Well, I've done as much as I can for the moment on the book. It is out being whipped into shape by the tech editor and copy editor. For me, that means I let the book marinate and stop thinking about it for a few days so that I can come back to it with fresh eyes.
So I took the opportunity to drive up to Oregon to my new house and spend a week or two enjoying nature, nesting in the house, hanging out with the inlaws and just generally relaxing. In there I am also mulling around my next book idea which I'm excited to start on!
I've got another sock to reveal, and I think I'll reveal it tomorrow, in honor of Independence day, and fireworks. You may all be too busy doing other things to look at my sock, but if that's the case, you'll be able to see it the next day anyhow.
Today we had some very cute deer come visit our garden. They sure made a racket crashing through the underbrush. I like the way they spring up in the air and leap away when they want to eat some other berries, or if they get spooked, or for whatever reason. Amazingly, my dogs seemed pretty unaware of them.
This time the drive to Oregon was longer than usual because I accidentally took the wrong highway at one point. So our normal 14 hour drive took 15 hours. Ouch. And to top it off, it was EXTREMELY hot, 107! Thank heavens we have new(ish) cars, with AC. I remember the olden days when our AC was 55/4 (55 miles per hour and 4 open windows). On the other hand, I used to love to hang my head out the window like a dog and let the wind whip around me, it felt so exhilarating.
Are you a spinner? Check out the new Spindlicity "blogazine" format.
I've started a new pair of socks, which I'll show you on Sunday when I have a little more done, and progress continues on the Oakmoss socks, Tintagel? Lothlorien? You'll find out soon!
I hope you all have a lovely July 4th, I plan to sit on my balcony, eat some fruit salad, watch a little fireworks and knit! What do you plan to do?
Tuesday's winner for either the Tree of Life or Talking Fish
pattern is Eleanor!
Wednesday's winner for either the Tree of Life or Talking Fish
pattern is Darlene!
Thursday's winner for either the Tree of Life or Talking Fish
pattern is Jolene!
If you are a recent winner please contact me and let me know which pattern you'd like. I've gotten a little mixed up, so even if you sent me an email before, send another and remind me. Thanks! Send email to MAIL AT JANELLAIDMAN D O T C O M (hopefully you figure this out - I'm trying to avoid spam)
Comment Contest Reminder - each day I'm giving away a downloadable version of the featured pattern. This week's featured pattern is Tree of Life or Talking Fish. Leave a comment and you'll be automatically entered for the random drawing. Winners are chosen by random number generator. Each Sunday I choose one person by random number to win a copy of the book when it comes out! So keep commenting to be entered for the drawing.
Love Oregon at this time of the year. Enjoy!
Posted by: Suzanne | July 03, 2009 at 01:21 PM
Smoked barbeque ribs, watermelon and a blueberry/raspberry galette. Fireworks over Lake Union in the evening. And some knitting and dreaming of knitting. I won the Galadriel pattern and I am going to go see if anything at all in the stash will work, I am thinking no but holding out hope.
Have a lovely 4th Janel.
Posted by: Debra in Seattle | July 03, 2009 at 01:55 PM
Oooo, making us wait until tomorrow for the new pattern to be released!! I've been checking your blog all day in hopes it was there. I've never been to Oregon but it is high on my list of places to go. I've been in just about every state except Oregon, Washington, Maine & Vermont and a few others scattered here and there.
I'll be going to a cookout with friends, maybe go to the parade then watch the fireworks from my front porch. I hope you and everyone else has a good and safe holiday weekend...cheryl
Posted by: peachesforever | July 03, 2009 at 02:02 PM
I don't think my last comment actually posted even though it said it did!
So, I'll try again...
Enjoy your holiday in Oregon! It is exciting to know that your book is another step closer to being finished.
-Cathy
Posted by: Cathy | July 03, 2009 at 02:18 PM
Oh, to be in Oregon enjoying the lovely cool air instead of here in our humidity. Lucky you! And no, I'm not a spinner, but the more I see, the more I keep thinking, "Maybe if I just got a drop spindle and gave it a shot..." But then I remember what my yarn habit costs me and figure my husband would have a heart attack, so I go back to knitting. :)
As for the Fourth, we're having a quiet weekend, just us and the dog. Relaxing, eating, knitting -- a nice restful holiday weekend is definitely in the cards.
Posted by: Laura | July 03, 2009 at 02:25 PM
I love living here in Oregon just outside of Portland. We are probably just gonna have a cook out in the back yard. We might watch some fireworks from the front yard. The neighbors usually have some.
Posted by: Angela Marie | July 03, 2009 at 02:28 PM
We are so looking forward to our little trek to Oregon next month, we sure do enjoy that state! After a few days in Portland, we going to spend some time up and down (or down and up) the coast, then begin a meandering trip back home to Boise.
