Holiday Knits

Well the Feds got it right this year!!! Check out the "Holiday Knits" stamps. Do you think this is a holiday tribute to knitters everywhere???

An Attempt at Intarsia

This is a stocking I started for PNL in September. Needless to say it won't be ready by Christmas this year!!!

I've always thought that it would be the neatest thing to be able to knit a Christmas stocking like my mother used to do. I've cherished the one my mother made me (nearly 50 years ago). I can remember when my stocking (2nd from left) would be unpacked & how excited I would get because I knew in the very near future it would be filled with wonderful goodies from Santa. I loved running my hand across santa's soft n' fuzzy angora beard. From left to right are my son Daniel's "big foot" stocking (we've had many a laugh over this one); mine; my daughter Blake's; and my oldest grandson's.

More Firewood Than Usual

I was setting a fire in the fireplace yesterday in the chance that it may get cold enough that we can actually light it, when this overwhelming feeling of missing my boy hit me.

My son is a pyromaniac!!! I knew this from the day he can home with singed eyelashes & eyebrows at the mere age of 6. The older next door neighbor boy talked him into stealing cigarettes & matches from our house to smoke.

You oughta hear a 6 year old lie when the evidence is clearly written all over his face..............LOL

Anyway, the non-shrinking log pile made me chuckle to myself cause this time last year he was still living here in Birmingham & every time he would come over he would load his trunk up with firewood to take to his place.

When we moved into this house 3 years ago October, the weather was much like it is today! The a/c was turned way down & he built a "bonfire" in the fireplace, which he continued to stoke all day long.

As much as I complained, I miss the bonfires!!!

Only 5 More To Go

We had the pleasure of having my oldest grandson spend the weekend with us. DG turned 14 in November & his Papa thought it was high time he had a driving lesson. Papa loaded DG up in his truck & off they went to the local high school parking lot. This same high school parking lot is where he taught our son to drive 10 years ago. How old does this make us feel???

On his 3rd try, DG was able to engage the clutch & take off in 1st gear with minimal bucking & jerking.

DG was so proud of himself (I think it shows on his face) & so were his Papa & I.

Dog Park Art

Pathos, Sweet, Lost and Found

Artist: J Aaron Alderman

Medium: Steel, copper

It's incredible how this artist is able to show emotion with absolutely no facial features at all.

"Found"

While in Asheville, Susan & I took the dogs to the dog park, which runs along the French Broad River (pictured below). There was an art show going on in the park with work by various local artists.

This one was my favorite.........

The artist took a very cold medium & made it into something warm.

"Sweet"

"Lost"

"Mandala"

I don't recall the name of this piece, but I love the smooth lines. For some reason it reminds me of an Armadillo............

Jimmy Dean (after the sausage) in foreground.

and Yuengling (yes, after the beer)!

French Broad River

Asheville skyline at sunset

I know it's been a while since I posted, but my father-in-law suffered a fall last July while visiting Paul's sister in Washington, DC, which resulted in a broken hip.

He returned to Birmingham at the end of October (two days after I returned from SAFF).

I didn't have much time to prepare & I'm afraid I wasn't as perky as I should have been, as I was still in a daze from the long week & ride home.

SAFF was wonderful!!!! More on that later...............

Dad stayed with us for 3 days before he was hospitalized due to a low sodium problem. Low sodium made him lethargic & very weak & he had NO strength whatsoever. He was also found to have a urinary track infection going on at the same time. Poor man..........................what else could possibly happen to him????

Dad was released after several days and went to St. Martin's in the Pines rehab facility, where he was for a day when he started complaining of his back hurting. He was readmitted to the hospital after a MRI detected a broken pelvis!!!!

Apparently, he did this when he fell in July.

Why wasn't it detected???? Good question!!!

Paul's daddy is 84 and has never been in a hospital a day in his entire life until this fall.

Dad is on the rehab floor of the hospital & is suppose to be released at the end of the week. None of us think he is ready for this in that he can't stand up by himself. But, we have to remember that we are at the mercy of our insurance carriers who know what is best for us! Better not to get started................

Anyway, we've had a lot of out-of-town company with Paul's sister & brother and their families visiting.

