YOP Week #35

I missed last week but you didn't miss much! LOL!  The only problem with being strict with myself about "finishing" things is that it gets boring for my blog readers as it's the same old projects.  If I would sit and knit and/or crochet all day I would move ahead faster but I have other fish to fry and most are way ahead in my priority list.  But I do knit on my breaks during the day and I take quite a few at my age and I crochet at night while I watch t.v. or listen to a book on tape.  

On the knitting front, the blanket is coming along really well!  2 weeks ago when I blogged I was just starting block #31 and this week I am just starting block #41 out of 55!  I am seeing a finish off in the distance and being this close there's no chance of me putting it down....is there?

My plans are to finish and then back it with a dark brown "minky" fabric I've had my eye on.

The only problem is I've never lined or backed anything knitted before.  I've seen it done though and it really looks wonderful.  I'm just not sure how?   Pre-wash the fabric to ensure there's no shrinking and leave enough fabric all around (1/2 inch?) to press a hem and then blind stitich all around?  If anyone has done this please tell me as else I will be "winging it".

I've also been slowly catching up with the preemie hats and I'm just finishing up January......

I spent some time organizing them and making a list by month of how many and what type was needed to fulfill my requirement.  Then I woke up this morning and realized it is now March!  I need some more yarn too.  Get a move on, Sam!

Feeling so good about my "stick-to-it-iveness" I found myself needing a little reward....so.......I joined a  BAL (blanket along) over at Cherry Heart and actually today is the official start so please go over and join if you feel the urge.  She also has a group on Ravelry for it and all the information including the free pattern is at the above link.  Here's my humble start........the picture is Sandra's hexie blanket called the Weekender and that is exacly what I am doing.  The BAL is for any  blanket you are working on or have set aside and it doesn't have to be her pattern.  It's just a group to encourage us all to finish and/or start those blanket projects.  My plan is to work on my blanket of blocks above during the week and then on the weekends (get it...The Weekender?) I'll work on the hexie blanket.

I ended up doing my first hexie 3 times before I got it right.  The picture above helped tremendously.  I am so poor at following directions and she had a chart also but I haven't learned how to use them...yet.....I think it was one of my YOP skills this year...or it should have been.  Now that I sort of know how to make one maybe I can go back and understand the chart.

I put a big order in to Deramore's as my Stylecraft DK was never a big collection but it will be now!

I'd been saving my "allowance" for awhile now to place an order and it was free shipping to the U.S. even so I felt very "puffed" as my friends in the U.K. say or is it "chuffed"?  Regardless, I am very excited  for it's arrival this coming week and I will share pictures as soon as it arrives!

I'm also learning a new technique today (hopefully) with Cherry Heart's JAYG (join as you go) instructions.  That's why I only have the one hexie done as I need to be spending some time on that technique today.  The only problem with "join as you go" is you have to know your color placement right away where as when you join later you can lay them out and see what arrangement looks best.  I did take a tip from Lucy over at Attic 24 that she does for designing her blankets and their colors.  She wraps some yarn around a clip clothespin (you use the clip to keep the end of the yarn from unraveling) and she marks the number/color of the Stylecraft DK on the end.  I need more clothespins before my yarn arrives this week! LOL!

I hope you all had a great week and Happy March!  We're having snow, sleet and freezing rain today so it's a great day to cozy up and do some handwork.  I have spaghetti sauce simmering and putting a great smell in the air!  Happy Trails!

P.S.  I finished a bunch of books this last week too so stop by tomorrow for "It's Monday, What Are You Reading".  I'll have some reviews and stop by Book Journey who is the hostess of the Monday reading group.  There are hundreds of reviews on her site and Monday's are when her fellow reviewers all link up.  So, if you're wondering what to read next, Sheila will lead you to just the right book!

Ahhh....I finally feel like I'm catching up a bit...............

Does it bother you when you fall behind on even your basic household tasks?  It does me and I'm talking basic here not immaculate (in my dreams).  The weather has me running to Walmart in-between storms whether I want to or not.  So yesterday I went to get supplies and today I stayed home and got "caught up"....a bit.
I did laundry, cleaned up the kitchen,cleaned the litter box, watered the plants, fed the birds, ironed and there's a supper ready and a dessert and while I ironed I listened to an audio book.  How seldom it is anymore that I can mulit-task so it felt good and although I like ironed items...ironing is boring in and of itself. 
I also printed off some directions for a new BAL ...a "blanket along" being hosted by Sandra who is the hostess of the blog Cherry Heart which has the most gorgeous crochet.  She is having a BAL for any blanket you are currently working on, an old WIP that you've set aside or a new one you want to start.  Sandra will be working on her Weekender Blanket made of crocheted hexies.  She is providing the pattern free of charge and has the colors she is using all published in case you want to use her colors.  The yarn she uses mostly is Stylecraft DK yarn found at Deramores and we all love that yarn because there are 68 colors!!!! Plus it is the best acrylic I've found and it is on sale until the end of February and free shipping to the U.S. even though they are located in the U.K.  I have received packages from them faster than I have some companies located here in the U.S.  If you go there be sure and click on U.S.A. at the top to get U.S. prices in dollars else it will be in lbs which is fine for my friends in the U.K. but not so much for us stateside! LOL!
So, I am organizing my Stylecraft and getting ready to place an order!  I think it is on sale at 15% off if I'm not mistaken and it's already a reasonably priced yarn.  Thank you, Deramores!

