Macha Stitches ~~ Knitting and MORE!

Bear-a-DONE

2011-11-17T23:28:00.001-06:00

Some times you just go nuts!

On a girl trip for yarn, golf and Mexican food in Dallas I saw this really cute bear. So I bought the supplies along with some other stuff and off we went. Oh my, as my BGB put it in almost a laughing cackle, "buyers remorse"!! This was some nasty expensive yarn!!

Well I finally decided to make the dang thing since it wasn't doing any good sitting in the basement or me trying to ignore what I spent on the dang thing.
Well goodness gracious. What I thought was ONE very expensive bear is actually THREE kind a pricy bears. One large on size 9 and the next two will have to be on size 8 to make sure I have enough yarn. The math of weight verses yardage says I have enough but math doesn't knit!!
Dont need three bears but it help ease my troubled soul!
Bear-a-Tone (ONE) is done made of Prism Blossom yarn in the Pale Yellow and Mint Green.

AND then there were TWO

2011-10-31T12:49:00.000-05:00

Once one VERY long after blocking! Wow cant believe how it relaxed.

Doing the split was a little tricky on the one side of the rip. Having a life line on both sides sure helped.

Now both are done and there is a small crochet edge on each of the short sides.

Cant wait till they are dry!!

Change of plans

2011-10-23T11:47:00.001-05:00

After blocking the wrap was WAY too long so...... make it shorter.

Now I will have two, or I will have one and Daugher will have one!

Finally a post

2011-10-21T12:14:00.001-05:00

No need for fancy blocking blocks when you have a spare bedroom and a floor!

My poor neglected blog!!

2011-08-28T21:37:00.003-05:00

Its been a while since we have chatted.
Oh well... thats the way it goes!

My annual girl trip was to Minnesota. We headed north to get away from the heat. Ha... It was 95 degrees and 75% humidity when we landed. So much for cooler!
We had a wonderful trip in spite of the heat! Minneapolis was great. Loved the downtown shopping. The skywalk was so great with the heat outside.

Minnhaha Falls.

Arch Bridge and Mississippi River

This is for you Lanora

I didn't know you took my picture Wendy!!

Split Rock Light House, north of Duluth

Bye, Duluth....

Bye Minnesota!

Finally....

2011-07-24T12:52:00.001-05:00

I was so excited! I finally saw the Google Street View Car.
I am not sure he was taking photos since he was in the center lane.
Maybe I will show up on our next street map!!!
Exciting!!

Mega yard work

2011-06-27T07:33:00.003-05:00

After four and a half days, its done!!

One of those 'we should have done this sooner' projects.

It was wonderful to have someone else to do all the work too!!

Busy Weekend

2011-06-19T08:22:00.002-05:00

Lots going on lately.

Painters were here for two days. All the trim and the inside of the garage were painted.

Lanscapers come on Monday. This one section was about to fall down. We should have gotten someone over here earlier to get this done, but once again time just slipped away. So we got out the tools and gotter done.

Friday I tore down the fence and thought I had all the post and concret removed. When hubby dug the final hole he found a little more cement. We got the post set Friday night and the fence up on Saturday morning.

Then get the garage door seal replaced. That was a sturborn little stinker.

All chores done .... lets go for a drive.

We drove by the Lew Wentz Golf course in Ponca City that OkieB and I ended up playing golf at a few weeks ago. Then a drive to Stillwater to eat. I was really hungry and that salad was soooo good.

As we headed home we started to drive into the thunder head we had been seeing all day. The storm ended up just east of us all the way home.

A wonderful weekend and its not over.

Happy Fathers Day to my great husband.
Its been a wild, wonderful 37 years of Fathers Days!

Mountains in Oklahoma??

2011-05-29T15:15:00.001-05:00

With a three day weekend and a babysitter for our kitty, we took off for a drive to Oklahoma's Wichita Mountains, south west of Oklahoma City by Lawton, OK.

We took the road up to one of the highest peaks, Mt. Scott.

