Lucky's story

So Sarah informed me that her blog readers were interested in our treasured guinea hen Lucky. Well first of all guinea hens are native to the grasslands of Africa, we decided to get ourselves some because they are great tick eaters and because they are fun to have. We have had quite a few picked off by predators because they free range all day unlike our chickens who stay inside a fence.
This summer Steve and I let the chickens "brood" (sit on) a nest of chicken and guinea eggs. The chickens were not so great at this and kept taking turns sitting on the eggs. (I spoke to a chicken man at the agricultural fair this year who informed me broody hens are being completely bred out of chickens due to our factory farming in the US) This would explain why they were not so good at it. Anyways the 21 days ended and we had no chicks until a few days later when Steve went out to the coop on a rainy night and found Lucky not only out of the nest but out of the shed in the pouring rain. We brought her in and hand raised her from a little chick. At the current time she lives in the garage, I would bring her inside the house if it wasn't for her loud calls at the slightest disturbance. Steve and I are planning on building her a shed of her own and a yard of her own soon. She is likely to not be accepted by the rest of the flock so we will keep her closer to the house. So there you have it the story of how we have became so attached to our guinea hen Lucky. If anyoned wants to read more about the benefits of keeping guinea hens go to www.guineafowl.com/fritsfarm.

First Annual Scissor Squad Holiday Swap!

Last night was our first ever holiday swap for the Hat City Scissor Squad. A great time was had by all if I may say. It was so much fun to have everyone here. Ryan really thought it was a blast too. He woke up this morning saying "Mom you have good parties".
In the hours leading up to our event I was in my first ever car accident. I neglected to realize that a Hummer which had been moving through an intersection had ceased moving. The next thing I knew Steve's Honda was completely crumpled up, and the Hummer didn't have a scratch. The officer who came was very nice, helped me with my groceries and left me at the mall to wait for Steve.
Enough about that and on to the party, here are the pics of everyone opening their treasures, one of Ryan and one of Laura with Lucky perched on her. Hope everyone wants to do it again next year!

Moi, moi!

Sarah tagged me a long time ago for this, and I must say I have not responded in a timely manner. With the move and not having dsl until this week I have been a bad blogger. But anyways here goes,

what is your all time favorite yarn to knit with?
I would have to say I love everything by Colinette, but the price. I really love Manos del Uraguay too.

your favorite needles?
I like circulars, and of course the mercedes of knitting needles lantern moon's, rosewood are beautiful. I like both addis, and bamboo, everything else I have a hard time knitting with.

the worst thing you've ever knit/crocheted?
I would have to say a hat I found while we moved that I tried to make for Ryan. I had the idea to make him a long stocking hat but no pattern. So being a relatively new knitter I thought I would wing it. The result, something Steve and I both called the condom hat upon finding it during the move. It is freakin hilarious.

your most favorite knit pattern? (maybe you don't like wearing it...but it was the most fun to knit)
I would have to say a simple shawl I made this summer with Manos cotton stria, it was a pattern by a spinnery here in Ct. I love me some instant gratification and this was it.

most valuable knitting technique?
I have to agree with Sarah that having nerves of steel is essential to this craft. The most valuable technique would be one that I have not learned yet and that is inartasia.

best knit book or magazine?
I'm not that well read as far as knitting books and magazines go but I do like Interweave. A recent gift of Knitting Tips and Trade Secrets will soon prove to be invaluable from the quick glance I have had of it.

your favorite knit-a-long?
I haven't done a kal yet so I can't say.

your favorite knitblogs?
I of course have to say my fellow scissor squadsters because they are the main ones I read. Scissorina, Purls of Hope, Scribble Nation, and Chutka.

your favorite knitwear designer?
I would have to say that although I will never posess the ability to knit any of his designs, Kaffe Fassett has some pretty cool stuff. I haven't knit enough yet to know who else but I do like a lot of Colinette's designs.