Martini's and Face Masks, Strange Times

It's only happened once so far.....but it was nice to sit outside and have cocktails.  Life has been crazy for all of us lately, so this "normalcy" was very much enjoyed.  We love our cocktail hour, and we love to be outside, and so this was a bonus.  Short lived for sure, been cold, windy, and wet pretty much since.  **Edited to add I'm join The Flaunt it Friday Linky Party** A first for me, but sounds fun.  I'm Flaunting my bar tending skills.  Which are so good, truly...even if the bars were opened, we would cocktail at home before going to dinner.

Double thickness, with a pocket where a filter can be inserted, and nose clip.  I've tried multiple times to order masks on line without much success.  Sarah S a lady who's donated through the years for Bridge and Beyond made these.  She sent 2 for me and 2 for my husband........Thank you Sarah S.  These masks are so well made.  I had purchased some from a lady in the neighborhood, but they were too big for me, and too small for my husband, no pocket and no nose clip...soooooooooo appreciate having one that will work for us.  Dr. Brix indicates social distancing is going to be with us for a while...throughout the summer.  So want to be prepared.

Don't know how well you can see this. Remember you can click to enlarge it to see it better.  It's a start, a slow one for another afghan.  20 stitches garter, followed by 20 stockinette and back to garter.   Once I get a good amount done to have a block (every other), then will switch and do stockinette, then garter and back to stockinette.  The 2 small sections at each end are 5 stitches of garter so when the stockinette block is the end block it won't curl.  It's not coming a long very quickly, as the brown is hard to work on at night and even during the day we've had so much rain and gloomy days lately, it's not as easy to see.  When I put this brown yarn in a project bag I wrote the name Brown Marble...but I'm not sure I like that name.  As most of you know, I always name my afghans...suggestions anyone? **Edited to add I got 2 suggestions in the comments thus far, one from Elephant Child who said something about coffee, and one from Ellie Foster suggesting something about chocolate.  I'm not a chocolate lover, so decided I'd go with the coffee idea.  I recently completed an afghan I named Coffee Latte, a mix of browns and variegated.  So settled on Espresso for the name of this afghan.  It's not completely solid brown, but very close and is dark...strong, like Espresso.  Thanks ladies for the suggestion.  AND my knitting would also be something I'm flaunting.

One needs to keep laughing during these strange times.  Now I'm not a beer drinker, but could put a Martini in one room, or perhaps 

A Manhattan, and or an Old Fashion

Variety is nice, don't you think!

**Some Monday Fun** Click on the picture for the linky party

Busy Hands are Happy Hands!

OMG!  Spotted this the other day on Facebook and just had to share it with you all.  It's been YEARS since I've gone camping...pup tent, sleeping bag etc.  My card is fully punched on that with no desire to do it again; but this.....what can I say!

 Finished my potato chip scarf yesterday.  Love the colors and the way the yarn drapes, but not the way it looks on me...even if the picture weren't blurry and I knew how to take a decent selfie, which I don't.  The color is more accurate in the first picture, not the one with me wearing it.

Believe this is going to be donated to Bridge and Beyond, think a teen might enjoy it.

Finished another afghan.  This one is called Pippy Longstocking.  It too will be donated through my charity, Bridge and Beyond.  It was assembled from strips that were donated.  Had to do a fair amount of over stitching...as the person who donated it did the dreaded cut the yarn right after the knot and left no tail.  I shored the edges up as best as I could, but you can see in some places it's not super straight...due to the over stitching and extra stitches to fortify it.  But...I put it in the wash with fingers crossed.  Here it is being blocked....it made it fine through the wash, so I think all is well.  I named it Pippy Longstocking because it's so mixed, wild, un-tamed...a mish mosh.  When I designed it, looking through lots of different colored strips, thought it would be fun and funky.

