another gorgeous day...one right after the other!

I'm getting lots done FINALLY!  But yet the days just fly by....what's up with that?  It seems I get up, have breakfast, get the mail and before I know it the 5 o'clock news is on and then it's time for bed! LOL!

 Did I tell you I made a big pot of split pea and ham soup?  The ham bone was so big though and you had to cover with water well, then it ended up I had to go buy more peas!  It's really good though and very economical.  I'm thinking some of this will get frozen!  There's a lot of soup there for 1 person!

 

I'm just about to the point on my sock(s) where I was when I messed up last time so say a little prayer that I get farther along this time! LOL!  I am determined to knit socks and lots of them! 

I did make a coaster after I finished the potholder....I just put the potholder in so you could see the size difference....still loving that pattern and I pretty much have it memorized now.

 I started another potholder...one of a set of 2 that will go to my "cooking" son for Christmas.  I think he will like this colorway.

The African Violet is still unfurling!  It has more ruffles than a petticoat!

I finally got the lawn mowed today too and I came in and took a bath and had my "jammies" on by 5:00 p.m.!  I'm bushed.....nighty night!  I hope you all had a wonderful day where you are!

Another gorgeous but busy day..............here's some great websites!

I'm working on financial stuff, laundry, and ran to the store today so this is a miscellaneous post.....my real life! LOL!  The lawnmower guy just left and loaned me his John Deere tire because he said a new tire for my riding Deere would cost $170!!!!!!  Do you believe it?  I don't pay that much for tires for my Tahoe and they're LOTS bigger!  He said he's going to look for another "less expensive" tire but it probably won't be John Deere yellow.....I don't care if it's purple as long as it doesn't cost $170.00!!!!!  Whoa Nellie...I won't be buying another John Deere that's for sure!

I meant to tell you the other day about some neat websites I've discovered.  One is The Cozy Mystery  site....I love this site!

This site has everything you would want if you're a mystery lover!  They are listed by title, by author, by location, by hobby, by type.....you name it, this site allows you to find the perfect mystery for you!  Cozy mystery, that is.
Another couple good sites are The Pine Needle Quilt Shop which is where I used to shop when I lived in Iowa and they carry LOTS of quilting, cross stitching and other yummy things.  Next is The Golden Thimble  which houses the Quilting Clubhouse which has free patterns, recipes, and free BOM groups...AMAZING and it's FREE!  And last but not least is.....Chickadee Hollow Designs 
which is an online shop that has kits and patterns for smaller and miniature quilts and embroidery projects.  I love this sight!  I think I am getting in the sewing mood with Fall coming and holidays looming.  I love to make handmade items for gifting.  I hope you enjoy them! 
My prayers and hopes go out to the 9/11 families, survivors,  and all those who aided in the rescue efforts and those that are watching from above....at least this year Osama Bin Laden is gone.  I hope they get some solace from that.  We will never forget any of you....you will ALWAYS be in our prayers.

OMG it's so beautiful out....perfect weather for walking!

  The girls I took out again walking today..........here's what we discovered and saw.............

 

Some moss...........but so much had died off during the drought but the last rain is greening everything back to life!

 But some things didn't make it................

a geode..........

the dried up creek bed..................

plenty of dry kindling to collect for Winter...........

wild asters?

Yellow!!!!

the strangest weed I've ever seen.............

remnants of a mini forest fire that was put out not too far from me...thank goodness!

a poplar I think.....I love to watch their leaves in the wind as they sparkle!

some berries for the birds are coming back just in time for Winter..........

I think these are juniper berries....they're the prettiest grayish blue....cloud colored..........

homeward bound..............

I hope you enjoyed this glorious day where ever you are!

Sunday YOP update..........

Well, here are my projects and one is done!  Ta Da!  It's not the best but it's funny, it seems right about the time I'm winding up a new project is when I finally "get it" and start knitting like I do! LOL!  You can tell my starting corner is pretty sad so maybe my idea of using great yarn should be reserved for the 2nd edition.  Anyway...here is the good, the bad, and the ugly! LOL!

 I'm not sure I want to do another one though.  It is not fun when it gets scrunched on that circular needle  and somehow during the process I got it turned around thus the correct edging is on the back...whoa Nellie!
I like to see what I'm doing and how it's coming along but it was so tight on the circular and I was using the longest cable I had which I think was 42-46 or 40-42....anyway, there it is and despite the look it is all holding together! (So far anyway) LOL! 
Below is the double strength potholder project.  I've made 3 so far and plan on making more.  They are super easy once you get the hang of it and make a really nice THICK potholder.  I am making some coasters now and place mats would be nice in this thickness too.    I didn't put a number on how many in my project but it's one of those patterns that I will be turning to time and again.  It's a great project to watch t.v. with or when you want something brainlessly easy to work on.  Those are MY kind of projects! LOL!  The yarn I've been using for this is Peaches and Cream cotton that I buy at Walmart.  It is inexpensive and works perfectly for these and comes in a whole variety of solids and variegated.

Well..............(deep subject)...........the socks which have been "frogged" more times than I can count are back on the needles.   I am determined to become a good sock knitter if I live long enough.

Synopsis of YOP projects thus far:

FINISHED:
Granny Stripe table runner (crochet)
3 potholders (crochet)
Bath mat (knitted)
3 dish towels (knitted)

WIP:
socks (2 pair, actually...........don't laugh) (knitting)
wool applique quilt/wall hanging (wool applique)
cross stitch (I'd show you but I've misplaced it and can't find it.....oh boy!  Sad...very sad! LOL!) (cross stitch)
crocheted coaster and more potholders for gifts (crochet...ongoing...nice fill in between projects or while waiting for yarn to arrive in the mail! Ha! Ha!)

YOP's remaining:
Blackberry Salad Striped Afghan (crochet)
Everyday Edgings (crochet)
Pinata Bag (crochet)
Cherry Jam (crochet)
Little Urchin Crochet Covered Sea Stones (crochet)
Seeing Stars Blanket (crochet)
Stripey Spring Rug (crochet)
Babette Blanket (crochet)
Tornado Twister (crocheted cowl)
Situpons (crocheted chair pads)

Okay, what wrong with this list?  It's all crochet!  Didn't I say I wanted to improve my knitting skills?  Well, it's not going to happen if I don't keep knitting.  I know, the socks will keep me busy for sure but if any of you have any suggestions for skill-building knitting projects which won't send me "over the edge" I would appreciate it!   BTW....I don't use shawls or ponchos.  Hats need to be loose as I wear my hair up in a bun.  Plus, I live in the South but I guess I could start knitting for my move up North!  I'll need warm stuff there for sure!
I'm sorry I missed all of you last week!   Have a great one and Happy Fall!