TV Room Photo Share

We just finished putting the TV room back in order. I just LOVE the results! Never again will I be a dark paint nay-sayer...

What A Week!

I've loved having my husband home this week, and is has been quite a week. Monday, began the painting of the TV room. Home Depot had Martha Stewart Living paint on clearance for half price. They were out of the color I'd picked out, but they mixed me up a color in the same family. It turned out quite a bit darker than I thought it would be, but I love it. Talk about a happy accident. I'd have never picked a color this dark for an interior room, and obviously I'd have missed out.
We got the second coat on the wall Tuesday, and left to do errands. By the time we got home, the paint was dry enough to start the trim. We finished up the trim on Wednesday, then got the chairs and TV back in the room (but not up against the walls, obviously). I then cleaned all my pictures and stuff to get it ready to go back on the walls Friday (we want to make sure the paint is good and dry).
Having reached a stopping place in our chores freed us up to go to Dallas today. We stocked up on cat food and other supplies at Costco, and I got to take advantage of an end of year sale at Woolie Ewe (Dave had given me some yarn shopping money for Christmas). We ate at our Chinese restaurant, then went to Lane Bryant, where I took advantage of a bra sale (can I mention that in public?).
Now, I'm trying to wind down for bedtime, but I seem to be too excited. I got a new pattern book, and the yarn to make myself a sweater. I just hope I can keep my attention span focused and finish it. Tomorrow, after we've completed the room, I'll be sharing pictures.

Hope all of you have a great night, and a very happy New Year's weekend!

Christmas 2011

We had an awesome Christmas yesterday. Dave grilled us some steaks, roasted some potatoes, and steamed us some fresh brussel sprouts. After our tasty meal, we opened our gifts. I've begun a tradition of knitting Dave a pair of socks each Christmas. The poor guy didn't think he was getting a pair this year, because of all the other things I was knitting. I fooled him by only working on them at night, and wrapping them in with a book I'd bought for him. I also got him a variety of cooking items he'd been eying last time we were at Tuesday Morning, and a gift card from Home Depot. Dave got me a lightdenim jacket to wear on my walks (if I ever get back in the habit of walking), a flannel gown I'd been eying since the cold temperatures became colder, and all the knitting books from my Amazon wish list. I also got two special issue magazines from Interweave Press; Holiday knits 2011, and Jane Austin knits, which is filled with regency inspired patterns.
Later that day, we took all the Christmas stuff down. I was sad to see it go. It's seems like I was finally getting into the full spirit of Christmas, when it was over. I suppose I could have left everything out, but today starts Dave's week of vactaion, and I knew we were planning to paint the TV room. Having the Christmas stuff put away made it much easier to begin today's task. Poor Dave has spent the morning clearing out the furniture, while I slept. I wish he'd have woken me, because I feel guilty about that, but I'm awake now, and I intend to pull my share of the work...starting now...

Booga Complete

Kloe's bag is finished! Yesterday, I removed the box that served as a mold, then left it overnight to dry completely. I added the straps just a few minutes ago. Hope she likes it.

Christmas Quilt

I'm so excited! I just have to show off the gift I got from this year's family Christmas party. We play the take away game. Everyone who wants to play brings a gift and puts it in the middle of the table. When it's your turn, you can either choose a gift from the table or steal a gift someone has already opened. I normally don't steal, but this year I did. My nephew, James had this beautiful Santa quilt top, and I just had to have it. So I stole it, and spent the rest of the game, hoping nobody would steal it from me, and thankfully, they didn't.
I sent it home to my sister to be quilted up, then she sent it to my aunt to be hemmed up, and today, I got my Santa quilt. I just love it!
Hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas!

Booga Progress Report #2

All felted, and drying. I'm so pleased with this project. I just hope Kloe likes it.

Booga Progress Report

Well, I've finished the knitting portion of Kloe's skinny striped Booga bag. It is now in the washer being felted. I love it so far. The striping yarn did exactly what I'd hoped it would do. Don't you love it when things go well? :)

Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!

