Coggie's Yarn Tale

Hodgepodge Wednesday

2012-01-25T18:46:00.003-05:00

You can link up on Joyce's blog and play along.

1. The NFL playoffs were held this past weekend and this year's Superbowl lineup will feature The New York Giants versus The New England Patriots. How do you define 'patriot'?

Someone that supports the fundamentals of the country that they hail from and are willing to do what is needed to see that stand for future generations.

2. What's something in your life right now that feels like a 'giant'?

The amount of yarn that it takes to make myself a sweater.

3. What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think back to being 18?

Freedom. 18 was my year of fun. I was not living at home. I worked full time but still had time to hang with my friends. It was a very eyeopening year for me.

4. Coconut-mashed potatoes-vanilla ice cream-mayonnaise...which white food would be the hardest to give up?

Mashed Potatoes!! I love mashed potatoes, they are my comfort food. I don't have them often, but when I do, I want them. Most of the time we have mashed Cauliflower instead, but nothing is better than mashed potatoes when I need a bit of old fashioned comfort. Another plus is that leftovers can be made into mashed potato soup, potato pancakes or topping for shepherds pie. mmm!

5. Describe an incident or a day you remember as the coldest you've ever experienced?

Coldest, as in burr- Yeah, I live in Michigan. Most of the winter it is the coldest I have ever been in. However, I do remember out in California when I was a teenager, our car broke down on the side of the highway. We did not have coats with us and it was freezing. Yes, California can be colder than Michigan if you are not prepared.

6. You're hosting a brunch...what's your favorite dish to prepare and serve?

Open faced egg sandwiches. It is an English muffin with a scrambled egg on it. On top you put two slices of bacon, shredded sharp cheddar cheese and a slice of tomato. Broil. You can make about a dozen at a time on a broiler pan. So good!

7. How do you combat negative thinking?

To stop negative thinking, I try to climb inside a good book. There are times this is my only way of escaping problems that arrive in life. It also clears my mind so that I can face whatever problem that the negative thinking is caused from.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I am excited to start the Fiber Sampler that I received in the mail this week. It is from Woolgatherings . For the next almost 6 months, I will be talking about a different breed a week on my podcast. Pictures of the study can be found here. This is different from other samplers I have attempted, as it is all processed fiber. I have found that I really do not like to clean my own fiber and will leave that up to people who do it better than I do. Please head over to Woolgatherings and order a sampler so you can spin along with me.

New lessons for Gramma

2012-01-24T16:28:00.003-05:00

The grandbabies came over on Sunday (with the parents but yeah- I am a Gramma now *big grin*) to watch the football game with us. It was the Giants at the 49er's which made it a huge game in our house. Sarge is a Giants fan and I am a 49er's fan. We had Chili dogs for munchies and I thought I had made the house kid proof. Yeah- I suck!
Little Miss Z sat on the couch and helped us cheer the teams on

While Lil' Bear was a going concern

After playing on the floor and scooting all over (about ready to crawl), he discovered my spinning wheel.
I told him it was Gramma's and he could not touch.

So he ignored it for a minute

then when he thought he could get away with it

And I hollered
Little miss Z had not heard Gramma holler before

But Grampa saved lil' Bear

and put him to watching the game again

I love my grandbabies and need to really baby proof next time they come over.

What I knit during the game?

A lacy Cardi for Little Miss Z. (Pattern to come)
She wanted me to knit faster so she could wear it home. It is now blocking and she will get it soon.
Oh- and the Giants won!

Hodgepodge Wednesday

2012-01-18T12:02:00.002-05:00

You can link up here and play along

1. A new Miss America was crowned on Saturday night-did you watch? If you were a contestant what would your talent be?

I did not watch this year. I can't even remember what we were doing Saturday night.

My talent would be.. yeah this has me stumped. How about you decide what talent I should have? Place it in the comments please.

2. Do you have houseplants? Real or fake?

Yes, Real. I have aloe's and some green hangy plants with big leaves that are hard to kill.

3. When you were in school did you speak up or were you more of the hide your face, avoid eye contact, and pray the teacher didn't call on you type of student?

I was and still am a speak up and annoy the teacher as much as I can. No, not really, but I am not shy and I like to talk so speaking up has never been hard for me.

4. Next Monday marks the Chinese New Year...what do you order when someone suggests Chinese food?

Crispy orange chicken and Crab Rangoons.

5. How would you define a miracle? What would it take for you to consider something a miracle?

Something with divine intervention. A birth of a new child, the death of someone who has lived a full long life. A miracle is something that is beyond words.

6. What's your favorite Disney song? If you're stuck you'll find a list here.

I've got no strings.

There are no strings on me!

7. I should have _____________ yesterday.

finished the laundry.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Life here is gearing up to be hectic for a time. I am on the computer more and more just escaping the realness of life and what is happening. I really need to take a step back and decide where I want to be when this hectic time passes over.

Hugs your loved ones that are close to you and call those who are not and let them know they are in your heart.

Love Sunday

2012-01-15T14:11:00.001-05:00

Pillsbury orange cinnamon rolls- Yep, from the tube.

Made looking out at this

a bit easier.

New Year Hodgepodge!

2012-01-04T14:10:00.003-05:00

you can link up here

1. What are three words you would use to describe your 2011?

1. Emotional

2. overwhelming

3. satisfying

2. Do you like shrimp? What's your favorite way to have it prepared?

No. I do not eat much seafood and bottom feeders are the last on my list.

3. Is your house de-Christmased? If so when did you tackle that job? If not, when will the decorations come down?

Yes, my house is de-Christmased! It happened on the 27th I think. It used to be that we would leave the tree up until the 12th day of Christmas, but with my daughter birthday on the 5th, she hated having the tree up. I also like to get life back to normal. However I have threatened not to give gifts until the 6th of January next year, as that is when Christ got his gifts from the Magi.

4. Do you like to watch scary movies?

Nope, nor do I read scary books. I like to sleep at night and some of that time is spent sleeping alone, so no scary for me. I like good-guy wins, happy ending type of movies.

5. ice skating~sledding~skiing~snowboarding~of the four listed which wintertime activity do you most enjoy?

Staying away from snow! Yeah, I live in Michigan, so that doesn't happen. With my legs and my body, I do not do any of the ones listed. However to play along, I do love to watch the X-games and Olympics and love skiing and snowboarding events. We also have a luge track fright up the road from me and I have always wanted to go try it out.

6. Did you have a childhood hideout? Describe it.

Yep. It was a small fort on a cave in the desert. My friends and I would go up and hang out. Not going to say what went on in there. When I was about 16 they bulldozed it and a housing track went up over it.

7. What's a place or space that motivates you?

Anywhere near water or where I can see for vast distances. It clears my head and allows me to think. I also love being where I can see the wide open sky during the day and the stars at night.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I finished my NYCO. I am happy with it and am starting the new year off on the right (and left) foot!

Happy 2012

2012-01-01T10:44:00.003-05:00

Start as you wish to go on.
There will be no washing today as I want no one in my family washed out. That means no laundry or dishes. There will be nothing taken out of the house before something comes in. No trash taken out, no money spent and no leaving home. These traditions work for me as it allows me to start as I wish to go on. No, not with a messy house (we will not talk about that today), but with coffee beside me, needles in my hands and a new project for the new year. We have a winter storm warning going on here and mother natures plans are for 8-12 inches of New Years snow. A good reason to stay snuggled up and knitting.

I decided on the Alpine Boots Slipper pattern and will make them up in Patons Classic Wool in Chestnut Brown with Fun fur (gasp) effects and a beige contrast stitching.

This is all out of my stash, so I am not spending money.
I want o step into the New Year with a smile on my face and Bev Galeskas patterns are so wonderful I know I will be happy knitting it up. I am not sure if I will do a short boot or try for the long boot. I will see as I am knitting on it and how I think it will fit.

Thank you all for stopping by and I wish you all the happiest of New Years.

Finishing Up 2011- Planning 2012

2011-12-31T12:46:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year's Eve!!

I decided to finally finish up some projects that have been on the needles or in need of blocking.

Costa Rica

NYCO 2010- Raglan sweater

Take 2- November Wrap

I am also planning my NYCO for 2012 and have decided to Step into the new year with a pair of slippers. My slippers that I finished in 2007, have worn a hole in the bottom. I am not sure if I will use the same pattern and make a fresh pair, or if I will make up one of these patterns:
Alpine boots, Lady Finkaas , or Men's Slippers .

Sarge and I are still deciding how we will spend the evening, but at least we will be together. I hope that you stay safe on New Year's Eve and that you all "Step into the New Year" with passion for what you love.

2011- A full year

2011-12-29T08:27:00.003-05:00

This year has filled my heart with happiness,

My husband was home on leave for our anniversary

Enjoyed fiber time with good friends

and good drinks

Went to Knit-a-way in the spring- 11 days of relaxing!

Sarge came home for good ?

Little Bear stole my heart

My other grandchildren already had it

Birthday weekend in Northern Michigan

Trip to a fiber mill

Visted the Tall Ships

Went wine tasting

Lots of spin/knit days with friends

Had a lovely couples retreat for Sarge and I

Did home repairs

Celebrated with Family

Hit art walk for a day

Watched my daughter grow into a beautiful young lady

Hosted Knittin' in the Mitten

Knit a ton

Crocheted even more

Went to the open air market

Played with my grandbabies

Spun some

Celebrated with friends

Drank lots of Scrumpy's

And had a very quiet Christmas

Here is hoping 2012 is even better!!

Last Hodgepodge Wednesday of 2011

2011-12-28T12:05:00.004-05:00

You can link up on Joyce's blog here

1. Share something you loved about your Christmas Day.

Our Christmas day here was very quiet. I loved that my husband was home and that we stayed in our PJ's all day and watched the Firefly marathon that the Science channel had on. I think we caught 12 of the 14 episodes. I need to watch the movie now and get it all wrapped up.

I know it is weird that this was our Christmas and that it will be one that I treasure, but being married to a military man, there are many Christmas's that we are not together and this one was perfect!

2. You get to put five items in a time capsule to be opened in 100 years, what items would you choose and why?

A book on paper. I wonder if we will still be able to buy them in 100 years. I hope so but with technology going as fast as it is, I wonder.

A land line phone. Yep, I still have one and I think they will be gone by then.

A sample of a hand written note. Not printed but cursive. Even in schools today teachers are not teaching handwriting like they used to. Keyboarding is taught in the years that I was taught cursive.

Miss manner etiquette book. Times have changed with what is OK and what is not. Even looking back to when my parents got married, the etiquette of being a wife and friend have changed. I wonder how funny what we do now would be in the future.

A simple photograph of my normal clothes- Jeans, tee, tennis shoes and cardigan.

3. What do you like on a cracker?

I am simple I love cheese and crackers. When I was in school, mom would always pack these as my snack with a piece of fruit. Still love it as an afternoon snack!

4. Do you make resolutions at the start of a new year? How'd that work out for you this past year?

No, I do not make resolutions. I do however try to start the new year with a new year cast on. Sometimes I have failed to finish the project before the next year and sometime I pick small items so I can start the year with a win project. This year I am going to cast on a Tam. Hopefully it will be a win.

5. What's a song or song lyric you'll associate with 2011?

Letters from Home
John Michael Montgomery

It ends like this...

I hold it up and show my buddies,
Like we ain't scared and our boots ain't muddy,
but no one laughs,
'Cause there ain't nothing funny when a soldier cries.
An' I just wipe me eyes.
I fold it up an' put it in my shirt,
Pick up my gun an' get back to work.
An' it keeps me driving me on,
Waiting on letters from home.

6. How will you ring in the new year?

Sarge and I have been invited to a friends for New Year's eve.

7. What is something you look forward to in 2012?

My son and his GF plan on getting married next summer.
My daughter will be into her 3rd year at college.
Hopefully my husband and I can carve out some us time as well.

Knittin' in the Mitten 2012 is on!! I have the lodge, I need the knitters!! More information can be found on the High Fiber Diet Forum on Ravelry.
Hope to see you there!!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I hope you all in some way look back on 2011 with fondness. It has been a tough year, but we made it through and that is better than the alternative!!

For me, I always look back with my crafting projects. This year I did not do as many as some years, but it was still a lot of knitting, crocheting, spinning and learning to weave. Only 28 items this year with 11 still on the needles. I guess I was busy with other things. I hope this next year will be a bit better.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T11:05:00.000-05:00

From our house to yours.
May you have the happiest of days.

Yule Time Fun

2011-12-22T14:54:00.002-05:00

I am telling you! It is Santa Claus NOT Sandy Claws

You think coal is bad in your stocking? Just wait for what I will leave you!

Only a good Reincat for two seconds

Oh the humiliation! What if the other cats see me this way?!

Maybe if I put holes in it the humans will not make me dress up again next year...

Just getting a bit of the Holiday spirit here.

GEEK (Cut) OUT

2011-12-16T17:48:00.003-05:00

Pinterest has become a new time suck for me. It is a site about pinning things that interest you. However, a lot like Ravelry, it allows me to take from the site and use my creativity to make things. Most of what I pin are recipes, but I found some geeky fun that took up my afternoon.

This is my front door!

Yep, those are Star Wars snowflakes!!!

You can find the PDF's to make them here

Blocking

2011-12-15T12:41:00.002-05:00

I posted a few items the other day and I just want to say I should not have called them finished objects. I don't feel something is finished until it is blocked and ready to wear. Blocking softens up the fabric as well as making all the stitches go where they are supposed to be. It makes the item crisp, but not crunchy.
Here are the before/after pictures of what I have finished this week.

Bandana cowl- Before

During blocking

After

Hogwarts express- Before

During blocking

after

ready to wear

Mantle before

During blocking

After- ready to wear

I also crocheted up a quick fuzzy cowl. I din't take before pictures.

Yes, I have blocking wires, mats, boards and such. I just didn't want to pull them out yesterday. I T-pinned the shawls to the hall wall and just laid out the cowls on the freezer. Do whatever you have to do but please, block your projects as it brings them to really being finished.