LOL!  Anyone relate?  I've been doing a 5 minute plank routine, a 6 minute full body stretch, and a 7 minute work out daily here at home, so haven't actually made it to the gym....but what can I say.  Actually I had tried out several different apps, but din't find one that fit my need as a senior.  Did you know you can exercise with Alexa?  If you have an Echo Dot, or other Alexa model check it out.  In the menu area find skills.  I really like it and am finding it motivating.  

Continuing to work on this jewel toned scarf, it's grown a couple of inches, but is slow going with this very thin yarn.  My needles were a 4 wooden knit pics, but they kept coming apart, so I switched to my turbo's which are a 5, doesn't seem much different to me size wise.  But, it's easier to see without the green cord and dark needles.  The silver needles is an improvement.

Starts and Finishes on the Road

 This scarf shawl........finally finished.  You might remember seeing it when I started it, then again after I ripped it out and started over........and finally it's finished.  It's unbelievable soft, probably more soft than anything I've made to date.  The yarn comes from 3 different yarn shops.  First purchased the lightest variegated (here in Columbus), then the darker version (Park City, Utah), then the yellow here in town, but a 2nd yarn shop, lol.  It's wide enough to be a shawl and covers shoulders nicely, but here I'm wearing it sorta more like a scarf.  I think in spring it will be worn more as a shawl/wrap/stoll and will be light, airy but helpful against air conditioning.  I used drop stitches with 2 yarn overs/wraps.  It's fingering weight yarn, size 5 needle.

 A few posts ago, I told you I had start-itis and really wanted to do something with some new yarn I had purchased.  After finishing the above yellow, I started this scarf.  It too is fingering weight yarn, but with this I'm using only a size 4 needle.  Simple 2 row repeat pattern which will produce a asymmetrical scarf.  LOVE LOVE these jewel tones.  The pattern was written for ww yarn and has you cast on 5, so I thought casting on doubling that (10) would make it wide enough to compensate for the difference is yarn weight.  I started this on the same trip but, believe it will take a while to finish.  Thinking if I were to do this again with this weight yarn I would cast on 15...so we'll see how it turns out.  I think the 10 would be perfect for maybe sport weight yarn.  But, I have enough yarn to make it long enough to wrap around at least twice so hoping it will be ok.

 This Afghan, Coffee Latte was started about a year ago and put away in the summer when I didn't want a heavy ghan on my lap.  Decided I needed to bring it along to see if I could get it finished.  I'm close.  The section at the bottom, closest to you is what's on the needles.  Need to finish that solid brown section, and then just have one more section of the variegated and it will be done.  Once finished it will donated through my charity, Bridge and Beyond.

 Worked on this scarf in the car on the way to Hilton Head and finished it the first week, so was able to wear it while there.  Love the bold color sections.  This is the same pattern that I'm using on the above jewel toned scarf.  This was very nice yarn to work with and went pretty fast since it's WW weight.  25% wool and 75% acrylic but didn't have the harsh feel that some acrylics do on your hands.  It's Plymouth Yarn Hot Cakes 404 yards and one skein made a nice size scarf.

Here you get a little better feel for the shape and size.  This is a king size bed.
**you see the yarn for jewel tone scarf and burgundy/black/gray scarf in the start-itis post.

What are you working on?  Do you like to knit or crochet when you travel?

Knitting and Yoga

Spotted this the other day on Facebook and thought it was too funny not to share.  I especially like downward facing cake, lol.  I'm not really even a big lover of cake, prefer pie...but it made me laugh.

Making headway with my shawl............the 2nd time through.  I was farther along than the previous picture shows when I realized I had a major error, I wasn't able to fix it, so totally un-knitted it and started over.  Currently I have 18 scallops for the edge, pattern says they will be about 25 when finished.  Wasn't happy about having to totally rip it out and start over; but I didn't put a marker for the right side in, which got my count off...my own fault.  The 2nd time I put the marker in.  Lesson learned.  LOL.  What I can't visualize is how my long un-scalloped edge is going to shape up.  Seems too long to only get 7 more scallops in..........time will tell I guess.

Haven't worked on this drop stitch lace shawl in awhile, but hope to in the next couple of days.  

