Finished projects...and basil update

The Multnomah Shawl (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/multnomah")is officially completed. As you can see, it doesn't look like much before being blocked.

But after blocking? Oh, my! I do enjoy knitting this pattern. I think this is the third Multnomah I have made, or maybe it's the fourth. The pattern is free on Ravelry. If the designer had charged even $2 per download of this pattern, she'd be one wealthy woman by now.

The Tea Leaves cardigan ((http://madelinetosh.com/store/index.php/patterns/tea-leaf-cardigan.html finally has its buttons. I don't know why it took me so long to sew them on. This was quite an enjoyable knit, albeit a bit monotonous once I finished the neck design. I added a crocheted edge to the neckline to prevent it from stretching.

The Hiker's Waistcoat, a free pattern at Kelbourne Knits,  (http://www.kelbournewoolens.com/hikerswaistcoat.html) finally has its buttons, too. And I know why it took me so long to sew them on: eight of the little buggers. I think this will be a gift for a friend at Christmas. The trick will be to determine, somehow, if it will fit her before giving it to her. She was at my house a day or two after I'd finished knitting this secret project. As she flipped through my latest issue of the WEBS yarn catalogue, she spotted this exact waistcoat, held it up for me to see, and said, "Isn't this a nice vest?"

I can see that I need to block the waistcoat again before giving it away. I had it stuffed into a bag for several days, so the wrinkles are obvious in this photo.

And the Basil Project? So far, so good. The tender little seedlings have been loving the stretch of 80-degree weather we've had for the past few days (and again today). They're out on the sundeck, in fact, sunbathing this morning.

It's going to be difficult to adjust to more typical March weather this weekend. Temperatures in the 40's and 50's will feel brutal, for sure.

For now, I'm headed out to the flower gardens to do some more raking.

The basil project

I'm wondering what I've gotten myself into.

My chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa is in charge of table favors for our big state convention on April 28.

I pondered this for awhile, then I suggested to the group that pots of basil plants would make terrific favors. I mean, who doesn't love basil? I know I sure do. If there were a basil perfume, I'd wear it. I love to break leaves off my basil plants in the summer and hold them to my nose, inhaling the wonderful, sweet scent. I also love to add fresh basil into any type of tomato-based recipe.

I'm picturing healthy, robust basil plants in 4-inch pots, wrapped in green tissue and tied with yellow ribbon, in honor of our A∆K official colors. I think these will look quite striking on the luncheon tables when the ladies arrive for the meeting. I can almost hear the ooohs and aaaahs.

Before I knew it, all the other ladies thought the basil-as-table-favors idea was perfect, and I was purchasing a packet of basil seeds and some seed-starter mix.

I planted the seeds, which are about the size of sesame seeds,  with a set of tweezers last Friday. Laborious work. I set the seed trays beside the woodstove and let nature take its course.

The tiny basil seedlings sprouted within five days. I felt so proud. My little basil project was becoming reality.

The thing is, though, that before long I'll be transferring the seedlings to 4" pots...forty 4" pots. That's right, 40.

Here's what's giving me nightmares: What if my basil crop fails? What if the seedlings don't get enough sunlight to flourish? What if the dog somehow gets into the basil and destroys it? What if I set the 40 pots of basil on the sunny front porch some warm day, forget they're there, and awake in the night to the realization that I've just succeeded in freezing 40 pots of tender plants?

What if? What if? I'm causing myself so much anxiety over this little project, and it's all my own doing. Why didn't I suggest we fill small plastic bags with mints and let those be our table favors? Why did I think it had to be basil????

I need a back-up plan. Something to fall back on in case of basil crop failure. Something quick and easy, not requiring sunshine and warmth.

Who came up with this crazy basil idea, anyway?

Where were you when we needed you?

Dear Blizzard of March 1, 2012,

Where were you when we needed you? In December, I mean. Or January. Or February. When we wanted to put on our cross-country skis and go exploring in the quiet woods....

Today's March 1, for crying out loud. Our thoughts have turned to spring. I've begun planting seeds in peat pots for my summer garden. I even saw a snowdrop in bloom in my little kitchen-corner flower garden a few days ago.

But you chose today to barrel into southern Maine, closing schools and shops and cancelling all kinds of plans.

It looks as if I'll be forced to stay in side and knit on my Multnomah shawl (free pattern on Ravelry; Cascade Heritage sock yarn)...

...and finally weave in the loose ends and sew buttons onto the Hiker's Waistcoat, which I finished last week (another free pattern at Kelbourne Woolens; Linus yarn from Knit One, Crochet too).

Come to think of it, I don't mind being snowbound at all!

But it's about the next storm, predicted for March 3....