Another Row, Another Row

It's much too hot to do anything but stay at home.
So, I've been working on holiday gifts.
I finished knitting this scarf.

I used a free pattern called Honeycomb that I found at
Mama In A Stitch.

The yarn is Scarfie, the Charcoal/Aqua color way
by Lion Brand.
It's so soft, I may not be able to give it away!

Giggle...
I've been singing this all day!
I hope it will make me feel cool.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Mosaic Monday

Make It Pretty Monday

Keep In Touch

Share Your Cup Thursday

Little Things Thursday

You Are Never Too Old to Blow Bubbles

I've been a little grumpy.


First, Trader Joe's discontinued their Wasabi Mayo.
I love TJs Wasabi Mayo.
Apparently, I may have been the only one who did.
But if that is the case, why did they carry it for the last four years?
Thankfully, I have an unopened jar in the pantry.

The weather hasn't helped.

UGHUST has arrived in all her hot and humid glory.

In addition to sunscreen, one needs something to keep themselves cool.

Fruit bars help.

The creamy coconut is delicious.

Hurricane Harvey doesn't help.

Since it is too hot to be outside,

I took the opportunity to finish a shawl.

This was a Marley Bird KAL.

The pattern called for chunky Red Heart yarn.

I don't "do" chunky ... I'm too short.

I look swamped by "chunky"!

I made the shawl in Red Heart Soft and repeated a couple of sections.

Perfect! 

Dreaming about cooler weather!

It was hard to be grumpy when the kitties Kit Nip Box arrived.

They always enjoy new toys -- at least for a couple of days!

My Texas Market Box arrived at about the same time.

I really enjoy this box.

Each box includes the best small-batch,

artisan goods from farmers' markets and local Texas businesses.

The Texas Market folks make monetary donations to the Houston Food Bank.

Double win!

There is a theme for each month and this one was Gulf Coast Summer.

Garlicky Greengo Sauce, Gulf Coast Fish Fry, Sea Salt Soap Bar,

Island Seasoned Sea Salt and Organic Watermelon Lime Tea.

Nothing can chase the grumps away faster than a new mug and tea!

The Watermelon Lime Organic Green Tea came in the box.

I'm going to try it next -- iced. 

The mug is from Susan Branch.

The Blue Bird is one of her new designs.

Do you have the grumps?

Remember...

You are never too old to blow bubbles!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Little Things Thursday

Share Your Cup Thursday 

Home Sweet Home

Amaze Me Monday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Tra La! It's May!

Tra la, it's May, the lusty Month of May

That lovely month when everyone goes blissfully astray.

Tra la, it's here, that shocking time of year

When tons of wicked little thoughts merrily appear!

(Lyrics from Lerner and Loewe's Camelot)

*
Where I live, the arrival of May means summer is here.
Six months of summer and six months of not summer.
Although the "not" summer seems to be getting shorter.

*

Did you know the month of May is named for the Roman goddess Maia,
who oversaw the growth of plants?
Also from the Latin word maiores, "elders," who were celebrated during this month.

*

Amaryllis is blooming in Musashi's garden.

*

My 50th high school reunion is this year.
THUD!

Here I am --

If I remember correctly, the senior pix were taken the end of the junior year.
Thus the short hair (look at all that teased hair).
Yes, I have my eyes closed  -- the sun is bright in New Mexico.

*

It's no secret that I enjoy shopping (especially window shopping) at Sur La Table.
This is what I found in their latest email.

Too cute!


*

I decided I needed to clean out my yarn closet.

I would open the door and wonder what would fall out next!

My habit when I'm working on a project,

knit, crochet, counted cross stitch -- whatever --

is to put all the supplies in a tote bag with the project.

A girl can never have too many tote bags.

So in goes the pattern, yarn, needles, hooks -- everything to get the project done.

And when I finish, I tend to leave everything in the tote bag.

So, cleaning out the yarn closet meant I went through all the tote bags to see what was there ... mostly patterns and hooks/needles.

One of the totes had two balls of a washable acrylic, nylon yarn in a wonderful teal with dark  blue specks, a circular needle and several scarf patterns.
I like to use a circular needle on small projects.

 One of my all time favorite stash busting patterns from Knit Picks was included.

I must have decided to try to get a scarf from the two small balls of yarn.

Well, it worked!

Here's the finished product.

I cut the pattern (Diagonal Garter Stitch Scarf) from the Knit Picks catalog 
(back when they sent catalogs by mail).

It's very simple -- Cast on 22 stitches (or your choice).

RS: Knit into front and back of first st, knit across to last 2 sts, K2tog.

WS: Knit

Repeat these two rows until scarf is desired length and bind off loosely.

*

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Five On Friday

Willy Nilly Friday

Mosaic Monday

Monday Social

Craft On

Exercise Your Mind Not Just Your Abs

I hope everyone had a nice holiday weekend.

I had a quiet one.

Did some digging in the garden which is always good.

*

I put my crochet hook and my knitting needles aside giving my hands a rest.

Marly Bird is going to do another KAL (Knit-A-Long) and I want to be ready!

I haven't been to Michaels yet to get the yarn.

It's on the "to do" list.