Lucy of Attic 24 showed how she wrapped her colors of Stylecraft around clip type clothespins and wrote the color on the end of the pin so she could use them when she was designing a new blanket.  I'm going to do the same thing...........

 Here's what I have so far..............I'll be working on this tonight so I will know what colors I have and be ready to place an order tomorrow.  I'm still working on my knitted blanket and I have 16 blocks left but "The Weekender" will be my weekend project and there is a Cherry Heart group on Ravelry too.  I'm excited!

If you are the least bit interested you should join in.  Everyone is so supportive in the group and Sandra couldn't be nicer or more welcoming.  She also has tutorials on her blog for projects and stitches.  I printed off her JAYG (join as you go) instructions as that is how I want to join the hexies on my blanket. (50% less ends to weave in).
Well...supper's ready and I am hungry!  Kielbasa, fresh asparagus and a "fan" potato

YUMMO!  And Grey's Anatomy is on t.v.
I hope you had a great day!
Happy Trails!

Well, blow me down and call me Dusty!

What a week....so much for my long cozy winter.  I went to blog on Sunday and the dog (Nitty, think big, think Rottweiler) and I were playing and she leaped up and her head came into contact with my nose and I saw stars.  I fell back on the bed sure that it was broken and the pain...eye chihuahua!  Finally, it eased a bit and I sat up and then the blood started running out...big time!  It is not broken but Sunday was not my best day.  I tried to blog Monday for "It's Monday What Are You Reading" and couldn't access my email and still can't for some unknown reason and by the time I got back around to blogging it was suppertime.  I'm tired, disheartened, and  weary but..........I will "carry on" as the Brits say so here is some bits and pieces of my week so far...or last week.  I can't remember...it might have been that knock on the noggin or have I always been this way?

 It snowed..............

 

 and then there was freezing rain (thank you Lord for keeping the power on!).....

everyone was cold and hungry around here.........

We stayed inside for most of it and cuddled up....except when the girls needed out or to feed our feathered friends........

Nitty and I are going gray at the same time! LOL!

Annie has to have a blanket she gets so cold..........

and Grace is the only one that actually likes having her picture taken.

The ice stuck around for a few days making going anywhere pretty dangerous so we hunkered down.....

I had picked up some Pepperidge Farm Caramel Pecan rolls in the refrigerator section at the store when I went last week so I baked those  up.............
yuck.....the filling looked like the rolls threw up and it tasted almost as bad.  The plastic packet the filling came in said brown sugar but it tasted like prune.  I looked at the ingredient list and there were no prunes in them but there were a whole lot of chemical names I couldn't pronounce.  I was really disappointed as Pepperidge Farm was always good or used to be.  I would not recommend them at all.

Maybe I've just gotten so far away from "processed" "chemical laden" food that it's really awful tasting to me now.....and that's a good thing!

I finally got out to the store yesterday and got some milk, and birdseed and potatoes....a big 10 lb bag for the same price they had listed for a 5 pound bag.  I always wash up my vegetables and fruits when I get them home that way they're ready to use and I don't have to wash them before I use them except berries.  You don't want to wash berries until just before you use them or they'll get moldy and spoil faster.

They also had a few items marked down for quick sale........$1.11 for all this asparagus.....

and I got 2 green peppers for .25 each.
The other night I dreamt of a caramel apple cake with salted caramel icing on it.  So, I searched for a 
recipe and I found one!   HERE
It's a Paula Dean recipe so I was a little suspicious...........she uses lots of sugar and IMHO overdoes it..............but I always follow a recipe to the letter the first time I make it....

I was right.....very sweet!  It's a good cake and heavy with fresh apple pieces and lots of nuts but way too much sugar....I'll make it again but just an 8 inch square pan and LOTS less sugar, Paula! 
That's all the news for now....I am knitting and crocheting and hoping to get some sewing done here pretty soon too. 
Happy Trails!

Oh!  P.S.  For some reason the storm took down my clothes pole....or was it those deer?  I told you it was a strange week!

Things are going to the dogs and more around here!

