Fantastic Give-Away

Alisa, over at Life is a Beautiful Place is celebrating her 300th Blog posting with a beautiful give-a-way! It's some yummy ribbons, bird things, wall hanging, soap and many more very beautiful things. The Winner will be picked on June 10th - Go check it out! Here's her picture of some of the items:

THIS SAYS IT ALL!!

Thanks to all who serve and who served.

NW TREK Visit and Extreme Knitting

We've had our 7-yr old granddaughter with us for 4 days and what a joy she is. It's fun to have the little ones around and get their "take" on things. We spent over 4 hours at Northwest Trek today (a Northwest wildlife park). Below are a couple of interesting pictures.




Some of you may have seen this video before, but I thought I'd post it for everyone. Just mind-boggling!

Wide Eyed Shawl/Shawlette

I'm so excited to be working on my "Wide-Eyed". I call it shawl/shawlette, as I'm not sure at this point in time whether or not I want to leave it more of a shawlette/scarf size, or add to the pattern and make it a full-blown shoulder shawl. The yarn is Sunshine Yarns Classic Sock in Peony color. This color almost reminds me of sherbet colors, pale green, pale pink and cream. I love the feel of this and am flying right along (at least for me) - hardly any mistakes (notice I didn't say "no mistakes"). It sure is more fun to knit something when you're in love with the yarn.

Today has been off and on rainy, so after my physical therapy session on my back, I came home, put on the ice pack and knitted. Hubby is out golfing (yes, in the rain), so the house is quiet and nothing's better!

Favorite Things Give Away

You won't believe the beautiful things Michelle is giving away over at her blog and then just today she "sweetened the deal" here
She's giving away yummy yarn, jewelry, project bags and more. This is the last week, however, so jump on over before Sunday, May 23rd at 9:00 am pacific time.

Another give-away I wanted to let you know about is over at Susan's Hometown Blog. She's giving away this book. I know there are probably many of you who would like to improve your photo editing skills! I know because I've taken 2 extensive classes on the program (about 6 or 7 years ago) and have forgotten all I know and need to read the book!

MORE GARDEN PATH PHOTOS

Here are a few more pictures taken yesterday in my "Stroll Down the Garden Path". Hope I'm not boring you with these pictures of my blooming yard - but I'm just loving all the colors this Spring. Must have done something right to them, as they are producing well.

This is my first Clematis blossom this year. I can't remember them blooming in early May before.

This is my window box at our garage window - the pansies are doing spectacularly right now. I guess it's because of all the rain, cool and now gentle sun that's making them beautiful.

This hanging planter was made for me by a friend's husband for Mothers Day. It also is doing very well in the blooming department.

Below is a beautiful dwarf-size rhododendron loaded with white blossoms. The top got a little frosted in the cold weather, but sure has been pretty.

Next are a couple of "unknown names", but very pretty. This will be the last post of flowers, until something else spectacular comes along.


And since this is a knitting blog - I'll just report I've kinda lost my knitting mojo, and haven't picked up the needles for nearly a week now. I must get back to it, and know I will on Saturday at our local meet-up with other knitters.

STROLLING DOWN THE GARDEN PATH

I took a walk around the yard today, snapping photos of some things blooming and some things not blooming, but pretty anyway. I think this has been the best our yard has looked since we moved here four years ago - just the right amount of rain and sunshine, I guess. So enjoy the view!

My Hostas are healthy, for the first time ever, came out of the ground and haven't been eaten by good ole Washington slugs!


This is hubby's baby. He put in the raised bed last Fall, and has now planted tomatoes, lettuce, bell peppers, and a few herbs.

Close up of the dogwood tree.

Dogwood Tree -first year it's had blooms on it and they're magnificent!

This is a non-stop Begonia. I get one every year and they do well on our patio in the semi-shade.


Hope you enjoyed your stroll and I'll be back another day with more garden photos.

Sunshine Yarns * Peony

I was able to get in on the last Sunshine Yarns update and today I received my order of one skein of Merino Sport and one of Classic Sock, both in Peony. Talk about yumminess - WOW! Note the new "Sunshine pin", which has already pinned to my tote bag.