And, that's what I've been up to lately............

My First Attempt at Spinning

Here are the results of my first spinning adventure on "my" wheel. I like the way that sounds......"my wheel"!!!

Remember this old Blood, Sweat & Tears song????

Spinning Wheel (David Clayton-Thomas)

♫ ♪ ♫ ♫♪ ♫♪♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪

What goes up must come down spinning wheel got to go around talkin' 'bout your troubles it's a cryin' sin ride a painted pony let the spinning wheel spin. You got no money you got no home spinning wheel all al lone talkin' 'bout your troubles and you, you never learn Ride a painted pony let the spinning wheel turn.

Did you find your directing sign on the straight and narrow highway?
Would you mind a reflecting sign? Just let it shine within your mind and show you, the colors that are real.
Someone's waiting just for you spinning wheel, spinning true. Drop all your troubles by the riverside ride a painted pony let the spinning wheel fly.

What goes up must come down spinning wheel got to go around talkin' 'bout your troubles it's a cryin' sin ride a painted pony let the spinning wheel spin.
You got no money you got no home spinning wheel all al lone talkin' 'bout your troubles and you, you never learn Ride a painted pony let the spinning wheel turn.
Did you find your directing sign on the straight and narrow highway?
Would you mind a reflecting sign? Just let it shine within your mind and show you, the colors that are real.
Someone's waiting just for you spinning wheel, spinning true Drop all your troubles by the riverside ride a painted pony let the spinning wheel fly.

HARVEST BOUNTY

Darlene you never cease to amaze me with your thoughtfulness. The roving was such a nice surprise & the colors are "to dye for"! Sorry, you know I can't help myself.................

Thanks my friend!

"PIECES OF HIS PAST"

"Pieces of His Past" is a hand stitched memory quilt. It was made in memory of a very dear friend's husband who died at the very early age of 51. David was in excellent health, so his unexpected death was a surprise to all who knew him.

Susan came up with the idea to take David's clothes that she was having a hard time getting rid of & make a quilt for Nathan, their son.

I've been working on it off & on since this past April & it's now finished!

Happy Thought

"The world is so full of a number of things, I'm sure we should all be as happy as kings".

- Robert Louis Stevenson

Twenty-five pieces & seven bobbins of New Zealand silver beech wood. I feel as though I know each piece intimately! Actually, she wasn't hard to assemble at all. I thought I would have a hard time with all those pictures, but I actually did pretty well. It's so nice to put something together & all the pieces be there!!!

The Gangs Almost All Here!!!

" Knit Knight" at BAM

Kay casts on black tweed Cascade for a scarf for hubby. Jan, our knitting "Guru" tries to figure out a pattern for Marie. Ginger joins us after a long absence..........she's a brand new Mommy to the most precious little guy!!! Darlene knits a scarf from beautiful greens, blues & purples that she spun herself, yes, spun herself!!! We're so impressed Darlene! Marie finishes up a "sweet" soap bag. Marie showed us a Christmas Tree warshrag that she had made............too cute, but where are those socks girl??? Cindy casts on the most gorgeous "Crimson Tide" colored Blue Moon for yet another pair of socks.

Camille we missed you, but know how excited you are about that new house!

Cindy tries on the sweater that I just finished in time for SAFF. The neck is sooooooooooooo tight no one can get it over their head!!!! Could I have casted off too tightly on needles 2 sizes bigger than required???

All hope is not lost. In the mean time, I have done some ripping & the sweater is now wearable!!!!!!

Columbus Day Surprise

UPS DID run today afterall!

Can't wait to get her stained, assemble & up 'n running! It will be after SAFF before she's ready to go, or I'm ready for that matter.

I'm still recovering from shoulder surgery & can't yet handle all the sanding that's needed when staining. Frustration is mounting...........

Plus, I will be learning how to use her at SAFF with a spinning class I'm taking.

The "Outlaw" helping with the unwrapping of the wheel!

The "Outlaw" napping on my sweater.

"Hickory Dickory Dock"

Martha Stewart & her "people" just comes up with the coolest stuff!!!

"Mousy" just might have to be a permanent fixture.

