1) What was I doing 10 years ago?
Dale and I were just about to celebrate our 1st wedding anniversary. My mom had died in March so I was still reeling from that. I was working full time as director of our town library and trying hard to be a good wife, mom and step mom. I was not yet a knitter.

2) What are 5 things on my to-do list for today?
It’s Thursday so that means payroll and next week’s schedule. I have some paperwork to do, I need to stop at the grocery store on my way home from work, and I also need to finish up some test knitting.

3) Snacks I enjoy:
cheese and crackers, pita chips and hummus, popcorn, wasabi peas

4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
Quit my job, pay off the mortgage and various other things, travel, set up trust funds for my kids, and buy a beautiful spot for all my fiber friends to gather.

5) Places I have lived:
Ummm. Massachusetts.

6) 5 peeps I wanna know more about:
No tags. I think everyone has done this by now but if you haven’t, feel free!

Happy Thursday, it’s almost the weekend.

The drama and trauma of the past week have drained my blogging mojo, I think. So, today you get the movie meme that everyone else has already posted. Hello, bandwagon.

Just in case you’ve been under a rock, here are the rules:

1. Pick 10 of your favorite movies.
2. Go to IMDb and find a quote from each movie.
3. Post them on your blog for everyone to guess.
4. Strike it out when someone guesses correctly, and put who guessed it and the movie.
5. Looking them up is cheating, please don’t.

Here we go!

1. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. When Harry Met Sally, identified by Maryse
2. You get a nervous mother, you could wind up in a doctor’s office. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, identified by Wendy
3. Roll, roll, roll in ze hay. Young Frankenstein, identified by Jessie
4. Couldn’t go on? You’ll give the performance of your life. All About Eve, identified by Liz in IN
5. No! Not both of us! Not all of us!Gettysburg, identified by Robin
6. You’re overwrought, madam. I’ve opened a window for you.
7. That’s cool baby, you know how it is, rockin’ and rollin’ and what not. Grease, identified by Wendy
8. As you wish. Princess Bride, identified by Jessie
9. He gave us two soap dolls, a broken watch and chain, a knife, and our lives. To Kill A Mockingbird, identified by Blogless Jan
10.I fart in your general direction. Monty Python and the Holy Grail, identified by Jessie

Have at it – and good luck!

ETA: Wow, you guys are fast! All ten movies were identified in less than an hour and a half. I guess I don’t watch very obscure movies. Either that or you’re all way more into movies than I realized.

When it comes to memes, I’m generally in the “been there, done that” camp. However, yesterday I read a meme over at Kristi’s and I just can’t resist this one. It’s pretty simple: make a list of the things you’re doing to help our environment.

~I knit with green yarn. Okay, so this isn’t really an environmental thing but I wanted to show you how the Early Spring Maple yarn I dyed is knitting up. And let’s face it, all that wool I have around my house must be acting as some sort of insulation. Right?

~ I signed up for Green Dimes. Not only are they reducing my junk mail but they are also planting a tree in my name every month.

~I use a company called Green Earth Cleaning for my house cleaning services. This company is owned by my two sisters-in-law Mary (the one I knit socks for) and Jen (the one who finds spinning wheels at yard sales). They use only natural cleaners and essential oils and everything is environmentally friendly. No harsh chemicals for my home, thankyouverymuch.

~Dale wrapped our hot water heater in an insulated blanket.

~We switched to compact fluorescent light bulbs. This one is a no brainer, people.

~We wash only full loads of laundry, in cold water, and hang things outside on a clothes line whenever possible.

~We recycle everything that can be recycled. Curb side recycling in our town has made this very simple.

~Dale installed a digital programmable thermostat for our furnace but we primarily heat with wood. And our wood stove has a catalytic converter. We also have ceiling fans.

~Our refrigerator and dishwasher are both new and have great energy efficiency ratings.

~We joined a CSA this year. We expect to pick up our first share next week and are really excited about this. We also eat local beef as we have friends who raise their own beef.

~Dale and I work to make our schedules compatible in the summer months so that we can carpool to work. This one involves some sacrifices on both our parts but it really helps with the gas bill.

As you can see, most of the things we do at Chez Carole Knits are very basic and pretty simple. But, there might be something new to you on this list and that’s why I think this is a really worthwhile meme. So go on, show me your green list. I bet I’ll get some great new ideas.

I read an interview over at Knitiot Savant yesterday and decided that looked like fun so I asked Susan to send me 5 questions to answer for ya’ll. Really, it had nothing to do with the fact that I have nothing else to talk about today.

