Pumpkin Sunrise

My weekend was filled with: -dinner out with my husband on Friday night -lots of knitting -and reading -and finishing a book! -listening to the cicadas while swinging -puzzling over what animal is breaking off all the liatris (in photo) -assuming it's the rabbits-Frodo's mortal enemies -my husband bringing in EVERY flower that is broken -cloudy skies and very little drizzle-wishing it would just pour down -homemade pizzas  How was your weekend? Joining Amanda

My husband spotted this praying mantis yesterday and I ran to get the camera.  I probably would have never seen it.  I took at least 10 photos and the first one was the best.  He was looking right at me for each snap! (probably a little annoyed as well) I finished the featherweight cardigan yesterday.  I know I keep saying it is the last lace weight cardigan but I really think it is the last one. Really. I've cut back on the sugar intake this past week and already notice a difference.  My go to sweet snacks are dried apricots-super sweet and good for you! My condensed "makes me happy list" for this week : -coffee in the morning, alone with my journal -finishing a knitting project -sauteed summer squash and snow peas :) -the cicadas have started -my to do pile of papers shrinking considerably What is your "makes me happy" list?

I was going to name this post "A Tail of Woe" but my daughter who reads this blog would just groan.  So I didn't-but I mentioned it so it exists.  Life has been quite exciting for us the past two days.  Especially for Frodo.  You remember last year on how Frodo was escaping the compound  .  I am happy to say that we have successfully kept him safely inside the fenced in back yard. Frodo loves to patrol, it is one of his traits as well as hunt vermin, that's what terriers do .  So every day he looks out those tiny diamond fence holes seeking a rabbit.  When he spots one, he barks like mad.  We then pick him up and take him inside for a while.  It's been on going and slightly annoying.  But he's inside right? Well.....two days ago, I went to check on him outside and I saw him with a very floppy rabbit in his mouth.  It was not full grown and I was pretty sure it was not alive.  I skillfully had Frodo inside the house and the poor little rabbit outside for

After yesterday's post  I could not resist starting another citron .  I have been working so diligently on my feather weight cardigan that I am a little tired of it. Just winding up the skein into a lovely yarn cake and casting on those three little stitches made me so happy.  I know the featherweight cardigan will be done sometime today.  It is that close to being done.  This shawl will be a  lovely diversion for the rest of my summer.   I picked up this magazine while out and about with the family a week ago.  I love almost all of the patterns.  There are quite a few shawls that caught my eye and are begging to be knit up.  I just have to see what are the yardage requirements and then check out what is in my yarn stash.  Hmm.  What would the chances be that I would need to go yarn shopping?  Oh the cruel demands this hobby of mine makes of me! I am still reading I Capture the Castle , nearly finished!  It is a good book and well worth the read especially if you like the p

Oh I am laboring away at my current projects.  Mainly my featherweight cardi  has been the focus of my knitting time.  Once again, I am swearing off this long project.  Knowing full well I will knit it again when my memory dims at how long it takes.  There is something about lace weight yarn that draws me in. Today I'm sharing some lovely ideas that float around in my head of future possible projects.  I say possible because I change my mind so much.  Or I wait so long to start a new project that I don't feel like doing that project (It's like picking out what to wear in the morning).  The top photo is Madelinetosh merino light .  The colorway name is "wicked".  LOVE IT!  The bright pink yarn (that I have shown here before) is  araucania itala .  I have three skeins of this fingering weight yarn for a sweater as well My sweater pattern that I chose is Same Same .  It is a top down construction but instead of a yoke or raglan sleeve, this pattern creates

My weekend was filled with: -a delicious meal!  On Friday my daughter and I had basil pesto on pasta, the first of the season. -patiently waiting for the weather to break-storms clouds rolled in yesterday evening and so many leaves landed in the pool.  We are happy that the trees on our property escaped damage. -focusing on the sleeves of my cardigan.  Oh please be done soon :) -wondering why it is still very hot after the thunderstorms. -being thankful I have electricity, surrounding us are neighborhoods without power -an afternoon with knitting friends -a curry dinner made by my husband (I love when he cooks it tastes so much better) -grocery list making and menu planning for the week Basil Pesto 2/3 cup of olive oil 2/3 cup of parmesan cheese 1 cup of basil leaves 2 tbs of pine nuts (so worth the money!) 1/4 tsp black pepper 1/2 tsp of salt whiz all of the ingredients in a food processor and pour on hot pasta.  A clove of garlic is nice to add in.  (my daughte

