IT's TIME

It's time!  To finish an UFO--not well aged though; just begun in December 2025 with good intentions of following along with the clues each week as the clues are released.

I like this designer!  It was time to gather my yarn--now, we have a problem--what yarn to use?  I went stash diving--nothing came to my fancy.  Now, what?  Then a Brilliant light bulb went off in my brain!!  why not use some of those spindle spun silk little balls lingering in the bottle of singles?  Of course, singles should be plied to make a stronger yarn for socks.  That takes time.  So, off I went to my little e=spinner to combine singles into a workable yarn.

I began knitting!  the pattern was given 1-12 days for sock one; then 13-24 to complete the second sock.  Guess what?? I didn't get too far with my knitting--maybe day 5 before I quit.  more singles needed to be plied.  Then Christmas came and went.

now, we're in Day 9 and the first sock is on it's way to the toe.

Only one problem--more singles needed to be plied

This is one ball that has achieved plied status--4 ply.

These are also plied--each 2 plied.

This group should work well together

and this one

maybe 6 ply for this grouping

and these odd balls--might be interesting as a variety yarn

a few yarns ready for the sock.

Four skeins plied!  From balls of singles!  

Accomplished!  All those singles now plied and ready for a project! 

 

 

 

New Year Brings ................................?

What excitement does the New Year bring?  Our life demands a slower pace.  A chance to renew our spirits.  A chance to take out the old and bring in the new.  Probably some want to change their diet; others want to exercise--ME? Nope, not changing my diet or running to the gym for exercise.  I'm happy the way I am!  Yes--there are some goals to reach (in my mind only)  Don't write it down--that holds you to the goal!  Nope!  Just please myself--No one else.  

I plan to live in the moment!!  

Here is one of my Christmas gifts to myself--a microwave popcorn bowl!  Yes!  Love fresh hot popcorn!  This one needs only three tablespoons of popcorn--first time I used it, I thought three wasn't enough, so I added one more!  of course, when it finished popping, there was about one tablespoon of kernels left unpopped!

Lesson #1--follow directions--lesson learned!

Pop! POP! and the lid rises up!  Spray with butter oil, add salt or flavorings and you're ready to watch that favorite nail biting movie!

Gift from Son!  Solar powered bird feeder!  With camera to see the birds upclose and personal!

this should be fun!

Lesson #2--Be patient!  The Birds will come!

Lesson #3 Celebrate the small things in life!

It felt great to finish these mitts!  Will I keep them or gift them?  Knit with spindle spun silk—four ply

This is Stephen West pattern--a freebie!  

Camera doesn't show the Yellow color very well. 

Keep on Keep on!  The pattern contains cables (not my friend) 

The hat turned out fine!!

Lesson #4  Accept Challenges as you move along the path of life!

And life moves on!  

Tying One On!

What an assortment of handspun cotton!! All natural colors!

Wind a warp! 

Thread a loom!

IN my case, I'm tying  on the warp to the previous warp on the loom.

Who knows how much previous warp is still on the loom?  Could be enough to make a towel or two.

I hate threading the loom so tying on is a pleasure in my book.

Took couple of days to tie on the handspun yarn to existing warp from previous warp threads

We are headed to the back beam

Tied on and ready to throw

the shuttle --find any missed heddles or twisted warp threads?

We're good!  Off we go!!

 

Books and Lazy Days

 I oh My!  Holidays are over!! And I look forward to lazy afternoons, especially when all the chores for the day are finished; dinner is arranged, all is quiet and the house is empty except for me and my books!  I grab my knitting, find a comfy chair, fill my glass with a refreshing drink, load a good audio book, push a button and I'm off to another world.  This book, "Secrets of Secrets" took me to Prague.  On our last European trip we visited Prague--it was one of my favorite places to stay and enjoy for several days.

Dan Brown's book takes me back to those days as Prague is the center of his book.  What an adventure! Even though the book is over 20 hours in audio--the reader is good and easy to listen to.  He takes you away.    Sure didn't want the book to end but there are others to enjoy.

With my latest Audible credit,  I purchased Ken Follett’s book.  It’s lengthy for sure!  But, hubby and I will listen couple hours each day and in no time we will have learned about Stonehenge! 

With this book, I took a journey to Botswana, Africa.  I love these books!  The #1 Ladies Detective Agency takes on interesting cases of everyday troubles.  Their investigations look into problems  their fellow citizens face and solve  in such thoughtful way.  Always a happy ending!

 A Short journey to Scotland with this book that I'm reading before bedtime.  I was so looking forward to reading this book--have read most of M C Beaton's books about Hamish Macbeth, a constable always in some trouble that he seems to find his way out of.  But, alas, this book isn't the same as the earlier printings.  M C Beaton now is writing her lovely Hamish and Agatha Raisin books in Heaven.   another author has taken on Hamish's adventures   I will  finish the book but long for the voice  of Beaton's Hamish!

May you enjoy a slow happening to your new year! 

Rounding out 2025

As 2025 winds down, my body and mind are reviewing the year.  Every year, we always think the days flew by quicker than last year—does time really speed up as you grow older? 

