Fall is coming!

We've had storms and rain and a cold front brought in some much appreciated cooler temps!  This was the sky yesterday morning after the storms cleared out.............

 

 I've spent time cleaning and going through more "things" and I found 2 precious items that belonged to my son..............this bracelet...........

and this medallion.............

I also went through a lot of paperwork and receipts from bills that I cleaned out from last year.  My printer wasn't working since the fiber was installed but they came out and got it working again!  

I made a pot of split pea and ham soup and worked on a few Christmas presents.  I ordered some yarn and started my crocheted rag rug.  As I unwound the balls I realized the strips had not been sewn together so I did some of that just to get started and see if I liked it.  I do but it is hard on your hands so I will sew some strips and then crochet a few rows and so on as I don't want to hurt my hands...I have too much other crafting to do!

I did some more vacuuming and today is mow the yard.  It was too wet yesterday and it is still wet out there but it needs to be done!  I have yet to plant my fall seeds....I'd better get going!  Zucchini and spaghetti squash are coming in though.  I'll be cooking some of that today. 

I hope you are enjoying nice weather where you are!

Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #8

 This week was fairly productive on clearing, cleaning and creating.....a nice balance. I vacuumed and scrubbed floors and got most of the books back on the book shelves.  I made bread and banana peppers in olive oil and garlic...yum!  I started The Color Tipped Scarf by Purl Soho.  I had wanted to make it for me but couldn't justify the yarns I desired so instead decided to use my Stylecraft DK in Iowa Hawkeye colors for the grands.  It calls for worsted but I didn't have the colors needed in worsted so I adjusted the pattern accordingly.  It's really simple and a nice knit.

 I went off the band wagon and crocheted a Victorian granny square like Marsha was making last week.  So pretty!  It's not on my list but what's the harm in making a little granny square once in a while?  Especially if it uses up stash.  Again, I used Stylecraft Special DK.  I used the same size hook as called for with the worsted but I may change and go down a size.  It definitely needs blocking.

 I did finish cross stitching the 5th of 39 granny squares on the far left and started the 3rd one on the top row...#6 of 39.  

 I tried to match yarns for the 2nd square in the top row but it wasn't working so I have to order some yarn.  Meanwhile I was able to match up the one to the left and down from the 2nd square..........not bad huh?

I am really enjoying this process of cross stitch and crochet............

I didn't really do too much cross stitch this week although I did work a bit yesterday on Stars and Stripes Saturday..........

 Now, for the real surprise......it has been raining on and off for the last 3 days so I've been hanging clothes in the basement.  While I was down there I noticed a plastic bin and on the side the label said "crafts"!  When I was done hanging clothes I grabbed that bin and up the stairs I went!  I found treasures!!!  Look at them.............fat quarters...........

rag balls that I was making to crochet a rag rug!  Just what I need!  I've been planning this for a long time evidently! 

  This fabric is from a Christmas dress I made for my daughter when she was little..........she's in her 40 's now! 

a finished cross stitch piece............

 A plastic canvas kit of a cat dangling a mouse.............

 An anniversary kit from BH&G's craft's club that I used to belong to................

 There was more too..........little wooden items and tin things and some fleece and wool.....what a treat and I didn't even have to pay for it..........well, originally I did but today it was FREE!

I made my list for 2019-2020 finally minus the pictures and links.  If you want to see those you can click on the right hand side link "YOP2019-2020".

SCARVES:
1.  Color Tipped Scarf by Purl Soho - in progress
2.  WIP
DOILIES:
1.  The Dainty Doillie finished  July 2019
2. WIP
SWEATERS:
1.  Purl Soho Pullover
2.  WIP
HATS:
1.  Helix Hat - finished August 2019
2.  WIP
RUGS:
1.  Crocheted Rag Rug
2.  WIP
GIFTS:
1.  Little Hearts
2.  WIP
MISC:
1.  DIY Lip Balm
2.  WIP
DISHCLOTHS ETC:
1.  Square Knitted Scrubbies
2.  WIP
MITTENS AND FINGERLESS MITTS:
1.  Easy Fingerless Mitts
2.  WIP
SHAWLS:
1.  The Prohibition Shawl Recipe
2.  Multnomah shawl but must do Feather and Fan cowl first for practice
BLANKETS:
1.  Hibernate Crochet Blanket
2.  WIP
COWLS:
1.  Fan and Feather Cowl
2.  Gradient Cowl on Line Weight
SOCKS AND SLIPPERS:
1.  Simple House Slippers
2.  Felted Loafer Slippers
SEWING:
1.  Christmas  Pixies
2. Frida Kahlo Basket
GARMENT SEWING:
1.  Japanese Gardenng Slacks
2.  WIP
QUILTING:
1.  Whole Cloth Quilted Journal Cover
2.  WIP
 
 I hope you had a good week....I'm "hanging in there" and doing well all things considered.  There are others much worse off than me...I have much to be grateful for!
Happy Trails!!!

I am a day behind.....per usual!

