More catching up!

It's summertime! Lovely, lazy, shade-tree summertime! Therefore, the blog sits patiently, while I'm dreaming thru the daze. Not to say I haven't been busy with my needles...here's the progress of a little yellow sweater, no pattern but my old method that allows me to mindlessly knit and it seems to always fit. Sweaters do look pitiful as they grow, then suddenly they blossom. The little pink sweater has mismatched sleeves, the white on the left will come out and be replaced by the softer speckled yarn on the right. As usual, no pattern, just knitting....

Catching up!

It's been ages since I posted, but summertime is always so full of things that need to be done and those lovely lazy hot afternoons. I've knitted and goofed off joyfully! Of course the herb garden isn't yet done, the old computer up and died finally, the new puter is settled in nicely, the kids are growing, dogs are following the shade diligently and the cats are being cats.

Today's news...our son has popped the question amid flowers, lobster dinner, cake and much laughter. M is a lovely young lady with two children, our son has one little guy and they've combined families perfectly! (Notice the surrounding applause...)

We're all thrilled and looking forward to watching wonderful years ahead for them all!

The garden..

March 016
Originally uploaded by Svarrer.

See that gloriously bushy mess of green life? The old dogwood is saluting the garden where our vegetables will ..the other garden is further back and larger,where we'll have some sweet corn, watermelons, squash, gourds and all sorts of nice things. And probably another year of very fat deer watching over the gardens.

March 30

March 021
Originally uploaded by Svarrer.

Remember when I said I'd stop the puppyposting? Well..I lied. Sam is nearly grown now, in size at least, (that's him on the right there) and the Trio of Terrors are the best of friends. I'll get back to blogging soonish, but for now, I have seven rose bushes to plant, my herb garden to reset, some bricks to order, a house to scrub, knitting that wants doing, books that want reading, a yard to make neat again and kids to kiss...and flowers to glory in! I love Springtime, there's so much to do and plan and dream!

It's lonesome..

March 2007d
Originally uploaded by Svarrer.

Horatio and Dimity dropped in for breakfast with the pups and found no one at the bowl. Thankfully, the pups all have good homes now and Freckles has been named Sam..we kept him. Gnash was adopted by our daughter and we puppysit when they're out. I do miss the little horde of silly creatures tho. And thus ends the puppy posting. (sure miss those guys..)

A STUNNING SENIOR MOMENT
A very self-important college freshman attending a recent football game,took it upon himself to explain to a senior citizen sitting next to him whyit was impossible for the older generation to understand his generation.
“You grew up in a different world, actually an almost primitive one,” the student said, loud enough for many of those nearby to hear. “The young people of today grew up with television, jet planes, space travel, man walking on the moon, our spaceships have visited Mars. We have nuclear energy, electric and hydrogen cars, computers with light-speed processing and………”, he paused to take another drink of beer.
The Senior took advantage of the break in the student’s litany and said,“You’re right, son. We didn’t have those things when we were young……..so we invented them. Now, you arrogant little sap, what are you doing for the next generation?”
The applause was resounding.

Moving process..

I'm slowly getting moved over to "Purls and Parsnips" for a change of scenery. I have a few Lists that I'm on and will change those over during this next week. It's time, I think. I'm not doing as well with the new Blogger as I did with the old version, and being a creature that doesn't make changes easily...widgets!
So bear with me, as I dual post until the move is complete.

Anna's sweater

Anna's sweater
Originally uploaded by Svarrer.

See? Told you I was knitting...however as I was about to put the cutest little buttons on Anna's sweater, I realized that two of my buttonholes had misbehaved. This means I get to rip out the buttonhole stuff...and to do this, I have to rip out the collar as well, since it's sort of attached to the buttonhole thingie, then I'll rip out the other side where the buttons would go and re-knit a bit. Soon as I decide which of two nifty yarns to use for trimming up the wee jacket.

I blame all this on Agatha Raisin! I would have noticed something was not quite right, but I was reading and knitting...(and giggling at silly puppies.)

More window view..

More window view..
Originally uploaded by Svarrer.

Yep, probably appears obsessive puppyposting to normal people, but I'm so amused by small things. They seem to be in a full-belly coma, resting up for their next onslaught at the dinner bowl or stirring themselves to tease Ms. Dumpling the hen that visits them often.
(Of course I'm knitting! Why do you ask...?)

I'm experimenting with Wordpress again, since Blogger went to the new stuff. (http://psalm.wordpress.com/)
Still not 100% sure about moving, it's not easy leaving behind my little daily bits I've accumulated. If anyone has any views on the blogger vs. wordpress, I'd love hearing from you.

Breakfast Ready?

Odds and Ends 015
Originally uploaded by Owlheart.

