Pumpkin Sunrise

This year my husband made two raised beds.  He placed newspaper down after he weedwacked (I think that is a verb!) and then lots and lots of topsoil......yes, we did buy dirt-lots of it!  It has been 10 years since we have had a garden.  At that time, I was the gardener.  I did enjoy it very much but I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (managed perfectly with meds) and gardening is one of those activities that flares my condition.  So I "retired" from gardening.  I have missed fresh vegetables and checking the progress of plants. Lucky for us my husband has become interested.  So with my knowledge and superior supervising skills (ha ha ha) we have started it up again.  Believe me I will have no problem eating the produce.... We went to a local greenhouse and had a fun time picking out what to plant.  I know we will have too many tomatoes and peppers but still it was fun and we can always give away the produce, right? Yes, that is a gnome but in its defense it is

This weekend included: -another performance by our son -graduation from high school -a mass for the high school graduates at our church with a reception~more CAKE! -a graduation picnic at the girlfriend's house~more CAKE! -buying lots of dirt (top soil) for two raised beds (I am hoping that we buy our plants today or tomorrow) -lots of smiling, laughing and socializing -list making for the graduation party we are having for both kids this weekend (eek!) -knitting on the eternal sweater....... Joining Amanda at habit of being

I remember collecting these jelly jars for the kids so we could have two of each four designs. There was one design that was "rare" and we would scour the display hoping to make the set. I think it was 13-14 years ago!  We still use these for juice in the morning or a pretty daisy :)

This morning is so beautiful!  It was so nice to get the newspaper and not suffocate from the heat and humidity.  These flowers are all in our front flower bed except the wild rose.  The rose bush is on the hillside and volunteers to beautify the driveway.  My husband just created this bed last summer.  Instead of rototilling (spell checker does not like this word)  or digging up the sod, he laid lots of newspapers and and then inches of mulch.  We could not believe how well this work and we did not use any pesticide.  So if you are in the mood for cutting corners, give it a try!  

~sigh~  I am still reading the Help.  I read at night and for some reason I am a slow reader and I frequently fall asleep while reading.  Maybe I should blame my slow reading on my busy life? Or maybe just tiredness? Anyways, this is a very excellent book.  I highly recommend it and I am hoping that my daughter reads it after me.  I am also flipping through the Spring and Summer issues of Interweave Knits and Vogue Knitting.  I think I like the yarn ads as much as the patterns :) As for knitting, I am on the second sleeve (hip hip hooray!) of the Valley Cardigan .  The end is near and I can almost see the sweater now.  I also bought some pretty awesome buttons when visiting my sister in Pittsburgh.  Actually, she picked them out!  Can't wait to sew those buttons on and be done with this project. On another monumental event.......I have packed my very LAST lunch box for my son.  This is the last week of school, and he graduates on Saturday.  He has never bought a lunch at the sch

Ta da!  I am almost done with one sleeve!  I think I need a ticker tape parade  (I remember them, do you?)  I am motivated once again to work on this project.  I will not start another project until this one is done.  For some reason the cuff took forever.  Once I picked up the stitches for the sleeve it went faster.  

This weekend contained: -saving a toad from the skimmer of the pool -opening the pool (no one has been in....yet!) -focusing on knitting my cashmere cardigan sleeves -sketching out a menu for THE graduation party for both kids in two weeks -finally purchasing a swing for the patio (this took more than three years-I quit being picky) -tolerating very high humidity -a Memorial Day birthday (our son is 18 years old today!) -more cake -enjoying last couple of days our daughter is off before she starts her summer job Joining Amanda at Habit of Being

My swallowtail shawl is complete :)  I am really pleased with it.  As you can see, I was the model AND the photographer.  Oh the things one is capable of doing when there is a will.  I liked this pattern and thought it was easier than most to follow.  However, I have had to pick up many dropped stitches while knitting because I think the yarn, Silky Alpaca Lace  is quite slippery and I was not focusing. I think a wool would be better for a beginner lace knitter.  I loved the Silky Alpaca and would knit with it again. I know I have posted before on the wonders of blocking but I have to again.  I blocked the daylights out of this shawl after a 20 minute soak in wool wash and it came out perfectly.  I really like the lacy open look. I know it is evil but I wish it was cold outside so I could wear it.  Patience is not one of my virtues ;)

This year my sister and I did another yarn swap.  What is fun is that each of us thinks we got the "better" present!  She is quite a gifted at sewing and knitting.  I am a knitter.  I have the capability to sew basic projects but not the burning desire for perfection this means that my sewing would probably be sloppy.  She made the sewn zipper pouch!!  I just love these, I have a smaller one and they are perfect for little stitch markers or clip-on markers for knitting.  I really love my treasure chest!  I have filled it with beads and buttons and it is already on display in the family room. My sister also made the stitch markers!  (her talents are endless....)  Almost all of my stitch markers have been crafted by her.  If you think the yarn is another skein of Madelinetosh lace, you are correct!  I really like the color, denim, a lot :) So when May rolls around again next year, I believe that we will swap again because it is FUN. This is the post com

Last Saturday my sister and I went yarn shopping.  These photos were taken in a little town, Sewickley PA.  I love this place because it reminds me a little of Cape May NJ.  There are Victorian houses and and tons of specialty shops.  The first two photos were taken by me of a garden store.  Isn't that frog the cutest? While I was paying for some awesome yarn at Yarns Unlimited , my sister snapped the last three photos.  I would love to own a sheep planter!! So you may wonder what did I buy? Well I bought Madelinetosh Lace! The red (named Tart!) was purchased at Natural Stitches , sorry that pictures are missing, I forgot during my excitedness of yarn buying :)

Well as you can see I am still  reading the same book(s).  The Help is really really really good, I wish I read more during the day so I can finish it.  But those snippets of time are for knitting.  I am also slowly reading The Dirty Life.  I read barely a page this week so it is pretty much idle. I have made a lot of progress on my swallowtail shawl .  I only have about 10 more rows and then I can cast off.  I have really enjoyed this pattern and would like to knit it again with 100% wool.  Right now I am using alpaca/silk blend and it is quite "slinky".  I drop stitches frequently which means I am fixing it almost every time I pick it up. My other project is the valley cardigan .  I just need TWO sleeves--that is it.  Oh and a little bit of the neckline.  Wouldn't it be great to have it done in a week???  I think I will try very hard to focus on this goal.  I would love to have it out of my knitting bag :) I would love to hear what you are knitting and reading!  If