Pumpkin Sunrise

  Hello! How are you? I'm thrilled to show you my sweater that I finally finally finished! I started this sweater around Christmas time and it's taken a long time for me to knit it up. Of course, size four needles is quite the undertaking for a sweater, but I also wasn't feeling well during all that time.  I cannot wait for the cold weather in late fall to wear this!  The only changes I made to the pattern were picking up the neck line and knitting a bit of ribbing. I just didn't like how the original pattern curled up. I think it was my loose knitting at the beginning of the cast on that contributed to the curling. I also lengthened the sleeves by an inch and the length of the body by an inch as well. What are you working on this week?

  Good morning! How are you and how was your weekend? I'm doing pretty good. Once again the weather went from hot to cold and once again I am happy about that. However, every I have difficulties dressing for the weather. Yesterday, I changed twice - I wasn't warm enough.  This weekend was quiet and uneventful. My husband and I did some clothes shopping and then gathered all the clothes in our closets that we did not want anymore. I got rid of all the clothes that are too big for me,  On Saturday my sister and I went out shopping and I bought some watercolor pencils, above is the doodle I did with them. We had a nice time out and about. We stopped at a new juice/smoothie place which was 'okay'. We miss the one that went out of business over a year ago, they were so tasty! I did a LOT of knitting. I'm trying to see how much knitting I can get done before my medical tests next week, it's a game that I think I am winning at. I would love to finish this shawl and the...

  Good morning! How are you doing? I have been bitten by the knitting bug this week, I started a baby blanket over the weekend, I cast off on my yoke sweater and now I'm back to working on this pink shawl . I am excited about all of the knitting projects and wish I could knit them all at the same time.  Yesterday I tidied up my knitting bag and put away needles and accessories that I'm not using right at the moment. I've made room for more projects.  What are you working on this week?

  Good morning! How are you doing? How was your week? We've been busy around here. Last week we had landscapers grade and seed the 'old' pool area. When we bought this house a few years ago the previous owner had an in-ground pool that was barely filled with dirt and filled with weeds, tree saplings and tons of stinging nettle.  Finally, my husband can mow the area and eventually we can use the area to play with the kids. The grands slept over Saturday night. Our grandson is four years old and our granddaughter is two years old, because of their energy we were both so very tired. I cannot remember having the energy when my kids were little like that. So many decades ago. However I get to hand them back over to their parents and when I was raising kids, that wasn't an option. My granddaughter woke up at 6:30 am because there was a bird in her room screaming. Ha ha. I found that funny. I told her it was outside singing, she didn't believe me. Oh well.  Over the weeken...

  Good morning! How are you doing? Look at my sweater !! I love it so much. I continue to work a little bit each day on that second sleeve making small progress but still it's progress. See that neckline? I am going to fix that, it drives me nuts and I know blocking will not make it lay straight. Medical Update: It's been quiet here on this space because I've been dealing with ongoing medical tests and referrals. I have been followed by a pulmonologist for my shortness of breath and have inhalers and they are helping with the lung issues. I did a CPET test at the end of March and the results indicated cardiac limitations. So after three weeks of waiting for doctors to call me and also to call each other to consult on the CPET test, I am finally scheduled for a cardiac MRI and a right heart cath at the beginning of May. I am okay with whatever they unearth. I want to be diagnosed and treated and then left alone, ha ha. This past year has been quite the challenge. I suspect a...

  Good morning! How are you doing? I have been soaking up the beautiful weather over the weekend. I even took a walk in the neighborhood because it wasn't too hot or too cold, it was just right as Goldilocks would declare. I delighted in the abundant blue skies and leafing out trees. This is when I like the spring season. I've been cycling through my fiction and non-fiction books as I sit on the back patio enjoying the sunshine. Of course I've been knitting. I worked mainly on the hat  since it's just mindless endless stockinette knitting. How was your week? 

  Well well well, I am making progress on the impulsive shawl I started while still working on my yoke sweater. I am basking in the spring-like color and enjoying how each row gets longer and longer. I might give this as a holiday gift or I might keep it for myself. I'm not sure yet.  I reached the first sleeve cuff on my yoke sweater , a victory! I have about 10 more rows then I can start the second sleeve. My knitting time has been limited. I have more medical tests this week and of course picking up the sweet grands at daycare. A full busy life is a wonderful blessing!! How are you? What are you working on this week?

