Ready? Set? Go!!!!

     Here's a list of all the holidays for 2014 in the U.S.  This year I'm going to be ready.  Since I make everything from scratch (mostly) I need HUGE lead times....plus I'm a slug.  Tune in tomorrow to see what I'm planning on making for Valentine's Day. Yes, I'm skipping Mr. Lincoln and the groundhog unless someone has some ideas out there for them?  But I'm thinking Valentine's Day is the next one to start "baking and making" for.  See you tomorrow!

Maybe we should start a MAL (make along) group so we can help each other be prepared this year.  I am still finishing up Christmas and birthdays from last month!  I know...sad but true.  In my defense, I did not plan to make everything until the last few months before Christmas but this year will be the same different!  I swear!  So please join me as I share projects, ideas, recipes and my own personal progress for a very Handmade 2014.  

Until then............Happy Trails!

 

The most common (Federal) holidays of the United States (USA) in 2014 are listed below.

Date		Holiday	Number of days to go
January 1	Wednesday	New Year's Day 2014	215
January 20	Monday	Martin Luther King Day 2014	234
January 24	Friday	Belly Laugh Day 2014	238
February 2	Sunday	Groundhog Day 2014	247
February 12	Wednesday	Lincoln's Birthday 2014	257
February 14	Friday	Valentine's Day 2014	259
February 17	Monday	Presidents Day and Washington's Birthday 2014	262
March 4	Tuesday	Mardi Gras Carnival (New Orleans) 2014	277
March 9	Sunday	Daylight Saving (Start) 2014	282
March 17	Monday	St. Patrick's Day 2014	290
April 1	Tuesday	April Fool's Day 2014	305
April 18	Friday	Good Friday 2014	322
April 20	Sunday	Easter 2014	324
April 21	Monday	Easter Monday 2014	325
April 22	Tuesday	Earth Day 2014	326
May 5	Monday	Cinco de Mayo 2014	339
May 11	Sunday	Mother's Day 2014	345
May 17	Saturday	Armed Forces Day 2014	351
May 26	Monday	Memorial Day 2014	360
June 8	Sunday	Pentecost 2014	373
June 9	Monday	Pentecost Monday 2014	374
June 14	Saturday	Flag Day 2014	379
June 15	Sunday	Father's Day 2014	380
July 4	Friday	Independence Day 2014	399
July 27	Sunday	Parents' Day 2014	422
September 1	Monday	Labor Day 2014	458
September 7	Sunday	Grandparents' Day 2014	464
September 11	Thursday	Patriot Day or September 11th 2014	468
September 16	Tuesday	Stepfamily Day 2014	473
September 17	Wednesday	Citizenship Day 2014	474
September 26	Friday	Native American Day 2014	483
October 13	Monday	Columbus Day 2014	500
October 16	Thursday	Boss's Day 2014	503
October 18	Saturday	Sweetest Day 2014	505
October 31	Friday	Halloween 2014	518
November 2	Sunday	Daylight Saving (End) 2014	520
November 11	Tuesday	Veterans' Day 2014	529
November 27	Thursday	Thanksgiving 2014	545
November 28	Friday	Black Friday 2014	546
December 1	Monday	Cyber Monday 2014	549
December 7	Sunday	Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 2014	555
December 25	Thursday	Christmas Day 2014	573
December 31	Wednesday	New Year's Eve 2014	579

2013 Holidays

2015 Holidays

2014 Calendar

31.368

2014 Calendar

87.152

2014 Month calendar

6.918

See more holidays in other years, click on one of the links below or view the 2014 calendar. 

2013 Holidays   •   2014 Holidays   •   2015 Holidays   •   2016 Holidays

See also the 2014 Calendar.

YOP Sunday

 It has been a cold and rainy and icy week here but there's a warming trend now, 54 today and 60's tomorrow and sunshine!  I need it too.  I have been like a slug; no energy, no motivation but tomorrow I'll go for a nice walk with the girls and hopefully that will jump start my engine again. 
I started this hat for my grandson Grayson.  He was named after the Irish side of the family so I chose this worsted yarn by Knitpicks called Dublin and I named the hat Dubliner.  It is the ear flap pattern from Purl Soho in the child's size. 

