Book reviews and new projects dangling in front of me!

 Well, I found MY Easter project (along with Miss Maggie of course)! :)  This is a free pattern over on the Rowan website.....of course using Rowan yarn!  Nothing like a new project to motivate a gal!

I finished a book that I picked up at Walmart.  It was a book I had heard about and it was on my list "to be read" so when I saw it I had to buy it!   This was another one I could not put down!  This one was especially fascinating since the man was a neurosurgeon and knows the brain inside and out, literally.  I am a science person myself so reading about it with a scientific view was very interesting to me.  I do believe, so he didn't have to convince me but it's always nice to get validation.  Regardless of your beliefs I am sure you would enjoy this book.

 It won't count on my "Embarassment of Riches" book group book since that has to be books that you already own and/or did not spend a cent on.  So, I'm thinking the next one counts since it was given to me, the Mason-Dixon Knitting book that Sue, the book fairy, brought me the other day.  I read it from cover to cover and loved every project in it!  It really appeals to my "practical" knitting side and these gals write hysterically!  It IS a laughing matter to them!

lots of rugs...........

 

 and log cabin blankets just like the quilt block they're named after...........

 

 and of course the household staple..........the "warsh rag" as they like to call it. 

 I will be making everything in this book if I live long enough!  I may alter a few things....like I really don't need a Moses basket lined and edged in gorgeous knitting but I do have lots of baskets that I could use instead.  Oh, the hopes and dreams of a fiber nut...ME!!!! LOL!  I hope you had a great Tuesday!

Oh, and they have another book and a blog!  I think I died and I'm in heaven now!

Pinterest Project and the Bluebird of Happiness!

Last night I got on Pinterest and noticed I have all these ideas "pinned" and I keep pinning but never do anything with them so........I decided I will try and test them out.  This one I tried today and it is a WINNER!!!!  It is the recipe for a simmering potpourri that states it is the wonderful smell inside the WIlliams Sonoma stores.  Well, I've never been in their stores so I can't say if that is true but the smell is wonderful and it does freshen up your whole house!

Here's the recipe......
Fill a stockpot 2/3 full of water
Add one lemon sliced
Add a few sprigs of fresh Rosemary (I happen to have this in spades outside)
1 to 2 tesaspoons of vanilla

Bring to a simmer and let it simmer all day on your stove and it does permeate the whole house!  I use the cinnamon orange ones in the Winter but this is a great fresh smell for Spring when it's still too cold to open all the windows.  You can add more water as it evaporates and the Pinterest person who posted this said it lasts about 2 days.  This one is a keeper for sure!
 
I know....terrible photo but I was so excited to see a bluebird outside my window....I love them!  It was the best I could do.....better luck next time!  The screen is enough to make your eyes cross! LOL!

A new season of Dancing With The Stars starts tonight!  Thank goodness because there has been nothing else on unless you're a basketball fan.  Take care!

YOP Update

The faster I go the "behinder" I get!  LOL!  It's 9:00 p.m. and I am just now getting around to this!  (It would be 8:00 p.m. except for that dang Daylight Savings Time!  It may save the Daylight but now I'm staying up later.)
Anyway...........here's my update for what it's worth....my excuse is that we had 2 days of 78 degree weather which pulled me outside for sure and so glad I did because it is now 40 degrees F and I have a fire going in the fireplace! LOL! 
I finally finished my Magic Loop second sock of the second pair..............

Now, on to DPN's........OMG!!!!  Heaven help me!
I did manage to have a go at Miss Maggie my little bunny girl.  I know she's not  a YOP but I have issues with commitment I think.  The minute I put my YOP list out there I saw all kinds of things I wanted to do that weren't on the list....does anyone else have that problem????
Anyway, Maggie does have knitting involved at least.........
She looks more like a bird here but I promise, she IS a bunny rabbit!

See....there is knitting and there's my yarn to prove it!

There's her little cape...so cute I can hardly stand it!  I hope I do a good job!  Wish me luck!

 

I am moving forward with some new projects but didn't get pictures on here.  These projects ARE on my YOP list.  One is knitted chair pads and the other is crocheted edging on towels, pillowcases or whatever I can affix it too.  I've wanted to learn how to do this for ages!  I'm thinking once I get going with "edging" there may be no stopping me! LOL!

Also, you've probably heard me say how tired I am all the time and how I can't get a lot done ever since they messed with my thyroid.  Well,  I heard the other day that if you're taking statin drugs for high cholesterol they deplete certain vitamins and one is  Co-Q-10.....so I bought some and it is supposed to give you back the energy that the statins take from you!  Hallelujah!  This may be the answer to my prayers!  You're supposed to check with your doctor first but hell's bells, I've been complaining about this for years!  He had his opportunity....now it's my turn! LOL!  If these pills work, you may see lots more progress on my blog!  Wouldn't that be something????  I am SO happy!

