Thank you SIS!

I wanted to give a big SHOUT OUT & HUG to Su for the wonderful package she sent. Just look at these socks! So snuggly. I ADORE them! Thank you so much! She also sent a knitted washcloth and some yummy body wash. What a great surprise!

Thanks Sis, I appreciate you!

Something to Wake Up to...

Have you seen the Thunder From Down Under Gallery? http://photos.tmz.com/galleries/thunder_from_down_under

Mmmmm... Which is ur favorite? I'll take #1, with a side of #4

YOWZAH!

RIP

Yep, I frogged the sock. Back to dishcloths *pout*

A knitting I will go...

Instead of buying good yarn for something I dont know if I can make yet, I've decided to try to make a sock with some fingering yarn I had in my stash. I know its not the prettiest color, but its free. So far I have the ribbing complete, next is the leg (and it scares me just reading the pattern) So, knitty friends watch out I'm going to have a few questions for u I reckon. The pattern I'm using is a booklet I bought the "last time" I thought I could attempt a sock...LOL its "The Ultimate book of Knit Socks" by Fran Ortmeyer. The pattern is called simply blue socks. I am a glutton for punishment aren't I.

A wasted day is one without laughter...

The Sermon I think this Mom will never forget.. This particular Sunday sermon... "Dear Lord," the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. "Without you, we arebut dust." He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter (who was listening!) leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill little girl voice, "Mom, what is butt dust?"

spiders, snakes, crickets, and mice....

These are the things that scare the piss out of me. I dont like spiders, snakes, crickets, and mice. So, everytime our pest control man comes by he leaves glue traps in the corners of the garage. Especially during the summer, we get mice, those huge crickets, and slugs. ewh. I know. Which leads to my headline. I was taking some trash from the house into the garage, and as I put it in the can, I glanced into the far corner. You know the corner, the one full of those fold up chairs, bicycles, and misc. crap that tends to mingle amongst itself. I noticed the gluetrap had a mouse on it. I thought, I'd just sweep it out and put it in the trash can. (aren't I a great wifey-poo) As I swept it out, I noticed the little mouse had some company. Not the flies. I told you it had been awhile since I visited that corner..... But wowee. Check out that copperhead snake. It frightens me that my dd's play darts in the garage, and have their swingset just out from it. Scary stuff. I'm calling the pset control man tommorrow to get some more of those traps dropped by. I tried some from Wally World, but they aren't as good as the ones the bug man leaves...... Be careful outside..

Knitting again

Can you believe I am really doing this? It is amazing. We went to Tn. this weekend to attend a bbq on the river with hub's family. On the way there and back I decided to *gulp* knit. Here are my efforts. The first one, was my first project, the one with the goofy black stripe in the middle. Next, is the reverse of the first one, not to bad says I. The last one, is a smaller set of needles (7) and some varigated yarn. I really like it too. Now, the question is will I try my hand at soemthing besides a dishcloth? Dunno. I know a scarf is out of the question. It just doesn't get cold enough for one. I did try to cast on for a sock pattern last night with some grey cotton I had, but the needle kept falling out when I would go to cast on the next one. Bummer. What am I doing wrong there? Not tight enough? or is it just the cotton yarn? Happy day to you all!

Fair Play Doily:Completed

I finished up this doily yesterday, and let it block overnight. It is one of Kathy's designs. And, is it ever a gorgeous one. Made with size 20 ecru cebelia, and a size 10 hook, it measures about 10 inches across. I am truly in love with this beauty. Enjoy!

Ravelry message

Got a message today from a Ravelry editor. They want to use 3 photos of my Patricia Kristoffersen doilies. Yeah!! Had to share, made me smile!

Watch out! PG rated!

thanks to my wonderful usage of Deneen's favorite word "crap". I have a PG rating. Watch out kiddos, I'm getting fiesty now. Thanks for the link Deneen. Check what your blog is rated by clicking mine.

