What a Year!

I can't remember a year that's felt this long. I truly believe all the political mess and coverage has just gotten to me and probably a lot of others as well. Some of the people on the hill I just want to knock on their butts and shut that self-righteous mouth up. They actually think it's all about them. They forget, they work for us and we pay them. Hope they give it a rest for a few weeks, I'm so up to here with what they're doing.

Christmas is here, and I have a moment to reflect on that. We're not big on presents. We pretty much gather to give thanks at the dinner table. I know that doesn't contribute much to the economy, what little we do buy for each other, but I have enough and if I had more, where would I put it. I don't ever run out of anything, and I'm not a clothes horse. We're pretty much grateful to have each other, and I raised good kids.

So, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year to all of you.

Another Passion: Quilting by Hand

I don't know what it is. I guess since second grade I've been proud of my accuracy in stitching. My art teacher even noticed how straight I could draw a line without a ruler. So when it comes time to do a little quilting, I prefer to use a needle and thread instead of a machine. I know it takes longer, but I am so much more satisfied with the result.

My latest project is a quilt that is made with two-sided squares which makes it immediately reversible and saves me from working with a bulky full sized top. I can carry the squares anywhere there's time to work on them, and the possibilities are endless. I just love it.

So Many Projects and More to Go

My mother, God rest her soul, had sent me boxes upon boxes of projects she never started out of the most exquisite yarns in some of the most delicious colors. This summer I spent most of my time to do the stash justice and completing some wonderful winterwear and a few garments for spring. It will be my pleasure to show them off in the near future.

In the process of making some neckwear. I'm also in the middle of making a requested pair of over-the-knee stockings for a family member. That, in itself, is a project and a half.

On another note, I'm glad the heat in this part of the country has subsided. So tired of 90's and 100 deg. heat indexes.

On a way out there note, I hope our president gets his proverbial crap together and make his argument more convincing. Real people know who the jerks are in congress and in the race for next year's election. Snide is out, Republican a******s! So is smug!

My Pomatomus Socks

I finished these quite a while ago, I just never thought about showing them. They've been on my feet for two winters, and hold up really well. The pattern was one of the most fun to make items for me. I love a challenge. So I decided to finally take a picture.

Birthdays..........wish they'd just go away!

For me, anyway, my birthday is always a drag.  I have everything I need, and I'm one of these people other people don't like because I just don't react well to presents.  I don't like getting......I like giving!  I think it's because when I was young, my family had to do without, a lot.  So, I got used to a good meal and maybe a cake and that seemed enough for me even then.  Just tell me "Happy Birthday", and I'll be just fine.  I'm a no-frills person because that's how I am, not because I'm a martyr, which is what they think.  I'm happy every day untill someone makes me miserable.  I've also found out the world doesn't like happy people.  To all of them I say it's their loss. 

So, my birthday came and went yesterday.  It was an interesting day spent with just my family, who will never understand me.  Good cake, MmmmmmmChocolate!

Summertime Blues, and Blacks, and Reds, and Purples, etc............

Despite the heat in the ninety's, I've been busy knitting for fall.  As much as I love my craft, the feel of anything fuzzy on a hot day gives me the willies.  I'm, therefore, trying as much as I can to stick to cotton yarns and acrylic for various projects. 

I promised my daughter a matching spa rug for her bathroom.  Made out of cotton, it suited me just fine.  I'm almost through with it, probably today.  Just need a few more rows and skid proof the back of it and it'll be done.  Whew, that's a lot of thumb tooling, and thank goodness for circular needles.

We had a quiet time (as opposed to firecrackers) over the Independence Day holiday weekend.  My husband does all he can on his to-do list regardless of holiday or not.  Workaholic is an understatement.  My stint is in the kitchen.  I made all sorts of things.  I should have taken pictures, since the food is gone now.  I made some excellent barbecue sauce for my chicken.  Thankfully I made a large batch, because it is going on my next barbecued chicken and pork.  Hot dogs and hamburgers were also made, and I put some fresh picked figs on the pit to enjoy hot.  We smoked some pork butt on Saturday to shred for sandwiches.  I love making sauces for pulled pork bbq.  I stock homemade N. Carolina, Memphis, Kansas City, and Louisiana sauces.  Personally I favor vinegar based sauces because it just tastes so good on pork.  But, to each his own, so I make them all for all tastes.  Crispy slaw and potato salad, green bean and tomato salad, deviled eggs, red white and blue sheet cake and plenty of iced tea and bottomless coffee rounded out a great day yesterday.  Happy Birthday America.

