tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43117823933285640662024-03-05T00:28:46.861-05:00Wormtown KnitterA Worcester, MA native gauges the knits and purls of life.Jen Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12562101528610857295noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311782393328564066.post-19367226343665295602011-02-05T11:48:00.006-05:002011-02-05T12:05:50.128-05:00Crazy 38I turned 38 & lost my mind.My husband threw me a small birthday party at our local coffee shop. I had a brillant(?) idea. In lieu of gifts our guests should each bring me one skein of yarn. Before my next birthday I will knit each person something, of my choosing, with that skein of yarn (a hat, a scarf, a cowl, etc).Everybody wins!I get to open gifts at my party and get hours of Jen Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12562101528610857295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311782393328564066.post-34621211966857880152011-02-05T11:46:00.000-05:002011-02-05T11:46:39.658-05:002010 A Knitting Odyssey2009's knitting was about quantity. 2010 was all about quality.I started the year with a scarf for myself that I love. Shades of Green (Painted Zig Zag Scarf) is made with Debbie Mumm's Traditions yarn. It's a mostly acrylic yarn, but I love the colors.The rest of the winter was full of big projects. I started a sleeping cap (1840 Nightcap by Franklin Habit) for my friend Ezra in November. It wasJen Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12562101528610857295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311782393328564066.post-63440518008840100072010-06-03T09:00:00.001-04:002010-06-03T10:09:37.231-04:001st AnniversaryToday marks the 1st anniversary of the passing of a remarkable being. On June 3, 2009, after 11 years, Flannel left us. As some of you know, she was a dog with her own style & never hestitated to speak her mind. She is greatly missed by her family (probably not so much by her neighbors). Flannel was with me through 11 years, 2 relationships, 4 apartments, 5 jobs, 4 roommates, 3 cars and Jen Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12562101528610857295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311782393328564066.post-52734898852477884452010-01-12T15:42:00.008-05:002010-01-20T15:09:15.187-05:00Knit '09 Well, 2009 was quite a year! Here are some of the knitting highlights.* Wicked Wormtown Swettah (Wicked done in Araucania Nature Wool) was my birthday sweater for 2009. I got most of it done while sick with one of the worst colds I've had in a long time. Come to find out I was so sick because I didn't want to take a new job that I was hired for. Not long after this I decided to buy Amethyst Jen Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12562101528610857295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311782393328564066.post-4437301986323458262009-07-22T11:16:00.027-04:002009-07-23T12:11:22.676-04:00It's Been 10 Years and a Thousand Tears...Last week marked the 10 year anniversary of the tragic passing of John F. Kennedy Jr. This death would not have made such an impression on me (as I am not a Kennedy family fan) except for the fact that exactly one week later my life was touched by an untimely death. I remember getting out of bed the morning after JFK jr's accident and turning on the tv to discover that his plane had gone down in Jen Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12562101528610857295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311782393328564066.post-28920125148710340752008-12-28T13:25:00.025-05:002009-01-07T13:46:29.672-05:002008As two thousand eight comes to a close, I would like to remember those projects that made me laugh, made me cry, made me curse and swear I will never knit again. Jen Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12562101528610857295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311782393328564066.post-55598771279241278542008-10-01T17:13:00.011-04:002008-12-28T13:54:04.813-05:00Sweater, BabyJen & Steve Espach are proud to announce the birth ofWoodland Henley Espach Born September 30, 2008 Conceived December 30, 2007 Size 60"/ Weight 2lbs Color - BrownJen Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12562101528610857295noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311782393328564066.post-19612743610957194042008-10-01T17:12:00.018-04:002008-10-01T17:46:17.695-04:00Oh, What a Night!I would like to take a moment to thank my parents for a wonderfulwedding reception. On Sunday, September 7 John & Jodie Wood held a beautiful reception for Steve & I at Maxwell Silverman's Toolhouse Restaurant. After surprising our families with a casual wedding in July (see Party Planning: