tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85607283024937107302024-03-13T06:51:05.131-04:00Ponderings... about Life, Family, Friends & QuiltingHowdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895833780094335534noreply@blogger.comBlogger488125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560728302493710730.post-89840215785104728782015-04-02T08:58:00.001-04:002015-04-02T08:58:43.489-04:00Tap, Tap, Tap... Y'all Still Here?Oh my... more than 6 months... so much has happened... and there is more to come!<br />
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Just a quick update from last August.<br />
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We released our dog from her misery... hardest thing we have done... ever. We are truly an empty nest for the first time in our lives. And just thinking about it now makes me want to cry again... and believe me when I say we both cried buckets full for several weeks - and then a few more.<br />
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My in-laws house: I got it cleaned. I got it cleaned out. I sent all the stuff off with with an auction house... and they sent my MIL a check. Could not have been easier - well easier than a tag sale! Then we got the inside painted and the carpet cleaned and then it was put on the market the end of October. It sold and we closed the beginning of March. Glad that is done!<br />
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Late October I joined my daughter in Germany for 6 weeks while she had surgery! We enjoyed our visit together and took advantage of our being in Europe and made a side trip to Paris! I would quickly go back to Germany... I loved it there!<br />
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The holiday's were very quiet as I had just returned home... and had no energy for anything else. Those couple weeks of rest and quiet were more important that I knew.<br />
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The new year brought a new job for my husband (standard for a contractor to change jobs every 1.5 to 2 years). This will be a longer term job and because of that we began looking for a change of address to position us closer to his work.<br />
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Which has led us to today... just a few days away from closing on a new (to us) house.<br />
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My brain is at best... scrambled eggs! <br />
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Fortunately we can have some overlap between the two houses... which will allow us to move out of this one and into that one and then get this one cleaned up and fixed up and put on the market. I feel like all I've done over the past year is clean, organize, pack and move.<br />
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Just another month or two and I hope to be back here on a more regular basis... if anyone is still here listening to me talk out loud!<br />
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One picture to share... I bought a hat while in Paris! What do you think?<br />
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<br />Howdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895833780094335534noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560728302493710730.post-23055956534105566432014-08-20T12:58:00.001-04:002014-08-20T12:58:21.832-04:00New and Improved…<p>Well OK… not improved… but new none the less.</p> <p><font face="Cambria">Hmmmm…. ?</font></p> <p><font face="Cambria">When I started Live Writer just now to write a post it said there was a problem the last time it shut down and I could recover what I had lost…? OK…</font></p> <p><font face="Cambria">So the New and Improved title was there as well as that first sentence… </font></p> <p><font face="Cambria">I have no earthly idea where I was going with that. Truly not a clue what I was referring to…</font></p> <p><font face="Cambria">Today I also picked up a small bottle of spray (unlabeled) and couldn’t remember what or why I had mixed it up… again not a clue. I vaguely remember putting the bottle there with a mental note to label it. I guess I should have used a Sharpie for that mental note. I know I was making up a bunch of other stuff (that I promptly labeled) but this bottle… nope. I can smell that it’s got some Lavender in it – but I have a Lavender Spray I use upstairs so I wouldn’t need another. But it has more than Lavender in it… I’m just not sure what… </font></p> <p><font face="Cambria">As I’m sitting here pondering… I don’t remember mixing anything and yet this bottle has stuff in it… I wonder… let me check something…</font></p> <p><font face="Cambria">OK – I’m not crazy (well - yeah I know that’s debatable). It’s some of the First Aid Spray I made up… has Lavender, Cypress, and Melaleuca alternifolia. I wanted a bottle for down here in the kitchen. OK - y’all are in charge of remembering that… LOL At least until I get a label made.</font></p> <p><font face="Cambria">Things have been busy here…</font></p> <p><font face="Cambria">I’ve been working (not nearly hard enough I think) at getting my in-laws house cleared out and ready to sell. A decision has to be made on the furniture – and as much as I hate garage sales (I’d rather run naked up the highway) it might just be the best way to move what little they have. Nothing special, nothing name brand, but the couch is new and the rest of it is gently used. She also has one of those riding mobility carts that she never rode. It’s a heavy duty one for outdoors – my FIL got it for my MIL so she could go out and get the mail – but she was afraid of it and never… NEVER used it. Still has tags hanging off it. Maybe I should check out Craigs List? I’ve just never done that kinda stuff before… so ughhh! Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!</font></p> <p><font face="Cambria">I did get most everything boxed up and sorted at the house… I had someone come out to clean the windows that hadn’t been opened in probably 20 years! The landscaping has been done and looks great – I just have to go around and kill the Canadian Thistle that keeps popping up. A new dishwasher was installed and other plumbing fixed. We have someone scheduled to come out to topcoat the driveway. And I have someone all set to paint when we are ready… it’s kinda like moving… but not.</font></p> <p><font face="Cambria">Kara and the kids came… and went all too quickly! Wonderful visit with her and the kids. We mostly hung out here at the house but the kids did get to go to a friends house and ride a horse. Great adventure – even the little guy got to ride. They also spent some time out in the shop with Pops doing some simple woodworking which they enjoyed, and we did some cooking together in the kitchen.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LqDzc4LYeHA/U_TTliVZShI/AAAAAAAAEIY/VbagBreBREg/s1600-h/Trip%252520to%252520Lauras%252520%2525281%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Trip to Lauras (1)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Trip to Lauras (1)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IyX5RMRtZUo/U_TTmu6GLaI/AAAAAAAAEIg/kEEuM6VbYpk/Trip%252520to%252520Lauras%252520%2525281%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="139" height="244"></a></p> <p><font face="Cambria">Here is a silly picture I took while we were waiting for the train for their trip home. They booked a sleeper for the ride home – left out of Wilmington just after 5 pm and got into Charleston, SC right around 5 AM. Love the train! </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VFMYs7OpCUQ/U_TTn0tfJiI/AAAAAAAAEIo/oFRyHctsd7Y/s1600-h/Train%252520station%252520%2525281%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Train station (1)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Train station (1)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XFmePH8umj8/U_TTpJVFnsI/AAAAAAAAEIw/kkOb7bNqO58/Train%252520station%252520%2525281%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><font face="Cambria">Our dog has been suffering from some sort of Kidney failure… not sure what kicked it off at the beginning of the summer but after a 2 night stay in the hospital getting fluids, special dog food, many checkup trips to the Vets, essential oils to support kidney function, and lots of love and attention… she still has problems with her kidneys. No we never did the $$$ ultrasound – because what ever it would show she’s 16… and has lived a good long life, a fairly healthy long life until now. </font></p> <p><font face="Cambria"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IZwFPI-hE9I/U_TTqLblnZI/AAAAAAAAEI4/D2wOhzrIt5A/s1600-h/Toot%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Toot" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Toot" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gQ3O5XYkQ9I/U_TTqrq8EzI/AAAAAAAAEJA/VIi0GlCl0o0/Toot_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></font></p> <p><font face="Cambria">After her 2 days at the hospital getting fluids and a second round of antibiotics she was starving again – I had to mix a can of green beans in with her can of KD dog food and for several weeks that was spectacular. Then she decided she didn’t like the green beans so we stopped those… and she was eating less again. Then she didn’t like that food (WHAT – I still have a case and a half) and now she doesn’t like the ‘best sounding with the most natural ingredients in it’ dog food we had been giving her as a little treat to supplement. The old cookie bones are of no interest… so we picked up new cookie bones and yesterday I cooked up some hamburger & potatoes that she’s liking so far. But she won’t take any of her pills (She has been on Glucosamine & Chondroitin for about 10 years and that has kept her mobile with no aches and pains.) and that means all her old age aches and pains are starting to bother her – her back legs gave out earlier today. We have fluids to give her under the skin – but the last time we did that it didn’t seem to improve her much… so… I made an appointment for Thursday – you know… that ‘last appointment’. I’ve been waffling today – called and changed the appointment to next Tuesday and when I walked in to check on her she I found that she had thrown up on her bed. So I called back – apologized for being crazy and reset my appointment for Thursday… tomorrow. I know it is the right thing to do.</font></p> <p><font face="Cambria">I haven’t been doing any sewing since the retreat… but I have swap blocks to make so it’s on my agenda. My daughter did ask where I was on Keanu’s quilt. ‘The beginning’ I told her… but then she wanted to see… so I had to explain that I meant the beginning as in I hadn’t started yet. So there is that to do. He’s 3… I need to get it <strike>done!</strike> started!</font></p> <p><font face="Cambria">I’ve been researching and using Essential Oils for us here at home. I’ve been very intrigued and have found that I can spend hours reading over things. We’ve got a few things that have significantly helped my husband with his aches and pains, and a few things that I use to help with sleep, my knee, my mood, and to motivate me on those days I’d just as well sit and do nothing. I am even considering getting certified in Aromatherapy… but that would happen down the road because I just don’t have the 240+ hours it would take right now. In the mean time I’m enjoying learning and starting to share what I’ve learned. Another time I’ll tell y’all what we are doing and how it has helped… but right now… I need to end this rambling, never ending babble and get some other things done… like make a label. LOL</font></p> <p><font face="Cambria"></font></p> Howdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895833780094335534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560728302493710730.post-1480442375875576882014-08-01T11:28:00.001-04:002014-08-01T11:28:42.320-04:00Look Who’s Riding the Train…<p>And coming to visit Granny and Pop’s!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0uttZglXdfY/U9uyIsnKPuI/AAAAAAAAEHw/EPuY180Dpyg/s1600-h/Train%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="Train" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Train" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BMWlATIvw5E/U9uyKGdj_hI/AAAAAAAAEH0/a9hMuHAVIz0/Train_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>I pick them up in Wilmington tonight!</p> <p>Last minute decision (Tuesday) for them to come up for a week to visit before school starts for them. So it’s been a busy couple days to get organized for them to be here – good thing they are coming right after my Mini-Retreat… the house is already mostly clean and organized! LOL Just a few kid proofing/prepping things to do and we are all set.</p> Howdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895833780094335534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560728302493710730.post-30035538746425799982014-07-24T09:16:00.001-04:002014-07-24T09:16:47.318-04:00It Doesn’t Get Any Better…<p>A gathering of friends… quilting friends… over several days – it just doesn’t get any better than that!</p> <p>My annual (6 years now!) summer mini retreat has come and gone all too quickly – but the memories remain and I know I am looking forward to next year for many reasons.</p> <p>I think we have a nice mix of people – Some of us have been friends for more than a decade… (gosh now I’m starting to feel old) and some for just a few years… but when we come together it’s all about sharing our knowledge, talents, and friendships. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-R9njodThBVM/U9EGxqrzqcI/AAAAAAAAEEQ/P7CFn9A8dlg/s1600-h/Group%252520photo%2525202014%252520%2525281%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Group photo 2014 (1)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Group photo 2014 (1)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-coEBD3NsURo/U9EGzR3EZ3I/AAAAAAAAEEU/tgeysptW7l4/Group%252520photo%2525202014%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="266"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PTXCxMegmZk/U9EGz6DJb4I/AAAAAAAAEEg/PSAd_lg63FI/s1600-h/HoeDown%2525202012%25255B32%25255D.jpg"><img title="HoeDown 2012" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="HoeDown 2012" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rvHE5pDMGvY/U9EG00oHzoI/AAAAAAAAEEk/Ct33X54k5U8/HoeDown%2525202012_thumb%25255B36%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="86" align="left" height="118"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Our best intentions never seem to remind us to get a group photo until after someone has left… so I cropped a picture of her out of a group photo from another year!