Remember a while back when I was going through my books?  Well, things happened and I got diverted but yesterday I got back at it.  I dusted shelves and books and loaded up the book cases again.  I have a shelf of books to sell and there are more to go through but it's a start or should I say a 're-start"?

Why do I have such a hard time parting with things?  Especially books?  I'm  probably not going to do organic chemistry or calculus again nor will I utilize any of my horse books again although I would like to think I will.  But, I am letting go of some and I think the more I continue to go through them the more I will be able to say good bye to parts of  my life that will never be again.

Speaking of books.........I got some in the mail yesterday...I know....therefore I need to get rid of at least as many as came in the mail!  I got the sewing book I've been waiting for.....these are all from Thrift Books.............

and the next book in the Beatrix Potter mystery series............oh how I love these books...so soothing..just what I need right now............

and my own copy of Round Robin...the 2nd book in The Elm Creek Quilt series.......now I can take the library book back....I'm almost done with it..........it's even better than the first book

I started reading this which is a library book and it is very good.......

I found this book when I was cleaning and clearing.  I think I bought it after my folks passed away but I never got too far with it........maybe now would be a good time.......it's a classic

I went up town and got ingredients to make trail mix.........and I made some..........I used flaked coconut, popcorn, pretzels, peanut butter M&Ms, dried cherries and dry roasted peanuts......very good but I might skip the coconut simply because it makes it "sticky" and I do not like my hands "sticky"...weird  right?  It cost me about $10 for a big batch when I could have bought a bag for $2.50 but it was a small bag and not homemade.  This is just a small bowl of it..........

I also made the cauliflower"steaks" last night but I didn't think they were as good as my daughter's.  They're good though!  I used 2 heads of cauliflower so I will be eating it for awhile!  I forgot to take a picture.
Last but not least I was so "smitten" with Marsha's post yesterday of her crocheted Victorian squares that I had to give it a try..........love it but I have yet to finish an entire square.........thanks Marsha....I really needed a new project........NOT! LOL!  I love it though!

 Today, NEXT comes to connect my fiber to the inside of the house!  I'm so excited!  I will have t.v. again if everything goes right but I will have lost my email so I will need to set up another email.  I'll let you know what it is when I get it set up.  I hope you are having a good day so far.  Yesterday it was 94 but the bank said 104...when it gets that hot does it really matter?  But it rained about supper time so I didn't need to go out and water! PTL!
Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #7

This week was not so "crafty".  I'm going outside early in the morning  and working and then watering before it gets too hot.  I do daily chores and errands in the morning and then ongoing projects in the afternoon.  I'm still going through my son's belongings....1 box or bag per day is all I can handle.  On breaks I worked on the helix hat and I finished it.

I still can't determine if it's the yarn or the k1p1 ribbing but either way the next one I make will be k2p2 and a different yarn for the cuff.  I haven't tried it on yet nor have I washed it or dried it.  Since my dryer is broke I won't know if that would make it rebound.  I may have to take a trip to the laundromat.  I'm pleased with it and it sure is a fun way to use up stash and even scraps of yarn.  I'll be making more of these for sure!
I planned on casting on my new socks and I started but realized the yarn felt awfully thin.  I checked the label although mostly in German but I made out "extra fine" and Googled it and sure enough it was a lace weight or "extra fine" as compared to 'fine' as in sock weight.  I was so disappointed as I have wanted some of that yarn for years now.  So, I got on Ravelry and looked for patterns for lace weight of a 100 gram quantity.  I did find several patterns but I didn't have the right needles.  I spent a long time looking at interchangeable needle sets.  The Knitter's Pride Dreamz seemed to be highly rated but I really like the Lykke needles.  I don't need to spend the money right now but I am so tired of not having the right needles when I need them.  We'll see.........meanwhile I decided to start this blanket.......to soothe my disappointment............it was in my pile of patterns that I had for this YOP year (it's a BIG pile) and I have the needles for it and I have some fingering weight yarn to get started.  I will be ordering some mini-skeins though too.  I've been eyeing this blanket since it came out so hopefully I'll have a little bit to show you next week.  Kim, didn't you start on this recently?  There's also a KAL but I forget with who....2 New Jersey gals who podcast...if I remember I will post it in here.  They're having a Sunday KAL for the blanket and it will be great for during the football games!  Supposedly it is very easy.

    I really didn't get much done, like I said but I am also organizing my yarn so I will know what I have "at a glance" hopefully when I'm done.  I did do a little cross stitch but not much of that either........Monthly Monday........

Stars and Stripes Saturday..........

I worked on Witchy Wednesday and the Sew She Did with the giant sewing machine but not enough to warrant a photo.
Oh!  I almost forgot....I worked on the Frida Kahlo basket!  I made a 'sleeve' for the bag stiffener which is Bosal brand fusible foam stabilizer made for purse making.  I hand sewed the 4th side with an invisible/blind stitch and then hand stitched it to the base crochet square.....I only have to do that 4 more times for the sides of the basket............this is the inside of the basket...........Frida Kahlo fabric

 and here is the outside of the bottom of the basket...........now that I have one done the rest should go a little faster?

I am going to update my YOP list and republish it next week so I have more definitive projects since I have finished a few and need to do some WIPs.

I made a strawberry spinach salad which was delicious but next time I will only put the dressing on what I am eating and not the whole salad.  It wilts all the spinach.  It is very good and healthy too.

This was a beautiful morning sky this past week............."pink sky at morning sailor's warning" but it never rained.............

I hope you had a crafty and productive week!  Also, thank you to all of you who sent me cards and have been praying for me and my family.  It has meant so much to me and it lifts my spirits.  It's a life changing event and I know I will never be the same but I am also blessed and grateful that none of the dear ones I have recently lost are suffering or in pain.  There's peace that comes with that knowledge.

 Happy Trails!!!

The tortoise and the hare........

Guess which one I am?  You guessed right!  The tortoise.  It has been the story of my life.  I have always felt rushed in this world but since I've retired I can go at my own pace and I love it.  I am a "plodder" but a persistent "plodder" so eventually things get done.
Yesterday was the Farmer's Market where I was able to get these gorgeous organic noodle beans!  He had purple and green...I chose the purple and if I like them I'll be going back for more....maybe to can or freeze?

 There were no tomatoes...what is up with that?  No corn either.  But I got a few plants..........an oregano.........

an aloe and a "money" plant (kalanchoe?).....it is supposed to attract wealth into your life...who couldn't use a little of that?

 Also, the last time I was there someone was asking the Amish lady who bakes if she had one of her pineapple coconut cakes and she said no.  I asked them if it was good and they said "Oh yeah!  It's really good!"  Well, she had one there this week and I bought it.  I am not much of a cake eater but this was delicious!  I'm going to search for the recipe online.

   After the Farmer's Market I went to Walmart........I was out of everything so it was big shopping!  I got home and put everything away and that was pretty much my day.  I did get the issue of Interweave Fall Knitting....there are several items in there I would like to make.  There has to be at least 3 or more to make it worthwhile and this one has more than that.  Plus, there is an article on the Swedish version of the Danish Hygge....the art of coziness and happiness.

Oh, another interesting tidbit....I have bought and eaten Thomas's English Muffins for years but recently I noticed all of a sudden they are not crisp but 'doughy'.  There was a woman at Walmart looking at them and I asked her if she eats them and she said yes and for years.  I asked her if she had noticed any difference in them and lo and behold she said "Yes, they seem to be doughier and not crisp like they used to be"......I was so glad I asked her because sometimes I think maybe it's just me but nope......they changed their product and now they will lose customers because I found these and they are organic too!  I still may call Thomas's and tell them it's not nice to try and pull a fast one on their customers.........

This morning I got out early and raked up all my trimmings from Tuesday and watered.  I have  spaghetti squash and some zucchini forming!  I need to gather my seeds for fall gardening today also.  The burn pile is getting bigger.......

  When I went out this morning there were some visitors.............the Spring babies are getting big!

and this beauty flitted around me all morning............

I'm in for the day now except to pick up some prescriptions and a new composition book for my bullet journal.  Then it's time to cook and bake..............here's my MENU for the next few weeks and maybe beyond.........

MENU:

Cauliflower steaks
homemade mac and cheese made with brown rice noodles if I can get some on Amazon
Sheet Pan chicken fajitas
Split pea and ham soup
Strawberry spinach salad
Apple Puff pancake
Ham and bean soup
Pizza

I hope things are going well for you in your world today and always........
Happy Trails!!!

All hands on deck!

It's Monday; the beginning of my work week.  It's also the hottest time of the year but I can't let that stop me!  I have outside work to do so I go out early before it gets too hot and even then I come in often and cool off and go back out.  I trimmed in the front and watered and I trimmed in the back and watered.  I also held a branch/weed tree down with 1 foot, lopped it off and WHAMMO!  The rest of it snapped forward and hit me in the head!  I saw stars for a few seconds and then I actually had to laugh at my stupidity!  I mean really?  It was something the 3 stooges would do....that would have been a video that would have gone viral for sure.  It still hurts and I'm sure I'll have a big bruise there on my forehead but dang that was stupid!  After that I got all the garbage out to the curb because they are evidently coming in the middle of the night as I keep missing them!  Last week I took it out at 8:30 a.m. and they had already been there! 

I finished the first book in the Elm Creek Quilt series by Jennifer Chiaverini.....excellent!  The next book is Round Robin so I ordered it from Thrift Books.

But meanwhile I went to the library to see if they had it and they did!  I got it to start reading....
along with a few other books............I thought this one might give me a boost.............

and then I spotted this one which I've wanted to read...........

When I got back home I made chocolate chip cookies....those crispy ones I told you about a while back but this time I added chopped walnuts too.......I'm trying to get chores and projects done but also be kind to myself as everyone has suggested.........what could be kinder than homemade chocolate chip cookies?

I hope you had a great Monday!
Happy Trails!!!