This was supposed to be a scarf for my son Benjamin who's birthday is the 18th.  Why do I always try something new for a gift?  It was the Herringbone stitch which I mastered but I struggled with the cable as I think it was too short.  I was literally having to pick up some stitches with my fingernails to get the needle underneath the yarn!  I love wooden needles but they are not very "pointy".

 I finally had to frog it until I get some better needles to work with it and not have a deadline.  I think I'd rather have straight needles to do a scarf anyway.   As soon as I finish Grayson's hat I will cast on a hat for Ben instead.  I do like the Herringbone pattern but if you mess up it REALLY throws off the pattern and it is very obvious and I'm not sure I would know how to "back out" of a mistake on this one.  I'd hate to make a mistake on row 60 of the 61 rows required.

 The cuff is done on the sock and now it's just knit for 6 inches but I haven't had much time with 2 gifts to get done. 

All my other time has been spent setting up Outlook for my organizational tool and projects.  I did organize and get up to date with my Ravelry projects and my list here on my blog....finally.  I also decided not to list my books and reviews here on my blog but instead put a widget to Goodreads where I will list my books, reviews and books I want to read.  No sense duplicating my efforts and Goodreads is so great for keeping track especially for my "series" books. 
I hope you are all doing well, staying healthy and warming up after the "deep freeze" across the country.  Happy Trails until we meet again..........

YOP Sunday

Goodness gracious I struggled with loading my photos!  But I finally figured it out and used the SD card instead of the camera.  Beware of Windows 8!  So, here's what I've been up to since 2014 started.  First...look at this gorgeous yarn.

  It is by Cakewalk Yarns, an Etsy shop which has since closed and I have no idea why as she had been highly recommended by Susan B. Anderson  on her blog.  I actually got to see the socks made up in this yarn so I was sold.  I can't remember the name now but since she's no longer open I guess it doesn't make much difference.   I'm also using Susan's "go to" sock pattern which she has for free on her blog and/or Ravelry..  Oh those needles are tiny...from using a 7 to using a 1.  I hope my eyes are up to it, lol!

I spent one evening just rewinding the yarn and it doesn't look nearly as pretty as it did in the skein but I still love it.   I'm actually almost done with the cuff but after all the trouble with uploading pics I wasn't going to try again.

I also finished another hat....this one for one of my sons.  I'm glad to be working with some color after all that solid stuff.

I used Knitpicks Brava worsted weight and I really like their yarns plus they're reasonably priced.  This was another Purl Soho Basic Hat pattern.  I did use circular needles for this.
 Yesterday was my 65th birthday and I made an orange cake with a recipe I got from Ruth and it was delicious!  Thank you Ruth, and thank you Benjamin for choosing such a great cake for your birthday.  Mine didn't turn out nearly as pretty as Ruths' so I didn't include a picture but if you go to her website there is a picture of the Orange Cake and the recipe.  YUM!!!!

 I hope you made it into 2014 with lots of inspiration and project ideas to start off the new year.  Have a great week and "Happy Trails to you 'til we meet again."

My 2014 all-inclusive planner...........

Every January I get all "hyped up" with plans and goals and "bucket" lists.   I was making lists back when I first learned to write, I think.  When I had my career I used a Palm Pilot and synced it with my pc at home and my pc at work.  I was always on the "bleeding" edge of technology as those of us working in the tech industry called it.  But, alas, I have simplified and do not want any more electronic leashes.  I am simplifying my life and my lifestyle. 
But I still love planning,  I love a clean house, a pretty yard and garden and just an ordinary well kept life to put it simply.  So, I was out on Pinterest and pinned an organizing article which led me to another website called Clean Mama and bingo, I learned something new and non-technical (no app involved here).  A HOME binder/notebook.  Remember when I organized my knitting and crocheting patterns in notebooks?   I like her system as she has EVERYTHING in her notebook; budget and finances, blogging section, Holiday plans and gift giving.....she's got it all!  You can download quite a few free printables but the majority of her system is in her Etsy shop and you have to purchase it.  I doubt if I will as I thought it was a bit pricey for my budget but she gave me the jumping off point. 

 I gathered my notebooks (I'll need more than one as these aren't giant binders)....

 lots of notebook paper, and dividers, of course.

My old stand by...sheet protectors

and some project files I've had around for awhile.  These are accordion and open to hold quite a bit.  I'm thinking like files for each room for decorating and it would hold paint chips and fabric swatches etc.  I want to make design boards.  I think they would also be great for gardening projects as they could hold seed envelopes, etc.  I got them at Staples.
 

