The New Year

Wow. I'm SO behind! January is almost over and here I am with next to nothing "knitting related" to post. I've worked on a few KAL things but the first was a BUST (rarely do I just THROW something AWAY - but this HAD to go - wait! I may have a pic of it before it went bye-bye! ).

Here it is:

Pattern: Duet 
Yarn: Simply Soft in Cranberrry
This was an UGH! if there ever was one. My Bad. I didn't check gauge, but I honestly didn't like it as a cowl OR hat anyway.  Even if it had been bigger to fit, I'm sure I'd have never used it. Caron SS just fuzzes so much too, way more than I remember in the past when I used it for projects. Something shouldn't look 100 years old after you just finished it!

Another unfinished KAL:

I've never done colorwork like this before and it's been quite a learning experience. It really humbled this old knitter. If there was a way to mess it up, I found it! Thank goodness the designer is a friend and was patient with my crazy questions! I think the pattern will be up for sale on Ravelry soon.  I'm now done with the first mitten and have started my second. I'll get a finished pic after they're blocked.

**Notes: I went down a needle size for the ribbing on the second glove, this one was way too loose. I also switched to Magic Loop, it's just way easier as I carry both yarns in the right hand, so yarn readjustments weren't constantly going on. Overall I may try this type of knitting again one day. Maybe on a hat.

The last project I have going is still in the finishing stages. I have to have something to blog about in February! :P

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Life has worked it's way into my knitting time somewhat (I know, what's new!), and the COLD has worked it's way into my spinning time! Brrr! (When that lottery comes through I see an electric spinner in my future!) My thoughts and life have been so jumbled with all we've had going on, I just didn't want to post about the sadness and worry because I didn't want to bum out or chase away the few readers I have!

I promise to be back again posting happily one day if things ever seem to settle down.

Update on my FIL: After what felt like being in the hospital forever, they've finally released him to go home yesterday. He's getting therapy and is watched by a nurse everyday it sounds like. Even being home now sounds like a busy time for him! We're continuing to pray that he can live the rest of his life as he chooses and as pain free as possible. That's all we really want for him.

Update on my Mom: She's hanging in there. They're still trying to get her medications adjusted for the maximum benefit so that's an ongoing process I wish would hurry up. Even on her worst days she manages to always help bring ME back up. Mommy's are wonderful.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And a BIG HUGE Thank You to my knitting buddy Dawn for the nice Christmas package she sent me!
We're old blogging buddies who like surprises. Thank you so much for thinking of me Dawn. Honestly, this was the worst holiday season we've ever had, but there are ALWAYS bright spots that remind us
of God's love and grace.

Thanks so much for your friendship. (I'm really enjoying my soap and lotion! ;O)

Thank you Again. ((((Hugs))))

Here's to a better year down the road!

*~*Dawn's Magic*~*

"Friends are God's way of apologizing to us for our families." -- Unknown

(I thought that quote was funny in a way)....

You know how it is, sometimes the holidays can seem a bit overwhelming. I think I've been feeling a bit blue. I've gotten TWO Christmas cards from family ("so far" as The Big Guy keeps saying, he's ever the optimist)... well, three actually, but two were from the same cousin. (I think she forgot she already sent me one). (Note: I know it's better to give than to receive, it's just nice to feel a little luv ya know?). Then, my youngest daughter said "take us to the mall, we're grown up now, we need GROWN UP presents". Okay kid, rub it in. (They're buying each other something tonight). Did you see my heart droop a bit more there? No more babies here. Sigh.

Then I got this in the mail today:

A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature.
* Ralph Waldo Emerson

And like the Grinch, my heart grew 10 sizes this day. Yes. It. Did.

Dawn remembered I love green olives...YUM!!! From NAPA Valley Too!! Oh California, how I miss thee... The PINK pattern tamers she sent are so awesome too. I won't admit how many times I've almost bought some but wasn't thrilled with the colors available. These are PERFECT. PINK IS MY THING. (Just realized I haven't put my Christmas tablecloth out yet either. Darn Grinch.) I think it's amazing that this is one knitting accessory that I don't have yet, and I have just about everything out there. Now I can't wait to use them! I loved the PINK project bag and PINK yarn too! And a Pink Kitty Calendar. Oh, Pink always makes me SO happy!

