Bring On the Family

Greetings and happy Friday, friends! As we arrive at the end of the workweek, I've got myself one very relieved teen. I won't say the final exams were all easy, but she is mighty glad to be done with them (and appreciates your well wishes). It's been a stressful week and she's looking forward to having some fun with friends at Kennywood today, provided they don't get rained out. As for me, I'm working as usual (with breaks for walks), but I also have an appointment at the dermatologist this morning and am scheduled to give blood this afternoon, provided my iron is high enough.

Knitting is still happening in fits and starts here, and in fact I started a new project earlier this week after finishing up the socks.

It's a rather uninspiring photo, thanks to subpar lighting, but this is the start of a handspun Zuzu's Petals (Ravelry link). I knit one of these years ago and probably still have it somewhere, but I thought I'd make another for the SSK make-along (for door prize tickets!) and, if I don't feel a need to keep it, either put it away for a gift for someone or take it to SSK for their raffle to benefit the center where the retreat is held. It's been simple enough to work on while reading and while Ruthie naps, but I'm about to start the lace, so this will require some attention going forward. The yarn I'm using is a skein I spun last September from two batts that were a door prize at the last SSK I attended. They contained Rambouillet wool, mohair, tussah silk, and silk noil, so this yarn has a lovely sheen that's not at all captured in the photo. Although my yarn is probably in the sport to DK range, I'm following the instructions for the fingering weight version so that I'll use up as much as possible.

This weekend we'll be spending a lot of time with family for my niece's baby naming (her Hebrew naming, if you want to get technical). The naming and a brunch will be on Sunday morning, but we'll have a dinner on Saturday night with the whole family plus my aunt and uncle, who are coming in from Michigan. This is the aunt who taught me to knit! And my uncle we've been referring to as the dog whisperer of the family because, in retirement, he's been volunteering with a guide/service dog organization. We're hoping that he'll be able to work his magic with Ruthie, who is warming to some people but still barks at the Mister -- even after he gives her multiple treats! Dinner is at my parents', so we'll take her crate with us for her to go in if she's feeling scared.

Speaking of family, I don't know if I mentioned it, but I got a dog DNA test to do for Ruthie, given that we only got "Jack Russell Terrier mix" from the rescue, and we got the results yesterday afternoon -- and they made me laugh!

That first breed is not a surprise, nor is the "supermutt" (which is basically a catch-all for a smattering of DNA from lots of different breeds that comes with being descended from lots of mixed-breed dogs, though they identified German Shepherd, Pit Bull, Rat Terrier, and Australian Cattle Dog as most likely among them). I did not expect Australian Shepherd to show up there! It's especially entertaining because one of her dog friends who we see on our walks is a mini Aussie who's about a month older than her. I think that dog's owners are going to be amused to hear these results! Also, they explain this a bit:

After a month, she's letting her wild and crazy flag fly!

I hope the weekend brings you some sunshine, some relaxation, and some time with friends and/or family. See you back on here on Monday!