YOP Week #16

Well, the big day is over (Halloween) and since the grand boys and their parents got their Halloween care packages in the mail yesterday I can post about what I made them and gave them.  Thank goodness as otherwise there would be little to post about fiber-wise.
This is what the trick or treaters got last night and I had more trick or treaters than usual which was so fun and didn't leave me with lots of leftover candy that I would be forced to eat! LOL!

 

These are the 2015 Halloween collectible ornaments they received this year.  I'm just finishing up one for myself too as my little black tree is empty.   This was a free pattern from Lionbrand.  Lionbrand and Redheart have some great free patterns.  Check them out!

I made homemade pumpkin butter in the crock pot....so easy and your house smells great as it cooks for a long time.  Each family got a jar of it and me too!  I still like apple butter better though.

Sorry for the terrible picture....why does it look great through the "viewer" and then when you download you get this?

This is a set of "Candy Corn" dishcloths.

 More Halloweeny stuff........little notebooks

 magnetic grocery list...........

 window clings............

magazine for the adults...........

some pumpkin spiced tea.......hearty pumpkin spiced tea....is there any other kind?  Very good by the way!

Halloween books.............

I told them this was a book about their Grandmother...Ha! Ha!

 a book for Sam who had the surgery....this was for his hospital stay..........he loves his Lego's

And some Halloween rice krispie pumpkins.  Since we discovered that Grayson is not allergic to gluten or soy just nuts, it freed Grandma up to bake some goodies for the boys and their folks.  These were fun and easy.  You just have to work fast to the get the shapes and stick in the Tootsie Roll stem before they get to hardening. I got 19 of them whereas the recipe maker only got 12 before hardening.  I did good!  I used my iron Dutch oven which I think retains the heat longer and that helped.  A little gel frosting in the tube, Tootsie roll stems and voila!

There's not much I can post or show you as now I am working on Christmas presents and they are 'hush hush" but I did work a teeny bit on my scrapghan...still on the red diamond stitch square though......

I'm also working on some extra large washcloths to sell as I think the patterns make them a bit small for my liking.  I'm hoping to find some diverse methods of producing some income.  We'll see how it goes but it has to be enjoyable! LOL!

I'm also working on a new to me pattern...corner-to-corner crochet?  How fun and I memorized the pattern in about 5 minutes so now I have a t.v. project that is mindless and fun but it's a gift so I can't show it.  But if you are looking for a great looking, easy, enjoyable project to work on and you love to crochet.....this is wonderful and I highly recommend this one.  I watched a You Tube video with Mikey from Crochet Corner....he is such an excellent instructor.  I'm sure you crocheters already have done this but it was new to me and I love it!  No big, long starting chain that you have to count over and over to get it exact.

Well, I hope all of you had a safe and Happy Halloween and you are enjoying that "extra" hour on your day off!  Have a great week!

Happy Trails!   

House Hunter...........

I was on FB the other day and my cousin (who takes gorgeous nature photographs) posted a picture of a house for sale by owner.  She said it was her nephew and they had a open house in Hanover where I want to live(my hometown).  So, I chatted with her and she told me to call her nephew (who is also related to me) and he sent me pictures of the house.  I'm having trouble with Windows 10 (again) and some files are zipped and it won't let me "unzip" them....ahhhh!!!!!  But I will show you what I have so far.  Tomorrow I will try and show you pictures of the upstairs and the front of the house.

 This is the view from the back yard and that farm was my cousins where I played as a child.  We had so much fun in that barn jumping off onto hay piles (lucky we didn't break our necks) and swinging from ropes.  Many close calls when I was little too!  We rode shetland ponies all over that farm and pretended we were cowgirls/boys and Dale Evans and Roy Rogers and more!  So, needless to say, to me the view is priceless.  On top of that, it is now a horse rescue farm and I love horses and so did my cousin.  I bought my first horse from him on that farm.

 The Apple River runs behind the house but has never flooded EVER that I know of.  We used to fish in it as kids.

 This is the kitchen......

 They replaced all the cabinets (dang it...I hate "new" stuff).....but I would get to at least pick my own appliances and none of that stainless steel that I detest.

