Pumpkin Sunrise

Yesterday it started to rain-finally!  Ordinarily I do not like rain because it makes my hair frizz up but I will accept some rain that comes with a cold front.  Today it is supposed to be around 72 degrees-brrrr.  It might be a jean-wearing, shoes and socks kind of day. I am happy to report that Frodo has not caught any rabbits this week.  I think they're just lucky.  They still manage to squeeze into the fenced in area and he still manages to find them.  Frodo is FAST.  I always cheer for the rabbit's escape. Makes me happy list this week: -rain! -thunder rumbles -first cucumbers from the garden -sister conversations nearly every morning this week -crossword puzzles -feet dangling in the pool with my family while sitting and talking -pumpkin seeds on my salad -my positive thinking schnauzer What's on your list?

Big day here at my house!  Yesterday I went out to our little garden patch and picked the first two cucumbers.  By the looks of it, there will be so many more to follow.  I think this might be the time to call up my dad and get his cucumber salad recipe :)  I think in the next week we will be able to pick some tomatoes.  The peppers look "pickable" to me but that is my husband's food-he loves hot peppers!! How do you like to eat your cucumbers?  Any delicious recipes?

I started reading The Language of Flowers  and it's a book that is hard to put down.  From the very first page the story has been engaging and I eagerly want to read more.  The book is about a woman who turns eighteen years old and the american foster system has failed repeatedly her during her childhood.  She has attachment issues because her mother abandoned her and the foster parents she was placed with were not the best.  I think what makes this a compelling read is that the author was a foster parent and has adopted a foster child (could be children, not sure).  So even though I have no idea how this book will end, I highly recommend it. My knitting has been focused on three knits-two are photoed above.  My husband's socks -one done with the other on the needles.  My second citron shawl !  Oh how I love to knit this pattern and I love picking up this project, it does give me great joy.  My third knit not in the photo is the orange hat that is my knit and read hat.  

We are near the end of the sock posts and hasn't it be fun??  I think so!  I have knit the foot of my husband's sock so that it measures 8 inches from the edge of the heel.  This is because that is the length that I use for it to fit him.  My son is 8 1/2 inches, my daughter is 7 inches, and I am 7 1/2 inches.  (all memorized) To begin toe decreasing, you will start in the middle of the bottom foot, as photoed above.  Needle #1 is on the left.  There are many ways to decrease for a toe.  I use several, but this one is the easiest. *Knit across needle #1  to last three stitches-k2tog, k1.  Beginning of needle #2 -k1, ssk,knit across to end.   Needle #3-same as needle #1.  Needle #4-same as needle #2. *  Repeat ** every other row until there are nine stitches on each needle (total 36 stitches) then decrease EVERY row until there are four stitches on each needle (total 16 stitches).   Close up toe using the kitchener's stitch . And there you have it- one glori

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