Finito! Finally. It took long enough.

It took over 5 years to get this completed.

Five. Years.

Uff.

And, it took a neighbor's daughter getting married and expecting a baby to finally get this out of hibernation and back into action.


In the beginning, there were a few problems knitting this. I was totally new to lace and had never knit lace on both sides and so there was a fair amount of frogging. If you look closely at the picture you'll see a flaw. I'm thinking it is where I ripped out and picked up stitches again.
But knitting lace on both sides has it benefits. Look how pretty the back side is too!

I'm not fond of all the holes in this since it'll be for a baby living in North Dakota but maybe it won't be used as an outdoors blanket but one on the crib.

It was a joy to finish once there was a recipient that I care so much for. I hope delivery of the baby boy is safe and happy for all involved. And that the blanket is used for years to come.

Pertinent info here on Ravelry.

WIP, Reading and a Window Visitor

Look at all that! Looks like I've had a case of cast-on-itis. There sure is good choice to pick from for whatever knitting whimsy strikes.

I'm about 11% (what can I say...it is how Kindle tells you where you are) into this book. It's good. And it is the winter that we aren't getting this year. Shh, don't tell anyone but I kinda am missing our regular type winter.

And while I was taking pictures by the best light source this time of year (patio door), look who showed up.

The bold cheeky little critter. I got a couple mug shots of him.

Front view.

Side view.

And when the kitties discovered him he ran so fast I didn't even get the thought put together to take a picture much less press the shutter.

But the kitties knew what was up. Up a tree!

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...

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!

Yes actually. I do knit. And sew a little.

Maybe it's time to quit talking so much about the weather and do a knitting update? I have more than one project on the needles right now. The first is a pair of worsted weight socks/slippers. See the second sock? It's still wound up so nicely into a ball! ;)













The second project is the Basic Chic Hoodie. (Ravelry link. Sorry non-Ravelers.) I'm doing it with the lace and will definitely make it longer than the pattern says!













And the third knitting project is the Sea of Dreams baby blanket. (Another Ravelry link.) I don't know who will get this blankey. Only time will tell! And since there isn't a rush on it, it is basically in time out for now.













Now on to a couple sewing projects. Both with time limits... This is going to be a Tinkerbell outfit for our oldest granddaughter who will be 6 on April 4th. She is so tall that she can't fit in the princess/fairy costumes they have at the "marts" and she does love to dress up. So I'm coming to the rescue with a birthday gift that hopefully will thrill.













And the second sewing project is giving me the nightmares. It's a prom dress for a great niece that needs to be shortened and taken in at the bodice. I foolhardedly said, "Oh sure! I can do that!". Not realizing how many layers and how much beading there is. Or that the side zipper will have to be partially taken out and replaced. Any suggestions on how to do any of this would be greatly appreciated. Nothing that says I need my head examined need be submitted. I already know that...

More Randomnesses

This is the newest knitting project. I don't know anyone having a baby or even really thinking about it but I'll be ready if someone does!

It starts out with a picot hem...something I've never done before. I understand it. But at the same time it's a little confusing.

As of right now I have 2 needles and a bunch of loose yarn ends all happening at the same time. I know I'll love it when I get it done. :)

And for your cat viewing pleasure.....

Claus

Teddy

No, he isn't sleeping on EVERY picture I take. He just hates the flash so if I bring the camera out he instantly closes his eyes.

I guess it is hard to see on this picture but it's about 5 below zero this morning. So, it is cold here. And windy. Like really windy. Making the cold feel just that much colder. And take notice in the picture of the snow as far as the eye can see.

Mother Nature are you still there? Have you forgotten about us? Yoo Hoo! Remember us? Can winter please be over soon? Pretty please?

Now Christmas is done

2nd DS & DDIL left for WI this morning. So that means Christmas is really over. :(

I'm always a bit teary eyed to see them go. It's a bit of a trip to see them. It takes them 9 hours to drive but it takes us 11 so we can't just jaunt over and visit. (I say the difference in the amount of time is the big age difference between our bladders.) We had a wonderful time while they were here though and that is the important thing. I'll concentrate on that.

I've got a huge bunch of UFOs that I have to work on. 3 pair of socks. 2 for me, 1 for DH. I didn't get 1st DDIL's scarf finished for Christmas so that should be done asap. As a easy gift, I also wrapped up 3 balls of yarn and a pattern for DH. I'm going to make him a scarf also. We do have a lot of winter left though so I do have time. But if I procrastinate too much it won't be good. Oh yeah, I've got a shawl for myself started that is waiting patiently to be finished and I also have a baby afghan that is only 1/2 done. Uff.