1. Has spinning enriched your knitting experience? If so, how?
Now that I am spinning yarn and actually knitting with it, I can say that spinning has definitely enriched my knitting experience. There’s something truly satisfying about knitting with your own handspun yarn. It may not be as perfect as commercially spun yarn but it feels like a great accomplishment. I’m prouder of the things I’ve knit with my handspun than any other things I’ve knit.

2. What’s your favorite quilt block pattern?
Oooh, a quilting question! My favorite quilt block pattern is Log Cabin. It’s so versatile and looks great whether pieced with scraps or newly purchased fabrics. There are loads of different layouts and I just never get tired of making Log Cabin quilts.

3. What’s a ‘comfort food’ for you?
My favorite comfort food is mashed potatoes and gravy. I’m also big on homemade mac ‘n cheese. Bring on the carbs.

4. Why did you become a librarian?
I became a librarian because I like research. There’s nothing so satisfying as answering a tough reference question. Of course, most of what I do on a daily basis has less to do with libraries and more to do with management, but that’s okay because I like management, too. I wrote a post about my childhood librarian and the way she inspired me here.

5. What’s your favorite book and why?
Now this is tough because it changes depending on my mood, my age, my experience and my surroundings. I will say that the book I’ve read more times than any other is Pride and Prejudice. Honestly, though, I think my favorite book ever is The Time Traveler’s Wife. Heartbreaking but satisfying.

Thanks for the great questions, Susan, I had fun answering them. And I hope you all had fun reading my answers. If you want me to interview you, just let me know and I’ll send you five questions.

And, finally, because a blog post without a photo is like a day without coffee – dull and lifeless – I give you a photo of Hannah taken while we were shopping a week or so ago. She just lurved this shirt.

No. I did not buy it for her.

As we all know, sometimes it’s hard to come up with stuff for the blog. That’s when it’s nice to have friends that inspire you demand stuff from you. So, today is about satisfying 3 different friends. Hopefully the rest of you will also be mildly entertained, too.

For La.

Mason’s feet. Aren’t they just about the cutest kitty feet you’ve ever seen? Rich and chocolate-y brown and oh-so-fuzzy. I just love Mason’s paws.

For Margene.

Here is Seraphim in her current state. Lots and lots of stockinette and just a tiny bit of lace so far. The yarn is the handspun I showed you last week and it is so soft and silky. I love knitting with it and I can’t wait to finish it and wear it because it’s going to be toasty warm and wicked soft.

For Scout.

My tattoo is on my right ankle. Damn, it’s hard to take a picture of your ankle. But just because I love Scout (and all y’all, too) I not only took the picture but I shaved my legs for the occasion.

That should satisfy the masses. And if the rest of you want anything, get in line. Mwah.

This part is for Kat. My entry in the XXmass Contest.

The minute I read about this contest I knew exactly which house I would photograph. Amazing, isn’t it? Of course, to get the full effect, you have to be there. They even play Christmas music on outside speakers. I’m so glad I don’t live in this neighborhood.

Now this part is for Maryse. But you’re all encouraged to read along.

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Hot chocolate. With Peppermint Schnapps and a candy cane.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree?
Oh, puh-lease. Santa does not have time to wrap.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
White lights in the windows. Colored lights outside and on the tree. But not those mini lights that come in pink and lime green. The big, old-fashioned bulbs that are red and blue and green and orange.
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
Oh yeah.
5. When do you put up your decorations?
Right after Thanksgiving.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish?
Swedish meatballs.
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
I can remember getting up with my brothers, emptying our stockings and then putting everything back in the stocking exactly the way it was so that no one would know we had already looked at the stuff.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
What truth about Santa?
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Yes. It’s a Swedish tradition. When I was a kid it was always a new nightgown.
10. What kind of decorations are on your Christmas Tree?
Ornaments I’ve bought at craft fairs or old-fashioned things that the kids have made. There are actually two glitter pine cones, one that I made in kindergarten and one that Hannah made when she was in kindergarten. And there are lots and lots of ornaments on there that I’ve had my whole life because when I was a kid I had my own tree in my room. It was a gift from my godparents and every year they bought me a new ornament to hang on it. Those are really my most treasured ornaments.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread?
I do love it. I don’t like driving in it, though.
12. Can you ice skate?
I used to be able to so I assume I still can. Then again, I assume I can still do a cartwheel but I wouldn’t want to try it.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Yes. I got a playhouse when I was about 5. It was a big plastic thing that I could sit in. I went inside and announced that I would be opening all my presents from inside the playhouse. I was swiftly pulled out of the playhouse and made to open my presents so everyone could see.
14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Being with family and eating Swedish foods.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Christmas cookies!
16 What is your favorite holiday tradition?
We have everyone over to our house for Christmas Eve and I really love that.
17. What tops your tree?
We’ve had various toppers on the tree over the years. This year it will be an angel.
18. What is your favourite holiday book?
How funny is it that I’m a librarian and I don’t have an answer to this question?
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
Oh Come All Ye Faithful.
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yummy?
Yummy.

