martes, 18 de diciembre de 2012

The knitty gritty

My grandmother taught me to knit when she babysat my sister and myself as children.  I remember the whole process being very frustrating for my younger sister, who is left-handed (sorry, K!), but I enjoyed it.  Over the years, I knit a scarf or two, but it wasn't until my pregnancies that I became a full-blown knitter, later graduating from layette sets to complicated beaded lace knitting.

In Spain, I often take my projects with me to the park while my boys play soccer, and my abilities have met with mixed reactions: from "How did you do that?  That's so cool!" to "What, are you a grandmother?".  Younger women in Spain simply just don't knit, and I can honestly say I don't know a single person under the age of 70 who does.

It's also hard to find good-quality yarn in Spain, so I usually stock up when I go home to the States, or I order on-line from British stores.  Ravelry.com, a free online needle-arts community, has been a fabulous source of inspiration.  If you're a member, you can find me at http://www.ravelry.com/projects/guirigirl

I just finished this flower-power hat for my one-year-old niece:
 
What are you knitting now?

jueves, 6 de diciembre de 2012

The December Garden

You know, over the years many Spaniards who have met me can't help but asking, "Is there anything you don't like about living in Spain?"  And, my response is always the same: "Yes, two things, actually: July and August!"  I mean, how could a white-as-a-sheet New Englander ever become accustomed to living in a climate with virtually no shade trees and 110+ ºF temperatures?  I even have to wear a hat swimming in the pool (not very Spanish, mind you)!

Nonetheless, living in a warmer climate with unbearable summers does have its advantages: milder winters and a longer growing season.  We even have roses in December!  These are a selection of flowers that are blooming in my garden right now: 

Abraham Darby

Argyranthemum

Golden Celebration

New Dawn
 
Salvia

Mme. Alfred Carrière
 
 
What's blooming in your garden?