Yes, I got another Christmas Decoration. They had these Charlie Brown Christmas trees marked half price at Sears. The Charlie Brown Christmas special has always been one of my favorites, and I just couldn't pass these up. :)

Booga Experiment

Dave asked me to make a booga bag for his granddaughter, Kloe, for Christmas. Normally, I would find two skeins of striping yarn for this, but I wanted to try a little something different. I became inspired by the Jared Flood's Turn A Square hat pattern. The designer uses a striping yarn, and a complimenting solid color yarn to create skinny stripes in an interesting way. I used the free version of the booga bag pattern, knitting the bottom of the bag in the solid color. After picking up my stitches, and joining to knit the body of my bag in the round, I started my stripes. I knit two rows of solid, and two rows of striping, just as in Jared's hat pattern. Because one of my yarns changes color within the skein, no two stripes look the same against the solid color. I hope it turns out as pretty in person as I'm seeing it in my head. :)

For all you knitters out there, here are the links to the two patterns:
http://www.blacksheepbags.com/booga_bag.html

http://brooklyntweed.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_4&products_id=13

The Ugly Necklace

My cousin, Kathy, took a small group of women from the church on a Christmas shopping trip to Sherman. We wanted this to be a fun, relaxing time of fellowship. There was to be no worrying or fretting about what may be going on at home in our absence. There was to be no negative talk about our other people (husbands included). Just a pleasant, up-beat day out with the ladies. To assure we kept it this way, Kathy bought a really ugly necklace with clunky beads, and this big honking flower, made of some kind of turquois tulle material. It really was hideous. Anytime one of us said something negative, that person was stuck wearing this eyesore, unless someone else said something negative. The monstrocity would then be passed on to them. We passed that necklace around the whole trip. I'm sorry to admit that I had to wear it twice, once for worrying about one of my cats, the second time for commenting that one of my veggies on my lunch plate was cold. By the end of the day, we were laughing at ourselves, but we were thinking before speaking. What a fun way to learn such a valueable lesson.

Adjustments and Additions

Here is the latest, and final picture of my tree. I know I'm going wild with the Christmas pictures, but I made some adjustments, and wanted to share. As I said in my last post, I found my angel topper to replace my bow. I also found my mother angel ornament, Glenda gave me several years back. I had packed it in a separate box in the box with my tree topper, to assure it's safety. It was so safe, I'd forgotten where it was. I also found the set of ceramic angel bells Norma gave me to put on my first tree the year I lived alone. I still can't find my snowflake Zita made me, but I haven't given up. It has to be around somewhere. I love ya'll, and look forward to having ya'll in my home for the party.

More Christmas Decor

Just sharing some more photos. The first one shows the Christmas cards we've recieved so far. I had Dave string our pine cone garland across the entryway to the the TV room, then I pinned our cards across it with clothes pins. I love the look. Second picture is our fireplace. I put a layer of cotton batting across the mantle, arranging it to (hopefully) look like clouds, then set my tin angels on top of it. Next, I stuffed my stockings with skeins of yarn, so they'd look full and festive. I'm so happy to report that I found our angel tree topper. We bought this angel the first year we were married. I had packed it away when I started using bows and ribbons for the tree top, but after seeing Norma's angel, and how pretty it looked, I decided to use my own. I thought I was never going to find her. And, lastly, my mousie stocking. I bought this from a seller, who came by Unique Image, where I was working at the time. We're really not supposed to buy from solicitors, but I couldn't resist this cute little piece. When you press the green band, the mice sing "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" in thier little mousie voices. Very cute. I hope you enjoyed my Christmas-y picture post. Have a great day!

Tree Picture And Plans

My tree is up, and I'm growing excited about Saturday's family Christmas party. I've been a little out of sorts, and late getting myself ready for Christmas, but no longer. Helping my sister with her tree got my Christmas decorating juices going. I've been to several stores, and managed to obtain quite a collection of new ornaments. My tree can be set to rotate, but I never use this feature. I don't feel I have enough ornaments to attractively cover the whole tree. I plan to take advantage of the after Chrismas sales, and hopefully, by next year, I can enjoy a fully decorated, rotating tree. :)
I'll take another picure when I add the tree skirt. I have to wrap some gifts to go on top of it, because if I just put the skirt down alone, the cats will scratch it up.

Good News!

Yesturday's vet visit went just great. Annie's tooth was not broken at all, but very loose. It was so loose, that Dr House didn't even charge us to pull it. :) It was an unhealthy tooth that he believes would have fallen out eventually on its own. After a closer examination, he pronouced her other teeth to be fine. I'm so relieved.

