Yarn, Flowers, and Books oh My

 

Took this picture about a week ago so have made more progress since; but wanted to show you this picture because you can see both sides of this shawl.  The flat portion is the back side, and the triangle section is the right side.  In my previous post most people indicated they liked the wrong side the most.  I like both and think wrapped up in this will show both sides and it will work out just fine.  

My Mothers Day Flowers.  Not a good picture though.  Tried several times, the color is so vivid but was having a problem with the light.

This at least shows you the colors.  There are so many interesting flowers.  I don't know what the green feathery flowers, or the orange one to the right of the green flowers, or the larger deep reddish one next to it.  I know the Carnations but, that's about it.  If you know what any of these flowers are, please share.  These were a gift from my darling daughter.

I love fun cocktail napkins.

I like to have a mix on hand, and so does my hubby.

My first blooming Iris.  I get very excited each spring when this pop up.  I got the starts for these purple Iris from my parents yard.  I've given starts to both my brothers from my yard as well.  Flower beds are badly in need of weeding; but it will be a long process before I'll be able to mulch.

I finished the Stacey Abrams book I mentioned in the previous post.  And again tried to get into the RGB book also mentioned in the previous post; but just couldn't.  I think so highly of her, I must try it again another time.  I returned it to the library so others on the list could have a go at it.

I started something much lighter.  Have read so many heady books of late.  This series of 3 books was just what I needed.  The historical story of the gangs of New York, the large number of orphans or children given up by their parents when they couldn't care for them went west on trains to try and get a new life.  This is book #1

This is book 2, and this is book #3

I really enjoyed these 3 books.  I loved the voices of those doing the reading.  I enjoyed how they took on the many voices of the various characters in the books.  And I enjoyed the love stories.

Snow Go Away, It's Spring, Full Body Vibration Plate

 

Dinner is served.  This was a quick, and easy dinner.  Panko crusted friend shrimp.  Very good, and super crunchy.  Didn't bother to dig out the toaster oven/air fryer.  Putting them on a cookie sheet in the oven actually works better.  Broccoli 4 minutes in the microwave (very little water is needed).  I never cook broccoli in a pan on the stove top anymore.  Comes out much better and not mushy in the microwave.  Salad is fruit and cottage cheese.  Here I used canned Mandarin oranges.  I really like almost any fruit and or a good ripe tomato with cottage cheese.  Topped off with a nice glass of Pinto Grigio.

Mother Nature got confused.  This was just a few days ago.  We had about 3 inches, I think.  It was a very wet and heavy snow.  This tree branch is hanging about 3.5 feet below where it normally is.  This is the Crap Apple all pretty with it's pink blossoms, but heavy laden with snow.  Argh.  Hope it doesn't get ruined.  This is late April for crying out loud, we shouldn't be getting snow this late.  This photo was taken through the window of my deck door and this tree made us feel almost locked in.

I finished this book..........learned so many things about this courageous woman.  I highly recommend this book to read or listen to.  I really enjoyed listening, as the lady reading it did a wonderful job changing her voice when she was speaking as Eleanor or as her Mother-in-law, Mama etc.  Put it on your list.

Started this book, but am sorry to say I stopped it.  I found it a bit long in the tooth, which disappoints me, as I think she was an incredible woman.  I've listened to 13% of this book and then switched to

listening to this book, read by Stacey Abrams and am really enjoying it.  I've just over 1/3 of the way into this one (32%).  While I say I am enjoying it, am also finding it maddening.  I know voter suppression exists, it's in the news all the time.  But, I had no idea how badly Republicans push to keep people of color from voting.  It's beyond shameful and repulsive.  Not just in her state of Georgia, but she speaks about that the most.

Perhaps, when I finish this, I'll go back to RBG and try a bit more.

No new pictures of my teal shawl, though it is growing in size.  (see previous post).

I have picked up on my yoga again, trying to do it more often.  On nicer days getting out to do my walks and get my steps in, and have done some yard work.  I've ordered a full body vibration plate/whole body vibration plate.  Several of my Fitbit friends have them and swear by them.  Have you heard about them?  Do you have one?  

This is the one I ordered.  99.00 at Target, and Walmart, and Amazon.  But, the return policy on Amazon was very bad, so went with Target which is close to home, should I need to return it.  It's being shipped in about 10 days.  Has 99 speeds, and 10 presets.  The LifePro is what my friends have, but I opted for the lesser expensive brand. (Saved $50.00).  They appear to be very similar in terms of size and options.  One big difference is LifePro has a community component to it, and the lesser expensive model, Best Products doesn't.   

