Pumpkin Sunrise

See that pile of books?  That is what I found at the recycling center.  Yep.  People throw out just about anything.  The top four books are children's easy reader books.  The latin book I snagged for my daughter who loves languages.   Lady Cordelia is having a link up about thrifty finds on Thursdays. The trivial pursuit game we bought at a thrift store.  We played last night just the three of us and boy is it ever hard!  And dated.....one answer was West Berlin-not there anymore!  It's still a fun game, I can't decide if I feel really smart when I know an answer or really uneducated when I haven't a clue. I found this lovely weed in the yard and took a blurry photo of it.  Not on purpose of course, it's just how I thought it was in focus. Sunshine through my new and improved fence that so far has kept Frodo from escaping.  Frodo is still up to getting into mischief.  Yesterday was so warm that the snakes were out.  We have many garter snakes in the

My color affliction shawl  is progressing steadily.  I can see why everyone has this as their project on ravelry because it's addictive and fun.  Who knew that knitting garter stitch in different colors could be so entertaining?  I am on the third section that adds the third color and the short row shaping.  I can easily knit this and mulit-task.  I am already dreaming of other color combos.  Now that I have the pattern and have knit it once, I have an idea of how much yarn is needed for each section so maybe I'll be using up some odds and ends? My other project is the cowl  that is of my very own design.  Since last week, I had to rip it all out and start all over.  I just wasn't very happy with it.  I think I'm on the right track now.  Yesterday I was just wondering if I have enough yarn to do enough repeats......oh well.  I don't mind ripping out again if it doesn't work out.  The weather around here is NOT cowl weather so there's no rush in knittin

The above photo is located in the corner of my kitchen.  My sister gave me the chickens.  These chickens are special because I do not have to feed them or clean up after them, ha ha.  The little table and stool/chair were made by my father-in-law when our daughter was about a two years old.  At the time, it was the perfect size for a tiny child.  She used to sit and eat her breakfast while watching Sesame Street (free babysitter).  I would blitz through the house like a mad woman trying to clean as much as possible.  If I completed all of my morning tasks, I would be able to knit during her nap or playtime. This excellent cleaning strategy never worked with my son. Yesterday was such a lovely day outside.  On my walk with Frodo, I soaked in the bit of sun that peaked out and took pleasure in knowing that spring is here and winter has gone (sigh).  Maybe next year we will have snowfall?  I have given up for this year-it's just too warm.  My goal this spring is to be outside- we

This weekend contained: -our son arriving on Friday for his spring break just in time for a family dinner -our daughter leaving today to go back to school -the piano being played after a very long time of silence.  Funny when it is played constantly with the same songs over and over it can become repetitive.  But after weeks of no kids being home, hearing it being played was kind of nice. -being unable to tell you what music that they played....The tunes sound very familiar but the titles completely escape me. -endless hours (I am not exaggerating) trying to plan a family vacation-I am very very close but I doubt any decisions will be made today. -the time change!!!!  Wasn't it hard getting up today?  Gosh.  I am going to enjoy the daylight in the evening, but it's going to take me a whole week to adjust. -walking with Frodo, my faithful companion -knitting with friends :)

Joining Amanda

I finished this shawl over the past weekend and my daughter graciously modeled for a photo.  As you know, I love knitting with Madelinetosh yarn so it is no surprise that the shawl is oh so soft :) The pattern was easy and interesting.  I think I prefer more lace in a shawl but this one was just fine.  I altered the edging increasing from knit front and back on every stitch to every other stitch.  I was afraid of running out of yarn so I had to conserve somewhere. It's going to be 70 degrees today and that is not shawl wearing weather, is it?

I've started two new knitting projects this past week.  The first one is the color affliction shawl  and I posted yesterday all about it.  I am happy to report that I reached the short row section and have added the third color in the garter stitch knitting-yay!  I will definitely be making this shawl more than once.  It is very easy to knit and talk at the same time. The added bonus is I am not bored to tears with the garter stitch, my guess is the color changing makes it FUN. My other knitting project is a cowl out of blue sky alpaca.  This pattern is my own creation and I'm not sure if I'm liking the amount of stitches I've casted on.  So, I will be deciding soon whether to keep on knitting or ripping out and casting on all over again.  It would greatly help if I knew for sure if I wanted to wrap the cowl twice around my neck or just once.  The yarn is heavenly to knit with.  Super soft and fluffy! I continue to read The House at Riverton .  I suspect it will

If this post in any way makes you buy some yarn or start a new project, then my work here is done.  I have been drooling over the Color Affliction shawl for about a week.  Okay, maybe more than a week.  I had a serious problem.  I wanted to make the shawl but did not have any yarn in my gigantic stash.  I know!  The horror! Really and truly I did not want to buy more yarn.  I was faced with a serious problem. So I meditated about it and my solution was simple.  I needed to go yarn shopping.....again. Lucky for me, I have been seeing many blogger buddies knitting with Quince and Co  yarn. So that is where I started to look and that is where I purchased my yarn.  I have to say they were very speedy in processing and posting my order!  Makes me want to buy from them again. My yarn arrived on Friday and I immediately casted on the project.......I've named the shawl "destiny".  Because it was meant to be.  (on a side note remember in Back to the Future when

This weekend contained: -dinner out for a celebration -a birthday-my husband's- with a chocolate cake topped chocolate icing. -accidentally icing the cake too early---oops! -fixing the cake to the best of my ability--hence the coconut sprinkled to cover up the mess :) -our daughter arriving home for a week -lazy daisy days with walks and knitting and relaxing -finishing a knitting project -starting a knitting project -wearing regular shoes instead of winter shoes---it's getting warmer! joining Amanda

Joining Amanda

I am enjoying the very last bits of my rose.  As it started to wilt, I plucked each petal and decided to display them, hoping to lengthen their stay in my home. I am excited that my yarn order has already been shipped.  So I'm pretty sure I will be knitting like a mad woman to finish my current project. I'm also thinking about socks.  Yep.  I need to cast some on and make some for my husband and for me.    I really should work on my alpaca sweater but it has been so mild and warm, I doubt I would wear it.  Technically it is not hibernating but my motivation is missing to work on it. Tomorrow our daughter will be home.  My husband will drive to get her and of course they will go out for dinner.  It's a father-daughter tradition.  They both really enjoy spicy ethnic food.  Frodo and I will hang out here.  Maybe I'll make a "big" (non spicy) salad.  I would love to take a walk IF the rain stops. Today I will menu plan for next week and sketch out what we