As of right now, though, there are end of the year bookwork that has to dealt with so that's my agenda for the next few days.

Have a wonderful New Year's Eve!

Love this time of year

It's finally the time of year that I get to goof off. The seed plant is basically closed for the season. I have paychecks still to do and bills to pay and tomorrow I should really do statements but most days I'll get to be at home! Yay! Love it.

I had the car to the repair shop on Monday. It had a terrible slapping, banging sound coming from the front passenger wheelwell. The shock had a oil leak. I didn't even know that shocks had oil in them. So it's fixed now and it sounds better and because they had to do an alignment too it drives like new. Shazam.

I had the baby sweater along to the car repair shop and got several rows done on that. I'm going to put a ruffle on the bottom. I think it'll look cute. I just have to find out how many increases and how often to do them. I'm going to Google as soon as I'm done writing this. I really need to finish something for that new grandbaby. There is still the afghan to do and a couple little hats to get started. There is only 2 1/2 to 3 months left.

I've done some more on the Leaf Lace Shawl but have also made a couple mistakes that I'm hoping won't really show because I haven't figured out if you can partially frog lace without having to do the whole thing over again. I did a little tinking and I think I fixed it pretty good. I hope.

Well, I should be knitting instead of typing so maybe I should hop off here and get to it. But what do I want to knit? I want to do the shawl but I should do the baby things. It works best to do what you want to do instead of what you should do. Right??

Smokin' plastic

I've probably said it before but internet shopping and credit cards....you gotta love 'em! I've placed, I'm embarrassed to say, 4 orders (one for shoes that I can't find anywhere but the internet) in the last few days. And being so very impatient I'm constantly looking at my email for shipping confirmation. I really need to stop now and do some work. I've got inventory to enter and bills to pay. But really that doesn't compare to anxiously awaiting something in the mail or UPS. Yarn! Needles! Patterns! Oh my! I must say though, in my defense, that a lot of this is from the 25% off Carodan Farm sale.

I've been in a bit of a knitting slump. I had told myself that I wouldn't start another project until I get the pink afghan done. The new grandbaby is definitely a girl! :) Anyway, I'm not getting anywhere on it and I think as soon as I get the new yarn etc in the mail I'm going to start as many projects as I can. I think it will all go better if I have fun things to pick from.

So here are the things that I want to start.

Pink sweater and hat or 2 for the new little one.
Leaf Lace shawl for me, with another one for a DDIL if all goes well. Maybe both DDILs! :)
And I ordered Noro Silk Garden for a winter scarf. That might not be started right away.

I do have more things on the needles besides the pink afghan. There is a blue afghan that will undoubtably be put on hold AGAIN and there is a pair of socks that I just have lost my love for. Funny how that goes. I hope to find it back again. They will be fun little socks with a built in jacquard pattern. But they are hibernating for now. They just don't know it....or maybe they do.

Sunny weather today but cool. Only in the 60s. It's been really windy too.

Maybe I'll just check the email one more time and THEN start working.....

Random wanderings

The weather is cloudy, grey, cold. The temperature for tonight is forecast for 31. Yes. Freezing. And, there is a wind chill factor in the forecast off and on for the next few days. This is May? Or maybe it is November. I'm starting to think Mother Nature is going through menopause and doesn't know spring from winter! :)

The new grandbaby will be a girl. WooHoo! So the pink Lullaby afghan is the one that I need to be working on. I think I'm over 1/2 done now. I also am planning on a sweater and a hat so will have to check out Ravelry for patterns and yarn choices. Since the baby is due at the end of September, I'd like to use a superwash wool, but I sure don't want to make 1st DDIL be careful when washing it. She will have 3 kids under 5 years old when the new one comes. Busy, do you think?

Work has started hopping even if the weather isn't conductive to farming. Everyone is getting things lined up so they can just get out there as soon as the fields are ready. Which at this rate may be awhile. The 10 day forecast doesn't break into the 70s even. Uff. Come on Mother Nature if you are in menopause, where are the hot flashes???

Well, I cried at the end of Grey's Anatomy last night. I always feel foolish doing that. It is just a TV show for Pete's sake! I always have been an easy crier though. Anyway, I think it was good enough that it could have been the season ending. I wonder if they can top it next week when it is the end for the year....

Sunny Sunday

It is going to be a wonderful day today. It has warmed up and will be in the 60s and Sunny! I've got to figure out something to do outside so I & the cats can go out. There are some flowers that need dividing. I wonder if it is too early to do that. The ground must be pretty cold yet. I'll have to check it out...

Some of the charm of the pink afghan has worn off. I seem to measure it and have gotten no where. I'm afraid it'll turn into a job instead of a joy before I get it finished. Maybe I just won't make it as long as the pattern calls for. It apparently didn't turn out as wide either. I do think though that it is going to stretch with use. And I don't want it to become humongous either!

