Monthly Archives: October 2017

Hudson Valley Dreaming

Did everyone spend their weekend watching Season 2 of Stranger Things, or just us? It’s such a great, end-of-October show to immerse yourself in before the tricks and treats come out.

We were also lucky enough to spend time walking along the Rondout in Kingston last weekend and taking in the fall foliage.

10.31.17a

10.31.17b

10.31.17c

Miss Bindi loves walking on the Strand.

10.31.17d

10.31.17e

10.31.17f

10.31.17g

10.31.17h

I thought dad was perfect for this one!

10.31.17i

10.31.17j

Bindi looooooves sticks, of all shapes and sizes!

10.31.17k

Now we are prepping for tonight’s festivities and grateful for the cooler temperatures since we’ve been back from New York. I’m excited to spend time relaxing with friends tonight while the big kids help the smaller kids fill their bags with lots of candy (they always give me their Almond Joys!!!).

I hope everyone has a safe, spooky, and fun Halloween!


Tagged: Pets, Trips

Pattern Release: Willow Creek Mitts

 

The Willow Creek mitts are named after one of the new AVAs (American Viticultural Area) in the Paso Robles area, the Willow Creek District. It includes the rolling hills west of Highway 101; some of our favorite wineries such as Cypher and Turley have tasting rooms in this area. The most common varietals grown include Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Viognier, and Grenache.

Read about the Winery Knits collection here.

One Size

Finished Measurements
Palm circumference: 8” / 20.5 cm

Yarn
Elemental Affects Natural Shetland Fingering (118 yds / 108m per 1 oz / 28g), in the following colors:
Fawn (MC): 2 skeins
Ciel (CC): 1 skein

Needles
US 1.5 (2.5 mm) needles, or size to obtain gauge
US 0 (2.0 mm) needles for garter stitch, or size smaller than needle to obtain gauge

Gauge
32 sts and 34 rounds = 4” / 10 cm in stranded stitch patterns
28.5 sts = 4” / 10 cm in garter stitch

Notions
yarn needle, waste yarn, minimum 3 stitch markers

Skills
cabling, stranding, reading charts, maintaining stitch patterns

Mountains Traveling Insurance

in favor of walking, trekking, and climbing. Statistics show that a third of visitors to New South Wales are hikers, trekkers & climbers, while, in 2016, trekking and mountaineering hotspot Nepal was found to be the fastest growing travel destination for Americans and Australian’s overseas.

Do you yearn foradventure? Do you laugh in the face of vertigo? Trekking and climbing holidays could be for you, just remember to take out the proper adventure holiday travel Life insurance quotes before you go!

What Do Mountains Traveling Insurance Coverage?

While most mountains traveling insurance providers will insure you for holidays that go off the beaten track as well as activities such as abseiling scrambling and moderate climbing, there are general exclusions you need to pay attention when going on an adventureholiday.

You’ll Be Covered for Mountains Traveling Insurance Policy:

If you injure yourselfwhen taking part in any of these mountains activities or become ill, your Mountains Traveling small Insurance policy will cover your helicopter evacuation, medical expenses, and repatriation back to America or to Australia if you need it. In many cases, your Mountains Traveling Insurance policyalso pays the costs to fly a family member or friend to be with you in a hospital and escort you at home.

If severe by weather or another unforeseen event occurs(such like as a family emergency) and you can no longer go on your trip – any prepaid tours, travel and accommodation expenses will usually be covered by your insurer.

For your gear in case if it gets damaged or is stolen. That all your luggage and personal effects benefit single item have limits which could range anywhere from $1000- $2500. This includes items like your hiking boots, camping equipment, Gore-Tex jacket and sleeping bag etc and much more!

What Is Not Covered in Mountains Traveling Insurance Policy?

Trekking holidays need trekking mountains traveling insurance!Make sure you don’t start your trip without appropriate cover.

Climbing where ropes are required: The majority of Australian travel insurers do not cover for mountaineering, rock climbing, free climbing, canyoning, caving or any leisure activities were using ropes or climbing equipment is required and there is a noteworthy risk of bodily damage.

Gear left unattended that wasnot under your careorsupervision when it was stolen.

Pre-existing medical conditions that exist before you start your hike. For example, a previous knee surgery that stops you mid-trek would not be something typically insured.

Travel warnings already in the mass media: You can’t claim if you didn’t already have Mountains Traveling Insurance Policy when thewarningwas raised. For example, if you hear about an avalanchewarning in the mass media and then you decide to buy Mountains Traveling Insurance Policy, you couldn’t cancel your holiday and claim.

Where Can I Buy Cover If I Want To Use Ropes?

