The Monday after........

 Well, the kids are gone and they got home safely despite having to refill coolant several times....PTL!  The reason she didn't leave Saturday as planned is because we tried all morning to find a mechanic's shop that was open but nada.  No one would be open until Monday when she needed to be at work.  Thank goodness she was able to make it home alright.

Today, I filled prescriptions and picked up a few groceries as surgery is Wednesday and checkup Thursday.  I didn't want to have to go out if I didn't have to.  I did some laundry and got the garbage out.

I'm taking Tinna's Beginners guide to Mosaic Crochet.  I took #1 where I learned Apache Tears, and #2 is how to read charts.   I made a sample........so far so good.  I'm making one as a mug rug in Iowa Hawkeye colors for my SIL for Christmas.

I got treasures in the mail today...yarn for future projects.........

and my materials for the December 6th SAL for Aunt Sally's Sewing Box....

and of course the last Advent gift for my daughter arrived today.....it should have been here much sooner so now I will have to mail it.

I hope you had a good Monday.......it was about 60 today and sunny....so nice.  There are still leaves coming down.  

Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #22 Year 12

 I hope you all  had a nice week.  I had a great one but more about that later!  I got some crafting done and here it is..........I worked on my sock (1 of 2) and I remembered to put in a progress marker!

I'm almost finished with ornament #1 for the grands.........this year it is woodland creatures........

I started my Christmas cross stitch on Thanksgiving Day.....Christmas stitching and then Winter stitching after that.......this is a free pattern by Susan Ache found on the Aurufill website....

I also started my Winter Wonderland mosaic crochet over and got to row 7 and now I'm having problems....I'm fairly certain I am not doing it right or maybe I did row 6 wrong.....I'll revisit it this afternoon...I hope I can figure it out...it looks nothing like the picture!

 This coming week I will be working on the ornaments,  pillowcases, socks, Christmas XS and Winter Wonderland mosaic blanket.  I have my 2nd cataract surgery on Wednesday so we'll see how much I get done.

A D V E N T 2022:

Here are the Advent gifts for my daughter that I already sent off with her.....in order........

December......

13th -a pumpkin votive candle holder (Amy requested some Halloween items)

14th - There was a book on collage making that I evidently forgot to take a picture of......

15th - crocheted face pads by yours truly (BTW...we give each other lists of suggestions for inexpensive items)

16th - snowman container with mints inside....

17th - Amy loves Day of the Dead so I found these party plates and napkins...

18th - Frida Kahlo magnet - this is from my cousin Kay.  She saw it in Chicago and knew it was one of Amy's favorite artists so she got it for her and told me to include it in her Advent gifts - I will tell her it is from Kay when she opens it........she will love it!

19th - Snicker Doodle wax melties...........we both love good smells!

20th - toffee........we love good tastes too! LOL! Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of it either....but you know...chocolate nut covered toffee.....

21st - friendship bracelets....one for each of us.......

22nd - this gift has not arrived yet....it was a set of special markers that had wheels that would make flowers and different designs.........no photo.  I'll mail it to her when it arrives.

23rd - a set of pumpkins I made....

24th and 25th - Bee necklace and earrings.........we love nature and try to encourage the bees and the butterflies whenever we can........

I didn't get a picture of them all wrapped but next week I'll show you mine that she left for me all wrapped... so pretty!

If you're still hanging in here.........we had a wonderful Thanksgiving together!  The food turned out great and the turkey was easy peasy and the best I've ever eaten.  It was a Butterball Turkey Breast in a bag....you take it out of the bag it comes in and inside it is in another bag.  You don't defrost it just plop it in the oven, no basting and it comes out perfect!  Easiest turkey ever and everyone pitched in so no one slaved away  in the kitchen.  We had a fire in the fireplace, it was raining outside,  and we played Flinch and North Dakota (card games) in front of the fire.  I used to play Flinch with my Mom when I was young.  

During the week we had cinnamon rolls, grilled cheese roll-ups with tomato soup, Emerill's tuna melts, chicken parmesan, roasted potatoes and so much more!  It was all delicious although much of it I couldn't eat but I did manage to have turkey, sweet potato casserole with marshmallows, mashed potatoes, cinnamon rolls, fish crackers, and parmesan chicken.  It was such a treat after my semi-liquid diet.  I was careful to not gorge myself on anything but I had no reaction and all is good!   

It was nice here.....high 50's low 60's and we took the boys fishing down at the lake.  Amy and I didn't fish because we would need a license but the boys didn't need one until they're 16.  

They brought Grace with so we had a little reunion.....she and Miss Peeps still do not get along but Grace loves the boys and she gets lots more attention!  Here she is with Grayson.......

Here's the boys fishing...........

and here's the whole fam damlily.............I was so happy to share thanksgiving with them and the laughter never stopped!  I hope you all had a great week and Thanksgiving if you celebrate.

