Monday - 03/26/2018

                        S P O I L E R     A L E R T if you subscribe to Little Skein in the Big Wool's March box of goodies do not go any further!
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There's the good and the bad..........but first let me say that Nitty and Grace are both doing well.  Grace is beginning to eat and her ears are 'pinking  up' and her gums which means the yellow caused from her liver dysfunction is going away.  She's perkier and is more like her old self.  I am still going to give her the Urgent Care Science Diet by syringe but just not as often.  I mix a little mineral oil and potassium supplement in it that keeps her bowels running good and her potassium had been low.   Once I am sure that she is 100% then I will stop the syringe feeding.  As for Nitty, she acts totally normal and her back leg is no worse that it was before and she still manages to go up and down the stairs so PTL!
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As for the bad...........I frogged my Hitch Hiker shawl!  I know...I was halfway done!!!  That will teach me to think I can watch t.v. and do any knitting whatsoever regardless of how simple it is.  I did make an attempt to rip back and I must admit I did good but then there was a dropped stitch and it went downhill from there.  It's okay though, I've restarted and truth be told.....Mandala yarn has knots and I have no idea where my head was but the first knot I knitted right over it and it showed on both sides of the shawl!  The way to do it is to cut out the knot and join the yarn as you would any join then you can weave the ends in and not even see it but the ends on the knots where they join are very short and you cannot weave them in.  So, sad but not devastating....after all, it's just knitting.  There are much worse things...way worse!  Plus, I really enjoy working on this shawl.
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On the good side..........I received my Little Skein in the big wool subscription box!  Yay!!!!  I only did it for this one time as I'm not sure yet but I love it!  If you have not gotten yours if you are a subscriber than LOOK AWAY ----SPOILER ALERT!!!
 Beautifully wrapped and packaged............

 2 mini skeins of Anne's house yarn...this is fingering weight with cashmere in it......oh my!  I have never had any yarn with cashmere......so soft!  And the colors are beautiful.  These are large mini-skeins too....100 yards/28 grams 70% merino wool, 20% nylon and 10% cashmere......... 

 The theme was Beatrix Potter.....one of my favs!!! I got a cute little tin of stitch markers, a Peter Rabbit tin full of a lavender potpourri mix, a carrot progress keeper and an enamel pin that I think says Read, Knit, Read.....I need to get my glasses out! LOL!   Also, some lovely hand balm from Tuft Woolens.

 and last but not least a knitting pattern to go with the yarn and a coaster although I would never use it as such........everything in the box related to Beatrix Potter and it couldn't have been more perfect for me!  Thank you, Anne!

 I also got the new Knit Picks catalog in the mail so I will be cuddling up with a cup of tea and the catalog tonight!
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We had a storm early this morning and it was a real down pour and when I got up there was hail on the ground under my gutter.  It looked like a little pile of snow.   They were at least dime size and that is after they melted a bit.  No wonder it sounded so loud! LOL!  We have a flood watch and more rain tonight and tomorrow but it's 76 out so very nice but overcast.  They had predicted rain for today so I had housework planned already.  I hope you all had a nice start to your week and that it just keeps getting better!
Happy Trails!!!
  

YOP Week #39

 FO's (Finished Objects) -

I was fairly monogamous this week and because of that I was able to finish my sweater!  Ta Da!  My first sweater but definitely not my last!  I'm still thinking about a zipper, I tried it on and it fits even though I did not do a gauge swatch...I am one lucky gal!  I will do one from now on!  Thank you Lynn for the link about how to install a zipper in a sweater.  I haven't woven in ends yet or blocked it but those are minor details.  I am ecstatic about this sweater and will cherish it for the confidence it gave me.  I am one fearless knitter now!

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WIP's (Works in Progress)

 I missed working on my Hitch Hiker shawl........it is such a pleasant knit and easy to memorize.

I am about half way according to the pattern but I will probably try and use up the skein depending on how big it gets.

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I'm still catching up with The Yarn Hoarder pod casts and I have gotten so much inspiration and great ideas from her for gifts.   Come July when  the new YOP year starts I have these projects to put on the list.  I thought I would preview them in case any of  you wanted to make them so you could add them to your list.  After I look at every one's list in July then I, of course, want to add all the things to my list! LOL!

First, are these wool dryer balls..........

   Amber said they are very easy to make and what a great gift plus I could use them myself.  If you like your laundry scented you can dab them with essential oils.  I was looking at this tutorial
from Live Simply.
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Then there are aprons to make from a free pattern on Purl Soho 
I want to make them for the grands so I will probably have to do some adjusting........

