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

Stay Cozy

"Winter is the time for comfort,

for good food and warmth,

for the touch of a friendly hand

and for a talk beside the fire.

It is the time for home."

~ Edith Sitwell


I was greeted by this poem when I opened my January
Texas Market Box. 
Even the Gulf Coast of Texas is having winter this year.
I've given up trying to save the tropicals.
There will be a lot of planting in the spring!

Back to the Texas Market Box!

I've been subscribing to the Texas Market box for several years now.
I've never been disappointed with the contents.
Always something I've not seen before and fun! 

Here's how the Texas Market folks describe their service:

"My Texas Market is a subscription-based delivery service that sends  carefully curated packages filled with small-batch, artisan items from  farmers’ markets and local Texas businesses to customers each month.   Our purpose is to expose consumers to great new products and companies,  offer vendors a new market, encourage the support of local artisan  businesses, and simply share our love for the Texas farmers' market with  people who might not be able to enjoy it in person."   
     

Stay Cozy Coffee Mug (or in my case a tea mug)
From Mugg + Co in Dallas, TX

Handcrafted Coaster by Gaston Made in Dallas, Tx.
"Enjoy a modern, handcrafted coaster made from scratch in a wood shop by local business owners Alex and Emily. They've been featured in West Elm. Their handmade home goods can be found at Gaston Made."

Hot chocolate for the Cozy mug!
Hot Chocolate Cocoa from CocoAndre Chocolatier in Dallas.
"warm up with a cup of hot cocoa made with a blend of dark and milk Belgian dark chocolate this winter. Andrea Pedraza and daughter Cindy create pure chocolate confections that serve to make sweet memories."
Visit their shop at Cocaandre.

I didn't remove the Royal Vanilla Moisturizing Cream and Lip Balm
from it's packaging. I wanted to give you an idea of how things are shipped.

From Hooga Organic Skincare in McKinney, TX
"Hooga is a family of skincare products that are specially formulated in a very natural and organic way. These products were born from the idea of healthier, simpler and essential way of life.

The Hooga Royal Vanilla Moisturizing Cream is ideal for a deep, powerful or overnight moisturizing session. This new formula combines avocado and olive oil with the lovely aromas of vanilla and a hint of tangerine.

The Hooga Lip Balm will protect and moisturize your lips." 

Their products can be found at Hooga Skin Care. 

That's it! 
My January Texas Market Box for January.
It will definitely help keep me cozy this winter!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!
Stay warm and cozy on this MLK day.

Amaze Me Monday
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Make It Pretty Monday
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Share Your Cup Thursday








I received no compensation for this post.
I just really enjoy My Texas Market!

I Heard A Bird Sing

I love this little poem.
The words are just as true in January as December.

I heard a bird sing

In the dark of December.

A magical thing

And sweet to remember.

"We are nearer to Spring

Than we were in September,"

I heard a bird sing

In the dark of December.

–Oliver Herford (1863–1935)

The robins, cardinals, jays, doves and sparrows have been busy singing.
Thanking me for putting extra food out for them on these cold days.

I thought the cold winter days could use a little cheer.
Cassie helping me with this little still life,
Yellow is such a happy color!

Meanwhile, my tree is still up.
It's hard to take it down.
It's so pretty and twinkly -- everyone needs more twinkly!

The snowmen will have a place of honor throughout the month of January.
It is winter -- even on the Gulf Coast.

Wishing YOU well and much joy in this new year!

Make It Pretty Monday

Keep In Touch

Share Your Cup Thursday

Willy Nilly Friday

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Pumpkins

I've been making pumpkins.

I ordered a kit from Mary Maxim.

Five crochet pumpkins.

I've finished two and started the third.

Pumpkins, like other squash, are thought to have originated in North America. The oldest evidence, pumpkin-related seeds dating between 7000 and 5500 BC, was found in Mexico.