Off To The Vet

Poor Annie has a broken tooth. I noticed it last night as I was applying moisturizer to my tired, old face. Annie jumped up onto the sink for me to pet her. As I was scratching behind an ear, she looked straight at me, and I noticed her mouth was crooked. Upon closer inspection, I discovered that one of her bottom fangs is jutting forward, and setting right against her top lip. Ouch! We've got an appointment to see Dr. House at 3. Please pray all goes well...without costing us an arm and a leg.

Memories Of Christmases Past

I spent a fun day yesturday, helping my sister put up her Christmas tree. Well, Dave actually put it together and shaped it. After he put the lights on it, he left to do whatever Dave-ish things he likes to do, while Norma and I decorated. We had such a blast. It reminded me of when we'd first moved to Paris. Neither of us was married at the time, and we shared a small house on 3rd street. Many of the ornaments, I remembered from Christmases in that little house.
That's been many years ago. We've both married and have homes of our own, and the 3rd street house is no longer standing, but I'll never lose those memories. Thanks, Norma, for allowing me to help yesterday, and for helping me remember so great times.

My Sisters

Yesterday was such a great day. For the first time in years, I got to spend Thanksgiving with All My sisters. So here are the four of us: Glenda, Norma, Zita, and I'm the Dallas Cowboys fan on the end. Hope everyone's Thanksgiving was as good as mine. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to wish all my readers a happy Thanksgiving. I may be too busy visiting with my family, and eating myself silly to get online tomorrow, so I'm saying it today. :) I hope everyone out there has a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving.

Indoor Bloom

It was about three weeks ago, when Dave and I brought the houseplants indoors. I noticed my hoya carnosa had a bud, and was a little saddened. I expected the bud to dry up and fall off, due to the lack of humidity, caused by the central heat. Thankfully, I was wrong. Not only did the bud survive, but it bloomed. The cluster of flowers have dried up, and are now beginning to fall away, but I sure enjoyed it while it lasted.

Recipe: Dave's Cauliflower soup

Saute in three tblsp of margerine: 1 onion, 3 stalks of celery, 1 medium carrot.
Add 2 tblsp flour & stir to make a roux.
Add 1 cup chicken stock, stir to incorporate, bring to a boil.
Add another cup chicken stock, stir to incorporate, bring to boil.
Add cauliflower (steamed in microwave until soft), add salt and pepper to taste.
Add 2 cups chicken stock, stir, bring to a boil.
Remove from heat, puree using immersion blender, return to heat.
Add 1 cup milk, bring to boil while stirring.

Serve topped with crumbled bacon, and grated cheese.

Hot Soup On A Cool Day

As I write this post, Dave is in the kitchen. He has a pot of cauliflower soup boiling on the stove and it smells great. I know what some of you might be thinking. "Cauliflower Soup? That can't be good." I said the same words the first time he fixed some, but I couldn't have been more wrong. It actually tastes like potato soup, but it's cheaper (cauliflower was on sale this week), and healthier. Of course nothing beats a bowl of my sister's cheesy potato soup, but Dave's cauliflower soup comes very close. :)

Fun Hospital Photos

I took these pictures during my visits to see my BIL and sister. Dr Frank N. Stein was in ICU, while the Fall themed tree was by the nurse's station on floor 6. I think it's nice of the Hospital staff to add some cheer for the patients and visitors.

Sorry, Norma...

Last night, I went to the hospital to visit my brother-in-law, and take my sister something to eat. I used my phone to show her the Tigra pictures I posted to my blog. She was a little miffed at me about the knitting one. She knows I don't like pictures of myself, and she thought I had cut my head out of it. No, that's not what happened. Dave had taken several pictures that day, some of the cats, some of me. I added the one of Tigra on yesterday's post, since it was her tribute. Here is the one Dave took of me that day. It was 2005 (which means Tigra must have been born in 2004). I was knitting that scarf for Dave's daughter for Christmas. The calico on the arm of the couch is Abby. I look like crap in this picture, but I'm posting it anyway, because my sister wants to see it. Norma, don't you ever question whether or not I love you...

Tigra: Happy Memories

RIP, Sweet girl. I'll never forget you.

