About Socks, Books, Blankets, & Biscuits

Good Morning Everyone.  It's been a while since I've been able to stop by for a visit, so I thought I'd drop in to say hello, catch up a little, and join in with Ginny's Yarn Along.

Seems that whenever it starts getting hot, I have to put away thoughts of cosy sweaters, big woolie blankets and the like, and change my knitting to cotton or linen yarns and/or smaller less hot making things.  About this time of year, I start to gravitate to projects like socks (to store up for Christmas), dishcloths, dish towels (a new obsession), light weight cotton sweaters for the littles, and . . . . well, you know what I mean.  So, lately, I've finished several pairs of Muggle socks to go into the Christmas stockpile, that is, if I can keep Mr. FC from absconding with them.  But, that's okay.  He loves them -- which I find pretty amusing (and satisfying) since he was a scoffer of knitting -- until he got his first pair of hand knit socks ^v^.

And I also made a pair for me - these Inro Socks -- which I mentioned a while back (Rav page here).

This is the first pair of worsted weight socks I've made for myself, and I love them.  They're a little too bulky for some things, but for wearing with my moccasins and cowboy boots, they're perfectly cushy and comfy.

Also, I've just started this Shale Blanket -- pattern from Brooklyn Tweed (love everything from the so talented Jared Flood, don't you?)  I wanted it to be a little bigger, so I've CO 191 st rather than 151 (my Rav page here).  I'm thinking this will make it about 8 - 10 inches wider -- I hope.  Anyway, I'm using Cotton-Ease yarn b/c, as I mentioned before, it's too darned hot to think about woolie blankets right now.  I'm liking this yarn pretty well in spite of the fact that I remember another knitter say it was like knitting with glue.  I'm not finding it too terrible to knit with, but of course, it doesn't want to give the way wool does when making all those K4tog, and SSSK stitches.  I think I'll manage though b/c the thought of a nice cotton blanket seems just perfect to me at the moment -- cosy but not hot -- if that makes sense.

And after a very long spell of not finding a book I've really really loved, I found one!

  It's "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society". 

It's written in epistolary style which I usually find difficult, but not this time.  It's utterly charming, fascinating, sad (recollections of WWII), humorous, and compelling to the point that I have trouble leaving the society of these wonderful characters to go to bed.  Actually, I'm listening to the Audible version, and I absolutely love the narration.  It's done by a cast of English actors who read each letter most perfectly and with (what I imagine to be) the very most appropriate accent and tone.  This is my very favorite Audible book since listening to the endearing, sweet, and funny "Winnie the Pooh".  Oh, and the Librivox "Jane Eyre" was wonderful too.  But anyway, I'm sure it's just as good to read in print, so I've ordered the book as well b/c I think I'll want to read it over and over.  Have you read it?  Did you love it too?  I know this isn't a new book, but as you might know by now, I'm a little slow in catching up.

Just one more thing I had to share with you -- the recipe for these so delicious make and freeze biscuits from King Arthur Flour.  And I know this doesn't sound like a revolutionary idea, but the main difference is in the way you bake them -- which makes them rise so nicely.  Anyway, I made these back in March when my DD and Littles were here.  We loved them.  I had a few left, so I took them out and baked them for breakfast last Sunday, and they were still so delicious (after a couple of months in the freezer) and so easy.  I'm going to make up another batch to freeze soon.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention -- every one of these things - the sock pattern, blanket pattern, book, and biscuit recipe were found on Pinterest.  So, you see, I'd be living in a sockless, blanketless, bookless, biscuitless world without all the great input and ideas I get from all of you generous pinners out there.  And this is the last time I'll mention Pinterest -- I promise (kind of ^v^).

Well, better go, so I can hop over to Ginny's (thank you Ginny) and see what's been going on in everyone else's world lately.  Bye for now and I wish you a blessed week.

♥ ♥ ♥

G

Click on the image below to come to Yarn Along too.