Clean Mama has a monthly "chore" chart to get you started and most of it I already do but it's the other chores I need to get to like cleaning closets, cleaning the garage...big projects that need to be scheduled and broken down into pieces.

Another great website is Organize and Inspire   which has "tons" of links to all kinds of organizing from small like organizing your cords and computer wires to big like your garage or basement.  If you think you might like Clean Mama's tools and kits they are 25% off but only today so don't dawdle! LOL!

I'll touch base with you and let you know how it goes.  This is what I'll be working on tonight and in the coming days.  Today I spent quite a bit of time on the phone doing financials, 2 loads of laundry and cleaned both bathroom toilets.  Plus all the "daily chores" in addition to giving Nitty her antibiotics 3 times a day.  Tomorrow I need to go get pet licenses and renew my driver's license.  I told you it's been busy and expensive and I wasn't kidding!  I hope this organizing helps me as I could use all the help I can get. LOL! 
Happy Trails!

Happy 2014! I almost didn't make it..........

I've been trying to blog all morning.  Actually I've been messing with my camera and the new Windows 8 picture importer.  I liked Windows the way it was before....this "app" hung up my pictures and I couldn't do anything.  Finally, I rebooted and that fixed it.  Their commands don't work...like "cancel".  But I finally got it. 
This has been a busy time between Christmas and today. The vet came back and I took Nitty in for her allergy shot and she has an infected nipple...just 1, thank God, as dogs have quite a few!  He thinks it's just an infection but it could be cancer and I have to keep an eye on it.  I did take the new (empty) bag of dog food Walmart is carrying now and he said it's great and he's been looking for a less expensive alternative for his patients who's dogs are allergic.  It's called Pure Balance.  It's still more expensive than Pedigree which she was getting but not nearly as expensive as Hill's Science Diet.  There is dry and canned in different varieties. I'm praying it is just an infection which I think it is.  Because of her allergies she was crawling on the grass outside trying to scratch her stomach and I think there was probably deer and/or rabbit dung out there.  She's already stopped itching and licking and the vet gave her the allergy shot and she's on antibiotics. 

I also had to take my car in for an oil change and they ended up keeping it almost all day as they were busy.  (I wish they would have told me as I would have postponed it.)  So, I didn't get to Walmart that day and ended up having to go yesterday on New Year's Eve and it was packed!  I needed supplies badly though so I went. 
I've been snagging my yarn when I knit/crochet because my hands are chapped and cracked.  I put hand cream on but it wasn't doing the trick so I bought some of this stuff.........

I've been hearing ads about it and it is for "working hands" and it has no scent.  I used it several times today as I was finishing up the hat I started last week and it worked.  They're not healed yet but it sure made them soft enough so they didn't snag the yarn.  So far, I really like it and it is made in the good ole U.S.A.
One of my "resolutions" this year was to make some clothes for myself.  I used to sew my own clothes in high school and also for my children when they were young.  The first thing I want to make is pajamas.  I like flannel in the winter and cotton in the summer but all I can find are the flannel pants with a t-shirt to go with or else acrylic materials which I do not care for.  Patterns have sure gone up in price! Whew!  $8-$9 but that should be the only pattern I need for pajamas.  I like my clothes big too.  I can't stand anything clinging or binding on me now that I'm "retired".

They had this cute fabric on sale for $1.73/yard and it is 100% cotton flannel.  They had some other cute flannel prints on sale too but I figured I'll see how far I get with this project.

  For several years now I have thought of having some sort of "uniform" for my retirement and my sloppy active lifestyle now.  I'm not an apron gal but I love the big pockets and I have lots of blouses to wear under them.  My figure isn't what it used to be and most clothes don't fit properly.  I was actually thinking of looking at maternity clothes but I never got that desperate......yet.  But comfort is of the utmost importance to me now a days.  I bought this pattern but I may use it as a "jumping off" place.

 What I really want is something more like a pinfore/apron........like this...........