 Thank goodness the original woodwork is there and gorgeous to me.  The floors need refinishing but that can come in time.

 There's new plumbing and wiring and a new roof and new siding.  This is the view from the kitchen...love all the windows!

Front door entrance with French doors......

Hallway........
downstairs?  I think.........

 downstairs bathroom..........
all new everything

 I think this is a downstairs bedroom.....there's 3 altogether and a first floor laundry room..somewhere...

 This may be the laundry room..........not sure

 This is looking out the front in the living room...there's a front porch too.  All new windows also.

 Here's a little view of the porch............

 The back of the house that faces the river and farm across.........houses pretty close on both sides though............

 Backyard is none too big.....and it actually looks like the house next door has a better view of the farm??? Hmmm...I'm seeing the lumber yard.

 This is the side of the house with the old cellar and evidently you can access it from outside and/or inside.

 Another view of the back of the house.  Ha parked his car so I could see the lot line.

 What do you think? The price is good except things that were important to me are not getting their boxes ticked off.
So far the positives are:
1.  In town so I could walk to everything which would be great and healthy!
2.  In my price range for not having to sell the house I'm in right now
3.  Utility bills would be much cheaper as it is much smaller.
4.  Get to pick out appliances
5.  Important and expensive items all new (roof, windows, siding, furnace, bathrooms and kitchen, wiring and plumbing)
6.  Upstairs
7.  Original woodwork
8.  slanted ceilings upstairs
9.  clawfoot tub (I have always wanted!) upstairs

The negatives are:
1.  Small yard for girls
2.  No garage
3.  No established trees yet I want sun for gardening too
4.  Houses close next door and front view not terrific
5.  No fireplace or wood burner although I  could get one
6.  Floors need work
7.  Upstairs doors are new and not in keeping with the rest of the house
8.  Have to buy all appliances
9.  No driveway

This was so unusual that I even saw her post with the picture that I am thinking this is a "gift" to me as I have been praying about this for quite awhile now!  It's the logistics that were driving me crazy and that nothing is moving down here.  But when I had a hard time last week with the RA and having to drive 1 1/2 hours to the doctor when I could barely bend my joints....it was a wake up call that I need to get out of here.  I have no one to depend on except me here.  There's not a soul I would feel comfortable asking for help here nor would I get it.  So, I am thinking the good Lord has shown me an "opportunity" that although is not my "dream house" in the country is probably better suited for me at my age and in my condition.  There is so much going on in that town for a small town too.
They have a Senior Resource Center.  They have volunteers that help the elderly in town if they need things done.  You just sign up for it.  They have dinners and potlucks and parades and farmer's markets and the most wonderful people you could ever imagine.  Yep...I think it's time to head home!

Woman on Steroids is the true Mad Housewife!

This is so wonderful I cannot tell you!  Not only am I not in pain but it is the "old me" again..well...as long as I don't look in the mirror! LOL!  Energy to boot and I have 42 pills so there are 42 days I can get some real work done around here with renewed strength and energy to burn!  Wonder Woman!  Here I come to save the day! (Actually, I think every woman should have a life-long prescription for steroids.  They shouldn't be wasted on athletes!)
Before I get too far, I want to thank everyone for their prayers and good wishes for me and my grandson, Sam.   They worked!  We are both doing great although the supporting characters are a little weary.  Amy's church and school have been providing family meals which is a true Godsend and it goes on this week too.  Sam fell last week and that was scary as they had to call the hospital.  They drilled out so much of the bone to remove the tumor that until it grows back his leg is very fragile.  He has an orange cast (perfect for Halloween!) but they called the hospital and they told them what to look for in case there was damage after the fall but all seems to be fine.  He is not using a wheelchair but a walker which is much easier to manipulate especially in their little home.  When he fell though he was trying to use the walker and also carry his legos......he has since learned to ask for help and to hold firmly onto the walker!  Whew!  He went back to school today and although his arms are tired he made it through the day and he has "helpers" assigned to help him carry his "stuff".  They weren't sure if he would be able to go because he was on pain medicine that is not allowed in school (narcotic) but he was off of it several days ago so it turned out not to be problem which was good as his parents have used up a lot of sick time between Grayson and now Sam.  See, your prayers REALLY helped!  Thank you SO much!
It was a really nice day today, cool and a little sun.  Enough for me to get outside and close vents, roll up one hose, sweep the porch and sidewalk and straighten up around the outside.

