Happy Monday

Hidy Ho!  How is your Monday treating you?

My Sister in Law arrived yesterday afternoon, safe and sound.  She is from Colorado but left there a month ago and was in New Mexico with her brother for a month.  The brother has a greenhouse business there and sells some of the best tomatoes, strawberries, cucumbers and lettuce  at a farmer's market.  All pesticide free!  She helped him in the greenhouse everyday and learned a lot about greenhouses growing.

When she arrived, she brought tomatoes, lettuce and cucumbers with her from that morning's harvest.  I sliced up one of the tomatoes today for my sandwich.  Oh My!  They taste so much better than whar we can get in the grocery store.  Tonight, we will make a big salad to share with all those veggies in it.  I am really looking forward to that.

Before she arrived I managed to bake a loaf of bread, the Arizona Sunshine pie and attempted to make doughnuts using a cake mix and applesauce.  UGH!  Everything turned out great other than the doughnuts.  They fell apart when I took them out of the pan.  I think there was too much applesauce in them as they just felt super wet.  After the first two batches did not turn out, I did the rest in cupcake form.

This morning, hubby went to mass and then headed to his allergist for his monthly injection.  While he was gone, his sister and I just sat and talked and talked.  Neither of us were in any hurry to do anything.  We even stayed in our jammies until noon!  It was so nice to have a female in the house to talk to.  

I did manage to get her a doctor's appointment for this week.  She is having a couple of issues and needed to get a mini check up.  At least this way, when she comes back here, if she needs to see a Dr again, she will have established one.  

After lunch, we went to Costco and my son's house to deliver some cucumbers and tomatoes to them.  That way she got to see him and Josie for a little while.  Since she is not sure how long she will be here, I wanted to make sure she got to see some of the family.  

She is waiting to hear from her son in Tucson, who is in quarantine until Thursday (per the USAF).  If he is released from quarantine on Thursday, she is going to go there and stay for a little while.  After that she will be heading to Las Vegas to visit her mom as much as she can since they are still keeping the nursing facility on lock down.  She is thinking she will be there for a month.  

As she said this morning............................'isn't retirement great!"

Tonight, we will just kick back a bit and watch some TV.  I am going to help her with her crocheting project.  She just learned to crochet in the past week and loves it.  Tomorrow, she and I are going to watch Hamilton on Disney+.  Hubby is not interested in seeing it so we had no problem watching it without him.  We can work on our crocheting then too.

SIL is laying down for a little bit and I am going to work on my knitting while she is relaxing.  We have a roasted chicken to go with our salad tonight, so dinner will be easy.

Until next time.............happy crafting & stay well!

YOP YEAR 10 WEEK 1 FINALLY!!!

I have been waiting soooo long for this day. This is the day I will be putting up my 'wish list' of projects for the next year.  But, before I do that, I need to show you what has happened this past week.  

I always consider July 1 as the beginning of my new year for this group.  That is my story and I am sticking to it!  That being said, I do have 2 finishes already for this YOP.

Hubby has a new pair of socks in his drawer.  I tried so hard to finish these by the end of June.  I even stayed up until midnight on the 30th trying to complete them.  They got done July 1 in the afternoon.  I am so glad to have these off the needles.  It was not a nice feeling superwash wool.

Then, I decided to do a quick project.  This is the "To the Point" shawl made with Heartland yarn.  It is a heavy worsted weight yarn so is a bit larger than the ones I make with Caron Simply Soft yarn.  I even had to go up to a J hook to make it look right.  Then there is the edging.

You probably can not see it................there are little sparkles in this edging.  I usually try to do something interesting for the edging of these shawls.  Just to add a little interest to them.

I did start another project right away.

This is called "Easy Does It".  It will be more of a shawlette when completed.  I am using one of my 'special' yarns I bought from my cancelled fiber fest shopping spree.  It is a superwash merino and so soft.  Fingers crossed, I will be able to wear this.  It will be my first time to try and wear any type of wool in years.

The pattern does have some interesting texture to it.  There will also be an eyelet section in a bit.  This is such an easy knit.  It is my TV project.

