Saturday, February 23, 2008

Another top finished


Here is Meghan's next gift spread out and drying. For some reason I had a difficult time getting a picture and will try to do better later but I really did get it done. For some reason Lady Jane seems to think that wet or not this is a good place to stretch out and rest so I have been guarding the spare room. Today there was sun. Thank-you thank-you thank-you God. We are supposed to have snow again Monday leaving me in quite quandary. I can't put my car in the garage behind my house because I can't make it up the hill which is all ice. I can't leave it in the drive if it snows because the plow can't get in and I might not be able to get out to help matters. OHHHHHHHHH This has truly been a long winter. Last week, when I was still using the garage, I couldn't get the car out because of the ice rink hill. The next day I hit the garage door opener to give it a try and the opener went up but the door didn't tearing off the top part of the door and, picture this, bending the metal frame. I keep thinking that spring has to come soon. Chewie and Sera and blowing their coats. I only hope that their biology knows something I don't. Meanwhile, back to doing a little work on the quilt and reading.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Gilbert




I finished my Gnome and his name is Gilbert. I'm not sure why but it seems to fit him. Sorry about the picture but it is another overcast day here in Wisconsin. Gilbert kind of matches my house so he blends in and even with sunshine I am not sure he would be too outstanding. I think that is what Gnomes do though...hide. Hopefully, I will get Meghan's sweater blocked this afternoon and then I can post a picture of that. Meanwhile here is the further saga of the Chew and Lady Jane. He chases her enough that she has managed to get off some of that weight and is now becoming a jumping cat. No, I don't think he is trying to get her but to play. At least they don't run all the time as you can see by the picture. Now off to bake. Another one of those days with heavy rains causing flooding and snow expected soon. What a winter!

Sunday, February 10, 2008

The Good Part of Bad Weather



We are really being blasted with the cold. But after feeling down and depressed I finally found a good reason for being stuck in the house. I had made poopie paths for the dog so he could get out and be somewhat protected from the bitter winds but they weren't deep enough to protect me and I really needed something different to do. I have finished all but 7 inches on the back of the top I am making Meghan and my eyes were crossing so I went back to one of my oldest friends the sewing machine. Last summer while rummaging I found a pattern that I just haven't had the time to work on. Look hard because it will be a while before you see it again. I have managed to get the basic done but there will be hours and hours of handwork before I get to the quilting. I got this because I was feeling like a rotton gram because it was easier to make Jade something then Logan. All the boys are harder. Jade is just close in distance so she gets the quick to put together goodies. Slender Meghan is getting to the point where she looks like a model so it is fun to knit for her. Then I saw this I thought it was something that a boy could keep until he was a man grown. If I get it done I will have to see that all the other grands that are male get something similar. These are for the long haul and so it will be a while before the finish line is in sight but hopefully it will be worth it.

Saturday, February 09, 2008

What the "kids" think of this winter




It is plain to see that both Chewie and Lady Jane are not impressed with the Wisconsin Winter this year. Meanwhile, as the wind blows I continue to work on Meghan's spring top. Right now the sun is shining but the wind is picking up. This morning was used get the ice chunks the plow put in the driveway moved so that they didn't freeze there this evening. The brownies are in the oven. By now you know I always seem to bake when it is cold outside. No wonder people in this climate gain weight in the winter. The yarn has arrived for the gnomes but they will have to wait until I finish the top. I always wonder how people can have a dozen projects going at one time. I would never finish anything. More power to them.

Saturday, February 02, 2008

Thinking of Texas



I started a sweater for the Texas grand-daughter the other day. I was going to make something simple and had emailed her the pattern for approval. When they were sold out of the yarn I wanted I got a great buy on some Noro cotton and silk blend so decided to stick with a pattern that I know she likes. It reminds me of the fresh green color of spring. This will be a bit sturdier then one I made her out of hemp so maybe she will be able to wear it without something underneath for that warm Texas springtime. Meanwhile in the Midwest we are having snow again and it looks like the forecast is snow every day this week so I pulled out my Typically Texas Cookbook. It was put together by our electric Coop when I lived in Texas and has some really great recipies. I ended up making the poppy seed coffee cake rolls. I love the smell of baking bread in the house when it is overcast and snowy outside. Time in my part of the country to start thinking of ways to fight off SAD. Baking is one of the ways for me. Back to knitting and if you see this Jacki you know I switched patterns. But I know Meghan loves this one and it looks really different in this light spring color.