Our 4th is going to be a quiet one at home with the dogs. But after the holiday is well past, we heading off to a mountain lake for a few days or R&R.
Have a great 4th everyone!
Posted by: Shirley | July 03, 2009 at 02:51 PM
"I plan to sit on my balcony, eat some fruit salad, watch a little fireworks and knit! What do you plan to do?"
That sounds lovely :-)
I hope to have a little relaxing time to sit and knit and enjoy the day as well. No balcony here but I'm on the 18th floor of an apt in NYC so we've got a great view! Would be even better with a balcony though...
I can't wait to see the new pattern and the socks you're knitting.
Posted by: Umm_Abbaas | July 03, 2009 at 03:03 PM
Have a great 4th and relax after your long trip.
Posted by: Gabriele | July 03, 2009 at 03:15 PM
Have a happy 4th!
We look forward to seeing your socks. I'll be working on some too--enjoying Hypnosis right now.
Posted by: Susie | July 03, 2009 at 03:25 PM
Happy 4th! Enjoy the time away from your book and make some great progress on those socks!
Posted by: Alex | July 03, 2009 at 03:48 PM
I have no special plans for the 4th - I'm Canadian, so my holiday was on Wednesday - but I hope you have a good one!
Posted by: ikkinlala | July 03, 2009 at 05:29 PM
Hope you have a great holiday... In Canada, our equivalent holiday was on July 1st but I went in to work this year!
Posted by: Kimberly | July 03, 2009 at 06:12 PM
I love all the patterns that are up so far. Can't wait to see the whole book.
Posted by: Eileen | July 03, 2009 at 07:59 PM
I hope you have a lovely time in Oregon. Happy 4th of July~
Posted by: Kimberly B. | July 03, 2009 at 08:30 PM
Congratulations on book-marination. Lovely place to be. Enjoy Oregon!
Posted by: Deborah Robson | July 03, 2009 at 09:19 PM
I look forward to the "Sunday Socks"!!!!
Have a nice and sunny 4. July!
Posted by: Anja | July 03, 2009 at 11:48 PM
Sorry that it is so hot there. It is no fun traveling when it is that hot.
Can't wait to see the new sock. It is great fun seeing the book in stages. But I'm not sure what can top The Tree of Life.
Posted by: SharonO | July 04, 2009 at 03:35 AM
hi, and i wish you an happy good 4. july!
i didnt know that you have a blog but i could wait the time if the book is coming!!
your pattern is so lovely,experience and simply to knit.
i´m relaxing on weekend, i must working yesterday - at 42°C driving in the car, isnt a gift!! so i will chilling in the house - we have now an temperatur at 28°C and i will not going out!!
i wish you an fine day and an great patternbook too....
lg
sly
Posted by: sylvia stocklossa | July 04, 2009 at 03:56 AM
Have a happy 4th. Admired your wheel, woodburned or painted? I decided my 4th would include spinning as well as working on a sock. Book sounds wonderful, actually made me want to get out our huge book of fairy tales. Since the "baby" is 20 I have not been reading it lately.
Posted by: Mickey | July 04, 2009 at 04:55 AM
I have been struggling to not learn spinning!!! I really would love to, but I don't need another money-sucking habit right now...cheryl
Posted by: peachesforever | July 04, 2009 at 07:49 AM
I'm resisting spinning...but the wheels are so beautiful! Fortunately, I have literally nowhere in this house to put one. Not to mention a husband who would choke at the price of yet another fibery habit on my part.
I remember many happy 4ths of July in Oregon at a friend's country cabin outside Portland, with a pond we'd swim in and all the yummy food that an assortment of families could bring. The best way to celebrate the 4th -- food, friends, and a few fireworks to round out the evening!
Posted by: Laura | July 04, 2009 at 08:00 AM
Hope you enjoy our hot 4th thi syear!
Posted by: kim | July 04, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Happy July 4th. Enjoy Oregon and the fireworks.
Posted by: Gabriele | July 04, 2009 at 11:29 AM
awesome!
Posted by: jennyswonderland | July 04, 2009 at 02:57 PM
Happy Fourth! The community fireworks are over, which means the neighborhood ones are in full swing for several hours.
Posted by: Tobey | July 04, 2009 at 06:57 PM
I love Oregon. And your spinning wheel is beautiful!
Posted by: Maya | July 05, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Janel, I'm really looking forward to your new book, as I'm sure you are, lol! Your designs are amazing! LOVE them!
- Denise (dlotter on ravelry)
Posted by: Denise | July 05, 2009 at 11:43 PM
What a woman! Another book already!!
Posted by: Linda B | July 06, 2009 at 05:49 AM
And yet another beautiful pattern by you at Spindlicity! I need to stop by that site more often!
Posted by: Leslie | July 11, 2009 at 12:56 AM