This is the beginning of a shawl I'm knitting using Rowan Plaid, which alas, is discontinued but I managed to get some 1/2 price at Webs in charcoal color with a light grey heather. I'm using the pattern from Folk Shawls by Nancy Bush....the Prairie shaw. I really like this pattern so that for something that grows this big, I can continue to work on it while watching tv and no mistakes are likely to crop up. Well, okay, hopefully not. I'm knitting a few other Christmas items as well, namely, a pair of Opal (Owl) socks for my DIL,a hat to go with the poncho for my granddaughter, and of course, I'm still working on the Aran blanket, but then, those of you who read my blog with any regularity, know that already! :)
I'm knitting leg warmers for my mother for Christmas using Indiecita Baby Alpaca and talk about soft and warm....she probably won't want to take these off. That's assuming they fit her because I'm basically winging it with this pattern. Anyone have any good basic leg warmer patterns they'd be willing to share, or point me in the direction of a good web site with free leg warmer patterns? I'd like to get some ideas for measurements rather than the actual knitting pattern itself.
Finally, I leave you with what goes on when I'm sitting with my feet up and my 2 kitties are lounging on their favorite blanket while I knit. This time, however, I had my trusty camera handy for a change. Yes, there are 2 of them....the boysy is laying sideways with his head and part of his body right on top of girlsys outstretched body.....talk about the life! 
So, until next time, dear readers, stay safe, be happy, and knit on! Don't forget about my contest which is ongoing, so email me with your guess as to the time and date that I'll reach my 150 miles walking goal. Feel free to guess any date you want to, even if it goes into the New Year...my goal is to reach 150 miles by December 31, 2006 so you can take it from there and view my exercise ticker at the bottom of this page.
"You never can tell when you do an act,
Just what the result will be,
But with every deed you are sowing a seed,
Though the harvest you may not see.
You never can tell what your thought will do
In bringing you hate or love,
For thoughts are things and their airy wings
Are swifter than carrier doves. Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Here's the finished poncho for my sweet little granddaughter! It will certainly keep her warm and toasty and it's oh so soft to the touch as well! I'm not sure if I have enought yarn left to crochet or knit a hat to go with it but I think I'll give it a try and hope for the best. In case some of you didn't read my post about this when I began, I used Araucania Nature Wool in a red light and dark combination hand dyed. I'm not sure if the color is showing up on your screen as it really is, but that's the color I used.
I'm working quite a bit now on the gift for my daughter in law and my mother's leg warmers. Both of these projects are on smaller needles and take alot more knitting time but I will finish them in time for Christmas as long as I don't go off on a "new and just gotta' make" project. I can't believe how quickly the month of October is going, can you? One more week and we're into November so you know that Thanksgiving can't be too far behind.
I also continue to knit away on the Aran baby blanket whenever I can talk myself into knitting cables. I know I'll be very proud of this blanket when it's completed but when that will be eludes me.
In addition to the above I squeeze in the wedding gift for my son and future daughter in law. I think they'll really like the finished product but I've got a long way to go to complete it. At least I have awhile so I'm not too concerned, plus I'm crocheting it so it tends to go a bit quicker, in general.
I know I haven't posted very much in the last couple of weeks, but I've been going to physical therapy for my shoulder twice a week and so many other things on the agenda, which I'm sure all of you know about already. I hope to do better this week and get into some kind of routine with this 2 day diversion cutting into my time.
Seems like forever since I've posted but here I am....it's a lovely Monday with the sun shining and the temperature in the 70's (although in truth, I'd rather see it in the 50's but I'm the exception, not the rule). I've been knitting away like a mad person every chance I get and currently working on some Christmas gifts for members of my family.
I'm also working on a gift for my daughter in law and can't post a picture of it here because she occasionally reads my blog.....isn't she one sweet DIL? Suffice it to say that her gift is on much smaller needles and is therefore, progressing a bit slower but I have no doubts that I'll finish it.
Yes, can you believe that even as I type, the Aran baby blanket is still on my needles but I do work several rows as often as possible so I'm working my way through my last (thank you, Lord) skein of Shelridge Farm merino and then it will be a wrap, both literally and figuratively. 
That's about it for now and until next time, dear readers, be happy, healthy, and knit on!
I've been happily making Christmas ornaments, some of which I'll give away and some I'll keep.
I've had a busy week and haven't had much time to do my crocheting and knitting which just won't do. The next couple of weeks look even busier so I'll have to fit my needlework in wherever and whenever I possibly can! I'm knitting a gift for my DIL, possibly two gifts, (for Christmas) but can't say what they are because sometimes she reads my blog 
and I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise. I'd like to begin at least one or two other Christmas gifts but I'll have to see if time allows because it's sure flying by. I can't believe it's almost October, for heaven sakes.
at this gorgeous sky! Big old cottony clouds rolling around in a clear blue sky. This is my 'Saturday Sky' on Friday. It is amazing the way the sky changes so much each hour, day by day. I think though, that the sunset skies are my favorite because they seem to have so many colors of the rainbow in them.
I wish you, dear readers, a peaceful, happy,and safe weekend and may God hold you in the palm of his hand today and always.
"I now am wise, I now am true,
Patient, kind, and loving,too,
All things I am, can do, and be
Through Christ the Truth that is in me."