Coffee Latte is now over half way.  The current section of variegated starts the 2nd half (at the top of the photo), with the dark brown section being the middle.

This is a series hubby and I are watching.  It's an interesting view of Atlantic City back in the day with crime bosses and Capone and I love the clothes of the period.

Been out of town a bit, and very busy with Dad at the Assisted Living Center, and preparing his house for sale.  Thus, the being behind with blogging.

Knitting, and Yoga........both good for Stress!

Coffee latte continues to grow and grow.  Believe it was about 22-23 inches at this point.  I've now completed a good part of the tan section after the variegated you see in this photo.  Pleased this one is coming along so quickly.  

This really made me laugh.  Been awhile since I've done my yoga.  Was trying to do it several times a week using a video from Amazon Prime, but my time has been so filled with things revolving around Dad moving into an Assisted Living Center.

Just this past Tuesday, Dad turned 93.  The facility let us gather for his birthday cake in the private dining room they have.  Myself, older brother Chuck, and younger brother Mike.  Our spouses all joined us as well, just not in the picture.

I hadn't planned to continue to watch this show, McLeod's Daughters, but several people told me it was still good even after the star, Claire (pictured far left here in grayish hat), left the show.  So, I've started watching it again.  It's different, still enjoyable; but I do miss Claire and the relationship she and Alex had.

**Did you notice the new addition to my right side bar?  My frequent visitors...Made a special list to say thank you.  If you've not been to their blogs, please do.**

Knitting Afghans and Watching McCleod's Daughters

Chocolate Latte is growing quickly.  Believe it currently measures about 17 inches.  Need to take another look at how much yarn I have and decide if I need to introduce a 4th color or if I'll enough with the colors you see thus far.  That's always the problem with winging it, not using a pattern and trying to use what's available in your stash.  

Perhaps I should switch gears again and get back to working on Blue Ocean.  It was only at 10 inches when I laid it aside to start Chocolate Latte.

I also have a shawl started that I've not done anything with in months!

This is the last quilt I made.  No real quilt pattern, just fabric I liked.  It's hand quilted, outlining some of the designs and or zig zagging through smaller prints.  Made this years ago for my Mom who loved Poinsettia's.  Dad gave it back to me a few years ago and I always put it out as part of my Christmas Decorations.

Not a good picture, but for my x-stitch friends thought I'd share.  I made this for a friend's wedding present long ago.  I love the saying.  She did too at the time.  Sadly, there must not have been that oneness between them.  It was a short lived marriage.

Another quote I kept from Facebook sometime back that, that might make you smile.  Though I think sometimes the things that have happened under this administration leave little reason to smile, we must keep our since of humor or go nuts!

I've now watched through episode 39 of season 3 of McLeod's Daughters, this show is about  strong women; the relationships between the characters and the scenery of the "bush", and Love stories.  But, 2 of the characters are now gone from the show...actually 3, but 2 that were primary characters and because of that, I've not decided if I'll bother to continue watching.  Very disappointed.  People often come and go in a long series, but NOT the primary character.  

Seriously, this couple has been the focus, and she's gone.  Assumed while finishing up episode 39, that would be the end of the show with the primary character gone.  But, google tells me the show actually continued for 8 seasons....write ups all include unhappiness at the loss of main characters, the writing of the series going down hill and dislike of replacement characters.

It's like watching NCIS without Gibs in the show, what's the point!

PLEASE let me know if you watched, if you liked it, if you would recommend it.  Until episode 39 in season 3, I did recommend it......now........not so much.  As I said, not sure I'll bother to finish watching it.

Been watching and knitting, have been sick for a week, so not up to do much of anything else.

Chocolate Latte and Assisted Living Centers Oh My

Startitis hit me.  No, I'm not done with Blue Ocean, but felt the need to start another afghan.  Partially because I needed something I didn't have to count as I was toting it back and forth to my Dad's skilled nursing facility and then from there to Assisted Living Center.  This is good old garter stitch, no counting necessary.  As you can see I've knitted a brown variegated section and have switched to dark brown for the second section.  I've included a tan for the 3rd color in my project bag.  This one measures 2.5 inches right by 57 inches.  I cast on 200 stitches, which is just 1 stitch more than Blue Ocean, but since this one doesn't have decreases and increased will measure a bit wider.  