Happy Trails!!!

 

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Hope you have a wonderful one!
 

YOP Week #20 Year 12

 Winter has arrived, it's sock knitting season, and it's going to be a pumpkin Christmas!

Yes, 2 inches of the white stuff....unfortunately it happened in the night so I didn't get the pleasure of watching it come down.  It's mighty pretty though!  Iowa has no snow but Arkansas does! LOL!  Most was gone by noon but there is still some in the shade and the North side.

We are way below freezing at night now and low 40's during the day....it happened over night!  It was 77 just the other day!  I guess painting outside now is out of the question.

I went crazy this week crocheting pumpkins!  I am addicted to them they are so fun to make and turn out so cute!   These are for my daughter........one of her Advent gifts............

and then I couldn't stop myself......

I worked on my Pumpkin Alphabet..........

and since Winter has arrived...it is now officially sock knitting season! So, I had to cast on some socks.....this is West Yorkshire Spinners sock yarn but I have no idea what color....I thought it was one of their bird yarns but there was no name........I use Cherry Heart's sock pattern for magic loop socks but she does a rounded toe which is easier than Kitchener but 2 of the toes have come apart on 2 different socks so I am going back to Kitchener!  None of my Kitchener toes have ever come apart.....

I got some treasures in the  mail this week......the pattern booklet for Aunties Sewing Box SAL starting December 6th with the Sew n' Sews on You Tube.  I still have to kit is up with fabric and floss.  There are also supplies needed for finishing but I won't worry about those yet!  The instructions for finishing each of the items is included.....

Plus, I got the ornament kit from Alicia Paulson.....everything is included!  I love that.......the Grands love nature so I thought these would be right up their alley!  I was surprised to see the goose with a wreath...that's a throw back from the old days of cross stitch!

This coming week I will work on the ornaments, the pumpkin alphabet and my sock.

On a more personal note.  My cataract surgery went well and I went back the following day and he said it looked good.  There are gobs of eye drops; 4 which you take 3 times a day except for 1 which you take 4 times a day.  One of them stings like the dickens plus you have to wait 5 minutes in between each one.  The worst part is the plastic eye shield you have to tape on at night.  It took off a mole and part of my skin so the next night I was careful where I placed it....it sill took off a layer of skin so.......there are holes in the shield so I laced a shoe lace through it and tied it around my head and then used an elastic headband to secure it even better.  It worked slick and I have all my skin this morning .  This is a public service announcement in case you have to have cataract surgery.  The next eye will be done 11/30...I am ready!

My daughter and the boys are coming down this coming Saturday for Thanksgiving and I can hardly wait.  Amy said they all have their boosters and their flu shots and they are all wearing masks ahead of their visit so they don't catch anything to give to Grandma....so thoughtful! Plus she told them if they get sick they can't come....that was evidently an incentive to wear the masks! LOL!  I will not be posting this coming week or next Sunday.  I have cleaning, wrapping, grocery shopping, and cooking to do!  So, if I don't talk to you.....I pray you have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving if you live in the U.S. and for those that don't I wish you a safe and wonderful week!

Happy Trails!!!

 

Monday - November 7, 2022

 Wash day!  Socks that is.  I wash my hand knit wool socks before I put them away for the summer and then I wash them again to get them ready for the winter.  Today was the day!  

I heard someone say you could wash them in the machine on cold especially if you didn't have an agitator.  Well, I tried it last year and was very disappointed...........here's the difference between hand washed ....

and machine washed..........see all the "nubs" on the machine washed socks?   Just a reminder for any newbie sock knitters out  there....and don't ever put them in the dryer!!!

Today I started my eye drops in my right eye for cataract surgery on Wednesday. 2 different drops each 3 times a day 5 minutes apart.  They are an antibiotic to ensure you have a "clean" eye before they do surgery....we do not want any infection!  I found out you are awake but they give you an IV that relaxes you and you don't remember a thing!  Good!  I also found out they replace your lens with an artificial one....I just wanted to ensure it wasn't from  a pig or from China....lol!

I ran to Walmart again as I forgot a few items, picked up a Christmas present and also another skein of yarn!  Woo Hoo!

Santa's Workshop is definitely up and running!  I got some XS material and floss in the mail and there are ornament supplies and more yarn on the way!  Busy days!!!

I hope you are having a great Monday!

Happy Trails!!!
 

YOP Week #19 Year 12

 

It is still really nice here.  We are past peak but I am enjoying it.  The photos don't do it justice.  I could use a better camera.  

I've been cleaning and clearing getting ready for company and my cataract surgery this coming week.  Since my daughter is coming for Thanksgiving we are trying to get the Advent gifts ready so we can save on shipping.  For that reason I am buying more than making.  I did get a little pumpkin made which I really like and will be making more.........