So, now, I will post my list of what I am hoping to accomplish this coming year.

SHAWLS

Easy Goes It - Started July 2
Agnes Shawl - Already have the yarn and pattern in a project bag
Boneset - Hopefully I will be able to actually follow the directions this time. It is bagged up.
Wolf Lichen - Already have the yarn and pattern in a project bag
Vermillion - Already have the yarn and pattern in a project bag

I am sure there will be other shawls.  There needs to be some pattern searching as I have two other project bags of yarn begging to be made into shawls.

SOCKS

Hermione Everyday Socks
Car Socks
Rose City Roller Socks

These are the three I will using this year.  I have tried many other patterns and these are the ones that I enjoy doing the most.  And this year, I want to do what I enjoy without adding stress.

DISHCLOTHS

Granny's Favorite Dishcloth
DW Dishcloth

I have quite a bit of cotton yarn still.  These two patterns are the ones that make me the happiest.

WORKS IN PROGRESS

Butterbeer socks (my design) - started 4/13/20 completed 7/1/20
It Really Fits Cardigan - started 9/23/19
Kidsilk Haze Shawl - started 9/20/19
Boxy Sweater (my design) - started 11/7/15

COUNTED CROSS STITCH

Cross
Madonna & Child
Friends are a Treasure
All things are Possible with God

These are all kits, so there will be no need to wait for materials.  I have already zig zagged the edges of the material on the two large project (the top two). 

CHARITY PROJECTS

To the Point - there will be several of these as this is my go to for Prayer Shawls
Socks Scrap Granny Stripe - will make this into lapghans
Face Masks - seems I will be making these even though I keep saying I am done.  Too many people are in need of them.  Since they can be washed and reused, it is cheaper than buying the disposable ones.

As always, if something else catches my eye, I will make it.  My biggest wish is to NOT
purchase anymore yarn this year.  Here is the caveat to that...........if, by some miracle, there is a fiber festival this coming year, hopefully, I will be able to attend it.  That being said, there would, naturally, be yarn purchased at that time.  Otherwise, there should be no reason for me to purchase any yarn for any project that comes my way. (Other than yarn for a baby project LOL) 

My worsted weight yarn stash

My DK and Sport weight yarn

My fingering weight yarn, before I cleaned it out and rearranged it.  It is much neater now.

The cubicles the yarn sits in is almost 15 inches deep.  Yes, I have yarn all the way to the back in each cubicle.  Now you see why I do not NEED any yarn this year.

It is not a huge list this year.  I have learned my lesson.  Only doing items that give me joy is my mantra this year.  Too often, I have done projects just to do a project.  I want to LOVE everything I make this year, whether it is for me or someone else.  

Today, hubby and I are waiting to hear when his sister will be arriving.  While waiting, I have a loaf of bread in the bread machine and made an Arizona Sunshine Pie.  Hopefully, the pie will be yummy.  It is very strange as you make it in a blender and the pour it into a pie crust to bake it.  You use fresh lemons.................just remove the seeds and use the rest of the lemon.  Yes, even the peel!

That is my Pampered Chef Deep Dish Pie Plate.  I love it!

Later on, I will be making doughnuts.  They will be a cinnamon spice doughnut from a spice cake mix.  You mix the cake mix with cinnamon applesauce.  That is all you do!  Simple.  I like that.  That will give us something yummy for breakfast for the next few days.  I so love Pinterest.  I got both, the pie recipe and the doughnut recipe from there.

Brats will be our dinner tonight, with sauerkraut.  One of my favorites.  I still need to make the pasta salad to go with it.  So, yes, I still have things to do today before I finally get a chance to pick my knitting back up.

Until Next Time....................Happy Crafting & Stay Well!!!!!!

YES!

Something got done today I have been meaning to do for a looooong time.  While hubby was finishing up the house cleaning, I holed up in my craftroom.  My buddy Enrique came in with me to help.  While in there I pulled out EVERY skein of sock yarn I own.  Even partial skeins were pulled out.  I should have taken a photo but I was on a roll and did not want to stop.  I separated the yarn into groups.

