Home Sweet Home

I’m home again, my lovely knitty friends…and what an adventure we’ve had. 400km total on our bikes (thats about 250 miles, for my American friends), two provinces, four knitting projects and a good time had by all. This is of course, assuming that you loosely define “a good time”. I know a lot of people think that this is an odd family vacation to subject children to…but it is this bloggers opinion that strong women do not happen by accident, and that biking hundreds of kilometres will leave my daughters with the belief that they can do anything and that the world of possibility stretches out far in front of them. They are some of the only people in Canada (or the world) who can now say that they have ridden the whole distance (over a couple of years) from Niagara Falls to Montreal, as children. That’s something. That’s tough. I really believe that while they might not know it, these bike trips leave my daughters believing that they are capable of difficult, incredible things. That the next time a hard thing turns up in their lives they will turn to face it and say “Wow. That looks hard, but I’m good at hard things.” I suppose it’s also possible that I’m just torturing them, but when I’m out in the middle of nowhere on a bike, I really need to believe that I’m right on this one.

I’ll post more about the whole thing over then next few days, but for now, a little blog business.

Many thanks to our Auntie Rams, who did a great job of Blog-sitting while I was away. I will, following this spectacular performance on her part, resume the intense pressure I have been putting on her to get her own blog. The world needs more Rams.

Unplugged from the world for the last while, I was totally unaware of the tragedy in the Gulf. My thoughts are with those effected, and I’d urge all of you to give to the organization of your choice to help these folks get through what is a terrible, terrible time for them. Though there is very little to be grateful for in a time like this, we can at least be thankful that this has happened in the richest country in the world, as well prepared to help each other as any country could be, and peopled with generous, resourceful humans who look out for each other. Susan and Margene have jointly set up an effort on their blogs to raise funds for the Red Cross, and should that not be your cup of tea, Angela has a list of charities who know how to help on her blog.

In more trivial news, nobody guessed my two “stars” right, though I did like the ideas. Those of you who thought that I would pick Canadians, those of you who thought I would pick knitters, those clever ones among you who thought I would choose knitterly named stars, like “The Spinners” or “Norma Shearer”…all clever. But all wrong. (Though I do feel sort of silly for not being more clever about it myself.)

My two stars were…

George

Gracie

Surprised?


..and chosen randomly from among all the participants, is Carole! Send me your address Carole, and I’ll mail the mug pronto.

I’m off to wait for the letter carrier. Today is (other than trying to wash the smell of campfires, the sweat of 400k and the grime of 2 provinces out of our clothes, which is really enough excitement all in itself.) a very big day for me. Do you think sitting on the front steps is too obvious?

98 thoughts on “Home Sweet Home

  1. I think it is amazing that you and your girls bike so far. I think it is great that you can get such a range of ages to cooperate on a ride like that! πŸ™‚ I also think that your choices of stars is Grade A!

  2. “Say goodnight Gracie.”
    “Goodnight Gracie.”
    Love ’em. And welcome back-I’d be on my front porch too. πŸ˜‰

  3. Is today big because it’s the pub date? Or is itbig because you finally faced up to your Amazon page (which has been up for awhile)? You are too humble. Embrace the diva within, girl. We believe in you, hard things or not.

  4. Take a pillow to sit on, a glass of iced tea and your knitting and wait for your book!– Even if you have to camp out for a day or two until it gets there! πŸ™‚

  5. Welcome home to all of you. And a BIG congratulation on your new book. I do admire your enormous energy.

  6. It’s out already? Well, not out but “out”, if you know what I mean… That’s awesome. I can’t wait to get my paws on a copy! Congratulations.
    I love, love, love the cover art!
    And about the biking – I just wish I could get my husband to see your point of view about the bicycle. I just want to bike to the Annapolis Valley… It’s not that FAR! NS is a skinny province! Sigh.

  7. Oh Yipee!!! A new book I can’t wait. I was so disapointed I missed you in Portland. We were leaving the next day for our big camping trip and weren’t ready to go (as usuall). πŸ™‚ Congratulations on both big accomplishments!

  8. Welcome home!! Of course it’s ok to wait on your porch. I’ve already pre-ordered a copy and I’ll be camped out on my porch as well. Maybe this tour will get you a bit further south during our oh-so-mild winter. πŸ™‚

  9. Out already, way too cool. What a perfect way to double the achievement of your monumental bike ride. I am totally impressed, not even with the achievement of the bike ride, but the planning, the triumph over inertia which it takes to get such a thing going. That is what gets implanted into your daughters. Once you are on the bikes it is the easy part, all you have to do is pedal and keep the whining to a low refrain.What a wonderful mom you are. Daryl

  10. Yay- another Harlot book! It’s been a great experience for my husband to listen to me read excerpts from your first πŸ™‚ …. he says things like “you mean there are others who do/think that too?!”
    I like your choices of starts for the sock to pose with.