</p> <p>Our Challenge this year was to use a color – shading of that color – to show shape or movement in their project. We set a 36” minimum size and here are our entries. Although everyone seemed to have a busy year we had a good showing – many projects completed at the very last minute!</p> <p>This was a stunning entry – inspired from a photograph of the splash-down of a flamingo in a pond… complete with beads for the water splash. The second photo shows the birds head partially submerged.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8EEp7e83kyw/U9EG2IdZ39I/AAAAAAAAEEs/LcAjQnUgK2o/s1600-h/Flamingo%252520%2525285%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="Flamingo (5)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Flamingo (5)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9d2CTXp6b8A/U9EG2iy_04I/AAAAAAAAEE4/A0beLGpEyGQ/Flamingo%252520%2525285%252529_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="537"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-J203CqG4Ong/U9EG4EC4pBI/AAAAAAAAEFA/0sL_1EMCPfA/s1600-h/Flamingo%252520%2525282%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Flamingo (2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Flamingo (2)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KFBps6HIFwQ/U9EG4i3Qd_I/AAAAAAAAEFI/mK8qYva9-qQ/Flamingo%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="537"></a></p> <p>A landscape to ponder…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-K1uRi4ujSPc/U9EG57DhVYI/AAAAAAAAEFQ/PRyUMbBUl60/s1600-h/Cheryl%252520%2525281%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Cheryl (1)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Cheryl (1)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gxx5Yn2yQ-M/U9EG61Q92eI/AAAAAAAAEFU/pVznwKeUhRI/Cheryl%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="326"></a></p> <p>Someone worked outside the box…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RUR94hwsGjw/U9EG8xiWzmI/AAAAAAAAEFg/UWYhsA7jZ5g/s1600-h/George%252520%2525281%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="George (1)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="George (1)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IYHJ9SuEDog/U9EG-hiEvmI/AAAAAAAAEFo/fWuAWsZQ8ps/George%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="562"></a> </p> <p>by showing the inside of the box.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PiQyOXBfrfA/U9EG_1VxVkI/AAAAAAAAEFs/SPnqiMcC5cU/s1600-h/George%252520%2525282%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="George (2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="George (2)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pC4KKeZfWJw/U9EHA_TXepI/AAAAAAAAEF0/RK8DmiwUvEo/George%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></p> <p>I want to see the light at the end of this tunnel… </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NwT9cOVnu84/U9EHBz-mkII/AAAAAAAAEGA/LHz0T04SjjI/s1600-h/May%252520%2525281%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="May (1)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="May (1)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-s9NuDZofvtg/U9EHCgYc66I/AAAAAAAAEGI/GZN_EOvG0rs/May%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="409"></a></p> <p>Love the pop of color with some hand painted work in the center.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qvpne5Z1KTA/U9EHDxdKYBI/AAAAAAAAEGQ/0Rk0Ag-gof0/s1600-h/Melissa%252520%2525282%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Melissa (2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Melissa (2)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9iASj5p8QRc/U9EHE5V-gVI/AAAAAAAAEGY/ipNJmClLN-o/Melissa%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="416"></a></p> <p>Lovely light table cloth with the shading in the prairie points that surround it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yEjk_p_FTeA/U9EHGtghOTI/AAAAAAAAEGg/jlMK0xshYXc/s1600-h/Neen%252520%2525281%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Neen (1)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Neen (1)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zbHN6qoby58/U9EHIu84ccI/AAAAAAAAEGo/ktuS12hd2nE/Neen%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></p> <p>Pictures don’t do this justice… she dyed her own fabrics for the shading of the reds.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FgRsHgOOVxY/U9EHJu5xETI/AAAAAAAAEGw/qUNxqW7ct04/s1600-h/Sue%252520%2525281%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Sue (1)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Sue (1)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-69bq2IC4uiQ/U9EHKSU1IqI/AAAAAAAAEG4/JI3-Fg1Kibk/Sue%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="402"></a></p> <p>And last but not least – the winning entry this year! Beautiful undulating work here… and the quilting lines enhance the flow.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0do-LlTzq6s/U9EHLSx1hjI/AAAAAAAAEHA/aLvy91skuQs/s1600-h/Bev%252520%2525281%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bev (1)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Bev (1)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-edM33383l4s/U9EHMAngwuI/AAAAAAAAEHI/6PV003spfi8/Bev%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="411" height="526"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-efbYZl-l910/U9EHNZkJmpI/AAAAAAAAEHM/HvejKm2_sCM/s1600-h/Bev%252520%2525282%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bev (2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Bev (2)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nAbgXhJB6T8/U9EHOgRsMDI/AAAAAAAAEHY/bkjfxietmiI/Bev%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="537"></a></p> <p>I could use the words lovely, beautiful, stunning in describing all of these quilts – I love what my friends create…. such a talented bunch!</p> <p>I am always amazed at how quickly our days together go by. Most folks who travel arrive on Wednesday and leave again on Monday… we sew Thursday through Sunday. There are always a few trips out to this, that, or the other store… and we have even discussed starting a day or two earlier so that they can fit in some more shopping trips around the area.</p> <p>Our weather was spectacular! I live in an old stone house that doesn’t have central air – so we have to rely on individual room units when it’s hot. Some years it’s been miserable – but this year – no AC’s!! It was cool overnight and dry… DRY in July! And the temps only in the 80’s during the day. I couldn’t have planned better weather… if I could plan such a thing.</p> <p>My only regret was not having everyone bring a 5 gallon bucket… so that they could pull weeds to take home… sounds like a good idea huh? LOL</p> <p>Monday after everyone left I ran a couple errands and then took a 2 hour nap. Then Tuesday my handyman helper showed up… so I’ve been out ‘helping’ him pull weeds. I ordered 3 yards of mulch which we will be spreading as soon as the weeds are all out (ha, ha, ha… that’s optimistic huh?) Anyway – he’s out there right now and I’m sitting here… so I’ve gotta go… pull weeds…</p> Howdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895833780094335534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560728302493710730.post-72430159915883397272014-05-22T10:10:00.001-04:002014-05-22T10:10:29.874-04:00Q & A<p>So where have you been?</p> <blockquote> <p>Oh I’ve been right here mostly. Although we did make a trip down to SC to visit the Grandkids in April.</p></blockquote> <p>A road trip?</p> <blockquote> <p>No actually as much as I love to drive we went by train this time. We decided to travel on work days for The Engineer so that he could work while we traveled. The train has WiFi and he was able to get a full day of work in as the miles flew by. We left behind brown grass and bare trees and 11 hours later arrived to green grass, flowers and shady trees!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8XyRZCqjcNY/U34FA8zKnYI/AAAAAAAAEAM/qhCs_TYMuaA/s1600-h/April%25252014%252520Vac%252520%25252821%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 14 Vac (21)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 14 Vac (21)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--ZdabTHSw1o/U34FCCoPbVI/AAAAAAAAEAU/DTRBPL82KUQ/April%25252014%252520Vac%252520%25252821%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q2ObLyGrPdA/U34FD0JPWdI/AAAAAAAAEAc/7EwBZuw2bmQ/s1600-h/April%25252014%252520Vac%252520%25252822%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 14 Vac (22)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 14 Vac (22)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i8cc5nbWgrg/U34FEXEvaTI/AAAAAAAAEAg/xab7mIVDM1g/April%25252014%252520Vac%252520%25252822%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p></blockquote> <p>Wasn’t that boring for you?</p> <blockquote> <p>No actually it wasn’t. I did try to knit but that wasn’t entirely successful so I settled into (re)watching the entire Season 4 of The Walking Dead during the 2 travel days (down & back).</p></blockquote> <p>And how are the Grandkids?</p> <blockquote> <p>They are doing great! Everyone has had a wonderful school or daycare experience this year and are looking forward to summer! We really enjoyed our visit during Spring Break.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hJi1ykj6LpI/U34FFSXLX7I/AAAAAAAAEAs/aUFZHyrA2uw/s1600-h/April%25252014%252520Vac%252520%2525283%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 14 Vac (3)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 14 Vac (3)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aRAQCYPp5iU/U34FGd7JszI/AAAAAAAAEA0/qHCJoo1m2mQ/April%25252014%252520Vac%252520%2525283%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ayKhXxdNeZI/U34FHf2VTzI/AAAAAAAAEA4/10t_AllAYgY/s1600-h/April%25252014%252520Vac%252520%2525284%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 14 Vac (4)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 14 Vac (4)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8MyUKWNXV50/U34FIWuu9hI/AAAAAAAAEBE/xjYQA-GbUUI/April%25252014%252520Vac%252520%2525284%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>So much fun to see the different personalities developing! The youngest boy will be 3 this summer, the older boy was 5 in November and Miss K just celebrated her 10th birthday! We went to the pool a couple times (before cooler weather moved back in),visited the aquarium, shopped the markets in Charleston, ate lots of good food, and just enjoyed watching the kids play!</p></blockquote> <p>You’ve been gone from the blog a long time… you must have made quilts, finished lots of knitting, gotten your spring cleaning done and your garden planted by now!</p> <blockquote> <p>Ummm… Not so much… I wish I could say all those things are done. I’ve done a little knitting – but didn’t finish anything. WAIT – I did finish those <strike>stupid</strike> curtains for our bedroom – no sewing otherwise. For the record I hate sewing lined curtains – 10 panels for 5 windows – augh I am glad that is done. I started getting the gardens in shape - in between the rain – but the WEEDS just may be my undoing! Just this week I bought flowers to put in the raised beds – not much vegetable gardening in my future. And Spring Cleaning… I’ll make a list for next year I think.</p></blockquote> <p>What? No vegetables?</p> <blockquote> <p>I will put in a few tomato plants, a cucumber plant or two for sharing with my neighbor and my strawberry bed is looking good. Nothing else. Our Organic CSA starts this week and I found that last year we had more than enough wonderful veggies all summer for the 2 of us… and I didn’t have to water or weed!</p></blockquote> <p>So you must have been spending all your free time at the gym?</p> <blockquote> <p>Ha! No… and I am certainly paying for it – in more than one way. Apparently (and I have the research to support this) just paying for a gym membership is not enough to maintain your weight. Only thing I’ve been loosing is money. And my knee is starting to complain.</p></blockquote> <p>OK… are you just sitting on the couch and eating bon-bons?</p> <blockquote> <p>Ha… again no! I have been doing a lot of research the past couple months. As part of our trek towards a healthy life style (ignoring the fact I haven’t gone to the gym) we have been looking into the use of Essential Oils. I had done a bit of research back in the late 90’s but mostly to use as an additive for bath oils, soaps, etc. Now I am looking into their use as an alternative to the chemical soup of the “over the counter” drug store products available to us and for supporting our ever maturing bodies! I am not one to jump into things willy nilly… so it’s been a slow cautious journey. I have a pain cream recipe that is doing great things for The Engineers back and we are sleeping better with some different oils applied topically and diffused. We have also had great results fighting seasonal allergies. And I am playing with topical and diffusing blends that are uplifting and energizing. We used a most excellent blend to keep the bugs in SC at bay. I am seriously considering an online course in Aromatherapy… but that will require more research and I’ve really <strike>wasted enough time</strike> run out of time to just sit and read… so that would be something I consider again in the fall.