Nature's Gifts

Peonies....

Lily of the Valley............May's birth flower

My reward for picking up trash around the lake across the street...............

Hawk or owl?

Five Purple Finch babies in geranium basket

Knit it?

Rip it?

Knit it?

Rip it?

Which is it???







Mama Wren peeking out of her nest while she awaits the birth of her 5 chicks.

She's incorporated a snake's skin into the nest.

She hasn't moved in a day or two so it must be getting close to time. Another Wren is bringing her food.

Singing for their supper!

Only 4 chicks made it though. One of the eggs is sitting on top of the nest.

The other day I saw a Geiko hanging out very close to the nest with a smitten look on it's face...................do you think it could be the robber???

Sexiest foot in town...

Another set "bites the dust".....

This is the 5th set of socks needles the "Outlaw" has destroyed.

I swear this cat goes into my knitting bag at night & hunts down my sock needles.

The Trickle Down Effect

My oldest granddaughter has caught the creativity "bug" from her mother.


Mermie was passed down her mother's old sewing machine & she's "sewing up a storm"!


This is an eyeglass case made out of felt. A covered fabric button secures your glasses so they won't be lost. Colorful leaves appear as though they fall from the button's branches.


Mermie wants an Etsy shop & I think she's well on her way to reaching her goal......


Can you guess who this awesome foot/paw belongs to???

The "Outlaw" after a hard day's catch of cave crickets & bird watching & wishing.....

P.S. To those of you who inquired about my daughter's bags, she'll be taking orders the first of May!!!

This 'n That

UFO's no more:


1 - Irish Hiking Scarf knit with Eco Wool from Cascade - 1st cable project


1 - Rustic Kate Tam knit with 4 oz of Superwash Merino roving from Wooly Treasures - 1st project completed with homespun

I know, I've already "shown off" the tam!!!

Do you see what happens to middle age folk when all the kids have flown the coop??? We must entertain ourselves any way we can.

The "Outlaw" turned one on Tuesday & we had a little celebration of sorts with Bert & Ernie party hats.

Josie with her most favoritest birthday toy, la catnippy fishy!

Molly looking very possessed & a lot like "Cujo" in this shot.

A grand time was had by all!

The "shocker" homespun

Mother bird came back & laid 4 more eggs to the existing 1 that was already there!

Now, I think this is a chickadee's nest...

This nest is right next to my back door & is definitely a Wren's nest with 5 eggs occupying it

If I remember correctly, Wendy told me this is a Spirea.

She's Just Like Us

I tell you, there's not a stand-up comic around that has anything on this lady, our beloved Yarn Harlot!!!
The entire day was wonderful & one I will remember as one of the top 20 special days in my life. Yes, it was that good & as Stephanie would say "a non-knitter just couldn't understand"!

Our day started at 6:30 a.m. with Wendy driving us safely from Birmingham to Atlanta. There were tons of cops out & you had to wonder if they were trying to catch all us knitters. I think they heard what happens to a knitter when they're going to a knit shop they've never been to before & that knit shop is hosting Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.................

Stephanie autographing her new book, "Things I Learned from Knitting whether I wanted to or not".
She's so sweet & took time with each person she signed for. No rush job here!!!


Wendy & I waiting for Knitch to open
Don't you know the anticipation was killing us, but we talked with some fellow knitters from Chattanooga that helped pass the time.

We met Abby & Mr Orange from Chattanooga (if I remember correctly), who I learned through the Harlot's blog designed the Knitters Without Border button.





The shop was really nice & the staff did an excellent job of organizing the entire event. What I found on my person when I got back home was: 8+ ozs of Ashford Corriedale roving in Sky Blue, a short sleeve sweater pattern along with the yarn (8 skeins of Rowan Summer Tweed in an almost navy color) & wooden buttons to complete it.

While waiting in line to get into the theater, a Knitch lady was handing out little packages of S.O.A.K.......yeah!!!

We ran into Grace & her Atlanta friend, Evilsciencechick.

Left to right: Wendy, Grace & Evilsciencechick






I finished my "Rustic Kate" Tam while waiting in line to see The Yarn Harlot.



Grace was gracious eought to model it for me & I'm real pleased with the way it turned out. It is my first real knit with yarn that I spun with my very own hands.






Grace at the Knit-In as if to say in a Bette Davis type voice..... "Yes darling, I'm waiting to hear the Yarn Harlot speak to me & only me".

Raffle ticket win:
The lucky tickets & 3 skeins of Suss Alpaca worsted weight in Pomegranate

Do you envious knitters recognize who has his arm around me?

It's the Warlock, yes the Warlock & he told me had his "Willie Warmer" on. I got all warm & flushed inside & outside it appears too!!! He didn't offer to show it to me. His cute wife, the Knit Witch was there beside him.

It was a perfect day all the way around....................

Thank You Canadian Neighbor

Manon, my Wee Tiny Sock arrived safely on Saturday & I was so excited to receive it! Who would imagine that something so tiny could bring so much happiness??? I know......... only a knitter could understand!!!

I love the Karma colourway, my 2 favorite colors green & blue.

Can't wait to try a sock in the Fancy Knitted Stripe pattern on the cute note card. What an ingenious idea that is!!!

Thank you...............

Funky Tawoos (Peacock)

Last Wednesday I picked-up my eldest granddaughter for her monthly orthodontist appointment. Before taking her home, we did a little Hobby Lobby shopping, had a nice lunch & ran a few other errands.

Upon taking "Mermie" home several hours later, I was presented with one of my daughter's homemade bags.

In the time that we were gone my DD made me one of her awesome one-of-a-kind creations & I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!

The bag has sturdy burlap handles. It also has burlap around the edge, which ensures all the weight that it will endure.

I love the fact that she used a piece of batik that I had gotten her when I was in Asheville, NC last October.

Nicely lined, it has 3 interior pockets for cell phone, pen & keys.

Shirley, your creativeness never ceases to amaze me & thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to think of me!!!


More creations..............

DD has been asked to make 10 bags for a fashion show in Atlanta this May.

The Golden Temple on Southside will be selling her belts.