Sweet Baby

This adorable fawn has been showing up in our yard for the past several weeks.

No sign of Mama, or sibling.
It appears her family is gone, due to a situation I probably don't want to know about.
She is all alone.

I've been told it's not best to feed her because of deer ticks, fleas and that it just won't come to any good.

Well, I guess this picture is my incriminating evidence . . .

She comes out in the middle of the day, which doesn't seem in character for deer, and lays under our lilac tree until the dogs notice her and drive her away.

She loves to listen to "Amazing Grace" being hummed as she eats :)

Let me know . . . would you be able to turn her away ?!

Package in the Mail

For Nancy . . .

In the Knitting Bag - July

This project has been such a fun learning experience!
I knew that I wanted to knit this shawl as soon as I saw the Thurmont Shawl by Dee O'Keefe, and I knew the perfect recipient.

The next step was to find the yarn.
I didn't seem to have anything suitable . . .  or did I?

I pulled out the sweater I bought at the thrift store - a beautiful coral cotton men's sweater that still had the new tags on it.  And off we go!

First to unravel, wrap into skeins and wash . . . then onto the ball winder . .

The unexpected "surprise" was that the yarn basically was threads, so once I spun it on my homemade drop spindle, I knew it was going to have to spun once again so it was double thick -

That did the trick!

 
I am approximately half done with the shawl, and though I typically get bored with a large project, this pattern has held my interest throughout.

Once blocked, so the pattern lays nicer, I think overall I will be really pleased with it.
I will update when finished :)  Thanks for taking a peek!

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/thurmont

Blueberry Sweet Tooth

Thank you to Mom for the sieve to make the blueberry concentrate.

Thank you to Nan for the organic confectioner sugar.

And, thank you for neighbors who sell their u-pick blueberries for $1 a pound!

Russell loves blueberries, and should love this blueberry frosting :)

The sweet tooth should be satisfied!

Here is the link to the blueberry frosting :)
 http://www.iheartkitchen.com/blueberry-buttercream-frosting/

A Break in Summer

I can't believe I actually built a little fire today with it being July!
The morning was so chilly, and with the rainfall, I wasn't inclined to work in the yard.
I did however go out and check on how the Hens and Chicks are taking root along the edge of the house.

Junior has long used the area as a litter box, no matter how we have tried to dissuade him.  And then Taloola seems to think he is leaving her special snack treats - yes, disgusting!
We are hopeful that Junior will leave the Hens and Chicks plants alone long enough for them to get sturdy . . . and a bit spiky on his toes!

And while out wandering, I took a few pictures to hopefully get that last bit of info out of your mind :)

 
I hope you have a wonderful day
full of smiles!  Jo

From Recycled Sweater to Handknit Socks

For anyone who knits, crochets or just enjoys nice fibers, I love finding quality used sweaters and upcycling the yarn into knit projects.
I typically go for the men's sweaters since you get "more bang for your buck", but I certainly couldn't pass up on this women's sweater in Lambswool, Angora and nylon. 
Anyone who knits socks knows that a bit of nylon helps socks last much longer.  Bonus here!

 Next to disassemble.
There are several YouTube videos to help you through this process.










 Wind into hanks, wash and hang to dry . . .

I find the work relaxing, and rewarding.

And, the final result truly makes me happy when I see my hubby trying those socks on for the first time!







And, there is plenty more yarn for more socks, or mittens :)

Sock Obsession Continues!

These just completed socks have to be one of my favorite patterns to knit up.
The pattern is available on Ravelry by the name Olympian Socks, by Sheryl Giles - a free pattern.
 http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/olympian-socks

I used Hawthorne Fingering Multi Yarn in the Goose Hollow colorway.
Hawthorne yarns use colorway names from neighborhoods in Portland, Oregon, and other areas in the Pacific Northwest, and are absolutely wonderful to knit with and to wear!