Knitting, Reading, Yard Work and More

 

Current Project, a triangle shawl.  Love the colors.  I bought the variegated several years ago on girls trip with my daughter.  It's Knit Wit Yarn, wonderful feel.  They had a National Park Series, Grande Portage Natl. Memorial.  Didn't think I had enough yardage so this past month when she, hubby and I were spending a week in Park City, I visited the yarn shop there and found the yummy blue and green to blend with it.  After starting with the variegated, I stripped it with the blue every two rows to get the shaded effect, then did the solid blue, then stripping again to fade out of the blue, variegated next, stripped with the green to fade in.  Hope using all 3 skeins will give me a nice size shawl for the upcoming fall and winter.

A beautiful baby blanket my Darling Daughter knitted.  It's being block here after it got a soak bath.  Click to enlarge to see the cool texture.  I've always loved blue and green together.

The beginnings of the curly lilies.  Love how this look ruffly.  Such a vibrant color.  

Book #1 of a 3 book Series.  Yes I'm on a Elin Hilderbrand kick of late.

Book #2

Book #3.  Family life gone amuck!  Follow the money....fowl play, double life, mystery family, mystery....who's going to jail?  LOVED the series.  Add this to your fun summer to read list.

And because one can't really ignore real life, please please add this book to your list, SOON!  Jonathan Karl has known trump longer than any White House correspondent.  Didn't most of us think after Jan 6th, we had gotten rid of this man, or maybe it was just wishful thinking and hoping and praying.  

At some point I'll go and add up my steps/miles; as it's been awhile since I've documented and reported on it.  Sadly I've had too many interruptions in my exercise program.  The Dental Surgery really did a number on me.  I am back to walking, doing yard work, and mowing; but haven't restarted other exercises.  Why is it so hard to restart once you break the habit?

We're approaching The 4th of July.  If you're traveling to celebrate with friends and family, please be safe.  

A Look Back, and Crossing the Baggage Claim

Not a very good picture, but this is a quilt I made some time back for my older brother, Chuck.  He's a fan of Norman Rockwell.  He get's it out every Christmas to add to the decorations.  It's draped over a chair in the family room in this picture.  I think this is the last of the quilts I've made and hadn't yet shared with you.  As I've said previously, I don't do specific shapes or quilt stitches, I just find fabric I like and piece things together and stitch based on the pattern of the fabric.  Been a long time since I've made one, perhaps I'll make another one sometime.

 Again not a good picture, but these old photo's scanned just don't come out that good.  Made this little purse for my Mother way way back.  She liked Natical things.

Just a quick Baby bib with a fun nickname...the parents were both quite short and thus the nick name.

Didn't bother to take another picture of my red/black shawl/ scarf.  It's bigger but still not done, and frankly doesn't look much different than all the previous pictures I've posted.  Beginning to wonder if I'll ever get it done though, it's currently at 23 points.

There have been so many really good memes lately about rammed the ramparts, it took over the airports, it did everything it had to do..........it would be hard to say which ones were the best; but I did have a few favorites.  Incase you've missed it, this all came about from a quote from the hijacked DC 4th of July Celebration by little donnie john.

I just had to share a few with you.

And then there's this one.

AND, there were a lot more.  You just can't get through the day without trumpie saying and or doing something beyond pathetically stupid.  He gives us so many reason to make fun of him.  Though I really wish it would stop...that he would stop, and I know he won't!

I trust you all had a nice 4th of July Celebration without making a fool of yourself, like he did.

I know many of you use a tracker to keep track of your steps, If you do, JOIN Achievement with these link and earn while you get fit. 

4th of July

Traditional 4th of July Celebration

To the right in my side bar you'll see a photo widget I made with the pictures from our 4th of July Celebration. We had more food then we needed (nothing new), drink a plenty, and games. There were 14 of us, and for awhile my 3 neighbors joined us making 17. We had corn on cob, salad, potato salad, marinated chicken breasts, a variety of drinks both soft and adult.

A good time was had by all. We played corn hole, had 2 games going at one time, badmitten...lots and lots of badmitten. Had the croquet set up; but we ended up not playing that game.

After the family all headed their separate ways, hubby and I walked down to our neighborhood fireworks display. It was wonderful! One of the best we've seen. We were up close and personal, loved it.

It was odd not having Mom with us this year, her favorite holiday and all; but she was in all of our thoughts as we enjoyed each others company.

***Question:
does anyone know if you can put one of those picture widgets in the actual post? I tried, but perhaps I didn't do it correctly?

My Octogenarian--My Mom

Webster's list the word octogenarian as a noun, a word from the latin word octogenarius which means containing eighty. My mother, is far more than that simple definition.

I finished the yellow shawl. Knitted with double strand Caron Wintuk. Using double strand made a nice cushy feel to it, plus I think it will help to hold it's shape better than many lighter weight yarns. A silver claps holds it on her shoulders. The picture of her unwraping it is from her special 80th birthday surprise luncheon.




My 2 brothers, their spouses, and my oldest nephew went together and got her a ruby ring. She was quite surprised. It matches the ruby bracelet we got her for her 70th quite nicely.



My younger nephews and their wives blew up and framed a picture of Mom and Dad taken at last years 60th Wedding Anniversary Party, everyone signed the matted area. This made a nice gift.

Everyone had a good time and mom was truly touched by the families love.

Been super busy with work, and working in the yard (man things have gotten overgrown). Even the muscles in my hands are sore.

Projects:
80% done on blue and green crocheted baby blanket
60% done on knitted blue and ? maybe pink baby blanket
301% done on crocheted candy corn ghan

Heading out of town again tomorrow. This trip will be the family vacation with both hubby and daughter! We're going to Williamsburg. Driving, so there will be no flight troubles this time. Taking yarn to work on squares for several groups, yarn for scarfs for people with cancer, maybe some odd squares to stitch together for hats or ???

Adding one final picture of our traditional cake my sister-in-law always makes when we're all together for the family 4th of July cook out.

THE PRESIDIO says HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA !!!

I can think of no better way to say Happy Birthday America, then to honor it's Veterans. A well cared for National Cemetery does just that. The Presidio, a Spanish Fort, a military base, renouned medical facility, National Cemetery, and now a National Park.


This was one of the places hubby and I visited last week while on vacation in California. Definately one of the highlights for me. Many of you know I spend a good deal of time in cemeteries, photographing and documenting military stones; as well as others. This was quite impressive, one of the better cared for cemeteries I've been in, stones washed, perfectly aligned, grass mowed and water. A fitting tribute to our service men and women. I am a lover of peace, but do honor and respect those that have and are serving.

Take notice of the fog, it was, while cold and windy there a very moving experience. We could hear fog horns in the distance from the bay.

A special ceremony and program kept us from being able to see the whole base, the horses with Spanish Riders were a part of that.

Some construction is several areas also weren't open for touring; but we still were able to enjoy the base. Historic barracks, some being rehabbed, while others very much in a state of decay. Pilots row, vintage homes restored and lived in today bring life back to this Military Post.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!