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!! 

What Did You Do??

I did this thing!!  I couldn’t help myself!

I began another knitting project…..

What was I thinking?  

There are several UFOs 

Waiting to be finished but 

For some reason, I just needed to!!

The start is hardest,  just 8 stitches on 4 needles

After I fumbled with 8 stitches on 4 needles, I learned about Emily’s cast on!!

Got to add stitches every other round

I’m always happy when stitches can go on circular needle!!  Now, this will be an easy knitting project to pick up and go. Just knit!  There is something satisfying about “just knitting”!  No thinking!  Keeps hands busy! creates a lovely hat!  And best part—use stash yarn! 

I took my knitting while I was visiting with my great grandsons.  It was still a small piece==question from the four year old "Nana, are you knitting that for me?"  So, what can you say? 

 But, yes, I think this will fit you nicely!

And so it grows!  

He loves his hat!  And he was thrilled when I showed him it was reversible!

And now I’ve begun a “thing” hat for his brother!

There is always a reason why you begin to do "A Thing!"

 

Neck Warmth

It was time to pull out the Christmas decoration boxes from the closet--Of course, it's the closet where our coats, scarves, hats are stored as well.

While I was taking boxes out, there was a hanger with many scarves--I haven't had a chance to wear any of these lovely neckwear lately.  We live in warm temps==some times we might have a week of cold temps but most often, temps are mid 60's.  When we have a cold front pass through, we are all so excited to pull out all those warm things.

I love my scarves!  Most I have made, which is indeed an added love.

This scarf was knit with wool and a stainless steel yarn  after the scarf is knitted, I placed large wooden beads through the scarf--tightly tied with stainless yarn.

So much fun!  Once the balls have been added, do the felting thing!  Wash scarf in hot water and then rinse in cool water.  Let dry completely, if you can wait that long!  cut out the balls to see the results!

Love this scarf 'creature'

This scarf was free form knitting/purling.  I used some of my hand spun.

 Cast on number of stitches you want--for a long chain, cast on many many stitches; join into a ring; then knit, knit and continue to knit until you are tired of knitting, then switch to purl--continue in the fashion till width wanted; bind off and you will have a lovely scarf to wind around your neck.

This one was fun to make.  It's 'spaced dyed' yarn--suppose to be planned, but heck I can't plan anything!  Too much trouble!  placed on loom, wove and wove--this is a long, long scarf!

This wool scarf used two different skeins of yarn.

cast on 36 or 40 stitches--knit one row, purl one row, change yarns, 

and continue until you run out of yarn.  This is a great scarf for man or woman. Think this is Noro silk garden yarn

This was another fun scarf to knit--I found this lovely ribbon yarn==Yes!  ribbon yarn.

cast on whatever number of stitches you want and knit!  That's all--  just knit!  till you are tired of knitting or run out of yarn.  I love this scarf!  Wraps around my neck in such lovely fashion.

Don't be afraid to try different material to create beautiful neckwear!

M

And oh my! this scarf was from a year of texture yarn stitches--so many years ago.