Hodgepodge Wednesday

2011-12-14T13:03:00.006-05:00

You can link up on Joyce's blog here

1. Do you put Christmas decorations in every room of your house? If not every room, what rooms do you decorate?

I used to do up Christmas with every bit of magic I could think of. But the kids are older and so are we. This year I am just not in the spirit of the season and don't even have my tree up. Sad because I know I will love it once it gets put up.

2. If you could visit one of the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) which one would you choose and why?

I have to choose one? I want to travel to all of them, preferably in the the warmer months of the year.

3. What does the word faith mean to you?

Believing with an open mind. Faith is personal to each person and should be treated with respect.

4. You can go back to your childhood for one day...what day and age would you choose?

2 days-

I think I was 4 or 5 when my dad took me up for touch-n-go practice. This was special because we hardly ever got one on one time with dad. I was able to spend the whole day with him and he let me take the controls of the plane for the first time while we were in flight that day. It led to me loving to fly.

The second would be when I was a teenager. My mom always made a big deal about setting up for Christmas. We would put on Christmas music and sing out loud while we undid the boxes of glitz. We would then decorate the tree with all of the ornaments talking about where we had lived when we got the items and whose ornament it was we were placeing on the tree. Each person got a new one every Christmas eve to put on the tree and then they were packed up each year in that person's box. I wish I knew what happened to my box.

5. When did you last have 'punch'? If it's not too much trouble share your favorite punch recipe.

At my daughter graduation party. I made a basic punch of red Hawaiian punch, 7up and Rainbow Sherbert.

6. Do you fill stockings at your house? Are stockings opened before or after the bigger gifts?

We normally do. Not sure about this year. Stockings are always opened before the big persents. It was the one thing the kids could open before breakfast.

7. What takes your breath away?

Holding my grand children and listening to them laugh. I cannot get enough of them.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

FO's

2011-12-13T13:53:00.002-05:00

Bandana cowl- Hand spun BFL

Purple ruffle scarf- Red Heart

Magnificent Mantle- Step it up from Mary Maxim

Hogwarts Express- Handspun- Merino & BFL

The ABC's of me

2011-12-12T14:20:00.003-05:00

I saw this on a knitting friend’s blog and loved the idea.
I have been having blog block, so maybe this will get me going again.

A: Attitude. My personality is loud and I have been told you can tell my attitude by my hair color.
B: Baker. This is my maiden name. I am also the baby in my family.
C: Cat lover. Though I like dogs and have had them in the past. I have hardly ever had a time in my life where I have not been owned by cats.
D: Disorganized. Yep, type B personality and all that. My house is always cluttered and I am always to trying to fix that but get distracted and find things that are more fun than cleaning.
E: Eleanor. My aunt that I always wanted to be like. She did what she wanted, when she wanted but was very grounded and much of a Grande Dame.
F: Fashion Train. I think I got off this a long time ago. I like ease and comfort even when I have to dress up. My go to clothes are jeans and a simple tee.
G: Gramma (not Grandma- no kids pronounce it like that) I love this new name I have acquired and wear it with pride.
H: History. This is a passion of mine. I love to learn what has happened in the past.
I: Italian food. I love Italian foods. The pasta, the veggies, the sauces. Simple but filling comfort foods.
J: Jeremy is my son. I am proud of how he has landed on his feet in the life choices he has made.
K: Knitter. Yes, with a capital K. I also crochet, spin, weave and tat.
L: Laughter. I love to laugh. A day without laughter is a lost day to me.
M: Married. I am married to the most wonderful man, who at times can drive me completely nuts. I would not change this for anything!
N: Not shy. I am a people person. I like crowds but do not like to be the center of attention.
O: Opinionated. If you ask for it, I will give it to you. If you don't like my answer, ask someone else.
P: Podcaster. I host The High Fiber Podcast with my husband.
Q: Quitter. Or working on it. I want to quit smoking and be done with the nasty habit forever.
R: Red hair. Not by birth like my brother, but by bottle. My husband met me as a red head and likes that I stay that way most of the year.
S: Student. I attend Baker College online and in Muskegon. I hope to be finished up by summer 2012.
T: Teal or turquoise. My power colors.
U: Unique. My first name is KaRi.
V: Veronica is my daughter. She is quirky and fun and I love her so.
W: Wine. Love wine. I lean more towards sweet than dry, but will drink most with a smile.
X: eXercise. I try to exercise everyday. I am getting better at it as I have to for my health. I like dancing, walking and yoga. I am going to try to work up to doing P90X with my husband by summer.
Y: Yarn. I love yarn. I use it, collect it, make it, admire it, pet it...yeah I am addicted to it.
Z: Zill. I love the finger cymbals that are used in belly dancing.

Let the Holidays Begin

2011-12-01T17:19:00.004-05:00

Kerstmarkt is a Christmas market in the traditions of the Netherlands. They are outdoor markets that spring up all over for local artisans to sell their wares. This is a market I have wanted to go and shop at for a few years now. With weather the way it is here in west Michigan, I was just not able to make that happen until this year. The day after Thanksgiving, yes, black Friday, Sarge and I went down to this market and had fun walking around and seeing the booths. It was a very warm day for the end of November and well worth the 30 minute drive down to Holland.

While walking through the marketplace, we saw fur dealers, which brings to mind what trade was like here in West Michigan in the olden days. Fur trappers and traders were a major money maker in Michigan back when the state was first established.

Yes, those are deer skins, but there was also sheep, caribou, bear, raccoon and others available for purchase. None came home with me.

Hand blown glass ornaments and jewelry from another vendor.

Shady Side Farm was there with not only the wool they raise and sell, but also harvest items from their farm. I pick up some heirloom beans to make up some soup.

Sarge really like the local photography booth and picked up a coffee mug to add to his collection.

I also came home with a new hand turned wooden spoon to replace the one I had broken this year. I do love kitchen items. I did not get a picture of the booth, sorry.

While we were there we also picked up two of the yummiest molasses cookies (no sugar added recipe) to munch on while we walked around. It was a fun way to spend Black Friday. Not out amongst the big box stores, but shopping locally at a market that is just a little bit of history being passed on to future generations.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

2011-11-30T20:16:00.002-05:00

You can link up on Joyce's Blog

1. Do you send Christmas cards? If so about how many will you send this year? How do you display the cards you receive? Or don't you? (gasp!)

I send Christmas cards when we can. Mostly I send to family and hand out to friends. My list is not huge. I display all card I receive on the inside of the front door.

2. When do kids become adults?

Age of majority is 18. However, I think they really become adults when they can handle life on their own. My father used to say you didn't really stop growing up until you reached about 35. It is when you can say you are happy with who you are. For me, I think that happened at 40.

3. Does your 'beauty regimen' change with the seasons?

Beauty regimen like makeup and such, no. I hardly ever wear makeup. only if we are going out. However I do use more lotions in the winter as my hands get dry. I also use more lip balm. I can't stand lip gloss, feels sticky to me, so balm it is. I do still use spf 15 on my face year round if I am going outside.

4. What's something you like to eat that might cause another person to turn up their nose?

Nacho cheese Doritos and tuna fish salad. I use the fish as a dip. It is SO good!

5. Gloves or mittens?

Gloves. I like to be able to use my hands.

6. What's the longest queue you've ever been in? Was it worth it? Queue=line but doesn't queue

sound nicer?

I think it would have to an amusement park queue. However I am not sure for what. Might have been when Star Wars first came to Disneyland, or when The Revolution opened at Magic Mountain.

7. Besides Christmas, what is one thing you are looking forward to in the month of December?

New Year's Eve. It is the anniversary of when Sarge and I met. When we are together for this celebration, we go out and have a good time of it.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I have caught the crud. It has settled in my chest and throat and I am just getting to the point where I can talk again. I sounded like Minne Mouse for a few days and have had a heck of a time sleeping laying down. Sarge and I talked about that and we have decided that we really do need new furniture. We want at least two recliners for when either of us feel like this that way we can still sleep but be somewhat upright.

Hope everyone where you are is healthy.

Thanksgiving Hodgepodge

2011-11-23T13:01:00.003-05:00

You can link up on Joyce's Blog

1. Let's start with something controversial...dressing or stuffing? What's it called at your house and what's included in your recipe...cornbread? oysters? sausage? chestnuts?

Stuffing if it is cooked in the bird and Dressing if it is not.

I make Stuffin' muffins, which should be called Dressin' muffins, as they are cooked in muffin tins, but it doesn't flow as well.

The cornbread recipe I use is here. I cut the amounts in 1/2 and add water chestnuts to the mix. Then I over pack 12 muffin tins with it. I bake at 375 for about 30 minutes to get it good and crunchy.

I always make chile the night before as an excuse to make the cornbread ahead of time. Cornbread for dressing needs to be day old for firmness.

2. Who do you sometimes compare yourself to?

Oh my...Other family members. I sound like my sister Patti, act sometimes like my sister Shawn. I have a mouth like my brother Kelly and wish I had the patience of my brother Marc. However in aging, I am happy to say I am turning out like my mom and dad.

3. When were you last inside an airport?

A couple weeks ago when I picked my husband up from Military training. I have spent way too much time in airports in the last couple of years. I hope I can stay away from them for a while.

4. What is one side dish that absolutely must be included in a turkey dinner?

Mom's cranberry relish.

1 2lb pkg raw cranberries (the bagged berries)

1 pkg black cherry jello

1 orange Washed

1 cup sugar

2 cup boiling water

In blender blend cranberries with the orange , rind too so wash it first. In serving bowl pour boiling water over sugar and jello mix. Stir until dissolved, mix in cranberry puree. Let set in fridge.

5. What Christmas song do you dread hearing?

None, I love Christmas music. My husband does not, so I don't play it at home, but when I am in the car or out shopping, I love to listen and sometimes sing along.

6. If someone approaches you and asks for money do you give it to them? Do you drop money 'in a tin cup' that belongs to a person on the street? Do you have a specific charity you support during the holiday season and/or year round?

Multiple questions- is this cheating Joyce?

If approached on the street, no I do not give money. If we are near a fast food place I will buy a burger.

I drop money in the bell ringers pot at stores, we do not have people with tin cups here where I live.

We have several charities that we donate to on a regular basis.

7. Share a favorite Thanksgiving memory. If you live in a country that doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving share a favorite memory associated with food.

My favorite memory of Thanksgiving was the last one we spent with mom and dad. I started the cooking as mom was unable. As the rest of the family arrived, they took over a part of the kitchen and made that part of dinner. Coming together at the dinner table was bittersweet.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My random thought is for new traditions. As one ages, things that have always been, change. When children move out and start their own family, the coming together at holiday times can be hard on both the parent and the adult child. Try not to make it too hard on your family by insisting they come to your house. It is OK to give the day to someone else to plan and to cook. However, helping with the clean up is always appreciated! Everyday is a day of giving thanks, not just one during the year. Families need to stop making this time stressful and allow for the joy of just being together. Traditions start because someone starts them and others follow suit. New traditions in a family means that it is moving forward and growing. Embrace it.

Permission Slip

2011-11-22T13:07:00.003-05:00

We all suffer through the holidays. I have been reading both Twitter and Plurk the last couple of days and find a lot of my friends are having stress over the upcoming holiday. Family stresses about going somewhere, not going somewhere, dietary issues that might arise. What I wonder is if people are really wanting to be part of a holiday where you are miserable or if this is just the tradition that they feel they must adhere.
Well here is your permission slip to say no!
Get off the guilt train and declare you are no longer on track with their trip. As it is their trip, not yours. You do not have to be miserable this holiday season! You can be happy! Start your own tradition for the holiday. Gather your friends or just your family (if you have moved on and have one) and have a day that you can enjoy.
Don’t feel like you can cook a turkey (it is very easy) then get turkey breast, cutlets or even a chicken or Cornish hen for one. If you don’t like bird, make what ever the heck you want to make! (Lasagna anyone?) If you like stuffing but not yams- DO IT! Enjoy yourself.
Here is how the family here does it:
MIL/FIL likes to go to a buffet- so they go.
BIL/SIL likes to hold a dessert party in the evening- so they do- not required to attend.
SIL x2 like to go where they are invited by friends or family and this works.
I normally host Thanksgiving, but this year my son is, so we will go there and I will make a turkey breast on Friday or Saturday for leftovers. I will also make cranberry sauce and Stuffin’ Muffins for the day of, but that is not a big deal and we like it.
If you want to watch football, the parades, or movies, do so. If you want to BBQ the bird and have a game of horseshoes, do so. If you want to curl up in the corner of your couch reading a book or knitting all day, do so. This holiday is not about family- It is about giving thanks. This means thanking yourself for being the person that you are and allowing yourself to enjoy the day as much as everyone else.
This is your permission slip to be happy on Thanksgiving and do what you really want to do. Enjoy!

Been Busy!

2011-11-15T15:09:00.002-05:00

It has been a while since I posted. I have good excuses, but I will not go into them. I'll just show you what I have been up to.

Knittin' in the Mitten Retreat

More photos: We had a lot of fun!!I am glad it went well and am crazy enough to want to do it again next year.
Without these two ladies, and a few others, my sanity would not be entact.

The day after I had lots of medical tests (all came back ok) and surgery on my foot to partially remove a spur and callous it had caused. I had to be off my feet for a while after this so I had time to rest.
This was ok with me as we had the first snow of the season right after that

It is inevitable, but I do not have to like it.
Sarge and I attended a friends 25th wedding anniversary/ renewal of vows/ retirement party

Yep that is my finished Tapanzee sweater. I did snaps and mock buttons.

I spent some of my down time knitting and Boo brought me a pretty cookie to cheer me up.

Hopefully I will be able to keep up here now that all the activity is over.

Stuff-in

2011-10-26T14:48:00.002-04:00

On Saturday friends showed up to help me stuff the Goody bags for the upcoming retreat.

