Taking a Break for a few weeks…….

Knitting is on hold for a few weeks

Today my siblings and I had the honor of being home with my mother as she passed away. As with most things in her life, her passing was done with a quiet dignity, grace & quirky humor. 

Yesterday 26 December would have been Mom and Dad’s 63rd wedding anniversary.  We know Daddy was waiting for her with open arms & in true Cahoon fashion………………she was late.  But, Daddy wouldn’t have minded.

So, I’m going to take a few weeks…to help take care of what ever needs done here & then go home & say hello to my husband again.

Any customs I have lined up will be a tad later than planned.  I will be contacting each of you & if you choose to have your yarn returned or cancel an order I understand as growing babies can’t always wait.

Thank you for your patience, prayers & support

Katie

 

Technorati Tags: family

Finished Knits & Customs In The Mail

Miss Gabby will be a warmly dressed baby in these longies!

Western Sky Knits, 3 Ply merino “Violets”

Super soft for those tiny noodles legs! 

Using a new pattern by Raya Budrevich of Blissful Knits, I had just enough left over to make a matching  Ruffled Hat. 

Here at Mom’s I don’t have my ribbon stash (or better camera for good photo’s) to finish it off but, Gabby’s Mama assures me she has plenty on hand.

I have 5 other items in the works.  OK, to be honest the knitting portion is done. I need to add buttons or a bit of seaming to finish them….the dirty details! 

Off to sew on buttons & hopefully the rain will STOP! At least long enough for some photos or, I’ll be knitting an ark!

Technorati Tags: Custom Knits,Katidids Knits,longies,Ruffle hat,Blissful knits

 

Taking the Knitting on the Road or …er Plane

I receive a call from my sisters that my mother’s health is rapidly failing. Tomorrow morning I’ll be flying out to California for an undetermined amount of time. Yes, I’ll be taking the knitting with me.  I want and need to be there but, I know me and I’ll want and need to keep my hands busy. 

I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone but it will be as long as need be. I’m very Blessed to have such a supportive husband!  Letting go is never easy so your prayers and thoughts will be appreciated.

Right now the plan is……….

Any customs that are in line will still be completed, I’ll just ship from Calif.

For those of you who have wool in route…my family will send it to me as soon as it hits the mail box.  Yes, it will create a day or 2 delay but, most had at least a week wait before I could start so…… at this point I really don’t anticipate any significant delays.

My awesome, super suitcase packers (THANK YOU Erika & Danielle!) will still ship orders for completed items in the Etsy Shop . 

I’ll have my laptop with me so don’t hesitate to e-mail

Katie

Technorati Tags: Katidids,etsy,customs

 

October Colors Available for customs

Colors, colors Everywhere!

I have 3, possibly 4 openings for customs in October, to the first of November.

Colors I have available from the top of the wool bin……

Starting with “Boyish”

From “Stash up Yarns” 8oz  Smudge Pot Blue! All shades of blue with grey, greens browns and a touch of copper. Great for boys by could be a gender neutral colorway

  

Next up the ever yummy Mosaic Moon.  8oz of Newgrange on MMR

Think all things chocolate with a touch of caramel and chestnut from Liberty Fibers 8 oz

Gender neutral and holiday colors are:

YUMMY Moonlight and Laughter, “Rainbow to the Stars” 7oz

Stitches Under the Sun

“Ice Skating “ BFL 7oz

Little Trunks Knits

“Santa’s Reindeer” Bulky Gaia 8 oz

And the Girly choices:

Wildflower Whimsy, “Autumnal Rainbow” 8oz  Lily

One of my color-ways,  6 oz on heavy worsted

Inspired Mama Makes, “Earthy Rainbow” 6oz twist 

Another of my color-ways, 4oz

Last but not least

Beautiful Nurturing Threads. Caramel Apple 4oz 

First come first served!  YYMN customs fall in order of date your yarn is received.

Longies, tunics’, baby-doll’s, overalls, hats…they are all open!

Technorati Tags: custom knits,babydolls,longies,elizabeth tunics,tickle hats,overalls,bayside britches,sweaters,katidids,etsy

I’ve a Guest Stocking on Hyena Cart with “Little Trunks Knits”!

I’m so excited! 

Jennifer has generously offered me a guest spot in her grand reopening of

“Little Trunks Knits” 

Starting…..