I actually meant to order just the Sport, but hit the wrong button and got the Sock instead. After thinking it over, I also hit the button for the Sport Merino. Now I just have to decide what to knit out of each skein. I'd like to do socks with the Classic Sock, but will have to keep petting the Sport for awhile to find a pattern using just one skein (225 yds).

Happy Mother's Day to my Mom

As I sit here at my computer on Mother's Day Eve, I've been thinking a lot about my Mother, and decided to "blog" about her. Born in 1913, she lived to be 92 years old, passing away in 2005. She was a "stay at home" Mom, to my brother and I, while my Dad worked to support the family. The thing I can remember most about her was always having a smile on her face, and lots of laughter in our household. I didn't learn to knit or crochet from her, as she didn't know how, but my grandmother taught me to embroidery on pillowcases. In fact every birthday and Christmas, my grandmother always gave me pillowcases she had embroidered flowers, sayings and such. I often asked my Mom why I never got toys or dolls like other girls received. Now, I know why, and boy did I enjoy having all those pillowcases when we got married. My mother did teach me to always be appreciative of what others did for me (including my grandmother, of course), and to respect all people. She lived with my husband and I for the last 25 years of her life, after my father passed away. She took painting classes and painted some beautiful pictures - even won an award in an Art Show. I taught her how to use the computer at age 80, and she and I both took genealogy classes. She got very involved in that hobby and worked on her family research until the end.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, MOM

TECHNOLOGY *:+((t^u%e$#w

Sometimes one wonders why computers have to give you such fits. First of all, I decided it was time to upgrade my MS Word from 2003 version to the 2007 version. Amazon is running a "deal" where if you bought the 2007 v. now at a $50 or more discount, then when the 2010 v. comes out this Fall, you can upgrade to that version free. Soooo, I ordered and installed it, and unbeknown to me (because I didn't read everything!!!) it did not include Microsoft Outlook, which I've used for probably 20 years for my e-mail, contacts and appointments.

To make a long story shorter, when installing the 2007 Word, it had to delete my old Outlook software. I shed a tear or two when I thought of all my contacts, etc. going bye-bye. Soooo, I ordered the 2007 version of Microsoft Outlook, again at a very discounted price with the ability to upgrade this fall to the 2010 v. for free. In the meantime, waiting for this from Amazon, I used Windows Mail for my e-mail program. Today, I received the Outlook CD, installed and imported the e-mails from Windows Mail, and everything is now "hunky dory". Can't believe all transferred and all my contacts, etc. are now imported and installed - breathing one big sigh of relief. Now I'm petting and saying "niiiiiiiccce computer".

DAY 8: ALL TOOLED UP

I use only Addi turbo metal needles at this point in time. I donated all of my straight knitting needles to a group known as Girls Inc., along with all the acrylic yarn from my past.

I do have a set of Lee Ward’s metal crochet hooks from size 0 to size 14, which belonged to a great aunt of mine (1894-1964). I do not use these, but keep them for sentimental reasons.

This is the last Blog for the "Knit and Crochet Blog Week". I hope you've enjoyed my blogs about a little of myself and my favorite hobby. Thank you for listening.

DAY 7: WHAT A YARN!

The nicest yarn I’ve received so far is from an indie dyer in New Hampshire, known as NH Knitting Mama. Her colors are out of this world. Sometimes she asks her followers to suggest a name for a colorway, and I named this one “Talavera”, as it reminded me of the Talavera pottery pieces I have in my home. This is going to be knit into a pair of socks, as soon as I finish my Simple Things shawlette.

DAY 6: REVISIT A PAST F/O

I made this hat "Lacy Beanie" for myself, but didn’t like the way it fit me. One day my 12-yr old granddaughter was going through some of my knitted things and said “can I have this, can I have this” very excitedly. Of course, I said yes, and I guess she puts it on in the morning, wears it to school and leaves it on until bedtime. It’s so rewarding to see someone else enjoy the fruits of your labor.