  11. Oh Wow! Another harlot book!! Is this one the bookbookbookbook?
    Will you come to Chicago this time? Pretty please?

  12. welcome back. rams did great while you were gone. just wanted you to know that my sp5 sent me smarties for the girls. fiona was so excited, she almost fell off her chair..”i finally get to try smarties, you know like that lady talked about!” huh? “you know that lady that knits too much and talks all about it? that we visited?” too cute. hope you are enjoying the stitch markers. πŸ™‚ oh, and congrats on the new book.

  13. Congratulations! Another book! I was thinking how proud I am to know such a strong woman who is fostering strong-woman-ness in her daughters when you go and have another book published to make me prouder of you still! Yeesh. Slow down, would ya?? πŸ˜‰ Big hug. *grin*

  14. I commend you on your efforts to give your girls a sense that they can do anything. That’s the way it should be! Hope your trip was wonderful and can’t wait to get your book! Will there be another tour, tour, tour for the new book, book, book or are you worn out from coming to see all of us knitters out here?

  15. Welcome back! Hope Mr Washie doesn’t give you the cold shoulder for being away so long.
    Biking RULES, and I’m very jelous of your trek across the provinces.

  16. Congratulations on the bike trip. I have one planned too – 27 miles in April. Okay, not quite as adventurous as yours…LOL That’s my first after-baby goal, now I just gotta get the baby out!
    Pleasepleaseplease come to Phoenix/Tucson on your new tourtourtour for the new bookbookbook!

  17. Honey, I’d be STALKING the mail carrier!
    Congratulations on book2book2book2! And on the bike ride. I’m exhausted just thinking about it.

  18. I’m also a fan of long bike (or canoe) trips. Even short trips are fun, my 5 mile commute is a great way to get some exercise and stay connected to the city I live in.

  19. Yes! And St. Louis too! Yay for booksbooksbooks!
    My parents sent me to an all-girl high school, so I totally get what you’re trying to accomplish. I still thank them.
    Have you considered writing a book of essays about raising 3 powerful women? Judging from the blog posts, it would be fantastic.

  20. I think you are an amazing mom for instilling such important values and strength in your daughters.
    Another Harlot book! YAY! (My friend Stacey was the “money girl” in San Francisco, and was kind enough to have you sign a book for me and sent it as a surprise since I am in the armpit of Florida and was not blessed with a tour stop.) I’m SO excited about a new book!
    Now tell us what the 4 knitting projects were! πŸ˜‰

  21. Welcome home! Rams did a great job, and yes, she definitely needs to have a blog of her own, but I missed you. I think your ideas about growing your daughters into strong women are right on and you’re doing the right thing for them.
    I’m so excited I won the mug! Yippee!

  22. I’m so happy you’re back!!
    My kids, I’m very sorry to say, would NEVER in a million years be convinced that sort of bike ride could be a good thing. I commend you and your attitude (and Ken, of course). Looking forward to finding out what the projects were.
    And yes, the hurricane is devastating and my heart goes out to people on the Gulf coast. In defense of my children that I mentioned earlier, my daughter and her friend sold bracelets they made to raise money for the hurricane victims. They got about $5 in change. Bless their little hearts!

  23. Welcome Home! We missed you, but we did have a lovely visit with Auntie Rams. I think it’s great that you and the girls are able to accomplish trips like this. I recently hauled my own bike out of in-law’s basement storage so that my 4 yo son and I can go on little Sunday afternoon bike trail outings.
    It’s VERY cool that you’re getting your copy of book2book2book2 today! Getting your first and second books published within 6 months of each other has got to be a record of some sort. And I’m pretty sure with all the stuff that gets sent to you, your mailman wouldn’t be in the least surprise to find you waiting for him. I’m happily awaiting the day my pre-ordered copy arrives on my desk at work to be enjoyed right away!

  24. Hey Steph
    Congrats on surviving the ride, and on the new bookbookbook. You ever just sit down and, oh, I don’t know…do nothing??
    πŸ˜‰

  25. Congrats on the book, and welcome home from your trip.
    I always looked up to my mom, who was a strong, brave,independent woman who took on seemingly impossible tasks on a regular basis. She’s been gone for many years now, but I still try to follow her example all the time. It’s wonderful that you’re showing your daughters their own inner strength and building their self-esteem the way you are. Those efforts will pay off in spades during their respective lifetimes. Props to you for being such a great mom.

