Life slowing down

Well, hello there...life can be a bit hectic at times but right now I am having a slower period.  My DSD has now quit work, except having to go in to cover vacations every so often, so she will be home with the granddaughters.  No need for me to take care of them....sad, but happy too! ;o)  I can get some cleaning finished and some washing done. Ran out of clean carpri's so reduced myself to wearing Burmuda shorts.  My legs aren't what should be shown in public.

Today I began (yet again) studying for the drivers test.  I am not a good test taker so haven't taken myself to the DMV yet.  When hubby was alive he would drive me, and that somehow gave me courage to have company.  Although I like having my solitude, it isn't as much fun as when you share your day with your best friend, even if you are just sitting quietly in the same room.  

Here are the two granddaughters doing just that...Quietly because they are using my iPads! ;o)

What I thought were weeds has finally come full circle...unfortunately I did take one set out before deciding to leave the roots in and see what came up.  I am not a Dahlia grower, so did not recognize the root stock or the leaves.  Beautiful, yes?  Wish I had left them alone now!  I did see where there are some coming up in another area, so am cultivating those!  Could be where I tossed the root stock from the digging...

I did plant some Sweetpea, and they are finally blooming.  Not hot enough here to let them grow as spectacular as they did in Idaho.  I had a huge fence covered in them for months.

I am very pleased with these!  They are sooooo vibrant!  Will plant the seeds of the flowers to have a whole gigantic spread of them next year.

Last, but not least, I need to know what this plant/tree/thingy is.  My DSD says Gunnera (or something like that).  The leaves are gigantic...but I don't see where the Gunnera gets as tall as these are.  It's cool, but the leaves drop in winter and it looks like three sticks someone left in the ground!

Lastly, my project. It is one I started and put away.  I'm using the yarn from another project that I made with a lighter weight yarn instead....you can't see what I am doing  yet, but thought I should at least show what the colors are and a sneak of a corner of it!  More to follow....and will finish up my shawl, too. Promise.

Have a great day!

New Blog I watch...

The blog I just found through yet another blog (Paula's???) is Olavas Verden

While most of her patterns are in her language (and I am not sure what language it is!:ETA-Norwegian) she has such stunning photos that you can easily follow them to make something for yourself.

She has a flower pattern which is somewhat reminiscent of the African Flower, but is different.

The very first flower on her blog on the right is not linked, but the second one is.  Stunning colors!

So if you have time to browse and are looking for just the right little project, this might be the place! Her blog is listed at the bottom right of my blog list.

Below is a smocked dress I made for my granddaughter a few years back.  Such a shame that they grow out of the cute clothes so soon!  This is one that I hope will be save for her daughter, but you never know.  Could have red raspberry jam all over it by now! ;o)

Can't remember the pattern book...will look it up.

Have a great day!

Yarn stuff

My DSD gave me a hank of yarn as a reward for watching her dog while she visited family and friends in Sitka, AK.  That's where she grew up.  Her college roommate visited her there one year from college in Tennessee, and loved it so much she moved there and married.  It is a lovely little town ... and I mean little.  About 7 miles long.  About 2 miles wide. The rest is island...mostly trees on mountains as the backdrop!

The yarn below is a super wash wool and super beautiful!

The yarn is from a store there, Knitting With Class I believe, and it is hand dyed, spun, etc.  The yarn company is named Raven Frog Fibers.  The tag is below... they are also on Ravelry!

Now I just need to figure out what I will make for myself!

I have finished five squares, two which I sent already, for Karen for her participation in the Phoenix blanket project.

The variation in color is simply a matter of my iPhone and the available light at the time.  This is a Red Heart Super Saver yarn...works up nicely, and certainly doesn't shed like the Vanna's Choice.  That makes it not quite as soft, but sure is easier on my allergies Although they look similar in the photos, the last two squares are similar but different!