Saturday Morning Worktable

I promised myself that this year I would post more to this blog. Alas, due to technical problems, that has not happened so far. I assuage my guilt with the simple fact that posting more this year than last year shouldn't be too difficult because only 13 posts were published then. 

With that said...

Since my last post, I have made several Owl Baby Cocoons. Two are shown on this mornings worktable. The other is pictured below.

On the worktable are also several amigurumi ponies, two cosmetic bags and a crochet shawl. All are in the final stages of completion and wait only to be sewn together or embellished. Photos will be posted as they are completed.

Y'all have a great weekend!

Sunday. A Typical Day of Rest.

This is the "personal project" I mentioned in my last post. A simple reminder to be nicer in 2017.

The Bernat Baby Hoodie remains unfinished. All that back and forth was rather boring and I needed to set it aside for a while.

Auntie J messaged a photo of a baby owl cocoon that is simply adorable. Have you seen them on the internet? Did some research and found the pattern for only $5. Friday, after the most recent Physical Therapy session, my Uber-driver was kind enough to stop at Walmart so I could purchase supplies to make a couple of them. One cocoon is almost finished. It's quite nice to be able to complete a project in only a few days.

Magical Monday.

Welcome to the second day of 2017!

Has everyone recovered from their New Year's celebration?

Our family traditionally burns bayberry candles on New Year's Eve, carry a piece of silver in our pockets and have pork and sauerkraut for dinner. Does your family have any traditions like that?

Yesterday was a beautiful day. Sunshine. Blue skies. A daytime temperature above 32 degrees. Simply fabulous!

We're excited to begin a whole new year with several projects in the works.

Currently, I'm working on a Bernat Baby Hoodie and it seems to be taking forever. It's not the pattern, which is simply a half-double crochet with increases and decreases in the appropriate spots. I'm making a size 12 Months - which is much larger than I normally make (3-6 months). The project was begun on the afternoon of December 30th. So far the left front, right front and back are completed. One sleeve is begun. Am hoping to complete it by the end of the week.


The Doctors tell me that soon I'll be able to begin lifting things heavier than a pound soon and a shortly thereafter driving. For now I'm thankful that I don't have to drive in the snow. Thank God for Uber drivers! (Just kidding - I'm blessed to live in the sticks. There's not even a taxi service here. lol)

In the meantime, I'm working on little projects to keep me from going insane.

I made this little felt birdie around Thanksgiving time. It was hard to embroider with the limited use of my right hand, but I got it done. Am going to make a few different styles. Here's a link to some of them on my Pinterest board. (Scroll about half-way down the page.) Don't they look like a lot of fun?!

Am off to work on a personal project. Hope y'all have a great day.

p.s. (For those of you wondering, "Why 'Magical Monday'?" Well... Why not?)

Saturday Song.

Remember when you were a kid and couldn't wait to get out of bed Saturday mornings?

Well, your life isn't over yet. Get your butt out of bed and enjoy the day!

Here's a Rare Earth song to get you started. https://youtu.be/8697G9RAi-Y

Love the lyrics written by Nick Zesses and Dino Fekaris:

Well I can't be bothered with sorrow,
and I can't be bothered with hate,
I'm using up my time by feeling fine ev'ry day.

Saw this band in the late 90's at the Budweiser Sound Stage at TAGS in Big Flats, New York. Fabulous show. Perfect venue for those who hate big crowds. Good times with good friends!

WAW (What A World!) Wednesday, 22 September 2016

The aforementioned pumpkin blossom DID turn into a pumpkin. As a matter of fact, the three pumpkin plants took over a sizable portion of the back border. They're still full of blossoms and the bees are happily buzzing 'round them.

pssssttt.... If you look closely at the window you'll see Reggie-cat (sometimes called "wedgie") checking out the back yard.

Up until late yesterday afternoon, we believed there was only one pumpkin and were rejoicing at the unexpected harvest from a late planting. Especially after the neighbors said theirs dropped off and died. ~ yikes! ~

The pumpkin we've been watching grow for the better part of this summer is about ten inches wide and the same in height. Nice and round. A very good size for a pie with perhaps enough extra to make some bread or soup.

Much to our surprise, on our way 'round the perimeter to finish our evening walk yesterday, we discovered a second pumpkin. And Oh What A Pumpkin! Made me think of Cinderella.

Check it out: about 14 inches wide by 18 inches high!

Both pumpkins have started to turn orange. Yippee!!!

I'm feeling truly blessed today. Hope your day is full of blessings as well.

Sunday. An actual day of rest.

Although the point was argued, five-thirty a.m. saw us out of bed and feeding the poor, starving kitty.

It's been hot fairly steadily in NE Pennsylvania for the last two months. Not a lot of rain to go with all the humidity (this morning it's 95% humidity). Luckily Mother Nature favored us with enough rain yesterday to ease the burden of watering the garden.

Speaking of garden...

The blueberries are starting to ripen. Only enough for one pancake today, but many more will be ready soon. Hopefully, enough for homemade muffins!

We had our first zucchini fresh from the garden a few days ago. Sauteed slowly in butter. A little salt, pepper and fresh thyme for good measure. Par for the course, the squashes are taking over the raised beds. Serves me right for planting so much in one bed. Am going to use the rusty old fencing to trellis it over the potatoes.

The basil is starting to make that bushy mound as is their habit. Am pleased there is enough to make some nice pesto for Meatless Monday.

Both tomato plants have grown at least a foot taller in the last two weeks and are covered with blossoms. The yellow pear plant has several "babies" and the Cherokee purple has one little marble-sized tomato so far.

The mint is now over three feet high. Surprisingly, the chives at either end of the bed are still thriving. Will be chopping some of those chives to top a baked potato tonight. Thank God for toaster ovens!

There is an open blossom on one of the late-planted pumpkins and the other two plantings are full of buds. The non-mulched plant flowered first, but am leaving two mulched to see which type of planting produces best through the heat and drought of August. In the same planting bed, the late-planted cucumbers seem to be adjusting. Wire fencing was bent to an arc and placed over the cucumbers to give them something to climb. A trellis will be added as soon as dowels are purchased.

Yesterday we all did a bit much. Today we're taking it easy. Y'all enjoy your Sunday!

Sunday. A Typical Day of Rest.

The solstice has passed and the sun, heat and humidity seem relentless. This is the earliest in the season many of us have run our air conditioners. Everyone 'round about is praying for rain... and it's only June. Well, to be fair it's the end of June.

The heat and sun are great for the harvest. The gardens in these parts are growing like mad. Berries, apples and nuts are full of fruit. Two of the four trees in the yard have apples - the Gala and Fuji varieties. The branches of the blueberry bushes are so heavy with fruit they almost touch the ground.

Our radishes are finished until the weather cools a little. They bolted and unless we get a cool spell, the lettuce will bolt as well. Put three pumpkin plants in the ground along the back of the house. Hopefully the rabbits will refrain from eating them (fencing is on the supply list).

Last week the Great Valley Berry Patch opened some strawberry fields for picking. They are big, sweet berries. Perfect sliced over vanilla ice cream or on cereal. Will wait until later in the season to pick some for freezing and making jam.

The watermelons from the grocer are exceptional this year!

Speaking of gardens... I'm off to water the transplants, have a second cup of coffee, and take the dog for a walk. Not necessarily in that order. Perhaps I'll turn the TV on for a bit and watch that CBS Sunday Morning show.

Y'all have a great day!