  26. Great! When’s the next tour begin, and will you do it by bike? (wink wink) Seriously, congratulations on your second book! I will start hounding my local bookseller immediately.

  27. I wonder if you would be feeling the need to defend your bike trips if your children were boys and not girls. I think you may be right about empowering the children. I think it’s wonderful. As the old saying goes, Whatever doesn’t kill you, will only make you stronger. I’m pretty sure that’s in the scriptures. No? Well, if it isn’t it should be.
    Also very wonderful a new book. How fun is that?

  28. Yippeee! I have mine pre-ordered so it looks like I have some fun scheduled for the holiday weekend. I’ll send a pic of my knitting and Harlot-reading on the porch.

  29. Didn’t CatBookMom guess George & Gracie? Maybe she is the same person as Carole. Anyway, just wanted to point it out. Welcome home & the bike rides will at least serve the purpose of giving your children wonderful “When I was a kid…” stories.

  30. Welcome home. Even if your daughters don’t realize it now, they will thank you someday for the wonderful experiences they’ve had biking around the country. Wait for it. Speaking of waiting, I say camp on your front lawn and wait for the new book – you’re already in the camping mode so what’s a couple more hours. Mr. Washie will wait for you.

  31. Congratulations! I enjoyed the first book, and can’t wait to get the second.
    Knitting is a “lifestyle” now? Who knew? Well, I guess all of us, but….

  32. It broke my heart when George Burns died. He was on my list of people I’d like to have dinner with. I imagined a good dinner, witty conversation and then “Goodnight . . . .”
    Grace
    PS Third daughter is on her way to university on Saturday, capable of tough incredible things. Don’t know how I’ll hold it together but I will. I need too to be good at hard things.

  33. I’m hoping Amazon ships soon! I’m anxiously awaiting your new book too. Missed you the last few days. Glad you had a good trip.

  34. Congrats on arriving home safe and sound!
    Oh, and the editor in me is happy you used the word effected instead of the more common (and misused word)impacted.
    Is that a new bookbookbook? *heads over to amazon to check it out*

  35. My kids are only 4 and 6 and I’m already planning our bike trip for when they’re old enough (how old would you say?). I love the whole idea of your trips and the adventure of it.
    Giving kids opportunties to be strong and different makes you a great parent.
    And congrats on the book!

  36. Dearest of harlots, I am stalking your book. Forgive me.
    Folks, more information on bookbookbook2 can be found is available online:
    – Press release from the publisher: http://www.andrewsmcmeel.com/pr_yarn.html
    – Info page on the book itself: http://www.andrewsmcmeel.com/products/?isbn=0740750372
    amazon.com lists September 1, 2005 as the release date but I think they are dirtyrottenliars. They certainly lied about the release date for bookbookbook1.
    Steph? Do you know when we will all be able to get our hot little hands on a copy?

  37. I’ve been reading for a long time but never commented. CatBookMom did guess correctly, but it was buried in that huge number of guesses. I always wondered how people had time to read all those comments. Now I know: they don’t….

  38. Welcome back!
    You are a sneaky devil, getting that next book out without telling us before! LOL
    400km on a bike – I managed up and down my street (say 400m) yesterday! You, Ken and the girls went a thousand tmes further than me, but at least I did only take about 5 minutes…

  39. Yay! Congratulations on another book!
    If it’s supposed to be released today, they should change it from pre-order to regular status… hopefully they turn that over soon.
    Your daughters will appreciate the whole bike thing someday, if they don’t now. Just you wait and see. πŸ™‚

  40. Hey girl, glad you’re back and the girls did awesome, as well as you!! Thanks for the heads up on the book…can’t wait!

  41. Yay! The Harlot’s home! Yay! An new book! Yay for the Harlot, who keeps her books reasonably priced so I can spend more on yarn! Yay for great Amazon bood descriptions. Yay!