Fingerless Gloves Finished!

Modeled by my husband. Thanks for helping, Dave.

Paranoia

Last night, Dave and I had settled in for a quiet evening, which turned out to not be so quiet. For one thing, I was a nervous wreck. Max was outside, and it was raining. I knew that visibility would be low, and was praying he wouldn't try to cross the street. I don't know if people realize this, but it's harder to see a tabby at night than any color of cat, including black. I just couldn't stop worrying, but I did get out my knitting, which at least kept me from pacing the floor.
A little after nine, my cell phone rang. I didn't recognize the number on the screen, but the area code was local, so I answered it. It was the police department, telling me they had just recieved a 911 call from my number. I hadn't even touched my phone, much less called 911. When I told them that, they asked for my address, so they could document the call. I grew suspicious. I didn't know if it was really the 911 services or if someone was trying to get my address. I handed the phone to Dave, who told her we'd call her right back. When he called back, it was indeed the police department. The caller's supervisor had recognized Dave's voice, and new something was up. They had made a mistake with the numbers, and mine wasn't the number they needed.
No harm done...except the police department thinks Dave's wife is a paranoid freak. Oh well, they're not the only ones, right?

Pictures Found

Most of you already know this, but I just wanted to report that I've found my picture disks. When I had my extra room redone, I took that opportunity to clean out and reorganize some of my things. It was during this time that, in an attempt to make more room in the desk, I moved my picture disks to the little cabinet that contains my photo albums. I still can't bring myself to look through them yet, but at least I know they're still there.

Two Tigra Pictures

I still haven't found my disks, but I did find these two photos. I belong to a feral cat caregivers group on Ravelry, and we like to flash pictures of our cats. I had uploaded these photos to my flickr account, so I could post them to that picture thread. Thank God for flickr, and that ravelry thread. I still desparately want to find those disks. If I don't, I've lost several years worth of Christmas, family, and garden, as well as cat pictures. Please, help me, God. I miss her so much.

I wish I could find the words to give her the tribute she deserves. She was so much more than just a stray cat running around. She was mine.

Grieving

I just lost one of my outdoor cats. Tigra was born to one of my feral mama cats in 2005. She started her life wild and fearful, but that wildness was short-lived. She was the first of our ferals to be spayed, when we started our TNR with the colony. I used to sit outside and sing Sunday School songs to get the cats used to the sound of my voice, and she was the first to begin warming up to me. It wasn't long before she was sitting in my lap, allowing me to pet her as I sang my songs, and she eventually became an indoor/outdoor cat. She loved to sit in my lap any chance she got, and she loved water. I know cats are supposed to hate water, but she loved it. she especially loved to drink dripping or running water from the faucet or hose. She used to stand under my planters so she could drink the water as it drained through the plants. I really loved her so much.
We came home from church to find that she'd been hit by a car. My heart is so broken. To make things even harder, I can't find any of my picture disks. I wanted to post a picture tribute to her, and I can't find my pictures. I'm going to have to go, because I'm getting too emotional to continue. Please, pray for me. My Tigra's gone, and I have no pictures to remember her by.

Complete Honesty followed by...A Knitting Story?

Hello, readers. I'm sitting here, trying to write, and it just isn't coming. I have a topic (knitting, of course), and even a picture ready to be added, but no words. Well that isn't entirely true. I have the essence of the story in my mind, but no introductory sentences to open with. So, rather than let my blog continue in silence, I'm just sitting here writing whatever comes to my mind. Is it boring enough? lol
Ok, I'll just plunge in with my story, and see where it goes...
Last year, I knitted my sister a pair of fingerless mitts. She needed something to keep her hands warm that didn't interfere with the use of her fingers. I found out later that her husband had confiscated them during the running of some errands. She went in to pay a bill or something, and when she came out he was wearing her mitts. I guess the lacy rib pattern enabled them to stretch over his larger hands. He knew they were women's gloves, but when the steering wheel is cold, that doesn't matter. lol
So this year, I'm making him a pair of his own. I searched Ravelry, and found this basic pattern for men's fingerless gloves (click on the word "impatient" in the lower right corner. That will take you to the pattern). These gloves will be a nice challange, because they have tubes for each finger. I've made plenty of topless mitts, but this is my first attempt at gloves with indivisual finger tubes. Just a finger and a half, plus the thumb, and I'll be finished with one glove. This is actually quite fun. Of course, I may feel differently, when it's time to weave in all those yarn tails.

