New Landscaping! Extreme Makeover!

Our New landscaping! Isn't it lovely? We had a bit of wind today, 60-81 mph




The tree house, the trees were pulled in different directions and ripped it apart!

Just think of it as new yard art!......maybe I can have Larry make benches out of the down trees...some are hardwood!







This was the "Thinking tree". It had 2-3 levels the kids could go to. They would sit up there and study or read (pout)











Remember the wall we just built?

We cant tell if there is any damage to the new garage, the trees fell between the house and garage,.....on to the new wall. It looks ok, we won't know until we get the trees cleared.













This photo was 30 minutes into the high winds
So far we have counted 8 trees down, and the top of 2 others.....hanging over the house!










This was the first "break" in the wind, see the trees behind the house?
Oh, Excuse me...that were behind the house.






Now just keep in mind our daughter Erika's wedding reception is on the 27th, here, at THIS HOUSE! She wanted a big informal family style gathering. Here. At home. We have at least 2 days of just chain saw work ahead!

Our closest neighbor came over, they suggested we have a theme reception.........Survivor Style. The games and contest possibilities are endless! LOL


But you know what? We are so BLESSED! no one was hurt, & our road is one of the few in the county we have found out that still has electricity. Over 400,000.have no power!

Maybe we will have a bonfire too........Gotta make lemonade!

UFO Pile of Shame! Accountability Check!

The end of my kitchen table is covered with
skeins of yarn and working projects. I'm " working it clear" (SURE I AM)Then there is a/was a basket of UFO's in the living room, lets say one of many and leave it at that! All of these need either Frogged, buttons or just sewn up. Some are from LAST September. The Burgundy shrug, needs frogged. I was to the point of sewing it for a Christmas outfit for Erika and found a major error right after the neck line. Of course its top down knit



See that? It has marinated for a year. My first Grown up garment. Fits her beautifully, just needs seamed, now to be frogged.
The Pink Ivory & brown shrug was /is for a friends daughter. A birthday gift from Apr/May. Just needs the button placket and ends tucked in.
2 bibs, just need buttons, The Mossy Oak sweater? I don't know what I've done but the front doesn't meet, FROG! I wonder if any one else has had this problem, I've counted stitches and its correct to the pattern.







Yellow and green sweater? Just needs a button! I have a cute Daisy one ready and waiting.
Blue Jumper has been done for months, waiting for decorative stitching, The kimono jacket just needs seamed for nearly a year~







Needle case I got bored with, 3/4 of the way done & need for Christmas. Ear warmers & hat? only 3 wks old.

That's the first of 3 baskets.
So, my new short term goal? I have to complete at least 3 things before I start another.
That's not counting dyeing though, I already have my yarn soaking !

Baby Knits with Free Pattern

Baby on the Brain
With the new baby coming I’ve been looking at all kinds of patterns. I was searching for a pattern that would be handy with the upcoming seasonal change. The FREE PATTERN "Confection" by Tonya Wagner was my inspiration. And as with all my projects I had to tink the pattern, I added longer sleeves & made the back a bit deeper. The first is a Pink Ombre of I Love this Yarn, purchased at my local Hobby Lobby.



I love variegated yarns of any kind. Its interesting to see how the colors will pool












The second is Plymouth Encore from my LYS "Grinny Possum." These will see a lot of use as they can be worn as a extra “something” around the house or, with little dresses for a date with Daddy.






Wooohoo! Yarny goodness from Purewool! I received my co-op order from Purewool started
to get twitchy finger Cant wait to get started.

Just the incentive to complete some projects. Yes I still have all those buttons & seams to sew. Need to complete at least 3 (well, maybe 1) to start something new......






Mr Scarecrow
Another dish/washcloth with Digknitty designs.
Lisa has a great collection of pumpkins, pilgrims, spiders & goblins for fall, be sure and check them out!

Soaker Stocking

New soaker stocking for Etsy & KDC
"Lavender Peace", size large, 100% Peace Fleece wool.

"Grove" size large, 100% wool Purchased from Radiant Twist. Wonderfully soft fluff.

"Navajo" size large, 100% Fisherman's wool.
My first dye!

"Rocker" size large, 100% Merino wool.

In My house a camera left out in the open is considered "free game," you never know what you will find I do believe pregnancy has curled her brain!

Dye Project & Koolaid Barf?