It was a busy year for us!  My brother said he was bored and didn’t know what to do with his days.  Sad! 

Our days are so full, I long for the rocking chair at times—peace to sit and do nothing!!  Well, actually I can not do nothing—my hands need to be knitting!  Or spinning! 

During the year, I enjoyed many lattes in my favorite cups—during holiday season, my cup is Mrs Claus

This morning my latest knitting adventure is November’s Jane Austin socks—yes, of course, I’m late—soon, this will be completed—just toe section to finish.  Finishing the toe is always a hassle!  That Kitchener stitch is a Problem for me!  I lay open the grafting plan and begin—off to a good start— then someone asks a question or makes a comment and ………….I’m lost.  There needs to be a better way to close that toe if you knit top down!! Maybe, I’ll do toe up from now on!!

This isn’t entirely true!  There is a long list of wonderful things I want to do!  I promise myself NOT to begin a new UFO—let’s finish up some UFOs!  

What should be started first?  

How about FLG (fingerless gloves)?  Haven’t knit those in a while.  Pick a pattern….

I’ve found a way to use my handspun

Silk blend yarn;  it has been aging for years!  I like the whole color look—besides, 

I’m 2 lazy to search for small amounts of yarn!  Maybe for next pair will be different yarns. 

I like using my short needles! 

Working second mitt on two circulars

One UFO down

Using my hand spun silk yarns on Advent socks designed by Becky Greene, Christmas Tea Party. 

I wasn’t sure that the silk yarns would work for this pattern—I was sure wrong!  

 

 

Holiday Foods!

 What is it about holiday foods?   All those goodies you consume or if you have good will power to just look at!  Braver person than me! 

Let's talk veggies first-- are you a Brussel Sprouts person?  I wasn't for the longest time until our son turned us onto delicious sprouts with bacon jam!  Oh My!  Make the sprouts crispy and mix in bacon jam--you'll love it!

How do you feel about spinach?  If you live in Louisiana or eat like Louisianan, then this dish is on your menu for the holidays.  It is perfection for spinach lovers.

This is the first recipe from River Road Recipes and now an updated recipe

And how about that turkey stuffing!  I love a good cornbread dressing.  My mother in law always made oyster dressing--I didn't like it much. not that I don't like oysters but she used soda crackers as the base.  I'd rather have oysters on the half shell or in a bisque

speaking of bisques here's one of our favorites that is usually served on Christmas Eve

Crab Bisque!!

Recipe

Serve this with French bread!  

If you live in Texas, then you're ready for Tamales!  and Pozole!  

My granny made a 'mean' pozole!  I've never made it but sister in law makes a fairly decent Pozole.

Recipe

Tamales take a village to make!  Most often tamales are made after deer season so venison is the meat of choice.  Love Tamales!!  We wait till our friends gift us a couple dozen tamales.  It isn't Christmas till you have tamales!

Whatever your tradition during the holidays, it will be a merry time!!

Just Breathe!

I keep looking at all these wonderful projects that I can work on—supposedly during Advent.  

Alas! There is no way—I tell myself “ just breathe!

These projects will be waiting in the New Year to tackle. 

This looks so fun!  Small items use small scraps—IF this is completed in January—I’ll be ready for Christmas 26!!

This is after Christmas —thank goodness! 

Christmas socks?  Oh yes! Please!  Next year! 

More Socks!  Just Breathe!!

Just Breathe!

I did start Advent hat—just knitting to keep my fingers busy—no time to nibble on cookies when you are busy!!

Did you know that knitting uses 32 muscles?!

And you can burn 100 calories an hour crocheting—which burns more calories than knitting!  

Deep Breathes!

 

Feeling The season!

  I had hopesthat I 

would be working on these projects for Advent.  The stitchery  looked so doable!  Alas, I didn't even get it copied to fabric or add yarn to my needles for the hat.

   Instead, we have been busy with family activities--my Florida brother/spouse are coming  so he can preach one Sunday at our Cowboy church.  So various family members from far and wide want to attend to hear his message.  We arranged extra lodging and meal planning is in the works to feed ? people!  

House is decorated!!  That's a good thing! 

The tree is bright and shinning

Our wooden shoes from Netherlands placed nearby

Our little Gnome from Norway has a perfect location

Our Mary with baby Jesus ride a donkey led by Joseph--

hand fashioned clay structures from our years in Venezuela

Every chance we ventured to the little art community outside of Puerto la Cruz to

visit with the artists there.  Since we have moved, have no idea if the area is surviving

Festive garland hovers over the photos of our favorite great grandsons.

The house was blessed yesterday as the small hands busied themselves assisting me with the nativity set, which was made by my Granny( their great great great grandmother) in 1970;s.  They did their best to display the scene in their own way.

All the animals are placed in the stable with Mary-- seems logical in their eyes; 

with the other players in the Nativity scene lined up in proper fashion!  Baby Jesus is ouside the boundary till Christmas morning.

I will not change a thing or rearrange--

Family is Christmas!!