The Big Day

Saturday was a sad day. Eldest daughter, fiancee and our eldest grandson left California for Seattle. "E", age 11, loves fast cars...one of his dreams came to life when a friends father brought home a Ferrari. He came over and took "E" for a ride. It was priceless just to see the look on his face.

That is a ride that he'll remember for a very long time.

Today I finished knitting a 'Market Bag'. I've come across a lot of patterns, especially on Ravelry, but one pattern never jumped out at me. So, I used a few patterns and just tweaked them to make it my own. I'm happy with the way it turned out.

Hubby is getting ready to have a yard sale this weekend. I'm pulling things out also. Not sure what we'll have for others to give a new home to but it should be interesting. Daughter "V" will probably bring things over and two neighbors are supposed to be putting things out also.

I'm hoping to get back knitting on my February Lady Sweater this week also...I've got so many other projects to work on but this sweater is at the top of the priority list now.

Baby Socks

I finished Rhys' baby socks today. Now I consider myself a 'slooow' knitter. But that is okay. Things will get finished in their own time. I don't like to be rushed doing anything so I'm fine with 'slow knitter' status.

This is a photo of the completed pair of socks in my hand. They are so tiny and so adorable. I may be persuaded to do another pair a bit bigger...some day!

Now I am off to grab a project to work on while watching "Grey's Anatomy". I don't watch much television any more but I do enjoy "Grey's Anatomy"; Two and a Half Men; How I Met Your Mother. Other than those shows if I'm watching anything it may be an old black and white movie or the Food Network (depending who is cooking) or HGTV or Jon Kate and 8 on TLC.

Oh bless it...I haven't gotten dgs's pillow sewn up yet...it'll have to wait until Sunday now.

We're off tomorrow to spend the day with eldest dgs...he'll be leaving Saturday for Washington state and won't be back this way until Spring break to visit his father. That's a long time to go without seeing him and spending time together but we'll get through it. All things happen for a reason.

I once told my children that I didn't want to be a long distance grandmother. I wanted to have the little ones over and underfoot...learning to cook, bake, sew, knit, play ball, run ~ whatever was happening at the time. Now we will have one dgs within staying overnight distance.

Okay time to get a project or two to work on....almost time....why do I punish myself like this! ! ! !

Am I a slow Knitter?

Rhys's blanket made especially for him by his Granny.

I thought I'd knit a pair of socks for Rhys. I purchased a copy of "Knitsimple" fall 2008 issue and saw this cute little pair with easy directions. It says that a pair can be worked up in an evening. Well I must be a slow knitter because it took me almost 24 hours to knit one sock, of course this included sleeping for a bit, doing laundry, cooking dinner, washing dishes, etc.

It doesn't matter how long it took me. Although I will start the second sock and hopefully have it completed in time to add to the box with the blanket which will be delivered to daughter "M" on Friday who will personally deliver it to the proud parents on Sunday.

Done

Well, finally the baby blanket is finished and packed, ready for Rhys to snuggle in. Daughter 'M' will be delivering it personally this weekend. I'll post a photo later. I am quite happy with it but it seemed to take forever to knit.

Now I must make the decision as to what 'big' project I'll work on next. I have socks on the needles (too many).

Not sure if I want to start 'Luscious Throw' or 'Beaded Scarf'...or both! We'll see which one grabs my hand.

Today though I must make a pillow. DGS forgot his pillow in a hotel while on vacation and asked if I would make him another. We found some material, Nascar of course, so I need to sew it up today.

I've been working on reorganizing my craft room. It is a total mess and I can't stand it anymore.

Senior Day

Today was Senior Day at the Kern County Fair

I wanted to see the Fine Arts Exhibit...that's all folks...and I must say that I was a bit disappointed.

Growing up going to the fair was a highlight! I loved every minute of it. There were plenty of animals, food, games, rides and a wonderful display of articles that the women, men and children of the county entered. All hoping for the blue ribbon!

I remember spending most of my time looking over all the entries...looking forward to the day that I would walk away with a blue ribbon of my own.

The haphazard way that the items were displayed was a major disappointment. I found myself going from one display to another and noticing that the rhyme or reason for the placement was confusing.