They were much faster at stuffing bags than I am so what I thought would take a few hours, they had done in 15 minutes.
With the extra time we also stuffed the second night hand outs and all of the door prizes into bags and selected how things will be handed out.
Thanks you!!
I am really excited that the retreat is only 9 sleeps away, but getting really nervous with all I have left to do.

Grand Baby fix

2011-10-24T21:58:00.002-04:00

And welcome home Sarge

and even Gizmo wanted Gramma:

Fibery Weekend

2011-10-17T21:04:00.002-04:00

Headed down to Dena's this weekend to a spinning day.
I had to pull myself out the door. I have become a homebody.
I did have fun though.

What I worked on

I also finished my Tapanzee. It is unblocked and needs the ends sewn in.

And I got my Unwind Yarn Co. order.

Hope you had a fibery weekend too.

Hodgepodge Wednesday

2011-10-12T11:23:00.004-04:00

Link up on Joyce's Blog

1. Have you ever been 'asked' to report for jury duty? Were you chosen to serve? If not, were you happy or disappointed?

No, but I would love to serve.

2. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being very), how mechanically inclined are you? Give an example to back up your answer.

I think an eight. I used to be ASE certified for auto repair and a parts professional at a leading auto parts store. I grew up working on cars with my brothers and family still check with me before taking their car to a repair shop.
In the house, I am the fix it person. It is not that Sarge can't fix things, it is that I am home to fix things and he normally is not. His schedule leaves little time for being my fix-it man. If I can't do it, I call a repair person.

3. Beets-cabbage-cauliflower-butternut squash....of the four, which is your favorite fall vegetable?

Tough choice there. I do not like beets so those are out. I love cabbage, boiled with vinegar or shredded in a salad. Cauliflower is yummy both cooked and raw. I love it mashed instead of potatoes. Butternut Squash, roasted with a bit of dark brown sugar or molasses is my favorite of the ones to chose from.

4. What do you recommend to overcome self-pity?

Get over it! If you live your life enjoying yourself and being happy with who you are, you will not have self-pity. Pity to me (not a professional on the topic) means that you are trying to keep up with someone else and are not happy with what you have. Be good to yourself and know that you are you. God does not make mistakes!

5. Do you enjoy classical music?

Yes. I have to be in the right frame of mind to enjoy it, but I do enjoy it when that happens. As a teenager I was introcuced to Gustav Holst The Planets. This is still one of my favorite CD's for driving. It is wonderful to listen to.

6. October is National Book Month...what's on your reading list this month?

I am currently rereading the Harry Potter series with my husband. We are on Book 5 and love talking about the differences between the books and the movies.
Also on my bed side table is Hannah's List by Debbie Macomber. I have not started it yet, but will try to finish it before the month is out.

7. What is your idea of 'cute'?

Anything that makes you smile and think awe...

8. Insert your own random thought here

The cold germies have hit our house. I love this time of year for the pretty colors but dislike it for the hot/cold days, the changes of air quality and the burning of leaves that people do. It drives my head crazy. Yesterday I went to bed early with hot tea and sudafed. This morning I took more of the sudafed and am feeling a bit better but not enough that I want to leave the house. A pet peeve for me is people who go into public when they are sick. I know they have to go out, but wear a mask or something so you are not making everyone else sick. sigh, stepping off my soapbox.

Hodgepodge Wednesday

2011-10-05T16:58:00.003-04:00

Join us here on Joyce's blog

1. What's your favorite meal to serve on a chilly autumn evening?

A good pot of soup like cheddar potato and fresh baked beer bread. My rule on the type of beer to use when making the bread is the darker the soup, the darker the beer. If you are not partial to beer bread, use the recipe with orange soda and lemon peel to get a fruity bread that is great for breakfast.

2. Are you a creature of habit? Explain.

Yes, and no. I am a creature of traditions. I do holidays a certain way and like to keep them the same year to year. This stems from me being raised in a family that moved quite a bit. The traditions kept us grounded even if we were in a new home. However, I love to try new things and go new places. I like to travel and am always up for a road trip. I do not have to go to the same place to eat or hang out with the same people all the time.

3. What food product (no longer readily available) do you remember and miss from days gone by?

Funny you ask this today. I have been craving a burger all day. Not just any burger, but an In-and-out Burger. I want it with fresh fries and a big vanilla shake. Yes, there are burger joints here in West michigan, but I cannot get the burger I want. I really need to go visit family out on the west coast soon.

4. What's something you've lost that you've never been able to find? Any theories as to what happened?

My Justin Roper boots. They were short boots made for women. I cannot replace them as the only short boots they have now have grippy soles. My boots had all leather soles and were perfect for wearing to the corral or danicing on a dance floor. The boots got lost on my move from California to Michigan. I keep searching the site hoping they will bring them back.

5. Zoo~circus~ carnival...your favorite?

Carnival. I like the midway games, the greasy food, the fun atmosphere. However I would give all that up for a wool/fiber festival.

6. What song makes you feel instantly happy?

7. To what extent are you an argumentative person?

Truthfully, very. If I know a subject and I know I am right. I can argue until the cows come home.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I dyed my hair today.

No make up, but this is me.

A whale of a walk

2011-10-02T15:00:00.002-04:00

This morning Sarge and I decided to go to the Art Walk here in Grand Haven. It is an event that goes on until October 8th that has local artists putting up art in venues around the downtown area.
We started with breakfast at

where I knitted while waiting for our meal

I had ordered a vegetable scramble

and Sarge had fresh corned beef hash & eggs

After we headed back to the car and this sign caught my eye. Yes, my inner 12 year old came out.

Downtown was covered in the "Rocket Fish" which I think look like whales.

I loved the upside down fish!

More can be seen on my flicker page
There was also art (that we really came to see)

One of my hooker friends did this entry

Sarge took a look at the channel coming off Lake Michigan. He also said the sundial was off by a bit (ha)

We also found a new to us brew house here in Grand Haven. For those coming to the retreat next month- it is not within walking distance- sorry

The fish there was in barrel disguise

There were another fun sign we saw hanging about. Yeah, don't think I will be buying any!

Hope you had a fun Sunday as well.

Hodgepodge Wednesday

2011-09-28T11:23:00.005-04:00

You can link up here

1. It is officially fall here in North America...I realize not everyone who participates in the Hodgepodge lives in North America but if you do, what's your favorite memory of Summer 2011? If you're not in North America, what's your favorite memory of the season just ending on your side of the world?

The best part of summer 2011 for me was spending time with my husband. In all the years we have been together we have never had 3 months with no work, no plans and just us. This summer we had that and the reconnection between us is wonderful.

2. Your favorite nut? You know I mean the edible kind, right?

Cashews. I love them plain or on pizza.

3. What activity puts your sense of balance to the test?

Yoga. Try to do yoga at least 4 times a week.

4. How would you describe your sense of humor?

Open. I love to laugh and I laugh at weird stuff others don't.

5. September 28th is National Ask a Stupid Question Day...what's your stupid question?

Oops! I forgot to add my stupid question. Though I really don't feel like any question is stupid. I will tell about the time I came home from school sick. I ran to the bathroom to do what I had to do and my mom asked me through the door if I was doing ok. I answered, yeah mom, I just puke because I like to, really I am doing ok. Ok, not a stupid question, now looking back, as I have asked my kids the same thing, but at the time I felt it was a very stupid question. If I was ok, I would not be puking.

6. Roller skates~hula hoop~jump rope...which activity would you most enjoy? Yes, you have to choose.
Hula hoop, not that I will be doing that anytime soon.

7. What's your most sentimental possession?

I have my mothers sewing machine. It is an old free-white westinghouse and she made most of my early clothes on it.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Fall is starting to show here. The trees are getting on their fancy pants.
This photo is from last year, can't wait to see the colors this year!

Sock day

2011-09-15T18:51:00.002-04:00

It was a crisp day here in West Michigan, but I am happy as it is the 1st day I got to wear my hand knit socks for the season. These also happen to be the very first socks I ever knit myself. They have held up well.

Hodgepodge Wednesday

2011-09-14T18:26:00.003-04:00

You can link up here

1. What do you do at the first sign of a cold? Will you get a flu shot this year?

For colds I take hot tea and lots of rest. Hot chicken soup normally plays into the game as well. Yes, I will get a flu shot at my regular check up in September.

2. What advice can you give about how to conquer fear?

Face it. I have certain things in life that I do fear, but I face them head on. I may bitch about them while it is happening, but I always enjoy the rush of living through it.

3. Share two good things about your life right now.

My kids. Bear and Boo are both turning into good adults and I am very proud of them.

4. A hot fall fashion trend in 2011 is a return to sixties style...tunics with pants, shift dresses, pencil skirts, cinched waists, bold prints, high necklines and short lengths to name a few. How does this fashion trend fit with your wardrobe and personal sense of style?

Yeah, not going to happen. I didn't live through the 60's except for the last 6 months and I am not going down that fashion trend. I am a jeans and t-shirt type of person. I stepped off the fashion train a long time ago. I dress for comfort and warmth.

5. Were you involved in scouting as a kid? How about as an adult?

Yes, and yes. I was a girl scout for a while and I was a Cadette leader as an adult.

6. Apple, pear, plum, pumpkin...your favorite fall flavor?

Apple. Though you didn't list my favorite fall fruit, which is cranberry. I look forward to going apple picking and making apple butter, pies and chutney for the year. YUM!

7. What characteristics do you think are essential in a good teacher?

The ability to allow mistakes and teaching how to learn from those mistakes.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

The days are turning cooler here and I am loving it. It is time for me to pull out my fall sweaters and get them washed and blocked. I have 4 more sweaters on the needles right now and a couple of shawls. This is my type of fashion and my time of year!

Crafting Saturday

2011-09-12T13:32:00.002-04:00

This last Saturday my crafting group got together and had a day of Carding, spinning, weaving, dyeing, wine drinking and generally having fun!
Pictures here
and my finished results:

Yarn:

Fiber:

Spinning:

So much fun!
If you are in the area, we are getting together again October 15th.

Turkey Day-Not Thanksgiving

2011-09-08T10:51:00.004-04:00

It is a cheap meal, if you count all the additional meals you get from just one day of cooking.
Cost of turkey: $24
Time to roast it: 5 hours
Finished result:

How I cooked it:

Rinse turkey and remove neck and giblet bag.
Salt inside of bird.
Set in roasting pan with rack.
Lift skin and cut away fat from neck.
In bowl mix minced garlic, olive oil, minced onion, and sage. (to taste)
Lift skin again and pour mixture under the skin. Pat along skin on top to get the mixture all over the bird.
Sprinkle poultry seasoning over top of bird and drizzle with olive oil.

Place in preheated oven (350)

Set timer for 4 hours and walk away.
I do not tent my turkey or baste during this time.
At 4 hours, check bird. If juices from thigh run clear, check with a meat thermometer. 165 is needed. If it is not that warm, put the bird back in and check every 30 minutes until done.

Yep- no basting. Not hard work.

When done, pull bird out of oven and let it set for at least 20 minutes. Do not pick at it. Yes I know picking is yummy and you want to, really- leave it alone! This lets all the juices settle and you will have moist turkey.

Now carve for dinner.
I also cut everything off the bird at this time. I put stuff in freezer bags so we can eat later.
I save one breast just for turkey sandwiches -- Sarge's favorite part of the turkey!
The first night we eat off the other breast and I made Apple cranberry dressing on the side. I omitted the liver, used chicken stock. I also used sour dough and corn breads instead of wheat and white. It was yummy!

I made gravy from the neck bone (boiled in 4 cups of water and then thrown out) and added the dripping from the pan. Season to taste with salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, onion and garlic. Make a rue (I use flour and part of the water from the pan but you can use cornstarch if you wish) thicken and serve. I make enough to fill a 2qt pan, that way I can freeze it for later use. I use ice cube trays to freeze it and pop them out into a Ziploc bag.

Dinners pulled off the turkey were 7- including last nights, plus, I will boil the bones and make stock for later meals. Cost average then is: $24/8= $3 per meal for meat. Plus we get at least 4 days of turkey sandwiches for lunch.

Enjoy!!

Hodgepodge: Random ones

2011-09-07T13:49:00.001-04:00

You can link up for Hodgepodge here

1. What is one piece of advice you would give a 'just turning' 21- year old adult?

Just one? I always give three.
1. Don't sweat the petty stuff. Our lives get bogged down in the small stuff that won't matter 10 years from now. These are not the things we need to stress about. Life will take care of them as it happens.
2. Start your retirement savings now and do not touch it until you are 62. If you start now, you will have a retirement to play with in your golden years.
3. Always get short and long term disability with your insurance at work. You are young, but you are not made of rubber. Accidents happen (see yesterdays blog post) and there are times that you need to be covered so that you can heal properly.

2. Besides cooler weather (or warmer weather, depending on your hemisphere) what is one thing you are looking forward to this fall?

Wearing my hand knits. I love wearing hand knit socks and hand knit sweaters. Other than that, apple and pumpkin picking. I always make apple butter in the fall and make up pie filling in advance, but this year I want to make pumpkin butter. Sarge fell in love with this stuff from the farmers market and I want to try making it.

3. What sound lulls you to sleep?

Spoken words. I fall asleep to podcasts or books. I used to fall asleep to my husbands grumbly voice. The natural lull of a good conversation, that I am not participating in, will put me to sleep.

4. September is National Preparedness Month...does your family have an emergency 'kit' and/or disaster plan in place?
LOL, my husband is all over this. Yes, we are prepared as much as we can be. We could last a while without having to shop for food (or hunt if that is the case). We have meeting places and emergency points all set up.

5. How has your blog changed since you started blogging? Or has it?

Oh my gosh- my fist blog was over on msn, now I am on blogger. I talk a lot more about life now, it used to just be crafting. I think the biggest pull of that is the podcast, because I talk about crafting more on that. I try not to overlap the podcast and the blog too much, but sometimes it happens.

