Thank Goodness it's Friday

A true TGIF! LONG day yesterday at work 10.0 hours, hot and very tiring day. Walked 17,768 steps at work yesterday. Was on my feet that whole time..with the exception of maybe two 10 minute breaks. 6.737 miles. Once I made it home, elevated my legs, iced my swollen knee and poured a substantial glass of wine-and had dinner of frozen pizza...I was able to finish the sea shore cotton washcloth. I'm pleased with how well the self stripping shows up with the simple stitch. Straight stockinette stitch, with 3 garter stitches at the beginning and ending of the rows. Did 8 rows of straight garter at the beginning and end for the border. Measures almost 8 inches. I've always loved blues and greens together and might need to find more of this particular color blend.

I've never made a cotton throw, as wool or acrylic is needed during the cold months here; but was thinking a cotton throw for summer might be nice...maybe that's because right now we're having cool temperatures again..who knows. My list of things to make is really to large to think about making a cotton throw, I just really like the look.

Happy Friday one and all. I'm off to work for another day like yesterday. Sure not looking forward to it, though it will be a bit shorter then yesterday so that's a help.

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The Sea Shore

When I was young I had a book that had been my Dad's favorite as a child, Robert Louis Stevenson's A Child's Garden of Verses. I loved the rhythm of that poetry; though many today feel poetry that rhythms isn't as "cool" or as "brainy" as say a Haiku....but I confess I still enjoy the rhythm of his poems. It was an old book, and I memorizes several of his poems. Then because I liked it, bought a newer book when my Darling Daughter was young. She too seemed to like the rhythm created when I read aloud to her over and over and over. She memorized some of those poems also.

I've started this simple cotton washcloth multiple times, not liking the first pattern, royally having issues with the 2nd pattern...apparently I can't count well, when talking, watching tv, and sipping wine..........go figure.

So, switched gears...and I'm loving how much more I see the colors in this cotton with this simplier pattern.

This isn't the only thing I'm working on, but the only thing I managed to take a photo of.

What are you all working on for this Wednesday's Work in Progress? Badges and links in side bars, please join us.

It reminds me of the ocean; the sea. And that got me remembering
At The Sea Side by Robert Louis Stevenson

When I was down beside the sea
A wooden spade they gave to me
To dig the sandy shore.
My holes were empty like a cup.
In every hole the sea came up,
Till it could come no more.

Mothers Day

Thank You Darling Daughter! This Mothers Day Edible Fruit Arrangement came early yesterday morning. Had some yummy fruit with my morning coffee. Likewise again this morning. Miss you and wish we weren't so far away; but am looking forward to our upcoming vacation in Park City so we can spend some time enjoying each others company. My Blue Lace is finished! Finished it last night, and it's almost cool enough to want to wear it today on my day, Mother's Day. This is my first true lace, in that it's not worsted weight yarn and it involved more then some of my attempts leading up to this. I had some trouble with the K2tog, until someone on Ravelry suggested pulling down a bit or up with the needle before inserting the needle. Nice tip! I changed needles a couple of times previously trying to make the K2tog's work easier. This was knit on size 8, using 1 skein of 215 yards of Berroco Ultra Alpaca (50% and 50% Laine Wool) from Peru. Fabulous yarn. It's 3 ply, hand washable. I usually don't bother with blocking a scarf, but perhaps I should to see the design a bit more? It's a Feather and Fan pattern, which I think would make a wonderful afghan.

This photo is my attempt at being a bit more artsy...didn't work too well, in that the blue looks a bit washed out to me. As I was finishing this up last night, was thinking about My Mother who's been gone now for 3 Mother's Day's. She's the one who taught me to know, back in the day. I made a little scarf, head scarf that she crocheted an edge and ties on. It was very rudimentary, but I was so proud of it. All these years later, the gift she gave me is still making me happy. It's an awesome gift and memory Mom, I Love and Miss you. (memories of MOM)

***This blue feather and fan is one more completed item on my year of projects list, badge and link in sidebar. For full list, please see YOP Tab

Flipping out, It's Friday

Flipping out realizing I've missed a few Friday's and some WIPW, where does the time go. Just finished this scarf last night. Nothing fancy, but warm, soft, and large enough to keep someone warm. This Lion Brand Homespun garter stitch scarf is a one skein scarf, courtesy of donated yarn on Bridge and Beyond. I love this blue it looks like the ocean to me...changing slightly as you go. This is the 2nd scarf I've knitted and donated from this donated yarn.

