Hot Summer Days

July is upon us.  The 4th has come and gone and now we're on the downward slope of the year.  As I reflect over the last six months, a lot has happened and I've learned so much.  I had a birthday in January.  Learned how to stay warm without central Heat and only a wood fire stove in February. Learned all we could about chickens and ducks in March. We started the backyard flock of chickens in April.  I took a color-work knitting class.  I took a spinning class in May.  I signed up to attend the Shepherd's Bush Retreat in May (Yes I got in!), I started doing some free lance work.  I spent June as a consultant helping to conduct interviews to fill positions quick fast and in a hurry.  I've successfully attempted making our own granola. And Hubby and I celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary.  Time sure does fly.  

So what am I up to now?  Well let's see -  I read an article about plants that can regrow themselves so, I thought I'd give that a try. I put two Stems of Romaine lettuce in my demitasse cups with water and WOW, they started growing immediately.

  I saw a video on Facebook about Tamale pie, and gave it a try.  It was amazingly easy and delicious.  I didn't have any canned enchilada sauce so I had to make my own.  Easy Peasy.  Learning something new everyday!  Tamale Pie Recipe Here  10-vegetables/herbs you can regrow forever

Romaine Lettuce

Tamale Pie

I was searching through Ravelry and saw a Hood that I liked and thought I'd enjoy making.  The pattern was not available separately but in a book, "Woodland Knits", so I purchased the book and found the most amazing vest ever.  My daughter will  LOVE this piece, so It's now on the to do list. Click here to get your copy

Awesome book with great patterns

Moonbeam Duster

My Lizzie*Kate Spooked Mystery Sampler Part One arrived at the end of June (or something like that) so I had to start it right away.  Everything has fallen to the side as I have worked this piece.  I absolutely love it.  I can't wait to get the remaining sections.  I added this to my Ravelry Project page if you want more details. Click Here to be taken to my Ravelry Project Page.  I purchased my auto ship through Down Sunshine Lane tell Amy Jeannette Wiggins sent you.

I finished several spinning projects and made some awesome yarns, and I finished my Rag Doily Rug.  I'm so happy with this piece.  I have it on the floor in the kitchen under the sink.  Since it is made of cotton/polyester blend it's easy to wash.  I also finished my 3 color cowl.  I love this piece the most right now.  You can find my spinning information on my Hanspun Project Page

Highland Handmade TigerLily on Trindle

My First Completed yarn on the wheel

Sample from Ex Libris Phat Fiber Box

Malbrigo two ply

Most Recent-3 ply

Rag Doily Rug

I spend the morning and the early evening with the flock.  They look forward to it everyday and often meet me at the door.  They know I will bring them some treats.  I have a couple of hammock chairs and that's where the chickens, ducks, dogs, cats and humans all meet.  The girls & boys are all very fond of grapes.  Only 1/2 of them like watermelon, and only a few like tomato.  Shirley and Henrietta have taken to flying up into the tree from which our chairs hang.  Shirley is way more adventurous than Henrietta. Shirley will fly up to other branches and wander out onto limbs.  Henrietta only likes to stand over the chairs and look down on us.  They are now 13 weeks old.  Only a few weeks away from laying to begin.

Shirley

Henrietta

Shirley Exploring

The Girls

It's a GORGEOUS April morning here in Florida.  The Sun is shining, the temperature is cool and the air is filled with tiny little cheeps and peeps.  What can be happier?!

Saturday 4/9 was stitch day.  The girlfriends and I meet once a month at a library and spend 6 hours stitching and catching up.  As always, it was a great day.  Days like that renew my spirit in a way that is hard to describe.  If you don't belong to a stitch group, you should find one.  I believe it's important to share ideas, lessons, and life in general with a group of friends that have the same (or similar) hobbies.  I've learned so much from my stitching girl friends.  They are all special to me.

On the needles:

1.  3 color Cashmere Cowl by Joji Locatelli.  I'm getting ready to start section 4.  I had it started and had to rip back to beginning of the section as somewhere I'd lost a stitch. I'm working it in Shibui Staccato in the colorways - Pool, Cove and Apple on size US 6 4.0 mm Karbonz circular needles.

1. Luna Socks - Using Berroco Comfort Sock in Light Grey and the contrast color is Pink.  I need to find the ball band as it has disappeared itself out of the bag.

1. Rag Doily Rug - Using 7/10 clothesline of cotton/polyester blend.  I purchased the clothesline at Walmart.  This is a Quick Quick knit and a lot of fun.  Using a  size 19 needle.

In the Hoop:

1. I'm still working on Strawberry Garden by Blackbird Designs.  This is a piece I really want to finish and thanks to my dear friend Rita, I will have enough WDW dried thyme to finish the piece.
2. I'm also working on an old piece ":Merry Christmas".  This is an OOP pattern that I started many many moons ago and hope to finish.

On the Wheel:

1. Nothing is on the wheel yet, however I have signed up for a spinning class that will run 3 Saturday's in a row.  I hope to really get a feel for my Wheel and get moving on  my spinning.

On the Loom:

1. Well, I have ideas I just need to locate the yarn I want to use!