6. What's something you've recently learned to do on the computer?

Ctrl e to center words in a word doc. This has helped me so much in doing homework.

7. Is a picture worth a thousand words? Elaborate.

This photo was taken hours before I dropped my husband back at the base to leave for Afghanistan.

It says so much to me.

8. Insert your own random here.

I am looking for ways to take anxiety out of my life. This last weekend has shown me that I need to know how to relax. I am trying meditation, but will go the route of medication if I have to. Any suggestions? (not in medications, I will go with my doctor on that)

Labor day Weekend

2011-09-06T15:59:00.000-04:00

Thoughts carried our family forward last week while we planned for the holiday weekend. Sarge was going to have two days off in a row and we were going to spend time together. Boo had just started back to college and had plans with her boyfriend and their friends and Bear is coaching football, so he was tied up with little ones. Big plans, nice dreams.
What happened instead was not anything any of us had planned.
I got a phone call about 5pm on Friday that I never want to get again. Boo had just left with her boyfriend in his car to head out to his house to study and then I think they were planning on a bonfire. Well, they got to the end of the main road we live off of and were turning onto the road that takes them to his house...and they got into an accident.
The phone call went like this..
Boo, " Mom please get up and come help me we have been in an accident."
Me, "Are you ok, hae you called 911? "
Boo," No, I called you first, we cannot move."
Me, "where are you?"
Boo,"(name of intersection), off duty police officer is here, please come mom!!"

I only stopped to call Sarge as I was finding my shoes and purse. I jumped in the car and headed to where she was. I did not take my camera, I did not think to take my camera, all I could think of getting to Boo. He met me at the scene and held me together.

I now wish I had the camera.

They had to cut the car to get the kids out.
Here is what it looked like after.
Boo's side of the car

Boyfriends side of the car

The skid marks

Watching people you love pulled from a car is hard. All I wanted to do was hold my little girl, but I knew to stay out of the way and let the professionals do thier jobs.
Everyone in the other car walked away.
Here is a shot of Boo after they gave her painkillers.

We spent 7 hours at the hospital getting everything checked out.

Both kids are home and on the mend now.
Thank the Lord.
We spent the rest of the weekend at home.
Our weekend did not go as planned, but everyone is alive.
Please be safe driving.

Playing Tourist

2011-08-29T13:44:00.003-04:00

A while ago I heard someone say that you only get to be on earth once and that if you avoid all the touristy things around you, you are missing out on most of the fun. I live in a tourist area of West Michigan, about 5 miles (give or take) from Lake Michigan. People from all over come to our area to spend time and see the sites. Why then, do I feel funny about enjoying these sites as well, since I live here. Well, this last year I have decided that I am not longer going to feel funny about seeing these sites and I am going to enjoy them.
This last weekend was Stitches in the Chicago area and I really wanted to go but I knew it was not in our finances. So Sarge and I decided to spend the day being a tourist in the area we live in. We started the lazy Saturday slow with homemade coffee and then headed out to the farmers market. We tasted fruits and veggies of the local farmers, picked up some Red Haven peaches, applebutter BBQ sauce and Pineapple salsa for later. We also picked up some fresh rosemary garlic bread to have with dinner this week. Yum! We so need to get to the farmers market more often!
After that we went for brunch at the Morning Star cafe. This cafe was so packed there was a 40 minute wait just to be seated. As we know the wait is worth it, we put our name on the list and then headed next door to the local bookstore. I love this book store. The old kind with the bell on the door when you walk in to let the people working there know they have a customer. This book stores name is The Bookman and if you are ever in Grand Haven, stop by and then have lunch next door. After we shopped around for a while, we had our brunch of breakfast burittos (mine with avocados-his without) and then decided to go up to Muskegon Harbor where the Columbus Foundation was displaying The Nina and The Pinta. Replicas of two of the three ships that Columbus brought to find passage to the Orient. It was very interesting how the boats were made in the same way they would have been when Columbus had sailed. Here are photos Yes it was hot, yes I got sunburned, what's new? I always get sunburned! I was wearing sunblock, but chalk it up to being a touist that I got sunburned, isn't that just part of the fun?
After a few hours of climbing all over the ships and talking to the people who sail them from port to port, we decided that wine tasting was in order. We headed back to Grand Haven and went to the Lemon creek Winery tasting room. I think they opened here a year ago, but I have not yet had the pleasure of tasing the wines. Sarge is more of a beer drinker than a wine drinker, so I was on my own for the tasting. For $5.00 I got to taste 5 of their wines, plus we paid the extra $2.00 so I could try their white sangria. I ended up purchasing a bottle of cherry wine and a bottle of white wine, close to a moscato but not quite as sweet.
Most of the businesses around Grand Haven have fish outside their doors. These fish are decorated in a way that represents the business that made them. I love the one from the Winery. It is made out of wine corks with the bottom of a bottle for the eye. It made me smile, as did the sign that was hanging out side the entrance And that will be my motto for the week.
I also found time to finish the cuff of Susie and start on the 1st sleeve

Hope your weekend was just as fun.

2011-08-24T19:55:00.003-04:00

1. What is something that bothers you if it's not done perfectly?

Nothing. I am not a perfectionist. Really! I had to ask my husband,Sarge, and even he answered nothing. He is the type A of our relationship. I am very type B.

2. Do you think a 6th sense exists? Explain.

Like the movie and seeing dead people? NO
Like a gut feeling that you need to trust, absolutely!

3. Do you say your goodbyes slowly, quickly, or not at all?

This depends on who I am saying good bye to and how. On the phone, quickly, but I hate talking on the phone. In person, it depends on the person.

4. On a scale of 1-10, with ten being hot hot hot, what level of spice do you like in your food? What's your favorite 'spicy' dish?

I would say I like a 7. My favorite is Arroz con Pollo. A light, easy version can be found here I add fresh lemon to it to top it off.

5. What is one of your all time favorite commercial jingles?

Toys R Us- because I am a Toys R Us kid.

6. Plane, train, boat or auto...your preferred method of travel?

Preferred, plane. I love to fly. Most often, car, but I also love to drive.

7. What is something you take for granted?

My husband and kids. I need to work on this. They are wonderful people.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I am starting a cable knit and crochet along on the High Fiber Diet podcast group on Ravelry. If you want to join us, please do.
I will be knitting the Susie Hoodie, but you are free to knit (or crochet) anything with cables in it.

(Photo from google online)

Grand Children

2011-08-20T06:14:00.002-04:00

The are the light of my life!

The other day I got to spend the day with two of them.

Lil Miss Z

And Lil Bear

We colored

Played in the Jumpy chair

Had a lunch of PB&J (Lil bear had cereal)

Got washed up after that

And got tickled by the cats

and then it was time to go home

I love the little scowl.
I was wiped after I took them home!!

Shawl Kick

2011-08-11T12:17:00.002-04:00

I have been on a shawl kick lately.

My husband brought some home to me from Afghanistan:

I am also knitting some:

Hitchhiker shawl done in Alpaca

Eyjafjallajökull Shawl in Little Traveler

Rustic Autumn shawl done in my hand spun

Hodgepodge Wednesday

2011-08-10T14:31:00.002-04:00

Please join along and link up here

1. If you could work for any one government agency which would you choose and why? (if you're in the US here's a helpful list)

I have worked for a couple government agencies in the past. Some were better jobs than others.
At this time I would say, given a choice I would want to work for the Department of the Interior. Our country has great reserves set aside for people to enjoy and this department is what takes care of those areas.

2. How difficult is it for you to forgive someone who refuses to apologize?

I tend to forgive easily but never forget. An apology is something that is given when the person truely means it, this does not mean I cannot move on from whatever happened before the apology is given.

3. What is your favorite meatless supper?

I have two. Stuffed ravioli with spinach and mushrooms, and slow simmered bean soup.

4. Wednesday August 10th is National Lazy Day...will you be celebrating? If so, tell us how so we can be lazy too.

Gee, I wish I had known this earlier. Nope, I have laundry going, dishes to be done and letter to write. No loafing for me today.

5. As a child did you have any special back to school traditions and if so, what were they? If you're a parent did you carry on those traditions with your own children?

Other than back to school shopping and getting all my needed items in order, nope. My parents did make us go to bed earlier the last week of vacation so we would be ready to get up on the 1st day of school. I did do all of this with my kids.

6. Write a summer tongue twister.

Sweet song of summer sunsets sounds softly as the sun submerges.

7. Would you be interested in observing a surgery or do you turn away when the nurse brings out the needle?

I have been awake during a few of my surgeries. Not something I would want to watch though. I do not cringe or look away from getting a shot or giving bloos. I think the color of my blood is pretty.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I just uploaded my lastest podcast. It is located here

Room Make Over- Part 2

2011-08-04T11:45:00.003-04:00

The craft room is coming together.

From the doorway

Looking across the room to the craft corner

Looking back at the bookcases (I still need to sort the books)

This is the last part of the room that needs to be done. We are going to move the main computer amoire here so we can have quiet to do homework and hopefully better sound quality on the podcast.

There is room for the queen bed to be set up for guests or a few chairs for spinning. I think I will like this room.

As I was cleaning inside, Sarge was cleaning outside

See all that trash, yep it is what I cleared out of the crap room. YAY!

Late Wednesday Hodgepodge

2011-08-03T22:43:00.002-04:00

Link up here and play along

1. Share a favorite song lyric.

I know I have shared this song before, but it has my favorite lyric in it.

Billy Joel- You're my Home

When you look into my eyes
And you see the crazy gypsy in my soul
It always comes as a surprise
When I feel my withered roots begin to grow
Well, I never had a place that I could call my very own
But that's alright my love,
'Cause your my home

When you touch my weary head
And you tell me ev'rything will be alright
You say use my body for your bed
And my love will keep you warm throughout the night
Well, I'll never be a stranger
And I'll never be alone
Where ever we're together that's my home

Home can be the Pennsylvania Turnpike
Indiana early morning dew
High up in the hills of California
Home is just another word for you

If I traveled all my life
And I never get to stop and settle down
Long as I have you by my side
There's a roof above and good walls all around
You're my castle, you're my cabin and my instant pleasure dome
I need you in my house 'cause you're my home

2. When was the last time someone yelled at you?

At me, a while ago. I am the yeller in our family :(

3. Money, fame, happiness...are they mutually exclusive?

I think if you find happiness then the others really don't matter. I think you can have all three at the same time though.

4. What is your favorite dish to prepare for family and friends that doesn't require turning on the stove, oven or an outdoor grill?

Does a crockpot work?

Pulled Meat Sammie

2-3 pounds of lean meat (pork roast, chicken or beef)
1 small jar unsweetened Applesauce
1 bottle of cheap traditional BBQ sauce
Rolls
Coleslaw (optional)
Place meat in crock-pot. Pour applesauce over; pour ½ of BBQ sauce over.
Place lid and cook on high for 4 hours. At this time if your meat has fat on it, defat it.
Cook another 2 hours on low for chicken or high for other meats.
About ½ hour before serving, pull meat apart with forks, take out any more fat you see and the bones. Pour the other ½ of the BBQ and stir. Cook for the next ½ hour on low.
To serve, Place meat on rolls, add coleslaw if you wish.
SUPER SUPPER YUMMY!!

5. The first week of August is National Simplify Your Life Week. What is one thing you could do this week to simplify your life? Will you do it?

I have donated 3 car loads of stuff to GoodWill and I have at least two more trips to go. We began our house clean out last week and we didn't even know we were participating.

6. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being 100% and 1 being not at all) how tuned in are you to your country's national political scene?

I would say an 8.

7. What are your final parting words to the month of July?

You went too fast. My husband now has to go back to his civilian job.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I think my brain hurts too much for a random thought.
I have friends coming over this weekend for lots of spinning, knitting, and laughter. I reall think I need this.

Room Make Over- Part 1

2011-07-28T12:57:00.003-04:00

This last week has been spent with the goal of a Crap room to Craft room makeover.

When I walked into our spare room this is what I used to see

Wall to wall boxes, bags and crap! I only had a path to the closet.
This did not make myself or my husband very happy.
So, we pulled everything out into the livingroom

I then went through all the paperwork boxes (14 total) and sorted for shred, keep and trash. I only kept 1/2 a box to be filed.

Then I started sorting my fiber and yarn. It took up all of the dining room and part of the livingroom. I reduced by half, giving 4 totes to a local nursing home and about the same to Good Will. I believe I still have some in boxes I have yet to go through.

Then we started the rebuild of the craft not crap room.

2 sets of these shelves went up in one wall.

another will go up on the facing wall, but before it could, we needed to set up storage cubes for my fiber and yarn. I started them last night and gave up after putting four together. I went to bed and was dreading having to put the rest of them together this morning. My loving husband took pity on me and had them all put togther and set up this morning. He even went to far to leave me a card. (I guess I was a bit grumpy last night and now I feel guilty.)

He even set them up so the corner was not accessable by the cats.

I do love that man!!

This morning I have spent time putting some of my books away

and putting the yarn I have found so far up in the cubes.

We do need to purchase another set of cubes, then we will set up the other bookcase.

My livingroom still looks like hell blew up in there, but I am determined to have this finished by next week.

Wow

2011-07-26T00:51:00.001-04:00

Picked up this link on Twitter. All I can say is Wow and that I agree that classes should be given at a young age.

Cupcake and TdF

2011-07-21T14:06:00.003-04:00

Last week I recieved some mail love

Katie (Jetgirl1313) sent me some cupcake (MadColor)

This is superwash merino, nylon and bamboo fiber.

I fluffed it out, spilit it in two then split one half into 8 sections.

I spun the split up sections first onto one bobbin

Some of it is over spun but it will loosen up in the plying.

Now I am spinning the 2nd half straight as it is presented.

Thank you Katie, this has been fun!!

I added this to my Tour de Fleece spinning after I had finished the masham that was on Roo

and the novelty yarn that was on the FS

Yellow Ribbon Event

2011-07-17T16:12:00.002-04:00

This weekend Sarge and I had to go to Grand Rapids to attend a yellow ribbon event for his unit.