Plarn and Children

I realized the importance of plarn in crafts for kids.  What better for little hands could there be than something non-toxic, forgiving and best of all, free.  They could make themselves adornments for their hair, collars for their pets, pencil and crayon cases for their other arts, bracelets to exchange with friends, and probably hundreds of other crafty ideas that aren't too complicated. 

Best of all, inspiration. 

My 16 year old doggone beagle named Zillah watching my every move.

Plarn and Longevity

Yesterday I looked at my project bags and realized that I have had them for a very long time.  I made them myself out of what is now referred to as "plarn".  Little did I know that when I made them back in 1984 that they would outlast a lot of my handbags, canvas bags, and nylon bags. 

Initially my intent was to have handy shopping totes.  My first experience in a "big box" store was one of humiliation because all eyes were on my bags just in case I tried to steal something.  So I gave up on carrying them inside gocery stores.  That was then, now they have reusable bags that have to be purchased and have the stores name imprinted on the front.  (I've never seen one used, ever.)

I have made quite a few things out of plarn, including a cellphone case for an antiquated phone and numerous other bags that I gave as gifts to all my gal pals.  I'm still cutting up bags to make items for myself when the spirit moves me.  I rejoyce when I find an interesting color or multicolor plastic bag that I can use for this art form.  The good thing is that plastic stash can be stored anywhere, it is water resistent and nothing eats it. 

So, I've been doing this for 27 years not realizing that it would take off in the recycling world, and being proud to be part of it after reading all the eco-blogs and some of the current plarn sites and videos on youtube that explain how to deal with cutting the bags and make a few things.

Here are my project bags and a cellphone cover that survived all these years.

Rembering those who served and those who still do

Happy Memorial Day to everyone.  I, in particular, have a strong feeling when it comes to being an American because I am a naturalized citizen, and it was a hard road for my family.  We were displaced persons after WWII in Europe, and it took many years of qualifying to get to the states in those days.  My multilingual parents already spoke english, I learned the language (my 4th) my first year in the states.  Today I'm a happy American with a normal life of husband and children and grandchildren.  All of this was made possible because my parents risked their lives to escape communist aggessors and come here to become productive citizens of the United States. 

I thank all the military and diplomatic people for trying to make the world a better place, and give others the chance to live free and make a decent life for themselves around the world.  God bless all of you.

This weekend is a time for celebration.  In my neck of the woods the largest event is the Bayou Country Superfest starting on Saturday, May 28 thru 29 in Baton Rouge in the Tiger Stadium at LSU.  They'll have Kenny Chesney, Sugarland, Trace Adkins, Tim McGraw, Zac Brown Band, just to name a few over the two-day period.  It's going to be a blast.  I hope it draws a huge crowd.  The stadium will hold all of you.

Sending love to all of you who have lost someone both in service to our country or disaster.  I have had tears for all of you.  Have a great holiday weekend.

My other tomatoes

I also have cherry tomatoes (still small) and a whole array of herbs that compliment tomato recipes growing together. I also have a variety of peppers that are still in their infancy.

It smells like green heaven out here.

It is tough around here these days

I haven't been in here for a while. Just nothing
good has been happening in my life.

Almost all our pets have passed from age or cancer in the past couple of months. Mother died in March. The weather has been freaking me out and hurricane season starts June 1. We're all with high blood-pressure. My husband is overqualified, underappreciated, and underpaid. All this economic burden with the gas prices, grocery prices, and now the flood-ravaged center of our state which will surely raise the price of everything pretty soon. Has anyone noticed how much crap has happened to Louisiana in a short time?