  42. I am so NOT surprised at those two stars…not at all. Dude, you really make me smile…
    Rest well, and I, too, hope your kids get the “I can do hard stuff” lesson instead of just the “oh my god, my arse hurts soooooo much” lesson.
    Say goodnight, Stephanie…
    (goodnight, Stephanie πŸ˜‰

  43. Welcome Home! So were those chapters you were scrambling to get done before leaving on vacation contributions/ stories for Knit Lit Three? Just noticed it on Amazon.com

  44. Well behaved women seldom make history.
    The bike trip is just “training” for your girls!

  45. i’m glad you had a good trip (i’m sure good is subjective). strong women are made, not born. ask me how i know, sigh. looking forward to the new bookbookbook. i wanna see what you knit besides socks! and while i didn’t guess right, i’m not surprised by your stars choice. only makes sense, i loved them too

  46. Oh my gosh! I forgot that Harlot’s new bookbookbook comes out today! Oh yeah, welcome back Stephanie! You were very missed, although Auntie Rams is a hoot! But you didn’t say what four knitting projects you did on the trip. Did you perfect the art of knitting while bicycling? (I would insist on a tandem bike, so hubby could steer and I could pedal and knit!).

  47. I was just mentioning to my sister how you were living out my dream life vacation — but without the kids and friends who like to camp I settle for a couple of organized weekend rides of 100 miles or so. One day when I find the perfect man (hey Joe didn’t go on this ride, did he?)Ok so I still need the perfect man to father children —
    I am so jelous of the trip can’t wat to hear about it.
    jas

  48. ooooh another book. By the way, I was in a great independant book store here in Halifax that carries your book and the staff person said that I should come back and talk to the owner about trying to get you to come out here for a book signing. So, I haven’t given up hope yet of a harlot signing and sighting here in eastern Canada.

  49. Welcome Home to Us! But what a vixen not to mention what your knitting projects were… hopefully not all 2nd socks. I am committed to getting bookbookbookII at the local book store… will call them tomorrow. Enjoy your bed πŸ™‚

  50. Welcome home! BookbookbookII has been preordered and I await semi-patiently for it to arrive in Arizona.
    And I fervently hope you manage to make it to Phoenix on your next /yarn/ book crawl for more than just a run thru the airport!

  51. Am so in favor of girls doing Hard Things.
    I used to go to a Girl Scout camp every summer – the kind where the latrines were a half-mile apart and we had weird wild animal incursions from time-to-time. I started as a camper and eventually became a counselor so I wouldn’t have to stop going.
    I look back on those times often, and any time I smell damp forest or wood smoke or lake shores, I get all nostalgic and wistful for my camp days all over again.
    And all that time of starting fires with wet wood, or cooking bacon in a foil-lined shovel over a fire (yeah, I can’t believe we didn’t burn the world down either), or teaching girls to sail when I’d just gotten a crash-course in it that morning, or any of the dozens of crazy things we used to do that seemed so utterly normal… well, now when someone says, “Oh gosh, we really need this brochure laid out in this computer program you’ve never seen before,” I kinda shrug and say, “Okay. Give me some time to mess with it and I’ll figure it out.”

  52. You are SO right about giving your daughters the gift of knowing they are capable of meeting challenges… I have had the pleasure and honor to see this time and again as I worked the past eight summers as an outdoor leader with kids. You are giving them the best tools to face this uncertain world with (and camping is so much FUN, too!).

  53. You know I often wonder what people think when they see me knitting. Most often they say something inane like “knit one, pearl two” as if all knitting was ribbing! Some must make assumptions like -there is an old fashioned woman- and assume they know me. Boy are they wrong. I was so proud to read your comments about growing strong women. Knitting was one of those things that taught me I could do anything as I learned to knit by myself from books. Women who knit are not all ‘little old Ladies’ and there are many who would be surprised as to who exists behind the knitting.
    Bravo on the new book. You keep writing girl and we will keep wanting to read!!!

  54. I hope you will give us some details about where you rode. My family loves to bike and would love more kid friendly routes. Did you ride the “famous” bike trail of Quebec? How do I find out more about that?

  55. Good morning indeed! Wednesday I put in an order for your new book. Checking my order status just now (8am MDT Friday) status eads “backordered”. I’d like to think it means the first printing is sold out before it hits the stores, and I believe that’s possible. Congratulations on your marvelous accomplishments (sounds of standing ovation go on and on and on and . . .)
    cena

  56. Wow- what a bike trip! I’ve actually forgotten how to ride a bike (and they say that can’t be done!) Thanks for mentioning the hurricane- from what I’ve read its beyond horrible down there- and many thanks to those who’ve set up fundraising. Now, to find a copy of the I-know-it-will-be-wonderful-book!

  57. Welcome Back, you were really missed. I for one can’t wait to get my hands on the new book. Loved your comments on your daughters, makes me wish that I had done that for mine.

