Empty Nest

So we're all starting to feel better here in the Washington house. Aaron and Dante both seem to be fine, Alex is on the mend, and I'm fine except for the fact that I have no voice today. But I cooked and I ate real food today for the first time in about a week and I ate till I almost popped. Breaded eggplant and baked beans! Allergy friendly and yummy. It's been tough to stay with my vegetarianism while being sick because so many of my normal protein sources are no-no's for me when I'm sick. No soy (which I usually avoid but now...soy is dead to me), no milk at all, no nuts. So it's been interesting trying to eat foods that are easy on the tummy, and don't bother my allergies. Yesterday I made a quicky soup with some Better Than Boulioun and some sauteed onion, garlic, mushrooms, and Quorn "chicken". It wasn't perfect, but it worked just fine.

In an attempt to get out of my apartment, and get away from my family, I went to the library to exchange some books and get new movies. I picked up two Olivia books and I just loved them (and so did Alex). She is just like any typical kid and it's really humorous. Then I went to Bella Yarns to replace my 2.5mm needles that I lent out (and have not gotten back yet) so that I could start on Baby's First Fair Isle for one of the two expecting couples (haven't decided who gets the blanket and who gets the pullover). I got to talking to the co-owner Naomi about the Cascade 220 that they carry in the store now, and somehow the conversation turned to my Central Park Hoodie. I let her know that I knit it with Cascade 220 16 months ago and after wearing it almost every day (as most of you will attest) it still looks brand new. Naomi asked me if I'd be interested in lending mine to the shop so I thought about it...and thought about it...and decided that I could part with my favoritest knit ever to help benefit my favoritest yarn shop ever. So today I washed it and blocked it, and it's mostly dry now. I wrote down the needle sizes, the number and color of the skeins that I used, and when I finished it. Tomorrow, I will be dropping it off at the shop and I sort of feel like I'm dropping my child off for their first day at school or something. I adore this sweater. I wear it almost every. single. day. To adjust, I have been trying to wear my February Lady Sweater more often, hoping that I will become accustomed to reaching for it instead of the other. I feel very honored to be asked to loan a garment to the shop as it makes me feel like I have really become a good knitter, but I will miss this sweater a whole lot and I worry that it will be lonely being away from home. Please go visit my sweater at the shop so that it doesn't get too homesick.