And now for a name.....I've thought of Milk Chocolate, Cocoa, Chocolate Latte, or Coffee.  I'm leaning towards Chocolate Latte I think.

Here's a glimpse of Dad's Assisted Living Room.  It's a small studio type.  The cabinet provides some storage space for him.  My cross stitch friends will note the pillow on the blue chair is cross stitched.  My Mother made it.  Haven't hung any pictures yet.

You can see the little kitchenette area beside his bed.  A second cross stitch pillow Mom made.

The brown recliner in the corner is a new chair we got for him that's electric.  Less strenuous to operate, but will take some getting used to by him.  This has been quite a process and we're still working on trying to get him VA benefits to help with the medical costs.  We met with an elder attorney the other day....more paper work and costs involved with that.  Getting old sure isn't easy!!

Horrified to learn this, lol!  My steps have been up and down of late with all the Dad related stuff vs my ability to actually walk and or exercise.  You'll note my Walking 4 Fun Badge in the right sidebar

When Hell Freezes Over

Blue Ocean is coming along, but slowly.  It's about 10 inches wide by 50 inches long so far.  I'm currently in the 4th section which is the blue variegated, though it's a bit hard to see that as it's on the needles.  I'm getting the itch to cast on something else for variety, so may do that in the next day or so and then switch off and on between the afghans.  Like all, or almost all afghans I knit or crochet this will be donated through my charity blog, Bridge and Beyond to benefit the homeless.

I'm currently watch Mcleod's Daughters.  It started a bit slow, but I'm enjoying it.  It's about strong women, heartbreak, and an outdoor life on a working farm in the bush.  I'm watching this through my Amazon Prime Membership.

Spotted this on Facebook the other day and just couldn't resist saving a picture of it.  It seems to be so very appropriate for the weather right now in Central Ohio.  We've had 3 snow storm is the last 2-3 weeks, we've had temps at -3 and -4, so it sure seems to me, When Hell has frozen over has happened!

I am not a baker, it's been years since I've made cupcakes, but I thought this was cute.  I'm not into horses either, but know many people are.  

My last post was a full blown rant about medicare, and the hospital.  We never did resolved the fact that despite Dad was physically a patient in the hospital for 5 days, in a hospital bed, being cared for by only hospital staff, he was never actually considered an in patient.  What a horrible situation that is and I know many people have suffered because of it.  We did manage to get Dad admitted to a rehab hospital, where he was an inpatient for 2 weeks or there abouts and got very intensive physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.  That did qualify him for coverage with his medicare for a skilled nursing facility for on going care and therapy, though less intense than the rehab hospital.  In a few days he will be discharged from the skilled nursing center into an assisted living care center.  This process has been extremely frustrating and very time consuming.  He will be 93 in a few weeks, and is past time to live alone in his house.  

Our next big hurdle is either selling the house or getting him signed up for VA benefits.  We've been told we probably can't sell the house if we get VA benefits.  More territory to explore.  I've read so much about the process on the internet that I've feel like I've OD'd.  We have an appointment next week with an elder attorney and hopefully we'll be able to get more information to better understand the situation then.  He will file the paper work for the VA benefits, which we understand takes time, and everyone suggests you not try to do that yourself.

Hope you're all staying warm and safe wherever you are.  Come on Spring!  

Anyone doing the Saduko puzzle in my right sidebar??