Miscellany

Thrift store find............ Amish or Pennsylvania Dutch "Hex" Sign. The Amish use this old form of folk art to decorate & protect their homes. These signs are usually hung on their barns.

The star stands for energy & harmony, love, hope, good fortune, fertility, & protects against fires.











Neckdown pullover by Knitting Pure & Simple. Yarn is "Utopia" by Reynolds.
I've been working on this sweater longer than I care to admit. My goal is to have if completed by Saff at the end of the month. I only lack a sleeve and a half.

I will never buy cheap yarn again as long as I live & put this much time into it!!! I'm embarrassed to say it's 100% acrylic & was only $5.49 a skein.

I wouldn't wear an acrylic sweater from a store much less buy one! What was I thinkin?




My daughter made me this awesome zippered bag for my knitting "stuff"! It's a perfect size (7"x10") & the fabrics she chose are so pretty & cheerful. The inside is as great as the outside. I should have taken a better picture of the lining. Blake even went as far as to machine quilt it! You never cease to amaze me sweetie....

Sophie's Toes "Lush" 100% Merino in garter rib pattern.
Just love these hand dyed beauties. Great yarn from a great friend!
Can't wait to wear them (if it ever cools off)!

The Perfect Day

Today PNL & I took a drive up Hwy 75 to Oneonta to see the covered bridges. Since it was our 1st real fall like day it seemed like a good day for a drive. The ragweed & goldenrod are abundant inspite of the drought.

We ended up going to Inland Lake to see how low the water is. It was extremely sad to see what was once one of the most beautiful lakes all dried-up. Boats that were once moored to docks sitting on dry land. This is one of our main water sources that feeds into Lake Purdy.




On a lighter note, I had the pleasure of meeting a very interesting gentleman by the name of Fred Ingram.

I walked into a store by the name of "Eureka Shop" across from Miller Drug Store in the older section of downtown Oneonta. I didn't notice anyone else in the store & was wondering where the merchant of this establishment was. As I approached the back of the store, I heard a soft voice say "hello". Here sat an older man with the most striking blue eyes I have ever seen crocheting this wonderful shawl that he wanted to model for the camera. Sorry it isn't a clearer picture.


Fred spent his earlier years at the University of Alabama studying art. His specialty is sculpture, but he dabbles in other areas too. For instance, not only does he crochet, he also knits, yes knits. Fred won 1st prize at the county fair many years ago for a shawl that he knitted that had a pocket on it..........he made up the pattern himself.

Fred crocheting his "flashy" shawl.
I wasn't aware of it, but there's a knit shop in Oneonta a few stores down from "Eureka Shop".
It doesn't look like much on the outside, but Fred says she has quite a selection of yarn. May be worth a drive one day when it's open.....

A Work of Art

Since I average about 1 post per month (if that) I figured I better get on the ball before the month is entirely over!!! My motto........... better late than never!

Well, I've had a few restless nights here lately trying to decide between a Baynes or the Ashford "Traveler". It appears that the later has won out after much ado about spinning. I hope I've selected a "great" one for a beginner to learn on?

Is there a suttle way to say "I'M GETTING A WHEEL"??? I want to yell it from the roof tops, but I'm scared of heights. This interenet cast will just have to do.

You know she'll definitely have to have a name. Any suggestions???

What fine lines she has..........isn't she a beautiful piece of work!

Thanks PNL.

Dish Rag Tag

DH & I had two of the grandkids over the weekend & took them to see "Stardust" Saturday afternoon. The whole time we were at the movie I was wondering if "the box" had been delivered with today's mail! I also was curious if it would fit in the mailbox, or if the postman would put it by the front door where it COULD possibly get stolen. Panic attack!!!

We pulled into the driveway around 3:30. The box wasn't by the front door. My heart sunk. I pulled up to the mailbox so my granddaughter could get the mail & aha the box HAD fit in the mailbox afterall. I was so excited I could hardly handle it.

Melissa in Michigan came through with the prettiest tangerine lacey dish rag. I think rather than a dish rag though, I will use it for a face cloth..............too pretty to get all greased-up don't ya think?

Also, in the box was "Little Sprouts" grasshead that grows REAL grass. Sally Jo is loving it already and it's not even out of the box yet! My favorite favoritest thing though is the safety pin full of the coolest button stitch markers that I've ever seen!

