A walk down memory lane.......

My cousin sent me a packet of pictures most of which I had never seen.  At age 63 I saw myself as a baby for the first time.  Evidently they found these pictures when my Aunt died at age 96.  My other cousin had also sent me a few pictures a while ago.  The youngest and only picture I had of myself as a child was the one on this blog so these pictures are very precious to me.  Thank you dear cousins!  (I need to scan them but for now I just snapped pictures of them).

   Below is blurry but it's me with my Aunt Bernice who practically raised me.  She was married to my Mother's oldest brother.  There was 20 years between them so they were almost like Grandparents to me.  Plus, my Mother was a career woman and didn't have me until she was 34 years old.
 You can tell I'm old....look at those classic cars in the background!

 Below is my cousin Allen (my Aunt and Uncle's grandson and my Uncle Homer, my Mother's oldest brother..she was the youngest in the family of 6) and of course...me standing there.

I know now why I love horses so much.  Here I am with my cousin Allen (he's a year younger than I am...actually his Dad was my first cousin Allen was my second cousin) on board Chess.  I was 2 years old at the time.

 

Oh, and the dog, Queen (of Sheba #2...there was a long line of them).  I remember one of the Queens pulled my younger cousin Gus out of the river when he fell in one time.....literally saved his life!  They were all German Sheperds.  The man in the picture is my cousin Frank who saved my life one time when I was little when I crawled in to see the baby pigs.  All I remember is he reached over the fence and grabbed me by the back of the shirt and pulled me out before the mama pigs got me.    

 

This is my Mother, she was a nurse and she also went into the Army and became an Army nurse during WWII. (I think they "beefed" her up for the war as I've never seen my Mother so chunky! LOL!)

Below is more what I remember her like.........

Below is my high school graduation picture.  My Mother did have these pictures but when she died my step father got rid of all of her things. 

Well, there's my little trip down memory lane....well, my memory lane at least.  I hope I didn't bore you too much!  I was just so excited when I received them in the mail I just had to share them.  I hope you had a wonderful Wednesday!

Books in the mail and a new knitting project!

 

I set my "frogged" sock aside for now until the Olympics are over.  I HAVE to watch the Olympics and I HAVE to knit but something simple not my first sock that's for sure!  So, I am starting the "beginner knitting" project of the PurlBee bath mat made out of Rowan handknit cotton.  So, far so good! LOL!

 I ordered a few books which came in the mail today.........I'll let you know how they are after I read them

 

The colors and the word "organizing" and "craft space" really drew me to this one..........I'm mad about color!  That white/neutral thing is definitely not for me!

 This book on circular needles I've been looking at for awhile as that is what I use to knit now almost exclusively.  This particular book had the most reviews and the highest rating of the books on circular needles knitting.  I can't get enough of books, videos, stories, yarns, patterns.....well...you get my drift.  I am mad for knitting!  And crochet, and I just found a rug loom I think I can afford to make rag rugs with.  I love so much about my life...I am truly blessed!

I "gotta run" and go watch more Olympics!!!!!  Go Team U.S.A.!!!!!  I admire all the athletes from everywhere and congratulations to all of them!  Hope you had a great Tuesday!

Olympic baking tribute! Scones!

First there was English Lemon Cake  which is gone.  Last night I decided to make Scones...another baking tribute to the Olympics in London.  This recipe is compliments of Tammy from T's Daily Treasures

Scones
------------
preheat oven to 425 degrees F
Blend together 3 C flour, 3 Tbs sugar, 1 tsp baking soda and 1/2 tsp salt.  Work in 6 Tbs soft butter until mixture resembles fine meal; add in 1 lightly beaten egg and 3/4 C buttermilk to form a dough; stir in 1/3 C dried cranberries.  Lightly flour a work surface.  Pat dough to 3/4 inch thick and cut into rounds.  Brush tops with a little buttermilk and bake until golden.

 

As usual....I was "distracted" so I set oven to 450 instead of 425, I cooked for 10 minutes which worked thank goodness but I forgot to baste the tops with buttermilk.  Despite all these mistakes....I LOVED them!!!!  

 

Last night I had one split with butter while still warm with a cup of ginger peach green tea!  What a great evening treat.   This morning I had them with a little whipped cream and honey....OMG!  YUMMO!

 

Basically they are like baking powder biscuits with a little sugar and fruit thrown in.  These are a much healthier treat than cookies, cakes etc; yet filling and just the right thing with a cup of tea.  They are really easy and fast to make and I'll be trying other added ingredients.  Thanks Tammy!  This recipe is a winner!

I got my socks going finally after a few unsuccessful tries........got the cuff done now on to the heel flap

I did get the heel flap going but it is really bad, multiple  mistakes (I cannot watch the Olympics AND knit socks...whoops!)  So, take a look but it will probably get pulled out and started over but I'm learning.  It's just frustrating to tear out all the time.....but thank goodness I have other "feel good" projects and also I do know HOW to do it....I just can't watch t.v. and do it. LOL!  I wonder if I'll ever be that good.
I hope all those competing in the Ravellenics are doing better than me!
I did get the last of my supplies for awhile..........they came in the mail this morning........

 

I think I'll go eat a scone before I tear out that sock.....it might make it a little easier...ya think?

I hope you're having a good Monday!  It's 106 degrees F right now....thank God for AC! I think it would be appropriate to change my banner to Summer now!

YOP Update and an FO!!!!

Yes!!!!  I have an FO .....I finished all three of my washcloth/towels and I really like how they turned out.  I had one mistake in my stitches in each cloth....sort of  like that Amish tradition of putting  a mistake in each quilt they make because only God can make something perfect.  Well, mine weren't on purpose but my knitting is very even now after knitting 3 of these. But the hardest part of the whole project was weaving in the ends and keeping it decent looking at the same time.  I've decided that since they're too big for washcloths yet too small for a kitchen towel, I'm going to use them as guest towels in my "guest" bathroom.  It has tan walls and beige fixtures and tile and red is my accent color in there so it will be perfect! I didn't plan it but it worked out that way. I think I'll place them in a white enamel dish with red edging.  I'll post when I get that done!

Oh!  I also learned right side from wrong side I think.  See the middle towel....I obviously didn't know that when I knitted that one! LOL!  The left side stripe was supposed to look like the right side stripe....yeah.
But I'm learning and as long as I keep improving and learning I'm a happy knitter!
Below is not an FO but this particular block is done.  I'll be starting a new one this week.

I worked some on my crocheted table runner too and it is about 3/4 done.

 

I started on my first pair of socks and actually had it on the needles with the first row FIVE times so far but to no avail!  But I am not giving up...I may set aside while I knit a bath mat but I will not give up on this!  One of these times I will do it correctly and it will look "right" to me.  I am using the Magic Loop method but so far the "magic" hasn't worked for me! LOL!  I think my knitting angels need to give me a helping hand on this one!

 

See the "curly" yarn.....it is tired from being "cast on" so many times!  And look at those teeny, tiny needles!  OMG.....can this knitter be saved (taught)?  In true Olympic spirit though I will prevail!

 

You know.....if she'd just get her hands out of the way I might be able to see how it's done! LOL!

I hope all YOUR projects are coming along splendidly and cheers to all who are participating in the Ravellenics and the Olympics too!  Have a great week of YOPs!

Awesome Opening Ceremonies! Thank you U.K.!!!!

I hope you got to see the Olympic opening ceremonies as it was fantastic!  I thoroughly enjoyed my evening!

I made myself a little cocktail in honor of the celebration.........cherry limeade with a little rum and some blueberries.  It was sort of red, white and blue for team U.S.A..........Go Team!!!!!!!

My poor basil plant wasn't doing well in all the heat so I potted it up and brought it in the house.  I sure hope it recovers!

I finished reading a book.........

This was a good mystery but so many characters I couldn't keep track of all of them and it got confusing.  My first hint should have been her list of characters at the beginning of the book.  I'm thinking this is a series and you need to start at the beginning of the series in order to keep from getting confused which really distracts from the story.  It had a good plot though.  She writes "cat" mysteries and the animals in it have their own conversations.  Pretty cute!
 I also finished this special publication about the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.........

  It was very interesting with lots of history and accompanying historical photos of the lineage, major events and personal information about the Queen.  I am enamored with the U.K. this year and I think a lot of it has to do with all the blogger friends I've made that are from there.  They are just the sweetest and very talented too!
Tomorrow is the YOP update and I've made some great progress this week and also have an FO (finished object) so please tune in tomorrow!  If you're not too cross-eyed from watching the Olympics like me! LOL!
Have a great Saturday night!

The Olympics start tonight!!!!!! I'm SO excited!!!!!

The beautiful sky after the storm last evening.

In honor of the Olympics starting tonight in London I made an English Lemon Cake...one of my very favorite desserts!

I hope you are planning on watching the Olympics....the one contest that brings together everyone from all different races and cultures in one place in an environment of peace.  If only it would spread everywhere and last forever!  Have a great Friday night!

Severe thunderstorms! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Yep..clouds rolling in and warnings and thunder and lightning..........

 

And.............RAIN!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought I wasn't going to be able to post as the electric went out once already but I'm hurrying up!

I went to iron today and got out my iron and ironing board and my ironing and my Magic Sizing Spray that I use to spray on my ironing.  I have my Mom's old iron and the steam part no longer works so I spray.

Well......the Magic Sizing spray can fell of the board, hit the floor and broke the nozzle clean off!  There was no way to repair it and it was a brand new full can!  I wasn't going to run to the store for 1 thing....remember my rule....there has to be 3 places I need to go before I take the car out of the garage! LOL!  So, I figured I would fill a spray bottle with water and muddle through.....but after I filled it I thought....hmmmm....why not put a little scent in it.  I had some essential oil from Walmart (probably not the real stuff but....it was what I had) and it was in the "linen" scent.  I use it to scent my homemade laundry detergent...how perfect was that?

 It worked great!  Got my ironing done and the car never left the garage and I didn't spend a penny!  And my fresh clean ironed clothes smelled SO good!

Then I went and made another batch of eggplant parmesan.........yum!

Now it's time for jammies, hot tea and some knitting.....it's still raining and thundering...SO COZY!

The Olympics start tomorrow!!!!!!!  Esther, over at Happy in Red is actually going to be at the Olympics!  

I hope you had a great Thursday!

Wonderful Wednesday...................

 

Finished another knitted washcloth!  One more to go and I will have my first FO (finished object).

 I finished reading this book and I loved it!  She's another generation and uses some language and behavior that I'm not comfortable with but then my parents weren't comfortable with the language and behavior of my generation.....It's a fact now...I'm old!   But despite that this gal can write!  It is the true story of her solo journey over the Pacific Crest Trail from California to Oregon.  It's also a personal mental journey and the healing and growth that takes place.  It was one of those books I didn't want to end.  I must admit I am partial to true life adventure/nature stories especially when a woman is the main character! 

 Here's my bounty from the Farmer's Market today and all Amish raised produce!  I wash and scrub all my produce when I bring it home thus the reason it is all sitting in my dish drainer.  Today I bought 2 eggplant, banana peppers, a patty pan squash, some "new" red potatoes and my favorite which I never seem to be able to find fresh....beets!

I'll be eating great this week!  I hope you are all having a wonderful Wednesday too!

Renewal...........

 

I've watered and watered but there is nothing like a little rain to make plants happy!  We got a good "frog strangler" about 4 days ago and it sure brightened things up around here.

 

My radishes are doing well....................

 

and it's about time to harvest some lettuce.............

The mandevilla is THE plant for a hot environment but I think the bigger pots help too....they hold more water to keep the roots cool.

 

 

 

I hope you had a great day and only 2 more days until the Olympics start!!!!!!  I'm SO excited you'd think I was in them! LOL! 

 

 

Miscellaneous Monday!

 

Look what I got at our local grocery store!  No eggplant that I was looking for but they had a Venus Fly Trap....go figure.   I've always wanted one so I brought him/her home with me.  I hope they don't have to have bugs to eat as I don't have many in my house.   I have Terminex so I shouldn't have bugs, right?

Can This Antique Be Saved?

I'm hoping Carlene over at Organized Clutter takes a look at this and tells me what to do with it.  She always has such great ideas.  I tried putting it back together but there's a pin or bolt missing.   Plus, if you look closely the grinding gear has broken off.  Maybe terrarium embellishments for the metal pieces?   Paint the box part and use it for outgoing mail?

Started washcloth/towel #2 of the set of 3 that's on my list of YOPs......I think I'm getting better AND picking up speed!

I also got this magazine in the mail.  It's a back issue I ordered for a pattern for one of my YOP projects.  I can't even remember which one it was for but I'll curl up with it tonight and rediscover what it was...I LOVE surprises!

I wish you a great week and thanks to all of you who take the time to leave a comment.  I really appreciate it!  Happy Monday!

   

Sunday YOP update time!

It's that time again..............
     I have 3 to 4 projects going at any one time and probably more if you count the ones I've put aside and haven't worked on, but those days are over!  I have accountability now since I am participating in the YOP!
I do not have a finished project but I do have a finished wash cloth/towel in a set of 3 project........
This was my third try at this cloth.  I started out great,  thinking I knew what I was doing and was almost done when I realized I had done stockinette stitch instead of garter.  Why do I ALWAYS make things harder than they have to be?  So..I finally got my act together and "got her done" but I am not pleased with my results.  The yarn was wonderful, it was all my faulty knitting.  There were several areas....1) I had cast on "several" times before I got the right count on my first knitted row...don't ask me why.  Anyway, my cast on edge is bumpy and uneven so maybe the yarn was just "tired" by that time.  The other problem was it looked nice and I even had good luck with binding off but when I went to weave in the red yarns there wasn't many places to weave in without it being really noticeable.  Plus, this project said dish towels but I would call them wash cloths.  They are a  rectangle not a square but I wouldn't call them a dish towel size yet they're a might big for a dish cloth. It said I need to block them....really?  I don't understand as wouldn't it destroy the blocking the minute you get them wet or dry your hands on them?  When do you block and when don't you and how?  I think I understand the concept, pins, dampen project,  shape and pin so it dries the shape you want but when it gets wet again doesn't that destroy the blocking effort?  Where do you block your things?  On a floor, a board,  a special blocking tool?  I need a book on finishing I think.  I do well weaving in the ends on the same colored background but with skinny stripes of color is there a trick to it or technique?  I can see I have much to learn yet! 

 one side...............

 and the other side...........

I'm about 50% done with my granny stripe table runner...........

 

And although this is neither knitting or crochet it is one of my WIP's listed on my YOP! LOL!

I'm almost done with this wool applique block which will be #10 of 12 with the big center block being done already along with 9 others finished but then after the 12 surrounding blocks there is an appliqued border on all 4 sides.  I use wool from old clothing mostly for the applique and I wash it and felt it and dye most of my own colors too.  The black background is purchased wool felt.  Once I have all the wool pieces blanket stitched in place (by hand) then there is additional embroidery stitches that are done. You can tell what I still need to stitch where you see the little white headed applique pins.

Those are the things that I actually worked on this week but there's plenty more where they came from! LOL!  I couldn't get in to Ravelry.  That has happened several times.  I think it's a popular place!  I'll post this whenever I finally get in.