Hannah Kohaus
Rosemary and Thyme.....no Sage, however, only Basil. I did a search for the best way to freeze our herbs for optimum flavor and found a great website with just the info I was looking for.....thanks, KALYN . The jar holds the basil which really reduces itself once you add the olive oil and pulse it in the food processor. The rosemary and thyme just get washed, dryed, and put it the freezer and when completely frozen, I'll take off all the leaves and voila! Herbs all year long fresh from our own garden. It's a good thing, isn't that right, Martha? So, if you're interested in doing the same, check out Kalyns Kitchen blog for all sorts of info and good recipes too.
As for the peppers, I'm going to roast them, drizzle with olive oil, add minced garlic and refrigerate them to enjoy with a nice french bread.....ooooh, I'm getting hungry already.
On the knitting front (well, actually the crocheting front), I finally completed the lap blanket for my Mom for Christmas. It was a labor of love because when I was originally near completion, I found a "hole" (can you believe) which seemed to spring out of nowhere, very close to the beginning. Now, I checked this blanket frequently as I crocheted for any signs of trouble so that I would only have to rip back a minimal amount. I have no idea where the offender came from, but come it did, and I was forced to rip all the way back and trust me, it was a long way, and begin anew. I know my Mom will love this because her legs get cold during the winter and currently she's using a lap robe I crocheted for my dear Grandmother. It was lovely but through wear and tear, it's seen it's day and besides, the new one is a wool blend which will keep her much more toasty on those cold (please, hurry) days. Here is a picture of the completed blanket.
Tonight we're having an Artisan show in our neigborhood and I'll be displaying some of my knitting and crocheting along with others. Some will be selling their hand crafted items but I am just displaying. I don't think there will be any judging for prizes, etc. but if there is, I'll keep you posted. In any event, it's fun to have others see your creations. So, I wish you all, dear readers, a lovely weekend, filled with faith, hope, charity, and of course, YARN.
"Success is the sum of small efforts,
Repeated day in and day out,
With never a thought of frustration,
With never a moment of doubt,
Whatever your cherished ambition,
Begin now to make it come true,
Through efforts, repeated, untiring,
Plus faith in the thing that you do."
Florence Taylor
Labor Day is here and that's a sure sign that Fall is right around the corner. I can't tell you how happy that makes me because I detest the hot, humid weather during the summer. Yes, I know I'm way in the minority but it wouldn't be the first time.
I'm making considerable progress on the lap blanket for one of my Mom's Christmas presents. I need to finish at least 3 other projects for others before the big day gets here and only 1 of the 3 is about half finished.....the other 2, I just started so I have alot of knitting to accomplish and I know I would if I could just stop starting other projects! I know darned well I shouldn't start something else but the excitement of the new yarn and pattern always sucks me in! :) However, I'm sure there are many worse things to be guilty of and to be honest, I only feel a very slight twinge of guilt for this one. I have Very Happy Birthday wishes to my sweet daughter and my very sweet granddaughter, both this week! They make my heart fill with joy and happiness and today we get to celebrate with them and my wonderful son-in-law. Hot dogs, hamburgers, homemade tray of mac n' cheese, baked beans, devilled eggs, assorted snacks, and the all important birthday cake. I may even take a small sliver of that.....how can I resist?
I managed to break into double digits with my walking goal and moved the ticker back to the top of my blog so I can keep better track of things at first glance. Wow, I cannot believe that I've walked 54 miles so far.....this is a record for me as far as staying with my exercising, and weight training, but now I have a great addition to my routine for burning calories and here it is, the picture I promised you last week......isn't it a beauty? 
My wonderful kids (and that includes my daughters-in- law and soon to be DIL) went in together and bought this for me while I was at the shore. We went to the bike shop there and I got to try out about 4 bikes called cruisers which just have the foot brakes, regular handle bars, and a nice seat. It was pretty comical watching me trying to navigate just getting on the bike at first, and then when I finally got started, my husband and sweet DIL, held onto it until the front wheel was able to right itself after all the shaking, rattling, and rolling I was doing. My son actually took a picture of me wobbling my way down the sidewalk with his cellphone camera which I'm still insisting he delete.
Geez, I remember the good old days when I'd hop onto my bike and ride for hours, nary a wobble in sight. Not only that but WOW, what a major workout for the legs and caboose area (not that there's anything wrong with that). Was it this hard then, because I never noticed it if it was and we went up hills galore. I guess that's just one of the "not so great" perks of getting a bit older....ahh, sweet youth.Having my bike will allow me to add something else into my exercising routine and trade off walking and bike riding on different days. My kids even got me the basket so that I can take my cell phone in the event I have a spill. Oh boy, I can see it now, me lying in the gravel crying like a baby and trying to dial "somebody". I just hope I don't have to say, "help me, I've fallen and I can't get up". Seriously though, I hope that never happens but if you saw me shaking that front wheel, you'd have some reservations, believe me. :)
Well, that's it for now, as I want to get everything all set for my sweetheart's arrival and I wish you all a wonderful holiday and a good week ahead.
"Character is what emerges from all the little things you were too busy to do yesterday, but did anyway." Mignon McLaughlin
