Christmas knitting

Okay, I started. Finally. Enough talking about it, now I'm actually knitting it. Wasn't sure if I would knit Sharfik from Grumperina, or the reversible cable from Cables Untangled, or the Dulaan Scarf (all pictured above)for my Dad for Christmas. I know he doesn't read my blog, so I'm safe showing my Sharfik progress:


Decided yesterday that my Stash-along goals for July would be to knit Dad a Sharfik,
and finish a scarf I had started a long time ago, but never finished (for SIL I'm thinking....)


I spent the whole doggone day knitting and crocheting. Man was that nice, except for the fact that I didn't get anything else done! So the dishes got done late last night, after I chugged some Mountain Dew....Heh.

I worked on my ripple blanket in the morning of the 4th, but soon it became too warm to sit with that on my lap. I added about 3-4 more new stripes to it before I moved on to grafting the 4 corners washcloth:


I used my Principles of Knitting book to walk me through the garter Kitchener, and think I did fairly well, but could probably use some more practice with that technique. However, I'm kinda done with the washcloths for now, unless I make a couple of the flower washcloths, or another circular one. I'm just bored with it. I have some cotton chenille that I was going to use for flower washcloths, but got distracted with all the other great washcloth patterns I've seen lately. (Yes, knitting ADHD!)

Happy 4th of July!!!

We are so blessed in this country, to be free. Free to do, say, work, play or worship whatever our hearts desire. Today, I will remember those who gave their lives for our freedom--though I may not know their names, they will always be heroes! To think we may be living in a country where sex or race or religion could be used against you, if it weren't for those brave souls.


This pic is for my daughter, who teaches little children and toddlers tae kwon do. A sweet little boy she teaches gave her a patriotic card when she left for boot camp, and it said, simply, "Hope you win!" :D Out of the mouths of babes!!!!!

I had a dream about shopping for yarn last night! What a goofy thing to dream about, but I was onto a good sale and sniffing out the balls of Noro Kureyon! Don't know if it's because I've been thinking about joining the Noro club for Lizard Ridge, maybe I'm lusting, lusting after that yarn, and the idea of it arriving at my home every 5 weeks....Can't hardly resist that one.

A cute cone-head baby hat pattern--looks fun! Saw this link here, I like her blog....:)

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

puppy sedation

Yesterday I called the vet, asked if I could give my puppy something to sedate him during the fireworks tomorrow. They said that I can give him Benadryl, up to 1 mg/lb of body weight, up to three times daily. So I tried it last night--50 mg since he weighs 72 lbs and I didn't want to give him too much...

It seemed to help him out. He was conked. Sleeping at my feet. But, either it wore off quickly, or it wasn't sufficient. When the firecrackers started, he was able to follow commands (finally!), but they had to be delivered continuously, "Lie down. That's a good boy. No. Lie down. Good boy. No. Gotta lie down. Good boy..." And so on. He may need some puppy prozac after all!
See the other rodent in our yard:

He was a very busy baby bunny, eating all the weeds in the yard (thank you!) and not seeming to care that my whole yard smells like doggie! Hmmmm, I wonder what ate my hosta that was sprouting this spring but I never saw again.....?

Told ya he was cute! :)

No new knitting on the home front >:| but I found another pattern I may want to make for Christmas knitting: the garterlac scarf. Would be "easy" knit with Noro something... at least I think it would. Haven't been able to GET entralac yet, but I am gonna try. Seems it would be easier than cables, once you get how it works...another short rows project I should try.
Hasta manana!

Monday

I had such a nice weekend. It was better than anything I've had in a long time. Lots of satisfying TIME to do things I both wanted and needed to do. Of course, I could always use more time, but for once I feel rested and ready to go.....Charge!

Here's my harvest from yesterday:

Those serviceberries are really hard to pick. They grow a single berry randomly along the tree branches. I had to twist and turn and practically stand on my head to pick these--but hey, I got a little over a pint! Yay.