The skies were very hazy. We we got out of the car we figured it out. When we left home about 5 hours prior it was 64 degrees. Top of the mountian at 2464 feet... it was 103!

Lots of huge bolders and a beautiful drive!
Who would figure we would have such beautiful mountains here on the plains?

Site Seeing

2011-05-02T08:54:00.000-05:00

Lots of time was spent on our trip to see our grandson. One day we loaded him up and headed up the mountian.

Here is hubby with General Sherman, aka, worlds largest tree by volume.

As you can see there was snow on the ground and only one path was shoveled. They had 439 inches of snow this winter.

Little guy is ONE!

2011-05-01T09:57:00.004-05:00

We made out trip to see the family. L-Ray is ONE!

It is hard to get a good photo of a one year old that is constantly moving.
I was lucky to get a picture of him in his hand made hoddie, before he tried to get it off!
The birthday boy had a great party!

Dang Wind!!

2011-04-17T11:41:00.000-05:00

It was a very windy Friday!
I spent most the day being the general contractor - "supervisor".
Then came the math time. Sure hope we got those post where they are suppose to be?!!
Big question of the day..... why were there 4x4 posts in there, but when we put in 4x4 post they are really 3 1/2 x 3 1/2?? The math doesn't work when trying to duplicate a previous fence line!
Managed to get a few rows done on my shawl. Its from Gourmet Yarn in OKC. MG wrote the pattern, which is wonderful. No errors! LOVE that. The yarn is Fiesta, Boomerang. So wonderful to work with!

Done

2011-03-17T22:30:00.024-05:00

The photo doesn't do this sweater justice! You can tell the size again the tiles that are 12 inch squares. This hoodie is for a special little someone, our grandson.
The yarn is Marble Chunky by James C. Brett. Really like this yarn I got at our LYS Twist!
Book the pattern was in is 'the yarn girls' guide to kid knits'. Bought that on my trip to NYC at the Yarn Girls shop! Pretty neat to have an autographed knitting pattern book.

Class Project

2011-03-01T08:33:00.000-06:00

I finished my first ever crochet class. It was at our LYS Twist.

(only been crocheting 40 years)

After a few patter adjustments and finding the correct weight yarn I now have a hat for Princess M!

I am sure she it will be in her dress up wardrobe!!

Busy weekend

2011-02-20T09:55:00.001-06:00

Its crazy how there is so much one weekend to do then nothing the next.

Friday night was a short drive to Oklahoma to try for the first time a concert at First Council Casino.

John Anderson opened for Clint Black. We had seen Clint before but not John. Good music!!!

John Anderson

Clint Black

Saturday afternoon we went to the Sport Boat and Travel show. Lots of information on fishing location all around the area. Saw a beautiful split hull boat with a huge engine, just a mere $106,000 -- ??for a boat??!
Saturday night was out semi monthly dinner out with the neighborhood boys my husband grew up with.
We went to the Hereford House. They didn't have our reservation so we got the VIP room -- Our own dinning room. It was great. Quiet enough we all could hear when someone was talking. Wonderful evening.

I married a great guy!

2011-02-14T21:29:00.000-06:00

There were two of those candys... not sure what happened the other one??

37 years with a wonderful guy!

New Projects

2011-02-12T22:53:00.003-06:00

Its time to have some new projects.
I have worked on a couple of stash item. The intarsia is one of those that you just have to be in the mood. Mood has passed! LOL!
Instead of intarsia -- I knitted a few cat toys, felted and stuffed with cat nip. (The yellow was from an old sweater)

I decided its time to be a 'joiner' and get back to the LYS knitting.
It was 2nd Saturday sale day. I had gotten and email from some company with an infants hoodie. The light came on! Go get your Yarn Girls book and see if they have a hoodie. YEP!
I draged hubby to the yarn shop on the way to the Home Show to make a purchase!!
Now on the needles is James C. Brett - Marble Chunky in a gray/orange. Pattern is in the book "the yarn girls guide to kid knits" Pattern - "triple the fun". Finally something to knit for a grandson in California weather.