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She also made garlands for her Christmas trees and there were 2 kinds.........one made with tiny wool felted balls that you can buy and there was also a kit and then another less expensive option was a Walmart bead garland that you crochet around and over but she did say it was pretty tedious but then she made like a dozen or more! LOL!  Here' something similar.........

The one made of felted wool balls is easier because you can buy the balls but if you're on a budget you can felt your own...........plus, you can spread them out....they don't need to be right next to each other...............

But in looking I found one that I like even better as it is like the old fashioned ones with popcorn and cranberries...............crocheted of course.............so pretty!

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Okay, the last thing Amber made were dish towels....75 to be exact!  That girl never does anything in a small way....her motto is "go big or go home"...LOL!  I didn't even know there was such a thing as towel fabric (this is Moda) ...........I found these I would like to make for Christmas and for MOI! I think you use about 3/4 of a yard per towel.  Amber tells you all about these projects in her Episode 23.

  There are so many to chose from.  There is a grey with blue stripes that might make nice aprons for the grands!?!  Plus, I'm thinking they would make nice table runners too!  Don't ask me why I am so 'gung ho' on Christmas right now but you know how slow I am so it's not a bad thing for me to be planning ahead! LOL!
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No acquisitions but they are coming! Oh, and don't get me going on sewing for my Spring/Summer wardrobe! LOL!  To see other fabulous makes and makers please visit our other YOP participants
Happy Trails!!! 

Thursday - 03/22/2018

My Nitty had another seizure this morning.  She lost all control of her muscles and was shaking and emptied her bladder and bowel without even realizing it.  Yes, it happened in the house right when she was getting ready to go out this morning.  The one good thing was it happened on a rug I had by the front door.    I know that one of these seizures will take her but every time she recovers I feel so blessed to spend another day with her.  She regains her senses and her muscles but it takes awhile and then she realizes she went in the house and is so ashamed.  I try to tell her it's okay but like all of us as we age and lose 'control' of a lot of things....it isn't easy to cope with.  We spent the morning outside as it was beautiful and she sat in the sun and then later under the tree in the front yard.  I burned more brush, weeded more and dragged some old metal stuff out to the street for pickup.  I knitted outside on breaks and it was just the most beautiful day to be outdoors.
I planted the bulbs I bought last week and mulched around the container but there is LOTS more to do............. supposedly this mulch won't fade!  Awesome!

I trimmed the roses and then in the afternoon took the Tahoe up to the highway and filled her with gas while Nitty lounged in the front yard.  I didn't want to force her in the house until she was ready as I know she's unsure of her strength once she has a seizure.  She never goes outside the yard so I wasn't concerned and most people are scared of Rotts so I didn't think anyone would steal her.
She was right there when I got home and she eventually made it up to the porch at her usual time of 3:00 p.m. as supper is now at 4:00 p.m. for the girls. 
I've put down my Hitchhiker shawl and am trying to finish the 2nd sleeve on my sweater to have it done by Sunday's YOP post.  I'm on round 56 of 80 not counting the cuff.  I'll work on it more tonight. 
We had some guests stop by to taste the new grass that's coming up.................last year's babies I think.....yearlings..............

We call them our "deer" friends! LOL!
I hope you had a wonderful day...........
Happy Trails!!!

Wednesday - 03/21/2018

 Spring has sprung.......in the Ozarks anyway and soon coming to a neighborhood near you!

This is my Bradford Pear.............

Forsythia...................

day lilies..................

and clematis...............

My sugar maple is getting ready to 'leaf out'.........and the woods in the background are all green.....

I spent the afternoon outside...burning brush and branches that were all over the yard from winter....it was a beautiful day out and I got the yard 'picked up' and a little weeding done....basically dead ones from last year........you can tell by that circle how much of a pile I had to burn!

I even brought my knitting out for when I took a break.  Picking up the yard is a back breaker!  But it felt good to be outside and it was cool enough to work out in it without breaking a sweat! LOL!  That won't last though!
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  I finished several books and I can't remember which ones I told you about so if I repeat myself, I apologize.  The first two were not to my liking especially the first one.........

The second one was very well written and read like a fairy tale..it was a fictional account of a fictional person's life.....really?  When real people are so much more interesting in my opinion.

I also finished these 2 which were both very good.............the first one was the best nature book I ever read and I've read a lot of them!

This one is a series...mysteries in the U.K. that I just love and the plots are so unique.....no 'recipe" mystery here and no graphic violence to speak of.  This is book #3............

Right now I am still reading  this non-fiction about Pope Francis.  It is about mercy but it is an interview by a religious reporter.....not what I was expecting but still love his views..........