Thanks for reading. Now it’s your turn.

So there’s this guy with a blog and he’s asking for help in the Name of Science. See, he’s presenting a paper at MLA about how meme’s circulate around the blogosphere. I saw this over at Cate’s and told her I’d play along. I also told her I’d get all you guys to play along to. All you have to do is write something about this on your blog, link to the project, and then ping over here and you’re done. Simple, right? I’m sure the whole thing is way more complex than this but, whatever, I’m no scientist or linguist or professional blogger. I’m just another knitter with a blog. And we’re a mighty force to be reckoned with, ya know.

And just so you don’t think you came over here for nothing, howzabout a meme? Anne wrote a fun post a while ago about the things she sees while driving to and from work. In a flash of brilliance (or desperation for something to blog about) I thought this would make a fun meme.

So, here they are, the 5 most amusing/unusual/weird things I have seen while going to work and the frequency with which I have seen them:
1. sheep – every day
2. deer – sometimes
3. turkeys – frequently
4. red tail hawk – almost every day
5. pheasant – rarely

Will you play along? Tell me what you see while driving to work. And don’t forget about the blog project up there at the top of the post! Thanks, guys.

This is another wall hanging that I made back when I was quilting more frequently. Tiny one-inch strips are used to make the corn and the bow and leaves are applique.

Happy Thanksgiving! Yesterday I made four pies: pumpkin, mincemeat, cranberry-pecan and chocolate cream. I saved the apple for today because it really is best on the day it’s made. In between pie baking I did some more Red Scarf knitting and some spinning, too. But again, not much worth showing the blog. So, I saw this meme over at Knit Think and decided it would make for an appropriate Thanksgiving post.

1. Which do you like better: Cooking at your house, or going elsewhere? I have to say, I enjoy entertaining and would rather cook at my house. However, I don’t cook at home, we go to Lois’.

2. Do you buy a fresh or frozen bird? I prefer fresh but I get a frozen turkey from work every year.

3. What kind of stuffing? Pepperidge Farm with lots of sage.

4. Sweet potato or pumpkin pie? Pumpkin pie. And apple pie and mincemeat pie and pecan pie and chocolate cream pie . . .

5. Do you believe that turkey leftovers are a curse, or the point of the whole thing? I love me some leftovers. There’s nothing like hot turkey sandwiches for supper on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

6. Which side dish would provoke a riot if you left it off the menu? Homemade cranberry sauce.

7. Do you save the carcass to make soup or stock? Yes, I save the carcass and make soup. Turkey soup is one of the best soups ever.

8. What do you wish you had that would make preparing Thanksgiving dinner easier? My mom always wished she had two ovens so I’ll go with that. At Christmas I always wish for an extra fridge.

9. Do you get up at the crack of dawn to have dinner ready in the early afternoon, or do you eat at your normal dinner hour? I really like a candlelit Thanksgiving dinner so I prefer to eat in the late afternoon.

10. If you go to somebody else’s house, what’s your favorite dish to bring? I bring all the pies. And I love making pie so it’s definitely my favorite dish to bring. I also bring the homemade cranberry sauce.

11. What do you wish one of your guests wouldn’t bring to your house? I don’t have guests but if I did I wouldn’t complain about anything they brought because every little bit helps.

12. Does your usual mix of guests result in drama, or is it a group you’re happy to see? There’s no drama with this group. Lois is the closest thing I have to a sister so it’s like being with family. I’m always happy to see everyone.

13. What’s your absolute favorite thing on the menu? Ooh, this is tough. I tend to fill my plate with turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy. I could live without the vegetables, honestly. I suppose my favorite part of the meal is the stuffing.

And I added this one:

14. What are you thankful for this year? I’m thankful that I have a terrific family. They put up with my quirks (yeah, that’s the nice word for it) and love me and support me in everything I want to do. I’m also thankful for the wonderful community I’ve built through this blog. I never expected it but it’s turned out to be an amazing thing.

Now it’s your turn. What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Thank you all for the compliments on The ManLace. And the compliments on The Man, too. Let me just say, it doesn’t take any arm twisting to get him to pose in his uniform.

