Quiet on the homefront

I have managed to complete a cowl and a sock is 75% done but it feels as though I haven't been up to much at all in regard to my knitting. Thanksgiving is over and I now have to get some serious Christmas knitting underway. I have kept the projects small and to a select few so I don't anticipate a major meltdown on Christmas eve but...we shall see. There are also a few small felt/embroidery numbers that I plan to whip up for those not receiving a knit item. Again, these are small and few so as long as I keep to a decent work schedule the sewing shouldn't interfere with the knitting. For one person I have a much needed item to buy. That person will also be receiving a knit item. As for the others...I have to admit that this may be the year of the gift cards. I put so much energy into last years gifts that I don't think I have it in me this year. Unless I have some great epiphany, that's my plan and I'm sticking to it!

YouTube - The Dandy Warhols live in Philly 11-7-10

YouTube - The Dandy Warhols live in Philly 11-7-10

Here's another sample, sorry, couldn't help myself. If you want to see more of this concert, go to you tube and type the caption above. There's a bunch of great videos!

YouTube - The Dandy Warhols - We used to be friends - live @ the Electric Factory

YouTube - The Dandy Warhols - We used to be friends - live @ the Electric Factory

This is a sample of the concert I saw at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia. The Dandy Warhol's are awesome live and I can't wait to see them again!

Waxing Nostaligic

My trip to Philadelphia was bittersweet. Although it was nostalgic in every way possible, it was also very weird. My sweetie & I felt like tourists but not tourists. We lived there for eight years, both as students in art school and as newlyweds. We knew our way around, yet so many things had changed in our old neighborhood. We managed to plan our trip so effectively that we saw everything mostly in one day. That's the great thing about Philly, it has all the things NYC has but it doesn't overwhelm you. It's completely manageable. O.K. enough of my waxing...now for the pictures...

We used the GPS this time (like we didn't know where we were going?) and happened to find a new way into the city. We always go 287 to NJ Turnpike, which feels like an eternity...the GPS had us take 202 to I95. We ended up gaining 40 minutes which was great but we didn't take the Ben Franklin bridge into the city. There is something about driving over the bridge and seeing the skyline that gives me butterflies. So, these pictures are of the view driving into the city from the side basically.

This is the view of the city from our hotel room during the day...

and night.

What changes happened in our old neighborhood over the past six years you ask? Well, the church was knocked down and now there's a parking lot (isn't there a song about this?).

The Art Museum Diner, where we often had Sunday breakfast...

is now a pizza place.

Thank goodness some things stay the same. Our favorite used book store, Book Haven is still there. The owner remembered us after such a long time away.

Our favorite restaurant, Bridgid's, is still there. It doesn't look like much from the outside but I swear this is a place that doesn't disappoint (North 24th st.).

Philadelphia is a city known for their murals. Here are a few examples...

A mural on the avenue of the arts.

A mural on Market Street.

A mural on Rodman Street.

A mosaic that has everything in it...from pottery to mirror pieces. Not only is the building covered but so is the court yard. This is a must see (10th & South).

Philly also has great sculpture...
From Alexander Calder...

to Claes Oldenburg...

As if touring the city all day and taking in great art wasn't enough, we also managed to catch one of the best concerts I've ever seen...the Dandy Warhol's...

The next day I went to two local yarn stores, Rosie's Yarn Cellar (20th/Locust st) & Loop (19th/south st)

and finished off our visit by eating the best cheese steak in Philly, at Jim's steaks on 4th & South

and strolling famous South Street. If you're looking for something, you'll find it here...

Philadelphia is such a great city and it will always hold a special place in my heart. There of course is so much more to see. The next time we visit, we plan to do all the museums. If you've never been, then obviously you would also need to do all the historic sites like Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House and Boat House Row, to name just a few.

Until the next time Philly...

Fall Back

I realized today that the clocks go back. This also made me realize that fall will soon be over and snow will be here before we know it. It's really cold today and while that makes for great knitting conditions, I am unable to devote any real time to my knitting lately. I've been errand running and making preparations for a quick weekend getaway. Of course, I will be taking some of my projects on the road with me. (That's what's getting me through). In the meantime however, I thought I'd take a quick break to make some overdue updates to the blog. It was looking very spring-like so I added fall leaves to the background...in an attempt to hang on to what's left of the season.  So, until I return to share some photo's...Happy Fall Everyone!

And the winner's are...

As I posted yesterday, Maya D won the first prize in my first blog giveaway. Today I am pleased to announce that Amybel and Jobo Designs have won the second and third prizes. Thanks so much for following me! Congratulations and I will be sending your prize shortly.

YAY and UGH all at the same time

YAY! :
 For Maya D who is the first follower of this blog and the winner of my very first giveaway. As per my announcement on Ravelry there are two more prizes for the 2nd and 3rd followers.  (Maya please email at the address above as to where I can send your prize. Congrats!)

UGH! : 
For the fact that I have spent an entire day trying to put a Ravelry link onto this blog. Honestly, I think I've gone cross eyed! I may have to admit defeat, at least for today anyway....