New Shawl, Looking into the Future, and Audio Books

 

Stumbled onto a picture of this stitch and liked the look of it, the texture.  It's called Broken Garter Stitch.  You use mutliples of 6 + 1.  I cast on 55 stitches.  The yarn is Ultra Alpaca (light) Berroco, each skein is 146 yards, and suggested needle size is 5 and that's what I'm, using.  The yarn is super soft, 50% Super Fine Alpaca and 50% Peruvian Wool.  I LOVE the color and feel of this yarn.  It's sorta tweedy, but basically solid in color which I think makes this simple texture show up so nicely.  This is the right side, you can see the raised stitch creating a stripe, AND

This is the wrong side where you see the stripe is recessed./dented.  Two non knitting friends said they like the wrong side the best.  What say you?  I'm making a shawl/stole, so in actuality both sides will be visible which will be fine in my book.

If you're as old as dirt, like me.......you'll well remember this cartoon show.  But, what you might not remember is how spot on it is.  Seriously, this showed aired in September of 1962 to July of 1963, and the characters referred to living in the 21st century.  Promotional materials for the show indicated it took place in 2062.  Food for thought.

Finished the purple scarf.  It needs to be soaked and dried and will be ready to gift to a care giver at my Dad's Assisted Living Center.  I spoke about her in the previous post. Didn't keep the yarn label, so can't tell you what the yarn is.  I've used this before and made myself a pink and green shawl, and a 2nd time made my friend a grey, black and white shawl with it, but don't remember the name of the yarn.  ARgh.

Recently finished listening to this audio book, and really really enjoyed it.  Highly recommend it.  A good friend of mine is listening to it now and is also enjoying it.

Just finished this book day before yesterday.  WOW!  It's fascinating.  Written by a life long Republican who admits he was part of the problem.  He worked for many Republican Campaigns through the years.  It's nice to hear that he's come to his senses, I just fear not enough people have.

There have been many books written about this amazing lady, but this is the one I'm currently listening to.  Thus far (just started it yesterday), it spends a  good amount oftime on her earlier life.  I knew her early life wasn't easy, but had no idea how dysfunctional it was.  Add it to your list, I think you'll enjoy it.

Knitting and Listening and Getting Inoculated.

 

This is my latest project.  Not the best picture, but if you click to enlarge you should be able to see some detail with regard to texture and color changes.  Lots of different shades of purple.  Basic garter and stockinette stitch provide a bit of texture.  This is probably going to be a gift for a very sweet lady at my Dad's assistant care facility.  We've not seen him since last March when the lockdowns of nursing homes and assisted living centers happened.  During that time she's extended herself by allowing families to schedule facetime visits with their family members.  My older brother does Monday, my younger brother schedules on Wednesday and I schedule on Friday.  You get about 15-20 minutes and she's been doing this for lots of families.  She takes an ipad into the rooms and her cell phone for back up to allow us to communicate.  Most of the folks living there are like my Dad and would never be able to do that on their own.  He's 95,  

Recently,, they've opened up limited in person visits with restrictions and she's taking care of that as well.  They have one room where people can sit at a table about 8 feet apart with masks on and they sanitize the room before and after.  She's made a very big improvement in the lives of those living there and their families.

I mentioned in my last post that I was reading/listening to this book.  I have now finished it and highly recommend it.  They tell the stories of 105 incredible gutsy woman who've made wonderful contributions to the world, even though they had to fight tooth and nail to do so.......simply because they were women!  Add it to your reading

I'm currently listening to this book and am really enjoying it.  The reader does a wonderful job of speaking like "Winnie", Winston Churchill.  I thought I was fairly knowledgeable about Churchill, and The War prior to The US entering it; but have really learned a great deal more.  It's a long one and I'm 77% through the book, with just 4 days left before it's due, so plan to pick up the pace of my listening.

The Brown AFghan pictured in the last post is at a standstill, in that it's folded and in a project bag.  I got a bit tired of working on it, so put it aside for now.  Oh I did make a decision on what to name that afghan, Coffee Break.  Thanks for the inputs folks, much appreciated.

Many of my friends and family are now getting their vaccinations!  Thrilled and relieved, hubby and I get our 2nd one tomorrow.  We did well with the first and anticipate doing well with the 2nd one.  So far, next to no one I know has had a bad time with reactions or after effects.  The best vaccine to get is the one you can get first according to Dr. Fauci; so don't delay folks waiting on the one you think you want.

Many of my

Knitting, Crocheting, and Listening to Audio Books, During Covid

 

This is the book I'm currently listening to.  I'm really enjoying it.  History hasn't taught us much about how many women made important and long lasting changes to our country.  Some of the women discussed in this book I know of, but even those I've heard of I learned new things about them.  This book seems particularly important to read or listen to right now, given the state of things in the country.  With the push of the far right and trying to remove safe guards and progress women have made.  Please put this on your list to purchase or check out of your local library.

