Family Heirlooms Tell Stories

Another family heirloom I couldn't part with.  Once again, like the Mader Doily, I wish I knew for certain who in the family made this and how old it is.  I don't have any memories of being with a relative and seeing them stitching beyond my Mother and I know she didn't make this, or the Mader Doily.  

It's pretty, 2 shades of blue, which I hope shows up against my gray comforter.  I don't have blue in my house, so it really doesn't go with anything, but I remember blue china, whose?  Unknown.  Once upon a time, Mom said she was going to put stickers on the back of the family china pieces with names, but sadly she never did.  There were 2 or 3 of these plates around the large living room bay window.  Dishes from several generations ago.  Some were decorative pieces and some were what was left from someone's china set.

Thought I had a picture looking at the bay window, but this is all I could find.  You can see how large the window is with shelves all around.  This is after we purged for the house staging.  But these blue dishes were on one of the shelves.  Looked great with the blue wall behind it. Would so love to know the stories of whom and where for the dishes, the doily, and cross stitch table cloth.

Haven't started a new series, now that I'm done with McLeod's Daughters, but did watch this movie the other night.

It was a good "chick" flick, and perfect for a night when I was here solo, as hubby was out of town on business.  Did you watch it?  Did you like it?  I did not read the book it references...50 Shades of, not my cup of tea, I'm sure.

One of the boutiques I was able to make from the large bunches of flowers my Darling Daughter sent me for Mothers Day.   I love the white and green!!  The light from the window didn't make for the best picture.  I have a boutique on the mantle in the living room, and a smaller one in the bedroom on my dresser.  Truly gorgeous.  AND my Darling Daughter flew in Sat night to spend Mothers Day with me.  She made a fantastic brunch for me.  Was a very short visit, but still very precious.  Thank you!  Love her to pieces.

Making progress, but had hoped to have this shawl finished by now.  It's grown 2 more pattern repeats which is 2 more points, thus 20 rows.  Probably 3 more to go.  Looks like I may be able to get at least one more section where the dark gray/black yarn will appear, which I like.  I like the contrast.

Cute idea for someone you want to gift yarn to.  Though I'm not sure how you keep the second tier of yarn attached.  Thoughts????

McLeod's Daughters, Knitting, and Alex Ryan

The shawl/scarf grows!  Once again this looks more blue than gray in the photo, but it's not blue.  I do like the many hues of gray, something I think will go with almost anything in someone's wardrobe.  My friend wears lots of white blouses so I think this will be quite pretty with a white dressy blouse.  I'm currently at 20 points.  The pattern says you might get 25 points, so not much left...5 more repeats and each repeat is 10 rows.  I got 24 points when I made my pink green one

I really like this pattern, and have several others that are similar in shape etc.  This pattern does it's increases with kfb (knit front back), and many of the other patterns do yo (yarn overs), or something with a backward purl and slipping?  Trying to decide if I will make the next one using this same pattern or try one of the other patterns out.  Thoughts?  One is the Hitchiker, a pattern some of you may be familiar with.  My next one will be Buckeye Colors.

Or perhaps I should say a dressed up version of Buckeye Colors.  This is basically sock yarn it says with the needle suggestion of a 4.  The previous yarn needle suggestion was a 6, but the pattern calls for an 8 which worked out well, so am debating whether to continue with an 8 for this or scale down a bit.  My other debate is a bit less  yardage, but the lady at the yarn shop said I really didn't need to buy a 2nd skein for the pattern.  Soooooooo, when they don't talk you into buying more...just saying it should work, I didn't buy a 2nd skein.  Thoughts???

Alex Ryan (Aaron Jeffery), and Claire McLeod (Lisa Chappell) has such chemistry on the show McLeod's Daughters it felt real.  He was my favorite character on the show, and he was the one who almost made the duration.  The series ran for 8 years!  That's huge for a series.  It first aired in 2001 and had 224 episodes.  WOW.  There were lots of characters that did several seasons, but Alex...was there almost throughout.  

Alex Ryan and Tess Silverman (Bridie Carter)

Alex Ryan and Stevie Hall (Simmone Jade MacKinnon) had pretty strong chemistry also, but maybe a little less than he did with Claire, though Stevie was on the show longer and might be my 2nd most favorite character.

Look at that smile, and those arm muscles ladies!  Wowzer.  

 And Alex Ryan and Regan....Regan (Zoe Naylor) who also appeared on the series, McLeods Daughters for several seasons are married in real life!  

So, if you like cowboys, horses, pretty scenery, life on the farm/ranch, like to hear Australian accents, like good looking men like Alex Ryan (though my favorite, there were plenty of others), good on you, mate.  Watch the series, all 8 years worth on Amazon Prime.  Don't stuff it up, like I almost did and stop watching.  Though I think the show will appeal more to women than men, don't be a nob...men could get into it too.

AND.....Alex and Regan weren't the only real life couple on the show.  For awhile Jodi Fountain McLeod and Marcus Turner (Rachael Carpani and Matt Passmore) were an item.

In search of what series to watch next...any recommendations for folks who liked McLeod's Daughters?