For Mountains Traveling Insurance Policy buys from Insure4Less rock climbing or from alpine travel insurancehave a good option for independent climbing parties to buy Mountains Traveling Insurance Policy. They cover for trekking with the use of ropes up to a max of 6,500 meters. You must know that you will unable to buy a Mountains Traveling Insurance Policy if you are already overseas or you are over 65 years of age.

World Nomads insurance companycover for climbing with the use of ropes � but you must be a professional and licensed guide or operator for it to be covered. 6,000 altitude limits may apply in Mountains Traveling Insurance Policy.

Insure and Goinsurance company does not have any specific exclusions regarding usage of ropes. However, you are not covered for hikes over 6,000 meter in high altitude.

Allianz Australia Insurance Limited new �High Attitude Adventure Pack�add-on now includes cover for rock climbing with the use of ropes & appropriate safety gear.

(Whilst insurers such as 1Cover, AIG, Budget Direct, Citibank,Cover more, First For Women, I trek, Virgin Money, TID, Sure Save etc may NOT cover you for climbing whenyou need to useropes, they do cover trekking, hiking, mountaineering in general Mountains Traveling Insurance Policy.

What is The Difference between Hiking, Trekking & Mountaineering?

The million dollars question is! Most tour guides will name the tracks based on the degree of health and body fitness needed, the amount of walking each day and type of terrain you will cover.

Mountaineering generally requires you to use mountains ropes, crampons and some other proper equipment, so these treks require a specialist cover that not all travel insurers service providers cover as standard.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side

Whether it is a gentle stroll in the foothills of Australia’s the Blue Mountains you are after or a multi-pitch Leviathan of an ice climb in the Himalayas of Nepal and K2 Mountains in Pakistan, there’s no end of trekking and climbing options at your disposal!

Veteran climbers may prefer a solo adventure, or to organize an expedition themselves.

Families will usually opt for a gentler adventure tailored to the needs of younger kids.

Relative novices benefit from group trips with expert guides who can ensure your safety and enjoyment throughout Mountains Traveling.

Packing For A Climbing Or Trekking Trip to Mountains Travelling:

You must follow before buying Mountains Traveling Insurance Policy

Hiking Boots: A tough, durable but comfortable set of hiking boots is an absolute must for any trip to Mountains Traveling.

Sunblock: Do not underestimate how long you could be spending in the sun. Take enough sunblock to cover you for the whole trek in Mountains Traveling.

Layers: Bring clothing in layers rather than one big coat or jacket. Layers can be easily donned or shed as the temperature changes in Mountains Traveling.

Road-tested backpack: Before Mountains Traveling you and your backpack are going to become well acquainted. Make sure you’ve tested it to make sure it is comfortable first.

Dry pack: Your Mountains Traveling don’t want your belongings ruined by a freak rainstorm? Invest in a good quality dry pack.

Flip flops: You’re not going to be hiking all the time Mountains Traveling and when you’re not, your feet will be glad of the rest.

Sturdy water bottle: For Mountains Traveling you need to stay hydrated, so a reusable water bottle is an important item.

Sleeping bag and mat: Mountains Traveling need a good sleeping bag. If you’re going to be camping outdoors, a sleeping bag and sleeping mat will keep you warm and comfortable at Mountains Traveling.

New gallery, New exhibit!


At the end of the summer, I secured a spot in a local co-op gallery, Carolyn Seiler & Friends in Cocoa Village.


So now some of my original paintings and giclee prints are available for sale, and you can come see my stuff in person if you're in the area! I also have an upcoming exhibition at the local library, the Merritt Island Library starting November 2nd! 


I'm very excited to show my latest paintings!



If you're further away, I'm currently working on an online shop so you can see my work and buy it if you would like a print! I'll post once it's open. In the meantime, though, if you'd like to buy my cards, I now have two retailers where you can always find them here: Blow! Birthday Cards (an online card shop that ships from the U.S.) 
CardIsle (various kiosk locations around the U.S.)

And lastly, I'll be moving my blog to my website just as soon as I figure out how! In the meantime, have a great week and Happy Halloween!

Rhinebeck 2017

Another year, another Sheep & Wool festival.  Though precious little changes from year to year, it’s precisely that known-ness that brings us back. If it’s autumn, it’s time to see the familiar sights and smell the familiar smells we can only get from the Hudson Valley. The smell of woodsmoke mixed with the tang of apple cider and fried donuts on the breeze, the brightly-colored trees all around, and the sounds of baaing from the barns. We’ve come to rely on these things as part of our year, and though the weather was less than cooperative (it was far too warm out and by noon most of us had shed any and all woolens we had worked so diligently to complete in time to show off) it was still a solid success.

10.24.17a

Probably wins my award for best handknit at the whole damn festival.

