarn knittery related items now....


Specially designed for the desert knitter.... (actually Karat Stix made a lovely custom collection for dragonfly....)

Sad note...last of the Keegan Spring Fling yarn.... and its a purty one too...


Really need to get some more socks knitted....

And just to show off my non-knitting crafts...made some goodies as part of the Teal Appeal swap via Ravelry.... Made a row counter bracelet with matching stitch-markers (also sent some lovely teal/ocean blue yarn of Keegan Lane)













Card that held them and the bracelet... Recipient was quite happy and I'm happy she liked them (wore the bracelet immediately)

Uh I think thats it....going to eat then make some brownies....

ETA--Forgot! Will be going on a date! And get to go rock climbing again!

And I have returned...

Thank goodness this month is almost over....although it is ending a whole lot better....

Work problem is finally taken care of....

I had finally got to have fun that had no importance whats so ever....(karaoke of all things)

I have been knitting...finished projects, started others...

Have a 'pair' of socks.... Actually I did start the 2nd Tendril (left sock's mate), have about 3.5" of the cuff done













Baby Kimono is done except for embellishments. Need to get some for one and two want to make sure it really is going to be a boy.... Next is a denim baby wash rag (not quite long enough to be the burp cloth....) Was some cotton yarn that was thrown in via Cami....
And then the start of a baby hat....

Oh and yeah as you can tell-I have internet at home again cause otherwise I wouldn't be able to be blogging right now.... Have a better modem than before but took a bit for my computer and it to 'talk'

My new blue scooter will be here tomorrow, really hope bribing with beer helps cause I need some help...

And yes I did take naps with my babies...especially Felix-was having a needy swing here

Oh and more yarn! Yarn for modern quiltwrap via Clementine's, First installment of Punk Sock Club via Lotus Yarns.... and by end of the week I should get my last installment of Keegan Spring Fling Sock yarn...

Guest Sister Post

Note from DFly:

Mojave Sis is having one of those months. She's been super busy with work, even working on the weekends so she hasn't had time to blog and won't have time until possibly Memorial Day weekend. To add to that, she was going to post a message herself claiming this but her DSL modem died so she can't get onto the internet at home and blogger is blocked at work. Hence my guest post.

Assuming a new modem, we should hear from her later and she should have lots to tell us. After she gets a very long and deserved nap with her kitties!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Okay it was yesterday.... But for a 'milestone' birthday-it was great! No more 20's for me but I am A-OK with that. Life is going along pretty well and I have plenty to look forward too....

And boy do I have people in my life that like to spoil me.... I got lots of goodies for my birthday. Lets start with what D-fly the enabling sis got me....as y'all know, she signed me up for Keegan Lanes Spring Fling Sock Club. I did get April's and its a lovely combinations of greens and the pattern that came with it, very interesting....will be awhile til I get to that combo.... And of course it had the goodies...candy, a DPN holder, and a candle (Meliabella really went with a local theme this month)











She also sent me some yarn from her stash...saw the Knitpicks knitted up on Ravelry and liked it....the Lotus Yarn we decided will make great pink lacey socks for a friend of mine and Mom's











The Vinca I was drooling over hers...so she got me some too....










Then the Toe Jamz, her and Jan picked out for me cause they decided I would like and needed.... It really is some fun bright sock yarn--will have to make sure I pick a pattern that will do it justice....


Then me Mum who is the enabler in the jewelry department....got me some great kits that will match my new brown slacks I recently bought and some teal/turquoise beads.


Also got some basic supplies that I always need....but the fun gift? New crayons....a box of 150 crayons to be exact with a note saying "What everyone needs for their 30th Birthday - A new box of 150 Crayola Crayons! Love Mom" She got me stained glass coloring book of Magic Garden Fairies to go with my new crayons. And yes I sorted my crayons into color order immediately and then I colored....You have no idea how happy I am with my new crayons....













Then from my friend (and boss) and her husband--a really pretty palm plant that Felix immediately thought was for him to chomp on....its out of his reach now.... Its more of a shade plant which is good cause my apt doesn't get sun (this is a good thing during the heat of summer though....) Needed more green in my place....Plants are good.


My other buddy, took me out to dinner on Thur and gave me Italian coffee to go with my future Italian scooter.... a Buddha figure (the traditional Indian version, not the fat Chinese version....) and a candle. Actually the figure and candle should have come with incense as well but he doesn't care for it and actually I don't either.....
Candle and Buddha are now with my Torah, a couple of High Holy Day prayer books (they are actually old prayer books that I got from a friend's brother-found them at a garage sale) and my Sabbath candle holders. I think that works.... (Have my Harry Potter books on that shelf too....well isn't that an odd shrine?)

Last night I went to a BBQ party of a mutual friend. Man he and his SO gal throw great parties. Helps that his SO is such a great cook, and man does she make a lot of food....I was stuffed! Bunch of us got to go out on his boat too....a little tour of Silver Lakes....
It was perfect weather for a party last night....and I got some hamburgers to cook up from the party.... Really she makes too much food...but oh those egg rolls and the beef salad....to die for! Nevermind the chicken with home-made Teriyaki sauce...and the grilled sweet potatoes...Yum!
I brought Pineapple upside down cake....but with all that chocolate brownie deserts...no one had room! Thats alright-made sure one stayed with the host/hostess and the other went home with my friend/boss (its actually her favorite and why I made it and since her b-day was last weekend)

As you know--didn't do my weekend post last weekend since I was in Burbank for the Soc of CA Archaeology Annual meeting....where I did survive presenting a paper....
Overall I think it went well. Boss and I overall got the desired effect--showcasing the archaeology in our area and that we will share.... And I will probably be co-authoring a paper now....scary! I'm going to be published! Becoming a legit archaeologist here....
Did the normal archaeology thing of sitting in the bar with a bunch of archaeologists on Sat evening....it was entertaining, met some cool people

Holy crap I almost forgot to talk about actual knitting! For goodness sakes....especially with all that knitting time I had at Burbank...(I did knit during some of the talks....). Think its the new yarn fumes and the new crayon fumes.... The baby Kimono is coming along--no new pics of it. I finished a sock--the Tendril Embrace sock. For my first cuff down with heel flap, I am happy...










And I am past the heel of my Nutkin sock (think every short row heel I do is better than the last...)


Bonus pic of Boo's butt....Not sure what he was trying to do but he was pretty funny....