*

The Fortune Cookie Journal suggested I exercise my mind not just my abs 
(which I did in the garden)
and I guess I did that by completing some reading.

My 88 year-old godmother loves to read.
She really enjoys the China Bayles mystery series by Susan Wittig Albert.
The new one - THE LAST CHANCE OLIVE RANCH is out. 
Number 25 in the series!
It's a good thing that my godmother doesn't mind if I read it first!
It's on it's way to her house for Mother's Day. 
One of the reasons I enjoy this series so much is the business China owns--
an herb shop.
In this book -- olives take center stage along with murder.
All the favorite characters are back and in fine form.

*

The second book I want to share with you is
MY CITY HIGHRISE GARDEN by Susan Brownmiller.

Most people know Susan Brownmiller as feminist and journalist. She is probably best known for her 1975 book, AGAINST OUR WILL: MEN, WOMEN AND RAPE. Now 80 years old, Brownmiller takes us on a delightful tour of her 20th floor high-rise garden, something she has been tending with care for 35 years. 
 Small space gardening is not easy (I know), but on the 20th floor of a high-rise is definitely an unnatural environment with high winds and bad weather, along with the occasional maintenance of the building. She talks about the garden with humor and honesty. I got lots of ideas for my balcony (on the second floor) and my postage stamp backyard. I even ordered day-lilies from the company that she uses. If you love gardens, this a short (154 pages), sweet description of an oasis in the city with all its trials, tribulations and successes. I'm going to keep my copy for future reference!

*

The third book is THE CURIOUS CHARMS OF ARTHUR PEPPER
by Phaedra Patrick.

Charming and delightful, Arthur Pepper is nearing the one year
anniversary of his wife's death. It's time to clean out the closet and get rid of her things. While separating clothes and shoes, he finds a charm bracelet in a pair of boots. He doesn't remember ever seeing the bracelet before.
This bracelet and it's charms take Arthur on an adventure of healing and self-discovery. 

Three different books and all good.
Although if you are interested in the Mystery,
you should start with book number one -- not number twenty five!

 *

I went out to feed the fish and look what I found in the pond!
A whole lot of "something" going on. Ha!
This must mean that spring is definitely here.

*

This week instead of lunch it was breakfast with a friend.
Spinach Quiche at Croissant Brioche -- French Bakery and Cafe.
Authentic French breads baked fresh daily.
YUM!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Five on Friday

Willy Nilly Friday

Mosaic Monday

Start Thinking About Christmas In January

I've been busy knitting.
I finished another shawl except for the blocking and
started another.

Will I have enough made before Christmas?
Not sure,
but they'll be ready for Christmas 2017!  

The finished shawl is made from some stash yarn: Bernat Satin Sport in Jade.
Very soft and light weight - perfect if you live in the "tropics" like I do!
(Otherwise known as the Texas Gulf Coast.) 

The off white shawl is made with Patons Classic Wool,
DK Superwash in the color Aran.
Heavier and will go to live with someone who has cold weather.


*

As it gets closer to Christmas,
I'm trying to decide what my next crochet project will be. 
I spent too much time at pinterest and came up with these as my first choice.






The pattern for the snowman afghan can be found here.




The pattern for the teapot cosy can be found here.

The Gingerbread Family ornaments can be found here.

Decisions  decisions! 

It's obvious I should start thinking about Christmas in January 
if I'm going to make wonderful things. 

From the Fortune Cookie Journal:
"You can't start a new chapter if you're stuck at the table of contents."

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Mosaic Monday

Monday Social 

Yarn Along 



  

Settle All Arguments With Ice Cream

Outside my window this morning, 
the sun is shining.
Fall made a quick fly by yesterday bringing us cooler weather and rain.
Cooler weather for three days is better than none.


I'm enjoying the water garden.
The water lilies are on their last blooms.
They like a lot of sun and as the sun moves toward winter
the lilies just don't get enough light.

A new fur-babe has been added to our household.
His name is Oliver. 
He is a Rag Doll with a little Siamese thrown in.
Oliver is a cuddly, sweet boy who has done a good job at
ignoring the hot air being blown at him by his adopted siblings.
He simply raises his fluffy tail and marches right through the middle.
Zoom!

Christmas is just around the corner.
Pure Wow had some helpful ideas on how to shop early for Christmas.
You can read the entire article here.
Here's six suggestions:

Make your gift list now.
Listen attentively to family and friends for hints.
Build a gift giving line into the fall budget.
Know everyone's sizes.
Buy in bulk. This one is for those who know they will need hostess gifts.
Consider Thanksgiving weekend your shopping deadline.

I finished the dark blue shawl and started another.
The dark blue shawl was made with Patons Classic Wool Mallard Teal.
The light color is Bernat Satin Sport that I found in my stash.

A few words of wisdom from the Fortune Cookie Journal:
"Settle all arguments with ice cream."

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Five on Friday
Willy Nilly Friday
Monday Social
Mosaic Monday

It's September!

It's September!

Did you say "Rabbit, Rabbit" the first thing in the morning on September 1?

It's supposed to bring you good luck! 