I am smack dab in the middle of the summer break with the kids home.  Our daughter returns to her apartment in five weeks to prepare for her second year of law school.  Our son returns to his second year of undergraduate studies at the end of August.  It's fun having them home and I think I'm used to cooking for four people.  Oh how I long to cook for two people-so much easier and cheaper!  My husband and I could eat the same meal every day :) I was thinking what of what I would like to accomplish by the time school starts.  I love lists and I love goals so here it is: -finish my featherweight cardigan (that is going to happen soon) -finish knitting my hat and socks -start another sweater -come up with a getaway for the two of us to celebrate 25 years of marriage -map out all the fiber festivals and TRY to attend Rhinebeck Oh the fiber! -maybe combine the getaway with a fiber festival???  Hmmmm. -get back to eating foods that are good for me -quit eating so much

The liatris is blooming and I'm so glad we planted it last year.  The butterflies love to visit.  They flutter about and seem to enjoy the blossoms.  I really love the purple color and I think it would make a superb sweater, right? In the above photo, Frodo had to be in it, he is attracted to fame and the camera.  Whenever he sees me pick up my camera he is alert and ready to a) strike a pose, b) runaway from being photoed-probably a bad hair day for him, or c) accompany me outdoors which he loves to be! Yep, that's his little body in this photo as well.  I've mentioned this before but I am so lucky that my husband loves to water and tend our garden.  I just document the growth, harvest, and cook, my kind of partnership!  I'm thinking of making some basil pesto and tossing it with some noodles. Yum! Are you eating from your gardens yet?  If so what?

My featherweight cardigan  is making steady progress.  I finished the ribbing and started with the button bands.  I'm leaving the sleeves last because I only have 1100 yards.  I wanted to make the button band as wide to my liking so sleeve length has been compromised if I am running short.  I'm at peace with my decision.  My focus has been this cardigan and I want to finish it soon.  Until I do-no more new projects. (I just said that with my fingers crossed, ha ha). My other knitted project is a pair of socks for my husband in that lovely shade of gray!  I have been doing a sock knitting tutorial here here and here !  I love making socks cuff down and if you do as well check out the tutorials. This week I am reading I Capture the Castle  and it's a nice comfortable read.  It's about a girl and her journal and her documenting her life in the country-my daughter is correct, I do like reading it.  I'm enjoying the journal format of the book and the descripti

It's gusset time!!!  As you may recall I am making a pair of socks for my husband.  I will quickly review the numbers so far.  I cast on 68 stitches (17 stitches per needle for four needles).  Last week I made the heel flap then turned the heel. I have fourteen stitches after turning the heel.  Knit across seven and now you have seven stitches on two needles and 17 stitches on two needles.  Here comes the fun gusset part and some magical math.  I'm sure you're wondering how many stitches to pick up across the flap edge.  Easy!  You pick up 1/4 of your cast on number.  This  number for me is 17.  Starting on needle #1-knit seven stitches from heel turning, pick up 17 stitches.  needles #2 and #3 knit across and resume sock pattern, needle #4 pick up 17 stitches and knit across seven heel turning stitches. For the second row I knit through the back loop of all the picked up heel flap stitches to make a tighter edge-I also think it looks pretty. Gusset shaping is

My weekend was filled to the brim with: -family visiting-sister, brother in law, and nephew -desserts and desserts and more desserts*  ** -potato salad-yum!! -swimming in a cool pool on a hot day -reading and knitting -shopping -being sad that a private health food store is closing :( -the above store gave information on where to shop for my favorite items :) -thankfulness that my family came for the weekend -saying goodbye this morning and then tackling the cleaning -writing a big big big to-do list for myself-so many things swimming in my head needing to be documented -feeling so accomplished just with my list! How was your weekend?  Joining Amanda *the above dessert is called a hummingbird cake that my sister made, it is gluten free and dairy free.  The bottom dessert is the betty crocker gluten free brownie mix made by me......guess which sister LOVES to bake??? ** the recipe is found in this book Easy Gluten Free Baking