 Of course I will NOT be wearing dresses with it........slacks that I will also sew myself so they will fit me.  These are made out of linen and cost around $75.00...can you believe it?  I love the back as there are no apron strings which I dislike and I would probably make it shorter.  I'm thinking turtle necks under it in the winter and in the summer I'm thinking more of cobbler aprons which Carol Wright
sells for like $5.00 each.  I also like the old "smocks" people used to wear.  My Aunt was ceramic artist and she always wore smocks with big pockets.  Anyway, this is one of my resolutions this year...to update/sew my retirement wardrobe and clear out all that corporate crap clothing I used to dress myself in.  Mine will be colorful too!  You can take that to the bank!

I hope you had a nice New Years and I wish you all the healthiest, happiest and most prosperous year of all!  Happy Trails!

YOP Sunday

Here we are again!  I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.  The knitting angels have come and taken up residence here with me.  You'll understand when you see my pictures.  This one is off to that grandson who helped me with the kindling and cookies on Thanksgiving.

It feels like I've crossed a threshold of some kind in my knitting.  I know hats are a no-brainer to most of you but it's the quality of my stitches that has changed....it's like I'm a REAL knitter now....it even feels different...more relaxed and flowing.  I'm sure I'll have many challenges ahead of me in this "Adventure in Knitting" and before it was touch and go if I would continue but it is a sure bet now!

I also found these free printable tags on Pinterest  here

I printed mine on white paper and backed it with another printed paper.  The one on the website is nice as she used a tan paper. I only had cheap printer paper to use but card stock would be nicer.  I liked the way she wrapped the label around the socks or mittens.  It looked so "retail".  I also liked that it had a place for the care instructions.  You could probably edit the label and print the instructions but per usual I was in a hurry. LOL!

I was trying to do some projects I had saved on Pinterest and made these treats to send with....easy peasy with store bought Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies and I did some pretzel rods too.

I still prefer the old homemade Christmas cookies and I'll be baking some of those this week.  Here's everything wrapped up and ready to go.  I told you it was the 12 months of Christmas around here. LOL!

I'm already down the road on another hat....this one is for one of my sons...it matches the the scarf in color but the scarf is still going so I thought I would get this done and sent out and then finish the scarf.  The scarf hurts my hands so I can't work on it all the time like I can the hat.  No more bulky yarn for me!

 This is another pattern from the Purl Soho Basic Hat Pattern.  Just a roll brim in stockinette which allows me to watch all those Hallmark Christmas movies and still get knitting done.  I think I'm on a roll here!

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

YOP Sunday and more...........

In between storms I managed to get "finished" items in the mail, do some baking and get ingredients for Christmas food and frivolities.  They will have things for Christmas....just not everything.

 These are those 6 minute caramels done in the microwave....recipe on All Recipes.  They didn't set very well but it sure didn't bother the taste!  I put sea salt on them this year...yummo.

 Toasted up those pumpkins seeds too.......also made the original Chex Party Mix and mailed out. 

Yesterday we had torrential downpours and flash flooding and my sump pump decided to "retire" during that time.  The basement started filling with water and I called my plumber who I have since renamed to "Christmas Angel".  He was over in less than 30 minutes and put in a used pump until he can order me a new one.  There goes my Christmas and birthday wishes....I was hoping Santa might bring me a Kindle but it looks like now there will be a sump pump under the tree instead. 
But aside from all that.....the knitting angels HAVE been hovering over me big time!  Look at this.....

I still can't believe I knitted this!
  I know to many of you hats are easy but this was my first one and all those mistakes and frustrating moments of past knitting finally paid off.....I never once had to go to Knitting Help, I used circular needles and then switched to DPNS and never had a problem and I understood all the acronyms used in the pattern and the stitches.    This is really the first project that I am truly proud of and it makes me feel like I can finally and truly call myself a knitter!  Merry Christmas to me and my knitting angels. (There must have been a team of them helping me).
But wait!  That's not all...........

  I'm doing ear flaps and an I-cord tie with tassels on the end.  Remember the chair pad that was all I-cord?   Well, all my projects this year seemed to lead to knowing how to make this hat.  BTW, the Purl Soho Basic Hat Pattern I bought was well worth it!  Also, I have finally found a great knitting project that I can do while watching t.v.  I'm off to cast on a simple roll brim hat now...there are games to watch today and tonight the Bear's play the Eagles and I get to see it on t.v.  There's a Christmas present right there as I never get to see the Bears on t.v.  Go Bears!

I wish you all the merriest and brightest of everything now and in the coming year.....