Afghan in the making - Time still flies

FOR MY GRANDNIECE AS A COMFORTGHAN

I started working on this afghan about two weeks ago. I can’t believe how slow I am…just like everything else in my life I guess.  This is called “Winters Heart Mosaic Blanket” by Abi McIntyre at Get Yer Hook On. I’m actually almost finished with the first strip. Strip, not stripe!  The others two colors will be a lavender/mauve cross, and a lighter teal color. DK weight.

TUBULAR KNIT HATS

I saw that one of my Ravelry friends, Meg, had started making these hats on one of those knitting machines that are round. I loved what she was doing so bought one. I have so much yarn that I thought making these hats would be a good way to use it up.  Yes, indeed, it is. BUT…you have to have a strong arm to keep winding that little arm!  I made a bunch and plan to donate them.  March is here and I got to thinking that winter was pretty much over, but not this year! See below the hats.  I made others but sent those off to relatives.

 

OLD MAN WINTER IS STILL HERE

The first one is my neighbors yard looking down from the room over the garage where Tommy Socks resides. Poor soul…alone most of the time, but he is doing better. I think we have his diabetes pretty well under control. I may have even figured out a way to get him some outdoor time which will be great. The second photo is taken from my back door, looking over the deck into the backyard. You can’t see much. Most of the yard is off to the left through another gate. 

TIME DOES FLY

I’m kind of glad I mainly write this for myself as a self-proclaimed diary! I definitely haven’t been keeping up with it. I am barely keeping up with life.

After moving back to Idaho, losing my beloved dog Brodie, nearly losing my cat Tommy Socks, having to live with my wonderful niece Val and her family while the dogs were in a kennel, putting up with the  contractor who was to have the house finished early November, and it wasn’t finished until right before Christmas, with Bekins who did not unpack all my boxes and would not give me credit for the amount I paid, with all the snow, mud, and dead grass in back, the hard water, and more importantly the death of my beautiful niece in Spokane…..I’m surprised I am still sane. Well, maybe I’m not.

Enough whining. I now have a house that is in pretty good shape (except for the brand new toilet that leaked over the weekend due to contractor negligence - okay a little more whining!) a good yardman, nice neighbors, a quiet neighborhood, and no house payment. Plus our local Albertsons just started a delivery service, so food on the way whenever I need it. I have the best regular UPS man and FedEx man ever! It is starting to warm up a tad each few weeks, and I have joined a book club. Something I never would have thought I would do. Have made a couple of friends, have a good vet, and the dogs are happy. 

Things are looking up!!

Afghan of Old - 2008

An Afghan For My Brother

In 2008 I decided to make an afghan for my "little" brother. At one time green was his favorite color so thought I would make one that had green in it. I don't think I hit the nail on the head, but it was a grand effort! I wish I had chosen another color other than the rust/orange but it still looked good. 

This is Maggie, my beloved Border Collie sitting in front of the afghan before the finishing touches went in.

The afghan had stripes to make it "plaid" which was a line of yarn pulled through with a crochet hook, loop by loop through spaces created by the original crochet project.

You can see how they were "inlayed" here.

The pattern was "Pretty in Plaid" in Vanna's book "Vanna's Afghans All Through The House."  I think my brother liked it. All made with Lion Brand's Vanna's Choice yarn.

Finished and gifted in 2008 - a LATE birthday present by two months!

SCARF (almost) & SNOW!!!!

MY  SCARF

Just about finished with my scarf. It looks wider than it is. I should have added two more stitches as it is a tiny bit narrow.  I'm holding it so you can see the black waste yarn. I am trying out the Kitchener Stitch. I have made one other item using it but don't remember what it was, and the instructions were not as good as the one I found on YouTube. We shall see how it goes.

A  SNOWY  MONTH  GREAT  FOR  CRAFTING!

Part of the backyard taken from the upstairs room where the cat stays.

I had forgotten how much snow falls here. Since they said only 16 inches of rain, my brain incorporated rain/snow as precipitation together! Nope…11 inches to 13 inches of snow, PLUS 16 inches of rain.

I think we have had about 10 inches of snow over the last four weeks, and about 1 inch of rain over the last two days. Maybe less. But, isn't it pretty! 

I'm asking Santa for boots made in Canada for Christmas!

This is Ginger the slimmest and longest of the three dogs. She is also the pushiest! However, normally always sweet.

Taken right after a three in show. It's chilly, but beautiful.

Across the street.

MY  TV

Have you ever wondered what happens if you put too much pressure on a TV screen? They aren't like the old ones with glass. It "bleeds"…. and hard to see the actual TV shows, but not impossible. I am filing a claim for this and several other broken items from Bekin's. I know they are going to fight me on this. In all the years I have never filed a claim with them ever…five moves later I finally had enough. And I fear what to expect….a denial of most of the claim, and since I did not get the most expensive coverage, the payment will be small. But, it should be done.

The worst is my roll top desk. The driver for Bekin's put it together incorrectly and the middle drawer is ruined. Several little things are broken. 

So, if you move, take photos (my vacuum cleaner so far hasn't shown up) of everything before they come to pack. I mean everything! Open drawers and closets, etc., and take photos from more than one angle. It will be my saving grace for several items.

🎅🏻🎄🎅🏻

Hope your December has actually been memorable and special, and wishing you the best crafting ever!