Keep Your Ears Warm

A quickie Ear warmer or Cowl for Danielle

I love knitting from the stash! 

To bad she wasn’t there to try it on… so I grabbed Erika to modelAlthough she took on the task with cheek sucking enthusiasm I don’t think she needs to worry about giving up her day job!

I’ve been working ahead for spring and used my colorway “Frogs N Snails” to make these shorties

And another pair of Silly Stripe Longies In Dark Red, Mushroom & Olive Green

I love using Cascade 220, It always knits up nice & had the side benefit of  using up some stash!

Both are listed to Etsy.

On the needles now I have a pair of Purple, Gray,Navy & Black longies

I spent the afternoon playing in the dye pots & came up with a few new colorways….we’ll see what they look like re-skeined tomorrow.

All in all it was a pretty productive day.

How did you spend yours?

Technorati Tags: Longies,shorties,Cowl/earwarmer,stash,knitting,Katidids,Etsy

Almost had a Fire

I think I jinxed myself. I mentioned before my love affair with my Bunn coffee maker and a few days later it started leaking.  Today I kept smelling a hot electrical smell.  You know what I mean.  The smell that makes your heart jump and thoughts of “Oh #$%” what’s on fire.  All day Id get random whiffs of it.  Well, tonight Mr.. Fix~it was took my coffee maker apart to see where it was leaking & this is what we found

The photo’s not the greatest but it’s dark gray inside from smoke. 

It looks like the drain section rotted out

and allowed water to drip down on the electrical “stuff”

The inside of this “sealed” area was full of water.

Hence the “hot electrical” smell!

Mr.. Fix~It & Isaiah are out right now after a new Bunn.  Yes, I’m that scary in the morning with out coffee!

Technorati Tags: electrical hazzard,Bunn coffee maker,chicken hubby

What Happened to the Rest of the Week?

What happened to the first part of the week!  It’s gone already!  I must have blinked. 

I can’t say I’ve been doing anything life altering but just puttering around here. 
I have been playing with my new mixer, and  I  love it!

Its a bit messier slower making butter than the food processor but cookies mix up quick!

Yes, I know the 70’s green counters went out in …..well the 70’s but, they’re paid for and there is usually enough stuff on the counters I don’t see them any more!

A few hats were knit orders, I had them ready to go but I felt would be to small so I remade them to be on the safe side.There’s been some other knitting, I have 1 pair of longies completed & drying, (with another on the needles) a pair of shorties also completed and drying.

  I’ve been playing with a pattern for a simple headband/ear warmer for Danielle.  She’s outside so much with the kids and her ears get cold…but will she wear a hat? No….so I’m trying to come up with some thing she can use.

I’ve also been test knitting for another company & will post it when they say it’s ok.  Which, I’m sure will be soon.  Actually as soon as I ask!

The basement is slowly getting weeded out.  One benefit is I found a comforter for the bed in Isaiah’s old room.  It’s new!  I vaguely remember purchasing it right before they moved in & never got it out as they had their own things. 

Its been interesting sorting through some of the stuff down there.  It’s the kids old playroom and has become a storage dump…all the things they wanted to keep but not take with them  when they moved out. Slowly but surly it’s being emptied.  Honestly, I just don’t want to do all the trips up and down the stairs it would take to do it all at once.  Besides, once the playroom is done I need to work on the sewing room & I’m not looking forward to that.

Tomorrow Erika & I are going to the Louisville Home and Garden Show.  We are just looking for landscaping ideas for her house.  That’s the story any way!

What are you plans for the weekend?

 

The Lines On My Face

Ever look in the mirror  and say holy cow!  Who is that with all the lines on her face like a road map!

Nope, me neither.  She’s been visiting me for years,

I saw her face on her wedding day smooth cheeked then,  so calm knowing this was the man God placed before her for a lifetime commitment.

I saw her face with a baby on her hip, many babies.

I saw her face braiding hair, of many heads and colors

I saw her face with tears, worry, joy & pride as a young mother

I saw her face peek in to watch daughters apply make up & a

son shave for the first time (that I knew of)

I saw face  at prayer and peace…..with tears of joy and sadness for her children, knowing they had to make some decisions on their own, and live with the consequences.

I saw her face on her children’s wedding day knowing they too were marrying the the person God placed in their path.

I saw her face as her daughter gave birth & she held held her grandchild  for the first time

I saw her face reflected in the NICU window peering at another beloved grandchild,  full of faith, love & fear all at the same time

I’ve seen her face, full of self doubt, fear, joy, laughter & love.

(OK, I’ve seen her pissy a few times too, but we won’t so there)

Last night, I saw her face full of love reflected in the mirror as she stood and watched her graying (stud muffin)  husband sleep, thanking God for every day he has given her with this man & looking forward to the years ahead and other lines to come. 

Who do you see when you look in the mirror?

Technorati Tags: life,lines,laughter,random thoughts

 

Seeds are here, Now Where is Spring!