When I first looked at this yarn drying I thought Ooooh, I love the colors, and was excited. After I wound it to a cake I thought Oh No! This is what they call “Yarn Barf!” With nothing left to loose I started knitting. I've seen write ups for "Yarn Barf" scarves on Etsy, so why not a Diaper Soaker!
I am suprisingly pleased with it. Not to sure of the green. My random stripe is more ra than dom!

Dye Happy (ok obsessive!)

My 2nd attempt at Koolaid dyeing.


Citrus colors, Lime, Yellow & a Coral/ watermelon in Fisherman's wool.

Dip dyeing with sock yarn, I LOVE this one. To bad its sock yarn. Possibly a scarf in its future!

This is a Cascade 22o in a gold color.

I used a Purple dye & it gave me a rich Chestnut color. The green was a Hunter Green that came out a cross between Olive and a dark Leaf Green.

This one has my daughter Danielle's name written all over on it!

Fisherman's wool again, graduated color of Pale pink to a deep rose with, the base Ivory to Browns.


The photos are a bit fuzzy but, I bet you'll be seeing them again as finished objects!

Playing with Koolaid

After hearing so much about Koolaid dyeing, I had to give it a try this weekend.
I dipped one end into a berry color and got a rich pink, separated out 3 other sections for lime, blue and purple. I used the stove top method and found it so easy! This batch is skeined and in process of becoming a soaker.


After my first success I had to go for a 2nd attempt. My red came out as a deep Coral pink, almost a watermelon. Overall, I'm very pleased with the results.
My batteries died so I'll have photos of the other 4 I did tomorrow.

Recycled & Repurposed Yard Art or, Garage Floor

Hope you had a nice break with the 3-day weekend. Saturday we accomplished quite a bit around here. We worked on the rock wall. We actually have the wall completed and are adding the top cap or, the seating top layer. YAHOOOOOOOO. This has been quite an experience. To give you an idea there is 22 yards of concrete in this wall. It was a garage floor that cracked and we had replaced then, became what I call Yard Art. A huge mound of chopped up concrete in the front yard. A yard of concrete is roughly a TON of weight. We did have a tractor bucket to scoop and bring the chunks to the area we were constructing the wall but, we still had to handle each 40-100 lb piece, fitting them together like a huge puzzle. The narrowest slab is 3 inches thick We still need to work on the steps down but the wall itself is done. We will be hosting Erika’s wedding reception here on the 27th so the plan is to have the floor laid by then. This 90-degree heat is slowing us down so we shall see!

I think I like this back side best :)

"Just Call Me Punk" KAL Knitting

I joined a really fun group on Ravelry called Chunky Monkey, We have a Hat/Cowl KAL (Knit a long) running thru the 15th of September. This is my 2nd project with the group. It’s 97 degrees out and I’m thinking winter?

The first one was fun so I went for the second. When it was completed all of my models were working! So, Isaiah volunteered, o.k. bribed.

It’s quite big for him so the bottom edge rolls but, it fits nicely on an adult. I had a bit of the yarn left over so I made some wristers.
One of my daughters saw this set and said Oh Mom, your going Punk! Isaiah was the only one home to use as a model. He put the wristers on and shouted “I HAVE THE POWER!” He’s such a guy! LOL

Crazy for a Cozy Cowl Free Pattern

I've been trying to focus on winter knits, as the cold days will be here before we know it. I say that in 82% humidity and no rain in sight!

I love scarves of any kind. But there are times you just don’t want to fuss with one. Cowls are wonderful for warmth and so easy to use. No flying ends to tuck in, get caught in doors or sit on! You can smoosh down (yes, smoosh is a word and no I don’t care what Mr. Webster has to say about it!) or pull up & over your chin for those cold winter winds.

So, be it called neck warmer, neck gater, or cowl, they keep snow balls from going down your back!

Cozy Cowl is a pattern I have been thinking of since last winter. Made of 100% wool, chunky knit on size 9 needles. Cast on 25, knit pattern of your choice, to the length needed to fit over your head. Kitchner stitch together. Great stash buster for the one skein projects or, using leftover bits.

Test Knits and Wash Cloths

I know, I know, I’m stuck on dish & wash cloths but these have been so fun!
Some were test knits for Lisa Milan of DigKnitty designs.
So far I have all Grandsons & boy patterns are hard to find but, Lisa is LOADED with them. Well, She’s loaded with patterns to fit any taste!
Here are the newest that will be posted in my stores soon;

Scooter in Medium Blue
100% cotton
Red Dino, In the TUB?
100% Cotton



Olive Green Monster Truck to scrub away outdoor play!
100% Cotton


Yellow Go Cart, racing you to the tub!
100% Cotton



Set Sail in the bubbles!
Med Blue, 100% Cotton

Why do I love these was cloths so much? They are easy to launder, soft enough for babies & adults. You choose the color and pattern to meet your wants and needs! They also fill that instant gratification fix.
And every once in a while Lisa posts a free one!

