Brrrrrrrrrrrr................

It's only 5 degrees F here this morning but the sun is shining and the sky is blue-blue! By Wednesday it is supposed to be in the 60's...lol!  The other day we had a visitor...I looked out the door because Nitty started barking outside and I saw a gray object in the yard........

I didn't have my glasses on but once I did I recognized it as an armadillo.  You rarely see them during the day as they are night creatures but it was foggy that morning so maybe that was why or he/she was just hungry.  They go for slugs in the yard and I must have gobs of them because they have dug up my yard to within an inch of it's life!

Nitty didn't know what to make of it but,  right or wrong, I told her to "get it" and she took off after it......it ran for cover and boy can they run fast!  Then it got comical..............

it would hide behind the tree and a few seconds later it would come out and Nitty would chase it again..........

This went on quite a few times almost like they were playing tag...........

I finally called Nitty inside as I really didn't want her to tangle with it and possibly get hurt plus she's due for her rabies shot!  They have very long curled sharp claws that dig in the ground and I'm not sure about teeth but they don't scare easy as they know they are wearing a coat of armor!  Plus, it might have been sick as it was out in the daytime.  Did you know that they can carry leprosy? 
That is the story of my fearless wonder dog Nitty and her adventure with an armadillo! LOL!
Happy Trails!

Well.......I'm 68 now....heading towards the big 70! I hope I make it! LOL!

Wednesday was my birthday and I had all intentions of blogging but you know how that goes!  I have decided to blog in the mornings now as I get too  many interruptions in the evening.    But now that all the "hoopla" is over until the next big day...Valentines Day.....maybe life can get back to normal and I can remember what day it is! LOL! 

 My daughter sent me this lovely card and the inside is a "tear jerker"...literally!  I had lots of good wishes via phone and Facebook and it was a great day here with blue skies, sunshine and a nip in the air!

I had a little birthday cake...........

and some actual birthday ice cream.....sprinkles and all!

Other than that it was a pretty regular day but I did force myself to sit down and do some handwork which I love.....I tried to watch a movie but the phone kept ringing so I gave up.  I did officially join a CAL (crochet along) and it is the Red Heart Lovers group on Ravelry.  They have a CAL each month and January is a cowl which I need.  I made a few of these before for gifts and one for myself and I love them!  So much more attractive than the turtlenecks I was wearing in the winter and they really keep my neck nice and warm.  I wear my hair up so my neck gets cold but these are toasty warm so I will be making more of them!

I finally got all the gifts done...sort of..........I made Christmas Crack for the postman and garbage man .........

 The postman got his but the garbage man was too quick for me and I missed him.....I hated to leave it on top of the garbage can but next week I will.  It's good for 2 weeks so I think it will be okay as it will only be a week.

I made a great meal this week......it's called Cabbage and Noodles by Spend With Pennies

and it is delicious, inexpensive and pretty healthy fare!  There's Kielbasa sausage in there too!

Jingle's the Christmas cat's Mom came home yesterday so no more traipsing across to the neighbors every day which is nice because the weather is getting wintry......it snowed last night!  Our first and hopefully not our last! Just a dusting and they never even predicted rain much less snow but I'll take it!  My neighbor brought me a lovely card and a box of Franzia Chillable Red wine which was very nice of her.

 That's all the news that's fit to print and from now on I will be a "morning blogger" and blog reader as evenings around here are unpredictable.  The older I get, the more the kids call! LOL!
Happy Trails!

YOP Week #27

Happy New Year everyone!!!!  I even have a finish to share (although those that follow me all week will have seen this already....sorry).  Bob Ross is finally done and winging his way to Iowa.

Since all the New Year "goodies" got mailed I've had a bit of time to ponder and peruse the internet to see what I will be doing this next year.  I did get some knitting and crocheting done though.......

This is the dog blanket....it's the Corner-to-corner pattern by Red Heart and there are tutorials by Crochet Crowd on You Tube.  It's such an enjoyable project I was happy to tell her I would make it.  I ran out of the lighter purple and grabbed some darker purple I had.  It's Red Heart acrylic and will be good and tough for a little puppy!  I'm ready to start squaring it off now and decreasing.  It looks longer on one side but it must have been the camera angle as it should come  out square.

On Christmas Eve I joined the multitudes who participate in Little Bobbins Christmas Eve Sock Cast On.  This is West Yorkshire Spinners yarn which I am loving and my Karbonz 2.75 mm dpns that I'm using. I must knit tight as I have to use 2.75 not the usual 2.25 that most people use.  I haven't gotten too far as I still have other projects to work on.

Not much on my Peace Cowl either...like round 17 of 84?  But I'll get there....eventually.