10.24.17b

These honeybear hats were super cute, though.

10.24.17c

10.24.17d

10.24.17e

10.24.17f

10.24.17g

10.24.17h

10.24.17i

10.24.17j

Look at that beautiful wheel!

10.24.17k

10.24.17l

This little cutie tagged along with us for awhile. One of my oldest friends, Janet, met us at the fair and brought along a friend and her daughter.

10.24.17m

10.24.17n

10.24.17o

10.24.17p

10.24.17q

10.24.17r

10.24.17s

10.24.17t

10.24.17u

BFL roving that Emily bought for me. I tend to always get these same colors!

10.24.17v

Since I always tend toward the autumn colors, I decided to get away from that when visiting my friend Lisa Check at her Flying Goat Farm booth. Not only is she one of my favorite people, she is a dyeing dynamo. I have mad envy of her color skills!

10.24.17w

Finally, I grabbed a few samples of roving from Delly’s Delights, which is, amusingly enough, located just a few miles from us in Virginia.

Hopefully this will keep me happily spinning for awhile (though really I have probably 100’s of pounds of my own fleece I should work on washing, carding, and spinning!).

As we were leaving we stopped by the apple cider booth (run by a Hudson Valley orchard) and ordered some fresh cider and cider donuts. Oona wanted the cider shake, which i assumed would be like a slushy. It was actually fresh cider blended with french vanilla ice cream. It. Was. Divine.  It was like apple pie a la mode in a cup. I’m going to have to try and replicate it at home. As for the cider donuts, well. Let me just say that I’ve gotten used to the offerings here in the south, and I had forgotten just how a true cider donut is supposed to taste. I remembered once I took my first bite. If there’s one thing New York State does well, it’s apples. And Sheep Festivals.

 


Tagged: food, Knitting, Spinning, Trips

Features Of Medical Insurance

Over the last few years the structure of a health insurance plan has become more customers friendly and has evolved on various dimensions. Medical insurance policy has become a necessity in today’s era of sky rocketing medical expenses. If you don’t own a medical plan you might just end up paying a huge amount of money burning your pocket. Knowing the importance of health insurance it is necessary to buy an insurance which is fully equipped and packed with features. When you invest in health cover you invest for the wellbeing of you and your family. Your medical insurance doesn’t only see to it that you get medical treatments but you get the best treatments so you get peace of mind. Uncertainty and sudden situation or accidents can shatter a person emotionally in this period if he is not financially strong he may suffer a lot.

Here are a few features your medical insurance policy has to have to insure your and your family’s safety.

�As per the IRDAI regulations it is necessary to provide health plan till the age of 65 years. Lifetime renewability will be availed even if there is a claim made in the past year.

�Pre-existing illnesses are those which are prevailing when you opt for a health plan. Therefore, you should look for a health plan which covers your existing illness and also has the least number of waiting period. Less waiting period won’t allow you to wait for a longer period to make your claims.

�Co payment also exists in a medical plan that requires cost sharing by the policy holders. It is the specified percentage of the admissible claim amount. Hence, one should ideally opt for a plan which doesn’t have co payment clause at any stage in the life.

�Always check for the network hospitals, they are the hospitals with which the insurance companies have tie-ups. So when you claim for any illness you can opt for cashless facility. Here you don’t need to pay any money the insurer settles your bill with the hospital and you don’t have to file for any sort of reimbursement. Always look for a medical insurance policy which has network with maximum hospitals and the hospitals should also provide good medical treatment

�If you haven’t made any claim in the past few years, the company will provide no claim bonus. This will help you lower your premium costs in the next renewal policy. Hence, always look for a policy which provides you the highest no claim bonus

Once you buy an insurance plan you might feel relieved but always look for the exclusion section and read it carefully. Because there might be problems and you might be denied claim at times. So before buying health insurance read the exclusion section carefully and go for the policy which has least number of exclusions and are clearly defined. Hence, it is necessary to have an adequate health coverage which can manage financial emergencies better. Buying an optimal medical insurance policy becomes an exercise for financial planning

Weekly Photo Challenge: Rounded:

The prompt: This week, share your take on “rounded.” it’s a broad theme, so I look forward to your personal interpretations.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I decided to use some pictures from my recent trip to Martha’s Vineyard for my rounded choices.

 

 

IMG_3818

 

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/photo-challenges/rounded/


Why It Is Important To Buy A Home Cover

Nature’s fury or riotous incidences don’t come knocking at your doorstep. Within couple of minutes it can turn down your dream like a pack of cards. It will not only affect your emotions but also impact your finances. At times, a mere earthquake or tsunami leaves millions of people across the world penniless and with no homes. Therefore, the best way to protect your home and its valuable belongings from getting damaged is to own a suitable Home insurance policy.