We stayed at the Amway Grand.

The view from our 9th floor room when we checked in

Lunch at the event

For dinner we went to a local Tapas bar

Where sarge had his first Scrumpy since coming home

and I had one too (this is what helped me get through the evening)

Crappy photo of us, but the only one I have of the night

Walking back to the hotel I saw one building reflecting off another. Thought it was cool.

After dinner drink were had and then we headed back to the hotel room.
This was the "after sunset" view

Then up very early on Sunday

We decided to get breakfast on our own. I am very happy we did as this was the best coffee of the weekend.

Sarge and I needed it!!

This was our view at the breakfast table

We walked off breakfast on the riverwalk before heading back to the conference.

After the Yellow Ribbon Event, we went across the river

to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.

The first lady past away last week and the books were still out for signatures. We signed and then went out to the final resting place.

Sarge liked this eagle that is outside the museum.

The calm was only interrupted by the fountain which gave the place both a peaceful feeling and soothing noise.

Tour de Fleece

2011-07-17T16:09:00.001-04:00

I have been spinning. Not as much as I had hoped, but some.

Masham- ShaZam color way

Merino- Cyber suicide color way

Hodgepodge Wednesday

2011-07-13T11:38:00.004-04:00

You can link up here and join the fun!!

1. How has your hometown changed since you were a kid? What has changed most about the neighborhood you grew up in?

I am not sure what my hometown is. I was born in Northern California, so I will use that town. It was a very small town when I lived there and I believe it is still a very small town. Small towns do not seem to change much with time. Oh, the new technology comes in and new poeple come as the old ones move off, but the small town feel never leaves.

2. What song makes you laugh?

Most of what was played on Dr. Demento in the 80;s. The one I recall that made my week on Pirate Radio every Friday was The Scotsman

3. Are you a fan of Harry Potter? Read the books? Seen any/all of the movies? Will you be standing in line somewhere close to midnight later this week? For those of you playing along today who live outside the US or UK is Harry Potter a phenomenon in your part of the world?

Yes, I am a fan of the Harry Potter books. I think that anything that gets kids reading is worth reading myself. I have read all of them and just had a movie marathon with my husband to watch all 7 that are out now before we see the next and final movie. I will not be standing in line this week, but plan to see the movie next week sometime.

4. If the truth hurts, will you tell a lie? Are we better off as a society in a world that allows no form of deception whatsoever?

If someone asks me something, I try to answer in the best possible way of getting the truth across. If they want a different answer, they should ask a different person. The truth can hurt, but honesty is always the best. You cannot change what you do not know about.

5. What is your favorite 'sauteed in garlic and butter' food? Or garlic and olive oil if that makes you feel better.

Mushrooms and artichoke hearts. I love them sauteed and tossed with noodles in a butter and garlic sauce. I don't eat them often, but YUM!

6. Attending any reunions this summer/year? High school? family? Other? Do these events stir up excitement or dread?

Nope, The reunion of this summer was my husband coming home from war. It has passed. We are now looking forward to him going back to work and our lives becoming completely normal again.

7. Lilac, hydrangea, peony...pick one.

Lilac. Hydrangea is nice to look at, but I don't like the smell. Wasn't sure what a peony looked like til I looked it up online. But lilacs, we have them in our yard. Love the smell on an early summer day.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My daughter is a wonderful photographer. Last weekend she took photos at my friends wedding. Here is a shot of Sarge and I, all dressed up.

Another where she got my annoyed look just right

and one that I am going to have printed and framed for the wall.

Holiday Weekend in Review

2011-07-06T23:08:00.004-04:00

This last weekend was busy.
On Friday I opened up our new wheel. Review is on the latest podcast.
I got it all put together

and started spinning some BFL I had picked up on the last trip

On Saturday we recorded the podcast and relaxed around the house.
Sunday we had some friends pop oer, so a quick clean up of the house was in order, then Sarge headed out to paint the shed. The community had given us a deadline to get it painted by this weekend, so it had to be done.

You can see the ugly green it used to be. It did not match our house.

Sarge hamming it up

Monday was the Fourth and as tradition here, we had a dinner picnic at the channel before the firworks are set off.

Smiles from Little Bear

Kisses too

Grampa is a sit-upon

Deb showed up before me!

We brought ear protection for Little bear...they are almost as big as he is!!

Getting close to fireworks time

We got the grandkids glo necklaces. Notice how Little miss Z is wearing hers...

The musical fountain went off and the fireworks were wonderful.

Today I finished the yarn I started on Friday.

Back to regular blogging soon.

Birthday Weekend pt.2

2011-06-30T20:41:00.003-04:00

The weekend stretched into Monday and Tuesday due to the car problems. We found out Monday afternoon that it was not the head, but a return pipe that went into the heater core to cool the engine. About 1/2 the price, so we were happy.

Still stick at the hotel though.

I watched the landscapers put black mulch into the flower beds. It made the yellow flowers pop.

After that fun part of the morning, we headed out for breakfast.

This is Sarges meal

Yeah, see the strawberry? Mine had to be sent back as I am very allergic to strawberries. Once I got my meal, it was delicious.

Once we got the car back on Tuesday, we headed up to Gaylord for a bit of retail therapy. I was looking for the bookstore we had visited a few years ago when I saw this on the side of the road.

Yep we had to stop!

As you can see I made a few purchases
The store owner was very welcoming and when I asked what she had that was different from other yarn stores, she pointed me towards this display

They are Crafter's Wine Glasses and you can find them here

A few just had to come home with me!!
Another display had this purple sweater that I just had to get the pattern for

A few other purchases were made (update on the next podcast) and then we headed across the street to the Sugar Bowl for lunch.
We started off with Navy bean soup

Then shared a stacked corned beef sammie between us.

No dessert there as next door is this wonderful store

Where we helped this young man make his first sale

(yes that was my C/C he was holding- blacked out for my security)

We headed home after that...yeah I had spent enough.

We saw this party store on the way home

Had to get Boo a new night shirt

Arrived home about 11 pm. I need a vacation after taking this vacation!

More on Purchases and the mail I had waiting for me soon.

Birthday Weekend

2011-06-29T17:18:00.003-04:00

Yes, I get a whole weekend...some years I get a whole month, just depends on the year I guess.

On Thursday of last week, Sarge and I drove up to Grayling, Michigan to spend some time with his roommate from Afghanistan. They became close friends while they were deployed together. When we arrived, his wife was at work, so the guys became video game zombies. I snapped a couple of photos then climbed into a few podcasts and knit.

I think I caught up on 8 different podcasts before I called it a night. On Friday we just hung out, played Apples to Apples (if you don't have this game, go buy it!) and ordered pizza for dinner.
Saturday the guys went golfing and I left to go to Stonehedge Fiber Mill near East Jordan, or about an hour away. (will talk about this on a different post) I was met there by my friend Lorrie and we headed out for lunch after.
We went to Murray's because the owner of the Fiber Mill said it was worth it. Boy was she right!

Lorrie ordered the fish & chips and I ordered a Dried Cherry, feta, spinach and chicken salad with a cherry dressing on it. Along with it I had a White Sangria. Oh so good!

After stuffing ourselves on this good food, we walked across the street to a park.

Where we knit for a couple of hours, killing time and catching up.

Then we hit Sodalicious for a birthday treat.

Lorrie chose a single cone of Cookie Dough

And I chose a Boston Cooler

We went back to the park to enjoy them. As the sun started going down, we headed in our different directions.

When I got back to Greyling, I picked up Sarge and we were going to head up to Petosky for my actually birthday. Yeah the best laid plans of mice and men need a car to corporate with you. Ours did not. It broke down about 20 miles up the road. It looked like we had blown a head gasket on it, so we called roadside service and had it towed to a local repair shop, got a ride to the Ramada in Grayling and planned to stay the weekend. First stop was to the bar at the hotel to actually celebrate my birthday. I had a Blue Hawaiian, one of my favorite drinks. I met someone who shared my birthday. She was turning 21 and laughed when I told her I was twice her age. We both agreed it was a good day to be born.
On Sunday we were hanging at the hotel when Sarge decided he had a new way to get us home...

I told him I needed a few more drinks to get on that ride!

Instead we headed out to go fishing with our friends. Well, they fished, I sat on the shore, in a comfy chair and knit.

My view:

Sarge sat with me for a while then headed out to fish

Wading in after a while to get to where the fish were.
Here he is drying off.

They cleaned up with about 5 fish for the couple hours we were out there.

After a quick shower when we got back to the hotel, we headed down to the restaurant for dinner. Dead animals on the wall must be special here.

Sarge had Strip steak and roasted veggies

I had another Dried Cherry salad, this time with Michigan Maple dressing.

The waiter brought us birthday cake after we told him it was my day and we were stranded. Carrot cake with fresh vanilla ice cream.

More in the next post...

Hodgepodge Wednesday on Thursday

2011-06-23T14:04:00.002-04:00

Sorry this is late. I have been busy.

1. Summer's here-whoohoo! What's your favorite sight, sound, AND smell associated with summer?
The sound of the water hitting the beach sand. Giggles of small children building sand castles and playing in the surf. Nothing says summer to me more than this.

2. Fireflies or lightning bugs...what are they called in your neck of the woods?

I call them fire flies. My husband calls them lightening bugs. I was raised in California, him in Michigan.

3. What is something from the past week that reminded you of your childhood?

The trip my husband and I took across Michigan. Staying off the highway we drove back roads and enjoyed the scenery. This is something my parents would do when we were traveling.

4. Define 'the good life'.

Nothing planned. Feet up, a cool breeze and knitting in my hands.

5. Tell us what we'd see if you took a snapshot of your desk/work space?

LOL--so not going there. What I will tell you is that I believe a clean desk is the sign of someone who has too much time on their hands. I have it sorted, but it is not clean.

6. Peaches or watermelon...yes, you have to choose.

Peaches. A fresh warm peach off the tree. Rinse under a water pump and eat. YUM!

7. Ever been skinny dippin'? Is that too much for the Wednesday Hodgepodge? Rest assured we won't need details...unless of course you feel you must but remember, this is a family friendly blog so keep it G rated.

Yes. I was about 17. It was at Little Rock Dam and we had a really good time!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I love having older children who can stay at the house and take care of it when my husband and I decide to get away. Today we are headed up north and I don't have to worry if the cats will be fed or the trash is taken out while I am gone. Having adult children is a blessing that I am thankful for.

Good Times!

2011-06-22T23:13:00.002-04:00

Its been a while for me posting. No excuses, just off having a good time with my family and friends.
We headed over to Lorries for the weekend
Drinks at the hotel the first night

Dinner out the second night

Drove home on M46- We had never taken it across the state.
Saw some really pretty farmland

Came home to Kids and Grandbabies
Grampa helped Little Miss Z learn how to be a doctor to Ernie

Little Bear was sleeping with a full tummy

And Bear helped do dishes

Good Times by all!!

Hodgepodge Wednesday

2011-06-15T20:37:00.002-04:00

You too can play along!!

1. What is one thing on your bucket list? If you don't have a bucket list let's pretend you do.

Making my own wine.

2. What makes a good dad?

Someone who instills morals and shows integrity.

3. Are you afraid of insects? Which ones?

Yes. I dislike all bugs but am actually afraid of moths.

4. We're barbecuing...what's on the grill at your house?

Chicken, corn and sweet potatoes. Later, when the coals die down some, bananas for Hot banana splits. YUM!

5. Do you believe that playing is more important than winning?

Yes. Show up, be part of a team. Life is not all about winning. I am very competitive though.

6. Do you tan? Use self tanners? Visit tanning salons? See your dermatologist at least once a year?

Nope, I do not try to tan. If I get color it is just because it has gotten through my sunscreen. I have annual check ups.

7. Five years ago I would never imagine that today I would_______________.

Be a grandmother.

Been Busy

2011-06-14T09:34:00.002-04:00

Wow, I haven't posted in a while. I will try to be better at getting on here.

Two weekends ago Sarge and I went away on a couples retreat. Highly recommend it!!
On the way home, we stopped to get my gramma fix.

As you can see, I need to get to the stylist. Gramma is ok, Grey is not! at least not for me, not yet!

Then I spent a week in finals for on campus college. The last night we had game night. Our team won one of the games.

In the down times between all of this, I knit.

I finished the Multnomah shawl. Need to find my blocking wires to really do it justice, but it is off the needles.

I worked on my Blue Ink- Calligraphy sweater

As you can tell, King Tut is not impressed by the amount I have done. I am almost to closing the sleeves.

Saturday was WWKiP day, so I decided to knit with my Camp KIP yarn. It seemed like a good idea. I have started three shawls with this yarn and ripped back, so I started the switcheroo socks from Knitting Socks with Handpainted yarn book.

I am trying out the signature dpn's for a review. So far I like them better than their circulars. I am not normally a pattern sock knitter, but these seem to be flying.

MIA

2011-06-03T11:38:00.001-04:00

I have been busy for the last week. I will get back to blogging next week.

Hodgepodge Wednesday

2011-05-25T20:09:00.005-04:00

If you would like to join us each week, you can link up here.

1. What is something about living in this country that you value? 'This country' is whatever country you call home.

I value most everything about living in this country. The most important to me is the freedom that the law allows me to have. I have the freedom to vote, to help choose the leadership. This doesn't mean that who I choose will always win, but that my voice is heard. I also have the freedom to say what I feel as long as it doesn't infringe on someone elses freedom.

2. What is a favorite something you own that is red, white, and/or blue?

I have an old quilt that my mom made. It fits my queen size bed and I pull it out in the summertime.

3. Do you fly a flag at your house on patriotic holidays?

No. I do not have a yard that I can set a flag in with a light.

4. What ingredients do you think should be included in a great picnic basket?

Buttermilk chicken, potato salad, crisp roasted corn on the cob, cheese, fruit and a good bottle of wine.