I'm Grateful For . . . .

Good morning Everyone, and happy Friday to you all. 

I feel surrounded with goodness and prettiness today.

I found these sweet little wooden spoons on a trip to town the other day (at Anthropologie).  I don't think I've ever seen wooden teaspoons before, have you?

I'm love with this strawberry/vanilla sugar (from The Spice House) sprinkled on my coffee in the morning.  And the hydrangea are blooming!  I know I have to show them off every year about this time, and I'm sorry, but I just can't help myself.  I love them so much! 

 I'm loving beeswax candles in these old silver plate candlesticks in the evening (with more yard flowers of course).  Oh, and just in case anyone thinks spending time on Pinterest is frivolous, I got this idea of pairing beeswax with silver there.  So maybe not time totally wasted, as I believe this is very important information.

The gardenias are just starting to bloom by the front porch.  Don't they have the most lovely fragrance in the world?  I love picking a few to put beside my bed.  Sweet dreams.

This  butterfly followed me into the house the other day and has been perched there by the front door ever since ^v^.

And there's more . . . .

I got this yarn in the mail (don't you love getting yarn in the mail?!).  The cotton ease is for making these  -- another Pinterest find.

(image via Lion Brand)

And the Vanna is for finishing a pair of socks I started about 3 years ago -- before I became a bit of a yarn snob.  And the ivory Red Heart is for making another pair of socks.  Speaking of being a yarn snob, this isn't the most luscious sock yarn in the world, but it's washable and holds up well.  And after washing, it feels pretty good (plus it's not expensive).

Oh, and just one more thing . . . .

I'm feeling very virtous for reclaiming this beautiful Rowan Luxury Cotton yarn from a failed knitting project (Affric), and I can't wait to find a good pattern for it.  This is really the nicest cotton yarn I've ever used, and I'm sad to say, I think it's been discontinued.

But the very best thing I have to be grateful for this week isn't a thing at all.  I'm most grateful for a short but fun visit with my Lovable Darling Leah who was in Dallas on a school trip this week.  As we all know, it's the loves of our lives who give us the biggest and most profound reason of all for gratitude.

This is an old photo of Leah taken by my Jess a few years ago.  I just love it. 

So, Happy Weekend to you all, and I wish you many flowers and butterflies and other lovelies, but most of all, I wish you love (does that sound like song lyrics . . . oh well. . . I really do).

♥ ♥ ♥

G

Yarn Along & Other Things

Good morning Everyone.  I'm joining Ginny for Yarn Along again today.  Thank you Ginny.  Last time, I was working on Mara, and now it's finished.  I love it and have actually worn it some on the cooler days we've had lately.  I never thought I was a shawl girl, but maybe I am.  I especially like the way Mara can be tied in front or wrapped around and used as a scarf (as seen here).  And I love love the Madelinetosh Silver Fox yarn.  The color is just the most perfect silvery gray. 

And you know I'm pants at getting a decent photo of myself wearing things but . . .

. . . I tried.

And I don't really have black hair -- it's just the light or something.  However, I do really have messy hair ^v^.

I'm still working on Annabel and have recently finished some more Muggle Socks (to save up for Christmas).  And when I saw these cute socks on Pinterest (I really do get so many good ideas from Pinterest -- even though it is like crack) the other day, I knew I had to make some, so I am.

I love this pattern (Rav page here) -- it's so unusual.  And I love using worsted yarn for socks -- they knit up so quickly and make such nice thick cosy socks for boots.

So anyhoo, books . . . .  I'm still reading "The Grand Sophy" (which is cute and light) and listening to "Jane Eyre" (which is not cute or light but is so beautifully written, isn't it?).  Today, I got a book in the mail which I read about over at Posie Gets Cozy.  It's "The Paper Garden" (by Molly Peacock) and is the story of a woman named Mary Delany who created the most extraordinary flower portraits from paper. 

Pretty amazing!