I'll catch up with all of you tomorrow.  For the last 2 days we have lost electric power for hours!  No storms, sunny day, no wind.....they were doing maintenance I'm sure because it came back on around 5:00 p.m....hmmm.....quitting time?  Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!!  I made colcannon and a shamrock shake!

TTYL!

Oh, I almost forgot!  The book fairy, (her name is Sue), stopped by today with some great books for me!  Look!

Some great mysteries that have "fibers" involved and an herb book too!

Also..........this one's going to bed with me tonight.........lookie, lookie!!!!

I've heard about these gals and their book and I can't wait to crawl beneath the covers and delve into it tonight and Celtic Thunder is on PBS!  I hope you had a great St. Pattrick's Day, I know I did and I'm Irish so I know a good one when I see it! LOL!

 

 

Spring fever has me in it's grips!!!!

I haven't even posted I have been so busy!  Doing what you ask?  Finally doing some much needed cleaning, and clearing the old stale Winter air out of the house!  Plus, if I want to get my house up for sale I had better "get a move on"!   It's been cool then warm then cool again but I am getting stuff done so when it is finally, REALLY Spring...I can run outside and stay there (I have landscaping to get a handle on before selling house also)!  But here's one little area....my cardboard box that had all my picture hanging paraphernalia in it got dumped and pitched.  No more cardboard boxes...all plastic with lids now!

Above is the BEFORE  and below is the....you guessed it.........AFTER

A couple things wouldn't fit in but they'll be fine...........here we are,  all ready to label and neatly tuck away on a shelf in the closet and hope I remember where the next time I need this stuff! LOL!

Before I go into MAJOR cleaning mode I ensure I have plenty of food to carry me through so I don't collapse from starvation or no sugar in my bloodstream.  So.........I thought homemade pecan rolls would be hardy fare!

And how about a nice lemon and rosemary roast chicken to carry me through the next week...........

The dark part in the rosemary which was mixed with salt and lemon rind and rubbed on the chicken which had been rubbed with olive oil.....so simple.....so good!  I think Nigella Lawson once stated that after being away from home she would come in the house and immediately put a chicken in the oven to roast.   She said until she smelled the chicken roasting she didn't really feel like she was home yet.  I paired this with some brussle sprouts...my all time favorite vegetable and some chopped up roasted potatoes with the skin left on.  I always wash all my vegetables when I get them home from the store and then when I go to use them they're ready....like the potatoes.  I just chop them up into chunks, throw them in a pan with some olive oil and seasonings of choice, toss them together and throw them into the oven with the chicken....easy peasy!  The brussle sprouts were frozen so into a pan, cover with water, bring to a boil and cook for 3 minutes although probably longer as I like mine mushy so I can mash them like potatoes.  The chicken also had a sliced lemon inside of it with fresh rosemary sprigs in case you were wondering.  Wonderfully simple, delicious meal I can enjoy for days to come when I'm exhausted from too much cleaning! LOL!
The weather people said there was a comet in the Western sky to look for at about sunset so out I went and look what I saw!  Was it a jet stream or a comet?  It was the only one out there so I'm taking it as the comet!  It's my story and my picture.  Oh, it's the little pink streak in the sky there, in case you were wondering.

I finished a book too although actually I've been staying up later with "projects" and falling into bed so tired I haven't been reading as much.
Knit Lit is a compilation of knitting essays that ran the gamut from wise old knitters to young ones to people that didn't even knit but wrote about knitters they knew and loved.  Great writing and I'm hoping there is more "Knit Lit" out there!  This will count as one of my book club reads but I am behind in every group I belong too so who's counting?

Oh, did you ask about Maggie, my little bunny girl?  I have done little...one gal who got a kit the same time I did has her "practice" one done and is now working on her "kit" one....not a bad idea as the Liberty fabric in the kit is too pretty to mess up!  But I did get a little done....very little..........I copied and cut out the patterns! LOL!
Actually, I have cut her out too but I didn't take a picture of that. 

 My socks...you ask me about my sock knitting?  Well, I was almost done with the second sock of the second pair when I needed to measure.  I tried the first one on and it was too small!!!!  Dang!  Then I couldn't find my knitting counter and tape measure...in fact I couldn't find ANY tape measure in the house and I know I have at least 3!!!  Finally, I found it several days later and then I couldn't find the pattern!  AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!  But...this is what happens when I clean and organize....I should be used to it....I cannot find anything!  Why do I torture myself this way by cleaning I ask you!?!?!?  Because I want to sell my house and move to my final resting place where I can relax and never clean again.  Did I just say that?  Now there's some major motivation!  LOL!  Actually, I love a clean, well-organized and decorated home....I've just never had one! LOL!  TTYL!  Hugs to all!  

 

Before and After............

Before...............

 

After.........
split pea and ham soup...recipe tomorrow in my recipe tab

Before............. 

 After...........

Before...........from Kuwait...hmmm....who could that be?

After!   My wonderful, so thoughful virtual friend Tammy of T's Daily Treasures sent this to me....I can't remember the last time I received a Valentine's card and included, her darling crocheted little heart. Thank you Tammy!  You're Tammy  "the" treasure!  Yes, it takes a long time to come from Kuwait!