1 leg of 4 on 1 of 2 giraffes to be made.......and I am out of yellow yarn, I think.....we'll see how it goes.........

it's all because I have 2 birthday presents to make and I am making Simple House Slippers
I am almost done with one but still waiting for foot measurements from recipients...........they better hurry up! LOL!  Jaclyn of Brooklyn Knitfolk podcast made these for Christmas gifts and they knit up pretty fast....even for me....the slowest knitter in the world! LOL!

P.S. Those are NOT empty Corona bottles in the background....they are salt and pepper shakers.  They're always in my pictures and you must think I'm always imbibing so I thought I would explain just in case.  I do imbibe but not that much or that often or that early! LOL!  That is coffee in that mug!
 Now for my future plans for 2017........besides getting my house ready to put on the market this Spring...........I am doing Wardrobe Architect; a little course found at Collette's sewing blog
This link times out but it is Ravelry, so here is the address to get there:   https://blog.collettehq.com
This course helps you to define your style based on your likes and lifestyle and also to help you be more mindful of purchases of fabric and yarn etc; so you can create clothing items that will work well together.

  I am also joining my first KALs and CALs and so far it is: 1) a year long but monthly items and prizes for a Harry Potter KAL by Inside Number 23  2) Yarngasm's Box of Socks KAL and maybe 3) the BAMCAL (block of the month crochet along) that Becki mentioned or 4) a washcloth CAL...we shall see.
I've also gathered my supplies together for starting my Yarn Journal for all my projects with labels, yarn samples and notes about each project.  I am basing it on Katie's (Inside Number 23) yarn journal she started which is so pretty with fancy lettering, yarn samples, washi tape and pictures of the item etc.    

My daughter just recommended that I get some Prisma colored markers as they don't bleed through like the Sharpies will.....thank you, Amy!
These past few weeks I have watched VLOGMAS's with some of my favorite podcaster's...Homespun House, Inside Number 23 and Brooklyn Knitfolk.  I can't tell you how much I enjoyed taking a peek into their lead ups to Christmas.  They were wonderful!
Also, did you know that Susan B. Anderson and family have  started their own yarn company?  There is a drawing right now for a little sheep kit and it is called Barrett Wool Company and it is all 100% American Wool!  It looks lovely and she has some free patterns too so check it out!
I'm also planning on having a garage sale this Spring and selling some stuff on Ebay plus I signed up for a yarn dyeing course on Craftsy and we shall see where that leads me.  All in all, I am excited about 2017 and I hope you are too!  Happy New Year!!!!!!
Happy Trails too!

Rockin' and Rollin'.........

This will be short as I was up at 3:00 this morning and I'm still going!  But not for long I'm afraid.....I was so grateful though because I got up and got going and pressed Bob Ross who I had washed yesterday and he was dry this morning.  Then I found a frame that I had bought for something else, cut a piece of cardboard the size of the insert in the frame and mitered and sewed the corners around the cardboard.  I amazed myself but I think my angels were helping me!  I got it in the frame (just barely) wrapped it in bubble wrap found a box and wrapped the box and then loaded up 2 more boxes with the 2016 Collectible Ornaments, Chex Mix, Christmas cookies which are spritz cookie press cookies that used cream cheese, cinnamon and orange zest.............yes, I cannot tell a lie....they are delicious!  Recipe is here
Taped up the boxes including a container of that great Palmetto Cheese Spread I told you about, labeled and addressed the 3 boxes and drove to the next town and had them in the mail by 10:00 a.m.!  Woo Hoo !  Then I stopped by the market for a couple things came home and had breakfast and then got going doing some cleaning !  It's been a great day but I am fading fast now! LOL!
So glad to get those off in the mail!  Now I just have the garbage guy and the postman when they come next Tuesday. I might get up to a lot of mischief now that most of my Christmas is taken care of....oh, but I have cards yet and some more cookies to bake...my fav's Russian Tea Cakes...they go by a million different names but they have crushed almonds and they're rolled in powdered sugar....some call them snowballs.
Here's Bob in all his glory....I think my son will be very surprised when he opens his gift.  I hope he likes it!

Happy Trails!

Another book, sales, Christmas cookies and gift making

There was one more book I forgot to tell you about...........

This is the first book in a series of books about a young boy who survives in the wilderness.  It is for middle school age or even 8 or 9 and up maybe. I got it on Thrift Books  I read the second book, Brian's Winter and loved it.  Children's books with awards are usually good...adult books with awards not so much.  I love books on survival and self-sufficiency and relying on your own wits to survive.  It sounds like real life to me! LOL!  I haven't read it yet but if it's anything like the second book it will be good.
I got a little done on my Jingle's sock but not much.......I have finished the cuff and it's 6 inches of straight garter (knit) stitch now which is nice and relaxing and t.v. worthy.