</p></blockquote> <p>Last question today… Are you ready for the Zombie Apocalypse? </p> <blockquote> <p>Yes! I’ve done my research – see question 3 above! And when that time comes… this is the person I will be with. He goes nowhere without his sword! </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rITOvH58FBs/U34FJvDsmnI/AAAAAAAAEBM/2-pa6vt4hGU/s1600-h/April%25252014%252520Vac%252520%2525288%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 14 Vac (8)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 14 Vac (8)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ogSVXB2pNz4/U34FKJtI46I/AAAAAAAAEBU/CWBACdzQErY/April%25252014%252520Vac%252520%2525288%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KyJRYow8tTc/U34FLfFVYhI/AAAAAAAAEBc/IBlLuwnMYcU/s1600-h/April%25252014%252520Vac%252520%2525289%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 14 Vac (9)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 14 Vac (9)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-t2j4GdXFzEU/U34FMMRfyJI/AAAAAAAAEBk/zaLTBAETVYY/April%25252014%252520Vac%252520%2525289%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>He wakes up and asks “where’s my sword”? Pick him up from daycare… “where’s my sword”? Finish with dinner… “where’s my sword”? He often also has a gun tucked into his belt… or pocket… or the waist of his pants and maybe even a saw from the tool box. If his brother has the gun then he makes his own out of Legos (nice to be an armaments master!)</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-z2OiQbNMA-k/U34FNf-aj2I/AAAAAAAAEBs/3OVepdJIYGE/s1600-h/April%25252014%252520Vac%252520%2525287%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 14 Vac (7)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 14 Vac (7)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HSXBFBVKROI/U34FN0Pk9CI/AAAAAAAAEB0/y2eTHDrb3Vw/April%25252014%252520Vac%252520%2525287%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qIiW-z7qC_8/U34FPRxE_eI/AAAAAAAAEB8/xp528otlRO0/s1600-h/April%25252014%252520Vac%252520%25252810%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 14 Vac (10)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 14 Vac (10)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IWE1oYhRcs4/U34FQZEWW3I/AAAAAAAAECA/RwAe67uogxk/April%25252014%252520Vac%252520%25252810%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p> If the lego gun breaks he can quickly re-fashion it. In the best of situations he will have his Power Ranger suit with the built in muscles… he loves his suit! The Easter Egg Hunt in the park had someone making balloon animals for the kids… one got a dog… </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--YkMd0mlRWc/U34FRUe3dpI/AAAAAAAAECM/Nh4On7r1lVY/s1600-h/April%25252014%252520Vac%252520%2525281%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 14 Vac (1)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 14 Vac (1)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_SVgV8mehYs/U34FStxtkuI/AAAAAAAAECU/8cd4nyqVKc0/April%25252014%252520Vac%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="216" height="244"></a></p> <p>the other a machine gun! </p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-886M1u33y0M/U34FUTdzURI/AAAAAAAAECc/l_t_8xIndB8/s1600-h/April%25252014%252520Vac%252520%25252813%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="April 14 Vac (13)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="April 14 Vac (13)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5U82b5_MTgM/U34FU1m2QxI/AAAAAAAAECg/femQWp_1zaE/April%25252014%252520Vac%252520%25252813%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>And when he broke his machine gun – he went and got a balloon sword!</p> <p>So when the Zombie Apocalypse comes… I’m with the little guy!</p></blockquote> Howdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895833780094335534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560728302493710730.post-11736377767084529492014-05-09T20:54:00.001-04:002014-05-09T20:58:52.185-04:00In All This Time…<p>You would think I would have my house clean, the garden and yard in order, some quilting done, some knitting finished…</p> <p>And you would be wrong!</p> <p>But since it’s What’s on The Needles Friday I figured I would show you what I had started a couple weeks ago on our trip to Charleston, SC to visit my daughter and grandkids!</p> <p>We took the train… and you know knitting on a train isn’t the easiest thing to do because they move around a lot more than a car or airplane would. Not that I would knit in a car because I always drive… </p> <p>So I knit a little bit on the way down and pulled it back out for my trip home but this is what happened.</p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:21fbc15b-70a1-4ffa-85de-4462ae4c9f10" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div id="b1328bc8-60a2-407e-a90a-ee5651d3c1f3" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahQmsqdV9rE&feature=youtube_gdata_player" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-U96RsCGP7us/U214oS-GR8I/AAAAAAAAD_4/WHM9EIUxiFs/video16207fe38a0b%25255B26%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('b1328bc8-60a2-407e-a90a-ee5651d3c1f3'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"448\" height=\"252\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/ahQmsqdV9rE?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/ahQmsqdV9rE?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"448\" height=\"252\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p>This is exactly what it looked like with the sunlight filtering through the trees along the tracks… I am guessing this is what ACID was like back in the 60’s/70’s.</p> <p>Needless to say I didn’t get any more knitting done on that trip (or since). That was another Leftie Shawl using a pretty brown I picked up at Knit Picks and the same little leaf colored yarn I had used before. The Leftie Shawl is available in Ravelry.</p> <p>We had a great visit with the kids, still can’t believe we sat by the pool two days while we were there – and no it wasn’t warm enough for this lady to consider getting wet. Ha!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6Xp7emPnhlk/U214pUMowsI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/7l4lLP7cXcw/s1600-h/2%252520little%252520indians%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2 little indians" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2 little indians" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0kQ0eqjhLqw/U214qAzKIGI/AAAAAAAAD_Y/CaHPIOtDnt4/2%252520little%252520indians_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="182" height="244"></a></p> <p>The boys were chilly after their baths one night so Granny wrapped them up like little Indians.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OO4AQGPuTGw/U214q6WiZBI/AAAAAAAAD_g/oTRQdGt_hh0/s1600-h/Keao%252520Desmond%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Keao Desmond" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Keao Desmond" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XFdSWOEKbnE/U214rf4uMsI/AAAAAAAAD_k/2fSv3QaoZ8s/Keao%252520Desmond_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" height="244"></a></p> <p>And this little one – I can’t believe Miss K is going to be 10 this May!</p> <p>I’ll be back soon with some more of what I’ve been up to… although it’s not all that exciting!</p> <p>Almost forgot – remember to go check out <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2014/05/09/on-the-needles-may-9-2014/">what others are knitting this week</a>…</p> Howdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895833780094335534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560728302493710730.post-30553044045099574062014-03-25T14:09:00.001-04:002014-03-25T14:09:43.063-04:00Shunned…<p>The dictionary defines Shun as: <em><u>persistently avoid, ignore, or reject (someone or something) through antipathy or caution</u></em></p> <p>I am afraid I have reached that point. The point of no return. The point where you decided in your mind that you have had enough of a situation and <em><strong>you decide to take ACTION</strong></em>.</p> <p>I’m done…</p> <p>These boots… are shunned…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2tc3fd7N-14/UzHGSAAcmQI/AAAAAAAAD90/2rSVnts4wKg/s1600-h/shunned%252520%2525284%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="shunned (4)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="shunned (4)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xpUw6nCLVZU/UzHGTUOqNqI/AAAAAAAAD94/51IfYeZg3-A/shunned%252520%2525284%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a></p> <p>Yes these Muckmaster boots have served me well… in fact - too well this year. Keeping my feet warm and comfortable outside in the ‘freezing hiney’ cold for 2, 3 or 4 hours at a time. Snow storm after snow storm after snow storm…</p> <p>And these Jobber boots also from the Muck Boot Company… they are shunned too!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SlLBVHeVEQo/UzHGUlPUVkI/AAAAAAAAD-E/KEYy1iLRKPU/s1600-h/shunned%252520%2525285%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="shunned (5)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="shunned (5)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SPBnWbJa2VM/UzHGVSgqjbI/AAAAAAAAD-I/LAnBPtffEgI/shunned%252520%2525285%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a></p> <p>While out running errands they have provided sure footing on the slush, packed snow and ice… day after day after day…but I’ve had enough of them as well.</p> <p>The various wool hats and gloves… shunned as well…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1WmALl1o7eI/UzHGWXdtdSI/AAAAAAAAD-U/14MkUgUhn5U/s1600-h/shunned%252520%2525281%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="shunned (1)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="shunned (1)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TPSI93mCSEo/UzHGXDr2nCI/AAAAAAAAD-Y/9SZe3gO9kpg/shunned%252520%2525281%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a></p> <p>Yes, yes, yes I know – the warmth has been splendid – especially in the face of those single digit winds… I am however so over you too!</p> <p>And so… un-ceremoniously I deposit you in the shoe bin…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LGbY4EfWTYI/UzHGYP--e6I/AAAAAAAAD-k/CPrUTMrKn2c/s1600-h/shunned%252520%2525282%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="shunned (2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="shunned (2)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Y-FjmTvqVl0/UzHGY-I3fEI/AAAAAAAAD-s/NAyTZ5R2luw/shunned%252520%2525282%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>…and I say to all of this ‘unending winter’ apparell – it’s official… I’m done with you… dismissed, hidden away, shunned…</p> <p>Just as soon as this (hopefully last) nor’easter goes by…</p> Howdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895833780094335534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560728302493710730.post-88526647522672733522014-02-28T14:42:00.001-05:002014-02-28T14:42:04.532-05:00A Knitting Oooops! 2/28/14<p>I’ll be linking up with July L’s <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/">Patchwork Times</a> blog again this week. I had had high hope to show you what progress I made on my socks that were started <strike>at least a year ago… maybe more?</strike> Actually I looked and it’s just a year. Anyway for inspiration please go look at what <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2014/02/28/on-the-needles-february-28-2014/">other are successfully knitting this week</a>.</p> <p>As I said me… not so much inspiration… more like “don’t try this at home”.</p> <p>Lesson: If something doesn’t feel right – STOP right there and figure out why.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oOTrhf79v5o/UxDmiOrKFNI/AAAAAAAAD9Q/We7Zd1UOl5c/s1600-h/2%252520Up%252520Socks%2525204%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="2 Up Socks 4" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2 Up Socks 4" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-K0c4KDBNaAg/UxDmi4m151I/AAAAAAAAD9Y/FZWzxSs0FXw/2%252520Up%252520Socks%2525204_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>So these socks have been sitting patiently waiting. I had gotten the foot part done and set it aside until I could <em>concentrate</em> on doing the gussett… Yes Please Laugh Right Out Loud Here!</p> <p>I was working them 2 at a time on circular needles and had apparently started the increases for the gussets as there were more stitches on one side than the other. OK so I continued increasing… but after a while it was getting kinda snug so I split the increase side onto 2 double pointed needles on each sock. Kept working but decided I really didn’t like the way the increase edges were looking… and then as I neared the last row I took a good look at the directions to make sure I understood what was going to happen next… moving stitches and placing markers and the such. And then I saw it… What I had been working on – the increases – were suppose to alternate with a knit row… A ROW OF PLAIN KNITTING! I hadn’t been doing that row of plain knitting – I had been (and I won’t yell this time but I want to) increasing every row… which is why it was so snug and icky looking. So I had to unknit all those rows. I thought about just pulling the stitches out and trying to pick them up… “trying” being the key word in that phrase. I separated the socks, removed the wrong stitches and have one back to the beginning of the gusset and have started correctly from there. I’ll unknit or “TINK” the other one later. TINK is knit backwards… makes sense huh?! LOL I’ll work on each sock individually until I get the heel done and start the leg then I’ll put them back together on the 2 double pointed needles.</p> <p>I don’t so much mind being lazy and sitting around knitting… but I sure hate it when I realize I’ve even wasted my lazy time!</p> <p>Enough knitting mistakes…</p> <p>My approach to listening to the weather over the past week goes something like this… I stick my fingers in my ears and go “la,la,la,la,la!”. </p> <p>On Thursday when I looked out and saw BIG fluffy flakes from the passing snow shower… I thought to myself “If I have to get the shovel out I am just going to cry!” Fortunately it was indeed a passing snow shower and I didn’t have to get the shovel out or cry. I even went out later to run some errands in the sunshine! Goodness it’s cold again – but it’s cold everywhere these days! Anyway someone the other day said something in passing about the “storm on Monday”. Since I’ve been sticking my fingers in my ears I did not know about the possibility of snow on Monday, hummm?? Then yesterday as I drove through town I went past an intersection where a front end loader was scooping up the snow on the corner and moving it back… way back off the corner. Now we’ve had a few 40 & 50 degree days (just enough to tease us before dropping back to freezing hiney cold again) and there’s been a good amount of melting and compacting of the snow during that time - but it is far from gone. That front end loader moving snow was a bad sign… I sat at that intersection and <strike>wanted to cry</strike> knew I needed to take my fingers outta my ears. Sure enough another storm is on its way… with any kind of luck it will be a couple inches (insert laugh here) or based on the national news report this morning anywhere from 12 to 24 inches.