I started the 2nd book in the Outlander series.  Can anyone tell me if the first season of the t.v. series covers the first book?  I want to watch it but I don't want to get ahead of my reading.......

 I hope you enjoyed your Wednesday and what's left of it! I really had a wonderful day.  BTW, I ran out of corned beef to go with the rest of my vegetables so I ran to the store and bought another one that is cooking as I write........smells heavenly!
Happy Trails!!!

Tuesday - 03/20/2018

Happy Springtime everyone!!!  It started out raining and cold here but now it is sunny and warm!  But because they had predicted rain I already had my 'rain plans' in place.  There was laundry and I finished a book and did a little bit of knitting but mostly I finished my closet 'deep clean'!  Yay!!!!  About time!
Here are the "BEFORE" pictures ...................

This is a triangular walk-in closet.....with folding accordion style doors

Here is the "AFTER"....with every surface dusted and most washed, crevice tool used next to wall, baseboards cleaned and carpet vacuumed.  I went through everything and got rid of quite a bit that some will go to Threds and some to the Thrift Store.

So happy!  Especially with nothing on the floor!  

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I was using clothes baskets for dirty laundry and they took up a lot of room.  I found these on Amazon that I think I will order............collapsible laundry hamper

I can't decide if I want the navy stripe or the rose floral?  I will get 2 for now.  One for darks and one for pastels as that is all I sort for but I could use another for rugs.  At $12.99 I thought they were reasonable and the ratings were good.
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There are "angels among  us"!  The electric coop has been trimming trees behind my house so they won't fall on the power lines when we have our storms.  Very appreciative!  One of the young men working came to the door and assured me they were going to come back and clean up all the mess/limbs.  I told him thank you and I appreciated their hard work to keep our power on.  Later he came to the door and asked if while they were at it if I wanted them to cut down the weed trees in the back and I said YES!!!  Thank you so much!  Look at my yard now! This is the way it used to be when my parents lived here and they would burn back there but while the house was empty the trees grew up and blocked it.  I'll do some raking but I'll keep it mowed now....so pretty!  Thank you N.A.E.C. (North Arkansas Electric Cooperative)!

Happy Spring and Happy Trails!!!

Monday - 03/19/2018

Happy Monday everyone although it's almost over.  I thought I'd pop in and show something I think is so darn cute!  Irish Potato Candy..................look at these cute little "spuds"....they look so like real potatoes except miniature............

Here's the link to the recipe
They are in the frig chilling but I have a feeling they may be a bit too sweet for me.  I would probably be better off with the original Irish Potato Candy which I'm sure was made with potatoes and probably not nearly as sweet.  I'll let you know.  I should look up the history but today as always...the hours flew by in a flash!
I did take some breaks though and between last night and today I got to the third color on my Hitch Hiker Shawl........I'm addicted to this project and I have a hard time putting it down and getting back to work!  As my Mother used to say..."tut, tut"!

Sorry for the pictures but it was a dark,  cloudy, rainy day on and off.  The first color is gold, the second is sage green and the third is gray......love it! 

I was having trouble keeping track of writing down my rows because my 2 counters were in use on other projects and that was why I was "messing up" but then I found an app on my Android tablet that keeps track of the rows/rounds and it sits at the top of my pattern that I downloaded from my Ravelry library!  How cool is that?  You all probably knew about this but it was news to me!  You can have multiple counters too for different projects and it allows you to name each one such as "Hitch Hiker Shawl".  Any other neat apps or tools out there I should know about?

***UPDATE on Grace and Nitty***
They both seem to be doing fine.  Grace's gums are getting pink again....she's strolling around the house and eating more from the syringe each time....like 3 pumps instead of just one.  She's still not eating on her own but I counted out 15 little 'treats' for her tonight when I put her in her 'hospital/craft' room and I will count in the morning.  She drinks fine and is using her litter box.
Nitty is back to her old self....no more seizures, eats and drinks well and is back to going up and down the stairs.  She has a bad hind leg but she manages so far.  I am going to look into the handle thing that wraps around their middle that Far Side has for her border collie, Chance.  Thank you all for your concern and well wishes.
Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #38

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I hope you all had a great St. Patrick's Day whether you celebrate or not.  St. Patrick's Day is like Christmas here, well, almost.  I got cards and some little Irish charms my daughter sent me and some green silk ribbon.

Everyone called and we wished each other Happy St. Patty's Day.

 I  made corned beef and cabbage with turnips, potatoes, carrots, and rutabaga....it was so good and there are lots of leftovers that I will savor all week!  I was going to make an Irish Lemon Tart and some Irish Potato Candy but ran out of time and energy.  I watched The Quiet Man last night with Maureen O'Hara and John Wayne and it was filmed in Ireland.  I rented it on Amazon.  I had never seen it and it was good but boy were they chauvinists in that day and time!  Whoa Nellie!  But it was a great day all around.