Then I got an email from Twist, my LYS, with the cutest little girls hat that made me think of Princess M!

It is a pattern used for a class and the pattern is not for sale. So I figured, what the hey, and signed up for the class. I have to say this will be odd. I have NEVER taken a crochet class in my 40 years of crocheting. I have taught a few classes but not taken any.

It is very much a time in my life to make some major changes. This is a start!

Look what I found

2011-02-02T12:45:00.005-06:00

Since the Midwest Blizzard of 2011 has given me a reason to stay inside again, below zero wind chills are no fun, its time to dig through what projects I have here!

Awe.... a forgotten treasure.
Nicky Epstein's Jacobean.

Well not totally forgotten.

Lets see if we can finish - not toss this hibernating project!!

I wish it already looked like that photo..... Like her hair color too? Hummm?

Here is where I found it, plus about an inch .....

Plane with skis

2011-01-30T20:05:00.002-06:00

This is my dad probably 1938.

I am assuming just after he got his pilots license.

Sure hope with this storm we have coming in we dont need a plane like that!!!

More bald eagles

2011-01-23T21:37:00.023-06:00

We went for our weekend drive to check on the eagle nest. No-body-home!

Then went for a drive down the river, struck out again on Saturday.

Sunday we tried again. Once again nest empty.

Down to the river. Saw one in a tree - too bad it was overcast. Just not as great a photo with the gray sky.

We tried to find a place to turn around and then saw these guys

Made our turn to take the first photo and to head back to the dual tree sitters when we saw one flying over our head. I was so in awe I didn't even lift my camera to take a photo! Using the Nikon with the telephoto lens this time.

Tried to get a bit closer to the mates in the tree, but they picked a great spot that you just could get too close

I just *L*O*V*E* nature!
We saw a total of FOUR Bald Eagles along the river all in about a half mile stretch. So neat!

De - Clutter

2011-01-18T10:46:00.001-06:00

Getting rid of the clutter seems to be in the news all the time any more. Or I hear it yelling right at me!!

My parents passed many years ago and I was the one who cleaned out the house. There have been a few boxes that in the past 20 years that have been transferred to a big plastic box and a file cabinet, as I look through some of the stuff.

Well its time to look through every piece of paper. Toss, shred, give to relatives or put in a book. I have found all sorts of treasures - well to me they are treasures! My grade school photos and grade cards. Lots of old cards and letters from other family members to my family.

My biggest challenge ahead is a shoe box of negatives. I have scanned some 35mm slides and 35mm negatives on my printer/scanner. The problem being - not all the negatives are that size. It might be time to get out the scanner instruction - dang it, hate when that happens!!

But here is a gem I found.

My parents, probably around 1940. Dang those negatives are still in great shape!

Sunday Drive

2011-01-16T20:05:00.000-06:00

One of our local Bald Eagles in town.
We were by where the nest is, but my little camera couldn't get a good photo.
This guy was just waiting for me to take his picture!
So beautiful! Proud to be an American!!

We have snow

2011-01-10T13:04:00.001-06:00

**Finally**

There was no wind like many snow storms here.
Just beautiful!!

something for ME!!

2011-01-06T13:53:00.001-06:00

These are mine. Just in time! Snow this weekend.
I just love working with Bamboo!
I finished a pair for my sis in law, mailed them without a photo. She owes me one now.

Hers are of knitted worstered to match a scarf made last fall.

Now on to other hibernating projects!!

Holiday fun!

2010-12-28T14:02:00.014-06:00

The weather delayed the daugher a day getting home for the Holiday. Not a good idea to drive at night with the threat of ice on the roads.

We started the holiday with the traditional feast of NuWay. Good and greasy!

Yummmy!

Christmas Eve gift opening started with some of my favorite Champagne.

Time to open gifts!!

Everyone very happy this year as we did good at 'surprised you' gifts.

That is not an easy task with this group!

Even Taylor got a gift she loved. Ribbon. She grabbed that sucker and ran!

Finally got the gift for the nieghbors done.