  I had to put it aside (per usual) as I have 2 birthday presents to make for my son and SIL in January.  I decided to make them house slippers; a free pattern on Ravelry that Jaclyn of the Brooklyn Knitfolk podcast has been making and gifting for Christmas presents.  The only thing I would like to do different is get some kind of non-slip something for the bottoms.  If you know of anything or have used something like that for slippers please let me know.  I would appreciate it.  You knit these on circulars but back and forth for the back of the slipper and then join in the round for the front and then seam up the back with a mattress stitch.  She said it was easy and fun and she made 3 pair so she  must have liked making them.  They're also very popular on Ravelry.

I finally got some Christmas cookies made last night.....I know, I am slow like a slug and I have yet to adjust for my "slowing down" but I'm getting there, I hope.   I also washed Bob Ross and today I will press and frame and get more packages off in the mail.  This Christmas has been in 2 stages....first the goods and then the goodies!

Are you enjoying the aftermath of Christmas?  I got in on one sale; Craftsy had all their classes on sale and I got the Home Yarn Dyeing course but have yet to even look at it.  It was half-price and I had been eyeing it for awhile.  If you sign up for their newsletter they will notify you when they have sales.  They have lots of free patterns and classes in just about anything you might be interested in such as cooking, baking, photography, and jewelry not counting supplies for it all.  Right now they have 70% off of kits, fabric and supplies until the end of the year....which is getting mighty close!
 Do you have plans for the New Year or New Years Eve?  I am missing the football and sports....dang it! But I will persevere and not renew my satellite until maybe after I move....I am determined to move sometime before it's too late, I hope! LOL!  Downsizing does not come naturally to me.
  BTW, Jingles, the Christmas cat is really lonely and cries when I go over there.  I feel so bad for her and she's hardly eating at all.  It even looks like she's lost weight....not good but she is eating the treats I bring her and she's drinking as I can see by cleaning out her litter box.  Her Mom won't be back until the 5th of January so I pray she will be alright....poor thing.  She needs a cat buddy!
Happy Trails!
 

More gifts............

I am not one for perfumes but there is one that I do love and it's because it smells fresh and clean like soap and water freshness.  It is by Philosophy and is called Amazing Grace and it is...........

I have been without it for several years now and I missed it.  So, I bought myself some and I am so glad I did.  I love it and it makes me SO happy!

I  have been searching for a long time for some books that were out of print....and I finally found them at a reasonable price.  They are big "cocktail table" books and those are usually pretty pricey.  

These 2 books were written and photographed by Archie Lieberman and I wasn't even aware they existed until a few years ago.  They are a photographic journey through the life of a farm family that farmed in the same area where I grew up.  In fact, he started photographing the Hammer family about the time I was 5 years old and the Hammer son was 13.....he would be 86 this year.  I wonder if he's still alive?  How I would love to sit down and talk to he and his wife if they are still living. 
The book is called Farm Boy.......

Here are just a few of the photos but there is also text throughout with a history of Jo Daviess County and also a brief description of how the glaciers formed this beautiful part of Illinois.  For me, this book was like visiting my childhood all over again.  The activities, the farm, the animals and most of all the people.  I was beginning to think that I had maybe romanticized my childhood and maybe it wasn't really as great as I remembered it.  But this book confirmed my memories and these people really were that kind and gracious.  It was the greatest Christmas present I could have given myself.....a trip home.

I was 5 years old when he started photographing this family and the book was published in 1974, I think.  He went back several times a year and took pictures for a span of 40 some years.  He went there at first on an assignment to photograph the daughter who had won a Singer Sewing contest but ended up being entranced by the simplicity and genuine lifestyle that these people lived.  Their hard work and yet their joy in it amazed him......so he asked if he could come back and he did.....again and again trying to capture with his camera what these people emanated from their souls.....a hard work ethic, unshakeable faith in God and love for what they did!  Did they have problems....sure....but they were always able to rise above anything that tried to bring them down.  These people were the role models I had growing up.  I am so thankful for having been led to these books....and now I have proof that my childhood was not just a fairy tale!
He wrote 2 books about the area where I grew up and I haven't started reading the second one yet but here it is..............another big book.............I'm pretty sure the man in this photo is the boy in the one above.........

I am so grateful I found these books and I will cherish them forever and hand them down when the time comes.......but for now I will keep them close so whenever I get homesick I can open those pages and go back home.
Happy Trails!

Christmas dinner a day late........