Even Allen is finding the pups hard to resist! (I have my eye on a couple, and might keep one...but which one??) Peeker, Booboo, Freckles, Tannie, Cotton, Fiddle, (Fiddle was so named after he managed to get on top of a chicken coop where he yodeled gleefully at the others, but "Fiddler" didn't exactly fit him) Spinner and the irrepressable "Gnash" Rambler.

And not one of the little darlings has made a poo on my back deck! I knew they were brilliant little creatures :D

Meantime...still knitting along on that family blanket, altho there seems less time for me to knit lately...

See them grow!

The accidental puppies are getting quite tubby! The mom is a stray that was dumped on the road (or ran away from home) a couple years ago, and of course she immediately located our house, possibly homing in on the scent of fresh biscuits. (She loves biscuits and buttermilk) Unfortunately she has been treated so badly in life that she's afraid of coming near a human, therefore I haven't found a way to catch her and have her spayed. She's fat and seems happy with her present lot in life, but we're thinking up ways to catch her and make her life a tad better. She's sweet-tempered and a pretty little thing. I dont mind her retiring here in comfort for the rest of her life, but finding homes for the cuties is challenging. (Ohhhh, they are ADORABLE! And so is the Mom!)
We live in a very rural area, so imbeciles often dump the tragic results of their heartlessness on the roads. Little do they realize that God notices these things.

My "cozies" are here! I love the calmer part of winter, when holidays have settled down and so can we! Wrapping up in a warm woolie shawl with tea and a cozy to read is one of the lovely things of life! I finished the one Aunt Dimity book and have become a complete fan. It's a simple story with just a touch of magic and lots of love...about hope and growing. I have to go feed the puppies and then...I can curl up with the indomitable Agatha Raisin too. Now there's a real character, with all the flaws and doubts of any of us, but...she's real and she's making her way thru life in the village.
As I finish them, I pass them to Amanda to read, then we get to send them on to Theresa! I think our Theresa will like them!

And yes..I do knit while I read and between reads...Amanda and I have begun a blanket that will be a family thing, with each ...well. When done, I'll surprise us, if I talk about it before I finish it...why, it might fly right out of my head and not be finished!

I have neglected the blog terribly over the holidays! I haven't even had time to knit until yesterday, but I made up for it with a spree that got a little baby cardigan made and two books finished. Then I ordered more books! Of course I had to order enough to get the free shipping, so quite a bit of the Agatha Raisin series and a couple Aunt Dimity's are on the way, lol. Nothing quite like having a light cozy to read while immersed in comfy, fluffy knitting!

I will catch up on blogging tho, and fling pictures around gleefully...tomorrow! Meantime, I am absorbing colorful goings-on and various other rather gothic and labrynthine (how is that spelled..!) quirks of small-town southern life.

My resolutions for this year? Hmm...one is to knit more for charity, even a little bit can help. Another is to just listen more. Hard for me to get a word in edgewise around here, but instead of fussing about that, I think I'll hush and listen. If everyone else is talking, it's a safe bet they ain't listening, and someone surely should... Something every person needs is just to be HEARD and SEEN.

Another is to take a nice long, contemplative walk with myself at least 3 times a week. I figure my soul needs the excercise as much as I do.

And I think that's enough resolutions for the year. The rest will take care of itself.

• It's been hectic here, last minute knitting, excited children, colorful lights and shopping! Here's something to warm the tummy and give a bit of comfort!
• BEEF VEGETABLE BARLEY SOUP
• 1/4 tsp. thyme 1 beef soup bone 1 lb. lean beef stew meat, cut in sm. pieces
• 1 to 2 tbsp. cooking oil
• 1 med. onion, chopped
• 1 c. carrots, chopped 1 c. celery, chopped (include some leaves)
• 1/4 tsp. marjoram
• 1 (1 lb.) can tomatoes
• 2 tbsp. dried parsley flakes
• 1 tbsp. salt
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 peppercorns
• 3/4 c. pearl barley
• Brown beef (cut up in small pieces) in oil in a large kettle or Dutch oven. Add water, soup bone, and herbs and spices and bring to a boil. Simmer 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Remove bone, skim fat from top of soup. Add vegetables, cook about 30 minutes. Add barley. Cook about 10 more minutes until barley is done and vegetables are tender. Makes6 to 8 servings. Freezes well. Tastes best on second and subsequent days

Just as I was online drooling thru a wishlist of knitting books, Mom called to let me know she had ordered two of the same book. Talk about happy...oh yes! This (Knitting Beyond the Edge, by Nicky Epstein) was one of the top of my list! I love it! You can fancy up a bought sweater if you don't have time to knit and make it special, or add that magic to something handmade. Heaven knows what might end up decorating the baby sweater I'm currently making. I hadn't decided yet how to dress it up for a girl, since it's green and yellow, somewhat plain so far. (I like green and yellow, I'm sick of knitting babypink.)