When you read do you stick with a subject, or author or do you read randomly?  I've never been a big reader; but am loving audio books.  I find them enjoyable because you can do multiple things at one time.  I got into audible books first to have something to listen to when I take my daily walks.  Was getting great step counts and listening a lot........then came the winter......argh.  Not a fan of winter.  I do sometimes force myself to outside if there's not snow or ice on the ground for fear of falling.  I use the library app Libby.  Originally I used Over Drive but found Libby is more user friendly, so switched.

So I listened to, as you can see, a bunch of political stuff.  Given all that we've been through these past 4 years it seemed wise to read/listen to get more of the nuts of bolts of all that went on.  WOW!  Not sure though I would say President Obama's first book, Dreams of my Father is a political book.  It's was very much about his life, from childhood on.  I found it fascinating how he lived in different worlds.

The Room Where it Happened got a bit long in the tooth.  I listen to about half, then switched to another book and then came back to it.  I don't agree with  Bolton on much of anything, but it points to how truly dysfunctional trump was/is.  And how much all those around him thought so.  Puzzling why so many tried to defend him.

I do tend to stick with a topic for awhile in my reading/listening.  These are I think important to help us understand better what our Black American Citizens deal with, both in the present and in the past.  I mentioned above how I like listening as I can do multiple things at one time.  In addition to listening while I walk, I listen while I knit, while I do things around the house and often while I'm doing dinner prep in the kitchen.

These 3 books about Scientology are a real eye opener.  It is such a horrible cult it's frightening because it has such a huge membership.  The original founder, L. Ron Hubbard was a huge huge narcissist and reading about him reminded me so much of trump.  It's disappointing to me how this huge wealthy business gets treated like a church in terms of taxes.

Again focusing on a subject/topic.  I found these books by the same author riveting.

Since I often was listening and knitting or crocheting, these are 2 afghans I worked on.

These bright colored strips were donated to my charity, Bridge and Beyond and I crocheted borders for each strip, and then crocheted them together.

And this brown knitted afghan has been in the works for a long time but, listening and knitting I've been able to make good headway.  I'm also working on a purple scarf, but haven't taken a picture of it yet.  Need to do that.

I'm happy and excited to report hubby and I got our first Covid Inoculation and are scheduled for our 2nd.  I hope you all are staying safe from Covid and getting your vaccinations.

It's been ages and ages since I've blogged on a regular basis, and I've really missed it and visiting and reading and commenting on each of your blogs.  So, I'm recharging now and plan to get back to it.  Please let me know how you all are doing.

Merry Christmas, AND

 

Our tree is a bit smaller than normal, shaped nicely.  Lots of ornaments from places we've traveled, some special ones from when our daughter was young representing her school days, and plays she performed in.  One ornament left from when hubby was a child.  So each ornament has meaning.  No designer tree here, but a rather old fashion one.  The candy canes are always the last I add as a special tribute to my Grandfather.  My Dad's Dad loved candy canes and he would sneak them to my brothers and I while Grandma would scold him about us not needing candy.  

Dining room, but I don't know if you can see the snowflakes on the window.  No need to make it look like snow now though, our rain yesterday turned to snow as the temperatures dropped mid afternoon and into the evening on Christmas Eve.  Only 17 now that it's warmed up, so the snow isn't going to melt anytime soon.  Boooooooo

There are tiny lights in my pot design that weren't on when I took the photo.  And battery motive candles inside the candles on the mantel which we only turn on at night.

I've continued to work on Coffee Latte, the afghan, but haven't taken any new pictures.  It's measuring about 19 inches now, so good headway...considering I've not had as much time to knit of late.

This is one of the books I've recently listen to as I walk.  I found it rather enlightening and recommend it for some insight into Racism in our country.    I used the library's Libby app and find the time goes quicker in my walks then it previously did.  I've found the selection for audio books to be very good.  I've read/listened to:  The Room Where it Happened (well almost all of it, need to get it again to finish), A Warning, Unhinged and both Michelle Obama's book and one of Barak's earlier books, Dreams of My Father.  Was on a political bend for awhile then switched gears to 

which I really enjoyed.  After finishing this one, I read another from the same author, Everything I Never Told You.

Then moved onto 

A fascinating read that is both sad and uplifting.  I highly recommend this book.  Next on my reading shelf is another by the same author Cilka's Journey.  But, I'm a bit boggled down as I'm using a 30 day free trial of Audible so I can listen to Obama's new book.  It's long, so hoping to get through it before my trial runs out.

****85 Days til Spring

The family and I did not get together for a family Christmas, all choosing to do our own thing and not mingle to stay safe as we await the vaccine.