Santa's Workshop

I found this on Facebook and could not resist.

It has been a different summer. I have shared my disappointment in my internet connection and we shall remedy that next year but for the next two weeks I am just going to connect and if it costs more, so be it. I have missed playing with photographs and blogging!

So I have been knitting with Christmas in mind. Judy's Colors has a website that I would urge my knitting friends to visit. Her story is a wonderful one about a house with family history and the need for a special Christmas stocking and how a business grew.

My first effort was not successful. In my haste to begin the knitting, I chose the wrong size needles and of course ran out of yarn as the needles were the wrong size. I had never really done 2 color knitting so this was my practice piece. I emailed Judy that there was not enough yarn. She graciously sent me more and stressed the importance of gauge. So I shall redo this one.

My second effort was a bit better. I like the Latvian Braiding and the knit on i-cord. These additions with the patterns give texture and depth to the stockings.

I love the yarns. You can buy her patterns or kits. I chose the kits.

Then it was on to Jack's. The name of this pattern is Jester - hmmmmn.

My pattern is Ms. Claus and is on the right. I am just starting the foot. The rest of the stockings shall not be photographed at this point!

I am looking forward to going south. The workshop shall be going full force then!
See you in a couple of weeks!

My summer vacation.....

These stitch markers belonged to my mother. She was a beautiful knitter. I found them in a box of her needles not long ago. She was most organized and only had one set of each size. I, on the other hand, have many duplicates. Hers are straight needles and I only use circular now but I shall save them and in the meantime use her markers.

She died 13 years ago on September 13. So much has happened in these years and my life is so different but what I wouldn't give to have a good chat while we knit or did needlepoint.

So, onto my summer vacation. It has been an odd summer. The weather has been ok but we usually say it is glorious. When it is gray and rainy or foggy and I cannot see the lake I get cabin feverish. My garden was overtaken by bugs. The Nasturtiums were absolutely destroyed and my herbs did not fare well. 

Here is  picture of the flowers before the bugs moved in to feast.

This white zinnia performed quite well with the marigolds.

One of the highlights on the summer was a picture taken by Jack as he kayaked around the lake.

I have not posted too much this summer as my internet connection has not been wonderful. I have become quite dependent on the internet for information and communication.

We are getting anxious to get back to Florida. We are thankful to have the best of both worlds but the transition gets a little more difficult each year.

My next post will be on what I accomplished! Knitting and reading were major this year.

Have a wonderful week.

Knitting in the rain

Blogging has been quite frustrating this summer as my hotspot device for the internet seems to eat the gigs I am allowed. It is expensive and slow and I suppose I am spoiled with unlimited internet in Florida. So I have been on sharing on Facebook which I can do from my phone. And I have been knitting as I have watched my little garden  NOT thrive. 

These zinnias should have been from my garden but the Japanese beetles live in that pot.

We stopped at our favorite farm stand for tomatoes and fresh corn and they had big bunches of flowers for sale and I bought a bouquet of zinnias. They cheered me right up!

Aren't the colors just glorious?

Rainy days are good for knitting. I finished two projects this past week.

Now I shall go and knit and watch the rain. Hope you are having a wonderful day!

Lazy Summer Days

It has been hot. And we are quite lazy. Whatever needs to get done is done early and we then sit on the porch of the cabin and wait for a breeze. Sometimes we wait all day!

Suppers have been simple - very often a cold plate. The other night we did grill chicken thighs and they were wonderful. You can find the recipe here. 

I love the counters in the cabin - red linoleum!

Very good dinner with leftovers for another meal. We served the chicken with farm fresh corn on the cob and sliced tomatoes.

I still have limited internet but please know that I appreciate my followers old and new and I love comments. I shall be a better follower when I get back to Florida.

Have a wonderful week!

Birthday Time for Beverly

Beverly at How Sweet the Sound likes pink but a little bird said that she also likes yellow. She is having a Pink Saturday Birthday and would like it to be pink and yellow! I am a firm believer that birthday wishes should be granted whenever possible so Happy Birthday Beverly.

Some pink....

Some yellow.....

And now some pink and yellow

Happy Birthday and Happy Pink Saturday!