Because You Asked

I'm not sure who you are, but you did ask. So, here ya go: JB got the benches built while I was at the Retreat early in October. You can get a better idea of how big the deck really will be in these photos. You can see that all the stuff is still on the remaining old deck.

The benches themselves will lift off the support for storage. But since JB has stained every single cut edge on every single board in the entire deck - I don't think there is any reason to take the seats inside. As you see the benches are built into the framework of the deck.

Finally on the birthday weekend he got the remaining original decking removed, hauled away, new decking purchased and the stain decided upon. The view above - straight down to the dog yard - watch the first step . . .

There is not about 6' of decking from the door out. Both sides have been stained, gap set and boards screwed to the frame. We are now into the rainy season in Western Washington so I'm not sure when it will get finished. I do know he planning on setting up a stain stop in the garage again. It's slow going, but JB is doing all the work himself and overdoing it all.

Police Chief Dudley Dog

Last week JB was on the floor wrestling with the dogs. Dudley doesn't usually get in the middle - but Abby was giving out kisses and the Police Chief didn't like it. He's right there in JB's ear telling him to knock it off!

I don't know about you others with hounds, but every single time that Dudley barks - not howls, but barks - he shakes his head. (I so need to play with the camera more) Even on the action setting this was the best shot I could get of Dudley shaking his head. I'm pretty sure he's trying to shake the ringing out of his ears from his own barking. Silly Dog!

Just remember everyone, it's only fun until somebody gets a big fat dog paw in the face. Let me tell you - it's always JB! For more beautiful dogs - don't forget to check out dogs on Thursday.

Purse Knitting

I don't discuss politics here -not because I don't care, not because I'm uninformed, not because I don't vote. I do care, I do my research and am informed and I do vote. I don't discuss it, because I feel it is a very private and personal matter. I am shocked at how quickly the election was called last night. In Washington they had announced Barack Obama as President Elect by 8:30 Pacific - amazing! On to crafty stuff - I always keep knitting in my purse, or another bag that I carry along. This is the current purse knitting. Another pair of socks - I know! These are knit toe-up, both as the same time, using the magic looping method. These socks are Online Hiking and the color is Just Like Rose. The fiber is 75% wool and 25% poly to make them superwash. According to the ball band gauge is 7.5 stitches per inch on US1-2s. I'm knitting them on US00s (1.75mm). I originally started them on US1s and the fabric was too loose. A person would walk right through them in no time flat. Since these are destined to be gifts - I want them to stand up. I feel like I have been working on these for-ever! I'm bored with them. I started by casting on 32 stitches, working the toes in garter stitch. The foot is boring stockinette - no pattern to keep my interest. I have a few more inches and then I can put the stitches for heels on waste yarn and continue knitting, ever knitting toward the top. These are planned to be short socks, so just after the ankle bone, I'll do a few rows of 2x ribbing (just to help hold them up) then some more garter so there will be a little rolled edge. Heel will be after-thought and also done in garter. That's all I've got today. Have a great day everyone!