Well, bye for now.  I'm going to Ginny's to see what everyone else is knitting and reading.

Click the button below if you'd like to come with me.

Happy Week!

♥ ♥ ♥

G

Oh, just one more thing. . . I racked the banana liqueur today.  Can't wait -- just 3 more weeks until it's drinkable!

This Morning . . . .

I went for a walk (we are having the most wonderfully perfect spring weather at the moment), and I found a Blue Jay feather and some pretty mossy thing.

And watered the plants on the back porch.  The lettuce has really taken off.  I guess I should have a salad for dinner tonight, shouldn't I?  But really, I think I'm going to have the left over strawberry shortcake ^v^.  What?  Diet?  Huh?

Then, I cleaned out a closet, well, a closet and a half I guess.  I finished mine (quel happiness!), but the one in the office still in progress. 

See, a clean and color coded closet!  I am so full of myself ^v^.

I took these quilts out of the office closet to make more room, but now I don't know where to put them.  I love quilts, but maybe I have too many?  Hmmmm, no, don't think so.  We need quilts (at least 2 or 3) for picnics, making palettes on the floor for littles, keeping warm on cold winter nights (obviously), but maybe just for the sake of prettiness and admiration too.  You think?

The one in the middle, I bought at an estate sale last week for $10.  I guess some people just don't care for quilts?  I didn't know that was possible.

Okay then, back to finish my chores.

Happy week to you!

♥ ♥ ♥

G

Flowers, Knitting, & Reading

Good morning Everyone.  I actually posted yesterday, but when I tried to edit it on my ipad, it disappeared -- so frustrating!  Lesson learned -- no post editing on the ipad.

So anyway, as usual, all I was talking about was flowers and knitting and things.  I'll try to recap just really quickly . . . .

These roses from our back yard (which I planted during last summer's drought) are making me so happy right now.  We've had so much rain (thank you Lord!) lately that everything that was near death last summer, is thriving -- at least for now.

And I've been loving the way these grocery store roses look when they catch the last few minutes of sun as it drops down to a certain place in the late afternoon.   It spotlights these roses like they're Vegas showgirls.  They are kind of, aren't they?

And have you seen this?

It's called a Cuppow, and as you can see, you use it with a mason jar to make your own home made sippy/travel cup.  I stumbled across this over at The Craft Blog where the clever Austen is making cosies for hers.  I've already ordered some as we have dozens and dozens of canning jars around the place, and it seems we can always use more travel & sippy cups.

I've still been knitting away on my Annabel, but of course, I won't be able to wear until next winter so no hurry there.  And I stumbled across a shawl I love (Mara) on Pinterest (anyone know of a self help group for this?) the other day, so I had to order the beautiful silvery Madelinetosh yarn and start working on it too -- kind of alternating back and forth between it and Annabel.  It's another lovely simple garter stitch (mostly) pattern, and there's a slim chance I might even have a chance to wear it before our temps climb up into the 'wear nothing but linen & cotton' heat that's typical of our summer weather (blech).

And  see those three little spools of yarn in the top left of the photo?  Those are reinforcement yarn for sock making.  I've never tried using this, have you?  DH's socks always go at the toe and heel, so I'm going to use the reinforcing yarn on the pair I'm making now.  I'll let you know if it helps.

Anyway, books . . . .

I discover "Adam's Synchronological Map of History" (in the middle) over at the lovely Kellie's not long ago.  It is so cool!  Here's a photo of the inside (partly -- it actually opens up into a table long chart).

I love the way it has the development of civilization charted in such a visually interesting way.  I'm such a visual learner and always had similar time lines, etc. on the walls of my classroom when I taught.  Anyway, this is a fascinating book, and even if you don't want to read it, it looks so beautiful sitting on the table.  But of course, we want to read it ^v^.

