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The Happiest Day of My Life

April 19, 2013

A friend of mine was married last winter. She said it was the happiest day of her life. I could tell that she honestly meant it. I was very happy for her. It got me thinking. What was my happiest day? What has made me genuinely happy in my life?

The day I graduated from high school? I was really happy that day. I hated school, all twelve years of it! I couldn’t understand why so many of them were crying.

The day I left home? I was happy and scared at the same time.

The day I got married? The first time I was too young and too stupid. The second time? Hardly. I had known Sweetums for ten years! It was more like, “IT’S ABOUT TIME!”

The birth of my children? Well. Yeah. They are definitely high on the list. But, my daughter came so fast, I never had time to think about it. My son took longer, four hours, but I was twenty years older this time. I think maybe this was Sweetums’ happiest day, even though he was a wreck. There were so many doctors and nurses coming in ad out that it was almost comical. I truly believe that if someone said to Sweetums, “You can go home and hide under the bed now”, he would have. Somehow, he managed to stick it out to the end. He only turned green twice. That’s my Sweetums. You gotta love him.

The day my son received his college diploma? I was really happy. I quite honestly never believed it would happen. But, he did it. And I am so very proud of him!

Still not there yet. But, you know. You’re going to have to wait. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe not. I need to make carnitas, and , well, I really have to pee. Love you.

Tags:happiest day of my life
Posted in Family and Friends, Knitting | 1 Comment »

Still Making Stuff

April 4, 2013

Sometimes I pick up kits just because there’s something in them that I haven’t tried. I made this beach bag for my daughter. I had never worked with screening before. It was a bit of a challenge, but I was very pleased with the results. And my daughter couldn’t be happier! She says it’s perfect. It has twelve deep pockets and plenty of room for the wet sandy stuff you have to haul.

Here’s the inside. I covered all the rough edges for protection. I would definitely make this again. I wonder if that shop has any more of those kits.

Next, I tried working with iron-on vinyl. I HATED it. I won’t be trying it again. It was a real pain in the ass.

Sweetums is about to die from starvation, so I guess I had better feed him.

Tags:iron-on vinyl, screening. beach bag kit, Sweetums
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Is It Spring Yet?

March 2, 2013

I’ve been grumpy for weeks now. And, well, it’s just not a good idea for me to blog when I’m like that.

After several bad choices, I believe we have finally been able to hang the bird feeder and suet where the squirrels can’t reach, but we can still fill them. Sweetums attached a bracket to the deck railing and put a long metal pipe through it. I can hang the feeder on the hook on the end of the pipe and then, push it out far enough that the squirrels can’t jump to it. (Here I am doing a happy dance. Would that I could with these knees.) There is one problem. It is almost impossible to get any pictures without disturbing the birds. But I have enjoyed watching a large variety of birds.

And so have the girls.

Finding a place for the suet was easy. There was a hanging basket at the kitchen window when we bought the house.

Flo likes to sit in the sink and ‘talk’ to them.

Tags:bird feeder, suet
Posted in Family and Friends, my pets | Comments Off on Is It Spring Yet?

Sachet Bag?

February 10, 2013

A little kit for a sachet bag came with one of my club kits. I looked at it. I said, “That’s nice.” And tossed it into my knitting stand. I really had no use for it. I’m not a sachet bag kind of person. Since I go through about fifteen panties a week, I couldn’t come up with a reason to make it. Then Sweetums bought a case of Snapple in plastic bottles, and I thought, “New water bottles!” I only had a few left from the case of green tea. I just keep refilling them.

There was just one problem. My old bottle holder was too small.

I got the directions for the bag and measured my bottle. I didn’t have to change anything. Well. Not exactly. When it was long enough, I purled one row, then started decreasing. When I was down to three stitches and the bottom was mostly flat, I cut the yarn with a ten inch tail. I thread it through the three stitches, tightened it and wove in the ends. The kit came with a little satin ribbon. I tossed that in with the wrapping supplies. I got some leftover sock yarn and made a twisted cord instead. Many years ago, I realized twisted cord was much better than ribbon for knitted items.

Now. Is this too cute? Or what.

Tags:leftover sock yarn, sachet bag, Snapple in plastic bottles, twisted cord
Posted in Family and Friends, Knitting | Comments Off on Sachet Bag?

Christmas Yarn

February 9, 2013

Normally, the thought of getting yarn for Christmas from a non-knitter is downright scary, but my daughter asked what I wanted. Many years ago I bought an ounce of qiviuk yarn at a fair. I made a close-fitting wimple to wear on cold winter days. I could not believe how warm and soft on my skin it was. It helped me make it through many cold windy days while waiting for the bus or train. I do not miss those days. So I showed her the website and different options that would make me happy. She cringed a little. We don’t go crazy with Christmas presents, but we do try to get something special and are not ashamed to ask for suggestions. I told her to get her brother to go in with her. He’s usually clueless as to what to get anyway. I think I saw her breathe easier. Needless to say, on Christmas morning, I was a happy camper.