Columbian Military Style ), they gave us the gift of a elegant cocktail party. We entertain 80 of Jen Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12562101528610857295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311782393328564066.post-64395000247775133302008-07-07T19:54:00.023-04:002008-08-18T16:01:25.924-04:00Party Planning: Columbian Military StyleOn July 2, 2008 FARC guerillas were led into a ruse by the Columbian military to free former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and 3 American contractors. They never saw it coming.On July 3, 2008 Steven Espach & Jennifer Wood held an BBQ/Fireworks party. After dinner guests were informed a wedding would take place.They never saw it coming. Steven & Jennifer EspachJuly 3, 2008Jen Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12562101528610857295noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311782393328564066.post-64332935631038645582008-06-25T17:05:00.009-04:002008-06-25T17:56:47.598-04:00Pickles!This summer, when your garden has produced the produce that you gardened, you may be looking for recipes for all that good vegetation. Here is a great pickle recipe I got from my Nana. Half Sour Pickles1 dozen small pickling cukes (6 or 7 if they are larger)1/2 gallon of water 3 stalks fresh dill 3/4 cup white vinegar 1 tsp garlic, minced1/2 cup Kosher or Sea Salt 5 or 6 peppercornsfistful of Jen Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12562101528610857295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311782393328564066.post-65369877202426719042008-06-13T10:09:00.010-04:002008-06-13T10:44:54.198-04:00East Meets on WestAs some of you may know, we divide our time (in the warmer months) between our home on the Eastside of Worcester & the Westside. Last year, after making some great new friends at EYC (Espress Yourself Coffee, 2C Richmond Ave), we celebrated the end of summer with dinner at Westside Steak & BBQ (2A Richmond Ave). This year we started the summer off with the same idea. On June 1 we gatheredJen Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12562101528610857295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311782393328564066.post-77570165249757816832008-05-25T13:17:00.020-04:002008-05-25T13:52:28.479-04:00Louise & Jen Wood's Summer Sweet TeaThis sweet tea recipe was created by Louise Wood (my friend's mom, no relation). I have tweaked it in the last few years. We drink this all summer at our house.Summer Sweet Tea 3 tea bags (any black tea will do. we use Red Rose cuz you get a little animal figurine in every box.) 2 or 3 stalks of fresh mint2 or 3 stalks of fresh lemon balm boiling water3 TBSP sugarI use a 2 1/4 qt pitcher (Jen Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12562101528610857295noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311782393328564066.post-47522332542353366512008-05-22T19:38:00.013-04:002008-05-22T20:59:36.874-04:0035 Going on 9In the last week I have rediscovered 2 things from my childhood. First, I found my favorite book on EBay. It is the tale of King Pilaf, of Mulligatawny, in search of a queen who can bake gingerbread. He finds Princess Calliope who also has some marriage requirements. She is in search of a husband who can play the slide trombone. It is based on a German folktale. I would take this book out every Jen Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12562101528610857295noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311782393328564066.post-14174486081058885432008-05-13T09:49:00.002-04:002008-06-26T10:25:54.379-04:00A Knitter's Sigh of ReliefJen Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12562101528610857295noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311782393328564066.post-20564647762182489752008-04-08T09:34:00.004-04:002008-04-08T09:59:51.098-04:00DEATH, TAXES & THE MOON?Dear IRS,They say you can't get blood from a stone. You can, however, get my tax payment from one really big stone.I saw a report on 60 Minutes this week about NASA spending $ .15 per person per day on the space program. I assume this is my tax money being used. I do not support the space program. I, like most people, barely have a handle on this planet. Therefore, I believe that NASA owes me $Jen Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12562101528610857295noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311782393328564066.post-51466254753968611822008-04-07T18:35:00.004-04:002008-04-07T19:19:34.738-04:00Thank You RalphRalph Moberly1945 - 2008Local Legend & EntrepreneurYou will be greatly missed.Thanks for the memories.Jen Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12562101528610857295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311782393328564066.post-80283777016330354412008-04-07T10:57:00.005-04:002008-06-26T09:42:37.952-04:00The