I've got nuthin' but some randomnesses...

This is the 3rd time that I've started this book. If I can't make it through this time it'll probably be 3 strikes and you're out. It's just so wordy. A whole page to describe a woman's face. It could have been done in 1 sentence.... Taken separately her features were unremarkable or even unbecoming, but all together they made her a beauty. There. That wouldn't have been so awful for the author, would it?? But then I'm a bit of a believer in "Less is More"...

Onward!
The Sea of Dreams baby blanket is coming along. It's the next on my "finish this project NOW" hitlist. It is really quite easy going except for a few rows in each repeat that make no sense to me and so I'm constantly checking the chart to make sure I'm on the right track. Uff.

The fall flowers are doing their best to show off.

Russian Sage.

Joe Pye Weed and Veronica.

We've got apples! The squirrels are having their way with them though and so I'm thinking that I need to get ahold of 1st DDIL and we make a raid on the tree and get them picked. Ready or not!

There are plenty of apples but the bulk of them are at the top of the tree. /sigh

The bugbane has yet to bloom but the hostas and columbine are finished.

I love my ruffly daylily that always looks a little deformed.

And the rose is still going strong. If I get out and clip off the old buds I'll have blooms for a long time yet...

Well, that's it folks. My life is dull these days. Harvest is going on though. Maybe I need to get out to the field today and get a few combining pictures...

Exercise!

I've...

started...

walking!

After having a few minor complaints at my last doctor appointment, (Almost a year ago now! I don't follow directions very quickly...), my doctor advised that I should try walking. And so after a year of thinking about it and just not taking any steps (get it...steps...walking...oh well, bad joke) this July 5th I decided I needed to try it out.

I didn't go far at first. I was afraid I'd be out of breath and have to sit on a curb for awhile and someone would drive by and see me. Horrors! Actually, in a small town it would be slightly horrific. We all know each other...

I'm almost up to a mile now. I try to keep a steady pace. I've been going every day except for a few when it was just too hot and humid. There are a lot of people who walk in the evenings but for me the morning is best.

Winter could be a bit of a challenge but my 2nd DDIL runs outside during the winter and so I'm thinking I can walk too...with the right clothes that would of course include some nice warm hand knit socks!

I plan to keep it up. I feel stronger. My brain seems clearer and sharper. I get fresh air every day. And my doctor should be impressed!

Iceling Set ready to go!

The Iceling Set is finished, washed and photoed!

It went quite well although I had never done an I-cord bind off and especially one with buttonholes but You Tube saved the day.

I didn't have luck with the one-row buttonholes. They would have been MUCH better looking than the 2 row that I did but since the buttons are big you can't see them while the sweater is being worn anyway.

That is my only comfort.

It is a sweet cardigan and yet so manly with the double breast front and shawl collar. I like the pattern but have a bit of a frustrated feeling left over from the problem with the buttonholes. That is my problem though and not the pattern's!

The hat only took 3 hours to knit and it is just what I was looking for. Simple but with the turned up edge for warmth.

The only thing left is to show it to the baby's Dad, who is working for us this summer, and get the address in Moldova where baby will be born. Then it's into the mail for this sweet set!

Ravelry info for the cardigan here and for the hat here.

I'm like a kid at Christmas!

I have this plan to "stockpile" baby clothes and blankets for grandbabies and anyone else who is expecting. I've been doing a lot of advanced searching on Ravelry to find extra special things.

This book is just one such find. But do you see where it came from??

Here is a closer look...

England! It came all the way from England. And it got here in a week! I've waited longer for things from right here in the U.S.

Isn't it a cute book? I was so excited when I opened it.

This is the blanket pattern that originally got me to order the book. I didn't really know what else was in it...there wasn't a whole lot of info about it.

But look at what else is in there. A christening gown and bonnet that matches the blanket.

And these darling things!

And these! And many other things that are just as darling. :D

And this is the wonderful company that I ordered it from.

I'm in baby knitting heaven!

Trip to Dairy Queen!

DH has been wanting to take the grandkids to Dairy Queen for awhile now. This past Sunday turned out to be the day.

It was a last minute thing but worked out wonderfully. The kids were bathed and clean...they live on a farm and tend to be just a bit grubby (just like our boys when we were living there). And they were hungry.

1st DS moved all 3 carseats from his pickup to our car. Everyone got strapped in and away we went.

They ate like they hadn't seen food for awhile. 1st DGD had a cheeseburger and fries. DGS had a hot dog and applesauce. 2nd DGD had a grilled cheese and a banana. And, of course, afterwords they had Ice Cream! The older 2 had cones with sprinkles and the little one had a plain cone. I asked 1st DGD what the sprinkles tasted like and she said "A rainbow!".

They giggled and were excited and we all had a great time with memories made...

Gee, I love those kids!