Working Wednesday!

Monday I had a doctor's appointment in Mountain Home.  It was supposed to storm but it didn't, thank goodness!  I didn't run into a single drop of rain there or back but it was overcast which is really great for driving...no sun in your eyes.  The doc said the toe is healing good and no more antibiotics needed (one less pill 3 times a day!) but I still need to soak and change dressing once a day.  I go back in 2 weeks.  He said it will take 3-4 months to totally heal and for the purple color to disappear.  Boy!  When they say it takes longer to heal when you're older they aren't kidding!  But it doesn't hurt or crimp my style at all so I'm happy.
While I was there I stopped at Hobby Lobby.  I was looking for some ornament kits that I had seen (Bucilla Ugly Christmas Sweater ornaments....too cute) .......

but they didn't have them but they did have this yarn on sale..........so I got these 2 to make doilies.....

  They also had watercolor pencils on sale.....we're talking 30% off ...............I've wanted some of these for awhile now.............

I also picked up some tags for decorating for upcoming Christmas gifts.............

When I got home I was "toast" so I kicked back and knitted on a Christmas gift except for a few chores that I could force myself to do...lol!  I was going to stop at Lowes in Mountain Home but I was already too tired by then so home I went.
Yesterday was garbage day which I was so pleased as I had 2 full containers out by the street and usually I only have one.  I have been forcing myself to throw out 10 things a day not counting regular garbage. By the end of the week I had a full garbage can!  I  did laundry, hung clothes out, went to the store for a few items to make dinner, cleaned the litter boxes and made dinner.  I am trying to eat healthier so I have pinned some recipes to my Health board on Pinterest.  This one was healthy, good, and inexpensive to make.  Here's the link to the recipe
I thought it was very good but I did use some parmesan on it and a bit more salt........ here's the veggies just before roasting in the oven...........

Here's the final dish.......

Today is beautiful so I will be working outside cutting limbs and dragging them to the burn pile.  I have more laundry, ironing, some cleaning, bill paying and ordering of some supplies.  Ms. Claus's Workshop is in full swing!
Happy Trails!
P.S.  Preseason games are on for NFL and I'm trying to stay abreast of baseball also as my grandson, Uriah is really into that but alas.....there is nothing I can watch as I have no satellite and you can't even get the games on the radio to listen to without paying a monthly subscription fee.  If anyone knows how I can listen to the games please let me know.  The sports teams will regret being so greedy as the future generations won't go into sports they cannot follow or afford and more and more people are getting rid of their cable and satellite.  Thank goodness they haven't started charging for podcasts.....yet! LOL!

YOP Week #6

Happy YOP Sunday everyone!  It's raining here (I went out and cut these flowers before it rained) and the Chicago Cubs are playing today which I hope to listen to so it's a great day for cozying up with some crafting!

 This is a very special day for me as it is the first time in 6 years of YOP  that I have 2 finished objects!  I know!  I can't believe it myself but here's the proof!

After seeing Simply Summer Street's post on her charity 'making' for Hooking for the Homeless and their wonderful website, I decided to crochet a scarf and I did and it's done............I used the exact yarn and hook size they recommended (there are crocheting and knitting patterns on their website) but as you know, I tend to knit and crochet tightly so it is narrower than I thought it should be and not as long as I thought it should be.  You cast on 181 stitches with 1 stitch for turning and I used Stylecraft Special DK.   Hopefully a child can use it although it breaks my heart to think a child is homeless in the Winter in New Hampshire.

There are no ends to weave in as you braid the ends together....not sure if that takes any less time but since I am not a fan of fringe I think the braiding looks better.

I have lots of acrylic in my stash which is perfect for this as it can be washed and dried....not that the homeless can afford that but you never know what might be offered at the shelters.  I figure I will make one item a month along with the Mother Bear Project but the bear I have to concentrate on while this was a great t.v. watching project.

The 2nd finished item is the Kitty blanket.....because I ran out of yarn it will be a little blanket for the back of my chair.  My furniture is old so anything to improve it will look nice!

 I used Becki's edging instructions that she did but instead of the 'front post' (?) stitch on the last row I did a scallop edging.  Excuse the photos....with the rain today it is quite dark and artificial light doesn't seem to help much in photos. 