They got and 'IOU" in their Christmas card.

Just ran out of time!!

Been having some wrist pain when crocheting. Have a friend that has a wood lathe. May be in contact with her for some handles for my crochet hooks!!

Wonderful holiday. Skyped with the son and family. Got to see LRay play with his Christmas gifts! Love the internet!!

Love ya both

2010-12-20T20:42:00.001-06:00

The package made it to the family. Hat for Dad and Daughter!

PrincessM got a scarf too, short one - she is only four!

Best Neighbors

2010-12-04T00:08:00.001-06:00

Working on a thank you gift, crocheted afghan, for our cat sitter.

We have the best neighbors ... ever!!

T-Day Visit

2010-12-01T11:01:00.001-06:00

My beautiful grandson.
All decked out in handmade knits
But the best toy is not a toy....

Wonderful baby, great visit!

Done and Delivered

2010-11-22T00:06:00.000-06:00

A while back, found a plastic head and hands. Dug out a 30 year old pattern.

I knew of one special little girl that would like one.

Power Crochet.....

I worked on the plane, but didnt get the trim row finished. That took a couple hours as we sat and chatted.

precious M
the way too grown up H

Baby in a Blanket

***Done and Delivered***

Yes I still blog

2010-11-07T23:19:00.004-06:00

Its been a busy month!
Took a trip to Caddo State Lake in Texas. Long drive there but lots of kayaking time. Beautiful state park. We did a twilight paddle. An all day paddle. A dawn paddle. Then that one last paddle.

We had out inagaral bridge night --- One hand short, dang jobs, dang work!!

Then off to the Windy City to meet up with my CousinN for lots of genealogy and family talk.

Avalon, Wisconsin
The tavern our Grandpa use to hang out at like 70 years ago!!!
My first traditional Czech dinner. OMG the meatloaf was good!
I have a black and white copy but had not seen the original color photo of CousinN. What a sweet face! Love ya N!!

Wonderful B-Day weekend

2010-10-03T14:26:00.000-05:00

We made it to Kansas City in time, even with the stand still constriction traffic in Lawrence, to eat till we couldnt eat any more at the American Royal 31st BBQ. The smell was taunting as we waited in line to finally get into the 20 acres event with over 500 vendors from every state and four countries.

Fun evening guys! The party that didn't want to go home to the baby sitter!

Saturday was a wonder day!! Brunch was at Boston Market then shopping at CostCo, Oak Park Mall and an electronics store. I tried on MANY pairs of jean before I found the perfect pair at the Buckle.
Also got a new camera to replace the one I dropped in Vegas on the asphalt. Not good for cameras. Got one now that is shock proof from 5 feet!

Dinner was at Waldo Pizza. Didnt have pizza but did have their wonderful salad bar and the to die for cheese bread. To celebrate we shared a piece of Tiramisu. Fantastic!!

Before we left we had to take our grand cat for a walk. Tiger loves to be outside! There is too much danger for to a cat to run loose in a urban area. So he has a harness. He runs and jumps and sniffs and runs and rolls. He gets so excited you can see the fire in his eyes!!
Loves to roll in the dirt and get filthy dusty!!

Got to dark to knit, so time to play with the new camera. Dang that bug on the windshield is huge!!

Last time

2010-09-25T23:20:00.000-05:00

Fall is here. The weather is getting cooler. Water levels are way down.
This will be our last time this year to paddle in Kansas.

We took our friend T-Roy kayaking today.
The guys do fine .... but really would rather be in something with a motor!!! Varooommmm!!

Had a storm moving in so had to paddle pretty quick to get back to the start.
But that little bit of clouds sure made a great picture!!

Can you really own a river?
Especially one that feeds into a public lake????

what ya gonna do?

2010-09-20T08:05:00.000-05:00

Zach Brown Band

Blake Shelton

Kayaking

A call from a friend in OKC and in less than 90 minutes I am showered and packed and headed south to see the Zach Brown Band.

We already had tickets for the State Fair show for Blake Shelton the next night!