Next!


Oh, these are so AWESOME! Another story here: I ordered some scented soaps from Dawn's shop Wolfe Farms for my Mom (5 star rating from Mom too!), but I don't think she had the Unscented items yet. I saw them later and thought "Next Time, those are for ME" and lo and behold, she sent me some!! I get scent triggered migraines at the drop of a hat and have to admit I was more than a little jealous of all of Dawn's customers enjoying all of her products. (Grinch Again). Now I (ME, ME, ME) can partake in the all the softness and I LOVE IT!!!


If you need awesome soaps/lotions/candles, Dawn's place is where to get them! The reviews aren't kidding, everything feels wonderful and really soothing to your skin. The lotion is totally non-greasy so I can pick up my knitting right after applying it. That's amazing because I've tried SEVERAL! You know you've done it too, had to keep wiping your hands on something AFTER putting on your lotion. We've all been there! Here's Dawn's Ravelry Group Link. Go SEE HER.


A true friend is the greatest of all blessings, and that which we take the least care of all to acquire.
* François Duc de La Rochefoucauld

And for the pièce de résistance. Dawn sent me her homemade Persimmon Cookies. I can't relate accurately enough how I feel. Elated?!! Unbelieveably Hysterically Happy?!! Yes, I think so! I've been tearing up and crying all afternoon because I know how incredibly busy she's been with her new business, and yet she still took time out to make ME cookies! My FAVORITE holiday memory cookies. I keep opening the lid and INHALING deeply. I can't get these persimmons here and these are what my Grandpa made every year while I was growing up. They mean so much more to me than I can say.

Dawn, I can't say Thank You enough. I have to go blow my nose again. Everytime I even think of them, and all you sent, I cry again. But it's a HAPPY CRY!!! This Ole Grinch feels SO much better. Thank you so much for helping boost my Christmas Spirit WAY up. I may go get my tablecloth out now!

Birthdays Can Be AWESOME!

My wonderful Mom sent me some Happy medicine:

THEN, My bestest buddy Julie sent me these really cool stitch markers:

And this (mine, mine, mine!!)

And All of THIS!!:

A gorgeous bookmark she made for me (which I don't know how she knew I needed it so desperately), some Crazy Monkey Creations Gorilla Toes yarn in the Autumn Jewels colorway (should've got that closer, it's very "happy"! AND SOFT!!!! SOOO SOFT!!! ), two really pretty candle holders with some danglies on it, (I LUV shiny things), some lotion for my ever increasing dry hands, and the BAG. OMGosh, THE BAG. LOVE. IT! I want to go to my knitting meeting NOW to show it off! My projects will never want to come out!

Then today I got THIS from my Favoritest California Dawn!! (I know, I know, I'm just too darn lucky!)

Some of her Beautiful smelling Lavender Handmade soap, (Dawn's a seller on Etsy- check her out!) and a cloth to go with it, a cute cupcake magnet set, candle, and notepad, three really cool scarf patterns to decide what my GORGEOUS HANDSPUN YARN will grow up to be!!!! I am now the very proud owner of her Superwash Merino in the Layla Colorway! I just want to snuggle with it!! I've seen handspun on websites but never held any in my hot little hands before! What an awesome job you did spinning this Dawn. If you sell any in your etsy store with your other items, they'll go like hotcakes!

Yuummmmm! My stubborn camera does NOT want to pick up the beautiful varigations of the colors in this. I just can't describe it except it's like "jewelry" or something. Just absolutely gorgeous!

I'm so very blessed to have you girls in my life. You made me smile when I really felt like hiding under the covers today. I can't tell you how much you mean to me. Really. Truly.

(((((((((((((((((((((((((Biggest Hugs Ever)))))))))))))))))))))))))))

.....and I'm off to play with all my stuff......