Poppel Hat, Instant Gratification Free Pattern

After these past few hectic weeks I needed some "Instant Gratification" Quick and easy, and a great Stash Buster! The ribs allow for a snug fit, It almost grips the head. I loved them as it was less time hunting in the yard for hats!
I call this the Poppel hat. Remember the poppel toys from the mid 80's? Not the plush toys, the plastic accordion type linking toy. I think there was a collapsible storage container system on the market for about 2 weeks!
Sz 7 needles
Worsted Weight,
Child size cast on 72

A simple stocking hat cast on for your size, simply knit in the round to approximately 3 inches. (My children preferred the ridges to start past the forehead.)
Purl for 4 rows, knit 6 rows, purl 4 rows.continue this repeat until it is long enough. Start your decreases here. Divide your stitches by 4 and place markers. K2tog at marker, every 2-3 rows depending on the size. (smaller sizes decrease
I usually k2tog every 3 rows (for a child)keeping in the pattern. Repeat until 12 stitches remain Thread through the last 12 stitches and tie off. It will come to a point and nestle in ridges. You can add a pom pom, but I prefer a I cord. These look great with k2, p2 ribbing for 1 inch, and knit at least 2 inches prior to starting the ribs. This is the first time I've written a patten down (such as it is) so feel free to comment if you have questions.

What's on Your Needles?

What’s your knitting style?


I was recently in a conversation with a group of other knitters discussing various “working projects” we each had. I was amazed at the various styles & disciplines used.
Some prefer to actually start and complete 1 project at a time, others may have a few with various “finishing“ needed i.e.; seams sewn, buttons, ends woven in or blocked.

Others have up to 10-15 projects on the needles At any given time, gifts, long term projects, instant gratification project, those your not sure your going to like and are thinking of changing, projects for the long school practices or car pool lane, bus ride or car knitting (here’s hoping you’re the passenger but I have known a few……………)
I always have quite a few working. I get bored working on one and switch to another, I flip around and then have quite a few completed at once. I start on one hat and think of another color pattern and off I go hunting fiber and needles! Kind of a knitting Bright Shinny Object!

It got me to wondering how many I actually had so, here’s my list:
Lost in Music Shrug 1/3 completed
Chunky Beret 95% completed
Poppel Hat needs threads woven in
Baby Jumper- needs decorative needlework
Burgundy mitts- needs seamed and decorative needlework
Burgundy Beret, ½ completed just sitting there, as I’m not sure if I like the color work
Hood scarf combo- my design not sure I like it
3 Woodland Sprite hats- each ½ to ¾ competed, 1 week
Kimono Baby Jacket-waiting seamed 4 months
Baby Sweater, waiting button sewn on 2 months
5 Cowls need threads woven in 1-2 months
5pr Booties need sewn 1-2 months
Case in point needle case, ½ done
3 wash/spa cloths in various stages
2 pr Diaper Soakers just need draw string threaded 2 weeks
2 Gigunda Market bags 1/3 & ½ completed
That’s what I can see from where I sit. Wow! At least I can say its all knit from stash!
I’m not even opening my actual “project” tub!
What an eye opener, I do believe this is what they call Knitters A.D.D.
So, thats my almost list. what does yours look like? Are you a 1 & 2'r or do you have 5-15?
Let me hear from you!

And, the knitting language we have? Well! That’s a post all in itself!

Wedding Recovery & Looking for my Mojo

Have you seen my knitting Mojo? I seem to have misplaced it! I guess I’m in a knitting slump.
Weddings, tho wonderful are an emotional roller coaster. The whorl wind wedding preparations for this one have left me wiped out. A touch of the same flu that hit Isaiah hasn’t helped. It turned out he did have the flu. Courtesy of the E.R., a few bags of fluids with Tylenol and he was much better & ready to play.
Here he is after fluids, charming the nurses! He was released at 4 AM. Monday is a bit of a blur, due to that same flu bug. I slept the day away!

What a way to spend your 5th birthday, sick and getting married!