So many of my blog mates are using google account as the ONLY choice for making a comment, I'd like to ask why?  For the person leaving a comment it's several extra steps to leave the url of the blog you're visiting from.  I leave hyper links with my comments which take you to not only the blog I'm visiting you from, but also the actual blog post that is the current one or the one I'm visiting you from.  Typically when I write a new blog post, I visit everyone on my blog log to read their blog post and leave a comment.  When google only is the choice vs name and url...I have to make a hyper link right in the comment section <a href=" after the " you do a cut and paste of your blog post url"  and end that cut and paste with more "Sandy's Space</a>  ends the hyperlink.  The Sandy's Space is the name of my blog obviously.  I can't put the exact cut and paste here or it would be a hyper link and only show up as Sandy's Space...that's what those of you who use google as the only option to leave a comment see.  If you click on my name you go to my profile page where you see all 3 of my blogs.......but if you click on the hyper link  I leave, you will come directly to the correct blog and in fact, blog post.  So, I'm curious why so many only list google as the option to leave a comment....vs name and url so folks are directly linked?

On and Off the Needles as we Move into The New Year!

 Trying to get a picture with bad light isn't easy.  Neither of these is quite right in terms of color.  But, the first photo I lightened on the computer and think it's probably closest.  I'm using two color strands that are quite similar in color, just different intensity.  I started this shawl back in July for myself, and it got put away.........which is what always happens when I try to make something for myself.

Additionally, it's not something I can work on easily while watching tv at night.  Two fold, the fingering yarn is so fine, I find it hard to see at night using light vs day light.  AND the yarn is sooooooooo wonderfully soft it easily slids off the needle if I'm looking up to watch tv.  Which is why I only work on it once in a blue moon.  

This is the real color of the fiber/yarn of the lighter section before I did anything with it.  Perhaps the next picture will be better.  Anyway.  Thought I'd work on it for a few days during the day since I had just finished

Earth and Sky a few days ago.  (posted in previous post).  This is prior to being laundered and blocked.  Am pleased as it now is laying out to dry as it's being blocked.  It measures 60 x 65 ish.  

 After finishing above Earth and Sky, I dug out Cardiac Collage.  No doubt most of you will remember it.  I edged each square with the darker blue, crochet them together and ended up with a square measuring about 54 inches, from memory.  It was drying and being blocked yesterday.  After measuring it, I should have written it down, but think I'm not too far off in my memory.

The turquoise in the bottom picture is a bit closer, though the other colors in the first picture look pretty close.  So many gray drab days here in Ohio, it's often difficult to get colors to show up correctly in pictures.  Both afghans will be donated to Bridge and Beyond, my charity focused on helping the Homeless.

I trust you all had a wonderful Christmas with friends and families, I posted some Christmas memories in my previous post.  This picture just seems so appropriate to me.  I hope and pray, 2019 will rid of us of some of these horrible politicians.  So very tired of their ruining this country of ours.

If you're traveling for holiday, please be safe!

Knitting Earth and Sky is Enjoyable

I'm making really good headway with Earth and Sky, this afghan is moving along much faster than the last several I've done because it's just straight forward knitting, which I'm rather enjoying.  I'm not piecing things together or dealing as much with how much yarn I have of this or that color...which is often a thing for me.  It is here, but less so.  Currently am at 36 inches with about 12 inches left according to my striping.  That would make it 48 inches...but, am not sure I'm going to feel like that's large enough (48 x 60), so might need to add something else to each end, pick up stitches on the one side...jury's out on that, but am indeed enjoying these colors together.

This made me laugh.  I don't have any respect for this man, so seeing him as a toilet bowl cleaner somehow seemed appropriate.  I've never in all my 68 years felt that way.  He is not normal.  

I've made some headway with my de-clutter calendar.  I'm not going in any order though and the 3 check marks are things I've done mostly related to emptying out our entertainment center in order to get rid of it.  The 2 X's are things that don't pertain to our household, as we have no toys since there are no kids at home and no grandkids.  Written in red are things I've added to replace to the 2 X's.

Spotted this awhile back on Facebook and saved it, partially for a reminder.  I had, or maybe still have in the basement Mason Jars, and thought I'd give this a try.  Except I don't like drinking through straws...so thought I'd share as a way to re-purpose and or recycle in case any of you do.