I made this beautiful shawl with three ounces of Qiviuk and Mulberry Silk from Windy Valley Muskox. The pattern is called Bigfoot Shawl from Wrapped In Comfort, Knitted Lace Shawls. The main pattern is only a four row repeat and was quick to knit on a size eight circular needle. I bound off on a wrong side row and had about one yard left.

Tags:Bigfoot Shawl, Christmas, daughter, Knitted Lace Shawls, Qiviuk and Mulberry Silk, Windy Valley Muskox, Wrapped In Comfort
Posted in Family and Friends, Knitting | 5 Comments »

In And Out And In And Out And In And Out And In

January 23, 2013

When you have five cats and a dog and its nineteen degrees outside, that’s what happens all day. At least Sweetums is getting some exercise. Me? I’m trying to hide. I haven’t recovered from my ophthalmologist appointment this morning. It took forever to get dressed. There was the silk long johns and the heavy socks and wool clogs and the turtleneck and the wool sweater and the pants. When it was time to go, there was the neck scarf and the coat and Angora Bohus hat and the Sanguhar gloves. Oh, yeah. Don’t forgot the knitting. At this point, a nap would have been nice. But I managed to make it out to van. And, you know what? It started right up. I love my metal box, even if it is sixteen. Maybe it’ll make it to twenty. On days like this, I think about when I lived in California. Then I remember all the heartache and how happy I am in Lower Slower Delaware.

I made apple cranberry walnut spice muffins with the last three apples. The smelled so good. And they tasted wonderful. My son inhaled three and took a bag home with him.

Tags:apple cranberry muffins, Bohus hat, Sanquhar gloves, winter
Posted in Family and Friends, my pets, Stuff | Comments Off on In And Out And In And Out And In And Out And In

My Tree is Happy Right Where It Is!

January 11, 2013

It makes me feel good. I don’t like Winter. It’s cold and dreary outside. In here, its bright and cheerful. Every morning, I get up and plug it in. It helps me make it through the day, especially when aches and pains are really getting me down. Sometimes, Olive tries to help by removing an ornament or two. She likes to sit on the little table and look at the lights. She also climbs in and pretends that she is a decoration. How could I take it down when she enjoys it so much?

I made these for a friend of mine. She’s a mail carrier and wears an old pair that she cut the fingertips off. I just couldn’t stand it anymore so I made her these. I love to make gloves. They don’t take long and every time I finish a finger, I feel as though I’ve accomplished something.

Tags:Christmas tree, gloves, mail carrier, Olive
Posted in Family and Friends, Knitting, my pets | 1 Comment »

I Didn’t Want to Do It

December 28, 2012

I had no choice. I didn’t know how long I would have to stay. It had been snowing for hours. I knew I wouldn’t be going home that day. Luckily, my daughter came to the rescue. She’ll drive anywhere. She had errands to run and was going to Westminster anyway. She helped me take my machine to Jomax for its overhaul. We went shopping and finished at the supermarket. I bought some chops to cook for supper.

Oh. Yeah. The thing I had to do? I bought yarn at Micheals. I NEVER buy yarn at Micheals. This one only had Lion Brand and Red Heart. Arg. I did manage to find something of interest that I could use with the needles I brought with me. I was saved. I could make it here one more day. You see. I had just about finished the project I came with. I had to have something to do for one more day. You understand, don’t you?

Going to Micheals had one pleasant note. I meant two very ladies who were just starting to knit and we chatted for a bit.

And the worse thing happened. I didn’t even need the d**n yarn!

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Remembering Rick

December 19, 2012

I was finishing the placemats when Rick came to mind. He was a knitter who came to our little group whenever he could. He had lost his job due to the economy and didn’t have much, but he was always a pleasure to have around. One Sunday he brought in a little goodie bag to share with us. A neighbor had given him his deceased wife’s knitting things. I wasn’t going to bother, but it was passed around and wound up in my lap. I took a cursory look and saw a small stiletto. I have one, but this was short and it looked like it had a nice grip. Now, I use it every time I quilt. It’s perfect for me. I love it.
Thanks, Rick. You’re the best!

Tags:stiletto
Posted in Family and Friends, Sewing | Comments Off on Remembering Rick

Getting Ready for Chistmas

December 9, 2012

I have one more thing to buy, but my main concern is finishing the handmade things. I’ve got two more hats to make. They won’t take much time. It’s just that I haven’t finished the two biggest items. To make matters worse, they are for my daughter.

75%

80%

Can I do it?

Posted in Family and Friends, Knitting, Sewing | 1 Comment »

Up a Creek in Lower Slower Delaware