1. skeins that will be socks

    a.  Wool socks

    b. non wool socks

2. skeins that will become shawls

   a. shawls for me

   b. shawls for gifts

3. skeins that will become charity items

   a. shawls for prayer shawl ministry

   b. lapghans for prayer shawl ministry

   

Hopefully, this will help me when I find a pattern I just HAVE to make.  My next area to attack will be my DK/sport weight yarn.  Although, I do not have as much of that yarn.  When I started Year 9 of YOP I added up all the fingering yarn I owned (at that time) and had almost 22,000 miles of fingering weight yarn.  Naturally, I added to that amount this year when I went on my "Since my fiber fest got cancelled, I will purchase yarn from vendors who would have been there" shopping spree.

No, I did not take a tally of how many miles of fingering weight yarn I have at present time.  Let's just say...........it is A LOT!  So, my goal now is to find a lot of patterns for this yarn that, is not socks.  Preferably shawls and lapghans.  That will sure help with my charity knitting/crocheting this year.  

You know what this mean?  I need to go through my printed patterns again to see what I have that will work for some of that yarn.  Oh my, I can see where I am going to be quite busy for a while.  But then, what else do I have to do?  We are still being asked to stay home as much as possible.  Might as well make the best use of this time.  

On top of this.............I was asked to make face masks for a good friend's daughter.  The daughter is heading to college this fall and would like to have fashionable masks other than the 'medical' type masks her parents have.  Of course I said yes.  UGH!  No is just not something I can say when I know this will help protect someone from a deadly virus.

Besides that, my Cricut and I are going to be busy in the next couple of weeks.  The local Grand Daughter is turning 15 in a month and wants to have an 80's themed party with 7 of her closest friends.  She has neon colored tumblers purchased for each girl and would like me to do their names in permanent "neon" vinyl.  We ordered the vinyl yesterday.  Now I need to find a font that meets her approval and then get everyone's name ready to print and cut.   I have not used my Cricut since before Christmas last year.  Hope I remember how to do this.

So it seems, my next 4-6 weeks are pretty well filled up with projects.  When I retired, I dreamed of having as much time as I needed to fulfill my crafting dreams.  Never did I think it would take a pandemic for me to finally fulfill that dream.

Tonight, I am making Hatch Green Chili Meatloaf.  I made this once before and hubby and I loved it.  I will say, it has quite a 'bite' to it.  I do change just a couple of things in the recipe.  I use all 90% ground beef and instead of corn flakes I use oatmeal.  Other than that, I follow the recipe.  

We have already laid out ribs for hubby to smoke up tomorrow for the 4th.  We do not go anywhere on the 4th.  Our neighbors love to shoot off fireworks and our dogs are not fans.  They tremble most of the night even when we turn the TV up to drown out the noise of the fireworks.  Poor little things.  Enrique will bury himself under hubby's arm and Luna will curl up in my lap so I can wrap my arms around her.  Thunderstorms, wind storms and New Years fireworks do the same thing to them.  

What's for dinner at your place tonight?

Until next time...................happy crafting & stay well!  

Thursday's Treasures

Today was the day I got treasures.  Both in the mail and also some finds at Walmart.  Yes, I finally ventured out of my house today.  I stopped over at our son's home to deliver him an extra large mask (it fits!) and to deliver a book and bookmark to our grand daughter.  While I was there, the grand and I decided to head to Walmart to see if we could find some fun material for face masks.  If she does go back to, in classroom school this fall, face masks will be required.  She would like to be able to change her mask twice each day.  I don't blame her.  They get so wet from breathing.

We did find some fun material at Walmart.

The space themed one is all of our favorites.  I am hoping to be able to get 5 masks out of it. (I got 2 fat quarters of it)  The red tractors is for my son and the yellow/gray one is for the grand.  She seemed to like it a lot.

The black plus signs I thought would be good masks for either male or female.  The middle material is muslin.  The light was shining on it making it look more like satin.  The bottom material is, again, something the grand wanted.  I think the bottom one will be hard to breath in and out of.  It has a very tight weave.  We will see.

It was kind of nice to be out of the house for a little bit with the Grand Daughter.  We so seldom get to do that anymore.  Thank you Covid19!