</p> <p>This would have been a really good year to have taken up hibernation as a hobby…</p> Howdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895833780094335534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560728302493710730.post-56548738541125499332014-02-21T08:56:00.001-05:002014-02-21T11:33:36.086-05:00Bluebird of Happiness…<p>Yes and a Cardinal too…</p> <p>If you need a little bit of bright cute color in your life right now you should try knitting up one or a half dozen of these cute little birds.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-56vWtuZTSpM/Uwda9gjqryI/AAAAAAAAD7E/5PjM_NGfp84/s1600-h/Bluebird%252520of%252520Happiness%252520%2525284%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bluebird of Happiness (4)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Bluebird of Happiness (4)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lgHKePORbW4/Uwda-Z4I30I/AAAAAAAAD7M/lXwL6ito4os/Bluebird%252520of%252520Happiness%252520%2525284%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bluebird-of-happiness-2">Bluebird of Happiness</a> is a free Ravelry pattern that knits up so very quickly – you will certainly want to make more than one.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FT5N6okGTHk/Uwda_iaX7GI/AAAAAAAAD7U/qFHCWHLRvDc/s1600-h/Bluebird%252520%2525282%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bluebird (2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Bluebird (2)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ROm2tHFXX1Q/UwdbAAQ0S0I/AAAAAAAAD7Y/GDEHGOwBw34/Bluebird%252520%2525282%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>Here is a picture of one stuffed, a flat finished and a new one in the works.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lkpEnoxozs4/UwdbA6B9myI/AAAAAAAAD7k/-20NCikqB-Q/s1600-h/Bluebird%252520%2525283%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bluebird (3)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Bluebird (3)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Zr42omQAxeU/UwdbBbUvQjI/AAAAAAAAD7o/CQbB7ACVq3w/Bluebird%252520%2525283%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>It’s knit in 2 sections… you start at the neck and stitch towards the tail and then you pick up stitches at the neck and stitch to the beak. The method of M1 the pattern uses (which is the easiest M1 I’ve used to date) <strike>makes the wing line</strike> **I miss stated that – the wraps and short rows in the body section make the wing lines** and the wraps in shaping the head makes the eyes… they are just too cute!</p> <p>I will make a canary next and will get a good measure on the amount of yarn needed. It’s somewhere between 12 and 15 yards of yarn total.</p> <p>I didn’t post last week because The Engineer was off work and at 8:30 in the morning we were back outside to YET AGAIN clear off the driveway. OK – we aren’t talking snow anymore… well except this… the snow came off the porch roof yesterday while I was out picking up groceries. So I had to climb over the 2 foot snow bank to get to the shovel so that I could clear the walk and bring groceries in. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rRem0FmUx5s/UwdbCOBm9qI/AAAAAAAAD70/Vo1r1K6LlBw/s1600-h/roof%252520snow%2525202-20%252520%2525283%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="roof snow 2-20 (3)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="roof snow 2-20 (3)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5yFlZgqmhLU/UwdbCzcbcXI/AAAAAAAAD78/udVbCC2TQYk/roof%252520snow%2525202-20%252520%2525283%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="537"></a></p> <p>The pond is half full of snow… I’ve only seen one of the fish so I’m hoping the others are OK… I didn’t see anybody laying out in the driveway so they weren’t washed out when the avalanche happened.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5nRpLAvkVnQ/UwdbDpnhbYI/AAAAAAAAD8E/PygKZBTp4u4/s1600-h/roof%252520snow%2525202-20%252520%2525281%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="roof snow 2-20 (1)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="roof snow 2-20 (1)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yTPe6PyFb4U/UwdbECYUTcI/AAAAAAAAD8M/RPXUyuyG56o/roof%252520snow%2525202-20%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404"></a></p> <p>Back to knitting… My girl sent me this pic yesterday. Styling the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/leftie">Leftie Shawl</a> which is available thru Ravely but is not free… well worth the money though!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lWN7RQG3zMM/UwdbFPXj-7I/AAAAAAAAD8U/cyNr6iLbzYw/s1600-h/Leftie%252520styling%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Leftie styling" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Leftie styling" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YDGQD3-Znzw/UwdbF3RawoI/AAAAAAAAD8c/vHBVS_qZrnM/Leftie%252520styling_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="389"></a></p> <p>Please go over to Judy L’s <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/">Patchwork Times</a> and check out what others are <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2014/02/21/on-the-needles-february-21-2014/">knitting on today</a>. Always good ideas there!</p> <p>Under the Food Category… Something new arrived yesterday… my package from <a href="http://cinnamonhill.com/">Cinnamon Hill</a> that contained 2 types of stick cinnamon and a nifty cinnamon grater and cup. I’ve always loved cinnamon and we have been using more of it because of it’s health benefits. I’ll have to let you know another time what we think of it as all I did last night was open the box and take some pictures!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VCOifhyPscw/UwdbHPww73I/AAAAAAAAD8k/KTxy1nc7_CM/s1600-h/cinnamon%252520hill%252520%2525283%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="cinnamon hill (3)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="cinnamon hill (3)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UvjDCfYtEN0/UwdbHpDRH7I/AAAAAAAAD8o/elFg8AwOxnI/cinnamon%252520hill%252520%2525283%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229"></a> </p> <p>Under the “I’ve been a SLUG” category… I am trying to not be a slug – really! <a href="http://howdyblogs.blogspot.com/2013/12/to-resolve-or-not-that-is-question.html">Remember my word for the New Year… Move</a>. So far the Fit Bit Force has been tracking my activities so that I can get a gauge of just when I am active and in-active. I seem to have no problems hitting the 10,000 steps mark… on those days where we have to go out and clear snow from the long driveway and many sidewalks. LOL so I have had a few of those 10,000 step days. I’ll admit to running in place on a few occasions to tip the count over a certain mark… but otherwise I haven’t yet set any goals for myself. I did set the alarm to go off at 9:00 am… a little reminder to myself to get off my hiney if I’m still sitting in the kitchen poking around the internet – which I have been known to do on occasion. I think my plan is to look at the inactive days to see just what the pattern is and then see what I can do to modify those days to pick it up. Of course <strong>going</strong> to the gym would make a big difference… as I have determined that <strong>paying</strong> for the gym has absolutely no positive effect on my health. </p> <p>On that note… I need to get my hiney in gear before the 9 am alarm goes off… LOL</p> Howdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895833780094335534noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560728302493710730.post-13853411973282050592014-02-19T21:59:00.001-05:002014-02-19T21:59:44.678-05:00I Completely Missed My Anniversary…<p>No not that one…</p> <p>It’s been 3 years since <a href="http://howdyblogs.blogspot.com/2011/02/i-am-not-at-all-happy.html">I broke my knee</a>… and I didn’t even think about it this year!</p> <p>Not on the 7th (date of fall) or the 15th (surgery date)… not until today did it occur to me that it’s been 3 years.</p> <p>I will say that all in all my knee is great… no limp, able to walk right up and down the stairs. It still gets cranky when I’m on it a lot and has been a bit swollen the past couple weeks because of all the shoveling snow. Seems that being right handed and throwing snow to the left… I put weight on that leg with each throw. The Engineer uses the tractor with a snow thrower attachment and I have 2 walk behind snow throwers that I can use for the sidewalks or on the driveway if I’m doing that also. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AtwvDK2k-8k/UwVvnLPS2MI/AAAAAAAAD6Y/ep_v3rLRSl4/s1600-h/Week%2525206-52%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Week 6-52" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Week 6-52" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QYZ52ZgJyDI/UwVvnyKKSxI/AAAAAAAAD6g/M4SPnVhP9cQ/Week%2525206-52_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="107"></a></p> <p>Here is a panoramic picture I took last Friday after we had finished clearing the driveway and sidewalks for the 2nd time in 2 days – oh and I cleared another 3 inches yesterday too! I’m standing in the middle of my driveway (which is straight by the way). </p> <p>Have I said recently that I’m sick of the snow? I am… how about you? Yeah that’s what I thought… </p> Howdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895833780094335534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560728302493710730.post-81125167991721487072014-02-07T10:44:00.001-05:002014-02-07T10:44:39.524-05:00Late Night Knitting Finish…<p>Don’t you hate it when you lay down at night and your brain just won’t shut up so you can go to sleep?</p> <p>Since that happened to me again last night I went ahead and got up because I knew I only had about a half dozen rows to finish on this cowl.</p> <p>This is (again) a free pattern available thru Ravelry… it’s called <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/elis">Elis</a>. I was intrigued by it because of the Indian Cross Stitch. It’s very easy and gives an interesting pattern. I still need to block this – but the yarn is a Plymouth Yarn Baby Alpaca DK weight. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-n8b4MYhIKlo/UvT_FYUMILI/AAAAAAAAD2Y/Vje-n49_Ge0/s1600-h/Elis%252520Cowl%252520%2525282%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Elis Cowl (2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Elis Cowl (2)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J-ws1rdTcLw/UvT_GVHiKcI/AAAAAAAAD2g/LutwlD_YEGg/Elis%252520Cowl%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="404"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kPSumdBaQec/UvT_Hc3W8GI/AAAAAAAAD2o/DR8pEEGpJ5o/s1600-h/Elis%252520Cowl%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Elis Cowl" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Elis Cowl" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-52HZellDnUs/UvT_IIRfDsI/AAAAAAAAD2w/9IS061GAXxE/Elis%252520Cowl_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="404"></a></p> <p>Here are the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/morning-bells-shawl">Morning Bells Shawl</a>…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nQnmyg6QlrM/UvT_Iy-27-I/AAAAAAAAD24/FZN3lJuymY0/s1600-h/Morning%252520Bells%252520Shawl%252520Complete%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Morning Bells Shawl Complete" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Morning Bells Shawl Complete" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-u5SMhZr_eRo/UvT_JbedZVI/AAAAAAAAD3A/nM73NKQW3ac/Morning%252520Bells%252520Shawl%252520Complete_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></p> <p>and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/triplicity">Triplicity Shawl</a> – all nice and blocked and ready to be mailed!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-x-EChUQ8NO4/UvT_KW66w1I/AAAAAAAAD3I/HkpYRU2OcCE/s1600-h/Triplicity%252520Shawl%252520Complete%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Triplicity Shawl Complete" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Triplicity Shawl Complete" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IwUiCAcvOAo/UvT_LHC5WnI/AAAAAAAAD3Q/CiGJnQipz0Q/Triplicity%252520Shawl%252520Complete_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></p> <p>You know what time it is? Time to make <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/felted-knit-eggs">Felted Knit Eggs</a> if you want to include them in baskets for loved ones this year! <a href="http://howdyblogs.blogspot.com/2013/03/whats-on-needles-march-8.html">I made some last year</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4uspPe5wKxM/UvT_MKmMEPI/AAAAAAAAD3Y/kBrgTSAeOpY/s1600-h/Easter%252520Eggs%2525206%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Easter Eggs 6" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Easter Eggs 6" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Aeg1krtDNcw/UvT_MiKufoI/AAAAAAAAD3g/pei4Zcz60WE/Easter%252520Eggs%2525206_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>Before and after felting.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-b1xDuGCX4M0/UvT_Nt4NtdI/AAAAAAAAD3o/SjiI18x8jfs/s1600-h/Easter%252520Eggs%25252011%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Easter Eggs 11" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Easter Eggs 11" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ePXEnQqYP7w/UvT_ONkHMRI/AAAAAAAAD3s/mKmU-agDPxY/Easter%252520Eggs%25252011_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>You knit them and stuff them and felt them in the washing machine and then you can dye the plain ones with Kool-aide!