This past week I received my order from Sustainable Seed Company. Peppers, maters, Brussle sprouts, greens beans, zucchini, melons, spinach, lettuce and bunches more. If I don’t quit drooling on shuffling and reading the packets over and over they may wear out and I’ll loose the seeds. We, well I’m planning on doubling the space and variety I’m planting this year and need to see what veggie can go next to what and when etc.. I want to have it planned out and ready to go when we, OK, Mr. Fix~It tills. We have a mile long list of spring & summer projects so time will be limited when actual planting time comes. I also have a flowerbed I plan to turn into an herb garden which starts another search of seed companies.

I dropped the ball this past week in clearing clutter. But, I plan on diving into more of that starting tomorrow. We have a playroom downstairs that has become a storage locker & most will find its way to a thrift store. If it was Spring I would just have a gigunda yard sale but, I want it gone NOW!

I found a really neat blog the other day, My Sailors Mistress . Jennifer is a young Mom living on the west coast who’s husband just deployed to …well, where ever he went. Anyway, she’s just getting her blog going. As a military brat ( meant with utmost respect) and a Navy wife she fully understands how difficult it can be for spouses left behind with all the responsibilities, of raising & caring for the family. Now, imagine being new to new to the area & service life. I think her blog will develop into a wonderful resource for military spouses/partners. So, if you know of a military family sent them her way. Better yet, pop over and welcome her to blogger land yourself!

Technorati Tags: Seeds,gardening,My Sailors Mistress,blogs,military lfe

Alternative Heat on a 4 Layer day

I was out of the house for most of the day, and let me tell you it was COLD! I had to go all over Louisville and was in & out of the car. I had my heavy parka,wool scarf, a fleece top with a T’ and another tank underneath, warm slacks & heavy boots …4 layers and I was a still a popsicle! The sun was out but the wind was brutal!

I came home and Mr. Fix~It had the wood stove running! With power outages in the area it has been a life saver in the past. We’ve been able to stay home when others have had to find an alternative place to stay with heat.

We hadn’t used it yet this year as its down in the basement. And we no longer have child labor to keep it stoked needed to repair the blower. The great thing about that is the wood stove is hooked to our main heater and water heaters. An inner core in the tank heats the outer water and whoopee! Hot( and I mean HOT) water with virtually no electrical expense. (anyone with 3 daughters understands how exciting this is, it meant WE got to have hot showers also!) A blower is hooked to the woodstove so the smoke is diverted to exhaust and heat blows through our vents. The expense of the additional blower is much less than a continuous running propane heater. The main heater kicks on when the temperature of the wood stove drops.

Clear as mud?

I just know it works, and I’m happy we have an alternative source of heat if needed…well that and, I’m warmer & saving money!

Off to celebrate with some home made Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Technorati Tags: alternative heat,wood stove,alternative water heater

Obamopoly

I received this from a friend of mine & thought it was worth sharing………. Now this really took some thinking! The object of the game is to destroy American capitalism by having the government take over everything! Want to play? No??? Too bad, you're already playing... and just don’t know it. And by the way….. Your not winning!!!!

Technorati Tags: Politics,Truth in humor,obama

Knitting Through The Flurries

It looks like winter is here to stay for a while!

Hey, Mr. Weather Man? Our snow flurries turned into a bit more than the “few Flurries!”Another good reason to can, bake bread & stock pile groceries.  No need to battle the crowds in the store

I get to stay home inside where it’s warm

And avoid the 12 degree weather..

before you factor in the wind chill.

Playing with wool

Creating Custom Cup Cake hats for a Cupcake baker

Drinking cocoa…OK, COFFEE!

Knitting hats, longies, skirties & sleep sacks

Diving in the stash pile

And playing with color

 

And sorting through the veggie seeds I received in the mail. All these colors and seeds make me wish for spring even more!

Hey Mr. Weatherman!  Can you tell Mother Nature I’m Ready for Spring!

How have you kept yourself busy and warm this winter?

Technorati Tags: snow,weather,winter Canning,knitting,longies,skirties,hats,custom hats,sleep sacks,stash busting

Morning Coffee, PLEASE!

Um, I have to admit, this is pretty close to me in the morning. When I was up at “O God” thirty this morning I made a immediate beeline for the coffee pot. My Bunn, my sweetie…(well that’s another story)..anyway, I filled the water pourer thingie & turned to pour the water in the pot…and forgot to hold on. To the water pourer thingie. Full of water. Yes, in slow sleepy eyed motion I watched as the water thingie slipped out of my hand and continue on to the counter and then to the floor.

Because my priorities are perfect first thing in the morning, I did the potty dance while I made coffee….

Drinking my first cup while listening to the weather report tell me it was cold…could be what those snow flurries were about…I finally looked at the now dripping counter. And decided I needed another cup before I approached it. Now I’m not sure about your house but here we have a large counter about 5 steps inside the door. Need to remember something you need to take on the way out the door? Set it on the counter. Mail? Set it on the counter. Bertha…on the counter. It’s been my main clutter catcher in the house. I was going to tackle it today… if I had time.