A home insurance is a form of property insurance designed to cover an individual’s home from damages to the house itself, or to possession in the home. It will also cover your liability or legal responsibility for any injuries and property damage, you or members of your family cause to other people.

Despite of knowing the benefits and best of the coverage to secure their house from any uncertainty and unexpected problems still majority of home owners try to avoid buying home insurance in India because of its expensive costs. Especially in economic slowdowns people start to contemplate whether or not carrying an insurance policy on their home is really necessary. They begin to think that the money being spent on the policy could be better spent elsewhere. This can be a dangerous way to think.

Home insurance, which covers the house and its contents from fire, theft, burglary and other security concerns, is still a segment that has not seen enough takers

Home insurers also provide cover for household appliances including television, washing machine, refrigerator and jewelry or valuables that are kept in the house. In some cases, even pets in the house, at the time of an accident or robbery and are injured in the incident gets a cover. Terrorism and catastrophic incidents are also covered under some products.
Home insurance is something that everybody that owns a home must deal with. If you are considering switching insurance companies, the process can be a little confusing. While looking for insurance cover the first thing that you need to do is find the company that you are going to switch over to. You will want to shop around and make sure that you are getting the best rate available.

You can do this in a number of different ways. Check out some independent review sites and see who is rated as the best company for insurance. Get a few rate quotes online and then visit an agent. They will be able to tell you what everything costs and give you an idea if you are better off than you were. Choose the best company that fits your needs and is within your budget. Once you decide on a company, you will have to do the necessary paperwork to get a Home insurance. You can usually do this in a few minutes while you’re sitting in the office of the agent that you chose to work with. They will have a few forms to fill out and you will be ready to go. They will ask you some basic questions about the property including the value of the property and if you have any special items to be insured. You will have to decide on the coverage limits and the features that you want.

How To Transform Any Mitten Pattern into Flip-tops

I do a lot in a day. I have a word count to hit, videos to make, knitting to get done, food to cook, cleaning to do, a job that actually pays, and oh yeah, kids to take care of. Most days, I don’t get all of this done. And let’s be honest, I throw over cleaning in favor of word count most of the time. Even then, words come in starts and fits in stolen moments between all of the other tasks.

Still, it’s a lot, and I get a lot of, “How do you get everything done?” questions. I usually joke that I just don’t sleep.

Last night, that was no joke.

2am Rufus/Mommy selfie because woke baby is woke

This is a photo I snapped around 2 am when I gave up trying to get Rufus back to sleep (he woke up as we were trying to go to bed) and we came downstairs. We didn’t get back to bed until 4. While I don’t sleep much, I usually get more than 2 or so hours.

You know what I have accomplished today? I got the kids to and from school. I got meals made. I showered. It’s 9pm and I am just now writing a blog post I usually have up and promoted by 11am (and written no later than the day before it goes live, but we’re not talking about yesterday.) The word count hasn’t been touched. Next week’s videos were not filmed, etc.

But I try to count the important things. The kids were taken care of. I get to spend the evening with my husband instead of working. There’s a big batch of soup and some leftover spaghetti in the fridge to make meals easier tomorrow. And Nanowrimo starts in a week. Thanksgiving will come just a few weeks after that, and all of my siblings are coming home. There are so many good things coming.

And then there are flip top mittens.

This is my longest video yet, but I feel like it’s comprehensive.

The pattern I am using in this video is my free simple chunky mittens, but as the title said, you can translate this technique to pretty much any mitten pattern.

If you make a pair of these mittens, I’d love to see them. Tag your post with #simplechunkymittens or take a #mittenselfie. I’ve got a few on instagram myself.

New Shawl Bundles!

I’ve just bundled some of my best selling shawl patterns! Purchase all patterns in each of the following sets to get 10% off the total for that set. No coupon code needed, and previous purchases count towards the total.

Choose your adventure….

Go Big or Go Home

These showstoppers let you show off your lace knitting finesse.

Patterns included: Beneath the Moon ShawlUnder the Sun Shawl, and In Love with the Night Mysterious.

Color, Cables and Lace, Oh My!

These are the shawls that make people go “ooooh”. Play with techniques as you work these thoughtfully balanced beauties.

Patterns included:  AlongshoreSand Ripples ShawlEscondido Falls Shawl, and Estuarine Shawl.

One (or 1+) Skein Wonders

Either you’ve got the skills, and want to make something up quickly, or, there’s a technique you’d like to learn, but on a smaller scale. (hint — these are great for gifts!)

Patterns included: TafoniBreakwater ShawlCherty Shawlette, and El Segundo Shawlette