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iVY5pgFIPjA/UvT_O_zKfaI/AAAAAAAAD34/AYWZ0WLju7E/s1600-h/100_0487%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="100_0487" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="100_0487" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nbloYAm1fQg/UvT_PcXr57I/AAAAAAAAD38/somR23fcAHI/100_0487_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>In the end I liked the Kool-aide knitted ones the best because the colors were just so brilliant! </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iYrpGqUA98s/UvT_QMD5w_I/AAAAAAAAD4I/_sVQfsYy6kU/s1600-h/100_0498%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="100_0498" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="100_0498" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T4TU6Vw4Gr0/UvT_QqoZ0cI/AAAAAAAAD4M/layHkfp4O8c/100_0498_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>My local yarn shop is going to order some colored yarns and put together some kits for those that want to make colored eggs but don’t want to dye them. I think they will be sweet and was glad that she liked the idea enough to order some yarn.</p> <p>I’ll be linking up to Judy’s <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/">Patchwork Times</a> for her weekly <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2014/02/07/on-the-needles-february-7-2014/">On The Needles</a> post… go see what others are knitting this week!</p> <p>And just a glimps at what my week has been like… Monday brought about 8 inches of HEAVY WET snow…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-J5Qqu-wlVV8/UvT_Rw1Km_I/AAAAAAAAD4Y/yZ2QUAHeW2I/s1600-h/IMG_0318%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0318" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0318" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-r8kUIiKb_aI/UvT_SZ3PdgI/AAAAAAAAD4g/alS9bCQF4DQ/IMG_0318_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>Not good for bushes…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gQO2qf7PtXk/UvT_TpWr5XI/AAAAAAAAD4o/Ns6LeGfHjc4/s1600-h/IMG_0337%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0337" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0337" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6cnzvy9JhOs/UvT_UMRWHxI/AAAAAAAAD4s/uyZdY9qySIg/IMG_0337_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>But pretty good for kids… each age group comes out and climbs up this mountain of snow. This is the view from my flat roof that needed to be shoveled off in anticipation of freezing rain coming the next day.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FbGOSjw09GM/UvT_UrRrSUI/AAAAAAAAD44/K1PwbFyXssA/s1600-h/IMG_0356%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0356" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0356" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Qfbl5mFDQAM/UvT_VMA7euI/AAAAAAAAD5A/1LkDhcs_ak4/IMG_0356_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>And speaking of freezing rain… here is Wednesday!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CuMy9NJtwGQ/UvT_WEd3dDI/AAAAAAAAD5I/829oH4PrGgw/s1600-h/IMG_0372%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0372" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0372" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c-0QG11r97I/UvT_W4oai7I/AAAAAAAAD5M/4y3tGlrn-vU/IMG_0372_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>We did not loose power here but it’s been rough going for many many people here in PA.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pCHGxe3Peek/UvT_XtVNVnI/AAAAAAAAD5Y/i8io08w_8w8/s1600-h/IMG_0375%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0375" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0375" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-V5No_Emh7fI/UvT_YHWKAGI/AAAAAAAAD5g/8rop4XVQVCM/IMG_0375_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>I’ve got to ask y’all… do you see the face image in the ice in this picture? I see a girl in the little icicle… do you?</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SpasTzygRdU/UvT_YzhCYDI/AAAAAAAAD5o/8ElfqbF-vTs/s1600-h/IMG_0390%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0390" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0390" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-s9_h0tNhN0o/UvT_ZXcb9CI/AAAAAAAAD5w/c7O6q7r01ms/IMG_0390_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="404"></a></p> Howdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895833780094335534noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560728302493710730.post-28822001993126153142014-01-31T19:29:00.001-05:002014-01-31T19:29:45.950-05:00On The Needles January 31st<p>Oh my… the end of the month… I’ll need to pull out “Knit the Sky” and get the month stitched up… I knitted thru the 11th thus far.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xvk1LqtIU4s/Uuw_3fdPyzI/AAAAAAAAD08/XPgLYL_QYPY/s1600-h/Knit%252520the%252520Sky%252520January%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Knit the Sky January" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Knit the Sky January" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-V6bxS6mHVEk/Uuw_32wey8I/AAAAAAAAD1A/i_rRCBfpgCo/Knit%252520the%252520Sky%252520January_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="206"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YXuEqRHKnZY/Uuw_4sBY-9I/AAAAAAAAD1M/ICx26o6lqpw/s1600-h/Knit%252520the%252520Sky%252520start%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Knit the Sky start" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Knit the Sky start" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--oLjqXqq4QQ/Uuw_5EvJrrI/AAAAAAAAD1U/2Q2v9-N_f8Y/Knit%252520the%252520Sky%252520start_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></p> <p>Today I finished up the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/triplicity">Triplicity Shawl</a> and it and the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/morning-bells-shawl">Morning Bells Shawl</a> have been washed and are blocked and drying.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nvc-rtblpBs/Uuw_6exlgDI/AAAAAAAAD1c/kz33acsuQ2M/s1600-h/Triplicity%252520%2525289%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Triplicity (9)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Triplicity (9)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Y1E6BoCMlFI/Uuw_68VxKXI/AAAAAAAAD1g/jZeeLRQ1JjI/Triplicity%252520%2525289%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>Above shows the three pattern sections prior to washing/blocking and below is the picot bind off. I just gently smoothed everything out and choose to not try and pin all those picot ends out.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-g_pyJTs2-Yk/Uuw_79Nb6PI/AAAAAAAAD1s/rePBgfmQPI4/s1600-h/Triplicity%252520%25252811%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Triplicity (11)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Triplicity (11)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-B0R3S5EcWdc/Uuw_8eEC8cI/AAAAAAAAD10/VRaVMzsXGOE/Triplicity%252520%25252811%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>I finished the modified <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/susie-rogers-reading-mitts">Susie Rogers Reading Mitts</a> for my granddaughter. They are some kinda sweet! They will go in the mail tomorrow or Monday.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_uKsWIrVqBU/Uuw_9XXlpKI/AAAAAAAAD18/jdHcwvHAekA/s1600-h/Keao%252520Mitts%252520%2525282%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Keao Mitts (2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Keao Mitts (2)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tTWaUCrNpr4/Uuw_9_ga3QI/AAAAAAAAD2E/DyY63N8a_X8/Keao%252520Mitts%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="458" height="356"></a></p> <p>I decided to try and clean up some of this knitting mess around my chair this week. Leftover yarns that I’ve finished with went upstairs and I purchased a package of sheet protectors to put all those silly patterns I’ve printed out from Ravelry. I had planned to put them all in a binder… but I’ll need to either buy a bigger binder or a second binder because they are not all going to fit into the one I have out.</p> <p>I am trying to decide what to work on next… I do have yarn already to make another <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/turbulence-cowl">Turbulence Cowl</a> or I am interested in using some leftover yarn from the Morning Bells project to make this <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/elis">Elis Cowl</a> which has an Indian-Cross-Stitch pattern in it. Or I could pick up those socks sitting over there waiting for me. </p> <p>Decisions… Decisions… Decisions…</p> <p><a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2014/01/31/on-the-needles-january-31-2014/">Check out what others are knitting this week</a>!</p> Howdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895833780094335534noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560728302493710730.post-15479665880946905042014-01-29T12:26:00.001-05:002014-01-29T12:31:27.146-05:00Cob Farming…<p>I got in to Cob Farming about 3 years ago… quite by accident really.</p> <p>You see I broke my knee… and thereby ‘fell’ into Cob Farming as a result of my rehab.</p> <p>Not an occupation I had intended… it just sort of happened.</p> <p>It does in some respect go hand in hand with Dust Cropping… not to be confused with Crop Dusting.</p> <p>I have always sorta dabbled in Dust Cropping… I’ve actually admitted out loud that had my children been allergic to dust I would have indeed missed them. I know… I’m a terrible mother!</p> <p>Anyway a little Dust Cropping is easy to manage (i.e. teach your kids not to write in said Dust Crop) but once you cross over and become a Cob Farmer too… well things can get out of hand quite easily.</p> <p>What are Cobs? Well a friend many, many years ago introduced me to them whilst explaining that her husband had convinced her of their existence... you know - the little invisible creatures called Cobs that are responsible for creating Cob Webs. So there you have it… Cobs make Cob Webs and a lot of Cob Webs is considered Cob Farming…</p> <p>Anyway – in depth vacuuming and dusting is considered the best method for keeping Cobs in check… but when vacuuming is not a big part of your rehab and then you <strike>get lazy</strike> just fall into a “quick lick and a promise style”… those little Cobs can take advantage.</p> <p>So… with Vacuum and Duster in hand I spent my morning destroying Cob Farms all over my kitchen. Why today you wonder?</p> <p>The SUN was shining thru the kitchen window and as I stood there and admired the wonderful sight of sunshine… well you know the rest. </p> <p>Sunshine can lead to the complete (hopefully) destruction of Cobs. </p> <p>And no there are no pictures to go along with this story… I might be dumb but I’m not stupid… you’ll never know if this is true or not… unless you visit… and then… well – don’t tell - OK?</p>PS: I don’t want you to think that these Cobs have run amuck at my house for 3 years… that - is not the case. I have whacked at them from time to time and my daughter completely painted my kitchen last year so all evidence of prior farms had been removed at that time… but they can be persistent critters. Howdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895833780094335534noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560728302493710730.post-58340240888805842592014-01-24T11:05:00.001-05:002014-01-24T11:05:16.687-05:00Here’s My Knitting–January 24<p>January 24th… really already? Goodness…</p> <p>Anyhoo… I’m trying to finish up the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/triplicity">Triplicity Shawl</a> that I took a class for way back early fall-ish I believe. I don’t have a fresh picture of the shawl but I do have a picture of this Yarn Bowl (holding the last ball of yarn). I received this as a gift from a very sweet friend (Thank You Again!!)… and it makes me smile when I pull my yarn and I don’t have to chase it around the floor when it falls off my chair… which it always does… well - not anymore! </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-21-A-rhPw0I/UuKPLnX3FjI/AAAAAAAAD0U/GXEvG8IIWMU/s1600-h/Yarn%252520Bowl%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Yarn Bowl" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Yarn Bowl" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r2KoUAGBXxA/UuKPM1ud4YI/AAAAAAAAD0c/mT0eFqylHmI/Yarn%252520Bowl_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="404"></a></p> <p>I had to clean off the corner of the table so I could take a picture… how sad is that… I need to clean up my knitting mess before my husband makes a comment. Too many leftover yarn tags, little bits of yarn, little balls of yarn, patterns to look at, books & magazines to plan over… it’s a mess!</p> <p>The bowl is from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/redhotpottery">Red Hot Pottery out of Sedona, AZ which has an Etsy Shop</a>. </p> <p>Lovely, Lovely Bowl… </p> <p>Last night I started a new pair of the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/susie-rogers-reading-mitts">Susie Rogers Reading Mitts</a> – I’m making them in the small size again but will be shortening them at both ends so that they will fit my granddaughter in SC. She wants so bad to wear the ones I sent her mother… I think these will be fun for her. There was only one skein of the multi yarn so I picked up the purple to use for the patterned rows at the top and bottom.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BaaHFGMCc-o/UuKPNz0GTRI/AAAAAAAAD0k/68fDSTi8gO0/s1600-h/Keao%252520Mitts%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Keao Mitts" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Keao Mitts" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gWuj4g_FnkU/UuKPOXS_2cI/AAAAAAAAD0s/nJtwVRUUZEc/Keao%252520Mitts_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="404"></a></p> <p>Go the Judy L’s blog <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/">Patchwork Times</a> to see <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2014/01/24/on-the-needles-january-24-2014/">what others are knitting on this week!</a></p> Howdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895833780094335534noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560728302493710730.post-1006030721045155672014-01-17T11:59:00.001-05:002014-01-17T11:59:16.803-05:00The Sky is On The Needles 1-17<p>Yep I am <a href="http://www.leafcutterdesigns.com/projects/sky-scarf.html">Knitting The Sky</a>!