TOMORROW!

I’ve offered 2 pair of “Bayside Britches” (Jennifer’s pattern)

And a longie & hat set

Be sure and come check it out!  There are quite a few guests including:

Kristi of TFK-dyed yarn

Angela of Fairyblue-semi custom or custom slot

Heather of Dragonfly Graphics-a banner package

Sarah of Honeybee and small fry-gorgeous knits

Teresa of FCOL-advocacy shirts

Amy of Alligator Knits-dyed yarn

Stop in and say Hi!

Technorati Tags: hyena cart stocking,little trunks knits bayside britches,longies,guest stocking,katidids,hand knits

Here Fishy Fishy Wool Longies & Another Cutie!

Just Listed to Katidids Etsy “Here Fishy, Fishy” Medium Longies with coordinating hat. 

I can just visualize a little one with fingers swishing in a Koi pond saying here fishy fishy!

And, meet Miss Peyton!

Is she a doll or what?

What a sweet model in her custom knit Elizabeth Tunic & shorties

I love that red hair and such a sweet smile!  Thank you Nicole for sharing the pictures!

Technorati Tags: custom knits,customer photo's,elizabeth Tunic,longies,etsy shop,katidids,handdyed,knitting,stocking

Problem Solving!

Everyone concentrates on the problems we're having in this country lately: illegal immigration, hurricane recovery, and alligators attacking people in Florida.

Not me. I concentrate on solutions for the problems. It's a win- win situation…..

+ Dig a moat the length of the Mexican border.
+ Send the dirt to New Orleans to raise the level of the levies.
+ Put the Florida alligators in the moat along the Mexican border.
Any other problems you would like for me to solve today?

Yes!
Think about these:
1. Cows
2. The Constitution
3. The Ten Commandments

C O W S
Is it just me, or does anyone else find it amazing that during the mad cow epidemic our government could track a single cow, born in Canada almost three years ago, right to the stall where she slept in the state of Washington? And, they tracked her calves to their stalls. But they are unable to locate 11 million illegal aliens wandering around our country. Maybe we should give each of them a cow.

T H E  C O N S T I T U T I O N
They keep talking about drafting a Constitution for Iraq .... Why don't we just give them ours? It was written by a lot of really smart guys, it has worked for over 200 years, and we're not using it anymore.

T H E  TEN  C O M M A N D M E N T S
The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments posted in a courthouse is this:
You cannot post 'Thou Shalt Not Steal,' 'Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery,' and 'Thou Shall Not Lie' in a building full of lawyers, judges and politicians.  It creates a hostile work environment.
It is Time for America to speak up!

Gardening Must Have’s

This morning while watching  the morning news, a mention of gardening in the next segment perked my ears right up like little radars.  Fresh cup of coffee in hand and notepad at the elbow I was ready to jot down notes for any new info that might piqué my interest.  I was a bit disappointed to hear the segment was on gardening attire…thinking expensive wellies & what not. 

Let me tell you, after I cleared the coffee from my sinus’s & key board I laughed so hard I woke Miss Evie

Attire shown was similar to this outfit, which is what we all wear right?

It  included accessories such as

these which I’m sure are intended for soil aeration.

 

So, I  Google searched gardening attire for fun…… to see what main stream America finds important

Hats and head covering of all types and style were deemed the #1 item

for protection from the sun.  

Gloves to protect you hands were of course second on the list…

And proper tools for each task followed.

I’m sure my raggedy sundresses/cutoff shorts and tank tops are hopelessly out of fashion!  And the gardening police would defiantly ticket me for my lack of head covering and gloves!  And my baskets and plastic bowls to collect produce?  A major gardening No No!

What are your gardening must haves?

Technorati Tags: gardening family,humor

You have to read

Rural Revolutions.  If you’ve not  visited before,  your in for a treat. Today’s post is a  list of “Universal Laws”….so funny and so true!

Katie

Technorati Tags: Rural Revolution,humor

Nice & Lazy Morning

2 bowls of tomato’s harvested yesterday.  I’m becoming a bit tired of canning tomato’s but know we will really enjoy using them these next few months in soups, stews and on pasta’s Another 14 quarts and 5 more pints cooling on the table

Just to get out of the house I went for a drive yesterday & found a “new to me” road side market.  Her tomato’s were $1.00 each! I maybe in the wrong business! I did purchase 3 lbs of onions,  half yellow and half red to dehydrate for $2.00.  The local grocery had 1 lb of either type for $3.99 this morning!