 Fall is definitely "peak" here right now and so pretty.  Rains from Patricia are here now.

 They arrived this afternoon but I was able to get to the store for a few items and these little gems!
 Stuffed portabello mushrooms with cheese and bacon.  They were at the store and I have to eat 3 meals a day now as the pills have to be taken with food.  Actually the steroids give you a bigger appetite so it's not that difficult. LOL!  They were only $4.19 and took only 15 minutes to cook so that was my lunch.  I think these would be easy to make quickly too. 
Delish!

 The ghosts are in the trees but my son did such a good job of trimming them this past summer that I couldn't reach the branches on the second tree so I had to hang the other one on my little hibiscus tree up near the house. LOL!

 The mums are straggly as I forgot to trim them back last fall/spring.....

 I had to show you this picture.....afternoon nap time for all the girls.......from left to right...Nitty, Miss Peeps, Annie and Grace...too funny!  I, on the other hand was busy working.....no nap for me!  But then I'm on steroids too! Ha! Ha!

 I spray painted some branches black today and they're in a purple vase but I can't show you the rest until the Halloween boxes get sent to the grand boys.

 I had to take this picture of the front porch through the door as it had started raining.  Miss Peeps photo bombs every picture she can.

 I have DWTS's tonight so I'll try and get around to visit everyone tomorrow.  Again, thank you to all of you, my great blogging friends...your thoughts and prayers made all the difference!
Happy Trails!

Just an update...........

Sam, my grandson's surgery is tomorrow morning at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.  Any and all prayers and positive thoughts would be appreciated.  He is excited about it. He got to see a movie about surgery and he is fascinated with any aspect of science.  His Mom and Dad are not nearly as excited as he is! LOL!  Although this is a rare case, the surgeon has done this surgery about 15 times so Sam will not be a guinea pig.  U of I Hospital is very well known and they get cases from all over so he is in excellent hands.  He has a bone cyst and in most cases these are benign and can be removed safely.  Although they can grow back,  He will have a leg cast and be using a wheelchair which will really be fun for his Mom and Dad...not!  But it could be worse and we are all grateful that it isn't.
As for me and my RA, I finally went to Mountain Home yesterday and I am thankful I got there and back safely all by myself.  I saw the rheumatologist and he has put me on steroids until the Enbrel kicks in.  I haven't taken them yet as you have to have them with food so after supper I'll take one.  I'm exhausted and need to go make dinner now.  I may take a nap too!     I'll update you tomorrow as soon as I hear anything about Sam.  Thank you for all your support and concern!
Happy Trails! 

YOP Week #14

 I can't believe I haven't posted for almost a month on YOP!  Well, actually I can.  I make most of my items for gifts and because some of the recipients read my blog I can't post about them which leaves me pretty "empty handed" most of the time.  Plus, my RA has been acting up/out and I am hobbling around and not very mobile in any part of my body.  The good news is I loosen up as the day goes on! LOL!
I have about 4 projects going right now that I cannot share with you.  Some are for Halloween so after that I will show you those.  Here' s some of the yarn I'm using though...lol!

 I have managed to knit another block on my "scrapghan".........5 done of the knitted and 7 more to go...

 There are 2 blocks in garter stitch, 2 in stockinette stitch, and 1 in diamond stitch.....

 Here's block #6 that I'm working on in the diamond stitch.  You can see the design much better on the red than you could on the navy block that I did before..........

 It's a lazy Sunday afternoon for some.............

 with the cold front that came through Annie is cozying up to Nitty for heat! LOL! Annie was born in the South whereas Nitty was born in Iowa and loves the cold like I do. 

 Have a great day!
Happy Trails!
P.S.  since I shortchanged you all on projects, here is a little bonus.....2 excellent recipes that I have been making in the Fall/Winter season for nigh onto 20-30 years.  They are truly exceptional IMHO....
Michigan Bell Pioneer Chili
Penzey's Bratwurst and /Cheddar Soup