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ah6vEE2vVb4/UtlhROnC7RI/AAAAAAAADzI/LywM-qaZ7PA/s1600-h/IMG_0149%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0149" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0149" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ITdb9JjWAjo/UtlhSAkFtdI/AAAAAAAADzM/oxL36xCy1v0/IMG_0149_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></p> <p>I decided to use the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/favorite-scarf-ever">Favorite Scarf Ever</a> pattern rather than the plain garter stitch and so far I am happy with how it is going. The pattern is easy to remember and you just need to be careful with the doubled lace weight yarn. Aren’t these colors lovely!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-guy8DE17QZ4/UtlhS-gj17I/AAAAAAAADzY/Cr6k2f0qciI/s1600-h/Sky%2525201%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Sky 1" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Sky 1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-13t3QnqTdOY/UtlhT7FQKsI/AAAAAAAADzg/njQ2XXDRK9o/Sky%2525201_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></p> <p>I finished but have yet to block the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/morning-bells-shawl">Morning Bells Shawl</a> – blocking will happen this weekend.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Hhdo1cdMDYo/UtlhVQpByXI/AAAAAAAADzk/WuWWOa2Feh0/s1600-h/Morning%252520Bells%252520Shawl%252520%25252813%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Morning Bells Shawl (13)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Morning Bells Shawl (13)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iug3Zp3Fm5Y/UtlhWLyyuDI/AAAAAAAADzs/P8bfTwQeLEg/Morning%252520Bells%252520Shawl%252520%25252813%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></p> <p>You can see both sides of the shawl above – the left side with the ribs is the right side of the shawl. Can’t wait to get it blocked and sent out to my daughter as I think she’ll love it.</p> <p>I did pull out the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/felted-clogs-ac33">Felted Clogs</a> and hope to get the last one finished up this weekend and get them felted… you know before spring. My notes from when I last worked on them was dated April 1st… so it’s time to get them done. Here is a picture of the first one I finished in Mid-March. I sure am hoping they felt up good because right now they look a lot like clown shoes… the sole measures 16 inches! </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-34RwL9qjTs8/UtlhXT8JfcI/AAAAAAAADz4/d6XmRTTInDs/s1600-h/felt%252520clogs%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="felt clogs 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="felt clogs 2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0-A14R8fK-E/UtlhYBGvjJI/AAAAAAAAD0A/_2j3AVWh6rs/felt%252520clogs%2525202_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2014/01/17/on-the-needles-january-17-2014/">Check out what others are knitting this week</a> over at Judy L’s <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/">Patchwork Times</a> blog.</p> Howdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895833780094335534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560728302493710730.post-67840397219483388142014-01-14T20:48:00.001-05:002014-01-14T20:48:10.270-05:00My Sky Has Arrived<p>Last year whilst poking around out in the Internet I found a site – <a href="http://www.leafcutterdesigns.com/">Leafcutter Designs</a> - that offered a free pattern to “Knit The Sky”. </p> <p>It sounded intriguing so I read thru the pattern, looked at the kit they offered and saved the link for future reference… one of those ‘one day’ kinda projects. But as time passed it kept coming up in my brain… I went back and looked at everything a couple times. I thought about buying my own yarn – but decided to not waste my time – the kit was a reasonable price so I made an executive decision and ordered it.</p> <p>Since I didn’t really plan to sit and knit one single row each day – I’ve just been making a notation each day (since the first of January) of the colors I would use for that day. I’ve programed my phone to remind me each day and I have modified an online calendar so that I can add a color code to each day.</p> <p>And then my sky arrived…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qW2kk1Ost6Y/UtXoyjrS6fI/AAAAAAAADyk/yyJeEl-l4M8/s1600-h/Sky%2525201%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Sky 1" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Sky 1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eLiMSeAQREA/UtXoz1BAyAI/AAAAAAAADys/K-Pk90nXeAQ/Sky%2525201_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></p> <p>OOOOoooooo… ain’t it pretty!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-I75l1QwaN-Y/UtXo1Ih-EmI/AAAAAAAADy0/eXwy-rMlm2g/s1600-h/Sky%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Sky 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Sky 2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aTBa_pj_hww/UtXo2NmUmuI/AAAAAAAADy8/BsVppXnZgIQ/Sky%2525202_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="537"></a></p> <p>Tomorrow I’ll wind them into balls and then hopefully by Friday I’ll have a week or two knitted… unfortunately mostly greys and light blues… but tis the season!</p> Howdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895833780094335534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560728302493710730.post-28890332158458362802014-01-13T11:05:00.001-05:002014-01-13T11:05:34.570-05:00Bye Bye Ghost Poo!<p>Got your attention didn’t I? Let me ‘splain… </p> <p>I received my Organic EVOO order from <a href="http://www.jovialfoods.com/">Jovial Foods</a> on Friday. When I opened the boxes this is what I found.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MifkSM6cvrg/UtQOs-o02aI/AAAAAAAADxM/YI3fvQn95nI/s1600-h/Packing%2525201%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Packing 1" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Packing 1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-c3UjugAAhYc/UtQOtl69tUI/AAAAAAAADxU/bfHpoJr8tnU/Packing%2525201_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a></p> <p>I’m sorry but I am just lame enough to be excited by a new product… a new packing material… I was intrigued…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3jPhAc_A-TA/UtQOuvBE_uI/AAAAAAAADxc/WuPwaZsFy2A/s1600-h/Packing%2525202%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Packing 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Packing 2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v3kM-Db5F8Y/UtQOvA5FEYI/AAAAAAAADxg/Wd6jCgvZ9xo/Packing%2525202_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a></p> <p>I was fascinated… little folded and locked triangles!! Please tell me they have a machine that folds and locks those ends together!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QwcwG7ezln4/UtQOwJmOi0I/AAAAAAAADxs/JpwhoRnQF-o/s1600-h/Ghost%252520Poo%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Ghost Poo" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Ghost Poo" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Zhr11_d96YE/UtQOwtFg6LI/AAAAAAAADxw/o5XhEdrkZsA/Ghost%252520Poo_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>But then I realized that this new product might mean an end to Ghost Poo as a packing material. I have called these ‘packing peanuts’ Ghost Poo for probably decades now… can’t remember where I first heard it – but it was dead on. You might ask about the color variety pictured above… some white, some blue, some light green. I assume it’s from ethnic diversity in the ghost population… don’t ya think? LOL</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pl_HlI6HmzM/UtQOxf6cMbI/AAAAAAAADx8/uEI6F3cHGGQ/s1600-h/Packing%2525203%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Packing 3" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Packing 3" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-i8A6IdxRZcQ/UtQOyH3bxEI/AAAAAAAADyA/qvITddiL3z8/Packing%2525203_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>Anyway here is my new oil from Jovial. The bottle was still cold from shipping so the oil had solidified in the bottle. I had pre-ordered my bottles last fall while they were in the process of harvesting and pressing. I don’t know if you’ve seen the olive oil controversy in the press over the past year or so. The Engineer and I decided to look for a source we felt we could trust was providing a good quality organic oil.</p> <p>And that new packing material… did it’s job quite well.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KNxZkPZrWHs/UtQOy9VaAWI/AAAAAAAADyM/xSdfeX5BBEE/s1600-h/Packing%2525204%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Packing 4" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Packing 4" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-w49uk2BXD2Q/UtQOzZrTRvI/AAAAAAAADyQ/SNz3Un2o-fk/Packing%2525204_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a></p> Howdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895833780094335534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560728302493710730.post-3379650568546119572014-01-10T10:36:00.001-05:002014-01-10T10:36:41.687-05:00Still On The Needles–Jan 10<p>I am almost finished with the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/morning-bells-shawl">Morning Bells Shawl</a> for my daughter. I am on the last row - of 1,100 something stitches… and then the bind off of those 1,100 something stitches. I have to chuckle because when I mentioned this shawl in the beginning several folks commented that the rows took forever – they were right. At the end of the shawl section I think you have nearly 400 stitches on the needles – with the increases every other row in the bell section you end up with the 1,100 something stitches.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2QBlqNTM3aw/UtATemXKX8I/AAAAAAAADwk/50IcQQR9N4U/s1600-h/Morning%252520Bells%252520Shawl%252520%2525284%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Morning Bells Shawl (4)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Morning Bells Shawl (4)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yZ3P17lr9hM/UtATfXCL1rI/AAAAAAAADwo/d_Ew7OVPOJI/Morning%252520Bells%252520Shawl%252520%2525284%252529_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bW9nTk286u8/UtATgnn-0EI/AAAAAAAADw0/2RtLhjx08o0/s1600-h/Morning%252520Bells%252520Shawl%252520%2525285%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Morning Bells Shawl (5)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Morning Bells Shawl (5)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jDlmjcjiKHw/UtAThYvKKLI/AAAAAAAADw8/lm7K9gNLXbM/Morning%252520Bells%252520Shawl%252520%2525285%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></p> <p>I had picked up an extra ball of the yarn so maybe I’ll have enough to make some simple fingerless gloves to go with the shawl… we shall see.</p> <p>When I’m done with this I think I will go back to some unfinished projects like the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/felted-clogs-ac33">felted clogs</a> – I’ve been thinking more and more about these now that it’s so chilly – time to finish them and put them to use.</p> <p><a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2014/01/10/on-the-needles-january-10-2014/">To see what others are knitting</a>… hop over to Judy L’s <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/">Patchwork Times</a>.</p> Howdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895833780094335534noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560728302493710730.post-1984520458940552692013-12-30T20:54:00.000-05:002013-12-30T20:54:00.070-05:00A Techie Holiday<p>I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday with family and friends!</p> <p>The Engineer and I took a road trip up to Massachusetts for Christmas.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VX2G3GTwfw0/UsDSvk1w9EI/AAAAAAAADv8/cRm_xBtHB0c/s1600-h/Christmas-20134.jpg"><img title="Christmas 2013" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Christmas 2013" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VJ_wvnAZTE4/UsDSwvMXAYI/AAAAAAAADwA/pVKnIq9UT5w/Christmas-2013_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="271"></a></p> <p>We enjoyed our visit and had a very nice Christmas celebration. </p> <p>I must say that Santa was very good to me… I received a new iPhone 5s to replace my antique <a href="http://howdyblogs.blogspot.com/2008/01/what-was-i-going-to-say-no.html">Blackberry Curve</a>. I say antique because in tech terms a phone that has been well used (and loved) for just a few days shy of 6 years is antique. I have been perfectly content with that phone all these years but recently it has been showing it’s age. The lights under the keyboard had begun to flicker on occasion, the camera stopped working a couple months ago and the roller ball has been temperamental more and more these days.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tcgOQ2inUKs/UsDSxceK-KI/AAAAAAAADwM/an19ZogGCPk/s1600-h/Vintage-BB4.jpg"><img title="Vintage BB" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Vintage BB" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-V-KHG-PXPBI/UsDSxypAv7I/AAAAAAAADwQ/7O_HwGgxRoY/Vintage-BB_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="232" height="244"></a></p> <p>For months we’ve been discussing what to get for replacement phones – it’s a big decision because we don’t change phones often or easily. Although we have loved this phone we have not been happy with what we’ve seen come out of Blackberry over the past couple years. I knew that Apple usually introduces a new phone in the fall so we waited to see what new features the next generation of phones would bring. We were quite happy to see the addition of a fingerprint scanner as part of the phones security. We had also considered the Samsung Galaxy 4 but in the end decided that they are larger than we wanted to handle.</p> <p>I think we will be happy with the iPhones and expect to get many years of service out of them. We added the <a href="http://www.lifeproof.com/en/iphone-5s-nuud/">LifeProof Nuud</a> cases to protect Santa’s investment. Our daughter in SC has used a Lifeproof Case on her phones for many years. It has survived many a sandy trip to the beach, babies drooling on it, and toddlers dropping it. I have no plans to hand my phone off to any kids but I won’t have to worry about touching it with wet hands while in the kitchen, taking it along while gardening or shoveling snow, and I can drop it and not worry. The LifeProof case it is water, dirt, snow and shock proof.