It's fine though as I was on the phone quite a bit  yesterday and so I just postponed it until today.  Don't worry....I feasted on lots of other snacks and goodies! LOL!
So,  today I made a scalloped corn casserole......

sweet potato casserole...........

 I know there's a lot of marshmallows there but they were going stale so I thought I would just use them up........

and a little boneless turkey roast...........pitiful looking isn't it? But it was all yummy!

 I finally finished Bob Ross!  Now, I  need to wash, press and frame.....

 

 I cast on my Christmas socks on Christmas Eve........

I'm calling them my "Jingle" socks in honor of Jingles, the Christmas cat (who is doing fine by the way but misses her Mom, I feel so bad leaving her all alone there for days on end) .......as you can see I have done very little but I did cast them on on Christmas Eve!  I'm loving how they're looking so far...really traditional Christmas colors.

 I got some awesome presents from my daughter.....she should be a professional shopper!

 She knows I love lights and she got me some mini lights and mini ornaments for my mini tree!

 organic hard candy.....in this darling little purse container...so cute.......

 A card making kit!  I have always wanted  to try making my own cards....I hope it came with instructions! LOL!

 Sam and Grayson got me hot cocoa...caramel cream and French vanilla....yum!  I knew the one with the bear was from Grayson as he and Grandma have a fondness for bears....

But the very best present of all was this.........

Pictures!!!!  What Grandma doesn't love pictures?  This is the first time they've had a family picture taken and I love it! The other pictures are from school and are more recent.
  Sam is looking so much older than his 9 years. They're growing up fast and like their Mother I wish they would stay little for longer!
I hope you all had a wonderful day yesterday and I hope it lasts the whole year through!
Happy Trails!

Merry Christmas!!!!!!! Happy whatever you celebrate at this time of year!!!!!

That's me on the porch with a grandson and one of my horses.......I wish!  Christmas is a time to remember those we love and those we miss....here and beyond and also to celebrate our savior's birth.  I hope you had a wonderful day and I wish I could have welcomed all of you to my door!
Love to all of you!
P.S.  If you get too sentimental or nostalgic just listen to "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer"...one of my favorite songs! LOL!  That will snap you out of it!
Happy Trails!

Christmas Eve 2016

 This is what it looked like outside this morning.  I think Santa will need to definitely have Rudolph in the lead this Christmas Eve....at least over Arkansas!  It cleared off later but tonight there will be more fog as it is warm and wet here.  It was 57 today and tomorrow 65...can't even have a fire in the fireplace when it's this warm.

It was really pretty with the raindrops hanging off the trees...........I wouldn't have wanted to be out on the road though!

I spent the day making Chex Mix.....3 batches of it.....one without nuts for the allergic Grayson.....and we're talking a serious life-threatening allergy to peanuts.   The Chex Mix below was made after I made the nut free and had it all packaged up.  I wouldn't even get the nuts out of the cupboard before that!

I cross stitched in between............almost done......still late but hey......I'm old!  I'm lucky I can see to do it! LOL!  The quote is not referring to my cross stitch either.

I took some cat treats over to "Jingles" today.....it's Christmas after all!  My girls are addicted to those Friskies Party Crunch treats......they're like addicts......all I have to do is shake the container and they come running.  So now I'm a cat treat dealer.....getting the neighbors cat hooked on them! LOL!  Wait  until she comes home and Jingles goes through withdrawals....oh, I'm so bad.
Tonight is the Little Bobbin's Christmas Eve Sock cast on!  I am ready!  I got my yarn a while ago....West Yorkshire Spinners 4 ply Signature yarn, 75% wool, 25% nylon and 35% Bluefaced Leicester.  I can't wait to use this yarn.  It is fingering weight and 437 yards so there should be plenty even with my big feet!  They don't have a color name just a number 06 -886-2249.  I will call them my Jingle socks in honor of Jingles, the Christmas cat.  I am using my 2.75 mm Karbonz DPN's which I love.

I never got the Christmas cookies done but there's tomorrow, hopefully, or the next day!  Christmas is a season after all.   Tonight is cheese, summer sausage, crackers, Chex Mix and a little of this..........
eggnog,  rum, stir, put it in the microwave and when it comes out grate some fresh nutmeg on it.  I always use spiced rum for this drink.  I think Ill get my jammies on and watch some Christmas movies and of course, follow Santa on his trip on the Norad Santa Tracker.  I have to ensure I am asleep before he gets to Arkansas!

Happy Christmas Eve!  And don't think for one minute that I am not eternally grateful for the true meaning and reason that we celebrate this holiday.  Blessings to all of you and peace on earth.
Happy Trails!