I decided I needed a 3rd cup before I waded in. By the way, baking soda removes ink from wet mail that stains counters.

Aside from Bertha the counter is cleaned off & dry. Clutter busting achieved!

I’m happy to report no chocolate was lost in the incident.

I checked some just to be sure.

Technorati Tags: katidids,random,clutter

Its All Over But The Candy

The tree is packed up,  I scouted through the house for the last few decorations we always leave out & we’re good to go!

Until I emptied the last of the stockings…

I didn’t buy chocolate this year. I mean I LOVE it.  But…I eat it & it goes directly to my backside…and stays there visiting with friends creating new families.  The kids did this!  And then they left it.  For us.  So, I gathered it up by Bertha as a reminder….new clothes that fit cost $…dentist has children in college,  I will look like Bertha only my shirt will be pink!

I.   Will.   Not.   Open.   the.   42oz.   bag.   of.   M&M’s!

To keep from diving  (visualize a swan dive) into the chocolate, I’ve been knitting like crazy.

Isaiah was upset he did not get a hat for Christmas…..in a way as if  he’s standing in a snow drift naked….guilt…yes he can pull my strings…so here is a quick Dwarf hat for him.

Mr.Fix~it taking the tree down, that was a royal “we”

I used Wool~ease chunky on 7’s so it would be super thick and warm. Came in handy when he helped take the outdoor lights down in 16degree balmy temps.

It was a busy weekend knitting

An Elfin Topper for each Miss Emily & Itty Bitty finished last night.

 

Emily wants PINK! So Pink it is. Stash busting! Oops!  That’s a Christmas table cloth, guess I have more yet to pack.

And a skirty, the skirt is done and the shorties under I’ll work on this afternoon

Another pair of longies, I love cascade for these

The plan is to complete them this afternoon…we shall see, I hear Mount laundry is ready for a landslide.

How was your weekend?

Technorati Tags: Christmas,Dwarf Hat,Elfin Topper,shorties,skirty,longies,knitting,stash busting

Longies Stocking At Katidids

I’ve completed a few pair of longies

all range of sizes

A few Shorties

To get ahead for summer

Merino, BFL & Purewool, Trying to narrow down the stash

All are listed in the Etsy Shop &, I should have 2 pair of Large Boys done by the weekend & possibly a skirty if my hands hold out.

I didn’t think you could wear bamboo needles out but it seems I have! 2 more pair are on the way! A bit of dishcloth knitting that never made it to the shop, Rachel said she could “take care of these” for me when she visited before Christmas!

Lots to catch up on, but I think I’ll do that tomorrow!

Technorati Tags: knitting,etsy,katidids,longies,shorties

Ten Great Tips For 2010

My daughter Erika just shared this with me & I had to pass it on 1.  Stay out of trouble.   2.  Aim for greater heights.  3.  Stay focused on your job. 4.  Exercise to maintain good health. 5.  Practice team work. 6.  Rely on your trusted partner to watch your back.  Take your time trusting others. 7.  Save for rainy days. 8.  Rest and relax. 9.  Always take time to smile. AND 10.  Realize that nothing is impossible. THE SENILITY PRAYER : Grant me the senility to forget the people  I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference.    Now, . . .you are supposed to share this with a bunch of your friends.

Technorati Tags: random,humor,2010

Home Made Fire Starters

One thing Chris and Isaiah love to do in the evening is light the fire pit.  I think it was one of the best splurges they made when the house was purchased.  Its a small one in the backyard, a place for them to relax and unwind….after he gets it lit.  No, really it could take a while.  Growing up with a wood stove &  in a camping family it drives Erika crazy.  The concept of  twigs, airflow and kindling to start a fire is beyond him.

  He starts with a huge log, paper a match..and charcoal grill starter…a lot of it…..WOOSH! 

He says he did not come from “Pioneer People”

He’s been pretty good about all the teasing so, for Christmas as a joke (sorta) I made him some fire starters…

Normally I would use cardboard egg cartons but they are hard to find. So I had to substitute with cardboard fruit packing  trays

I cut them in strips trimming the excess into tiny bits

I’ve been saving leftover candle wax all year, storing in baggies

I also saved dryer lint from my cotton towels & jeans.  You can use the lint from all loads but the cotton works best….

Melt your wax carefully ( I don’t have a double broiler so I used a large old measuring cup on top of a pan of boiling water…

Be sure and protect your work surface with wax paper & pour a bit of wax into the individual section first.Add you lint and any extra bits, pinecone bits, twigs, or chunks of cardboard. 

Topping it all off again with lint, make sure everything is saturated by pushing it down.  Some may start to ooze through the bottom but that’s ok you know it’s all soaking in.

Let dry and your good to go start your fire!

And no Chris, you don’t throw the whole box in, you just need ONE to start the fire!

Store in a cool dry place and they will last forever

An additional benefit of using wax fire starters?

Your roasted hotdogs and marshmallow's don’t taste like lighter fluid!

Technorati Tags: Homemade,handmade christmas,fire starters