On the knitting front, I made a simple clutch bag, just playing with designs. I was so excited that it was working out, as I liked. It felted beautifully, nice & tight, thick. In my excitement, I forgot to sew it closed. So I was whining about it on Ravelry. Knitchick suggested I consult Lynn of Lynn’s Bags. Be sure and check out her bags, they are gorgeous! She provided the info to salvage the purse so I will work on it tonight

After that fiasco I needed instant gratification. What can be quicker or as fun as a baby hat? I love working these up. I normally have color changes at the rib but this time I chose a variegated acrylic pastel. Will be an easy care diaper bag stuffer for Mommies

The infinite gift list of “Almost Malika” Market Bags is getting shorter. A bit closer to the original size, this one is made of Sugar’n Cream Confectionery color Plum Pudding. Cream to Brown with Purples mixed in. Love the colors, if it didn’t mean I ‘d need to make another one I’d keep it myself! I changed up the pattern on front again, keeps it from being boring

My Baby Was Married Today

No matter how old they get your baby will always be your baby.
She was married today.
Let me rephrase that, Isaiah & his Mommy got married A very small simple ceremony with family gathered around they said I Do.


Our son Aaron & daughter Ania were not able to make it from Calif But were there in spirit





Isaiah's job to take care of the ring, through out the ceremony he would hold the rings out as if to say "see I didn't loose them!" Just think Vanna White!

15 minutes before the ceremony he started vomiting, we thought was a touch of the flu.
Sure made thing memorable!


Not sure what happend to his clothes, he started out with pockets in and tie tucked.









The photos AFTER the photos. My girls being, well..my girls. Rachel, Katie, Danielle & Erika.
Katie is a bonus daughter, ours by everything but blood. A Teacher, a Behavioral Therapist, & 2 in Marketing/Banking.

Just Yesterday they were fighting over Barbies and G.I Joe's, playing dress up,sliding down the stairs in a laundry basket, setting the woods behind the house on fire, .........





And the newlyweds? They spent the evening in the emergency room as Isaiah's flu bug wasn't the flu.

Reality bites sometimes!

Back to School

It’s that time again, kicking and screaming at the purchase of school supplies, and that’s the parents!
I missed it.....the lists of supplies, sports gear needing replaced. Until I heard the school bus in the morning. Where did the summer go?

Am I totally warped or, do other Moms do the back to school dance? Mine are all out of school now but we had 4 of our own and, 3-4 others living with us. I loved them all more than anything but, I will never forget the morning the youngest child stepped on the school bus with the “Big Kids” for the first time. I cried for about 2 seconds, did a arm pumping little dance and called my husband at work. I was so excited saying, “Honey listen to this!” and extended the phone out to the room. His very calm response was, “I don’t hear anything” Mine was
I KNOW!

Fun & Weirdness

More fun and funky weird stuff. I stopped in to local pottery chain and found this.
For $3.00! Its so ugly its cute!
My Daughter Danielle stopped in, and her reaction was “You Paid $3.00” for….. that?!?
The look on her face when I gifted her with another? Priceless

Yarn Yummies

Ok, My mail lady is due a serious gift this Christmas! She has been bringing me some great packages the past few days. PEACE FLEECE!!!! My first batch! Purchased through a co-op. I love the colors, shades with in shades that blend wonderfully. These should make wonderful Diaper Soakers. Great “workhorse” wool, that softens more with each wash.




The second is an ETSY purchase from Union Center Knits, 100% worsted weight wool I love the way the colors blend one to another. I think I hear them saying they want to be fingerless mitts. Hmmm, have to see what I can come up with!

This last set is also an Etsy purchase from Yarntopia Treasures.I love the color combinations. Purchased for some Christmas knitting..... felted bags and felted potholders. But we'll see what happens!

If you have a plan for it its not stash right?

Scrap Happy Stash Buster

A little weekend knitting

If you like knitting with cotton, you may like me may have tons of left over scrap in your stash. Not enough for a dish cloth, just a little of this and a little of that. What to do with all those partial balls? How about a Scrap Happy Stash Busting Market Bag. A bag for those quick trips when you only need a gallon of milk and leave with a bag full.( you know what I mean, Oh, I need pasta & cookies are on sale!) Inspired by the Malika Bag at Overbrewed Knits, I started playing with my scrap cotton. Not quite as deep, this one is 12 inches long and the front measures 11 inches wide. But, it stretches to 24 inches wide and 18 inches in length! Just enough for that $50.00 gallon of milk!