Breakfast With Morty

I was sitting out on my screened porch, enjoying my breakfast of powdered sugar mini donuts and a diet coke (a health nut I am not). Morty, my sweet but sometimes bratty little yellow cat, wouldn't stop bugging me. I broke off a small piece for him, thinking he'd taste it, realize he didn't like it, then leave me alone. Guess what folks...he liked it...

A Nice Gesture

Dave and I were at Tuesday Morning, when I pointed out a display of scarves. I told Dave how much I loved the idea of the plastic rings for hanging scarves, and wondered if Hobby Lobby would have something I could use for this purpose. We had planned to go there next, but we didn't have to. The cashier had overheard our conversation, and after we paid for our purchases, she reached under the counter, pulled out a handful of those plastic rings, and bagged them up for us. Now I can hang my knitted scarves, leaving room in my drawer for other things. I just love our local Tuesday Morning. :)

Craft Exhibit Pictures

The photos I took tonight turned out much better. The ladies working the table gave me some nice compliments on my entries. We were talking about the voting for best in show, and how confusing most people were finding it this year. Last year, all the items were grouped into catagories, but she told me they wanted everything displayed together this year. I felt so bad for my earlier attitude, because apparantly they didn't like the display anymore that I did. I wasn't going to vote, since I had participated, but they wanted me to. I promise I didn't vote for myself in the knitting and crochet catagory. If I had, I'd have voted for my red lacy wrap, picured last. I can hardly wait til next year. I'm not going to let the time sneak up on me, the way I did this year. I hope to have at least one afghan by then.

Back To The Fair

Friday is Dave's turn to represent the radio station at the fair. We'll be out there starting at 5pm, which is plenty of time to make myself sick on fried food. I plan to go back to the craft exhibit building and take pictures. The ones I took Tuesday with my phone are much to dark. I'll be taking the camera this time, so be prepared for craft picures in the next couple of days...

LOL!

Ladies & gentlemen! It is my honor to introduce to you, the East Texas Broadcasting Redneck Golf team!

Feeling Let Down...

...but feeling guilty for feeling let down. After tonight's prayer meeting, Dave took me to the crafts exhibit at the fair. From the moment I opened my eyes and got out of bed, I've been excited about tonight. I just couldn't wait get to the fair to see how my stuff did. I got there to discover that two of my items got blue ribbons, and several got red. I also got a couple of white ribbons, but I think they give those just for entering. I'm very proud of my ribbons, So why the let down feeling, you might ask. Because of how my items were displayed. I had spent two days, carefully arranging my shawls and vest on hangers as artfully as I could. I had pinned them, unpinned them, draped them, undraped them, all for the purpose of displaying them to thier fullest advantage.
I got to the fair tonight to discover that they'd removed them from thier hangers and threw them onto wooden racks, which would have been fine if they'd bothered to straighted them. My red lacey wrap that I was so proud of looks kinda ho-hum, and my pink shawl just looks hideous. I started taking pictures for my blog, only to discover that my red mittens, lacey socks, and my blue ribbon winning cabled scarf are laying on a shelf. I could barely see them in the picures I was taking. I hate myself for complaining like this, because I know it sounds like I'm being a sore loser, but I'm not meaning to be. I'm proud of all my ribbons. I'm just not happy that my stuff is being displayed in a way that it looks shoddy. I wish I could take my pink shawl down, because I'm embarrased to have my name on it. Oh well. I guess that's just how it goes sometimes.

Mystery Blossom

I think it was in 2006, but I'm not sure. I bought two sage shrubs, one Texas Sage and one Silver Dollar Sage. I potted them, because at the time I didn't know where I wanted to plant them. I've been moving these pots from location to location almost since I bought them, but it looks like I finally found a happy place for them. I know that because in all the years I've had them, this is the first time I've seen a bloom. The mystery part comes from the fact that I lost the lables long ago, and they look so much alike that I don't know which one blossomed.
So, folks, this is either a picture of a Texas sage flower or a Silver Dollar Sage flower. Whichever one it is, it sure is pretty. :)