Well, I've got the usual assortment of housework type things that needs to get done so I suppose I better get on with it...

Lullaby baby afghan progress

I don't think that I'm 1/2 way done yet, but I'm still loving the pattern and the yarn and the pink color and especially the needles. They are Susan Bates Silverado circular needles. Love the cord. So flexible. I don't have to fight with it at all. That makes the whole process so much more enjoyable. I usually don't care for metal needles but these have something done to them that makes them just the right amount of grip and slip with the yarn. Did I say I love them??

When I get done with this one and the blue baby afghan, I have some very pretty lavender colored yarn that I'll be making into another baby afghan. I'm thinking I should have a baby afghan on the needles all the time. I'm hoping for lotsa grandbabies! Just don't tell DSs that I said that! ;)

Updated blog and a question

So I updated the blog a little. Chose a different color template. Twiddled with the colors. I think I like it better. It's not as heavy looking. It has a little more spring/summer-like appearance....

Our Ladies' church group is having a Pie Social/Bake Sale with musical entertainment tomorrow afternoon. I'm needing to leave work early to bake a pie and 3 other things for the sale. I'd love to do bread but don't think there will be enough time. A banana bread would work and they go over pretty good. Some cookies....maybe a fruit pie or a chocolate pudding one....Decisions!

I'm knitting every spare minute I can on the Lullaby baby afghan. I'm enchanted with the pattern. And the yarn (Simply Soft) is the most yummy color and softness. I know I keep talking about it but I just am enjoying this so much.

Our weather is cooler again today and there is a slight chance of snow Sunday night. But on the other hand the forecast is saying possibly 70s and 80s for next week. Many years ago we had 100 degrees in the beginning of April. THAT was unusual. But then most of ND weather is rather extreme. The saying goes, Wait 5 minutes and the weather will change. It's almost true.

I have payroll to do today and should tackle the bills. Same old, same old.

I've been thinking of doing a series of posts about the farming season. When things got planted, how they are advancing, with pictures along the way. I think it could be interesting if I could get lots of pictures taken. There might be people out there that are interested in how food is grown and what all goes into it. Anyone interested in seeing something like that?

Nothing new

We had a nice Easter. Quiet. Ate too much. Did a little knitting. Watched some TV. Deadliest Catch was on all afternoon and watched several episodes of that.

I'm loving knitting on the pink baby afghan. I've almost finished the 1st skein and am still enjoying doing the pattern. I'm a bit afraid that 4 skeins might not be enough.....I need to measure after I'm done with a full skein and see how long it'll turn out to be.

I'm at work and bored to tears. It'll get so busy I won't know what to do with myself shortly but for right now I'm only here to answer the phone and it's not ringing. The weather has improved and the snow is rapidly disappearing...Thank goodness. Farmers will be in the fields and chomping at the bit before we know it. In some ways I can't wait. It's better to be busy than just hanging out.

Maddie & Teddy are busily chasing flies in the house and Maddie is watching birds out the window. I know she'll be excited to get outside even if it is on a leash. I went out to see if there is any green showing in the flower beds even though I know good and well that there can't be yet. I'm just anxiously awaiting greenness.

I've fallen and I ca....actually I did get up again.

So yes, I really did fall today. All the melting and freezing and melting and freezing finally caught up with me at least. A very hard cement sidewalk with just a little patch of shiny smooth ice got me and my tailbone. Ouchy. It sure knocked the stuffings out of me for a couple seconds. I can feel the sore muscles all over and I'm thinking that getting out of bed tomorrow morning should be interesting. The only redeeming factor in the whole thing is that no one saw me.

I have restarted on the Lacy Baby Blanket that I've had in hibernation for a long time. I remember now why it went into hibernation! I'm just not fond of counting and YO and K2T. Mostly it's the counting. And the rows that are all different from each other. I'm a mindless vanilla knitter I guess. This afghan is over 1/2 done now so I will be finishing it come h*ll or high water. If the upcoming grandbaby would happen to be a boy I'll be just that much ahead of the game.

I also am looking for an baby afghan pattern that uses sport weight yarn. I have a boatload of baby colored Lion Brand Baby yarn that I think is enough for an afghan. I've been contemplating a granny square or ripple but it seems like crocheting also makes my hands and wrists hurt. Very similar to what the cotton yarn did. A whole afghan might be a bit too much. Even if it is baby sized. I'll just have to keep looking.

The weather is gorgeous. I really like this time of year with the snow melting and the temperatures above freezing. Loverly. Except when you fall down. Poo.