Ballband Dishcloth

Ok. So here's my very first knitting project. Now, that I've got the pattern down, its not that hard. I did have to frog once though. Kids came in, yadda yadda. The only thing I had a real question about was letting one thread dangle while using the other one. But, I've got that cleared up. These work up fast, that's for sure.

knitting part 2

I finished up a roll of sws on this swatch. My first completed project for knitting. Yes i'm pumped. I've decided to tackle a new project now a ballband dishcloth. Good luck me!

what? so I collect yarn

I have realized I have a small problem. Hubby and I were talking when he mentions I have my "yarn stuff" all over the house and I couldn't contain it if I wanted to. To which I reply, its not that much and yes I could get it all organized if I wanted to. But, its nice having a project +supplies in the living room, and another in the bedroom, and yet another, just in case project, and one in my car, for when I'm out and about visiting and what not.
So, that inspired me to just see if I could somewhat organize my small little hoard of thread/yarn. Not to daunting of a task, right? After empting my "thread chest" and closet in the bedroom, and the yarn trunk in the laundry room....and after emptying the 2 chests in the living room and the wip bags and boxes. I realized. I do have a problem.
But, you know when we find a good deal we must purchase and store. I have been grounded yet again from purchasing and storing LOL. I have to get some of this stuff worked up. I didnt realize just how much stash I really had. I'll leave you with pics of sorting, storing, and all those pattern books I didnt realize I had. Moral: have better hiding places.

Thank you Mimi

Thank you so much Mimi! I received my gadget swap package from "Simply Crochet". Mimi sent several wonderful things, too. A ball of dark ombre thread, a pincushion she made, several zippie bags for trinket storage, a pack of needles, 2 bags of glass beads, 3 steel crochet hooks, a small bag of silver and gold metallic bobbins, some letter "s" buttons, and some yummy coffees. All this and a sweet card, too.

green gardening

I happened upon something that sounds promising this morning and thought I'd share.
The Pot Maker
Plastic pots are easy and convenient, especially for starter pots or young transplants and seedlings. But they are not biodegradable or very environmentally friendly. As a green alternative, the Pot Maker recycles old newspaper into pots. Take newspaper cut into 3 1/2-by-10-inch strips and roll the paper around press and fold under the end of the top section. Then, press the top (and paper) into the form and remove. You can fill this pot with soil and transplant seedling or sow seeds directly. It's also biodegradable. Of course, you could always make these without the tool. But, its a great idea to recycle newspapers, and use what you already have at home, rather than buying new. Marvie sent me a msg about a freebie tute on how to make these at home too. Its a a great link. Thanks Marvie!

county-wide crochet contest

well, I got the results today from the county-wide crochet contest...... I WON! I WON! She told me there was a 1st place prize for winning county, I had no clue about that, but yeah yeah yeah on that! I will be going to the state competition in August. She said she feels pretty good about me winning there as well! I am beaming now! Just had to share my news! I added a pic of the *cough cough* "Prize Winning Runner" just cause I wanted to see it again. I dont get it back until next week.

Destash 4 Cash= Closing

Click here for more info. I'm sad. I have tried several yarns, I normally would not have , from this site. SIGH......

OMG I knittededed!!

Ok. Be gentle, really. This is the first swatch I've ever made with a basketweave pattern. I got bored today and thought I'd give that knitting thing a whirl. I used SWS which wasn't as hard to knit with as I thought. I'll frog this later, but I wanted to show my effort.

Basketweaving....

Thanks for all ur support on knitting. I sat down today and completely concentrated on those bamboo sticks. I chose some SWS and a swatch for basketweave stitching. I will post a pic tonight. For my first one, eh its not That bad. To me it is beau-ti-ful though. heh

Kinda nervous today, taking dd#1 to an orthopeadic specialist tomo. She has scoiliosis, we wont know exactly how bad, or what we need to do until tomo. Keep her in ur thoughts, well-wishes, and prayers

another Blog CONTEST!

Yes another one, NO its not mine. Head on over the Sara's blog and get the details! Good Luck to all who enter!! Tell her Dixie sentcha!!

Knitting? Say what...

Ok. Its hit me again. I want to knit. I know how to make a stockinette stitch, and that other basic stitch that I forget the name of. Heres my question. If you were a n00b at knitting, what would be the first project you would tackle? I want to make a pair of socks. I just know they would feel amazing. I'm to the point of trying to trade a doily for a pair of socks! Anywho, I figure there has to be a starting place, and I'd like to try again. Knit wearables are so cute. You just can't do that with a crochet hook. I'll forever be a crochet girl, but I'd like to haev a one night stand with a pair of knitting needles....

Japanese Beetles! Natural remedy!

After researching, these pests I've found something that sounds promising! So, Heres the idea. I'll let you know if/how its working. I found them on my tomato plants today. It's ON now!!

Japanese Beetle Trap and Bait The following bait and trap method is to be used during the height of the Japanese Beetle season.