Well, everyone of us got sick here....no, it's not carbon monoxide but it does make one wonder!  Nitty (the Rottweiler), Annie the miniature dachshund, the cat and me.  If you're squeamish maybe you shouldn't read this, lol!
First,  I woke one morning and Nitty had had the runs in the night.  She has never in her 10 years ever gone in the house so I know she was sick.  She was so ashamed too even though I never yelled at her.  I was very grateful for my Spotbot little carpet shampooer!  It took me all day to get it all cleaned up and I went through almost a whole bottle of carpet shampoo.  There was a break for one day then the next day I woke up to 8 - 9 small areas of "throw-up" from Annie.  The last mess was the cat who got sick on my chair in my bedroom.  Thankfully, the Spotbot has a hose and brush attachment for upholstery too!  Whew!  Me, well I just got a headache and was very tired and finally realized I had a fever.  What a week!!!
We had a little snow too..........

and now we're expecting who knows what? Snow, sleet or freezing rain?  Or all of the above.....

So, since I'm feeling a bit better I thought I might try something "fun" for a change........(before the other shoe drops...so to speak..lol!)  
I've been wanting to make one of these bags for my sock knitting.  I bought it online from Craftsy.  I wanted to sell them on Etsy but I have to buy a "cottage license" from her which I haven't looked into yet.  I'll get some made first.

Also, my son was replacing a headlight on his sister's car during the terrible cold they're having up North and he got frostbite on the top of his one hand so I want to make him some fingerless mitts to use in situations like that.  He's always helping someone with their cars so I know this might happen again.  I found this pattern free on Ravelry.

Just what I was looking for.  I wasn't going to "cast on" any new projects but I don't want him getting frostbite so I may have to  make an exception in this case!
I hope you are all well, warm ,dry and full! 
Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #33

I cannot understand why, when I'm retired, my life gets busier and busier and we're not talking social or volunteering either!  It's been a great week but busy.  This will be a long post to make up for my absence but I will blog about the fiber stuff first for those of you who only want to read about that.
I also learned something.....if I just stick to 1 crochet project and 1 knitting project things not only go faster but I make less (as in zero so far) mistakes...amazing!  I may be on to something here!
It may be boring for you but progress was made.............
 November preemie hats are done (on the left)

 and 3 of the 5 December hats are done........

 Last week I had finished 27 of the 55 blocks on the blanket and this week I am just starting on block 31 of the 55.....

That's it for my YOP update but for other things...........I got some new scissors and a scissor sharpener at Wal-Mart...........
The scissors are endorsed by The Arthritis Association which a good thing in my case.........I'll let you know how they both work out.....

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day or weekend.....an ardent admirer got me these......

and these........

Have you guessed who the ardent admirer is?  MOI!!!!   LOL! 
I also made some yummy and I think beautiful cookies that I have wanted to make for years but didn't have the right tool but now I do.........

Swedish Linzer cookies.....these are filled with red plum jam although I prefer red raspberry but I couldn't find any.  Aren't they pretty?  And they are a melt in your mouth treat too! LOVE!!!!
I found the cutout tool at Wal-Mart and it is made by Wilton...the cake decorating people.  Actually it didn't work well as designed so I removed the heart cutout and just used it by itself which was much easier.  The tool came with several different cutouts too.  This batch went to the Vet's office to thank them for letting me watch the "puppy" operation on Tuesday but I have another batch to make that is chilled in the fridge.
Yesterday when I went out to get the mail, my new neighbor came over and gave me the one and only Valentine I received..........so sweet of her!  And speaking of sweet, there were 2 dove raspberry chocolates tucked inside!  YUM!  She will be receiving some of the next batch of cookies for sure!
Yesterday it was 67 here so I was outside for sure......this morning was 17 degrees and snow and sleet are on the way!  Talk about the best of both worlds!  I love a good snowstorm!  So, yes.....this week was just about perfect!  I hope yours was too!
Happy Trails! 

You won't believe what I saw today!!!!

