Not Spring...Summer!!

Yes, Summer has indeed arrived. Not only is it warm..it is sunny on a weekend. Somehow we dont that much lately. And a long weekend at that. Of course this is the first time Gene's dealership is opening on a Holiday. It would be a nice one. But they did give each salesman only half the day on. So that is not so bad.

Last Sunday we took Grammy (Mom) up to Westfield. Dad's grave looked fine, a little grown over, but we spruced it up pretty quickly, and at least it shows someone cares.

The, as usual, we had to journey to Stanley Park. What a beautiful place this is. It is always so tranquil and so well kept. A little early for most of its flowers yet, but gorgeous none the less.

And what about them Sox!! I know..it is only May, but almost June! Peter, take note here!

My knitting, has greatly slowed this week. Working along on my toe up sock. The problem with socks, they take so darn long..and then you have to do the second one! And I am into reading this darn Cedar Cove series.. You guys know what a sucker I am for RIO (reading in order). They are just wonderful, mellow, women's reads. And thanks Ebay......the full series -6 books- for only $5.00. Wahoo. How Did the ebay vultures miss this one??????

I have spent a lot of time gardening after work, and finally I am pleased. This year I am going for simplicity, not a riot of color. Maybe it comes with turning 57 next month.!!

Well, I am off to watch 'Murder She Wrote". The joys of Digital Cable..those old shows. And thankfully it is too early for the lawn mower to run, so I will just sit back for a while.

Blessings and Love to all!

Barb

ToeUp Socks

As you can see, this is the front and the back of my toeUp sock. You start by doing a Provisional Cast On and then knit 1/2 inch. You then take out the prov. cast-on, pick up the stitches and start knitting in the round. It took me about 6 tries to do this right (over a week I might say). but I think I got it right. I didnt do the cast-on absoluitely right, as it si supposed to just come right out with one pull of the thread, and mine I had to work a little to get it out, but it is amazing that the toe is done, with no seem. For my sensitive feet, this may be s=wonderful. I just hope the heel works up as comfy as my usual K,slipK,slip heel.

Barb

Spring???

Well, it says Spring on the calendar, but it sure doesn't feel like Spring. It has been in the 40-60 range for the past couple of days. Yesterday and today it has been cold rain. Not just cool, but cold.

Jillian bought me a beautiful hanging basket with orange and purple flowers for Mother's Day. I love it, but I have had to bring it into the enclosed porch, I am afraid it will die from the cold. My garden is pretty set as I finished last weekend, but now I am holding my breath that the impatients and pansies will survive this weather. Well, we will see. Of course, the hostas are going wild!!

My knitting has been a little derailed by mistakes.........and a treasure find. On ebay I bought a 'lot' (that is how it was described) of Debbie Macomber books. Well, I love her knitting shop books, and for $5, how can I go wrong. Well.....I got the whole Cedar Cove series all 6 books. I have often eyed these books, but just never bit. Mostly because I knew they were a series, and I love reading series in order. Well I got them all. So I have been engrossed. My Mother and Cousin cant wait for them next.

So my knitting. Well, the Toe-Up sock has had its challenges, but finally I have finished the toe and I am on the forefoot (straight knitting) now. I like the way a rib fits on the foot, so I am doing a 2/2 rib, I hope it seems okay. It is VERY cool to be able to try it on as you go. I also have cast on another sock, but somehow I keep having a problem dropping or picking up stitches. It is a beautiful purple mix yarn, but it is a little difficult to see well. So I just took it all out again.

So that is my life this week. I also tried 2 new recipes for the crock pot from someone at work...and they were both a huge success. One was a chicken with OJ and mandarin oranges and ginger. The other a rib recipe with dijon mustard and maple syrup. Sounds weird, but it was VERY good.

Well, onward!! I am going to try to sneak in a little more reading before I start errands and housework!

Blessings,

Barb

AAAHHHH.........Spring!!

Yes, Spring has finally landed here in Rhode Island. FINALLY. It is actually almost 80 right now. Yesterday morning it was 31. That's New England for you.

Sunday we went down to Narragansett to visit Jillian in her College Year Home. It is SUCH a cute little cottage! But next year she will be even closer ot the water, with a deck and all windows overlooking the ocean. Pretty tough , huh! She finishes up this week...EXAMS!! How I remember.

My knitting is moving along slowly. I havent done much more. BUT I will. Reading has overtaken me these past few days.........besides work, and house stuff and family things! Just not enough time in the day.

So onward........Out to my garden!

Blessings, Barb

Movin' Along!

Well, here it is Saturday. Another week down! I did discover I was actually joining the sleeves correctly, and I was doing the crochet edge on my top correctly. So, now I just have to finish it. I am almost done.........And..................it fits, what a shock!

Now my toe-up sock is also coming along. I have finished the toe. It was hard at first, and I ripped it out about 10 times. the provisional cast-on, and the rip it and pick up the stitches, while knitting in the round...EEEKKK!. But once I got the hang of it , it was fun. So the toes are done. NO seam! and I am knitting a 2/2 ribbing for the top of the foot, as I like that little support it gives. So now I just do the tube till I get to the bottom of my ankle bone.

AND I needed something to just do that was a no-brainer, so I knitted (almost done) a cute dish cloth from the latest issue of "Creative Knitting". My Mother made it and liked it. I am doing it in a peachy-yellow.

I know..where are the pics of all these. I promise to take some, once I get the chance.

Be back soon!

Barb