I taught Mom to knit last summer, then she put it away in favor of crochet. She has a pink confection of baby blanket that is now big enough to tent the stadium. I can understand how that happens.
Last night I had about 9 inches of surplus length on the baby sweater front to ravel back to the right size. I blame that on the phone....

Last week our daughter's best friend was clearing out her mother's stash of crafts, long un-used and stored in boxes. So when T. suggested I take some of the yarn, I of course said "sure..I'd love a bit of extra yarn.."
H. kindly delivered the yarn to my back deck. It wasn't just a skein or two, or even a half dozen skeins. It was over 200 skeins of ragg wool. 85% wool, 15% nylon, and Google turned up the wonderful uses for it...outdoorsy types with warm, dry, woolen feet...endless snuggly afghans..this stuff is really useful!
I sent half of the mountain to our younger daughter who is now addicted to knitting too. I then spent 4 days trying to remove a ghastly odor from the wool. Keep in mind, this wool normally has a bit of natural lanolin in it, not enough to feel oily, just a teeny odor of it. Also keep in mind this wool has been stored in plastic, in cardboard boxes for apparently quite a few years. Generations of mice have potty trained their young on the plastic...the wool never had a chance to breath inside it...(can lanolin become rancid?) Other than the odor, the wool is in perfect condition.
I took out 6 skeins to experiment on the cleaning and deoderizing of it...and 4 days later, can attest that it is soap-proof, eucalan-proof, bleach-proof, Dawn-proof, fabric softener-proof, 3-minute miracle-proof and that no amount of soaking and drying has done anything to improve it. (If you ever decide to wash skeins of wool, try a bit of the Aussie 3-minute Miracle rinse on it, it makes it so nice!)
Our daugher, A. is enjoying this whole thing immensely! She piled her stash into a wooden box and threw in one of those air fresheners with its own fan.
The 6 skeins I've subjected to every punishment I can think of does smell "better"..but only in comparison. They smell like dirty socks now.
109 skeins to go and I'm not quite ready to give up, but honestly, I'm getting to that point. It just annoys my thrifty streak to toss it. It would've been wonderful to dye in deep, plush colors for afghans, and absolutely grand for warm woolen socks.
I think today, I will put another 6 skeins out in the sun and try this again. It's 109 skeins of wool, for pete's sake...and sheep do not smell like little flowers, but somehow, the wool is made nice. I can do this....it might require a PHD in Chemistry, but I know I can do this...

Wishing everyone a wonderful Day, may your homes be filled with laughter and dear ones!

(This is our youngest grandbaby, picture courtesy of her talented Aunt who does professional photos. Aunt A. does magical things with her camera! Of course she had a magical subject as well!)

Still working on the infamous sweater, and since it's a gift, I can't show you....T. would peek!
And...still guessing at how long her arms are! But then it's knit from top down, so sleeves can be unraveled back to right length, or added to if needed.
The hiking scarf is finished...it was fun, not as challenging as it looks, except dancing with that cable needle. Now I'm puzzling what the next projects will be. I'd like to work with crochet for a while too. I have crocheted since I can remember, but have odd problems understanding the directions on patterns. Knit directions are simple. Whatever I am going to do involves the next stitch on the needle....not "skip 2, double treble 9 times in 3rd stitch from next sc under the back cable" which tends to stall my brain while I translate that to something in my hands. I made up that direction, but it's quite likely to exist. Crochet patterns are awful. They do lead to sudden bursts of creativity, often accidental ones. I love items that combine both knit and crochet. The crafts should not be exclusive of each other, in my opinion. Both create equisite laces, a crochet stitch is a more 3 dimensional form, whereas knitting may not be as reversable generally and has wonderful texture opportunities.
My mother used to be able to crochet the loveliest, finest thread counterpanes and tableclothes, apparently made of spidersilk and crocheted with a mouse whisker. The antique patterns flowed from her without written instructions. If she ever saw it, she could make it. So between her and my beloved grandmother who crocheted and tatted such incredibly fine handwork, learning to read instructions blew my mind entirely.
Neither of them knitted as much....so I proudly walk my own path among my talented mothers. Maybe I had to carve my own little niche, however humble. But then great-aunt Ada knitted the most fragile laces that seemed to spring from that never-ending well of talent....as did my great-grandmother...
*sigh*...I'm so doomed in comparison. But I'm AM the only painter! (Except for grandmother's handpainted china she did..) And I love memories of all that ability, talent and humor that has followed me thru my life, bestowed by the ladies before me. I think of them often and with gladness while I knit on. I miss them very much.

• For many years we have kept these words in our home. Many of you know them well. They remain as cherished as ever.
  
  DESIDERATA
  Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others; even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.
  Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
  Keep interested in your own career however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism
  Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.
  Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
  You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
  Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul
  With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy
  MAX EHRMANN 1927