  Good morning! Happy Easter! How are you doing today? I'm doing pretty good. Since I last posted, I've been busy with the local grands because their daycare was closed Thursday and Friday (also today) for the Easter holiday. They were here both Thursday and Friday with their dad who worked from home and it was very busy.  Saturday we went to the Science Center where I did not take one single photo so you'll have to pretend you have some photos. The whiplash weather was nuts! We had 81 degrees Saturday then on Sunday it was 46 degrees....My body cannot handle it. The warm weather always makes me feel unwell.  Easter Sunday we went to Mass then afterwards to my sister's house for a luncheon. I brought a veggie tray (my standby contribution) also I baked the free turkey I earned at the local supermarket during November. There is no way my husband and I can eat a turkey.  I gave as much as I could away and have put the rest in the freezer. I labeled it so I know what it...

  Good morning! How are you? The weather is getting warmer and spring is definitely here. It's raining and will be raining off and on for the week. So that will really make the trees and bushes green! Yesterday afternoon on a whim I started a new project that will most likely be a holiday gift. I was just itching to start something else instead of working on my sweater or my hat. I already have the stitch pattern memorized and I did tweak the directions a bit.  What are you working on this week? 

  Hello! How are you? I'm doing good.  My weekend was mainly uneventful overall. Can you believe next weekend is Easter already? Lent has flown by this year for me. I attended Saturday night Mass with my sister at a different church and I cannot pass by a beautiful Mary statue without photoing it. Of course I edited out all the cars in the background so the photo is kind of crazy but She is beautiful to behold. Since the weekend was uneventful, I worked on my knitting projects equally. Also I started walking outside once more. Only up and down my street a few times, staying close to home. I love being out in nature and hearing the birds sing. Some of my daffodils got zapped by that unexpected snowfall we had a while ago and some have miraculously survived and are showing off. April, which is just around the corner, is one of my favorite spring months. Not too hot but abundant in blossoms. How was your weekend? 

  Good morning!  I am happy to report I started the first sleeve of my yoke sweater a few days ago! I am so excited that I'm on the sleeves because they go so fast. That is assuming I am knitting every single day, ha ha ha. I think the fit will be perfect but I know I will do something of the curling neckline that I do not like at all. My gauge must have been loose when starting the sweater then it must of tightened up. What are you working on this week?

  Good morning to you! Spring has definitely sprung here. We had unusually warm weather yesterday and thankfully today will be back to regular cool weather. I don't like the hot weather but I do like the sunshine and the flowers blooming. My second session of adult learning classes started up last week, so I am busy driving to and from campus attending lectures and making new friends. Of course I continue to take Tai Chi, it's my favorite class. I don't like to cook, which is no surprise to you readers who have been here awhile. But I do like to make salads. I made the best one ever a few days ago that had lettuce, spinach, kale, parsley, red pepper, cucumber, mozzarella cheese and pepitas. Of course the shrimp too. It was delicious. I like to use a tiny bit of oil and vinegar as my dressing. I could eat salad for dinner every single day. I also did some knitting and reading over the weekend. And most importantly I started to do tiny sketches in hopes to rekindling my love ...

  Good morning! How are you doing today? It will not come as a surprise to know that I did minimal knitting this past week. We had our daughter in law and grandkids sleeping over since Sunday to help out while my son was traveling to work. Today will be my first evening free!! I did manage to add some rows to my hat  in between playing with the kids. I am nearly half way with knitting the body of the hat.  What have you been working on this week?

  Good morning! How are you? I'm doing okay. I have an early morning appointment with the ENT today. The week I do not have a doctor's appointment will be a miracle! However, I am grateful I like all of my doctors who help me out. This weekend was crazy weather! This tree that fell over into our neighbor's yard and knocked out their power is NOT our tree but is close to the property line and it did NOT knock our power out, thank God. On Friday evening our lights flickered so many times during a horrific wind storm. My husband and I ran around the house, filling water bottles (I like cold water) and charging our phones and flashlights. We were lucky and our electricity stayed on! My sister's did not and she lives very close to me. Yesterday after Mass, my daughter in law and the two grands came to stay at our house for a few days while my son is traveling for work. Party! The grands love having a sleep over here and we love helping out whenever we can. I knit very minima...