Forever wondering why people in position of power think they don't have to live by the same rules as everyone else. Recent events just take the cake. I'm so dissappointed with all of them. The poor wives! The dumb women subjected to these advances. What lies they all must have heard. I could go on, but I'm not. Sheesh!

I am desperately tired of the political upheavals in our nation and abroad. Too much at once.

This constant pecker measuring between politicians. The unrelentless press scaring us out of our wits with the way they handle things; always jumping the gun; messing with our politics and government. All the mouthy talk radio hosts who get off on being so off the wall. And tomorrow, of all things, some people really believe will be Judgement Day.

Well, I plan on staying on regardless of all the hoopla. So, good bye and good luck to those who believe this is it. In spite of all the negative thoughts, I always have hope.

Besides that, my tomatoes are going to be ripe enough to pick in a week.

Interesting week, and Mother's Day

I had the urge to blog sooner, but I was so angry with the media trying to outdo each other, I swore I'd never say another word until the truth about Bin Laden came out, and the horrific man was really dead to everyone. We were having mouthfights in the house about it, because, obviously, some of my household listen to the nay sayers. Let's throw it all against the wall and see what sticks. Let the Almighty deal with his sorry ass.

I'm still in mourning over the loss of my mother in March. That will never go away. Tomorrow will be somber for me, and I really don't feel like celebrating. Love and miss you, Mom.

You know, every year I always tell my family not to fuss over me on this day. I always say, do good and be kind and help me when I need it and that's enough for me. Too many reasons to eat cake anymore......don't need the calories. Maybe I'll try my luck at one of those flour-less chocolate cakes made with egg whites for volume, some cut up strawberries and a squirt of whipped cream.

I've just had two large espressos, need the boost to get the house straight. My palm itches.....company's coming.

Haven't done much in the knitting department the past few days. I have, however, been designing some things to embroider.

I wish all that are a Happy Mother's Day and a wonderful weekend.

What a beautiful day for a wedding

I wasn't certain I would catch the live version of the royal wedding this morning, but as it happened, I did. What woke me was a voice that sounded like Jeremy Irons, but was in fact the most Reverend Robert Runcie, the Archbishop of Canterbury, when they were recapping the wedding of Charles and Diana all those years ago.

I felt very good about what I saw. Everything just fell into place they way it should. All the lovely clothes, (although I had a problem with some of the hats, just too goofy, some of them), and of course Kate's elegant gown, Pippa's stunning dress, and those adorable children in their matching outfits. It was just a very lovely romantic event, and I could tell that love was in the air. How about those two princes with such different personalities, but good boys the Brits should be proud of. Loved it all. I had a thought, wouldn't it be strange if Prince Harry married Pippa Middleton. There for a minute I thought I saw him considering her as he was standing next to her. Giggle, giggle!


Me, I baked a pineapple up-side-down cake. Probably the best one I ever baked. I felt good today. (Feel so good I'm watching reruns of the wedding as I sit here typing. Kate's parents look like nice people).

Already fixing bobos

I meant to say, "I'm no stranger.........". Wish I could fix it after posting. That's usually when I find out I messed up.

How about that, a blog in the making

Everyone always tells me I can write, so at this point in my life, I actually have the time to write.

The decision to start a blog was a long thought process. What was I going to blog about? Well, I'm a crafter, mostly. I've knitted practically all my life. I'm not stranger to making my own wardrobe by hand and with a sewing machine. I have a winterwear collection made by me through the years that would fill an entire room..........a big room. I knit daily. I enjoy crocheting blankets, baby clothes, and lace curtains. Makes me feel good to see crisp white lace on a cafe rod, especially with a great view behind them.

I'm not small, so I can fiddle around with any pattern to fit me properly. I love making socks. Usually I keep local school colors in mind when I make them. When football season arrives, LSU purple and gold gets my vote for color combo. I'm an avid fan. When the Saints (keeping fingers crossed this mess will be over soon) start, all my black and gold accessories are ready to wear.

I also enjoy making the occasional sweater or cardigan. I have one ready to be blocked and stitched together. It comes with trim, so I need to do that, too. The picture of this piece shows it before blocking. I'll show it complete when I'm finished.