.This week I also started my Very Pink   knitting tutorial for toe-up socks using German Short Rows.  She has wonderful patterns and tutorials and I highly recommend her.  This a pay for pattern with supporting videos on You Tube.  So far so good and I am knitting the foot now......good t.v. watching!

  I did work on my cross stitch a bit this week too............I finished the right hand side of the pumpkin and am now working on finishing up the left side of it.  Don't ask me what those orange stripes are on the fabric....the camera did that?@?#?

 I finished reading this book which I really enjoyed as I am wanting to get into sewing again...the last time I sewed was when I made my children's clothes.  Now, I want to make for the grands!  This is a great book on not only how to organize your sewing but also how to organize your time so you can sew.  She also has a blog called The Fabric Mutt

I am ordering this pattern from Oliver + S pattern company to make pajamas for the grands...........I've never tried them but I wanted 2 piece pajamas not just a bottom and t-shirt.  I want to make them out of flannel for their Christmas Eve boxes.  The pattern cost about $16.00 but it has all their sizes so I will probably be able to use it again and again....if I'm that ambitious! LOL!

This week I'm reading Granny Chic which is a way of decorating but also making things.

 I'm also doing an art challenge for 61 days where you get a 'prompt' and draw what it brings to mind on an index card.  You can paint or decoupage or anything you wish..........here's the LINK
if you're interested...this was day #2 for me and the prompt was Lost and/or Found......

Not sure if I will have a finished item for next week....we shall see but I definitely will be working on gifts!

Happy Trails!

Fun Friday!!!!!

I've been watching Tammy over at T's Daily Treasures doing a creative challenge for 61 days and it looked very interesting.  I've been wanting to 'dabble' in drawing and painting just for the fun of it and Tammy's daily index cards of drawings and water colors looked like just what I would enjoy.  Of course, as always, by the time I realized I wanted to partake it was over with but that's okay.  The challenges and prompts are all still out there on this lovely artistic lady's blog. 
So, this afternoon, I went into the guest bedroom and 'stole' the grands watercolor paints, dug up some index cards I had and 'went for it'.  It didn't take a lot of time and I really enjoyed it.  It's nothing to write home about but it was fun and satisfied that inner child of mine...........

 This is what I came up with......the 1st prompt was SUNRISE..........

Of course, it can never compare to nature's beauty..............

For Fun Friday's I also decided I am going to share with you different fun sites, info, books, movies and t.v. shows or anything else that caught my interest during the past week.  Be aware that I have not read, watched or done any of these things but they interested me enough that I wrote them down when I came across them.  Usually they are suggestions from other blogging friends or interesting sites that I ran across.  So here they are for this week:

BLOGS:
Flamingo Toes  sewing and embroidery

FABRIC:
Glamperlicious by Riley Blake

SHOP:
Fabric and Papers    
wallpaper and upholstery fabric and more

WEBSITE:
Grammarly free grammar help for writing
Kadaza
a new homepage

BOOKS:
The Tour - Jean Grainger
Just Like Other Daughters - Colleen Faulkner
Crochet Crazy Girl - Wendy Erasmus-Koutlis
Boho Crochet Home

CROSS STITCH:
Pumpkin & Bittersweet by The Scarlett House
Simply Shaker - cross  stitch threads

The fun will continue into tonight!  I hope you had a Fun Friday and that you find time to fit some fun into every day!
Happy Trails!

Food fest..........

Well, not really but I have been making some tasty items these past 2 weeks........first was fruit pizza...........yum!

then macaroni salad..............yesterday...Pioneer Woman's recipe.....very good but a little time consuming...........

I also made fried cabbage and bacon but no picture..............and then today I made Mexican Wedding Cake cookies but with a different slant........whole wheat flower and pumpkin puree and spices.......
a healthier version actually...........from Tammy over at T's Daily Treasures (she's on my sidebar) very tasty!

The lawn man came today and did a beautiful job!  His 9 year old daughter was with him so I invited her in and she is an artist!  She drew me all kinds of lovely pictures for my fridge and I sent some washi tape home with her as she really got into that! LOL!

 She also made me some handmade 'spinners' ..................aren't they pretty?  They really spin too!