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FO's (Finished Objects) -
FO #1 - The Star - I actually counted it finished last week but it really wasn't.  I did do the I-cords this week and attached to the back for tying onto the tree.  I think it looks more like a starfish...lol!

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                                                   WIP's (Works in Progress)
WIP #1 -  Sleeve #2 is in progress but not very much progress.........I was distracted by another bright and shiny object..........hmmmmm

WIP #2 -  My felted slippers got quite a bit of attention (because so far they are easy and fun) but next are "wrap and turns" which I will have to study and take tutorials...she doesn't mention "picking up" the wraps...aren't you supposed to?  I had better study this technique really well as I have come too far to mess up now...yikes!  The foot is done and there is part of the sides.........

I have been making use of the beautiful stitch markers that Connie from The Far Side of Fifty sent me.  Jewelry for your knitting!  Thank you again, Connie!

Acquisitions and newly cast on:
#1 - Yes, I cast on a new project.  I couldn't resist when I saw Simply Summer Street's Hitch Hiker Shawl last week that has been on my to do list for years!  She did not use fingering weight but a skein of Lion Brand Mandala which I just so happened to have in the colorway Warlock.  Hers was Centaur and so pretty!
Of course the pattern calls for fingering weight which is probably why I  never cast on because I never have that much fingering weight yarn laying around.  She used a size 7 U.S/4.5 mm needle and the pattern called for a 32" cable.  The only size 7 I had was a cheapo Boye aluminum with a stiff cable that was 29"?  Huh?  Anyway, when a gal has to cast on she has to cast on!  So I did but under my breath I was already ordering a new circular needle!  I am enjoying it so much and it is almost all garter stitch (all knit stitch) except for an occasional purl and KFB for increasing.  What a fun knit!  It has an 8 row pattern repeat which is simple to memorize and you'll know when you're done when you have 41 of those little  'teeth' she (Martina Behm, the designer) calls them.  You can make it as big or as small as you want.  It is a 'pay for' pattern on Ravelry and she is a great designer.  I have many of her designs 'faved'.

 I just ran into the second color....the third color seems to be a gray and this one seems to be the transition color between the gold and the gray...almost a sage color.  You can just barely see it there on the cable.  If you're looking for a simple relaxing knit (although I still can't watch t.v. with this one....yet) this one is perfect.  I'm sure some of you have already made it as it was super popular several years back.  Anyway, thank you for the reminder Simply Summer Street....I'm enjoying the heck out of this pattern!

 #2 - While I was at Walmart the other day I picked up the Centaur color in the Mandala yarn as I really loved Simply Summer Street's. 

#3 - And I looked for the pattern that Lefty Crafter (Marsha) is using to sew her project bags...I got this one but I couldn't find the one she used which was Simplicity 1153.......I got this one  1709 as it was the only one they had.  Maybe Marsha and I can trade after awhile! LOL!  I want to make the vintage style one with the wooden handles and there are several needle holders and rolls too. Now I just need the motivation!

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What's in the Queue -
#1 - Land of Sweets Cowl
I still have to get enough mini-skeins to do the different colors.  I'll be starting on this very soon and probably ordering some minis this week. 
#2 - Some Valentine's Day socks - I'll be on the look out for VD appropriate yarn.  I heard that Lolo Did It always dyes special yarns for the holidays so I need to take a look but it will have to be in next month's craft budget. 
#3 - Something for St. Patrick's Day...socks or cowl...not sure.  I think I found a cowl pattern with a Celtic design but I would like socks too!
#4 - Still more washcloths as I have plenty of Dishie and Peaches and Creme worsted cotton
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What I'm "wishing upon a star" for -
#1 - My Valentine and St. Patrick's Day yarns for socks or cowls and mini's for cowl and Granny Stripe Blanket.
 #2 - Susan B. Anderson has her 2 kits back in stock..........The Loopy Sheep
and her Spring Chicken kits  just in time for Spring but where do I get the dough for all these great items?
#3 - my new over the top obsession I discovered from Little Bobbin's mother who does the most beautiful stitchery from Jesse Chorley
I'd like to do her Friendship Quilt  if I live long enough! LOL!  I may try just a little sampler on my own but check out her website for lots of other wonderful and unique items and projects.
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 Podcasts: Still binge watching Yarn Hoarder and I think I am on #19 now.   I can't wait to catch up and enter her KALS/CALS and giveaways.
HappyTrails!!!!
P.S.  To see other fabulous makes please visit our other YOP participants