I also picked up more peaches.  $10.00 for 1/2 a bushel.  Again less than half the price at our local grocery.  These will be halved and sliced for canning this afternoon.

Apple sauce and peaches I need to have a good stock of as they seem to be Isaiah & Mr.Fix-It’s favorite evening snack in the winter…that is unless there is pie or ice cream in the house!

It’s a beautiful morning, a nice breeze to keep the humidity down so far & mid 70’s.  Coolest its been all month!  I guess I can’t say that as its a new month but it the nicest morning in a month anyway.  I’ve been enjoying my coffee outside pulling weeds here and there in the neglected flowerbeds.   Larry is gone for the morning helping a friend so I’m in no rush to do anything with purpose

I think I’ve decided on a permanent area for an herb garden.  This year I have them all in pots and they have done “OK” but,  know they could do so much better in the ground not pots.

Well, the day’s a wasting so I need to get busy, more zucchini to shred and freeze…maybe even a peach pie for desert!

Have a great day!

Technorati Tags: canning,herbs,random

Harvest Time!

This is is starting to be a daily haul.  Tomato’s are so loaded the plants are starting to stress.  I’m pulling them when they are mid orange and ripening on the tables to help the plants.  We have pots of sauce going about every other day.

I think we have about 50 quarts of sauce put up so far & more to come. I wish I had kept track of the pounds as we have harvested.  This is my first year with the Roma’s and it sure wont be the last! Those things are producers! 

We’ve a pretty good system this past week.  I’d have the sauce ready and after supper Larry would lid jars as I filled them and he’d  load/unload the canner.  It’s funny the simple things you find you can’t do but, I’m very blessed to have a husband that doesn’t hesitate to jump in without asking.  I had intended on freezing the sauce until I could lift and twist. ( Canners, you know what I mean!)  But, he said well, I can do that! 

We had our first jar break ever in the canner.  He was lifting the jars out and said “well, we have a floater” 

OK, as a Mom a  “floater” in the bath popped in my head and well…it went down hill from there!

The melons are going like gang busters.  I think we have 6-8 off the vine so far.  Saving seeds from this batch for sure as they have been great producers.

These are heritage seeds I received from Kat.  I have plenty set aside and am willing to share…just shoot me a email! Same with the zuccs.

I was really disappointed in the onion harvest.  These were all little fingerings basically the same size but look at the difference in growth! Sweet, yellow and red..the largest was palm sized.  I just don’t know what I did wrong.

Wrong or not they are now dehydrated and in a pint jar waiting to be used!  I’ll have to check the farmers market for more to dehydrate while they are fresh.

  Zucchini’s are shredded and in the freezer and dehydrated…along with peppers.  That dehydrator is working like a charm and is proving to be everything the reviews and recommendations have touted!

These were all last weeks photos, the tomato’s have continued but I’ve been banned from the garden until today.  The day after surgery I felt soooo good…better than I had in weeks!

I “just wanted to check out the garden” and found I could pull weeds and it didn’t even hurt.  Well that must have been the meds talking as I paid for it 3 times over and I’m just now back to normal.  “OK, define “normal”!    

It’s been so crazy hot!!!!  Yesterday I picked tomato’s and my feet were wet from dew in the shade…..and it was 2 pm and 93 degrees!  That’s crazy humidity!  So, I haven’t really minded being stuck at a slower pace.

Technorati Tags: Gardening,canning,recovery

 

Isaiah says He’s blogging today

This is my sister, she is the best sister i have.

I have no brother only one sister. We will keep her

I love my gloves and my sister

My Grandma made my gloves, my Mama made  my sister.

These are the vegetables my mama brought in from the garden for grandma

Grandpa is putting in the new window in the new bathroom that we are putting in my grandmas sewing & knitting studio.

The end.

Technorati Tags: isaiah,kids,gardening family

Blood Pressure Check!

Our oldest daughter Danielle and bonus daughter Katie took off to St Louis last Friday for a extended girls weekend .  They both needed a break and this was a perfect time.  The goal was a spending free weekend other than hotel room and food. They had a blast! 

