Friday - 04/13/2018

Storms are coming and I had all kinds of things to do today because yesterday was Wally World don't ya know.  The girls are doing well but there have been 'accidents' and I can't get mad because they are getting up there in years.....really up there!  They'll both (the 2 dogs) be 15 this August so the Spotbot and I are on a first name basis!  LOL!  After I shampoo the spot I put a 'camel' cloth over it so we don't track on the wet carpet. 
As for Grace she is eating again and energetic and happy.  She can't get close enough to me it seems and she stares at me constantly with her big beautiful eyes.  It's like she is thanking me for saving her life or something....very strange!  I'm just so grateful she is better!

I found a recipe on Pinterest a while back for homemade Spotbot shampoo and I have been making my own ever since.   It does a good job and makes me realize how dirty the rest of the carpeting is!

I used an empty juice container and marked a line where 1 1/2 quarts is so I just fill it to there with water and add the remaining ingredients.  I think you can read the recipe there if you click on the picture it will enlarge it.  I will add it to my recipes...one of these days.
There was laundry today..........

and tortilla soup in the crock pot............

I finished a birthday present this week which is great...now on to the other ones!  I can't show it except on YOP because my daughter reads this blog except she knows not to look at YOP posts.  She's a good girl plus she loves surprises and never wants to know ahead of time.

It's been a dark and gloomy day and we have a tornado watch until 10:00 p.m......I'll have to get the weather radio out.....it's that time of year!
I finished this book which was excellent!  It even includes old recipes from a by-gone era.

I don't know if I've mentioned lately but I am still reading the Bible and I'm in 2nd Corinthians now.
I'm also reading the 2nd book in the Outlander series.......Dragonfly in Amber..........I finished watching Season 1 on t.v. on Starz so I can now move on to the 2nd book....it was confusing to watch the first and read the second.  Also, remember how I said I was tired of the women always being the ones with their clothes off?  Well, they must have  heard me because lo and behold there was full frontal nudity of a guy and not just once either!  Good going for equality!  Finally! 

I started reading this book but still haven't gotten too far.  My television is broke though so there might be more reading in the evening now.

I also got my Thrift Book order in and was distracted by this book  which I am loving!  It is by a male author but based on Laura's daughter Rose and her childhood.  You wouldn't know it wasn't written by Laura it's so good.  This is a series and this is the first book.

 I'm also reading this monstrosity..........

it was listed as one of the top ten books on the history of Ireland but I think they assume you know the basics.....I don't and there is much terminology that seems to be common to the Irish but not to me.  Something a little more concise and not written for someone getting their Ph. D in Irish History would have been more up my alley.  Oh well, it's only a zillion pages! LOL!
As for watching, I mentioned I finished Season 1 of Outlander, then I also caught up with The Yarn Hoarder podcast and watched the first episode of Howard's End.  I'm back catching up with Stitching the High Notes podcast and that's about it.
I hope you have a great Friday night and a wonderful weekend!
Happy Trails!!! 

Monday - 04/09/2018

Great news!!!!  My RA doctor called me about the blood test they ran for me on Friday and I am in excellent health.....no liver problem whatsoever and I am 5 pounds less than what the other doctor keeps telling me with his old scale! It was evidently an error and I'm glad I didn't follow his stupid diet although I tried a few things but they were YUCH!  So, I am healthy as a horse and to be honest I really thought I was. 
Today was busy as usual.  I  had to pick up prescriptions, get gas for mower and go to the bank.  I did all of it but not without some problems.  The internet was down in our area all day!  I had to go to 2 gas stations to get gas and it's a good thing I had my checkbook with me too!  I couldn't read blogs or do anything requiring the internet which was quite a bit on my list.  I never did get the lawn mowed but I did make cookies!  Far Side of Fiftie's
recipe for Swedish Browns............so good!

 I also did a teeny bit of my cross stitch..........

 I've never worked on linen 32 count over 2 threads but it's not that hard once you get used to it. 
Tomorrow is Garbage Day and also they will pick  up anything except, paint,  oil and electronics...well gee whiz....those are the things I want to get rid of!  I'm sure I can come up with some things to pitch! LOL!  They do this twice a year along with the city wide garage sale but they should have the garbage pick up AFTER the garage sale so people can get rid of what didn't sell.  That's my way of thinking anyway.
April 14 is the City-Wide Garage Sale and I think I might sign up this time.  It's supposed to be nice all week except rain on Friday so hopefully I will get some yard work done.  I hope the weather is cooperating with you and your plans!
Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #41

FO's - (Finished Objects) -  I have one!  I found a pattern on You Tube for a Cobblestone wash cloth.  Her tutorial was excellent although the pattern was a bit hard on my hands.
Learn How To Crochet Easy Cobblestone Washcloth Gift Set Crochet washcloth Tutorial #425

 1) I am calling this the "He-Man" washcloth as it is about 9" X 9".  I used an I crochet hook and Peaches and Creme 100% cotton worsted yarn in the Limeade colorway.  This is 1/2 of a spa gift set for my SIL for Christmas.  I will also be making this back scrubber........the link  is here
There are several "spa" type crochet patterns at this link.  If I would have found this first I would have used her washcloth pattern as she uses a different stitch for the "bumps" so I'll see but the yarn will be the same as the washcloth so I think it will be alright.  I thought it would make a nice gift and my SIL is a big guy so I think he'll appreciate the larger size cloth.