I went to the store for pecans and to the bank and then this afternoon the mower repair man came and it was the battery.....it was from 2009.....I am so lucky it lasted that long! LOL!  He'll be back in a few days to replace it but I told him no rush since I just had the lawn mowed.  I watered tonight and picked a few tomatoes and earlier I  was able to finish the toe on my 'toe up' socks.....it took me 3 tries but I finally understand German Short Rows.  Very Pink's pattern and tutorial anyway.  I have a whole sock left though so we'll see how many times I have to start over before I get a complete pair! LOL!

Happy Trails!!!

It's Tuesday.....what are you reading, watching and/or listening to?

I'm a day late and a dollar short but yesterday was unbelievably busy!  I had calls to make and I received calls....long ones!  But there's good news too!  I'm not sure if I told you but my lawn mower wouldn't start the other day.  I'm pretty sure it's the battery but  I called the lawn mower repair man and he hasn't called me back yet.  So, I had a recommendation for a lawn care man and I called him. The lawn is in dire shape because 1) the heat then 2) I had my RA then 3) I had my foot surgery and then 4) the mower wouldn't start! He came over and will be back tomorrow to take care of everything at a very reasonable price too!  I was so happy as I have been feeling a little overwhelmed having to take  all these meds with food plus soak my foot twice a day and change the dressings.  I am doing a happy dance!  I don't like asking for help even if I'm paying for it.....I am a stubborn old lady! LOL!
I didn't eat until 8:00 p.m. last night that's how busy I was!
So, because of all my 'busyness' these last 2 weeks, I have not done a lot of reading but I did finally manage to finish the over 500 page All The Light We Cannot See.....I gave it a 3 out of 5 stars.  It was great writing and it is a Pulitzer Prize Winner but it dragged on and on and on.  I am also of the mind that there is enough bad and sad things that go on in our world without making up more but that's just me and this was fiction....totally made up. 

I am currently reading this non-fiction and so far it is really good and holding my interest.........it's about  a female fishing captain who is the best out there evidently.....she writes really well too!

For fiction I am reading one of my favorite authors, Sarah Addison Allen.....I have enjoyed every book I have read of hers!  Every book is unique so there is no sequence or order to reading them.
She always throws in some magic into her stories which I love.  This is on my tablet.

I'm still reading my Pioneer Woman magazine.....the very first issue!  Love this woman and her entire family!

I also decided there was an area that I was skipping over and I don't want to......craft books.....I wasn't sure if I should include them on my weekly Year of Project's post or here.  I may do both as YOP is all about 'the making'..........but for now here it is..........
I have read about 3 chapters so far and it is really good!  I think I may just be able to get my sewing (and maybe my other crafts too?) organized with her step-by-step approach.  Plus, there are sewing projects to do to get you started gently back into sewing like me or starting to sew.  I'm very excited about this and I look forward to implementing her strategies!  She has a blog too where you can download (I did already) project bag labels.  Her blog is The Fabric Mutt where she has lots of information and tutorials too.

That's it for my reading this week.  As for watching....and listening..........I am watching mostly podcasts; I've caught up with Ruby Moss Cottage, The Little Tailoress, Brooklyn Knitfolk, and Maker's Haven and I am working hard on catching up with The Knitting Expat and Homespun House.  I've sort of begged off of Inside Number 23 and I've watched Betsy Makes too.  I want to get back to Sew Sweet Violet and Stitching the High Notes.  I also listen to Daily Hope by Pastor Rick Warren.  Oh, and I haven't caught up with The Grocery Girls but I have watched all their episodes on Craftsy of "Off Our Needles"......love that show!  I know I'm forgetting something but if I remember I'll stick it in next week.  I haven't watched any movies or t.v. shows besides the news that I can recall.  Please share what you've been reading, watching and/or listening to!  I'd love to hear about it!
Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #5

Finally, I was able to upload pictures...not sure what the problem was before but all is good now.  I sent 'feedback' and within seconds it was working....magic!
I have a finish this week............my Christmas Eve cast on socks worked on size 2.75 mm DPNs (my standard size as I tend to knit tightly).  The yarn is West Yorkshire Spinner's 75% wool, 25% nylon signature 4-ply.  It has 35% Bluefaced Leicester in it and I love this yarn!  I was able to get it through Deramore's.  They have not been blocked yet but they are done.  I'm in no rush...with the temps here it will be quite awhile before I will be wearing any wool socks! LOL!  I used Susan B. Anderson's free pattern "How I Make My Socks" on Ravelry.  The only thing I changed was instead of the Kitchner toe I did a rounded toe.  This is my go to pattern for most of my socks.