"Beatrix Potter, A Journal" is wonderful too -- lots of little hidden treasures inside -- kind of like a pop-up book (which I love!).  There's even a real book hidden inside -- a facsimile of one of her early self published books.  It's actually a little similar to the "Map of History . . . " in the way it gives you a visual biography of Beatrix Potter from childhood on.  And of course, I'm always happy to see the newest British "Country Living" arrive.



And I almost forgot, I actually finished and took pics of the Bluebell Rib socks I made for my friend B.  These were meant to be a Christmas gift, but I just didn't make it.  So hopefully, they'll keep her toes warm next winter.

Joining Ginny's Yarn Along again this week, so bye for now, and I wish you happy healthy days!

♥ ♥ ♥

G

Wonderful Easter

Good morning Everyone.  Just wanted to drop in to wish you all a wonderful Easter.

The fasts are done; the Aves said;

The moon has filled her horn

And in the solemn night I watch

Before the Easter morn.

So pure, so still the starry heaven,

So hushed the brooding air,

I could hear the sweep of an angel's wings

If one should earthward fare.

~Edna Dean Proctor, "Easter Morning"

Brightest Blessings to you all,

♥

G

Image via Stock Solutions Free Clip Art



Storms & Garter Stitch

Heavens -- what a day we had here yesterday!  Storms all over the place.  Last I heard, around 12 tornadoes touched down in Dallas/Ft. Worth and the surrounding areas.  We are in the 'surrounding area' SE of Dallas, but thankfully, we only got a good old spring thunderstorm without all the bad stuff.  As far as I know, there were no fatalities which is pretty miraculous when you look at the damage the storms did - levelled houses, flying vehicles (even tractor trailers really flying through the air), roofs ripped off, and more. Whew!

So anyway, what does a knitting girl do while watching the storms progress creeping nearer and nearer?  Knit garter stitch!  Thank Goodness I have the Annabel cardigan on the needles and had just gotten past separating for the sleeves and on to the mindless therapeutic 'garter stitch for 11inches' part.  So, I sat on the couch, knitting away, watching the weather man, and looking out through the living room windows toward the approaching storm (oh, and praying!).

(Annabel and the roses are from our back yard!)

I've done a little modifying of the neck on this in an attempt to make it look something like this -- found on Pinterest (of course).

(image via crush cul de sac)

I've done the neckline in 1 x 1 rib and I'm only doing two buttons.  Hope it turns out okay.

Anyway, after the storm had passed, I walked out onto the back porch and was greeted by the most amazing golden sky.  Wish I could have gotten a better photo.  It was beautiful.

 I'm joining up with Ginny for Yarn Along again this week (thank you Ginny), so here's what I've been reading . . .

"The Grand Sophy" (Kindle version) which is charming and funny and one of those books that pulls you right in b/c you just can't wait to see what happens as Sophy moves in and begins to transform everyone around her.  Think "Cold Comfort Farm" in a grander setting and different era.

I'm also listening to a very well done Librivox version of "Jane Eyre" on my phone.  I remember reading "Jane Eyre" once when I was young teenager and then again in my 20's, but that was a long time ago (loooong time), so after recently watching the 2011 movie version again (& again & again), I decided  I wanted to read the book again.  I'm so glad I did, as I'd forgotten how lovely Charlotte Bronte's prose is.  I guess it's kind of silly that I'm listening to this book rather than reading it, as I have a lovely copy that was given to me (as part of a set including "Wuthering Heights") by my Aunt Ruth when I was young (she also gave me "To Kill a Mockingbird" when I was in Jr. High -- life changing).  But, I've been listening to it as I walk, and you just can't do that with a real book (at least I can't), so I guess that justifies the audio version.

I just love these pretty old books.  They are treasures to me.

Well, I'm going to hop over to Ginny's to have a peek at what's going on at your house, so bye for now and happy week to you all!

♥ ♥ ♥

G

Click here for Yarn Along . . .

Oopsie!  I forgot to link up to Yarn Along, but I think it's working now.