On multitasking

This is going to be a combo post of sorts, as I want to touch on a few points before we leave for Rhinebeck in the morning.

RHINEBECK IN THE MORNING!

First, I don't want you to miss your weekly Dory cuteness, so here she is:

Yes, she's laying in a cardboard box from Amazon.com. She lays there a lot. More than her bed. I tried to throw it out and CP nearly had a heart attack. He spoils her more than I do, which does not bode well for my "have-children-who-aren't-spoiled-brats" plan.

Also, here's Nelly nuzzling her toy, just for the heck of it:

Secondly, progress has been made on the Rocky Coast cardigan, I'm quite excited:

I finished the body, then knit the first sleeve. Then I couldn't stomach working on giant DPNs anymore, so I did the neckband. And now I'm back to the second sleeve. I got a bit done in the car this morning, before I dropped a DPN under my seat and couldn't find it for 30 minutes. Then I got even a little bit more done, but I'd say I've got another 13" to go.

Which brings me to the next point: RHINEBECK! I'd love to have this sweater ready to wear Saturday. I could easily finish the sleeve during the 6 hour drive to upstate NY, but then I'd have to block the sweater at the hotel, probably on the floor (eww), and hope it dries really quickly. So that's plan B. Plan A is to miraculously finish it tonight. Wish me luck!

I'm all signed up for a spindle spinning class with Abby Franquemont on Saturday afternoon. The only problem is, I haven't touched my spindle in months:

And I am really just a beginning spinner anyway. I hope I won't embarrass myself too much.

If you're at Rhinebeck on Saturday, look for me and say hi! I'll have a very tall Peruvian in tow, a wee baby bump and my yellow-and-black Hufflepuff bag.

On Mexico City

And we're back in action! A quick trip to Mexico City for work, but now home and back to business. A few things about Mexico City (or Mexico DF--believe it or not, Mexicans don't call it Mexico City):

• Mexico City is home to almost 9 million people, even bigger than NYC, and most of them seem to spend their days wandering the streets aimlessly. So. very. crowded.
• It smells like an open sewer.
• They will ruin guacamole by topping it with FRIED CRICKETS.

Sadly, I don't have much good to say about the DF--I wish I did, but I'm just not a fan of crowds and smog. Less so pregnant--I can't enjoy a michelada or go out dancing in smoky bars. This was my second trip there, and I did do a few touristy things the first time around (if you find yourself in the DF, you should certainly visit the Zocalo and the Templo Mayor, and the boats in Xochimilco are fun), but this time, it was in and out in 3 days, work only. No photos, even.

I'm thrilled to be back home as we head into fall. Hard to believe September is half over!

I'm also thrilled to announce that I'll be releasing a new pattern tomorrow! In fact, Dory is letting me take over her usual Tuesday spot to do it. So keep an eye out. It's called Chispas, and it's perfect for fall.

And speaking of Dory, look who I caught actually using her cat bed: