YOP Week #4

 Well, things have slowed to a halt on my Giant Granny.  I have to order more yarn....oh, darn! LOL!
So, the last yarn order brought me the cream color I needed to finish my Maybelle Flower Baby blanket.  I've been doing about 2 per night....but my nights are starting later and later as the clock ticks faster to my family arriving.

I only have 7 left and then they will get joined by Join As You Go method in the same cream color.  There might be a border too but I can't remember now.  These are fun to work on.
As for sock knitting.....I have a RECLAIMER......it was not the Phildar 50 Folk yarn....I think the yarn was just "tired" from me casting on so many times.  Granted, it is not an expensive yarn but like wine, you can find some good ones that don't cost a fortune.  This one seems to be just that! 
Is that all you've done you ask?

Well, no, as a matter of fact..........

I am following what I first heard on a  Little Bobbin's podcast and I am working both socks concurrently on different needles.  I divide it up just like the sock steps are divided.  I did both cuffs and now I'm working the leg on sock #1 and when that is done (a total of 5 repeats of a 12 step pattern and I am on the 5th repeat now) then I will start knitting on the leg of sock #2.  I like this method so far and it's so easy to just continue what you were doing with the 1st sock and then go on to the 2nd sock.  Plus, when you're done you have a pair without that 6 month vacation between them.  Oh, I'm sorry, is that just me?  So yes, to the Phildar 50 Folk yarn as I am having no more problems with it and it is amazingly soft considering it is such a reasonably priced yarn and I imagine it will be even softer after washing.  The pattern is Sandra Paul's (Cherry Heart on my side bar) and is the first patterned sock I've done and I am loving it!
The only acquisition I made this week was a new sock pattern that is out by Susan B. Anderson.  My picture does not do them justice as I took a picture of the pattern in the plastic sleeve in my notebook.  She used Must Stash yarn in a gorgeous colorway (please visit her website to get the really nice view of them.  She is also on my sidebar) and the pattern in on sale until tomorrow, I think.  This will definitely be one of my Box of Socks (12 pair...I'd better get going) for this year.

I'm not sure how much or how often I will be blogging this next month but I will try!  I especially hate missing YOP Sunday! 
This will not be a restful Sunday but I do knit when I take breaks which the older I get the more breaks I take! LOL!  There's washing, ironing, making up the beds for company and there's a meal to cook and cleaning galore!  Have a great week!  I'll be by later to catch up with you.
Happy Trails!!!
P.S.  I will be ordering some yarn today and it may involve yarn for a shawl.....it's on my list!

Busy, busy busy..............

"The hurried I go the behinder I get!"  So true of me lately.  But I keep moving along and hopefully making some progress.  It's been so hot here that this morning I got up early and outside to water about 6:00 a.m. and then I sprayed weeds (poisonous ones) after the girls were out and back in.  Yesterday was bills and I went through a bunch of old paperwork that was no longer needed and filled my garbage in the kitchen!  I always feel I am doing well if my garbages are full and if there are cleaning

rags in the laundry! LOL!
This is after I got done paying bills and cleaning it all up......the tea towel on the table was made by a friend several years ago.........the fabric strawberries in the bowl were made by me........

 

The boys toys that I ordered have all arrived and just need to be wrapped now.  I have one more thing I need to order from Amazon today and that will be it.  Their birthday toys were ordered from a great place that I highly recommend.........

They have the "approval" of several parent and teacher organizations and encourage learning yet also fun.  They have all kinds of categories which was a big help to me as I don't see the grands but once a year.   You can search by age, sex, interests, price and bestsellers.  There are reviews and their service and shipping was fast and efficient.  I picked out some things and then consulted my daughter who is a mother and a teacher and I had actually picked one toy that one of the grands had been wanting!  Bingo! (No, he didn't want a bingo game...just an expression).  The other ones she was sure would be a success and she said she had heard good things about the company.  I think Grandma Sam scored!  Now, the real test will be when they open them and I see their reaction! LOL!  I can't wait!

I  found that lawn edging I was looking for and lo and behold it is carried at Walmart although it has to be shipped to my house.  There is no delivery to my local Walmart store.  But there is free shipping over $50.00 so not a problem.

It's on sale right now for $52.00 for 20 feet which seems pricey since it's plastic but my neighbor's has been in for many years and has held up well.   I  haven't made up my mind yet.  I'm thinking maybe the kids could help just put rocks there as those are free and plentiful down here! LOL!  I have a riding mower and I'm not sure that the space for the lawn mower wheel would fit on there.  My neighbor weed whacks around theirs.  Oh well....we'll see but now I know where to get it if I want it and also to share it with you as several of you expressed an interest.  Here's the link to it

That's all for today.  I'm off to renew library books (by phone), iron, bake,  cook and clean...all the usual stuff and more!  Have a great Saturday...see you tomorrow for YOP!

Happy Trails!

Hopefully useful Tips on Tuesday!

Okay, I went to Wally World today and yes, I know, it's a terrible place to shop but for certain items that is the only game in town unless I want to drive for and hour and a half.  Anyway, I went and got some new sheets.   Not exactly what I would have chosen print-wise but they were the nicest ones  I could find and I need them.  Why is it you notice these things when you have company coming?  So, here's the sheets....I guess the tip would be (TIP #1) don't wait until you are forced to buy something you don't care for that much just because you need it.

 TIP #2 (you're going to love this one!) I found a new search engine instead of Google. This new search engine does not track you or anything you do or buy or logon to which I thought was great!  I have nothing to hide but Google is like Big Brother!  Duck Duck Go
is the name of it and guess what?  It's like I have a new computer!!!!  I kid you not!  It is so fast now it's like I got "turbo-boosted". I can now have a zillion windows open (Okay, so maybe not a zillion but at least a billion!) and my pc is fast, the search engine is just as good as Google, if not better!  You need to try them.  You will be shocked!  All that "Google Tracking" was using up MY precious resources on my pc....not theirs!  Google was always running even when I had no window open for them.  When I cleaned my computer with CClean (free and I highly recommend) it would have to force Google to close as it was always running in the background even when I had closed all programs....and again using MY resources.  I am getting nothing for saying these things I just like to share good things when I find them and this one is a winner!

TIP #3 When it's hot outside pin your ears back! LOL!  It is very hot here and Annie was outside and when she came in this was what I saw..............she had both her ears fliped back over her head! LOL!  What would I do without my girls to keep me smiling?  They are a hoot!

TIP #4 and Tip #5 aren't really tips actually but new products that I have tried and love! If you love guacamole like I do but hate it when it turns dark before you've eaten it all...have I got a product for you!

 Yes, little individual containers of guacamole!  Brilliant and just right for one person for a little snack in the afternoon with some blue tortilla chips like I had....YUMMO!  They have different flavors too....spicier if you like that and chunky if you prefer that.  I found it in the vegetable refrigerated section.
Isn't it cute?  You'll never have to eat guacamole from "the dark side" again! LOL!

 This next product I had heard about but I could only find it on Amazon and it was a bit pricey for a bag of cookies but "lo and behold" there it was on the shelf at Wally World!  I couldn't believe my eyes!  As most of you know, I don't buy processed anything very often and try and grow some and buy organic and cook almost everything from scratch as much as possible.  But there are times when I wish I could buy something already made that didn't have bad ingredients.  Today was the day!  In case you weren't aware of it, most European countries are much stricter about their food products and their makeup products and the ingredients they are allowed to put in them.  This country....not so much!  Anything goes here it seems.  These are made in Belgium with real ingredients....imagine that!  Like sugar and butter and things I would use if I was baking....no chemicals!

 They are delicious and I can understand why they are so popular.  They are great with a cup of tea or coffee and just right before bed!
That's all the tips for this Tuesday.  I hope you are staying cool or warm depending on where you're at and that you had a great day!
Happy Trails!

YOP Week #3

Here we are at Week #3 and I am trying to keep  up but I will definitely be slowing as company looms in the near future.  It's busier than Christmas for me because not only did I have to clear a whole room for remodeling when they get here but there is cleaning and clearing and gifts for 4 people and an anniversary plus I still have to maintain the lawn and plants (some need water twice a day now).  I think Christmas would be easier! LOL!  But then they wouldn't have the lake!
I love it but you can certainly see where my projects are going to take a backseat for the 2 weeks they're here.  But for now, I am just taking it as it comes and trying not to let it stress me out as, of course, I want everything nice for them when they arrive and food cooked for 4 adults and 3 children and beds and linens and a birthday cake!  I'm tired already! LOL!  It will be fun once they get here and all my plans to be organized will go up in the air! LOL!
As for my projects..........the one I've been working on the most is my Giant Granny Square throw/blanket but it has reached a standsill.......I ran out of yarn....I .need to order Cloud Blue and a few more colors............

It is so enjoyable though....just loving it...........

See the markers...I am trying to keep track of which side I'm on but the best way is to not quite finish a round and then the next time finish and start in the same sitting so you will know which side to switch to next.   I'll definitely know better next time but I am still just loving the heck out of this project.  I am more than halfway finished.  There are 68 rounds not including the border and I am on round 40 with the blue I just ran out of.
Have any of you ever lined one of these crochet blankets?  I would love to line it with a small floral or solid flannel so fingers and toes wouldn't poke through.

This project gets 5 Stars and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys crochet....it is also very easy!
I cast on my new (also Sandra Paul/Cherry Heart pattern as the one above) socks called My First Socks but I am using new Karbonz circular needles and new yarn Phildar Folk 50.

 First, I haven't used Magic Loop for socks since I made my first pair, also it's a new to me yarn and new needles.....I have cast on 4-6 times at least....I lost count.

It's not the pattern, it may be the new needles as in getting used to them and Magic Loop but mostly I think it is the yarn.  It unwinds and splits and is just generally not fun to work with.  There is something to be said for quality yarn when it comes to making your knitting pleasant.   I did finally get some cuff going........just a little as I am taking it slow because I do not want to start over again!

I am pretty sure it is the yarn or the needles because I had actually started using Kristin Nicholas Design yarn from Regia in self-striping using Addi circulars and was having no problem whatsoever but decided to switch as I could tell the self-striping yarn was not going to show off the pattern in the sock.  We shall see....stay tuned for updates.  Have any of you ever used the Phildar yarn and/or the Karbonz circulars?  I would be interested to know what you think of them.
 I finished the base of the Frida basket...........

 All 5 blocks for the basket are finished and need to be blocked and I am waiting for the fabric lining to arrive.  There's no rush on the handmade birthday presents now as I decided to use them for Christmas and get other things for the birthdays.  Pressure off! 
But I will continue to work on them after they go home....I will have plenty of time then with Fall and yard work winding down and the porch repaired plus, no one comes for Christmas.

So, every other new project is going to require the finishing of a WIP (these are from before YOP 2016-17).  Since I am "waiting" on supplies for the crochet projects.......I dug out the Maybelle Blanket because I now have the yarn for it! (BTW all the links to the projects and patterns are on my YOP lists on the

right hand sidebar that way I don't have to put links in my blog post every week).  Now that I say that.....I may have to add these..........as they are WIP's that probably weren't on any list.  They are in Ravelry though as I did get that updated.
This was another fun crochet project but I ran out of the cream color which was being used to "square" them up and also for joining them eventually.  I have plenty now so I will be working on this while waiting for more yarn for the Giant Granny.  I use Stylecraft Special DK for almost all my crocheting projects except the Frida basket was Stylecraft Chunky.  It is very soft, washable and comes in so many colors and many of the crochet patterns call for it.  Plus, they come out with new colors all the time.

Another WIP that I need to order backing fabric for is my Painted Rose pillow based on Sandra Paul's Painted Rose blanket pattern.  I have all 6 squares done but need to find and order some backing fabric.   I am determined to get these done and the only thing that stops me is my lack of confidence in the sewing part of it.  Oh well, confidence is like a muscle....the more you venture forth the stronger it gets and I never knew many people who learned anything by standing still...failure is a great learning tool so here goes!

I hope you are having a great week and enjoying your projects!
Happy Trails!

It's Monday...what are you reading?

I finished this book and as always James Van Praagh is sensitive, insightful and full of wisdom and spiritual goodness.  I always feel so good after reading his books.

I also finished A Man Called Ove which had been recommended to me and it did not disappoint.  It started out slow and I wasn't sure but as each chapter evolved so did Ove's story and it was a good one!  Connie, my friend in Minnesota...I think you would like this one and Far Guy too!  Maybe you could take turns reading it aloud to each other.....it's funny too!

   I finished this old magazine....my magazines are old like me...........lol!

Saturday I went to the library and I was so proud of myself getting both books read in the 2 week time span until the librarian told me I owed $1.00 as they were due last Saturday!   Where does the time go?  I could have sworn I had just taken them out but alas, I paid up and was no longer so proud of myself.  I did get some more books though and this time I put the slip on the frig so I won't be late.
You can renew over the phone which is nice if I could only remember when to renew!
My audio book is still this one but it is funny and I am getting used to the English accent.

My non-fiction is a library book.............it is very interesting so far and goes back to my history of the 60's and beyond as women ( I always knew this) began to realize that marriage wasn't for every female and that was not how all women became "fulfilled".  I probably should have never married as I was "too independent" as some would say but my theory is everyone needs to be able to stand on their own 2 feet...married or not, male or female!  I am not fond of women who are needy or dependent or manipulate men to get what they want.  It's really embarassing to me as a woman.  But then not a lot of men liked my free spirited wisdom either except younger men.  Anyway, I digress, but this book is very well written and I am enjoying reading about that period up to the present by a young and intelligent journalist.  I'm so proud that I stood up back then so these women could move forward.  Oh, did I forget to tell you I was a not so popular feminist.....and will be until the day I die!  I have always been for the underdog, regardless and there are so many across our world today.

For my non-fiction I am reading my wonderful 4th book in the Maisie Dobbs series...another independent woman...I'm seeing a pattern here! LOL!  I love this series and the time period of shorlty after the first World War.  It takes place in England a very favorite setting.  If you haven't read her yet you really should.....her books are extremely well written and not your usual mysteries.

My magazine is Mental Floss which my daughter got me a copy of for Mother's Day as it featured female heroines.  I am enjoying it and I may want more of this magazine as it does keep one's brain "engaged".  In my generation there was no such thing as "Women's Studies" even when I went to college and there were few females in the history books back then...Clara Barton and Madame Curie were about all I remember.  But there were loads of unbelievable women in all fields.....not as many but they were there!  Of course, most never got credit and they were certainly not entered into history but now they are coming out of the wood work!

Some other books I got at the library were these............my next fiction........

Another non-fiction that may give me a leg up into selling my house....or not.......

The library also has an area with books for sale; paperbacks are .50 and hardcovers $1.00.  I got this book as I think I've read all of Nicholas Evans...the man who wrote The Horse Whisperer which of course I loved being a huge horse person.  I still have the book in hardcover and per usual it was much better than the movie.

Years ago, this gentleman wrote a series of books called Conversations with God and I had them on tape and listened to them as I drove up to Canada through the wilderness to go fishing.  I will never forget those tapes or that trip as nature and God really do go together.  I haven't heard much about him but I ran across this book and had to get it.  I still have those tapes and it would be nice to revisit them as they were wonderful.

That's all for this week!  I hope you are enjoying your summer.  As for watching t.v....I have not missed my satellite at all and I have been binge watching Little Bobbins podcasts and have finally caught up with Inside #23 and I'm caught up with Stitched in Sweden.  I am still catching up with the Heartland series on Feeln channel (love the channel and the series).  They are now featuring Christmas movies which are great for those of us who start making Christmas presents in July! LOL!  Really gets you in the spirit.  Of course, I'm still making birthday gifts but after my family comes and goes in August I will be gearing up for Christmas gift making and I will be watching those Christmas flicks!  What have you been reading and watching and listening to this summer?
Please share!
Happy Trails!

YOP Week #2

Yay!  Week number 2!  Aren't fresh starts wonderful?  I am off to a good one so far except I started a project for me and got so addicted to it I could barely put it down and I have birthday presents to make still!  Yikes Batman!
Here's my new for me Giant Granny Square blanket.........

Someone told me that I need to turn for each new round and crochet on the opposite side to keep it from looking 'twisted' like it does in the middle.  Thank you!  I have a stitch marker now that I use to keep track of which side I'm on but it may be too late for that middle square! LOL!  That's okay...I love it anyway and this will not be my last!  It is so enjoyable and mindless which I love at the end of the day when I want to relax and watch podcasts.  This pattern is from Sandra Paul of Cherry Heart and she is on Ravelry.  I will update Ravelry and put all the information on my project page.

With all the color changes there are ends to weave in but I always do it at the end of a round and as the blanket gets bigger the weaving in is fewer and fewer between rounds.  I love the colors and I tried to follow Sandra's color scheme if I could as I have quite a few Stylecraft DK yarns which is what she used.  I think she has an excellent color sense and I always love her color combinations.

I made a mistake on my Frida block #4 of 5 for the basket and had to tear out and redo so here's block #4 and I am starting on #5 of 5 today.  Then there will be putting it together and lining and a handle I think.

I found a Frida Kahlo fabric to line it with awhile ago and pinned it.  Now I just need to see if it is still available and order it.  I also found some Frida Kahlo stitch markers which I thought would really complete the gift.  I need to order this afternoon!  My family will be here before I know it!
I hope your first week of YOP was productive and fun and I can't wait to see it all!
Happy Trails!

Another birthday boy................

Uriah turned 8 on Wednesday and he got his card and magazine subscription on the exact day.  I'm getting good at this grandma stuff.  He called and thanked me and and we had a good conversation.  He told me about going to Adventure Land for his birthday over the weekend...just he and his Dad (my son, Benjamin) and he told me he went on the roller coasters and " I didn't puke, Grandma"!  I bet his fellow riders were very grateful for that! LOL!
Meanwhile, I am working hard clearing and cleaning out the porch so when Ben arrives he can get right to work repairing the leak and my ruined porch.  This is part of the reason I haven't put my house up for sale.  Evidently God doesn't want me to leave just yet as every time I think about putting the house up for sale something happens.  It's okay as I will take that guidance over mine any day!
It's getting worse every time it rains but at least the ceiling hasn't caved in yet.

I'm glad I didn't get the room all done before it happened....I guess?  I had my potting bench and pots out there.......

Several bookcases..........which my family will move when they get here.  I just had to empty them AND find places for all of it.......

One more to go.............

At least my precious books didn't get damaged!  A few more items to remove.......

Including one of my favorite Mary Engelbreit posters..................my mantra!

I hope you've  had a wonderful week and that your weekend will be even better!
Happy Trails!

Back to work!

I took the weekend off basically but today was back at it with laundry, ironing, cleaning and clearing.
But over the weekend I started on one of the projects on my new YOP list for 2016-17.........the GIANT granny square.  It is so much fun I can't stop!  I weave the ends in as I go and the farther along you get the more time in between there being any ends to weave in.

It looks a little catty wampus?  I have no idea why but I love it!  So far it is the most enjoyable project of 2016-17.

 Today is my namesake's birthday!  Sam is 9 years old today and he received his card and magazine subscription today for Ranger Rick along with Grayson (he got Ranger Rick Jr.) who's birthday isn't until the 26th and he'll be 4 then but I always figure better early than late.  Uriah's birthday is tomorrow and he will be 8.  We'll have a party with cake and ice cream and more presents when they come down the end of this month. 

 I still managed to work on my granny square on "breaks"...it was very hot here today!  It is almost 7:00 p.m. and it is 89 degrees F and it says it feels like 100.  I can verify that as I just went out and watered.  Stay cool!

Happy Trails!