Remember my poor little bird last week where I evidently did not understand the WT (wrap and turn) like I thought I did?  Well, my next socks were going to be toe-up as I have wanted to learn new techniques this year.  I had a free pattern on Ravelry by Wendy Johnson (?) and started out with those but once again there was a WT and/or German Short Row which I thought I knew but evidently not so "when the student is ready the teacher will appear".  I looked on You Tube for a tutorial and lo and behold up came Very Pink with a class for toe up socks including German Short Rows.  I had come full circle since Very Pink is the tutorial I  used to learn to knit socks in the very beginning!
So, I just started the class...it cost $8 and she is such a great teacher with her videos.  Hopefully, I will have a bit more to show you next week.  So far I have learned the provisional cast on though...that's more than I knew last week! LOL!  This pattern calls for DK or Sport  weight yarn so I am not using my Paton's Kroy Sock Yarn.....yet. 

 I basically finished my Kitty Blanket as I ran out of the yellow so it will be for a table or the back of a chair.  I still need to put an edging around it and weave in ends.  I will be trying Becki's edging that she showed on hers last week.  Thanks, Becki!  I love how yours turned out!  

Here's  a close up of the 'kitties'...............

I did get some work done on Ms. Frosty....the pumpkin cross stitch I've been doing......most of the dark orange thread on the right hand side was from this week.............

I'm hoping to gather my Mother Bear project materials this week and get working on that for charity, the pumpkin is for me and the socks and then I need to work on a gift......
Oh, I almost forgot my Christmas in July Gift List...........so in addition to YOP here are the gifts I will be making for Christmas..........

C H R I S T M A S    G I F T    L I S T

On Maker's Haven podcast Amber mentioned the following little poem for a guide to buying for your children which she wanted to utilize this year as she and her family are trying to simplify their life....I shared it with my daughter and will try to use it for the grands also..........
"Something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read"....and Amber from Maker's Haven added "and something homemade".  I love it!  In this vein, I have decided to make Christmas Eve boxes.  Here's an example from Pinterest..........if you search on Christmas Eve Boxes for Kids on Pinterest there are all sorts of them............there are adult ones too.......

I am hoping to make these for the 3 grands and it will include a pair of pajamas (hopefully handmade), hot chocolate mix, a Christmas movie, some homemade Christmas cookies, their annual ornament, a book and a homemade I Spy quilt with instructions for the I Spy game to play with it.
As for "the rest of the gang"....there is the Frida Kahlo basket with some Frida Kahlo stitch markers and stationary, my sons will probably all get hats and fingerless mitts and the family canines with get homemade treats and the family felines will get little crocheted mice filled with catnip.  That's all for now but it is plenty to keep me busy from now until the holidays! LOL!  Watch this space!
Happy Trails!!!

Evidently gray hair means you are deaf, dumb and blind too!