Trying to get some time on the water before my three day trip, we were at it again.

What do you do now?.... well head back to the State Fair for a few hours to walk and eat!!!

A perfect extended weekend! Love it.... and I was fussing I had nothing to do!

the PERFECT meal

2010-09-12T20:30:00.000-05:00

Finally Kansas is up with the times and here in the heartland at the 2010 Kansas State Fair, we have the amazing, wonderful, perfect cheeseburger!

Meat, lettuce, pickles, tomato and onions (gave those to hubby) --

**But the best I save for last, TWO (2) Krispy Kreme Donuts for the bun.

We split it to try to not completly clog all our arteries.

I could have easliy ate the whole thing by myself!

YUMMY stuff!!!

I love fair food!! Luckily its only once a year!!

Beginning of a fun weekend!

2010-09-04T23:01:00.000-05:00

What a wonderful start to a long weekend. We started out with my new hobby I wanted to share with my hubby.

This was hubby's first time in a kayak. Its like he has done it all along.
We use My Tracks to see how far and how fast we went. Almost 4 miles.

Beautiful flat water!

Found a log cabin tucked in on west shore line. Nice!

After a quick shower, dinner with family from Tennessee at Carlos O'Kelly.
Eric didn't want his pictures taken. Little stinker!
Love you Buddy!

Beautiful evening, beautiful friends

2010-08-31T21:38:00.002-05:00

It was a windy, humid, hot evening - --

that turned into a beautiful, windy, golf evening with good friends

Burning up the roads - again!

2010-08-29T11:22:00.001-05:00

Once again I headed a few hours south to spend some time with my friend - Okie B and the water.
We headed out with the kayaks and a lots of snacks and drinks.

Our lunch was PB'nJ on this big log. Goodness those sandwiches were good!

Then a glance across the lake and back in the kayaks we go.

Maybe sit a spell and wash our hands -- then onward!

Out door concert heaven

2010-08-29T11:21:00.001-05:00

My beautiful Okie friends on a beautiful Oklahoma evening. Didnt take my camera just my phone so pictures were minimal. We saw three great artisits, Buddy Guy,

Al Green
And the imfamous B.B. King

2010-08-29T10:08:00.002-05:00

My golf/knitting buddies got up very early to get on the road by 5:00 am to meet me with two of my old chums in OKC for a begginer kayak class with OKC Kayak

First we started with breakfast at Cracker Barrel then off to Paddles Park at Hefner Lake.
Hey blondie -- this way! Poor J-Ruth, with a bad shoulder had some trouble.
My buds, now aka "the kids"!

Suppose to be a small class. Dont know how it changes but we had 17 boats in the water.

Had a fantastic few days.

Love my home away from home! Thanks Okie B!

Here we go again

2010-08-21T10:00:00.000-05:00

Once again MW and I headed out on our annual trip.

This year we had a rough time picking so we pretty much let RCI Vacations pick a place for us.... Vegas!

Neither of us are gamblers, so a place off the strip was great.

Main goal of the trip, relax and find MW something to wear as Mother of the Groom.

We half way met the clothing goal. MW only needs to find a skirt to go with the jacket and shell we found.

First major outing was to Red Rock Canyon. Awesome colors.

The contrast of colors were amazing.

Love the shape of the catus out there. All unique and different!

Best Dam kayaking in Vegas

2010-08-21T09:58:00.001-05:00

Hard to describe what its like to be in the water below Hoover Dam.

You feel a real sence of history.

It makes you remember the people that risked their lives and those that gave their lives to build that awesome dam.

Soon the new bridge will be open and all dam traffic will halt.

The Black Canyon is dam breathtaking!

The hot springs above us was dam hot - about 120 degrees.
The water was plenty warm where we were standing.
Colorado River water temperture about 56 degrees.
Nature is amazing!

My NEW adventure

2010-08-05T22:46:00.002-05:00

I decided to take a few days to get out of town and go 'play'. It was way tooooo hot to play golf so..........