I got more treasures in the mail today too!

Now, I can read about our candidates and also all the other items on the Arizona August ballot.  I do like to be informed.

The Tupperware Silicone Doughnut maker arrived today too.  I am quite excited to try it out.  I might need to do that this weekend since I am expecting hubby's sister to come in then.

I have dinner in the crockpot.  It is a chicken/stuffing/green beans and cranberry recipe my Son in Law gave to me.  I have wanted to make it for several weeks but had a hard time finding fresh green beans.  He says they have it twice a month and love it.  Since we have Adoration tonight, I wanted something easy for me.  Crockpot for the win.

it is the time in the afternoon I normally get started on my fiber arts.  I am almost done with what I started yesterday.  I already have another project lined up once this one in finished.  Actually, I have several other projects lined up but am trying to only start one at a time.  We will see how long that lasts. LOL

Oh, this was something that just came across my news feed a little while ago.

This town is about 9 miles from my house.  If you have never been to Phoenix, let me tell you......there is no break between cities.  The only way you know you have gone from Mesa to Tempe is a sign on the road that says "Welcome to Tempe".  Anyway............I was incensed when I saw this article.  Doesn't anyone have any respect for others anymore?  Even my 14 yr old Grand Daughter told me, "I wear my mask because I care about other people.  I love you MiMi and would be so sad if you got sick and had to go to the hospital".  She GETS it!

Finally..................what the heck is going on with blogger?  I reverted back to the 'old blogger' format but...........when I load multiple photos into the 'insert image' file.....if I do not load them all onto my blog page itself, they will all disappear and I have to go back and get them again from my files!!!!  It used to be, I could put all the photos I wanted in there and then pick and choose the ones I needed to go with the story as I typed.  Anyone else have this issue or is it just me?  Did I explain that well or is it clear as mud?

Until next time......................happy crafting & stay well!

GOOD ONE

Today is the official start of YOP year 10.  I will not post my list until Sunday.  Nor, will I post anything related to YOP until Sunday.  I did start on some of my YOP projects today though.  It made me so happy 😁😁

Today I have some things to show you.

Hubby brought home these flowers yesterday.  He picked them up at the grocery store while shopping for us.  He is so considerate.  If he sees flowers that make him smile, he gets them for me to make me smile too.

Have I told you how much I love my air fryer?  This was the first batch of bacon I cooked in it today. (there were 4 more batches cooked)  I love the fact I can make that bacon nice and crispy and do not have a greasy mess all over my stove top to clean up.  Cleaning the air fryer is super easy too.

One of the reasons I was working on bacon is:

Hubby and I wanted to have jalapeno poppers for lunch.  This is the before photo.

And here they are, all nice and cooked up to perfection.  They are so good and so easy to make.  Much cheaper than buying the frozen ones or getting them from a restaurant.

Since I cooked all that bacon up (3 pounds of thick sliced), we are going to have BLTA sandwiches tonight for dinner.  The A is for avocado.  So glad I made a loaf of bread yesterday.  I will toast up a few pieces of it for the sandwiches.  Mmmmmm......my mouth is already watering just thinking of it.

Other than that, I finally put away the laundry from Monday.  The dishwasher got emptied, I polished my stove top, and have worked on some knitting and crocheting.  

There were treasures in the mail today.

This is my second book in the Southern Sisters Mystery series.    They were recommended by a fellow blogger.  I am looking forward to getting into them and seeing if I want to keep ordering them.  The first one I received, I have already started it.  As soon as I get the characters straight it should read a bit easier.

This is the other treasure from today.  Plastic pie servers.  Actually, these are the first pie servers I have ever owned.  Love the colors.  They should be easy to spot in my cooking utensil drawer.

Hubby has been working on the pool today.  Our automatic fill seems to have a glitch in it.  We think the fill line is clogged.  He was able to clear part of it but, it got too warm for him outside so, he will work on it again tomorrow morning, when it is cooler.  In the mean time, we have the garden hose running to get the water level back up to where it should be.

Hope your day was a great day.

Until next time.................happy crafter & stay well!