Home,home,home.

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The sock and I left Pittsburgh (which we actually thought was very pretty. I mean, you don’t think “pretty” when you hear “steeltown”, but it’s been 30 years since Pittsburgh had steel and the city is lush, green and filled with rivers and bridges.) and headed for home.

We couldn’t stop looking for home.

Lookingforhome-1

We were ecstatic to find it (and may have cracked a nice cold Canadian beer to celebrate).

Muchbette4R

This trip is remarkable in many ways. For the first time, I think I managed. It’s not that I don’t know how to travel (well, maybe it is) but I’ve always travelled with family. Joe knows half of the stuff and I know half of the stuff and when I need to know all of the stuff by myself….let’s just say I have a new respect for Joe’s half of the stuff.

(One of the Joe’s things is luggage. I have to tell you that after slogging an enormous suitcase, the Remote Blogging System and my backpack through several airports that I have a new and grateful attitude toward this extraordinary contribution.) Knowing and doing all the stuff all the time is exhausting. Also remarkable is that this is the first leg of the tour where all parties concerned feel like they coped. Joe and the girls got on really well, totally getting their groove together. Also pretty unique is that this is the first time that I have got home that Joe has not met me with flowers in the airport. I take this as an incredible sign, since he didn’t have time to get flowers because he was washing the kitchen floor instead. Joe may finally be catching on to the ideas behind the quote “No man has ever been shot while doing the dishes.”

Finally, this trip is remarkable because the house is trashed, the laundry is mountainous, there is no food in the place…

and not one of us cares, not even a little bit. Not one. We are happy. We are together in our home, we are knitting Birch.

Maybe

Oh wait…maybe that last one is just me.

66 thoughts on “Home,home,home.”

  1. welcome back home
    maybe that last is just you but they are knitting with you in spirit I’m sure

  2. Go, you! Welcome home! It’s okay to have a messy house – it’s *your* house, and I bet it feels good to be back in it. 🙂

  4. Stephanie,
    I so enjoy your blog. It’s so nice to live vicariously through you and the sock.
    We are about to begin our annual summer journey. Last year it was the east coast of the US and up into Canada (New Brunswick, to Nova Scotia, to PEI, back to NB, to Montreal and then to (Toronto) Ontario. This year it will be up into the west coast of Canada into Alaska and back down. I’ve already started packing yarn and needles. Don’t worry…I am well aware that there are yarn shops along the way, but I want to be prepared in case I don’t find anything to buy.
    Although traveling is fun while one is doing it, it is sooo nice to come home.
    Cheers to you.

  6. welcome home!
    I also recently had the joyful experience of being able to return to Canada (as my home) from the States. This is new to me, as I am a relatively recent escapee from the US. I LOVE being able to come home to Canada!
    Pittsburgh was my first home though, and while I didn’t live there for very long, I still write of myself as being “Steel City” born. I’m so glad you found it pretty.
    Wishing your tour would bring you to Vancouver,

  7. AAAHH yes Mr. Rogers! he was my husband’s babysitter’s neighbor. (beat that!!)
    He also went to school in the school building I used to work at in Latrobe!! It sure is Mr. Rogers neighbourhood!
    Glad to hear you have survived this leg of the trip.. I havn’t heard yet whether my sis in law or mum in law got to see you there in Greensburg!
    If not.. their loss!

  8. Yo, Steph —
    Isn’t it marvellous to be home? I went to Chicago last week, and while I had a wonderful time at my book exhibition (schmoozed mightily, signed many copies of book at high speed), it felt SO good to get through Canada Customs and know “I’m back.” Nothing against the dear old U.S. of A., but home is Good.
    Molly

  9. It’s good to know that you are getting the hang of the touring thing, and the family is getting the hang of the doing-without-Stephanie thing, because tour number two will start in the fall, no? (I see that your new book is already listed on Amazon.)
    Congrats on returning home to your family. 😉
    p.s. does Birch like fried pickles with her beer?

  11. Birch looks lovely… what a pretty, Birch-y color!
    I love the Pittsburgh airport (fly into it every year to visit my dad’s family) and the Mr Rogers display… the city has changed so much since I lived there, I think it is such a lovely green place now!
    I also love hometown pride beer… Rolling Rock (Latrobe, PA- that Pittsburgh thing) and Pete’s Wicked Ale- from Palo Alto, CA- where I lived in Jr high and high school (mom and brothers still live there). What is a good Canadian beer?

  12. Lovely color for your Birch. I’m sure all the traveling is fun, but nothing beats that feeling when you walk through the door and you realize you’re home.

  13. Welcome home! I say who cares how messy stuff is, you’re together. As long as you’re enjoying yourself who cares about the laundry 🙂

  14. The picture of the sock looking out the airplane window…priceless. It actually looks *wistful*.
    Welcome home.

  15. I blame you for my current sock fixation. I was just fine. I was happily knitting Other Things. And then you and your sock just went and got me thinking… “hmmmmm…. I wonder if I could knit a sock of my very own?” Well I’ve discovered that knitting A Sock invariably means that you must knit Another Sock to match.
    Did I mention, I blame you? You, sock vector, you.

