New Project for Take-Alongs and other ramblings...

New 8 week old kittens Abby and Shiloh

One completed Central Air sock

This is our newest visitor (actually, we have a pair) to our new bird feeding station.

The male patiently carried seed to his mate over and over, as she sat on a nearby boulder! (not his actual photo, sorry)






Gosh, what a gorgeous morning here in NH! I couldn't sleep, as I had nausea following an IV med treatment yesterday, so I've been up since 4 am, and I've already deadheaded the flowers in my garden, pulled weeds, had a great cup of coffee from my Keurig coffee maker, and caught up on email. I plan to wipe most of my scheduled events, outings, kid chauffeuring, and take it easy today, as I was told to. Yes, I'm going to knit ...all...day, or at least till I can't see straight or my hands gnarl up. It's 7:30 am, and I hope that I can stay away and not "waste" this downtime day. Annie the Schnoodle loves to curl up on my lap, and I think I'll enjoy the time with her. On the other hand, Toby (picture) is 13, obnoxious, odiferous, and ...is just like a cantankerous old man. He's 130 pounds of sweet, beligerent geriatric puppyhood.

After my treatment yesterday, I took advantage of the nice early evening hours and planted my salvia, delphinium, cosmos, pink painted daisy, asylum (picture of species below), and a white osteospermum.

Block #1 of the Barn Raising Quilt (above)

Thanks to Meghan on Stitch-It, I'm starting another knitting project. But wait! Let me explain...it's using up stash yarn, leftover sock yarns,etc...with no cost, as I have all the yarn. I figure that I can use it as my portable project as a change from lugging around my Tangerine Twist sweater, or a pair of socks. I was going to start work on the Celtic Knot stole, but I don't think I can put my mind to it right now. A friend, Dorothy, has her progress posted on her blog.


The new project? It's the Barn Raising Quilt in the great new book, Knitalong by Larissa Brown and Martin John Brown.

In more non knitting news...A childhood friend and her family is taking a once in a lifetime RV trip with 7 of their 8 children to see "The West", and their blog is awesome. Check it out! Currently, they're in Death Valley!

Quiet time is here for a few hours, time to go knit and rest.

God's Blessings in My Life

Do you not know?

Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:28-31

Spring Has Sprung

I just love Spring...the green...the blossoms...the warmth...playing in the dirt (garden), etc. These pansies were my first outdoor purchase for this season and they're sitting "right pretty" by the front door. :)

Next, I hung my Central Air sock in my yet to bloom white azalea bush. Actually, I'm just about to start the toe now. This single sock has taken me 2 months, rather than the usual 2 weeks for a complete pair, as my hands still are often uncooperative with the arthritis. I'm learning patience, by the grace of God.

A few photos to share: my irises, front walkway plantings for early Spring here in NH...

And our geriatric chicken, Sonja, staring endlessly at her reflection in the tailpipe of hubby's cycle....

This Duncraft birdfeeder was my Mother's Day present. I love it! (I picked it out and bought it with hubby's blessings). It was originally in my front yard, but a racoon (we think) knocked it over. In the small perennial garden in the back, it now stands, and I love watching all of the bluejays, titmouses, chickadees, goldfinches, etc. I've yet to get a cardinal at this new feeder set up. Hummingbird feeder is also waiting for the hummers to return this season.

Yesterday, our beloved 17 yr old cat Grady, passed away in his sleep. He was a GREAT cat, and lived with us since we lived in Gloucester, VA. Rest in peace, Grady.
So...what did we do today? Um...took the kids out, and adopted 2 8 week old female kittens. Shoot me, I know. Yes, we did. I think the kids named them Miley and Rosie. Pictures to follow, of course. Not today, though.