I'm just hoping it will bring cooler weather.
How about highs in the 80s instead of 90s???!!!!
I'd go for that.

Down came the summer welcome sign from the front door 
and up went the burlap wreath.

It looks nice surrounded by the blue door frame.


I also changed out the flag that flies from the balcony.
The Scarecrow is flying high.




Then I went hunting for the fabric pumpkins.
I'm still looking for some of them,
but it's a good start.





Pumpkin Moonshine is one of my favorite little books by Tasha Tudor
and is always a Fall favorite.






When I'm not looking for fall decorations,
I have my knitting needles going.

I've made four (yes, four) Oblique Kerchief.
It's an easy pattern and the yarn is soft to the touch and easy to work with.

Now I'm working on the Ribbed Collar Bolero.
I have a stash of Lion Brand Homespun and this is an opportunity to use it up.
If I like the finished project, I'll make some more.
I've only "frogged" 4 or 5 times.
It is a simple ribbing, but trying to watch a baseball game
and having three kitties determined to sit on my lap and the knitting
makes dropping stitches very easy!
Knock on wood, but I seem to be moving right along now.

I finally got to my Stitch and Bitch group.
They are a crochet group that meets at a local restaurant twice a month.
Not much bitching, but a whole lot of stitching, laughing and eating going on.
They welcome knitters, too.







Now I'm looking for my little Dump Cake cookbook.
Autumn Dump Cake 
made with pears, apple pie filling, dried cranberries sounds good to me!










Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Willy Nilly Friday

Five on Friday

Mosaic Monday

Home Sweet Home

I'm Feeling a Bit Moldy

1. Im feeling a bit moldy after rain all week. 

April showers bring May flowers. 

In my case, April showers bring more May showers. 

Lots of tropical downpours meaning I'm taking water OUT of the pond. 

I don't want the water going over and the fish going over, too. 

2. I just finished Journey to Munich: A Maisie Dobb's Novel by Jacqueline Winspear. 

I've read each and every one of the Maisie novels. 

I'm happy to report that Maisie is back. 

She is dealing with the deaths of her husband and child. 

In Journey to Munich Maisie is sent undercover to Berlin to bring back a British citizen who has been imprisoned in Dachau. 

3. The regular home season for the Rice University baseball season is over. 

I'm going to miss my little buddy Sofie. 

Sofie is six months old and is in training to be a service dog. 

Her people are parents of a Rice baseball player . 

Sofie is a great baseball fan and I'm going to miss her (and her people).

4. I finished another knitted shawl. 

I'm calling it a shawl/scarf as it is smaller in size than the shawl I finished earlier.

 The pattern is free and can be found here. 

5. I've been gathering my index cards. The 2016 version of ICAD (Index Card A Day) will start on June 1. This will be my fourth year and it is always fun. A little bit of art every day is good for everyone!  

Meow 2013 ICAD

Wishing YOU well and much joy.

Willy Nilly Friday

Five On Friday

Random Five Friday with Nancy

Never Too Early

I figure it is never too early to try out patterns for possible Christmas gifts.

I found a lovely KAL (Knit A Long) shawl by Marly Bird 

and sponsored by Red Heart Yarn (using Red Heart Soft).

I haven't done any knitting in some time so it was an adventure for me.

But it is done and I really like it.

I learned some new tricks (you CAN teach an old dog new tricks),
and finished the shawl with the Icord bind off.






Love the texture of the shawl.
Now to weave-in the ends.

So, now that the shawl is done what's next?
Don't worry -- I have two more projects in the works!
But today I'm going to take a break.



*





With summer soon to be upon us - lets dream of gardens by reading
 GARDENS OF AWE AND FOLLY  by the delightful and talented Vivian Swift.
I love all of Vivian's books.
Wonderful journal like travel books with watercolor illustrations done by Vivian.
Gardens of Awe and Folly is her newest travel book.
I actually squealed with delight when the book arrived.
Now I can settle down with my tea and kitties and travel to Paris,
Key West, Marrakech, New Orleans, Long Island, Edinburgh, London, and
Rio De Janeiro
all in the comfort of my home.
I might even learn something new and something about life itself. 

Open the book, any page, and you'll find illustrations like these.

Beautiful!


Wishing YOU well and much joy!

No Place Like Home with Sandi
Yarn A Long with Ginny

This and That

A memory from Paris.

1. I finished reading A Paris Apartment by Michelle Garle. I enjoyed it, but thought it could have been even better! Based on the true story of a treasure stocked Paris apartment that had been closed for seventy years. Amazing!

2. The Rice baseball team is away this weekend, which means I have the weekend to do whatever I want. The weather is supposed to be close to perfect, so sitting outside near the pond and reading sounds like a good idea.

3. The Final Four is in town ... lots of traffic. No, I'm not going, but will watch on television.

4. I'm getting a hair cut today and then off to the grocery store.

5. I've put my crochet hook down and got out my knitting needles. I find that crochet is easier on my hands, but I found a knit shawl pattern that looked pretty quick and easy so I thought I'd give it a go.  

It's so nice to have Nancy back with Random 5 Friday.

Willy Nilly Friday

Five On Friday

Wishing YOU well and much joy!