  Good morning! How are you doing today? I have been making steady progress with the body of my yoke sweater . I'm a few inches away from the ribbing. I work on this while watching TV. Overall I am very pleased with the sweater and the design but I do not like the neckline. Once it's finished and I put it on, I will do something about the neckline to make it lay flat, most likely picking up stitches and doing a twisted rib for a few rows.  What are you working on this week?

  Good morning! How are you doing today? I've been enjoying the spring time weather (it was a little too warm for me on Saturday, but it was nice enough). Thankfully we are not as warm today and therefore I am not as hot in my house. As you know, I love winter and I love to be cold. I do not like to be hot. My one lonely snowdrop is blooming. I guess when my husband redid the garden bed he disrupted the batch of them. Hopefully this one will multiply over the years. Also the crocuses!! Gah! I am so excited to see them as well. A true sign that spring is heading our way. On Saturday the kids and grandkids came over in the morning to visit and stay for lunch. We were outside sitting on the patio while the grandkids did outside chalk. We all had a really nice time together. On Sunday after church and lunch, my sister invited me to go with her to the local yarn store. I had no plans to buy anything. I came home with a new project bag! I haven't bought a new project bag in over 10 y...

  Hello! How are you?  I'm doing great and even better I finished a knitting project earlier this week. My sister gave me this mini skein yarn set for my birthday in November and started this project in January. I LOVED how simple this cowl was to knit. Give me simple and I can knit and watch TV or read a book at the same time.  I did not make the cowl as long as the pattern indicated. Once I did five mini skeins I thought it was long enough. Also, yesterday was chilly enough to wear it before the heat wave hits this week. (yes...a heat wave, into the 70s, ugh). What are you working on this week?

  Good morning! How are you doing today? I've been pretty good overall. Our company left last Wednesday and I put my house back together again within two hours. That might be a record. We miss our daughter and her family, but I am also enjoying the silence and the NOT cooking for a crowd.  Since they left, I've returned to knitting and reading. I've made lots of progress on my yoke sweater  while watching TV in the evening or listening to podcasts. Never fear, I have been working on my other two projects as well while thinking about new projects. That's what knitters do. Since we had a tiny warm up, there was ONE bug in the house so now Holly is on the hunt for future possible bugs in the house. This is her surveilling the family room. Too cute!! On Saturday I walked outside which is a rarity. Because of my severe dry eyes and the scleral lenses, I cannot be outside if there is a wisp of wind. However, I braved up to 8 MPH winds and took my chances. I enjoyed being outs...

  Good morning! How are you today? I am doing pretty good and that is exciting after the last two weeks of health challenges. My daughter and her family are leaving today after an unexpected extension of their visit here due to the blizzard in Boston. I am sure they are happy to go home. I have a ton of cleaning to do and putting the house back to the way it was. I haven't knit the past couple of days because of the company and all the cooking I've been doing. Each day my son and his family came over with all of us for dinner. By the time I sit down after they leaave, I'm a zombie and my brain is toast.  Never fear, I took a photo of my current knitting projects. Bottom left is my belle sweater , top middle is my musselburgh hat and bottom right is a delightful cowl that I'm itching to finish so I can wear it before winter passes away. What are you working on this week?

  Good morning! How are you? Thank you so much for the health well wishes, they finally worked! I ended up calling the ENT on call Wednesday night because of the pain and happened to get my own ENT, what luck. She phoned in a high dose of prednisone (again) and double booked me an office visit on Thursday instead of Friday. Once I saw here she ordered antibiotics (again) and on Saturday night during my family party dinner I hosted at my house, I ate pain free after nearly 10 days of painful eating. It was glorious!!(I would not wish this on an enemy) I have another follow up with her on Wednesday morning, she is so very kind. Our daughter, son in law and youngest grandson are visiting over the weekend and unfortunately their flight was cancelled today to go back to Boston because of the blizzard warning. They are here until Wednesday. We have been soaking up a ton of family time together and the cousins are all seeing each other. I have done minimal knitting between not feeling wel...