  16. It sounds like everyone has grown a little from this book tour of yours!!! GO HARLOTS!!!! I’m glad you’re home now though… It’s cheezy, but *true*… “There’s no place like hoooome” 🙂 {{gag}}
    That birch looks sooooo pretty. Makes me wanna make one!

  17. As a Western PA-er for whom the nearest metropolis is Pittsburgh (The nearest city would be Altoona) I feel the need to assert that Pittsburgh is, in fact, gorgeous.
    And, as a Portland, OR transplant, I would love to know if you can confirm a location for your PDX visit…

  18. Yay you’re home! Get some rest, for heaven’s sake. Just reading about all the travel you’re doing is exhausting. *G* I think it’s so wonderful, and so amazing how your bookbookbook is taking you to all kinds of new places. But I can tell home is definitely where your heart is, and I think it’s fantastic. Thanks for doing all this traveling so your readers AND the sock get to live vicariously!

  20. I once read something on the refrigerator of the staff breakroom at an old folk’s home. I can’t remember quite how it went anymore, but it was something to the effect of how hugs and love last longer than a clean home. And sometimes I wish my mother subscribed more to that theory. 😉
    Take it easy, enjoy the knitting, enjoy the beer, and welcome home.

  21. I’m new to your blog – love it and am ploughing my way through all the archives!!
    On page 112 you list 5 things to keep in your knitting bag – I’ve made it six as At Knit’s End will now and ever more be in my knitting bag so at those moments of total insanity I know I am not alone!!!!
    Keep on spreading the word

  23. It’s nice when no one cares that the house is messy. My Pop used to say “if the kid wants a hug, drop the mop and leave the dirty floor and give him one. Tomorrow he’ll be too busy to hug anyone, but your floor won’t be too busy for the mop”. And of course the family is happy you’re knitting Birch, again my Pop “if Mom’s happy that’s the most important thing. When she’s happy, everyone is happy.”
    Barb B.

  27. Hi Stephanie…I bet you are glad to be back home! Home is a good thing! I know your family must have missed you terribly.
    I enjoyed so much meeting you in Greensburg. It very lovely evening.
    You are soooo entertaining!!
    Judi

  29. “No man has ever been shot while doing the dishes.”
    I have to remember this when my boyfriend refuses to do his dishes.

  33. Welcome home. Enjoy the beginning of summer. I miss Canadian beer, I am sure the sock enjoys the change in flavour. Birch is absolutely beautiful, maybe I should start a lace project.

  35. watching Lady Hawk and reading the yarn harlot.
    in a minute i’ll be over there, (pointing at the couch) knitting happily along on the white feather and fan sox i’m working on.
    i just steppin in here to tell you i just saw your second book ready for pre order on Amazon and to tell you it’s your fault i’m knitting sox again. (three pair in progress, no explaination necessary for that one) and to gell you that i have a long over due piece of embroderie UFO “so settle down cobwebs and dust go to sleep; i’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep”
    plus, birch and the shadowy hosta, how lovely.
    marie in florida
    where it is full on summer , hot.

  36. I’m glad you’re home safe and sound and had a good trip. I think the one thing I always appreciate when I get home from a trip is my family (husband and dog for me). It’s nice to realize that I miss them – makes me feel like we’re doing something right. The other side is to know that they missed you too – gives me that warm fuzzy feeling. Who cares about the dishes or the laundry when you’ve got your family. That stuff will get done eventually. Birch is looking lovely. Will you knit the whole thing on straight needles (I know you prefer them)?

  37. Isn’t it grand to be home? Enjoy your family and your home and don’t worry about the mess. For most of my life I was completely neurotic about mess and dirt. However, when I became a single mom of two, I realized that I could either have a clean house or happy kids. Obviously, I opted for the latter, and even though I cringe when I step in something sticky, I’m getting more and more zen about it (and lord knows knitting helps with getting to that zen place too!).
    Birch looks incredible. You’re amazing.

  38. While travelling I am always reminded why it would be nice to have a valet/slave to take care of everything so I can attend to the truly important things such as sitting and knitting and watching interesting people. Aren’t there special holding areas for people like me to knit and yak and have far too much coffee in? Hmmm. Stephanie, please tell me (probably again for the umpteenth time) where the Birch pattern can be seen/found? Enjoy your clean kitchen floor. Mine gets that intimate sort of cleaning when my labrador retreiver retrieves giant pots of soup or chili from the back burner of the stove! I find things I’ve never wanted to ever see and can’t believe are IN MY HOUSE!! No dead mice or anything, just amazing crud! Sounds enticing doesn’t it?

  39. Welcome home, bambina! It’s always my favorite part of the trip, being back in my own space with my things =)

  40. Welcome home!!!!
    Hope you can take a day or two before re-establishing your relationship with Mr Washie.

  41. Is that hosta in your garden? Is that final proof that *all* that snow is long gone by now?
    Promise that you’ll celebrate and rest a great deal before even thinking of hitting your head on the top bunk bed!