</p> <p>My other Techie gift was a Fit-Bit Force fitness tracker. I almost got myself a Flex earlier this summer but decided to wait and do more research and ask Santa for it. I’m glad I waited as the Force seems to be a bit of an upgrade from the Flex. This ought to help me out with my “Word” for the New Year… Move!</p> <p>Last but not least is a new case for my laptop – it’s a knitting bag with a padded laptop sleeve! Nifty!</p> <p>I hope Santa was good to you this year! </p> Howdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895833780094335534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560728302493710730.post-33087688893855433202013-12-29T20:29:00.000-05:002013-12-29T20:30:53.216-05:00To Resolve or Not… That is the Question<p>I don’t think I have ever met a resolution I could keep. </p> <p>I am consistently inconsistent… and I know that about me. Over the years it has been my position that it didn’t make sense to set a goal that I know I am not going to meet? I don’t need to set myself up for failure.</p> <p>Recently I’ve seen several blog posts written about adopting one word for the new year.</p> <p>One word to focus on… no guidelines, no restrictions, no must do list, no don’t do list. Just one word… oh hell yeah I can do that!</p> <p>So here it is…</p> <p>Move</p> <p>Not Move more</p> <p>Not Move fast</p> <p>Not Move everyday</p> <p>Not even Move X number of times a week</p> <p>Just Move… I can do that!</p> Howdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895833780094335534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560728302493710730.post-39121015113719559512013-12-20T10:59:00.001-05:002013-12-20T11:05:14.520-05:00On The Needles… 12/20 and Happy Holidays!<p>Why didn’t I start these little things earlier? I’ve decided that they will be the perfect thing to stitch on all through the summer when you really don’t want to knit anything hot. And quick? Oh my yes – probably more so once you get the hang of it and DON’T KNIT SO TIGHT! Goodness… it’s worsted weight yarn (acrylic cheap) and a number 1 needle… only 1’s I had handy are double pointed stainless steel but I think I have a small SS circular around someplace. These <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/christmas-tree-lights">Christmas Tree Lights</a> are designed to be knitted flat and then seamed. Below the blue is in progress – that is as wide as it gets, far left red has had the red side stitched up and I will finish the stitching after I stuff it. The white one is just folded and the other red one I tried to lay out – they don’t lay very flat as they are knitted to have a curve. One note - if you want to make these too… don’t stitch tight. If you do it makes it almost impossible to work from one needle as everything is so scrunched up.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-leJoTcWoEf8/UrRpTkLkRGI/AAAAAAAADvU/mTqLmncAeaA/s1600-h/Christmas%252520Lights%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Christmas Lights" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Christmas Lights" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jF9KVSXv-zc/UrRpUQB_lAI/AAAAAAAADvY/ZLXcSNIUFCA/Christmas%252520Lights_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></p> <p>I made another one of these <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bun-hat">BUN Hats</a> – this time in a worsted weight 80/20 Acrylic/Wool blend held double (per instructions).</p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xNtXEEz7E48/UrRpVYIxd4I/AAAAAAAADvk/3tSepqMVLKo/s1600-h/100_1531%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="100_1531" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="100_1531" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aaZFcOeVblg/UrRpVkYXtCI/AAAAAAAADvo/v9Lqq17PmtU/100_1531_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>After wearing the <a href="http://howdyblogs.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-lot-of-knitting.html">first one</a> (made from 100% wool) on Sunday for 3 hours clearing the driveway… and this one for about 2 hours the other night again clearing the driveway I can honestly say I like the 100% wool one better. I was warmer and didn’t get sweaty feeling in it.</p> <p><a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2013/12/20/on-the-needles-december-20-2013/">Check out what others are knitting</a> over at Judy L’s <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/">Patchwork Times</a> blog.</p> <p>I don’t know if I’ll get back here before Christmas so let me take a moment to say I hope everyone has a Merry Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year!</p> Howdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895833780094335534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560728302493710730.post-44162083959999749692013-12-06T17:27:00.001-05:002013-12-06T17:27:49.188-05:00Not Much Knitting…<p>I’ve tried to avoid the painting I’m suppose to be doing in our bedroom… but it’s got to get done so I’ve been doing it.</p> <p>And while the paint dries I’ve done a little knitting…</p> <p>This is another pair of the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/montgomery-fingerless-mitts">Montgomery Fingerless Mitts</a> – same as the ones I showed last week only done in a Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande Hues yarn. I didn’t realize until after I had started that the yarn transition from dark to light… and back again. Oh well – they are what they are!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tUsp_BtmXaY/UqJPUsx1_kI/AAAAAAAADuc/x-C5a61TA_U/s1600-h/100_1487%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="100_1487" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="100_1487" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EQLOmUnGe5k/UqJPVNvwcXI/AAAAAAAADuk/vBlkESdOJ2I/100_1487_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></p> <p>I’ve got a few more inches done on the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/morning-bells-shawl">Morning Bells Shawl</a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ztsFDmFiEiw/UqJPWqAWW6I/AAAAAAAADus/Pgm59LA5tk0/s1600-h/100_1489%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="100_1489" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="100_1489" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qXRimsX1F6I/UqJPXLS-SFI/AAAAAAAADu0/mZWTPG1Jb5o/100_1489_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2013/12/06/on-the-needles-december-6-2013/">To see what others are knitting on</a>… head over the Judy L’s <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/">Patchwork Times</a>.</p> <p>Oh and here’s one of the ways we got rid of Thanksgiving Leftovers.</p> <p>I called this Turkey Dinner Leftover Salad…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sJuKKSeWlL4/UqJPYVcmNcI/AAAAAAAADu8/e7jH2egDAJ0/s1600-h/100_1470%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="100_1470" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="100_1470" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-z_qlkQLavus/UqJPY4JKIgI/AAAAAAAADvE/J_ulKyCI74U/100_1470_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="229"></a></p> <p>To the regular lettuce, tomatoes, and red peppers – I added turkey, crumbled stuffing, and I made the salad dressing out of the cranberry orange relish mixed with mayo and some lemon white balsamic vinegar. Goodness that was good dressing… we both loved it and it’s so pretty! We had this salad for lunch several days – it was delicious.</p> Howdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895833780094335534noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560728302493710730.post-79420483757086705902013-11-29T11:10:00.001-05:002013-11-29T11:10:31.096-05:00What’s on the Needles?<p>You would think that I would choose to finish any of the many other started projects…. but no…</p> <p>I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the Valley Yarn “<a href="http://www.yarn.com/product/webs-knitting-yarns-valley-yarns-deerfield/">Deerfield</a>” – an Alpaca & Silk blend - that I purchase (ummm wait I think my daughter paid for it?) for this <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/morning-bells-shawl">Morning Bells Shawl</a>. We were wandering around in Webs (Northampton, MA) a few weeks ago when I was up in New England and they had this shawl done up in the natural as shown in the pattern – oh my it was lovely… so lovely. My girl liked it and I was happy to offer to knit it for her. Although the natural was very pretty (they didn’t have it in stock at the time) - she choose the charcoal yarn. I am almost done with the first ball of yarn… only another 5 to go…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Wybqe7qDR5o/Upi8Y8VUu_I/AAAAAAAADtU/y4v1ZHRejJI/s1600-h/Morning%252520Bells%252520Shawl%252520%2525282%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Morning Bells Shawl (2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Morning Bells Shawl (2)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ox9MH4KjCA8/Upi8ZQq-TXI/AAAAAAAADtY/JR84J1HjIXo/Morning%252520Bells%252520Shawl%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="322"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ANIcHJwpxHw/Upi8aaHQUoI/AAAAAAAADtk/RciE0Npvppk/s1600-h/Morning%252520Bells%252520Shawl%252520%2525283%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Morning Bells Shawl (3)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Morning Bells Shawl (3)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-h_mPAj6vYFk/Upi8a8VnVvI/AAAAAAAADts/bItMIyxGaEk/Morning%252520Bells%252520Shawl%252520%2525283%252529_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="404"></a></p> <p>I washed and blocked all the stuff I talked about last week.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kMMLK5dQcr8/Upi8buTE7JI/AAAAAAAADt0/vlzo2pIcs8A/s1600-h/100_1453%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="100_1453" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="100_1453" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ipbzPkV6eec/Upi8cLpfdyI/AAAAAAAADt8/ZH1aE2-kUQM/100_1453_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="537"></a></p> <p>I had to bring down a section of my design wall to lay out the Leftie Shawl. The shawl measures approx. 32 inches along the longest leaf and 62 inches across the top (diagonal) edge. The BUN hat is at the other end. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-b6usGpWgjVE/Upi8c-FJ5EI/AAAAAAAADuE/Xgsm3ULzUyo/s1600-h/100_1450%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="100_1450" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="100_1450" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-48FaWS7fMJA/Upi8dfAv5dI/AAAAAAAADuM/ycOeGJorHa8/100_1450_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="537"></a></p> <p>I do need to take a ‘rolly sticky’ to that board to get rid of those threads… or take the picture from the other end where the old towel is - LOL. I left everything to dry over the weekend and then spent a morning weaving in any yarn ends that I hadn’t done yet.</p> <p>Check out <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2013/11/29/on-the-needles-november-29-2013/">what others are knitting</a> over at Judy L’s <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/">Patchwork Times</a> Blog.</p> <p>I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I had high hopes of getting out of making much for Thanksgiving dinner since it’s just The Engineer and I around this year… but no… he wanted turkey. So I spent the better part of 2 days cooking for 2 people… the up side is I don’t have to cook again this weekend. I’ll just dish us up a couple plates and throw them in the oven to heat up. I don’t know about y’all but I don’t like using the microwave to heat up my food… everything warms up better in the oven and since the plates are hot too – it all stays warm while you eat. Yum!</p> Howdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895833780094335534noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560728302493710730.post-66273106787583366052013-11-22T10:21:00.001-05:002013-11-22T10:21:41.612-05:00A Lot of Knitting…<p>I’ve got a small pile of stuff I’ve finished recently to wash and block… lots of little things.</p> <p>I started and finished this <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bun-hat" target="_blank">BUN Hat</a> (Bottom Up Neckflap) on Wednesday. It is a very quick knit in a bulky weight yarn. I used a ball of Ester Bitran Hand-Dyes Talinay that I had picked up on sale several years ago. I really like this hat and will make more – love having the coverage on the back of the neck! I have lots of leftover hunks of Baby Alpaca Grande’s from fingerless mitts I’ve made in the past – I might try and use up some of those on the next one.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hV12NLyRZ28/Uo916uYhllI/AAAAAAAADo0/NqYmb6jjddE/s1600-h/BUN-Hat4.jpg"><img title="BUN Hat" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="BUN Hat" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1pKEvmRJAGs/Uo918E_KEsI/AAAAAAAADo4/rHTPNZTcUhg/BUN-Hat_thumb9.jpg?imgmax=800" width="241" height="244"></a></p> <p>Back on Columbus Day my local yarn shop had a 20% off sale on all their Alpaca Yarns… so I went armed with several patterns from Ravelry and picked out yarn for a couple projects… one of which was these <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/susie-rogers-reading-mitts" target="_blank">Susie Rogers Reading Mitts</a>. I used Plymouth Yarns Baby Alpaca DK. These are the small size which will be good for my older daughter as her hands are smaller than mine. I’ll be digging through my stash to see what other DK yarn I have and make a pair in the medium size soon… they also knit up quick and turning under the hem along the top and bottom edges was quick and easy. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eEOunucncfU/Uo919ZerT3I/AAAAAAAADpE/goWZRasD7FA/s1600-h/SR-Reading-Mitts-14.jpg"><img title="SR Reading Mitts (1)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="SR Reading Mitts (1)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VaNA4A1eop8/Uo91-Sapp1I/AAAAAAAADpI/x3xYkgaZJFk/SR-Reading-Mitts-1_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vZ_vBA2l-no/Uo91_kSaFZI/AAAAAAAADpU/kO6SWYzfoZc/s1600-h/SR-Reading-Mitts-33.jpg"><img title="SR Reading Mitts (3)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="SR Reading Mitts (3)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tpdvK5EB4A4/Uo92AtKx_MI/AAAAAAAADpY/-16r7_kpvaI/SR-Reading-Mitts-3_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yZQgCScEzfI/Uo92BhYD1VI/AAAAAAAADpk/bJ6RuMYX7U4/s1600-h/SR-Reading-Mitts-43.jpg"><img title="SR Reading Mitts (4)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="SR Reading Mitts (4)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-crRzadxnWKY/Uo92CcrueeI/AAAAAAAADpo/7zsJUCOAa_E/SR-Reading-Mitts-4_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p>While I was in MA & NH for those 3 weeks I had worked on and finished this feather and fan scarf using a Louisa Harding Grace Hand Beaded wool and silk yarn. This is also a very quick knit… I need to block it and then weave in the ends. I think the color matches well with the mitts above so it will go along to my daughter. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Qg_GZsNPv0w/Uo92ELTSRxI/AAAAAAAADp0/qWstbyykcK0/s1600-h/Beaded-Scarf-14.jpg"><img title="Beaded Scarf (1)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Beaded Scarf (1)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iQsSxFpQjIM/Uo92FCT4h6I/AAAAAAAADp8/jgxz-1FCDqo/Beaded-Scarf-1_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></p> <p>I finished the Leftie Shawl while I was gone. I had a hard time weaving in the colored ends from the leaves – it looked so sloppy – but with some expert guidance from my friend Sue in NH I was able to finish it off nice and neat. I think I’m going to start hunting for a good ‘finishing’ book for knitting as I don’t think Sue will come to visit every time I need help. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CFYE1-wG_8U/Uo92GizvaxI/AAAAAAAADqE/hTKPoxKNqo8/s1600-h/Leftie-Shawl-34.jpg"><img title="Leftie Shawl (3)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Leftie Shawl (3)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BnPcONmyRtI/Uo92HcySw8I/AAAAAAAADqI/hiMPrTF91wI/Leftie-Shawl-3_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></p> <p>This is for my next Leftie Shawl… I love this brown (A Knit Picks Stroll Fingering Tonal) and it will look great with the colors from the Zauberball yarn.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ol3vnSq8omw/Uo92Io44GiI/AAAAAAAADqU/Xc6RxAV8ZgE/s1600-h/Stroll%252520Fingering%252520Tonal%252520%2525282%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Stroll Fingering Tonal (2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Stroll Fingering Tonal (2)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WjeGp5T1cJY/Uo92JU4ux_I/AAAAAAAADqY/auCNjQiyS50/Stroll%252520Fingering%252520Tonal%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="236"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9xnvbIBebmk/Uo92KNOy3gI/AAAAAAAADqk/5VDsLgguPvk/s1600-h/Kettle%252520Dyed%252520-%252520Zauberball%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Kettle Dyed - Zauberball" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Kettle Dyed - Zauberball" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-usVjOj5JYmw/Uo92K9SSrnI/AAAAAAAADqs/SYDMiCpc7mY/Kettle%252520Dyed%252520-%252520Zauberball_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="217"></a></p> <p>I finished these <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/montgomery-fingerless-mitts" target="_blank">Montgomery Mitts</a> for my sister-in-law this week. We picked out this lovely turquoise color Cascade Yarns Baby Alpaca Chunky the other weekend to go with her chocolate brown coat when I was down in VA. I hate to sound like a broken record but I did like this mitt pattern with a tiny bit of a lacy look on the edges and it worked up very quick. I think I actually like the way they increase for the thumb and I may try this method on some other mitts</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fCeUQKWnlZ0/Uo92MmZ6jbI/AAAAAAAADq0/R72VZFnI7p8/s1600-h/Montgomery-Mitts-13.jpg"><img title="Montgomery Mitts (1)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Montgomery Mitts (1)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r2BW3xsJ-h8/Uo92NRv65TI/AAAAAAAADq8/ZM2dQnlzQVs/Montgomery-Mitts-1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--0k7ZAwAH_M/Uo92PT7cciI/AAAAAAAADrE/rwj1LHJNJNg/s1600-h/Montgomery-Mitts-43.jpg"><img title="Montgomery Mitts (4)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Montgomery Mitts (4)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jue2I5HPrGU/Uo92QacQCGI/AAAAAAAADrI/EAkbA3EG6O8/Montgomery-Mitts-4_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-trDoe7qCy_Q/Uo92RkzWtVI/AAAAAAAADrU/NKVDZ_QuwXY/s1600-h/Montgomery-MItts-53.jpg"><img title="Montgomery MItts (5)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Montgomery MItts (5)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3Shw1Vuaafk/Uo92SuVn75I/AAAAAAAADrY/eAzL7gal3S8/Montgomery-MItts-5_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>The mitts will go with the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shawl-collared-cowl" target="_blank">Shawl Collared Cowl</a> from Alana Dakos (I made one of these last year for my daughter) and I’ve got some yarn to make one for me this year as well. Money well spent on the pattern. This only takes a couple days.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_g2s1r0jQGY/Uo92T8uJhHI/AAAAAAAADrk/AVwuZn6wOEI/s1600-h/Sherri-cowl-mitts-13.jpg"><img title="Sherri cowl mitts (1)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Sherri cowl mitts (1)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Oq2h8ddHlFo/Uo92U79zpdI/AAAAAAAADro/QP4Yac7ehBQ/Sherri-cowl-mitts-1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>I did finish the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/turbulence-cowl" target="_blank">Turbulence Cowl</a> while I was in MA but forgot to get a picture of it before I gave it to my daughter. I made it with Knit Picks City Tweed in the Lemon & Snowshoe. It was fun to knit and I still have yarn (Jacquard & Snowshoe) to make me one so I’ll have a picture of that down the road.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-v6jJrWZHpy8/Uo92VrmXu9I/AAAAAAAADr0/gI7VfNaS60k/s1600-h/Tweed%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Tweed" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Tweed" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--3v202rsflY/Uo92WiR62QI/AAAAAAAADr8/E3u73W1DL98/Tweed_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="144"></a></p> <p>I finished this <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gathered-scarf">Gathered Scarf</a> before I headed up to New England… but I don’t have a finished picture. It was made with the Plymouth Baby Alpaca DK… love that stuff… so soft!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_exOUYba6Iw/Uo92YAJQRWI/AAAAAAAADsE/bW_tvVZtAX0/s1600-h/Gathered%252520Scarf%2525201%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Gathered Scarf 1" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Gathered Scarf 1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lSFf_QXVPkY/Uo92Y8X3EQI/AAAAAAAADsI/rA9RMyxhkNw/Gathered%252520Scarf%2525201_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="229"></a></p> <p>So you say… “what’s still on your needles?” Oh there are several things still in the works. The <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/triplicity">Triplicity Shawl</a>… I have made no further progress on that as I need to pay attention to the pattern and I haven’t felt focused enough to sit with it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hvjP4bHkcRc/Uo92Z3sUj5I/AAAAAAAADsU/0zi2nDMC7JI/s1600-h/Triplicity%252520%2525284%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="Triplicity (4)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Triplicity (4)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QK5qx9yqyhw/Uo92a4w3RjI/AAAAAAAADsc/NRr0bAx5SXg/Triplicity%252520%2525284%252529_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="223"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/multnomah">Multnomah Shawl</a> is still hanging out… all the easy stuff is done and the lacy patterned edge is holding me up… same reason as above.</p> <p><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/multnomah"><img title="multnomah 3" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="multnomah 3" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ypf5rWMckEc/Uo92b38xLXI/AAAAAAAADsk/eoDftIAbv4Q/multnomah%2525203%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p>Oh and these silly things from last winter… I am about 3/4 of the way done with the second of these <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/felted-clogs-ac33">Felted Clogs</a> – I need to pull that bag out and get them done… because it’s chilly and they would be cozy!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rh1d09C_-TE/Uo92dmnQ_OI/AAAAAAAADss/3bfeoo32aBs/s1600-h/felt%252520clogs%2525202%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="felt clogs 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="felt clogs 2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jfYD57UWzBI/Uo92egwsELI/AAAAAAAADsw/b5G5wskIlM8/felt%252520clogs%2525202_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>These socks are still right here… feet are done… </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rfvjQbux7OU/Uo92flHJK4I/AAAAAAAADs8/v4IGqkR0yCY/s1600-h/2%252520Up%252520Socks%2525204%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="2 Up Socks 4" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2 Up Socks 4" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hLcCdV9nc5M/Uo92gfWG_6I/AAAAAAAADtE/Dp9vQZURJas/2%252520Up%252520Socks%2525204_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>I picked up some yarn and a very cute pattern for my daughter while up in New England… but I’ll have to tell you about that project later after I get it started.</p> <p>To see <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/2013/11/22/on-the-needles-november-22-2013/">what others are knitting</a> go over to Judy L’s <a href="http://www.patchworktimes.com/">Patchwork Times</a> blog.</p> Howdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895833780094335534noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560728302493710730.post-91258251363427705442013-11-19T10:21:00.001-05:002013-11-19T10:21:47.242-05:00Really - Late November Already?<p>There are times when I just don’t know what happened to the day…</p> <p>Or month… and a half…</p> <p>Well - all right Yes… I was up in New England for 3 of those weeks and had the opportunity to hug on some quilty friends, work at <a href="http://www.southamptonquilts.com/" target="_blank">Southampton Quilts</a> during the Massachusetts Shop Hop, hang out with my kids, visit some friends I hadn’t seen in a couple years… eat some wonderful foods… knit… and spend a long quilty weekend at my annual retreat with friends at “A Quilters Gathering” quilt show up in Manchester, NH.</p> <p>Then I came home… spent one day unpacking and doing laundry and the next day throwing up. Goodness… being sick can sure knock you for a loop. Then - that very first weekend I was back - we traveled down to VA to visit with my sister-in-law and attend a business related event with The Engineer. Before leaving VA on Sunday we helped my SIL with a mountain of leaves from all those <strike>blasted</strike> lovely trees surrounding her house. I spent a fair amount of time using the leaf blower… which I paid for over the next several days with an arm that was next to useless. That blower didn’t seem like it was too heavy… all I can figure is that the vibration in it drowned out my muscles telling me they were done working.</p> <p>This week I’m suppose to be painting the master bedroom… which needs to be done before we can install the new flooring we hauled home this weekend. </p> <p>Have you ever driven your car with the seat pulled ALL THE WAY UP? I did on Saturday with approx. 210 square feet of bamboo flooring in the back. If the air bag had gone off it would have crushed me flat… I was so close I couldn’t even see the speedometer… I had to duck sideways to put the visor back up as I couldn’t see to drive with it down. I had to keep my hands at 11 and 1… and I had to remove the head rest so I didn’t feel so claustrophobic. The Engineer who was suffering the same situation in the passenger seat wanted to stop for lunch on the way home… HA! I told him we would drive home – leave my car in the driveway and take his car to lunch… I had to get out of this car and wasn’t getting back in until I could move my seat back. For a short person I don’t sit close to the steering wheel… so this was way too much for me.</p> <p>I’ve been doing a fair amount of knitting and need to get some pictures… hopefully by the end of the week I’ll be back to show you what I’ve been working on and have finished!</p> <p>Here are a couple of pictures from Halloween from South Carolina. Looks like a western theme for my daughter and the kids… not sure who (or what) their friend is… LOL</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4w0lUUlPjU4/UouCAOcaZVI/AAAAAAAADoI/gtkrJ9HmplY/s1600-h/Halloween%2525202013%252520%2525284%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Halloween 2013 (4)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Halloween 2013 (4)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-o0Y17pQMFRE/UouCA1tUshI/AAAAAAAADoQ/y1OqgQdxvEo/Halloween%2525202013%252520%2525284%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="183"></a></p> <p>And here are my daughter and son-in-law… she always loves to dress up for Halloween.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iKEjU9uCbUY/UouCBq4tVBI/AAAAAAAADoY/cFYndvHKdKU/s1600-h/Halloween%2525202013%252520%2525281%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Halloween 2013 (1)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Halloween 2013 (1)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-usSsvEeDVx0/UouCCK6nybI/AAAAAAAADog/cgWIYhL7B8w/Halloween%2525202013%252520%2525281%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244"></a></p> Howdyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895833780094335534noreply@blogger.com1