Woodland Sprite Topper

Woodland Sprite hats are so fun to make. I love mixing and playing with colors, so many possibilities! My mind is usually ahead 3 hat color combos before I finish casting on.
I normally will use wool blends but have been asked for washable baby knits.
These are a mid weight hat, sure to keep some lucky baby warm this winter!

Woodland Sprite in Blues, Green & Brown.
Made to fit 6-18 months.









Daisy Days Woodland Sprite
Sized for average 6-12 months.
Again, this hat is machine wash for
Easy Care.












I love the Woodland Sprite Foliage.
Remember playing in a pile of leaves?
You can't see me, you can't see me!

Foliage is sized to fit 6-18 months

Soft and squishy, easy to stuff in a diaper bag
Make great gifts!

I should have them posted to my Etsy store this week.

When you think you have it tough...

I know, 3 posts in one day is excessive. But I had to share this;

For those of you who think you have it rough and are limited to what you can do......

A son asked his father, 'Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?' The father who, despite having a heart condition, says 'Yes'.

They went on to complete the marathon together. Father and son went onto join other marathons, the father always saying 'Yes' to his son's request of going through the race together.

One day, the son asked his father, 'Dad, let's join the Ironman together.'To which, his father said 'Yes' .
For those who didn't know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride, and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island .
Father and son went on to complete the race together.
This will inspire you.
This is awesome!

Fun & Weirdness

I love weird stuff, my family thinks I’m nuts but, its fun.

You tell me, is this weird?

Empty Nesting & Cleaning Out

There have been a lot of changes in our house this past month! We are, (Drum Roll Please) officially Empty-Nesters! Right now with beautiful weather, we have been pretty building the rock wall, gardening and other summer activities so its not so hard. Come winter months I know it will be tough.
What amazed me is what they did not take with them. Looking around & finding all the “important stuff” they couldn't’t toss out thru the years. On the back of one closet shelf I found a” trick or treat” pumpkin basket… stuffed full of high school notes. After reading one I tossed the rest. Some things a Mom just does not need to know! How about dance recital costumes and butterfly wings from another, 7 curling irons? My kids were pack rats! Gee, I wonder where they got it…Really made me look around and see what I have collected. There will be one Big yard sale soon. Why did I keep a broken VCR? Passed the book shelf, cleared out 4 bags of paperbacks, and you can’t tell! I went down to the basement, or “The Pit” . People have been known to go down there and never be seen again. More costumes, athletic gear, boxes we moved here 15 yrs ago! Cases of canning jars I forgot about…I’m on a mission to clean it out and organize, room by room, closet by closet, cabinet by cabinet. I’m only about a quarter of the way thru the house but it has been freeing. This is a big house but it’s stuffed like a Christmas Turkey, for just a little bit longer. What did your kids leave behind? One positive thing..I can park where I want to!!

"I'm Not Done Yet"

Every once in a while something happens in our lives, be it joy or sorrow and you will hear a soft voice say, “I’m not done yet.”
A baby, born so early his tiny body fits in your palm, hugs, tears & Prayer then you hear the soft voice saying “I’m not done yet.”
My daughter Rachel and her husband Adams family experienced such a thing this weekend. Adam’s grandfather came to visit on Saturday. He’s an older gentleman, has been ill with kidney failure and numerous strokes so, they valued the time together. (This is told second hand so if I have errors in the telling please forgive me but I just had to share this) Back home in church Sunday morning he leaned to his wife in church and said ”I don’t feel good” (She offered to leave right away, as with his history that’s not a good sign) He wanted to stay. Just a moment or 2 later he fell over unconscious, not breathing. She called out for some one to call 911. Within 2-3 minutes paramedics were running up the church aisle. Later at the hospital, the doctors said if not for such a rapid response he would not have survived. They live in a very small and rural town. I believe Mitchell, In. is 30-45 minutes to the nearest hospital, ambulance assistance about half that.
The family contacted the 1st of the 2 “local” ambulance service to thank them. They were told, “We didn’t make the run.” So they confidently contacted the 2nd, only to find out it wasn’t them either. Returning to the hospital, after explaining the confusion they asked to check admittance papers.
Here is evidence of Grace in action. An ambulance service & EMS team was traveling from northern Indiana to Louisville, Ky. for training, & had gotten lost, …about 45minutes out of the way kind of lost. They were passing in front of the church when the call went out for EMS. Personally, I don’t think they were lost, I think they were following another set of directions. They had no obligation to stop other than dedication and professionalism. I don’t know about you but I heard “I’m not done yet”