But first here is my collage of March 2014

I'm glad I have the collage because that is the only picture for today.  This morning I took Nitty to the vet for her allergy shot.  While I was there the vet (it's a husband and wife team) told me they were getting ready to do a Cesarean Section on a dog due to have puppies.  Before I knew it, I blurted out "can I watch?".
  I wanted to be a veterinarian all my life and never made it.....close but no cigar!
He left the room and I was a little embarrassed for being so forward but now I'm glad I was.  He said to take Nitty out to the car and come back. He showed me into an office where there was a window to the operating room where his wife was going to do the surgery.  I was thrilled! 
I used to work for a vet in high school and helped with spays and minor surgeries but never a cesarean.  I also helped with autopsies at a hospital I worked at as a medical lab technician so it doesn't bother me....unless someone was suffering...that I would have a hard time with.
Anyway, when she cut her open and started bringing out the puppies it was like a giant ring of sausage!  I couldn't believe it.  They were all in their own sac but connected just like sausages!  I actually laughed it was so amazing!  She cut each one open and grabbed it with it's accompanying umbilical cord and placenta, dried it's mouth off and handed it off to a towel holding assistant who then took it and finished tying off the cord and washing it up.  There were many assistants with towels, and I tried to count puppies. I think it ended up to be 8 or 9!  What an amazing experience!  When she was all done and starting to sew up the mother, her husband came in with the box full of puppies to show me and they all lived so far!  There was one that didn't look too good when she pulled it out of the sac and he did tell me that was the runt but he was alive!  What a glorious day and an experience I will never forget!
I will be cooking up something nice for all of them as I am so appreciative of them for letting me watch. 
P.S.  Mama is doing fine too!
Happy Trails!

It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

 

I'm trying to read more and to do that I am going to bed earlier (as that is the only time I read usually)  and I am thinking of reading some audio books while I clean, knit, organize etc.

I am also wanting advice on what is the best method for listening to audio books while being active such as walking outside or doing outside activities like painting, gardening, etc.?  I'm not up on the latest tools for this so I would appreciate any advice and brand names that you endorse.

Meanwhile, I am almost finished but still reading Cold Sassy Tree on my tablet and it is very entertaining and an easy read for sure.  I have the next (and last that I'm aware of) book, Leaving Cold Sassy so I'll be picking that up as soon as I finish the first one.

I did finish this book by Sharon Short and it was darn good!  She's a good writer and it was a great story.  "A moving tale of exploration and love --human and canine--that dares to believe the impossible".  I'll be looking for more books by her.

I did finish Mud Season and it was a great non-fiction...loved it! So funny, this author is a riot!
"How one woman's dream of moving to Vermont, raising children, chickens and sheep and running the old country store pretty much led to one calamity after another."  There are also lots of great Vermont cheese recipes in the back.  I've already made the braised short ribs...yum!  And tonight I'm making the cheesy grits.  I can't wait for those!  Another author that is going on my "author watch list" to see if she has other books.

As most of you know, I usually read 1 fiction and one non-fiction and a magazine but hopefully that will increase when I start with the audio books.  Since I'm still reading the fiction book, I needed another non-fiction to replace Mud Season.  I chose this.......

Some of you may be familiar with it as it was made into a series for PBS.  It is based on the "true life adventures" of Jennifer Worth who was a midwife at a convent in postwar London's East End slums.
"an unforgettable story of motherhood, the bravery of a community, and the strength of remarkable and inspiring women."

 Until I get my audio gear for listening while working and active I have a few cds that I can listen too while doing handwork at least.  This one looks right up my alley! Cape Cod Radio Mystery Theater - Captain Underhill Uncoils the Mystery

I also have a list I keep of books I hear about or read about that I want to read sometime and here is what I've listed so far for 2015:

1.  Go Set A Watchman  - Harper Lee
2.  The Eighty Dollar Champion - Elizabeth Letts
 3.  The Feminine Mystique - Betty Friedan
4.  Tiny Beautiful Things - Cheryl Strayed
5.  Back to Basics - Ina Garten

Please go over to Sheila's website if you want to see more book reviews by everyone that participates and if you love books and reading you will love her site!

I hope you are all reading and enjoying what you're reading!  Happy Trails!

YOP Week #32

Well, this has been a week of modem problems and now low memory so it seems my multi-tasking on my pc will be curtailed until I can do a scan (takes an hour at the least).  I apologize to my Ravelry friends that I did not get over to visit last week so I will do double-duty today.  The weather has also turned extremely nice here (70's today) so I will be outside for sure!
I'm into cleaning, organizing and finishing (all over my house) so my YOP updates will probably be a little boring until I catch up in all areas but hopefully my projects will go faster now too.  Although, I only knit when I take a break from cleaning and organizing and daily tasks throughout the day and I only crochet in the evenings when I'm "tuckered out".
The knitting project to finish now is my small blanket.....I have 27 of 55 blocks done so far

This week I managed to get the 4 blocks done on the bottom there....the large yellow, the small brown and gray and the rectangular variegated.

As for the crochet, I am concentrating on catching up with the preemie hats which I thought I had completed November until I realized I had gone "off the tracks" and crocheted a bunch of little girl ones when what was needed were hats for boys so number wise I am in December but  set wise I need to back up to November and do a boy's set....I got a little carried away ie; I wasn't paying attention. LOL!

But I can tell I am gaining ground and hopefully my WIP's will slowly but surely become FO's!
I hope you had a great week and are enjoying your weekend!
Happy Trails!