Melissa, thanks for everything!!!

Go Rockin Rag Taggers.........

Chemo Caps & Past Knits

The chemo caps were mailed to Sue in Minnesota yesterday. I hope they bring some comfort to Sue's sister, Mary. I decided to make 3 caps, each with a different fiber content. The striped cap is all cotton & feels really nice. The purple one is 100% acrylic, but very soft & probably very warm too! The purplish/blue one is 50 cotton/50 acrylic. They are all machine washable.

I have posted several "past knits" in that it appears I don't knit much. Since I learned how to knit socks, everything else (knitwise) has been put on the back burner.

The socks were my first pair of Cherry Tree Hill. They were a Christmas present to my sister last year.

I finished this Jo Sharp wrap last year. It was a gift to my beautiful daughter. She loves it so much that she keeps it on a dress form so she can always see it.

This ugly bag was one of first felting projects. My daughter fell in love with it & of course I gave it to her.


I call this the "Bean Hat". One of my middle granddaughters is a "hat girl". Her name is Hala, which means ring around the moon, but I started calling her "Bean" several years ago & it stuck.

Hurricane Sock Really Rocks

Just now getting around to posting pictures of my "Hippy Crunchy" sock from Jenny. The sock is an anklet that fits pefectly & I can't wait to attempt to duplicate it. There is a lot of open work on the top of the sock & I believe Jenny to be a more advanced sock knitter than myself....hope I can do it justice.

Look at all the neat things that Jenny included in the box. My favorite Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies in both chocolate & mint......yum yum. Margarita mix along with hurricane glasses & umbrella straws...............can't wait to get into that!!! Also included was a cute little blue zippered bag perfect for socks, as well as a yarn cutter & Chibi needles.

Jenny was also thoughtful enough to include a remembrance gift for Mabel Ann. The neatest tape measure with a kitty on it. Everytime I see it it will remind me of her.

May I introduce the newest addition to the family, Sally Jo. She was named for a Ricky Skaggs bluegrass song that seemed to fit her purrrrrrfectly. She's extememly laid back & she & the dog get along GREAT!!! I have fallen in love again.....

In Memory of My Precious Angel "Mabel Ann"

January 21, 2002 - June 4, 2007

Mabel's Whiskers


Mabel Ann was my tortoise shell beauty with a little lightning streak of pink on her nose. She was anti-social with most, but we understood each other. After all, she was a fellow Aquarius. I would tell her she had "rabbit feet" like Thumper's and according to my Grandson, she had "boy ears".

May's nose would drip when she purred & got lovie dovie. Her dry cat food would become soggy after only a few bites. Mabes did this little ChaCha dance while her meals were being prepared, just like in the commercial.

My Ann was a mighty hunter & host of the busiest varmit B&B (Bird & Beast) in the south. Her more interesting guest list included: Peter Rabbit, who was bigger than she was; Slick the Snake (yes, snake, nonpoisonous, but still a snake); Poe the Crow; Chip 'n Dale (they stayed 3-4 days once) & every one of their relatives that live within a 9 acre radius; Woody Woodpeeker who was starring at me one day through the window when I was just getting home (I swear this bird had to be 12" long & I thought he might peck my eyes out while I was rescuing him, like in Hitchcock's "The Birds").

Her dirty little footprints (from drinking out of the potty) are still on the toilet seat in the laundry room. I can't bring myself to clean the seat.......

Molly, Daddy & I miss you sooooooo

She is with the angels.

She will be missed.

Hurricane Swap Party 2007

Well, Dawn's Hurricane Swap Party 2007 box is packed & it's ready for mailing to the Lone Star state.

Threw in a few goodies.... hope Dawn likes everything. I had a great time doing this & can't wait for Hurrican Swap Party 2008!!!

Everything is wrapped in white tissue paper except for the sock & yarn, which is wrapped in black tissue paper. Each package has a different yarn or ribbon remnant from my "leftovers" stash.

The yarn is Trekking XXL #126, Brach's colorway. The pattern is a garter rib: K2P2 1st round; and knit 2nd round.