Ingredients:

1 cup water

1/4 cup sugar

1 mashed banana

1 pkg yeast

Dissolve sugar and yeast in the water. Mix the well maxhed banana into the sugar water. Put all ingredients in a gallon milk jug. Place the jug (with the top off) in an area where Japanese Beetles gather. The fermentation and odor of the bait attracts the beetles which get in but not out. If all else fails, pick them off and drown in a bucket of soapy water :-)

The Search for truth: Wanda Wood Darling

I wanted to update everyone. I posted last year about my friend whom was murdered several years ago by her husband. After much publicity, Dateline NBC and Keith Morrision, have picked up the story. It will air tomorrow night (monday, June 11th) at 9pm CST. Here is a link to Dateline's story:

http://insidedateline.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/06/08/218813.aspx

Cathedral Window 'ghan

Can you believe I drug this thing out of storage? Me either. I've decided that I need to complete it before winter though. And, considering I'm about 20 rounds from completing, I've decided to challenge myself with it again. Sorry bout the sloppy pic, but have you ever tried to snap a pic of something so large? It is really hard. So, the next question is....what am I going to do with this thing once its complete? I mean, you cant really "use" it. It will pill up and look shabby. Why did I ever convince myself to start such a project???

Twillights Touch Doily

I tested this pattern for Kathy. I chose deep purple, lilac, and white and love the colors! It is about 14 inches across, I used size 10 thread, and size 8 hook.

Crochet News

So, I'm warming up to Ravelry. I like the concept, though. I've just got to get everythign in order here so I can post about it there. Hubby says I have too many forums now, and spend more time keeping up with everyone than crocheting. Nah. I can do both!

I went to this discount warehouse place Monday. I had never been there before and was thumbing around, when I found these huge 1lb cones of thread. I think it said it was buttonhole thread, but wow its as thick as crocheting thread, shiny, and I bought 4 colors, turquoise, khaki, pink, and copper. The bright colors will make good butterflies and flowers, the darks for doiles. I'll start testing with one of them soon to see how they do. They also had cebelia thread there. What usually sells for 2.99 at hobby lobby, I paid 15 cents for. they sell it by the pound :-)

Soooo...I have more threads now than I can shake a stick at!!! *HUGE THREAD WOOT*

I'm working on one of Kathy's doilies at the moment using some purple, lilac, and white. it is coming along nicely, too. I bought the yarn to work on my cathedral window 'ghan, too. I'll probably pull it out of hibernation by the weekend. I'd really like to complete it before fall. I've been working at it off and on for 2 years now. EEK! Have a Yummy Yarn day!!

50 years ago

Fifty years ago daddy worked. Made good money too. How does a salary of $400 per month sound? He had been making that for 2 years. Was still earning $400 per month 9 years later. Mama stayed home with us kids. It was hot in June. We didn't have to make sure the windows were raised. They only came down from early May until October when it rained. We owned one oscillating fan. I never wore shoes in the summertime. My greatest fear didn't come from terrorists. My fears came from honey bees on the clover in our front yard. I didn't go in the back yard. We had the meanest rooster on the planet and he didn't like me. I reckon my city was at full employment. You either worked on the farm, at the Textile plant, the sawmill, the railroad, or you were a member of the merchant class. If you didn't work at either one of those places you moved up north. Times were great, weren't they? We had a TV set with a very small picture tube. Black and white. channels were 6 or 13. Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Greenjeans in the morning and Cousin Cliff or Benny Carl in the afternoon. During the week the weather lady would write the highs and lows for the day with chalk on a drawn map of the state of Alabama. And give us our chance of rain for the day. Not very scientific. At night you could watch Highway Patrol with Broderick Crawford, Perry Mason, and Father Knows Best. On Friday nights you could watch boxing. Times were great, weren't they? We sat out on the porch and shelled every bean and pea known to man. We actually ate at the same table and talked to one another. Never locked the doors. Even when we went on vacation. The radio was on most of the time. I liked the Daily Farm Report. You could hear chickens cackling and cows mooing. I enjoyed the Around The Town News as well. I liked the jingle. Community News, Community News. Now life became interesting when you could hear Elvis on the radio. The DJ's even became more interesting. Not long after Elvis became popular, we had to have a record player. It probably didn't cost $10, but it played 45's, 33 1/3's, and 78's. 50 years ago wasn't bad. In fact, it was very very good. Daddy, mama, and my grandparents were there. Today, some in the family are getting old and feeble. Some of us are in nursing homes. Some are fighting cancer. Some in different stages of dementia. Some of us are doing great. We've been fruitful and multiplied. We're spread out all over the U.S. All from a little town in Alabama.

I'm IN!

I received my ravelry invite today! I'm pumped! Spent the morning at an alumni parade, afternoon with my grandma, and finished up 2 doilies and blocked them today. Gardened late today, too. Whew. Im tired.