Best of MeAbout a month ago I started the Top Seed Shawl from Cast On (issue May-July 2007). I did my gauge swatches, found the right needles & was off and running. I was very pleased with the yarn I chose. Reynolds Saucy Sport. A lovely sage green. I was so lucky to have purchased 10 skeins from someone in my weekly knitting group (thanks Erin). Right from the start I knew I was short 1 or 2 skeins. Jen Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12562101528610857295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311782393328564066.post-7898643895969452312008-03-12T21:46:00.006-04:002008-04-08T09:58:28.269-04:00IN SICKNESS...On Friday February 15 at 10am, my love & bipedially challenged, Steve hit the deck. He fell in our yard on a spot of ice breaking his left ankle. We spent a romantic afternoon in the ER at UMASS with our wonderful Murse, Eduardo.Steve spent the next week at home waiting to see an Orthopedic surgeon (thanks to Aunt Lyn, it only took a week). Surgery was scheduled for Tuesday February 26, 7:Jen Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12562101528610857295noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311782393328564066.post-81299767868777666222008-02-03T11:38:00.000-05:002008-02-03T16:28:57.405-05:00ROLLER BOOGIELast night my sister's friends threw her a 30th birthday party at Skylite Roller Rink. It was a blast. I haven't been on skates in about 22 years. Her friends, boyfriend & some of our family attended. Both of our aunts & uncles skated! I couldn't believe the number of us that took the chance.Of course, Betsy was dressed for the occassion. She bought that silver jacket just for the eveningJen Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12562101528610857295noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311782393328564066.post-43087826713144310802008-01-24T10:25:00.002-05:002008-06-26T09:41:55.909-04:00FINALLY, A SWEATER FOR ME!I started this cardigan during the frustration period of the project below. It's coming along wonderfully. There is a problem in the armhole decrease math. I am winging it. I have contacted 2 people doing this project. Neither seems to have been bothered by the mistake. So I motor on, optimistic. The back is done, as you can see. The stitch pattern is so easy, but looks complicated to Jen Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12562101528610857295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311782393328564066.post-67225836310110090942008-01-13T10:43:00.000-05:002008-06-26T09:44:03.170-04:00Another Sweater, Another Set of ProblemsI started a sweater for my sweetie.I found a pattern that seemed simple with a great texture. It can be worked from the top down, which needs to be done because he needs to be able to try it on as it goes along. We took the time to pick out the right yarn & color.I'm about 5% in. There's already a problem. I think it's the pattern (it's always the pattern). I spent an 1 1/2 hours at the SheepJen Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12562101528610857295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311782393328564066.post-34439563917671749322008-01-06T21:15:00.000-05:002008-01-06T21:20:34.751-05:00Missing ChinaI am looking for missing pieces of dishes from a set that belonged to my Nana. They are probably from the 60's. They were made by Mikasa & called Oahu. The style number is 3135-B. I already checked Replacements Ltd & EBay. I am looking for 3 coffee cups, 1 fruit bowl & 2 salad bowls. Jen Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12562101528610857295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311782393328564066.post-4410736664840830392008-01-01T09:55:00.000-05:002008-01-01T10:03:01.367-05:00WHAT A WONDERFUL YEAR GOOD BYE 2007!Jen Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12562101528610857295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311782393328564066.post-49442417022615513612008-01-01T09:46:00.000-05:002008-06-26T09:44:03.171-04:00SUCCESSJen Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12562101528610857295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311782393328564066.post-53461572339241243092007-12-15T22:11:00.000-05:002008-06-26T09:44:03.171-04:00The saga of the sweater endsIt's done, my friends. Now I just have to wrap & gift it. I'm struggling with the idea that I have to let it go. I feel like I'm letting a child loose on the world.It's a sweater. Though, like a child, I have loved it & wanted to strangle its neck hole.Jen Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12562101528610857295noreply@blogger.com2