5. What is one interesting piece of trivia you know? Interesting is of course a relative term.

Your eyeballs are the same size all your life and your nose and ears never stop growing.

6. Wednesday, May 24th is National Escargot day...have you ever tried them? Eww or ooh?

When I was young, my mom and dad had them and made us try them. I didn't care for them, but I would not say ew. When I was a teenager, I tried a soy version at a place in San Francisco. I cared for that even less.

7. What is one thing you know for sure?

Wow, hard question. I have been taught to question everything in life. I know for sure that I love my husband, my children and my grandchildren. Other than that the questioning will go on.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

LittleBear came home from the hospital today. Mom and baby are doing well and settling in with the family. My heart swells each time I think of my new grandson.
Here is a picture of him wrapped up like a burrito. So cute!!

Welcome LittleBear

2011-05-24T11:37:00.003-04:00

A new man has stolen my heart.
Sarge is okay with this as he has also stolen his.

This new little man will be known here as LittleBear.
He was brought into our lives on May 23rd at 5pm.
He weighed 7 Lbs. 9 Oz
20.5 inches long

Mr. And Ms. Bear

My heart is gone

Grampa heart is gone

You can always hold on to us LittleBear

More photos here

Welcome to the world LittleBear!!!!

Today's the day!

2011-05-23T09:57:00.001-04:00

Mondays child is fair of face,
Tuesdays child is full of grace,
Wednesdays child is full of woe,
Thursdays child has far to go,
Fridays child is loving and giving,
Saturdays child works hard for his living,
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day
Is bonny and blithe, and good and gay.

Fiber on Friday & Family too

2011-05-20T13:51:00.002-04:00

I received the fleece that I turned in to Wooly Knob for processing this week. I am very happy about how it turned out.

Sarge and I went to the Fiber Fiesta last weekend. There I added to my fiber stash.

I need to finish up the Falkland before I can spin any of this fiber. Unless I grab another wheel.

The day after Fiber Fiesta, we went to Bear's for dinner.

As we sat around talking

Little miss Z decorated the table

She was very proud of what she did

On the way home we stopped at the lake to watch the sunset

Beautiful end to a wonderful day.

Hodgepodge Wednesday

2011-05-18T09:52:00.002-04:00

You can link up here

1. What reveals more about a woman-her refrigerator or her purse?

Her purse. A fridge can show what a family eats, but a woman's purse has personal stuff in it. For me I carry the bare necessities: My wallet and check book, my camera, a pack of gum, a tube of lip balm, and anything I think I might need for the day. At the end of the day it normally filled with paper, cards, purchase receipts and what not that will tell you where I have been and what I have been doing.

2. When was the last time you went to the zoo? Where? What's your favorite zoo animal?

I was very young the last time I went to a zoo. I think I was the bad parent that never took my kids to one. If I remember right, the last zoo I went to was the San Diego Zoo, but it might have been one in Chicago. I just don't care to see all the animals in cages. I used to volunteer at the Exotic Feline Breeding Compound in Rosamond, CA. They would take in animals from people who would try to have wild animals as pets. All sorts of cats, from Tigers and pumas to jaguarundi. These medium sized wild cats would have to be my favorite.

3. What social issue fires you up?

The only thing I can think of is that government cannot and should not be run like a company. It is not designed to make money and people need to stop voting business people into office, as they do not tend to do a good job governing us.

4. Are you a coupon clipper? If so, are you extreme?

NO. I never have been. Even the free coupons we get with our purchases sit at home. All intent is there to use them, but I very rarely remember.

5. What is one of your favorite souvenirs brought back from your travels?

Not a souvenir, but we collect rocks from everywhere we go. I have them on top of my computer hutch right now. Each one is different, I put the place and the year on the bottom. This small bit of ground from all over the world is a conversation starter and brings back memories of how we found each one.

6. Lemon meringue or key lime?

Key Lime! I cannot wrap my head around peaked eggs on top of pie to eat meringue.

7. What is the most beautiful word you know in any language?

Friendship. When it is real, it is wonderful.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Update to last week. My husband is home now and the Army cannot have him back...for a while.
I am currently try to get everything together for his Coming Home party this Saturday.

Baby Watch

2011-05-17T10:41:00.003-04:00

Sarge got home early Saturday morning. He is mine now and the Army cannot have him back for a while.

When he got home, we told our soon to be DIL that she could go ahead and have the baby.
That night she started contractions. On Monday she went into the hospital thinking that little E would come that day. Nope, false alarm, she was sent home. If he doesn't make an appearence by Monday the 23rd, she will be induced. Knowing that inducement is not a lot of fun, we are hoping that he will arrive before that date.

Hodgepodge Wednesday on Thursday

2011-05-12T08:44:00.001-04:00

I am a day late due to my answer to #8.
You can link up here

1. How many times in your life have you moved house?

Oh, way too many times to count! We are a military family, I grew up in a military family and staying in one spot is not something we do for long.

2. What subject would you study if you had a year to devote to it?

Designing. I can design and have in the past, but I would love to know more about how to really do it.

3. What in this world breaks your heart?

Children without love. Everyone deserves to be loved.

4. What is one item that symbolizes the times in which we live? Why?

I think it would be a smart phone. We are all so used to getting information quickly. There isn't any reason for news to travel now, no waiting. With a smart phone, you get the phone itself, the internet and all of the audio you can store. Much different than 20 years ago.

5. Share a favorite bumper sticker or t-shirt slogan.

"If knitting were exercise, you could bounce a quarter off my ass."
I bought this bumper sticker when I went to the New York Sheep and wool festival last October.

6. How do you like your spaghetti?

I like my spaghetti either with my homemade pasta gravy on it or with stir fried veggies, chicken broth and spices.

7. What is one piece of advice you would give a recent, or soon to be recent, graduate?

Never say never. Dream big.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

If you read my blog yesterday, you will see that my husband came home from deployment on Mother's day. Well, Yesterday I had to put him on a plane to go back to a base stateside. He is not done with this wonderful year long trip yet. It was so hard to watch him walk away from me this time. Hopefully he will be home soon.

Best Mother's Day Ever!

2011-05-10T16:05:00.003-04:00

My husband came home from deployment!!

(Click on Photos for bigger pictures)

Thank you to the Family and friends who came to show support!!

Waiting on the Arrival

Getting off the bus

Grandkids first

So Happy!!

Boo and Papa

Bear and Dad

His Mom

His roommate

Welcome home to the 46th MP Command!

The last day- What a year!!

2011-05-07T07:53:00.004-04:00

A year ago I said goodbye to my husband.
It was not a major goodbye, like a divorce, but it was bittersweet as he was going to spend a year away with the military.

We have had quite a year while he has been gone.

Boo graduated from high school

Got to see Sarge in El Paso before his major jump off

Spent the Fourth of July together as a small family

Attended FRG Events

Bear turned 21

I spent the weekend in Detroit with friends

Boo moved out to college

Went camping at Michigan Fiber Festival

Went to Art Walk

And Art Prize

Attend a military tribute

Did Wine Tastings

Visited Fredrick Meijer Gardens

Did world wide spin in Public day

Learned we would be Grand Parents

Attended the New York Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck

Saw my brother

Went to Exhibits

Skyped a lot

Celebrated the holidays

Had Sarge home on Leave for a short time

Went to shearing day

Attended Knit-a-Way

Had a baby shower

I have spent the year staying busy, but mostly, I have spent time finding myself and learning to like who I am. I have changed over the course of the year, learned what I like, what I don't like and who I am. I have spent many nights alone, knitting, spinning and thinking. There have been times where I have been very lonely, times where I have had way too many people around me.
My friends online and in person have kept me from going over the edge during this deployment. There were nights where a phonecall kept me from crying. Also nights where Twitter and Words with Friends kept me company. Other nights I would climb inside a book and escape.
I will not say that the whole deployment has been easy or fun. I missed my husband, I missed my kids, but I knew that it would one day come to an end.
Tomorrow is that day.
I get to pick up Sarge after a ceremony and we get to be together. The kids will be with us for a time as will some of his family.
I am happy to start the next chapter of this year as a couple again.

Cinco de Mayo

2011-05-05T10:53:00.003-04:00

Today we do not celebrate the Independence of Mexico (September not May) but the victory of the Mexican army against the French which was the turning point of the war that lead to Independence. It would be like Americans celebrating the victory of The Battle of Trenton. However, I love Mexican food and any excuse to have it for dinner is taken advantage of.
I have another reason to celebrate...
My Soldier is back on US soil.

Soon he will be back home.

Hodgepodge Wednesday

2011-05-04T08:58:00.003-04:00

You can link up here

1. Have you ever been served breakfast in bed? Do you enjoy that? If someone were serving you breakfast in bed this coming weekend what would you hope to see on the tray?

I have been served breakfast in bed. I don't really like it. I would rather have a table in front of me. I am not much of a breakfast eater. A bowl of oatmeal or granola with yogurt is my normal breakfast, so the big hoop-la of eggs, bacon and such that the family always wants to make is just too heavy for my morning tummy.
All I want for Mother's Day!

2. What is one piece of advice you would give a new mother?

You cannot spoil a baby. When they get older, they can be spoiled, but when they are new born, they feel safest in your arms, feeling your heartbeat. They cry for a reason, you will learn the different sounds in time, but until you do check everything and then if nothing else, hold them.

3. When was the last time you wanted to scream? Explain.

This morning. I am under a small amount of stress these days and just trying to get it all done makes me want to scream and relieve tension.
When I managed a hotel, my friend managed the one behind mine. We would occasionally call each other and just scream. We understood why and it always made us laugh in the end. It was better than running to the broom closet and crying for 5 minutes.

4. Can you hula hoop?

Nope, never been able to keep it on my hips.

5. What is something people do in traffic that really bothers you?

Talk on their cel phones. Really..are you that important that a call cannot wait? A car is a deadly weapon yet everyone treats them like they are just toys. Driving should take your full attention.

6. What do you do when people don't admit they're wrong?

Leave it alone. Why push someone to admit what you already know? I do not need to feel the validation of being right.

7. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word 'fun'?

Laughter. You know something is really fun when the belly laughs come out.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I spent some time this week plying up some of the singles that were on my bobbins.

Pop Star

Beach Day

Both are chunky. Not sure what I will do with them. Maybe I will warp my loom and weave.

Retreat Reminder

2011-05-03T09:32:00.002-04:00

I dyed up yarn while I was at the retreat a couple weeks ago.
I used 2 skeins of Kroy sock yarn and Wilton frosting dye, along with water and vinegar.
I used colors that reminded me of Lake Huron, the beach, the log cabin and the sunset. I always use an odd number of colors when I am dying, I find it more appealing to the eye.

After letting it dry, I wound it up on the ball winder.

I used the Very Stretchy cast on, worked stockingette to a Dutch heel and then did a fan toe and finished with a Kitchener stitch to graft it together.

Last week I had one sock done

Yesterday I finished the second sock

I had about 12 yards of yarn left over

All of the information about the cast on and heel are on my projects page on Ravelry.

I love having a memory I can wear.

Knitting for Christmas

2011-04-30T10:09:00.003-04:00

Yes, it is the end of April and I am talking about Christmas.

I have decided to do two projects for Christmas that will take up a lot of my summer knitting time. They are both small knits, so take a long projects that make for perfect summer knitting.

One is Spud and Chole at the farm

and the other is Knit your own Royal Wedding.

You see, I have a grand daughter who will turn 3 just before Christmas. Three year olds are just gaining imagination and love to play. I want her to have City Folks and Country Folks to play with at Gramma's house.

I normally use socks as my take along project during the summer, but I was able to get one of the books on my Kindle and the other is small enough to fit in a small project bag. I know I have tons of fingering and dk yarn in my stash that I will be able to use up on these projects.

I think it will be fun!

Hodgepodge Wednesday

2011-04-27T13:57:00.003-04:00

You can link up here

1. What is something that bothers you if it is not done perfectly?

If you are going to set a table for dinner, set it right. My parents had us set a table every night for dinner. Forks on a napkin at the left of the plate. Knife on the right, blade facing the plate and spoon on the outside. If desert was going to be served, the dessert utinsil was placed at the top of the plate flat. It bothers me if all the utinsils are all on one side or if one is missing. Not that I set a table very often anymore, it is just a pet-peeve of mine.

2. What is one of your best childhood memories?

Flying in planes with my dad. Going places, doing touch-n-go's, Just being free. I still love to fly and I think about my dad everytime I go up in a plane.

3. Do you plan to watch the Royal Wedding and when was the last time you wore a hat?

Yes, I plan to watch the Royal Wedding. I love watching romance as it blooms, I hope it works out for this couple. Last time I wore a het, hmmm, winter hats occasionally get worn, but that is it. I do not have the face shape to pull off all the cute hats that everyone wears.

4. Where do you fall in the birth order in your family? Do you think this has influenced your personality?

I am the baby. Yes my personality shows that. I am spoiled and I am also OK with that!

5. Where do you think you spend most of your money?

On fibery goodness or on my cars. Two passions that work well for me.

6. When you need to confront someone would you rather communicate in person, on the phone, by email or by letter? Why?

I don't like to confront people, but if I do have to, then I prefer face to face.

7. Dodge ball, freeze tag, kickball or jump rope? You have to pick one.

Kickball, though I have not played in years. We had a game a couple of years ago with friends and it was just good old fashioned fun.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Last Saturday we had the baby shower for Ms. Bear.

The cake:

Little Miss Z had a new party dress

I made a tie blanket in Polka Spots

And got Little E some outfits

Lots more pictures, I just haven't had time to edit them all. I will be making up a photo book for Ms. Bear.

Fiber on Friday

2011-04-22T11:06:00.003-04:00

Happy Earth Day!

Hodgepodge Wednesday

2011-04-20T18:58:00.002-04:00

1. What are your plans for Easter Day/weekend?

Saturday I am throwing a baby shower for my newest grand son. On Sunday I have been invited to my BIL's for dinner.