  43. Mmmm, beer, summer, knitting in the gardenous backyard… welcome home and thanks for reminding me what’s important in life. My 20’s were spent with Labatts and Molsons… wonder if I can get them in NY? BTW, Birch is really lovely, fantastic color, stunning pattern… I’m not often moved to think of knitting an airy shawl, but you may have caught me with this one.

  45. Two words Steph: ROAD MANAGER.
    Go to your publisher and tell them that’s what you want, a Road Manager. This is the person that takes care of all those little details like your luggage and getting your car and checking you into your hotel and making sure you get to your signings on time and….ad infinitum.
    You’ve got another book coming out that’s sure to be a smash hit, throw a harloty hissy fit the likes of which only a sock-posing, limo-riding yarn Harlot could and tell them Team Harlot needs a Road Manager.
    Just think, all that time saved could be better spent on purchasing $4/km yarn. Ohhh that makes me think, another great thing your RM could do for you: arrange for transport for all that new yarn…..

  46. I’ll take a man who mops the floor over a man who buys me flowers any day.
    Hope you’re getting upgraded to 1st class you jetsetter you. Nice Birch.

  48. Ahhh, so *that’s* what you were waving at the intractable AmTrak employees. They should have been much more impressed much sooner! The Army men were in awe, I am certain. Glad you are back safe at home and able to kick back with a cold one — “You’ve earned it” just doesn’t do justice. Oh, yeah, and my husband is telling his friends about your visit to Philly — you are that caliber of storyteller/commedienne. Brava.

  51. Welcome Home, Steph! While in the ‘Burgh, did you happen to go to Primanti’s for a huge monster sandwich with cole slaw and french fries in it? Truly an experience.
    I like the Birch, too. What yarn, what yarn?

  53. Glad to see you’ve instituted the early stages of re-entry therapy. As an experienced lactation consultant (or don’t they recommend “Snooze and booze” any more?) you are no doubt aware of the B vitamins in beer (or “liquid bread” as my friend Sarah used to call it) and have our blessing, which will be a weight off your mind. Knitting therapy counts, too (am I the only one low enough to admit being amused that tree approves of Birch? Nepotism) We are glad enough to have you back not to point out that these postings are glossing over the actual day of your return and what you were not doing on Tuesday. We’ll just spin right past that (though my first draft might not have, but ply me with wine and I’ll overlook a lot. Hark — what’s that? I think I’ll gan-see.)

  54. Does this mean Birch got to do some international travelling as well, or does that honor still only go to the sock?

  55. beautiful- just beautiful
    hope you enjoyed philly.
    sorry i couldnt make it up but the wee one was not being cooperative or supportive or mummys needs to see the yarn harlot

  56. Seems like many around blog-land are knitting birch, but who can blame them it’s a very becoming pattern.

  57. Some days there’s no place like home…. My weather monitor says 28 degrees in Toronto! That is a 30 degree turnaround on January!

  58. I’m so glad you liked Pittsburgh. Most folks don’t know how lovely it has become since the mills shut down. I was born there, and though we left when I was only a year old it has always meant Grandma’s House to me, and so is special.
    When I was a little kid and we were living far away, I used to think it was weird that the only people on earth I knew who sounded like my Pennsylvania relatives were the people in Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood.
    Buying your own flowers is more fun than mopping your own floor. Boy, is that guy a keeper.

  60. I just recognized the Birch pattern. It is (or is very very similar to) the leaf in a baby bonnet pattern published in Piecework a few years ago. I enjoyed that pattern – it wasn’t hard to learn at all. I always wondered how it would look in a lightweight lace (I had only done it in baby yarn for a denser fabric). Now I know it’s gorgeous. And your hostas are perfect!

  62. Well, I am glad you are home-DH still wants to show you his guns if you ever come to Alabama. He offered to shoot my skein of sock yarn after it tied itself in several big ol’ knots. Anyway, it is all your fault that I ordered a skein of Fleece Artist Merino sock yarn in Japanese Maples after I heard your Knitcast. DH got to hear you say “about.” And people say WE have accents.

  63. :::raising my beer::: Welcome home, Stephanie! Cheers to another trip under your belt!
    Birch is fabulous. LOVE the color.

  64. Crying out loud, guys, enough with Fred Rogers (bless his soul.) Annie Dillard is from Pittsburgh! Strut!!!

  65. Actually, Lynne of Oz, if Steph got January temps like we did in Ottawa, that’s a 60 degree turnaround! We can stretch that to 70 degrees most years.
    I’m reminding myself of the joys of living here.
    Gimme a minute.
    Oh, yeah, the view of green forest out my office window. The cardinals that love my backyard.
    The drifts of grey snow in March. Stop it!!!

  66. The shot of the Rosie’s Yarn Cellar gang makes me think maybe we need to have the world’s first really grand yarn store with stained glass windows and whatnot. A Cathedral of Knitting.
    I’d like a big Gothic rose window over the door with Elizabeth Zimmerman’s face in the center. Complete with halo.

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