four things | thirty-seven

I’m still adjusting to the time change. Here in the United States, we turn our clocks back an hour in early November and then turn them forward again on hour in the spring. I know lots of other countries do this, too.

“Gaining” an hour of sleep the first night is wonderful. But It’s dark outside by 5:00 in the evening. I’m so ready to abandon this policy. How about you?

what I’m reading

I’m not exactly “reading” books this week but rather listening to some. Our local library participates with Blackstone Unlimited and has free audio books available. I started a new-to-me series “The Needlecraft Mystery” by Monica Ferris. The first book is Crewel World which is the name of a store where knitting supplies as well as crewel, needlepoint, cross-stitch, and other fiber arts are offered. It’s great to hear about the projects the staff and customers are working on. I would consider this a cozy mystery which is an easy read.

what I’m watching

Nothing different than our usual shows.

what I’m loving

Well, Mr. Aitch is loving his new 1898 hat. And just as predicted, I found the one that was misplaced. It was in plain sight…as usual. This new hat is a better fit and super warm.

I held DK and fingering weight yarns together to get a worsted weight. I like the marled look of the two blues. I thought a stripe would make it more interesting. Since I was playing yarn chicken with the darker blue, the stripe allowed me to stretch that color.

There is a front and back to the hat and it’s difficult to see that before putting it on. I wove some of the white yarn inside the back to make it easier to get it on right the first time.

what I’m working on

I started knitting this Oat Couture Village Vest for me with yarn I frogged from another project. This pattern was released in 1996 and I knit it way back in 2002. I like it because it buttons rather than pulls over my head.

After knitting about 5-6 inches of the back, I realized I was knitting the wrong size. Mr. Aitch helped me rip it out and I’ve started over. The Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Papaya Heather color isn’t quite that intense.

Pepper decided to help herself with a ball of Red Heart Sparkle yarn she found. I got it away from her but untangling it will be a project for daylight hours.

Enjoy your week.

Trouble in KIFville

KIF – Knitting in Flashes

Our ISP decided to play games with our email accounts so I will be desperately trying to fix things on my end. It’s amazing how our lives are connected to our email addresses.

I don’t think this will affect this blog but technology is not my strong point and I will be working on this instead of posting.

Patti nona

four things | thirty-five

Good Saturday Morning! I hope your week was a good one.

Mr. Aitch and I had someplace to go every day this week. Usually we do stuff around the house or neighborhood.

  • Sunday – Mass and our church picnic. I made macaroni salad.
  • Monday – Book Club. Denise served the BEST tomato soup EVER! Everyone asked for the recipe. Tomato soup and toasted cheese sandwiches were a common meal when I was growing up. Want to try it? Click here.
  • Tuesday – Doctors appointments for both of us. I need to make some dietary changes, like cut way down on my carb/starch intake. Mr. Aitch had jazz band practice in the evening.
  • Wednesday – Hair cut for me.
  • Thursday – Hair cut for Pepper which includes breakfast out for Mr. Aitch and me. Then a veterinary appointment for Pepper.
  • Friday – Other a walk with Pepper, we were home.

We’re ready to spend a few days around the house.

what I’m reading

This week’s newsletter from the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston had some interesting articles about angels, specifically the three archangels: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Michael protects, Gabriel announces, and Raphael guides.

There are nine angelic choirs of angels with Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. I learned all about this when I was a kid but forgot most of it. Click here for more information about the different angels.

what I’m watching

I’m watching the patio and sidewalk form but it was slow going this week. The workers came on Monday and Friday. Much needed rain kept them away the other days.

This picture is from last Sunday evening after the rock base and before the limestone dust. They actually laid a few pavers yesterday. More rain is expected next week but the forecasts can change!

what I’m loving

Since I retired, if my phone didn’t display the time and the day, I’d be hard pressed to know what day it is. It can be a blessing or a curse. Every day can be Blursday!

what I’m working on

Ok, I didn’t work on Pepper’s sweater but I did finish the Scrubbie I started last week. About half way though, I held some Sparkle yarn with the Stitch, Soak, Scrub to make a two-toned, two-textured Scrubbie.

I cast on 27 stitches using US# 8 needles. This yarn is a worsted weight while the Sparkle is thinner. I’ll see how this yarn holds up.

What are you reading, watching, loving, working on this week?

Patti nona

four things | thirty-four

I finally figured out what happened to my knitting mojo. The last two patterns I knit required thinking—following a chart with no repeats for 16-24 rows. And that is all fine and good; however, sometimes I just don’t want to have to think. I like to listen to or read books, watch a movie or program on my iPad, and sit and knit on the front porch while knitting on autopilot.

I have one WIP (work in progress) that I should finish. It’s a sweater for Pepper that’s been a WIP for almost two years! She’ll be three years old next month and has most likely reached her adult size, barring any girth spurt. I hope to have a progress report or a finished sweater by next weekend!

This week is all about orphans, bobcats, men, and yarn.

what I’m reading

Our Book Club book this month is The Orphans of Mersea House by Marty Wingate. The story takes place in 1957 England with two childhood friends reconnecting after twenty or so years. Margery moves back from London to take over her recently deceased uncle’s store and turn his huge home into a boarding house. Olive needs to find a job and a place to live after her mother also recently passed away. The two boarders and Margery’s 11-year old polio-stricken ward complete the main cast of characters.

The characters were likable and the story was sweet and somewhat predictable. I prefer a bit more action and surprises but this was a pleasant, feel-good read.

what I’m watching

I love watching a plan take place. After living in our house for thirty+ years, we are finally having a sidewalk connecting from the driveway out front to the deck out back. Finding a reliable person was the major hold-up. The construction began on Tuesday and will continue for another week or two.

This is much larger than I anticipated but we are going to love the extra outdoor space under some shade trees.

what I saw on my walk

This little wooden man brought a smile to my face. He’s about two-feet tall from his feet to the top of his hat.

what I’m working on

Since Joann’s closed, I have very limited stores close by to shop for fabric, yarn, or crafting supplies. Michael’s and Hobby Lobby are at least an hour away. I happened to come across this yarn yesterday at Walmart.

Lion Brand 100% Nylon Stitch Soak Scrub is a worsted-weight, chain structured yarn that comes in 19 different colors. I was so caught up with making scrubbies with Red Heart Sparkle a few years ago that I wanted to try this out. Of the two colors available at my store, red was the winner.

I quickly cast-on 27 stitches per the Sparkle pattern and love how this is knitting up. I think I’ll look for a round KNIT scrubbie pattern to try out next!

Take care and enjoy your weekend.