As one of the most popular crops in the United States, 680,000,000 kilograms (1.5 billion pounds) of pumpkins are produced each year. The top pumpkin-producing states include Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and California.

When ripe, the pumpkin can be boiled, steamed, or roasted. In its native North America, it is a very important, traditional part of the autumn harvest, eaten mashed and making its way into soups and purees. Often, it is made into pie, various kinds of which are a traditional staple of the Canadian and American Thanksgiving holidays. In Canada, Mexico, the United States, Europe and China, the seeds are often roasted and eaten as a snack.

And, today is Oliver's Gotcha Day.
He's lived at Twisty Lane one year today.
So glad you are here little guy! 

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Mosaic Monday

Make It Pretty Monday

Amaze Me Monday

Share Your Cup Thursday

Willy Nilly Friday

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If We Would Enjoy Ourselves

From the Farmer's Almanac

"If we would enjoy ourselves, we must take the world as it is; 
mix it up and a thousand spots of sunshine, a cloud here and there,
 a bright sky, a storm today, calm tomorrow, the chill-piercing winds of autumn, and the bland, reviving air of summer.
–The 1854 Old Farmer's Almanac"

I love the Old Farmer's Almanac, their daily emails and words of wisdom.



The Sun is Shining.
Our brief glimpse of Autumn has ended.
Heat and humidity are back.



Musashi's Garden has been busy.
This little Painted Lady made a visit.
After remodeling the garden a couple of years ago,
one of the best things I did was put in lantanas.
It takes awhile, but the butterflies and bees find the lovely blooms.

I love peaches.
Peach season comes to an early end here.
I rarely buy peaches this late in the summer.
The grocery peaches are hard and have no taste.
But, I was craving a peach smoothie.
So, I bought California peaches from Trader Joes.
I've been patient, letting them ripen slowly.
This morning I had smoothie number one!
Looking forward to smoothie number two!

The hat is a must now that summer is back.

The new Michael's ad had Caron Cakes on sale.
They were calling my name.
I love the fall colors and there is a nice shawl pattern on the label.
It will be my next project.
Getting into the fall spirit!



Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Willy Nilly Friday

Amaze Me Monday

Make It Pretty Monday

Home Sweet Home

Mosaic Monday

         

Sometimes You Just Need To Go Shopping!

I'm a big Susan Branch fan.
I love her books.

And, I love her mugs.
She designs them all.
First on paper!
She sends the designs off to England where they are made.
Dunoon, fine bone china.

Many months ago I ordered the first three of her mugs.
The mugs are covered with her wonderful watercolor designs --
even on the handles.
They arrived in time for my birthday coming up this week.

Each mug is very different.
They hold 16oz of tea, soup, stew -- anything you might want 16oz of!
I admit, I haven't tried beer in a mug!

I think my favorite is the Go Green or Earth/Nature mug.
I love the quote:
"Most know the earth is utterly enchanted."

Susan recently announced that she had more mugs in the works.
I decided I just needed to go shopping!

Shop I did.

There are four new designs:
Bluebird, Martha's Vineyard, and Santa -- all 16oz.
Some folks requested a smaller cup and 11oz Autumn will fit that bill.

Each cup is sold separately or a group of three
(Bluebird, Martha's Vineyard, and Santa).
Autumn is sold separately only.

New designs mean the old designs will be retired.

Yes, I ordered all four -- Christmas presents for me!

You can find details on her blog -- click on the shopping icon.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Found at Celestial Seasonings

Amaze Me Monday

Make It Pretty Monday

Mosaic Monday

Celebrating the Green!

St. Patrick's Day is today.

This year I started celebrating a little early with a 

Green Tea Frappuccino from Starbucks.

Matcha and Green heaven! Ha!

And, if it is too cold for a Frappuccino,
perhaps some hot tea will do the trick.
Always nice to get out the Belleek for St. Patrick's Day.