They ran out of time and have a huge list of things to do next time but this is a short message & photo I received

“"I was in the drivers seat of that bus!!!! Almost ralphed and my knees were knocking!”

Now, to get the full effect of my blood pressure check…click on the photo to enlarge it……

As it turns out the zoo was offering free admission & this is a well known (by others) interactive display.

 

Technorati Tags: family,humor,random

I’m Just a little behind

After battling and try to ignore a week long stomach pain I caved & drove to the emergency room Thursday ….which resulted in the removal of my Gall bladder (it even sounds nasty).  How ever, as much as I hate taking medications I have come to realize staidol & dalaudid (and now percocet) are my friends. 

Good friends that get you thru the rough time.  I know I probably miss-spelled them but you know…. I don’t think i really care.  Of course that could be the percocet  talkin. 

So for the next few days, customs are on hold…unless you don’t mind the chance of a leg hole in the back or a short row on a sleeve….possibly a combo of both!

I just need one more day & then I’ll be back

Technorati Tags: emergency surgery,medications,customs

Recently Overheard in a conversation

A Man referring to his wife’s inner strength made the comment

“I’m so proud of her, she’s stronger than a woodpeckers lips” 

Now that, in a twisted way is high praise!

Technorati Tags: humor,randomness

Sweltering Heat

What a weekend!  It’s been so hot!  Mr Fix-It was out first thing in the morning working on the addition.  He was able to place 2 headers  and had to stop.  We’ve not made a lot of progress on the addition as we’ve had various commitments and the heat it just to much to work in.  The space is totally in-closed but not to the point we can move the outer door.  So, the heat and humidity just hangs in there & fans don’t provide much/enough relief.  After about an hour your so hot you can’t think straight.  By noon it was over 90 and we still had dew on the grass…. in the sun..That’s a lot of humidity!

The tomato’ plants have been really producing & I’ve been canning sauce just about every-other day.  The heat storms that have been blasting through knocked the tomato plants down again & I had a lot of tomato’s knocked off plants.  We were able to get the plant’s back up using strips of t-shirt to help support the weight.  The cotton cording was also cutting into the stems.  I think next year we’ll need to come up with a different support system as stakes and cages are just not strong enough.

Sun set after the last storm

And guess what came Saturday morning!  Tracking showed Friday deliver & I hung out all day waiting….Saturday I was cooking sauce and never even heard the delivery truck

I found it when I was heading out to the garden to weed.  So far I’m lovin it!  5lbs of zucchini dehydrated fits in a quart jar with room to spare. I have to say I’m impressed with it so far.  It’s quiet & has so much room.  I think were going to pull some tenderloin out of the freezer for some venison jerky this week.  Yum! Can’t wait.

Sunday we needed a sweet snack so I used a few overripe banana’s to make banana bread.  Not wanting to have the oven heat I used the bread maker & a “new to me” recipe.

Instead of a heavy cake like loaf we’re used to, this loaf was light and airy more akin to sandwich bread.  Judging by the remnants I think it was a hit and will go on the “make it again” list!

Technorati Tags: excalibur,gardening,baking,heat storms

 

'Middle Wife'

My Best friend from high school Patti just sent this to me.

I thought it to cute not to pass on.

'Middle Wife' by an Anonymous 2nd grade teacher
 
I've been teaching now for about fifteen
Years. I have two kids myself, but the best birth
Story I know is the one I saw in my own second
Grade classroom a few years back.
 
When I Was a kid, I loved show-and-tell. So I always
have A few sessions with my students. It helps them get
Over shyness and usually, show-and-tell is pretty
Tame. Kids bring in pet turtles, model airplanes,
Pictures of fish they catch, stuff like that. And
I never, ever place any boundaries or limitations
On them. If they want to lug it into school and
Talk about it, they're welcome.
 
Well, one Day this little girl, Erica, a very bright, very
Outgoing kid, takes her turn and waddles up to the
Front of the class with a pillow stuffed under her Sweater.
 
She holds up a snapshot of an Infant.
'This is Luke, my baby brother, and I'm
Going to tell you about his birthday.'
 
'First, Mom and Dad made Him as a symbol of their love,
and then Dad put a Seed in my Mom's stomach, and
Luke grew in there.
He ate for nine months through an umbrella cord.'
 
She's standing there with her hands on the
Pillow, and I'm trying not to laugh and wishing I
Had my camcorder with me. The kids are watching
Her in amazement.
 