  58. I don’t think sitting on the front steps is too obvious…I would be sitting at the post office if I was you! πŸ™‚
    Congrats on the new bookbookbook!

  59. you mean you aren’t blogging from the front porch steps awaiting the posts arrival? I know that’s where I’d be.
    (I have lost track of time and am now very excited about my next new nonmedical book purchase; I packed my bookbookbook up so that it was nice and safe (it was signed afterall and needed to be protected from harm) and now I can’t find it….)

  60. My mother made us start doing volunteer work when we were old enough (I was 12 when I started) and start working as soon as we were old enough for that. (I got to keep my paycheques, it was just on principle.) Of course I resented it at that age, but I was glad when I was older to have had to learn that expectation, that it was normal to work for what you want, even if someone else is in a position to buy it for you. I think your daughters will be similarly grateful for what you are giving them. πŸ™‚

  61. Welcome home – there really is nothing like that first night sleeping once again in ones own bed with ones own things about! Congratulations on being willing to raise strong fearless daughters and kudos on your newest book. Okay – now that crazy idea of knitting on a Macy’s float for Thanksgiving is not really dopey at all is it?????? And regarding the Thanksgiving – you would be able to celebrate 2!!! If you can share the receipe for the carrot casserole you would even have something fab on the table to dine on to boot – Anyhow thanks Rams for her lively posts, but I am glad you returned with your witty and lovely knitty thoughts!

  62. Welcome home! Bravo to you and yours for all that bike riding, what an accomplishment! AND A NEW BOOK!?! I love the cover, did you design it? Can’t wait til it’s out (well, actually I guess I will have to). I still smile when I think about your very entertaining visit to Vancouver. I hope the new book will bring you back our way (perhaps in the Spring)?

  63. I thought you might find it amusing to know that i picked up a copy of At Knits End at my LYS the other day. My LYS is in the tiny little market town of Olney, in the middle of the English countryside. Your book really does get everywhere! πŸ™‚

  64. Hi Stef — the trip sounds great and I, for one, think it is obvious (even just from your blog) that your girls will know about being strong, capable people.
    On another note, my Canadian acquaintances all refer to the US as “the richest nation in the world,” but one was suprised I was talking about poor school districts. “Why” he asked, if it is the richest country is the world.” Good question. But that money does not go to the poor, and New Orleans, such an interesting city, also had a significantly sized population of the desperately poor. Who are now refugees. In the richest country in the world. It is heartbreaking.

  65. I live here in Houston (I keep dreaming that your book tour will make it down here!) and I am collecting knitted goods to distribute to the victims through the local relief agencies. I especially want to collect baby bootees at first because the children need them the most right now. But anything at all is welcome.
    Please help to spread the word. I’ve posted about it a lot on my site, now I’m trying to get the news out. If you can’t donate money, this is one way for knitters all over to donate time.
    Thanks for your help!

  66. Minneapolis! Pleasepleaseplease! I’ll find a place for you to stay, feed you and find treats. The Minneapolis/St Paul area has over a dozen yarn stores….
    In fact, my sister and I carry some yarn in our bead store. I should call your publisher….

  67. I LOVE your reasoning for doing the family bike trip and think it’s absolutely true. Last year, I hiked up a mountain for the first time and I was surprised at how proud I was when I reached the top. It really made me think that I could handle any life challenge that came because, dammit, I already climbed a mountain and what’s harder than that? Your girls will be thankful someday.

  68. How marvelous! A new book for me! I’m still enjoying your first book: one or two bites while I wait for downloads on my laptop. I finally heard your podcast with my birthday i-pod. What fun! My FO list has at least doubled since I found your encouraging voice. We all need more Yarn Harlot!

  69. Hey girl, I think it’s cool that you have taken your daughters on such trips. Not that I would have ever liked camping, even as a child, but going about like that is WONDERFUL!!!!! It teaches the kids so much and makes them braver ever time. Not to mention the ability to be alone with a loving family without the distraction of telephones, TVs, computers, etc. It’s a fine time to learn all the family stories your dad told you as a child. That is something I find invaluable as an old woman with no family left and few friends left. To be able to remember that once I had a family that had been a family for generations is good and will be good for your kids too. So congrats. It’s a great thing you did.
    Ann

  70. Hi Steph, just a little note to say I really hope you’re alright and that you’ve momentarily disappeared due to new-book euphoria and that no disaster has struck. LoL.

  71. Loved your first book, Stephanie, but could you please give us the link to amazon.CA or chapters.ca as well as the American link to your new book?
    Kate

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