2. Besides Jesus, what one person from The Bible would you most like to meet and why?

Mary Magdalene- To hear her side of the story.

3. What is one modern day convenience you didn't have as a child that was easy to live without?

Television. We didn't get one until I was a teenager.

4. Are you more right brained or left brained?

I am both very creativa and very logical, so I am not sure I use one side of my brin more.

5. What is something you intended to do today but didn't? Why?

Go to the bank to make a deposit. I forgot to do this while I was out, so I will tomorrow.

6. Cadbury Creme Eggs or Reeses peanut butter?

Neither. Milk Chocolate Cadbury mini eggs please.

7. Who was your favorite cartoon character when you were a child?

My favorite show to watch was the Mickey mouse club or HR Puffnstuff. Not sure if those count as cartoon characters, but I didn't watch many cartoons growing up. I only got to see those when I was at my aunts or at a friends who I called "Grampa Fuzzy".

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I took my 2 year old grand daughter shopping today. I am so tired now. I really understand why my mom used to say "God gives children to the young for a reason." Bring on the wine, I need it!

April...REALLY!

2011-04-18T10:49:00.000-04:00

Knit-A-Way

2011-04-17T21:47:00.002-04:00

Eleven days of relaxing and fun.

Classes were taken and given.
Lots of knowledge passed from one person to another.
Lots of laughter shared and friendships renewed as well as made.
I look forward to next year!
Photos can be found here. More to come as I get them.

Retreat Break

2011-04-07T09:13:00.003-04:00

I am heading off to this Cabin

With this view:

No Internet, No Phone, No Communication!!

Lots of Knitting, Spinning and Girl Time!!

I will blog when I get back!

Hodgepodge Wednesday

2011-04-06T00:06:00.004-04:00

1. National Read a Road Map Day falls on April 5th. Would people say you have a good sense of direction? Do you rely on a GPS when you drive somewhere new? When was the last time you used a map? I have a pretty good sense of direction. I own a GPS and love it, but still carry a map with me when I travel. My husband collects maps, so we have oodles. We do all our trip planning on one old map that has a lot of highlights from different trips on it. It is like our scrap book of trips we have taken.

2. What's your favorite cookbook?

That is like asking me which child I like more!

I have a cook book that my mom wrote all of her favoite recipes in. I also have a very old Betty Crocker Red & White cook book. If there was a fire and I could could only grab two, those are the ones I would grab.

3. What painting would you like to "walk into" and experience? Why?

I actually have two:

This one because it just looks like a place where I would love to live. And this one because she looks like someone I would love to have a conversation with.

4. What annoys you more- misspellings or mispronunciations?

Mispronounciations both me more, as I am not that great at spelling.

5. What is something your mother or father considered important?

An education. One of the reasons I am going to college now is because of a promise I made my dad a long time ago.

6. Do you like or dislike schedules?

I am a planner. I like schedules most of the time. If I am on vacation though, I like to be left to my whims and not have anything planned.

7. Let's have some fun with National Poetry Month (that would be April)...write your own ending to this poem-

"Roses are Red

Violets are blue..."

I'm counting my stitches,

Knit one, Purl two.

Incidentally if you'd like to read the history behind that little ditty you'll find it here.

8. Insert your own random thought in this space.

I love knitting with my hand spun yarn! This week I made a wine bottle cozy and a Sock project bag There is just something magical about taking fluffy fiber and turning it into yarn then making something functional from it.

Fiber on Friday

2011-04-01T22:55:00.003-04:00

I finished my Forever in Blue Jeans sweater!!!

Here the collar is closed, but it can be worn open and hanging as well.

The Front -

Note: It is not longer in the front, I think it was just not far enough back on my shoulders.

The Back

The pattern- Cassis The Yarn- Berroco Comfort in Denim Yardage 1365. I made it a bit shorter than the pattern called for, but this is where I like my sweaters to hit.

Afternoon Chai

2011-03-30T16:49:00.004-04:00

In my new Sheepy mug from Jeannie the Potter.

I have been stalking her shop for a while. I missed getting a mug at Rhinebeck when I went in October, but I knew I wanted one. When she put up a posting for custom colored mugs, I was so happy to get one!!

I decided on a black sheep

A Grey Sheep And turquoise yarn It is large enough for a good cuppa and very light in weight. LOVE IT!!

Hodgepodge Wednesday

2011-03-30T09:50:00.003-04:00

Link up here

1. April rolls in at the end of this week and in celebration of that infamous date (April 1st) answer this question-What is something foolish you've done?

Oh may gosh, too many are running through my head.
I used to take midnight walks in the desert by myself. Not something I would do anymore but yeah I was young.

2. With April comes Easter and that classic edible treat known as Peeps...so tell me...what's your favorite way to fix/eat chicken? That wasn't what you were expecting, was it? I 'fooled' you. teehee.

My mom's fried chicken. I have tried to fry it up like she used to and it just isn't the same.

3. What's the best museum you've ever visited? Or your favorite? Or the one you'd most like to visit?

My favorite has always been the Huntington Library.
I would love to visit the Smithsonian.

4. You know what they say about April showers...what's your preference-a shower or a bath?

I normally take showers.

5. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder"...fact or fiction? Why?

Fact. It gives you time to reflect and work on communication.

6. What's your favorite product made/grown in your home state/province?

Scrumpy's

7. What is going on in the world today that affects you the most?

The war in Afghanistan.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Today is finals for me. I am sure I will pass, but my brain is fried. Next quarter starts up on Monday. Fun!

Monday

2011-03-28T18:56:00.000-04:00

This is my day!

Fiber on Friday

2011-03-25T11:45:00.002-04:00

Not a whole bunch of fiber got worked on this week. It has been a busy week with college.

I did manage to crochet up a pair of slippers yesterday.
I still need to block them.

Size: 9
Pattern: Crocheted Moccasins
Yarn: Moda Dea Silk 'n Wool in Orchid Pink

Left overs from my Effortless Cardigan. I love this yarn and hope to pick up another sweaters worth of it soon.

I am still working on the Forever in Blue Jeans Sweater, I hope to finish that up this weekend.

On spinning:

Still spinning polypay

to ply with the Beach day

If it's Wednesday it must be Hodgepodge

2011-03-23T11:30:00.003-04:00

1. Sunday was the first day of spring. So they say. Ahem.
What is your favorite outdoor springtime activity?

Picnics. I have not been on a real one in ages, but I love picnics on grassy fields with spring flowers all around.

2. Who would you want to come into your kitchen to cook dinner for you?

No one. I love to cook and my kitchen is not something I like to share.

3. When did you last fly a kite?

When my kids were little. I love to go to the kite flying day down at the beach though, should check the dates as it is coming up soon.

4. What topic puts you to sleep faster than anything?

Hard question. I love to learn new things, so I am most attentive when it comes to having discussions. That being said, entertainment news bores me. I could care less about who is dating whom and who is doing interviews with whom. They are people doing a job, no better than you or I, just getting paid more...Yawn!

5. Which flowers do you associate with specific people, places, or events?

Yellow roses make me think of my mother. White flowers are all about me. Purple little flowers are what my daughter was named after

6. What significant historical events took place during your elementary school days?

Oh man. I was born in 1969. During my elementary years many things took place. I guess the main thing that sticks out for me was the release of the hostages when Reagan took office.

7. Do you swear? Do you pseudo-swear? (You know crap, shoot, friggin'?)

Do I swear (LOL, hee hee , HA!) Ummmm yes! Mom always said that if she taught us kids one thing, it was how to swear and when to use it and when not to. I can cuss someone out without ever using a swear word if I need to as well. It depends on who I am around and what is going on at that point in time. Pseudo-swear..bah, if it needs to be said, say it correctly.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My random thought for this week is coffee. I know when it comes to me this is not all that random, however I have a new toy.
A coffee grinder

I used it for the first time this morning and ground up Michigan Cherry Coffee beans.

Amazing cuppa!!

And, as I skipped the random question last week, here is my second one.

I held a wine tasting party a couple of weeks ago. It is like a Tupperware Party, but where you get to try wine and then make purchases.
For hosting I was able to purchase a wine basket 1/2 price.

It came with:

Sommersville Cellars: Meritage Red Wine
Beth's: Chocolate chip cookies
Mille Lacs M.P. Company: Havarti with Pesto Cheese
Napa Valley Mustard Co.: Hot Sweet Mustard
Vineyard Collection: Focaccia Crisps
California Crispies: Herb almonds
and a lovely basket

Add a little meat, two glasses, and a cork screw... it will make a perfect picnic when the weather gets warmer.

Saturday and a Super Moon

2011-03-20T11:20:00.002-04:00

Saturday I woke up to this outside

Yeah not the best yard...but NO SNOW!!!

So I decided to take advantage of having the windows open and I washed up a few skeins of handspun yarn.

Then I started spinning on new yarn
This is Beach day- Batt from Uniquely Yours!- 3 oz

I am going to three ply it with Pink Polypay

Later, after working on a report most of the day for college, Boo and I went outside to see the Super Moon. It is not that impressive in my picture, but it was pretty and to spend a few moments with my daughter was amazing!!

It makes me think of this song

I know who I was thinking of...and according to his email this morning, he was thinking of me as well.

Fiber on Friday

2011-03-18T15:23:00.005-04:00

Removing the copp from a Turkish spindle is different than a regular copped spindle.

I spun up 1/4 oz of fiber.

From here I had a center pull ball.

I used both ends and 2 plied the yarn.

To get it off the spindle...

Pulled the shaft from the middle

Pulled one side of the whorl out

Then the other

Then I put it on my swift and skeined it up.

I have also been busy working on my Forever in Blue Jeans sweater.
Well, when Tut will allow me to use his bed.

I changed the back from 3 repeats to 7 of the lace. I am making a bigger size than what the original pattern was written for and I think that just 3 repeats on my back would look rather off. I am liking how it is knitting up.

Thank you to Bethany for the Typo alert.

Spinning!

2011-03-17T11:52:00.003-04:00

I bought some fiber from Creatively Dyed when I was at Rhinebeck in October.

It is at the top, the blue braid. It is Merino/bamboo/seacell blend in the Po color way.
I decided to play with the new bulky flyer on Roo and see what yarn this would produce. As a single it was about worsted weight and I loved it but I did not feel it was well enough spun to stand up as a single by itself. So I pulled out a ball of CVM that I have had since the beginning of my spinning days almost three years ago.

This also spun up about worsted/Aran weight as a single.
As I like blues and browns together, I decided to ply them up.
Here are my results:

It has to be soaked and thwacked still, but I love it.
Now what am I going to do with 332 yards (16 oz) of bulky yarn?

I also spun up the Phat Fiber box that I had received to review on the podcast.
King Tut confronted me like I hacked up a fur ball when I laid it out to be photographed.

It really is lovely and I will get better pictures of it. So soft and glittery with all the samples spun together. It came out to 60 yards of thick/thin art yarn that I need to figure out what to make from it.

Hodgepodge Wednesday

2011-03-16T19:13:00.003-04:00

1. What would you do if you found a pot of gold? Let's pretend this pot of gold is worth exactly $1500 (which would actually be more like a cup of gold at current values). Anyway, let's also pretend you have to spend it as opposed to making a donation someplace. Now tell me what you would do with that cup pot of gold?

With $1500 I would set it aside for Stitches Midwest. I know I am going, but that would make the trip easier.

2. Do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day in any way, shape, or form?

I really don't celebrate the holiday. We used to do Corned beef and cabbage, but cooking it for one is not worth the time. Plus, I love corned beef we have it through out the year, so it is not special to only one day.
I also don't go for wearing green, as I am not Catholic. If I were to wear a color on that day it would be Orange, or White. I will probably not be wearing either of those colors, as they are not what I normally wear.

3. Have you been bitten by the Spring Cleaning bug? What spring cleaning job most needs doing at your house? What spring cleaning job are you most dreading?

Not really bitten by spring cleaning, but I have been cleaning in anticipation of my husband coming home. I want the house to sparkle when he gets home and I want to keep it that way. With only me home I am surprised by how fast the house gets cluttered. I guess I am lazy and have "drop it" disease.
My Crap room still needs to be cleaned out. I want to pull everything out, sort all of my fiber, put Christmas back out in the shed. I really want go through everything and toss what is not needed. Either trash, donate or sort/store. I will also be putting up shelves to hold everything and buying clear storage totes to store stuff in. This will happen after Boo gets out of college but before Sarge gets home.

4. lime-shamrock-sage-forest...your favorite shade of green?

I like Emerald green. However I also like sage, jade and aloe green as well.

5. Thomas Jefferson once said, "I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it." So...do you believe in luck or do you believe we make our own luck?

I believe we make our own luck. With the grace of God things come into our lives when we need them there. However, God does not help those who do not help themselves.

6. Monday (3/14) was Pi Day. Get it? Pi =3.14. Those math types are so clever aren't they? Since I'm not one of them tell me what's your favorite piE (the edible kind).

I love math!! My favorite pie is Pizza Pie, but I think that is cheating. So, my favorite dessert pie is Key Lime.

7. That same date (3/14) happens to be the birthdate of the late physicist Albert Einstein. I bet he knew the value of Pi. So...what do you think is more important and or valuable in life... intelligence or common sense?

I think having both is important. I know not an answer, but really, you can be so intelligent that you have no common sense and vice versa. To have both means that you really know what you are doing.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Why am I drawing a blank about a random thought? Guess it is just that kind of a week. My mind is so wrapped up in college and everything it will not go to the random side. Sorry. Maybe I will do two next week.

You can join us in HodgePodge from this link.

Midterms

2011-03-15T12:07:00.001-04:00

Last week was midterms for my classes. I passed both with A's!!!
Just 2 1/2 weeks then finals.

Hodgepodge Wednesday

2011-03-09T09:33:00.003-05:00

1. The season of Lent begins on March 9th this year...do you participate and if so, in what way?

No, I don't participate in Lent, though I fully understand why some people do.