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 WIP's (Works in Progress)
1)  This shawl is in timeout for maybe forever..........it's easy so why can't I make it?  If you get off count on your rows you're done and I was being so careful...I thought....anyway......out of sight, out of mind and onto other ventures!

 2) I'm digging into my projects for gifts that never got completed.  Remember this one for my daughter?  It is a Frida Kahlo basket which requires 5 big 10" or larger squares.  I had 5 squares done and had ordered some Frida Kahlo fabric to line it with but it didn't coordinate with the yarns at all so I decided to order yarn colors that matched the fabric.  I should have done that to begin with.  So, I left the 5 squares I had done first to finish a basket for me later and started making new squares in the  new yarn colors...........I had one square done and I am on the second square now........

None of these items have been blocked so they look pretty wacky for now.......I hope to have the squares done by next week....this is something I can work on and watch t.v. also....PTL!

 3)  Felted slippers - I learned the wrap and turn!  But she never said anything about picking them up.  Are you supposed to?  I may email her but it went smoothly and I am moving along with the one anyway.............

 4)  I bought this material and pattern last year and did nada on it partly because it got 'lost' in the shuffle but I unearthed it recently and decided to give it a go.  I have everything I need except some 1/2 " double folded bias tape in navy blue so I will order that this week.  I also have the material in the laundry to be washed and then ironed.  Not much progress but some!  I am going to make the tunic in the bottom right hand corner.

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Acquisitions:  I was out of town all day Friday and bought a bunch of crafty things plus a little yarn.  If you want to see it all check the blog post before this one for all the "goodies"!
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What's in the Queue -
#1 - Land of Sweets Cowl
I still have to get enough mini-skeins to do the different colors.  I think I will be dyeing my own now.
#2 - Some Valentine's Day socks - I'll be on the look out for VD appropriate yarn.  I heard that Lolo Did It always dyes special yarns for the holidays so I need to take a look but it will have to be in next month's craft budget. 
#3 - Something for St. Patrick's Day...socks or cowl...not sure.  I think I found a cowl pattern with a Celtic design but I would like socks too!
#4 - Still more washcloths as I have plenty of Dishie and Peaches and Creme worsted cotton
#5 - The Spring color cotton is for some leaf book markers
#6 - Crocheted back scrubber for Tracy
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What I'm "wishing upon a star" for -
#1 - My Valentine and St. Patrick's Day yarns for socks or cowls and mini's for cowl and Granny Stripe Blanket.
 #2 - Susan B. Anderson has her 2 kits back in stock..........The Loopy Sheep
and her Spring Chicken kits  just in time for Spring but where do I get the dough for all these great items?
#3 - my new over the top obsession I discovered from Little Bobbin's mother who does the most beautiful stitchery from Jesse Chorley
I'd like to do her Friendship Quilt  if I live long enough! LOL!  I may try just a little sampler on my own but check out her website for lots of other wonderful and unique items and projects.
#4 - Knitting at the Library Cowl - a pay for pattern on Ravelry.  I'm thinking this may be the year of cowls or slippers....we'll see who wins out! The cowl looks like different shelves of books!  So cool!
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YOP Goals from last week:
1) ***continue working on Hitch Hiker shawl - in long-term timeout!!!
2) *** DONE***learn wrap and turn for felted wool slippers and continue
3) ***DONE***get out crochet basket for my daughter's birthday and work on
4) create mini skeins and dye
5) pin another I Spy quilt
6) cut binding for my sampler quilt
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 YOP Goals for this coming week:
1) work on back scrubber for Tracy Christmas gift
2) email author of felted slipper pattern about picking up wraps?
3) complete all 5 squares for Frida Kahlo basket
4) learn how to create mini skeins 
5) pin another I Spy quilt
6) cut binding for my sampler quilt
7) start Spring Cross Stitch
8) wash and iron fabric and cut out pattern pieces
9) order bias tape and Swedish tracing paper for patterns
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  Podcasts: I need to work on catching up with Stitching The High Notes and other regulars.
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We got snow yesterday morning!!!  It has been below freezing every morning and then it warms up but still a very 'cool' April for here.  I saw a goldfinch and 2 bluebirds yesterday and the robins are still here!  The snow was gone by noon.

 Happy Trails!!!!
P.S.  To see other fabulous makes please visit our other YOP participants