There were more quilts than anything and I noticed that very few were "handmade"...the majority being machine made...now, don't get me wrong...I sewed my first quilt with a machine...only the piecing...the 'quilting' and finishing were done by hand.

I'm not sure if it was me or not but I also noticed that entries receiving 'First Place' or any other place were not of the caliber of work that one would expect. Not all but just some...I'm not an expert on anything...just my thoughts.

I think I'll need to mull over the decision if I wish to enter anything next year. I would like to know

a. Who does the judging

b. What is the criteria the judge looks at

c. What is the judge(s) expertise in the area of the item being judged

Not much to ask for...

Rhys Sterling is here!

Announcement

Rhys Sterling Segraves

arrival time: 4:40 pst

weight: 6 lbs 12 ounces

Proud parents: Billy and Jaime

Excited siblings: Hailey ~ Christa ~ Denny

Paternal Grandparents: Rudy and Ron ~ Debbie

Colorado

Today is a busy day...we are awaiting news...the birth of our newest grandson...at last report he should be arriving sometime today

We arrived home mid day Saturday...I'm still not rested up from the journey

Hubby and I visited with one of my brothers and his wife in Colorado, just north of Denver for a week. While there we visited the Celestial Seasonings company. We opted not to do a tour...visited the gift shop and left with a few boxes of delicious tea bags...should see me through the coming winter.


My sister in law was very gracious and saw to it that we visited Yarn Shops in the area. The first one, The Knitters Nest, in Frederick, CO. I came away with four skeins of Cotton Fleece in a beautiful Wisteria shade. Should make a beautiful sweater or shawl...haven't made up my mind yet.

I also snatched a skein of sock yarn...never have too much sock yarn.

We found another yarn shop in Boulder, CO Shuttles, Spindles & Skeins, Inc., Sock yarn again found it's way into my bag along with addi needles (which I love) and another book on socks... We noticed a beautiful scarf on display and sil fell in love with it. It was decided that she would learn to knit before investing in the yarn needed for that project and then she could make it for herself.

We were warmly greeted at both yarn shops and whenever I am in the area I will return.

My sister in law had mentioned in conversation that there was a Hobby Lobby in the area...of course we headed there as I had never been in one before. She purchased yarn and needles to use later that day...I taught her to knit which wasn't all that difficult...she has crocheted and it was so easy for her to pick up...thankfully. I picked up a couple skeins of Yarn Bee in a delicous Pink shade which will make a perfect Pink Ribbon Scarf.

During our visit we were fortunate to visit friends we hadn't seen in years. She was my "hair and nails girl" for years in addition to being a good friend. They had moved to Colorado some years ago. It was great to see her and her husband again. We do miss them very much.

Brother and wife took us to Blackhawk and Central City, two mining ghost towns brought back by casinos. We enjoyed the day so much that we returned later in the week, on both trips we came out losers...

On our trip home we did a pit stop...our grandson was delighted...it was snowing. With bare hands he was making snow balls to throw at us.

I used my time in the car knitting dishcloths and working on a baby blanket for new grandson.

Oh, on the way home our youngest daughter took the needles and tried her hand at knitting...if she sticks with it she'll be a natural...

Time Away

The time has come for us to take a little trip. Excited? Yes we are excited. We are going to Colorado to visit with one of my many brothers and his darling wife.

Packing is not exciting...the van has limited space and for five people it is very limiting. So we decide what we absolutely must take...for me...knitting is first and my bag is ready to go out the door!

I started a sock last night...did the ribbing and was almost to the end of the first pattern repeat...then it happened...noticed a very bad mistake...thought I could fix it just by ripping a bit but no...that sucker was ripped completely...

I have ribbing completed now and will start the pattern. I'm excited about these socks...love the pattern.

I'm still working on the baby blanket for our grandson who will be gracing the world with his presence soon.

I am taking Peaches and Cream cotton yarn to work on dishcloths...I use my knitted and crocheted dishcloths every day and just love them although I know some women who leave theirs in the drawer and will not use them...

I'm also taking my new sock in progress with me...hopefully I'll have a completed pair by the time I return home.

I've been having a hard time knitting a special hat but I will take it and see what happens...perhaps where I am going is the best place to work on this project.

After two doctor visits, a z-pack and now heavy duty allergy medicine I am finally feeling better...I am very thankful.