Currants galore, in spite of my terrible gardening skills! So easy to pick the drupes of this fruit! Gonna make some jelly, beautiful jelly.

Finished another 4 corners washcloth: all but the grafting:

I'm not really cranking along lately. But since I did lots of gardening yesterday, and baking, I feel like I can dedicate the remainder of my free time this week to yarny projects!

This fellow was "cok caliskan" yesterday, which in Turkish, means 'very industrious!' He was busy running back and forth right past my doggies (!) and I, up and down my steps.

He has a home under our porch, I bet he's feeding babies. Look at his cheeks:


Ha-ha-haaaaaaa! Looks like me when I get my hands on Dove Chocolates :)

I don't know why it's "cute" to have these rodents in your yard. It's fun to watch the wildlife, but I don't think I like wildlife that doesn't keep it's distance. That's not natural, and I'm always afraid of rabies (crazy health care person that I am!) I was thinking of blocking up the opening he uses under the porch, but am afraid of trapping them underneath. I wonder if there is something that smells bad to chipmunks (but not humans!) that I could put under there to chase them away! I don't want to end their lives, just make them move out...Any suggestions?

Speaking of rodents...well, I'll show you tomorrow--I promise, it's the cutest rodent ever!

Guardian Angel Moth

Get a load of this moth:


Here is our guardian angel moth. Likes to sit at porch and garage roofs, overlooking his domain....;)



He has been around for weeks. Interesting little bugger (ahem.) See yesterdays post for another pic of him on the garage roof.

I saw the new batch of baby robins yesterday evening! Who'd have thought, in the same nest as the last crew....These new guys are tiny, I got pics today:

The poor birds are freaking out every time firecrackers are blowing off. This town is full of morons. As DH says, "what possible thrill can you get out of it after the first 15 explosions?" These eejits have been doing it for WEEKS.

Okay, I promise to stop whinging about the pyros in the hood. The guardian angel moth really loves to sit in his one corner of the porch roof, and oversee things. He's been around for weeks, and really impressed our guests at DD's going away party!


Look what's sprouting in my makeshift bird-feeder! (Oops)

The birds don't care though, I saw them munching away quietly again today.

This is what I have to do today:

picking black raspberries and currants! Yay...

My garden is still producing nice things, even if it's somewhat neglected! My raspberry canes have not been weeded out, nor have I tied them up this year so I can get to the fruit. I have a feeling I'm gonna be all scratched up after picking frutas today! And my poor currant bush: the heavily laden branch you see is laying horizontally on the ground b/c the fruit is so heavy!!! Got to pick that.

I also have serviceberries coming in. This is a newcomer to my garden, having been planted 2 years ago, and fruited last year first time. I only got about 5 berries last year: I think the birdies beat me to it! Gonna pick me some today!

I love this time of year, I love walking around my yard with a colander, and picking fruits willy-nilly! Love it. Love it. :)

My grapes won't be ready for another month, but look at those clusters......!


Have started in earnest on my Christmas knitting list--soon it will coalesce into who gets what. Must get started knitting, already the year is half over,YIKES!

Today's recipe is one of my favorites! Was given to me by my good friend Sherry, who is an amazing cook. This is so easy and decadent, I feel like a major cheater when I eat this. Mmmmm

Cheese Danish

Makes 8 generous servings!

2 tubes of refrigerator crescent rolls
6-8 oz cream cheese, softened (I prefer 6 oz)
1 egg, divided
1 tsp lemon juice (or Limoncello, Hah!)
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Unroll 1 tube of the crescent rolls and pat into the bottom of a 9" x 13" baking dish.
Cream together remaining ingredients except egg white.
Spread over dough in pan. Unroll second tube of crescent dough, and place over the filling.
Brush with the beaten egg white.
Bake at 350* F for 20-25 minutes.
When totally cool, drizzle with glaze (powdered sugar mixed with very small amount water, milk, lemon juice or Limoncello.)

These rock with a cuppa joe....Then you must take a walk or you'll become a fatty!