The knitting right now is all charity knitting and I don’t have much to show you just yet so I’ll throw you a meme. Hope you like it.

It’s only words
You.
Can.
Only.
Type.
One.
Word.

No.
Explanations.

1. Yourself: content
2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend (spouse): funny
3. Your hair: perky
4. Your mother: missed
5. Your father: minister
6. Your favorite item: wheel
7. Your dream last night: forget
8. Your favorite drink: martini
9. Your dream car: Mercedes
10. The room you are in: cozy
11. Your ex: alcoholic
12. Your fear: death
13. What you want to be in 10 years? retired?
14. Who you hung out with last night? Dale
15. What you’re not? thin
16. Muffins: nah
17. One of Your Wish List Items: Golding
18. Time: evening
19. The last thing you did: spin
20. What you are wearing: flannel
21. Your favorite weather: sunny
22. Your favorite book: classic
23. The last thing you ate: chicken
24. Your life: good
25. Your mood: relaxed
26. Your best friend: constant
27. What are you thinking about right now? knitting
28. Your car: Jeep
29. What are you doing at the moment? typing
30. Your summer: fun
31. Your relationship status: married
32. What is on your TV? Chronicle
33. What is the weather like? cold
34. When is the last time you laughed? tonight

Now I’m off to bake pies. Mmmmmmm.

Because, really, I’ve got nothing for today.

1. FIRST NAME? Carole.
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Yes, the movie actress Carole Lombard.
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? The other night when I watched Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? When I take the time and write neatly, yes. But it’s gotten rather messy in recent years because I depend on the computer so much.
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? Boar’s Head Honey Maple Ham.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Oh yeah. I’m a lot of fun. And loyal, too.
7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? What do you call this blog?
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yup.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Not on your life.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Grapenuts.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Most of my shoes don’t have laces but if they do, then, yes, I untie them.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Physically? Maybe. Emotionally? I’ve learned to be.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Peppermint Stick.
14. SHOE SIZE? 9.5
15. RED OR PINK? Red.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I get angry too quickly.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My mom.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? WHAT FOOD WILL GET YOU OUT OF BED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT? HAVE YOU EVER MADE A PRANK PHONE CALL?* I was at a slumber party once and other girls did, but not me. I’ve always been a bit of a goody-goody.
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Black pants, black/rose floral blouse, black lace shawl, black shoes.
20. LAST THING YOU ATE? Leftover chili.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Today’s episode of “As the World Turns”
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Why would I want to be a crayon?
23. FAVORITE SMELL? Roast chicken.
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Dale.
25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Eyes.
26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON YOU STOLE THIS FROM? Oh sure.
27. FAVORITE DRINK? Everyone can answer this for me, right? A Dirty Grey Goose Martini. With extra olives, please.
28. FAVORITE SPORT? Women’s College Basketball.
29. EYE COLOR? Brown.
30. HAT SIZE? Beats me. But Dale wears a 7 5/8.
31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? I used to but my eyes are too dry so I had to give them up.
32. FAVORITE FOOD? Mashed potatoes and gravy.
33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? I love scary movies.
35. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer!
36. HUGS OR KISSES? Kisses.
37. FAVORITE DESSERT? Pie. Any pie. So long as it’s home made.
38. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? WHAT SIDE OF THE BED DO YOU SLEEP ON AND WHY? WHAT IS THE BEST COMPLIMENT YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED?* The best, and most consistent, compliment I’ve ever received is that I have a beautiful smile. It makes all those years of braces totally worth it.
39. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? IF YOU DIDN’T MAKE THE DECISION TO GET MARRIED AND HAVE A FAMILY, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING TODAY? IF YOU HAD TO PICK ONLY ONE COLOR TO WEAR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?* It would be black. Because it’s so, errr, slimming.
40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? The Greatest Story Ever Sold.
41. WHAT’S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? I don’t use a mouse pad.
42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? No TV last night. I was at the library for a spinning night.
43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Camping sounds. Birds in the trees, a crackling fire, and low conversation.
44. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES? Beatles.
45. THE FURTHEST YOU’VE BEEN FROM HOME? Salt Lake City to visit Margene!
46. WHAT’S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? I can make people laugh.
47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Stoughton, MA.
48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I saw it first at Cara’s and then lots of other places. Most recently, though, at Vicki’s.

*Ann replaced the original three for Vicki and then Vicki replaced them for me. Thanks, Vicki!

And because every blog post deserves a picture, my November calendar for Debi.