Before........a pile of fabric scraps

After.......nicely pressed and folded.......

Before.........

After!  Yes, Maggie arrived today....but the REAL "after" may take awhile.........

Guess what I'll be doing this weekend?  And how about you?  What are your big plans for this weekend?

I hope you are all doing well and relaxing!

Spring in so many ways...........

 A little Spring on the kitchen table.............

 

Unearthing one of the few remainders of my childhood...........

 Divide and conquer..........cleaning and organizing my sewing/dining room...

which of course spills into other rooms........

Oh!  I have so much STUFF but I did end up with a full garbage when I was done too so that made me feel like I made some progress!

I know this is blurry but I had to share this with you....these are photos in a clothing catalog I got in the mail today.    Those are REAL women...they look like people from a concentration camp!  I had never realized what a bad image these magazines give to young women.  No wonder they're anorexic!  It's terrible....the models in the picture look ill and their cheeks are sunken.  They must have rounded up all the anorexic women they could find for these pictures.  I was sick once when I was a young mother and I went down to 80 pounds and I looked terrible!  Since when did this become "attractive"?  I noticed the male models looked "normal".....what is wrong with young women today?  Is this what I marched for in the days of "women's lib"?  So sad! 

I finished my cross stitch and washed and ironed it and was going to sew it....this is what started the whole Spring cleaning thing......does that ever happen to you?  We'll see how long it is before I actually get it sewn up! LOL!

It was a productive day but now..........we're tired.......

 

 I hope you had a wonderful Thursday!

Tuesday Tips!

These tips I share are more about being frugal or scaling back if need be.  I've found it seems you either have time or money and few of us have both.  I grew up with the dictum "Use it up, make it do, throw it out or buy it new" and in that order.
Here are some tips I hope you can use.

Tip #1 - I've read many places that recommend putting your candles in the freezer to get out the last bits of wax when your candle is used up.  I find that putting mine in hot soapy dish water makes the left over wax much more pliable to remove safely and easily.

Tip #2 - I've found the most reasonable and nicely scented candles to be the ones at Wal-Mart here in the U.S.  They're about $5.00 for a big one, a nice variety of scents, burn clean and scent the room.  The bonus is they have lids and I can use the containers for other things after the candle is finished.

Tip #3 -  I bought this wick trimmer years ago and I don't know what I ever did without it.  One of the secrets of keeping your candles from  "smoking" is to always trim your wick before you light it.  Before I had my "wick trimmer" I used to grab a kleenix and grab the wick and turn  and the burnt part would come off leaving about 1/4 inch of wick remaining. 

I hope these tips are helpful to you in some way and I hope your Tuesday was a good one!

YOP Update and more.....

Don't let Spring fool you!  We've had the coldest weather yet and I can't believe these daffodils survived the ice storm we had!

Meanwhile, I stopped watching television while knitting and it's amazing what progress I'm making!  Who knew?  Almost done with my second sock of my second pair.  I only had 1 pair on my YOP list but I think I will always have a pair of socks on my needles from now on.  I must admit though, I think I know why people use the multi-colored and self-striping......because solid colors,  especially light ones, show every  little snag and stitch that's not perfect!  My next pair will be multi-colored/patterned for sure! LOL!

I had to throw in a bit of greenery although this "Holly" (I think it's holly?) looks like this year round.  I'm getting Spring Fever down here in Arkansas.

I need to make some cookies today too, oatmeal crisps from Pioneer Woman.  they are her husband's favorites and  mine too!  I love the fact that they're refrigerator so I make 2 rolls and freeze one for another time.  Meanwhile, I've added a few new colors to the Blackberry Salad blanket.  Now this project is great for watching t.v.!  Another reason to have multiple projects going at once! LOL!

I think I only had 1 or 2 potholders on my list too but these are great for in between projects when you just have to have something to work on but you're too tired to start putting another project together.  Again, I think I will always have these going and/or washcloths for a quick, "grabable" project which also travels well as they're small.  See the Burpee seed catalog there under the crochet book?  I can't help it!  I have so many projects going and now it's time to garden too!  Oh my!  I love all my projects....what's a gal to do?

 If you read my last blog posting, I also have bunnies coming to sew.  Well, just one actually but you know what they say about bunnies.  I know there will be way more than one bunny in my future!  

I also finished my cross stitch and washed it to dissolve the waste canvas and it is hanging to dry before I sew it up into a little purse.

I've been doing a little Spring Cleaning.  Cleaning my house is a little like going on an archaeological dig....you never know what you might "unearth"! LOL! In this case it was my first knitting project which never got finished! It was a Lion Brand kit for a scarf.

Another project that's not on my YOP list.  I think I'll unravel and save it for another day as I don't think it would match my knitting.  I'm hoping I'm a better knitter now.

 By next week I am sure to have several of the above projects wrapped up and onto a few new ones that ARE on my YOP list!  Wishing you a wonderful day and week ahead!