Hmmmm,

Yesterday our daughter and her family went to get their pumpkins.  Each year they go to a farm that has a maze, a petting zoo, food and drink, hayride, and of course pumpkins.  This year our youngest granddaughter, who is 13 months, had a blast.  She had boots but the place was so muddy (it was a bit rainy all day) that she would have been falling down and that wouldn't have been much fun.

Okay, so I was browsing Pinterest earlier this week.  I came across a scrumptious looking 'recipe', shall we say.  So, taking their start I came up with my own version.

Grilled mushrooms and garlic...then I grilled, in the same pan, a roll (sort of like one you'd use for french dip ~ hubby bought the pack and I wasn't going to say anything.  The "original" used a chibatta.)

Then after I put the mushrooms and garlic on the bread I sprinkled, with a flourish, some grated gouda cheese...yummy!

Today I washed my handknitted socks...hand wash....I love the smell of the wool when it is wet.  When I knit socks I use wool, sometimes mixed with nylon, bamboo, alpaca, cashmere...never acrylic.

And now they are out soaking up a bit of sun...

It's a GIRL!

In September of 2011 our eldest daughter blessed us with a granddaughter.  Sweet little one joined a big brother and the family was complete.

Until...

We were informed earlier this summer that we were being blessed by another grandchild.

and...

Yesterday it was announced...

We haven't been told of any prospective names yet...

But it sure looks like Emma is happy to have a little sister join her and her big brother...

Glass is Overflowing

Over the past 9 months it seems my glass has been overflowing...

Now I don't mind it...

Usually...

TODAY ~  Our youngest daughter is celebrating her birthday today...no, I won't tell you how old she is.  She is a wonderful daughter, wife, mother, and sister.  (Just a few of her titles).  Happy Birthday sweetie

EARLIER THIS WEEK ~ Our grandson plays freshman football for his high school.  The season is almost over and he was looking forward to the participating on the wrestling team for the first time.  It seems that he won't get that opportunity.  At the football game Monday he tackled an opponent and when he landed on the ground he landed on his finger.  Our grandson that is.  After a trip to the ER and xrays...he broke the bone, right above the knuckle on his index finger.  So yesterday a trip to the hospital was in order to have pins inserted.  I don't think he was a happy camper.

EARLIER THIS YEAR (RECAP) ~

     I once again participated in Sock Madness...knitted socks like a mad woman.  It was fun and I learned new techniques which is always a joy.

     In July some of my siblings and I, along with some nieces and nephews, got together.  It had been 7 years since I'd seen some of them and longer for others.  Two cousins also met us ~ we hadn't seen them for over 50 years.  We had a great time and quite a few went home with sock madness socks.

NOW ~ 

Our eldest daughter is gracing us with another grandchild shortly after the first of 2013.  She gave us a granddaughter last year and that little girl turned her mommy and daddy's worlds upside down.  She is just as cute as can be.  She turned 1 in September; started walking around 8-9 months and is into everything.  She sure livens their home up and they love.  She joined an older brother last year when she was born and he lovingly dotes on her.

I'm knitting...and knitting...and knitting.  I've been knitting socks; knitted a beautiful shawl (that I need to reblock); and now I'm knitting matching hats for the 1 year old and her mommy.  And I've cast on today to knit a swatch.  Swatch!  Swatch for what?  A sweater!  Yes, I'm ready to knit another sweater.

And, if that isn't enough, a wonderful group of knitters and crocheters have started a Guild!  I am looking forward to the education that comes with being associated with a Guild.

Time for lunch and then some knitting!

Sock Madness!

Sock Madness has started!

What is Sock Madness, you ask?

Well, it is an international sock knitting competition.

You must be registered in order to compete.

We receive the first pattern during the first few days of March.

Competitors must knit the socks according to the pattern.  It is permissable to add extra stitches to make the socks larger but we can not deviate from the pattern.  In this way all competitors are knitting close to the same number of stitches.

The first round we are given two weeks to complete the pair of socks.  Those who complete the pair will move on to the second round.

All who make it through the first round are divided into groups depending upon the number who make it.  Last year we had four teams.  The teams are usually based upon a competitors degree of knitting.  Those who are very experienced are put on one team while those who are beginners are put together on one team.

Sock patterns start out fairly easy and get increasingly more complex.

After each round fewer competitors move to the next round until there is one person from each team in the last round.

This year the first sock is Dicey.  The instep and leg is a 4x2 rib.   But every fourth row we must roll the dice to see if the 4-stitch rib will have a cable or not.

My progress so far...

Spring is in the air!

Well it looks as though Spring is here!  

On our walk yesterday we passed by our local 'duck' pond

There were quite a few baby ducks swimming around

It's really too bad that the city pumped most of the water out

As you can see there were some who 'got away'.

There were about 5 ducks walking along outside the fence.

I don't know the species of this tree but isn't it beautiful?  

"The Wall That Travels"

 January pattern for the Ryan Eeijits "Touring Ireland through a Year of Socks" sock club,  "The Ring of Kerry"  ~  finished!

Casted on February's pattern ~ "The Beaches of Donegal"

For both patterns I'm using Periwinkle Sheep Yarn...love this yarn, it is so nice to work with, and so soft.

Today hubby and I went downtown to the Library.  Set up in the library's parking lot is "The Wall That Travels".  We saw it two years ago when it came to town.  It's just as moving to see this Wall as it is to see the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D. C.

Happy Birthday to my darling husband

Sweetheart

I Love You More Today than Yesterday

But Not As Much As Tomorrow

HAPPY  BIRTHDAY  DARLING

I  LOVE  YOU  WITH  ALL  MY  HEART

Happy Birthday!

Today is our eldest daughters birthday....

Happy Birthday Sweetheart

We Love You!

A not-so-local "Local Yarn Shop"

Yesterday I accompanied a girlfriend down to the big city.

On our way we made a detour and stopped at Creative U Studios in Santa Clarita.

I found this little shop to be well stocked with a good selection of yarn, needles, notions.

Additionally, the shop sells fabric and items for quilting.

The staff is very knowledgeable and helpful.

Stop by the shop in person or check out their website where you can order items to be shipped to your destination.

This is a "local yarn shop" that I will definitely visit when I am in the area.

Roasted Pumpkin

I am the proud recipient of some gorgeous yarn!

I bought chances in a very worthwhile raffle a group in Ravelry was holding.

So many wonderful prizes were donated for the raffle.

I won what I call a Roasted Pumpkin Trifle (love my trifle dish and thought it a perfect display piece).

Three Skeins! ! ! !  Beautiful yarn from Periwinkle Sheep

The yarn is for knitting a beautiful shawl

Wonderful!

Today feels like the first day of the rest of my life!

I had a heavenly experience last night that I will savor forever.

Wonderful!

It's great to feel wonderful!

I have a full day ahead of me and for once I'm looking forward to seeing my accomplishments.

Since last post....

We have welcomed a new granddaughter into our family.

Emma  ~  she is so precious  ~  I had to good fortune to spend a month plus with her and her brother (they live in another state).  She is so tiny and at 3 1/2 months she is still tiny.  She's such a happy little girl.

Well, I have a door to paint...ta ta for now