Erica Arndt is the creator and she has a video on You Tube and a written pattern you can buy.  I bought the pattern too.  I need all the help I can get!  The video is very good.  She's a great instructor.

I did cross stitch but only on one project...........

I received my 2 pillowcase kits I ordered from Shabby Fabrics and the instructions which are separate.   These are for the grands for Christmas.....one is red and one is black so they won't get them mixed up.  Amy said they love the Halloween ones I made them a few years ago so I hope they like these.  They are flannel so perfect for Winter.

I'm still making granny squares but I'm getting ready to wrap them up and make something out of them.  I'm really wanting to make more pumpkins....there are 3 sizes.  I made the smallest one. 

This week I can't commit to any crafting goals as I'm not sure what I will be able to do with the cataract surgery but I should be fine.  I have it Wednesday and the left eye will be done the 30th.  I wish all of you a great November and I hope you are enjoying the lead up to the Holidays!

Happy Trails!!!

Friday - November 4, 2022

 It's so beautiful here!  77 today and has been all week with no humidity.  Storms are expected tonight...yay!  I went to Walmart today and got some supplies especially to get me  through next week when I have my cataract surgery.  

The pc problem is fixed!  I have a service called Geek Buddy and it goes along with my security from Comodo.  I've had it for years as I live in the middle of nowhere so if I have a problem with my pc they can logon to it and fix it remotely!  Which they did yesterday.  I thought it was a Mozilla Firefox problem but it wasn't....it was a Microsoft update.  It took about 2 hours but I am good to go!  It costs me about $240 for 3 years and it is well worth it!  They are available  24/7 and no waiting!  They are the best!

I've got all my plants in and my geranium is blooming........

I picked up some yarn at Walmart but it is really splitty.  I was looking for Lion Brand Woolease but they had this instead.  It is by Lion Brand but it must be a cheap version they sell to Walmart.  But I already bought it for a project so I guess I will muddle through.  The dark one is a dark green...

I got all my acorns and Bradford pear berries cooked and de-bugged and I also brought some berries inside.  The white ones are from my yard and the red ones are from my neighbor's yard....she gave me permission..........

I  have a few things to look forward to and I thought I would share them with you.......first is an online cross stitch retreat called The Jingle Ball.  It costs $10 and there are all kinds of activities and shopping and classes.  Unfortunately the classes are all booked up but for $10 I thought I would give it a try.  You can find  information about it at www.jingleball.net  This is December 2nd and 3rd.

The other thing I am committing to is a SAL (stitch along) with the Sew n Sews (a great podcast!) that starts on December 6th....it is Aunties Sewing Box by Sue Hillis....it has the patterns for all those items!  So precious!

I need to get busy making the Christmas Ornaments and I have quite a few Advent gifts but there are still more left to buy or make.  What have you been up to?

Happy Trails!!!

 
 
 

Wednesday - November 2, 2022!

 I was going to blog yesterday on the first of November but my browser wasn't working and I had to reboot several times, reboot the wi-fi box, and finally use another browser but of course....it didn't know my passwords.  I also had to talk to the billing department at the hospital, BCBS, and run to the bank since I couldn't check my balance online with the new browser.....AHHHHH!!!!  But I finally got things working, bills straightened out and paid and today is much better.  I really dislike dealing with paperwork and bills.  You have nothing to show for it except a depleted bank balance!  But I am lucky I had the money to pay for it all.

So, today is beautiful and I went outside and collected Bradford Pear berries (I waited too long) and I got acorns and I am de-bugging them in the oven..........

175 F for 2 hours and leave the oven door cracked open a bit.  Check every 15 minutes.  One  year I collected really tiny acorns from my tree out front...I forget the name of it.  But I put them in a little tin and sent them to my grands.  When they opened it the acorns  were brimming with worms! AHHHH!  I didn't know you were supposed to pre-treat them in the oven to keep them from hatching....live and learn!

I had a great Halloween but my only candy was Werther's Hard Caramels...I can have hard candy but that's all.  I watched The Crooked House on Roku with Glenn Close.  It was good!  I put the Halloween decorations away along with the Halloween cross stitch because November and December are Thanksgiving and Christmas stitching.  I have Thanksgiving stitching started but I could not find it...imagine that! LOL!  So, I picked up my Fall Alphabet..........

and I started Thomas.....there weren't enough stitches in it to warrant a photo.....

I made a little scrubbie for my neighbor as her birthday is Friday..........

I took a picture of this little bird.  I've never seen it before.  I have no idea what it is...do you?  My neighbor said "the juncos are back"  I have no idea what they look like either.  I better start boning up on my birds!  Looks like it's time to paint my clothesline posts too!  The chores are never ending around here!  But at least I can still do them.  I still need to do the window washing and there's another stairs to paint.

Just a reminder.....it's never too early to start getting ready for Winter....

Happy Trails!!!