I blogged about the first scarf during the week long challenge when it was finished, molded to look like a dog talking....HERE. It too was donated, in fact this one was already delivered.

And I had fun finishing my Martini Cotton Washcloth. That's right I said Martini, and I said mine. I staged it, also for the week long blog challenge. Take a look HERE, please and thanks.

Looking forward to getting back in the swing of things as I start visiting you all to see what you've been working on. Need to mow today, then I think it's time to perhaps start working on another afghan. You all probably wondered about that. Figured a few scarves and cotton cloths would be a nice break from the larger more tedious work of putting together afghans.

Anyone use bloglovin? I just joined it yesterday. I've not yet added this blog; but think I will...added Traveling Suitcase just yesterday. With summer travel's coming up, you might want to have a look, I've been blogging up a storm over there. Even added a series that's called Menu Monday with reviews and recommendations for places to eat when you travel.

**Finished Object Friday badges and links in sidebar, please join us**

Pay it Forward - Surprise!

Spotted this post yesterday while making my blog rounds for (WIPW) work in progress Wednesday, and liked the idea. So, left my comment on Clean Cup, Move Down, indicating I would be posting and continuing the Pay it Forward, Random Act of Kindness....whatever we want to call this.

The rules are as follows:

• I will send a surprise gift to the first three commenters on this post. The gift will be handmade by me. It will be sent sometime in the next 365 days. It will be a surprise. We all love getting surprises in the mail, right?
• To sign up and receive a gift, you must play along, too. Pay it Forward on your blog, by promising to make a surprise for the first three people who comment on the post.
• You must have a blog (that is updated, as I will blog stalk you to find the right gift for you).
• After commenting here, you must repost this or something similar to your blog in 48 hours. If not, I will choose the next person who comments.

It's a beautiful day here today in Central Ohio, the sun's out, the windows are open (what a change), and the birds are chirping. On tap this weekend is mowing, girls night out and watching a cooking demonstration, drinking wine, a mini class reunion. Should be lots of laughs involved. Hoping to throw some knitting time in there, and maybe a bike ride.
Enjoy, the rose is from my Dad's yard. A Rosa Rugosa, old time rose that smells heavenly. Mom always loved it and when it blooms, it makes Daddy smile.

Projects Projects

Been working on these lovely feather and fan blue lace scarf. As you can see it's grown about 8 inches since last I showed it to you. I love this color of blue and DK weight yarn is awesome. I don't have much left as you can see. So, stopped working on it since I was away from home. Wanted to measure it and see how far this might take me, then decide whether or not I'm going to need a 2nd skein. Looks like I will.
And, since my last WIPW post (2 wks ago), I've started this scarf...the 2nd one actually. Will show you the completed one on Friday. Straight garter stitch with Homespun, always a hit. This is for Bridge and Beyond and is being from yarn donated to me. Worked on while out of town, and the flight...perfect no count type of project.

My other work in progress is an additional Blog, Flat Stanley and Friends. Takes some time, as you probably know to select a theme, move things around, write some posts and begin getting visitors, followers, people to comment etc. Inviting you all to please have a look, leave a comment let me know you were there. This blog is to help parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, baby sitters and Kids look at their spare time differently. To see learning possibilities, even if small in life around them or far away. I'm posting Flat Stanley Adventures with ideas of things to do with the kids with a similar experience in your area. I'm inviting everyone, KIDS included to get involved. On Saturdays each week, I'ld like to post your adventures. I know almost everyone has been involved helping a neighbor, a student, a family member with a Flat Stanley project of some sort. Sometimes they're writing assignments, sometimes history can play a part, sometimes art, geography and well...really there is no limited. Kids can color their Flat Stanley or use one of mine and get involved in something. Send me your Flat Stanley adventures--be they old ones or news ones that you create and I'll post them every Sat. Saturday will be Flat Stanley Sharing Saturdays. Naturally kids complete names will left out for protection., unless you don't see a problem with it. Kids I'm sure would love to see their story, their picture, their adventure posted on the internet.

**Badges and links for WIPW in left side-bar, join us. AND Flat Stanley's Badge and link in upper right sidebar....please join us.**