Okay, I am going totally 'off script' tonight to touch on a topic that unfortunately has become all too prevalent in my life...being patronized as an elder.  I'm usually not too sensitive but then again I stay away from main stream society so I am not exposed to it much.  But on the occasion when I do go out which is usually only to the grocery store I have noticed that each and every time I am treated as if I am 'deaf, dumb and blind'.
The local store is trained to offer help as we live in what used to be a retirement town.  It isn't as much anymore and it certainly has no conveniences for retired folk but I digress.  So, the clerks are all fairly young and always offer to carry out your groceries by asking if you need 'help'.  I refuse but then they come back with 'are you sure'?  One day she even said "this is really heavy, let me get you someone to help you"....I had already refused her twice but she insisted whereby, I asked her why she felt I needed help?  I told her I was not limping, I did not use a walker nor was I in a wheelchair so why did she think I needed help????  She had no answer because if she had answered she would have to admit it was because of my gray hair.  What else could it be?  This has happened more times than I can shake a stick at and today took the cake!  Granted these are store employees who are trying to help but today it was another shopper!
I was looking at pickles and relishes and actually looking for a relish from Oklahoma (we are neighbors and sometimes get products from their state) that Pioneer Woman mentioned in one of her recipes.  I was planning on making her macaroni salad.   As I am perusing the shelves I hear a voice asking me if I needed help "reading".....at first I ignored it but the voice returned louder...after all I have gray hair so I must be deaf!  I looked up and saw a fellow shopper (not an employee) who again asked me if I needed help "reading".  I was in shock and gave her a 'deer in the headlights' look.  I told her no....and asked why would I need help "reading"?  I must admit I was not very kind and I'm sure by then I had a not very nice look on my face and a 'tone' to my voice.  She mumbled something and walked away....thank goodness!  I'm not usually rude or unkind but I am really tired of this patronizing behavior by people and it just seemed to start when my hair started going gray!
Now, many of you would probably think these people are being kind and considerate but I don't take it that way after experiencing it every time I go out in public!  It is patronizing, demoralizing and pathetic that we give so little respect to our elders and treat them like they don't have the sense to come in out of the rain!  Really?
So, the next time you see a person with gray hair, please do not assume they need help or they are weak or deaf or can't read....we will ask if we do need help but most of us have worked hard all our lives, raised children and been through some kind of hell and back again.  You would be wise to listen to us as we have a world of knowledge and wisdom that only comes with gray hair!
P.S.  This will not be read by the people that need to read this because my blogging friends have always treated me with the utmost respect and kindness regardless of their age or mine.  I certainly hope I have not offended anyone by my tirade but I also notice they do not treat older men with gray hair that way.  Okay, I've said enough and no I have not been drinking! LOL!   
Happy Trails!!!  

My hand crafted life...........

I was thinking recently about what my 'retired' life is all about and what my hopes, goals and dreams are and to be honest, the older I get the less I want or need.  There's a big difference between 'settling' and being content and at this stage of life I am content.

 I've actually never been happier but then why wouldn't I be?  I have food, shelter, entertainment, wonderful companions and a very simple lifestyle.  I have my blogging friends who are custom connected because of our common values and interests and  for the first time in my life I can sleep without setting an alarm! 

 Living alone I can pretty much do what I want when I want without disturbing anyone else.  I've been known to wake up at 3:00 a.m. and, feeling rested, start my day!  So, the goals I have are simple but yet will require effort on my part to accomplish them.  I have concluded that I am part pioneer...I truly enjoy making do with less, making everything I can from scratch and doing many mundane tasks.  Crazy?  Maybe, but it has given me much peace and tranquility in my life.

  When I had my little farm it was called Serenity Acres but it was anything but serene as I was working full time, on call, my family was leaving, even my husband, and I was juggling a million balls in the air....until I got sick and they all came tumbling down.....on my head! LOL!  It was a 7 year exodus from my life as I knew it and lots of heartache and loss and illness but when I look back now it forced me to recreate the life I have now which I love.

 I came to love myself instead of waiting for others to appreciate me, I came to a spiritual awakening that led to a close relationship with my God....which may be different from  yours but which enables me to be alone but never lonely. 

So, you ask, where is all this leading to?  My realization that all I really want now is a 'hand crafted' life for as long as I can sustain it.  My interests are many but they all involve doing things from scratch, making do with what I have (as much as possible) but also taking advantage of some conveniences so I do not harm myself.  This last RA bout, I couldn't open my garage door because it is broke and I have been opening it manually for about 5 years now.  Also, I think I will get the dryer fixed as I couldn't get down the basement stairs with a basket of wet clothes in my arms and I couldn't mow my yard.....so, I may be getting some conveniences and some help while at the same time freeing myself  up to sew my own wardrobe, make my own cheese, do some carpentry around here and decorating and learn some new skills to enable me to remain independent and healthy and financially solvent. 

I still want to move to Hanover.....my home town where I grew up.........

 I'd still like an old farm house out in the country to fix up...............

but while I will continue to work towards those things, I will also continue to enjoy every minute I

have left on this planet and hopefully share that joy with others!

 Have a wonderful weekend everyone and remember, "it's a great life if you don't weaken"!
Happy Trails!!!