2. Traditionally pancakes are eaten on the day known as Shrove Tuesday which is the last day before Lent (March 8th this year). So....butter and syrup? Blueberry? Chocolate chip? ewww, no thanks!! What's your pleasure when it comes to eating pancakes?

They eat paczki's here, not pancakes- umm eww!!
As for pancakes, beer batter pancakes that my father used to make with fresh real maple syrup.
For beer batter, you just use pancake mix and instead of adding water or milk, you use beer. If you like non alcohol type (though it mostly burns off, like beer bread) you can use ginger ale. YUM!

3. Spring is coming. (It is coming, right?) What's your favorite springtime flower and do you suffer from seasonal allergies? Two questions I know, but they're lightweights.

The wild flowers that come up are my favorite of Spring. Yes, I get allergies, when the tree sperm lays all over the place I am a sneezing.

4. "Our opinion of people depends less upon what we see in them than upon what they make us see in ourselves." Author unknown. Agree or Disagree? Why?

I agree. We tend to like those people who we have things in common with and those that show our worst parts we do not normally get along with. I think this is part of human nature.

5. Since it's "March" and also the season of Mardi Gras....have you ever been in a parade? What's the best parade you've seen?

I have been in several parades. Best parade I have ever seen was the Rose Parade.

6. You would jump up and down and shout for joy right now if someone told you___________?

My husband was coming home earlier than expected OR that all the spots for Knittin' in the Mitten were filled. IF you would like to join us for the retreat, please let me know.

7. How clean is your car on the outside? Inside? Is there junk in your trunk?

I have a trash bag to get out of the back seat and it needs to be detailed. No junk in my trunk..well of the car. Only thing not essential is my emergency knitting, and to me, that is needed!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I have midterms this week and my mind is about ready to explode. At the end of this quarter I will not have a week off in between classes, so I am really looking forward to Knit-a-way retreat over in Lexington, Michigan. 11 days of relaxing is what gets me through all this chaos.

IF you would like to join us for Hodgepodge, here is the link.

Blue

2011-03-07T23:44:00.003-05:00

I bought this from a friend in January

Crown Mountain Fiber

Corriedael Pencil Roving

Lady of the Lake-Colorway

Started Spinning it mid-February

Finished the singles last night

Just in time for my trial run with my new Bulky Flyer which came today.

This is 8oz on one bobbin.

I did pretty well on splitting the fiber. I had 2 yards left on one bobbin after plying.

332 yds of worsted weight

Still needs to be soaked and thwacked (yes that is the word)

Pink

2011-03-06T10:29:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was spinning day with my local group of ladies.
I forgot my camera at home, so I will just show what I was working on.

I received my little pink Turkish spindle last week, so I needed to take it for a spin.

She is a midweight spindle, 1.5 oz which means she doesn't spin super fine, which is perfect for me as I don't knit with super fine. I bought it at the Threadsthrutime Esty shop.

I also knit on my Forever in Blue Jeans Sweater, maybe three rows, but really the day was spent laughing and gathering with friends.
I also picked up some new fiber. Jenna is with the group and she is the mind behind Uniquely Yours! She had a bunch of fiber there for purchase and yeah, I just had to.

PopStar just jumped out at me. All my colors!

She is starting a new fiber club doing Marbles, I had to pick up two bags of Simple Lux!

So much fun! IF your in the area, please join us next time.

Moody

2011-03-05T09:48:00.001-05:00

Tut was not in the mood to play

But he really wants belly rubs

Knittin' in the Mitten

2011-03-04T11:43:00.003-05:00

There are 11 spaces left.

Please contact me if you would like to join us for a wonderful weekend of relaxing and fiber fun.

When: November 3-6, 2011

Where: Grand Haven, Michigan

Price: $180 or $98 for day trippers

Contact: CoggieTM on Ravelry

National Crochet Month

2011-03-03T13:47:00.003-05:00

As most of you know I am a crocheter who knits and spins.
This is March and that means it is National Crochet month.
The Shibaguyz of Shibaguyzdesignz are have a crochet contest with their patterns over on Ravelry. I decided since I had the Cherry Wrap pattern to crochet it up.

The yarn is Silky Wool in color 35- sorry 35 is not a color, it is ocean blue.
This is out of my stash, I have 12 skeins.

Here is the beginning of panel one.

I am calling it my blueberry wrap as Cherries are red.

There is errata for the pattern post number 6.

Hodgepodge Wednesday

2011-03-02T09:12:00.003-05:00

1. March 2nd is Dr. Seuss's birthday so I'm wondering...do you like green eggs and ham? Okay-how about this instead...how do you like your eggs? Or don't you?

I have had eggs and Green ham, it was wonderful!! But green eggs, never had them.

I like my eggs scrambled with cheese and fresh black pepper. I hardly ever eat eggs though.

2. Is March coming in like a lion or something less ferocious where you live?

It comes in like a lion here, but it depends on the year if it stops being a lion by the end of the month. We get both lake effect snow and regular snow, so I am buried with white "stuff"(insert s word of choice here) most of the month.

3. Do you work better or worse under pressure?

Most of the time, better. I like to have time to think things over and then get down and dirty and get it done. I set personal deadlines so I have to work on stuff. If left alone, I will flit from one thing to another.

4. March Madness-are you a fan? It's college basketball in case you're wondering. And if you're outside the USA tell us-is there any sort of 'madness' taking place during March in your part of the world?

I have not seen a basketball game since junior high. I don't understand the game. The only sports I really watch are the Olympics and the X-games. I love the competition of those.

5. Under what circumstances do you do your best thinking?

When I am crafting. I knit, crochet, spin, tat and am getting into weaving. The time I spend with yarn is my quiet time to get into a zen and just let the mind wander to wherever it needs to go. It depends on what is on my mind as to what I can work on. If I want to escape, I get into lace. This allows me to have the pattern take up my mind so it doesn't wander and think about what I don't want to think about. Where if I have something to really think over, I work on stockinette patterns or socks.

6. What item of clothing from your wardrobe do you wear most often?

My jeans and a simple tee shirt. I have always loved jeans. My mother made most of my clothes when I was young. She was an amazing seamstress, but I still remember wanting the jeans all the other girls were wearing. I was able to save up babysitting money when I was 12 and buying my first pair of jeans. They were Levi 501's. I am still a Levi girl, but they don't make my size. One day I will fit back in the pair I have tucked up in the closet.

7. Do you use sarcasm?

Uh- yeah! I use it to its best.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I have one room in my house that needs to be cleaned out. Cleaned out clean house style. Everything removed and sorted through. Throw out what is not needed and put what is needed into containers. Put up shelves, add the containers and make the room usable again. I used to call it Sarges office-shh its a craft room, now I just refer to it as the CRAP room. It is my goal in the next two weeks to have this room done. I hope I have enough trash bags to reach this goal.

If you would like to join me in Hodgepodge here is the link

Shearing Day

2011-03-01T11:45:00.002-05:00

This last Saturday was shearing day at Shady Side Farm.
They sheared the poly pay to get ready for lambing.
The guy who was shearing was way too fast for me to get a good photo.

The Suffolk sheep had already been sheared in December

and had little lambs hopping all over

Fuzzy I know...you try keeping two lambs still.

Lorrie got to hold a lamb

and here is what happened not 15 minutes later

I went to demo spinning in the shop.

Big balls of wool!

Rita from Yarn Hollow and Beth from the Spinning Loft were there.

I spun on Lona's Ashford Country Spinner. Love it!!
Look at the size of that bobbin!

Deborah tried it out too!

After the day of letting everyone who wanted to help me spin (such joy getting people into new hobbies!!) I have 150 yards of super bulky polypay yarn.

There was a lady showing needle felting

I loved this purse!

And sock machine knitting

Chris was spinning on her Victoria

Lorrie was spinning on her Journey Wheel

There were cows outside

They came up and posed.

Good Cows!!

We went to New Holland Brewery for lunch after

The Rubens are so good!!

Thank you to Mike and Lona of Shady Side Farm for allowing me to participate.

I can't wait for next year!!

Pictures from Leave

2011-02-28T18:18:00.002-05:00

When Sarge was home we went to the Homestead and had a gathering.
Here are some photos that a Friend os mine took.

Our friends Bob and Brenda

Bear sang our song for us

We had the dance floor to ourselves

Bear and Ms. Bear

Deborah and her man

FIL, MIL and us

More photos can be found here

I miss him.

Fiber on Friday

2011-02-25T14:22:00.002-05:00

This week has been getting back to college. I have not had a lot of time to sit and knit. What I have been working on when I can is my Cassis sweater, that I named Forever in Bluejeans.

I finished the collar and have knit about two thirds of the way down the raglan increases.

Surgery went well

2011-02-23T22:58:00.004-05:00

Remember the broken leg on Roo?

I had a wonderful email conversation with Schacht's customer service and they sent me out a new part for her,along with a L-end wrench to help put her back together.

I had to call the company and talk to someone there because I could not figure out where to use the L-end wrench. Where they said to use it had phillips head screws, so maybe mine is an older model *shrugs* So I went ahead and took her apart and oiled up all her pieces.
While I was getting ready to reassemble, I found I needed a L-end wrench to take off the Kate assembly. However this was a much smaller wrench than what they had sent me, so I was all ready to go to the hardware store tomorrow...
When the guys from Sears showed up to deliver and install my new treadmill.

I just happened to ask if the had a small L-end wrench I could borrow. They were very nice. They told me they had one they used for GE appliances.

It is very tiny, so we tried it and it worked.
I hurried up and took the Kate off the old piece and was putting it on the new piece, when I had to grab the hammer to get the rods into the holes. Man those suckers are tight. The guys were laughing with me that it was taking me more time to do surgery on Roo than it took them to set up the treadmill.

Well, eventually I got Roo all put together and she works like a dream again.

Oh, they let me keep the tool for future use.
YAY!
Day 285

Hodgepodge

2011-02-22T23:48:00.004-05:00

1. Did you know there is a National Day of pretty much everything in the universe? February 23 happens to be National Inconvenience Yourself Day...when was the last time you were inconvenienced?

Yes I knew that each day had many different days of. Here is a different one.

The last time I was inconvienced was the day I had cable put into my bedroom for a television. I had to sit around for 6 hours because the could not give me less than an eight hour window of when they would be out to install. I did get a lot of knitting done that day.

2. When a room in your house needs painting who does the job?

Not me! I am allergic to latex and the liquid kind that goes on the walls is worse than the gloves the doctors wear, because I breathe it. The only room in our house that has been painted is Boo's. Sarge and Boo did it while I was out of town.

3. Are you friends with your cousins?

Not really. In truth, they could walk down the street and I would not know who they were. I do remember playing with them when I was young but I don't think I have seen any of them since I was 10 except at my mothers funeral 12 years ago. I do keep in contact with my aunt, via snail mail.

Do not think this is bad, I have enough brothers and sisters to keep me busy on the phone and with gift packages.

4. Do you use an alarm clock? If yes-is it an actual alarm, music, or something else?

Yes, an alarm...an annoying alarm. I hardly ever set it as I really am not on a schedule. I am lucky enough that on most days I get up when I want to. Nice thing about living alone and going to college online.

5. What do you put ketchup on?

On- nothing. I call it tomato blood. I would rather have the tomato instead. Blek!

In, I cook with it.

6. What smells make you nostalgic?

Baking bread, homemade jelly, and shoe polish.

7. Have you heard about the high school English teacher recently suspended as a result of some things she wrote in her personal blog? You can read the story here but in a nutshell she vented a lot of frustration onto her blog. She didn't mention individual students by name but she did make some harsh comments about kids in general and their parents.

What are your thoughts-If you're a parent is your child's teacher online and are you 'friend' or 'follower' there? If you're a teacher are you on facebook and do you accept or friend students on fb? How about their parents? If you're a student are you friends with your current or former teachers online? Do any of them have blogs you read? If you're a teacher or a parent do you ever use your blog as a place to vent your frustrations with our educational system? So much to discuss...

My kids are now out of the house, but what I tell them about facebook and blogs is don't put anything up online you would not want Dad's commander to read or a future employer. Freedom of speech only goes as far as your nose. once it leaves your mouth, someone is bound to take offense to it, use that when you want to blurt out on your blog about something. HR people are now told to look at Facebook and blogs to get a feel of potential employees, that freedom you wanted to express might just cost you a job one day.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I think I am getting too old for college classes. I have been without class (wink wink) since before Christmas and I just can't seem to get the routine back on track. Maybe I am just lazy or maybe I just want to finish the sweater I am knitting on, but getting into the groove of writing papers and discussing topics of business is hard. Maybe by next week I will be feeling better about it. I have tests tomorrow. I hope what I have learned this week will allow me to pass them.

Want to join us in Wednesday Hodgepodge? Here is the link

Smiles

2011-02-22T15:11:00.002-05:00

After a week they are still making me smile.

My part for Roo came in which makes me smile.

Seeing clearly through new glasses, which are pink, make me smile.

What makes you smile?

Fiber on Friday

2011-02-18T11:39:00.002-05:00

I am going to try out a new post weekly about my fiber activities. Yes, I spin, but today is not about my spinning, but about what I bought this week to aid me in projects in the future.

From KnitPicks: 2 skeins of Chroma fingering in Mesa, A chart Keeper, An interchangable set of zepher needles, a Turkish drop spindle

From The Woolery: Two DVDs to learn from. Ordered when I got Sarge's Wheel

From The NeedleSmith: Piecework and a cute sheep bag in grey. Still looking for the pink bag!

From Ravelry: The pattern Shades of Gingham- an Entralac baby blanket
From JoAnn's: Yarn to make the blanket

I started the Cassis Sweater. Pattern purchased from Ravelry by Sarge. Yarn from Berroco- Comfort, that I won at the Ravelry party at Rhinebeck. Color is Denim. I am naming this my Forever in Blue Jeans sweater after the song that I love by that title.