Lots to blog about..........

On my walk the other day I found this dead in the middle of the street about a block from my house....

I'm thinking it was a diamond back rattlesnake.  I did a lot of 'cropping" so I didn't gross anyone out as it had been run over several times.  The city has been mowing parkways and I think it stirred them up.  I've been here 10 years and it's the first time I've seen one.  I know there are a lot of snakes in Arkansas but usually if they hear you coming they get out of your way.
On a brighter note, storms rolled through yesterday and washed it all away....it was totally gone today.  The storms were pretty severe but no damage here that I could see other than tree limbs.

  It was pretty humid this morning on our walk and there are more storms coming....

I got treasures in the mail too.....these are books that have been on my list all year for next year's Year of Projects 2014/15 which starts in July!  So, project planning is in the works and the supplies will need to be ordered also. 
I pretty much want to make everything in this book..........

The blanket on the cover of this book is a definite project............

This book has the pattern "Lacy Blocks" which you have probably seen in some of my photos....it's a yellow crocheted blanket that looks like it is blocks but it is really all one piece.
 It is a wonderful blanket and the best t.v. watching project ever!  I've made several and never tire of making them but I lost my pattern thus I had to order the book.

I also ordered this little pamphlet as it contains a pattern for a baby size "Lacy Blocks".

And last but not least...........I've wanted this one for ages now........

This is a story book AND it contains the knitting patterns for Spud (the lamb) and Chloe (the girl) and more farm accessories and animals.  Aren't they just the cutest?  Have any of you made Susan B. Anderson's toys?  I'm making her giraffe and also her sock pattern and taking a craftsy class from her about the giraffe.  She has a website, Susan B. Anderson that is such a great blog with lots of drawings and links to other great sites.  If you're a knitter or a spinner you should really check her out!  She's talented, very nice and she has podcasts.
I got all these books used except for the Mollie Makes book so it wasn't as costly as it looks...thank goodness!
The thunder is starting to rumble so I better get off of here!  Happy Trails!

My bi-annual trip to Mountain Home and I won the lottery!

I wish I could've taken pictures on the way because it is beautiful and they have a huge lake with a huge bridge across it that I white-knuckle every time.  But alas, I am alone, so I keep both hands on the wheel!  I had to have lab work done and see the rheumatologist or insurance won't pay for my prescriptions.  I'm happy  to say I am in fine health and while I was there I won the lottery!

Not the Arkansas lottery but I was able to "try" the new "auto-gen" delivery method for Enbrel, the RA drug I've taken for years now.  These are worth about $500.00 per shot....so that was $500.00 worth right there and then they gave me 3 more to take home!  That is $2000.00 worth of medicine I got for free!  So, now you see why I felt like I won the lottery?  I am SO blessed!

I also got to visit The Truck Patch, my favorite natural and organic food store.  I was able to pick up some items I've been wanting for awhile now like my favorite shampoo and soap.

I also picked up some local honey........

I stopped at a fabric store and got some fabric to make my project bags that I've been talking about...

and I also got this rug kit.  I need new rugs so why not learn how to make them myself?  Unfortunately when I opened it up at home there were no instructions in it so I called them today and they're mailing them to me.  It comes "pre-started" for you evidently to give you a leg up.  It has a wooden needle that is threaded with the fabric and all the fabric you need already pre-cut.  I love the red.  I'll let you know how it goes when I get the instructions.

 I had an absolutely wonderful day and the weather was perfect.  It's a beautiful drive but a long one and on the way home I stopped at a Sonic for supper.  I never eat out but I had nothing cooked at home and I knew I was too tired to make anything once I got there.  Since my health report was so good I splurged....I had a double bacon cheeseburger, fries and a salted caramel shake.  YUMMO!  I ate it all and I was stuffed but what a treat that meal was!  I hope your week is going great.  Happy Trails!

YOP Sunday

Springtime is wonderful but there is so much to do around here not counting the fact that I need to walk daily....which I did this morning.......

This might be a "stink"  bush blooming...not sure.  I didn't get close enough to take a whiff

 

We've had quite a bit of rain so I have to get outside and get work done before it becomes a jungle....it might be too late....I did get some flowers planted

I got the front door washed and windows cleaned and I made a wreath out of what I had here in the house....I'm proud of myself because I'm don't consider myself very creative... I had the grape vine wreath and the garland and the watermelon is actually a votive holder.  I was inspired by Connie's Spring wreath that she made over at Far Side of Fifty  Thanks for the inspiration, Connie!

I waxed the door good after washing it because I had painted it with chalk paint and never got around to waxing/sealing it.

I put another bucket of flowers by the front door

  The perennials are coming up gangbusters but they all look a little bedraggled because of the rain we've had.

I also planted a couple of tomato plants in containers, of course.  It's about the only way you can garden down here....it's a jungle!

Oh, I bet you'd like to see some YOP pictures....yes, I did get some of that done too but I know I have lots of work to do to finish up some of these by July!  It's only a month away!

I'm making good progress on the blanket which was NOT part of this years YOP but next years.  It was my first KAL though at the yarn shop so I just  have to work on it.  I know now why people do KAL's......they're very motivating!

I am now on block #14 of 55 and do you see the new color?  It's oatmeal and that is the last color to be added.

You're not going to believe this but I FINALLY got my grandson's quilt, pin basted...that's the good news.  The bad news is that right after I finished pinning it I found a great tutorial about how to do it the correct way.  Will I start over and redo it?  Tune in next week to find out!

I actually finished the bottom of one of the 2 giraffes I am making for the other 2 grandboys.....they are all July babies and my daughter is too so it's a busy month for presents.  

It may not look like a giraffe yet but if you look at Susan B. Anderson's Itty-Bitty Toy book or patterns on Ravelry you'll see the resemblance.  The rest of the body parts are knitted separately.  I'm on to do the head next so hopefully you'll see more progress on this soon.

I'll be by later to see what ya'll have been up to this week for your YOP's.  I need to update my list....I'm almost afraid to look at it.  Plus, I have "supplies" to order for next year's list which isn't complete yet but I'm so excited!  I can't wait to share it all with you next month.  

Happy Trails!