A Big Thank You!

I had a feeling and was really hoping some Persimmon cookies would make their way to Tennessee again this year since Dawn not only has them in California, but she's also quite Ms. Suzy Baker as well (and I am humbly THE Queen of Burning Things). I can't find Persimmons here in the south, maybe I'm not looking in the right places but so far it's a no-go, at least not the kind you need for cookies.

I grew up with my Grandpa's homemade persimmon cookies during the holidays so they bring back such wonderful memories for me. I can't even describe how the scent takes me back to lots of love and happy times.

But I also got this!

And This!

And I totally adore these!

Dawn has a memory like I can't believe! I got such a kick out of these little Green Olive stitch markers, and she sent me some wonderful stuffed Olives that are from California as well. Another "touch of home" that really makes me smile. I love the Misti Alpaca Chunky yarn too! I think that's my next project, I just have to go dig out my needles!

NOW I get what the homemade soaps and ALL THOSE Knitted squares she was making lately were for! Aha!! I thought she was on the way to making a huge afghan! What cool labels you made for your soaps Dawn! The packaging is great! Are you going to be an ETSY seller?

Well, you SHOULD! These are perfect gifts!

I've been very blessed this Christmas. Thank You so Much Dawn And A Blessed Merry Christmas to You and your family too!
PS. Thanks so much for the goodies for the girls too!! They eyed their stuff before I even had the box fully unloaded! LOL! Little Stinkers!

I'm so spoiled, VERY spoiled, la-la-la

(Picture Heavy Post)

Happy Birthday to ME!!

I don't want birthdays to count anymore number-wise, but PRESENT-WISE, now that makes me happier than all get up. First, I tripped and fell off the "Stashdown" bandwagon (again!) and went to one of my LYS's yesterday. (We kind of celebrated yesterday, ran errands, went to Outback for dinner, and shopped till we dropped -technically, I WAS a day early, but no one remembered the bet, we were too full and tired.)
This particular LYS moved into a bigger location and carries a much wider assortment than the other one here in town (she's been open longer). Plus, even tho Ms. Owner isn't exactly the friendliest I've met, she remembers me even if I haven't been in for a year! -I KNOW the other YS lady never remembers me! I have to say: selection + remembering me as a customer = you'll probably get my $$. I almost hyperventilated on all the yarn fumes in there, it's a knitters paradise really. Miss C and I could've stayed in there all day (if we had more time & money!)

Then I finally got myself a new phone....LUV IT. AND I opened Miss Dawn's Box: Doesn't my phone look pretty with my card?? So..... "ME" (Both items!) LOL! Here are some of my goodies! I didn't realize I had the nail file underneath! But I LOVED everything she sent me!!! My Lamb magnet makes me smile big time! Look at that FACE!

She also sent me a jar of green olives stuffed with garlic!!! I laughed so hard! My daughter took a picture of me but if I showed that one no one would ever visit my blog again!

Yea, I looked pretty bad!

I bet you can guess what this is and what it's for??? I tried to get a closer up pic,

I need to try that again....

Wa-la!! My Ultimate Present in the World!!!!

(It Worked great to hide my face and fat.LOL!)

I kept it on for hours, after Miss C finally gave it back!!

I didn't want to take it off....ever. (I look tired, I AM tired!)

A thing of Beauty. A true Masterpiece.

Miss Dawn tried so hard to get me to make a shawl when she was making her first. I totally chickened out and abandoned her but she's way better at everything than I am! And I'm not ashamed to say being lame pays off!!!! See what happens????????? Magic!!! This is very inspiring though.... someday......check out her blog! She has more now!

Today is "recoup" day. I've gotten calls from Family, hugs from my girls, and chocolate cake from the Big Guy so I totally need a nap about now! Well, after my pastrami sandwich (Gee Dr, I don't know why my cholesterol is up?!) This "age" thing...oy.

All I need is a rocker! And more yarn.

Have a Happy August 2nd!!!!!!!