'Then, about two Saturdays ago, my Mom starts saying and going,
'Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh!' Erica puts a hand behind her
Back and groans. 'She walked around the house for,
Like an hour, 'Oh, oh, oh!' (Now this kid is doing
A hysterical duck walk and groaning.)
 
'My Dad called the middle wife. She delivers babies,
But she doesn't have a sign on the car like the
Domino's man. They got my Mom to lie down in bed
Like this.' (Then Erica lies down with her back
Against the wall.)
 
'And then, pop! My Mom
Had this bag of water she kept in there in case
He got thirsty, and it just blew up and spilled
All over the bed, like psshhheew!' (This kid has
Her legs spread with her little
Hands miming water flowing away. It
Was too much!)
 
'Then the middle wife starts
Saying 'push, push,' and 'breathe, breathe. They
Started counting, but never even got past ten.
Then, all of a sudden, out comes my brother. He
Was covered in yucky stuff that they all said it
Was from Mom's play-center, (placenta) so there
Must be a lot of toys inside there. When he got
Out, the middle wife spanked him for crawling up
In there.'
 
Then Erica stood up, took a big
Theatrical bow and returned to her seat. I'm sure
I applauded the loudest. Ever since then, when
it's show-and-tell day, I bring my camcorder, just
In case another 'Middle Wife' comes along.
 

Technorati Tags: random humor

If I were a Giant

 

I’d worry about stubbing my toe!

(Yes that is Buddy, he’s just had a summer buzz cut) A fellow business owner who knew we were looking for large stones to use as steps (because he sells them and we’ve been there numerous times looking and planning) called and said he was clearing out the large slabs…. we could have them…Free!

He even loaded them on the trailer  for us & another pallet in the back of Mr. Fix-It’s truckOnce  home, getting them unloaded called for a bit of creativity.  The forklift was brought to the house and the 1-2 ton pallets were unloaded in a matter of minutes

 

For the next few months they will be “Yard Art”  and play ground for the littles, until cooler weather..and the addition is completed

.

Some of the slabs are over 4 ft across and could be broken for 2 steps

When we move them to the back to place as steps up to the patio.

(and won’t that be a fun job!)

Other than about $10.00 in fuel we saved about $1,000.-1,500. in rock.  Which in my book is pretty darn good frugal deal!

Technorati Tags: Frugal deals,yard art,free stuff

 

Oh NO!!

The weeds are breeding right in front of me!

Those suckers have no shame!

This morning I pulled 10 and 20 more popped up, got those 20 and oh my goodness…

there was a party going on in the green beans! 

Hello, who’s the chaperone here?

Oops, that’s me!

Where’s my ruler!

Technorati Tags: gardening

 

Did I tell you it was my Birthday?

On the 8th!  Celebrated with the best hubby in the world and children that are local.  Wonderful phone calls from those that live out of town and other family.  Boy was I spoiled I received some very thoughtful & useful/appreciated gifts.  A pitch-in supper followed by homemade  apple spice cake YUM! 

There are  no calories on your birthday!

Mr. Fix-It out did himself,  He conspired with our LYS owner, Ann of Grinny Possum Fiber Arts and came up with the perfect gift.They have already been put to good use.

Hmm, I wonder if I could make a tool belt of my own for these!

Technorati Tags: celebrations,family,gifts

If I don’t see another Plum until next year

It’s fine with me!  A friend invited us to come pick plums off his tree as they don’t use them….imagine that!

Free fruit?  Call me a fruit fly!

We went last night and took care of his “plum problem”  Erika, Isaiah & I made quick work of it.  The storms the night before had knocked them all down.  So it was quick and easy …we just needed to clean the squished rotten plums off the bottom of our sandals after words. 

This is the last of the harvest, a bit more than 5 gallons.

The sad part is only one other couple picks them.  This is about 1/100th of what was spoiled on the ground.So this afternoon I stayed inside and started squishing plums …….about the size of my thumb.

 

and canning jam.

Yes that is the zucc’s still dehydrating in the background..and a stray dryer ball. computer, shopping bag, knitting needles,  extra lids….I need to clean the table off.

Free fruit = 43 pints of Plum Jam.

Guess what will become Christmas Gifts….

for those who returned last years jars!

Technorati Tags: canning,free fruit,plums,frugal finds