Corned beef and cabbage are usually on the menu.
This year I'm changing things up a bit and plan on having
Pasta, Peas, Asparagus, Spinach and Pesto!
Adapted from a friends recipe that you can find here.

*

Daffodils have arrived at Trader Joe's and I'm in heaven!

Spring is definitely arriving around Twisty Lane.

In almost every room.
The daffodil is such a happy flower!

“Daffodils are an optimistic flower, and foolproof. 
You know what Shakespeare said: 
"Daffodils,
That come before the swallow dares, and take
The winds of March with beauty."

...I plant them in big clumps with a trusty shovel. 
I make several large holes all around and put quite a few in. 
That's why it makes such a spectacular look when they bloom.” 
― Tasha Tudor, The Private World of Tasha Tudor

*

I finished the Cottage Charm Afghan.

Yes, I ran out of blue and had to get more.

The color is a close match, but the texture is a little different.

I always make the first of a project for myself.

The difference in texture won't bother me! 

I think my favorite part of the afghan is the little white bow!

It's going to work well as a lap-ghan for me.

Most importantly -- It has Mr. Oliver's approval!

The blue matches his eyes...... 

I'm reading the last of the Amish mysteries - A Churn for the Worse.
I'll be sad to finish. I really like the characters and the setting.
I hope there are more to come in the series.


*

May your joys be 
as deep as the oceans

Your troubles 
as light as its foam

And may you find
sweet peace of mind

Wherever you
may roam.


Wishing YOU well and much joy on this St. Patrick's Day.


Five on Friday
(Thank you Amy for hosting!)

Willy Nilly Friday

Monday Social

Mosaic Monday

Make It Pretty Monday

Keep Calm Craft On

This and That

My Robin friends are back.

I took their portrait through the dirty glass door.
Wonder what they were saying to each other?


*

Did you do anything special for Valentine's Day?
I had a lovely dinner and some Prosecco.

My knight-in-shining-armor and I would have been together 36 years this year.
I still feel like we are together.
Just living in different spots -- one on earth and one in the stars.

He liked Valentine's Day.
It's one reason why I have so many Teddy Bears! 
My favorite flowers -- iris and tulips.


*

I'm a big tea lover.
Nothing better than a cup of tea.
Taking the time to brew the tea.
Then taking the time to sit and enjoy the tea.
Sometimes I have tea in a fancy cup and saucer.
Other times I have tea in a mug.

The mug for February is BIG LOVE by Emma Bridgewater.
Tea and Chocolate!!!

*

College baseball is starting!
Rice Owls held their second annual Baseball Fest.
An opportunity for the fans to come out and meet the team.
Get autographs.
Take batting practice with Andy Pettitte or Jose Cruz, Jr. pitching. 

Phillip Humber was there.
He was on the Rice team that won the 2003 College World Series.
On April 21, 2012, Humber pitched the 21st perfect game in MLB history
for the Chicago White Sox, defeating the Seattle Mariners.

Things were just getting started when I was there.
I picked up my season tickets. 

*

I'm still crocheting.
I finished making all the patterns in the Mirror Image Scarf book.
Now, I'm putting the patterns together for different looks.
Have to use up the stash!

I did order the cottage charm baby afghan (pattern and yarn) from Mary Maxim.
I loved the pattern and thought it would make a pretty lapghan.
The pink flower is the beginning of the lapghan.

Now reading I Shot The Buddha by Colin Cotterill.
It is a Dr. Siri Paiboun mystery set in Laos.
I've been reading the series from the beginning and always look forward
to the next Dr. Siri and friends adventure. 
You get a feel for what Laos was like in the 70's.
Fear, angst, and amazingly, humor. 
In this one animism, Buddhism and communism are center stage.
If you think you might be interested in this series you must start with the first one --
otherwise you will get lost and only Dr. Siri will be able to find you......!

Oliver had to supervise while I was taking photos. 

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Five on Friday

Willy Nilly Friday

Mosaic Monday

Make It Pretty Monday