.....we hid inside until the sun went down, then went country dancing.

But had to leave early, cus we had plans in the early morning.

By 7:00am we were loaded and headed to Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge. It was a beautiful morning.

After a few good instruction my friend OkieB and I were off.
I have never kayaked before and OkieB was a great teacher.

Here I go!
The water was so smooth.
We even saw some neat wildlife. I believe this is a Blue Heron.
Thanks OkieB, it was so much fun!!

Can you say float trip????

New Lake Friends

2010-07-30T10:00:00.002-05:00

My niece and here husband camp with a group of people every year.

I am lucky that this year they picked Kansas!

So I once again rented a RV and off I went. This time with my cat in the RV. Husband and daughter to arrive the next day.

On my morning alone I did some knitting in the shade.

Took kitty Taylor a day to figure out what was going on but soon she was a happy camper too!

Colorado Coco-nuts

2010-07-30T09:45:00.001-05:00

Some Redneck golf
A look at where the 1 1/2 inch of rain may have come in at.
Crazy Colorado people!!
"I am soooooooooooo cute!!!"

Waterskiing!

2010-07-30T09:30:00.001-05:00

My niece across the wake.
That was a bit of a fall - go get that other ski!
My nephew way out there.
And he's up. He skied almost all the way back to the campgrounds.

Precious Girl

2010-07-30T09:15:00.002-05:00

Had to load up the RV and get it returned.

My Grand niece, 'Princess M' was playing dress up in her wedding gown.

A photo of the cousins. So great to have them so close in age.

The kids were ready to go tubing but' Princess M' told her Dad --- "I have to get married first!!" She loves to play pretend!

What a great group of people and the sweetest kids. It was sad, but time to head home.....

Ready to roll!

2010-07-17T20:05:00.002-05:00

Hubby and I got busy.
Well he was busy, I was the number one assistant.
NOW, we have a hitch!

Soon as we pick a bike rack we are set to roll and roll!

Free tickets

2010-07-15T23:43:00.000-05:00

I won free tickets to the Mark Chestnut concert.
Free is a wonderful price!

Its a small venue. LOVE IT!!
Wonderful evening!!

Slow but sure

2010-07-13T14:44:00.002-05:00

This has been a project.

Trying to understant the pattern
Finding the pattern wrong
Contacting designer and distributor to hear their lame excuses!
The realization that you cant watch "Lie to Me" or "CSI" and knit this without errors
The pride of a row done correct! (ah! warm fuzzy!!)

Have one more set of 34 rows then border!

I do see an end!

Out of town golf

2010-06-24T21:47:00.002-05:00

July is going to be very busy. So I thought if I was going to get any golf in out of town I better go.....
cleaned up some stuff in the house, filled a bag with clothes and off I went.

Got to OKC in time for dinner, drinks and great friends.

Its so dang hot and humid we got an early tee time, and off we went!

This was Okie-B's first time in years on a golf course Once the newbe jitters left, she did wonderful.

Another turtle crossed out path on the last hole. Shy guy!

Liam is so precious!

2010-06-17T13:10:00.001-05:00

I made the mistake of telling someone before I left town -- "I never have any problems traveling!"

Well my smart mouth kicked me silly!

It took me 28 hours to get from the Kansas to California! Big storm in Denver. Flights delayed then planes without crew with not enough hours to continue. Hotel overnight with a crappy new flight leaving at 9:30 in the evening, but called again to find an earlier one thru Las Vegas to have mechanical problems with a 4 hour delay. Finally to see my baby Liam!

What a good baby!!!!

Got United airlines to extend my stay a day without fees so I could stay longer with the family.

Time to go home get on the plane, ah a two seat row all by myself!! Ramp gone, about to shut the door and some gal has her luggage with her in her seat that is too big saying what do I do with this?. Should have been gate checked. Flight attendant said we will have to find someplace for that!!!

well.................

What a seat companion!!
And IT got the window seat!
All strapped in too.

My trip was fantastic and Liam is the best baby ever! Most handsome too!

Being a boy he had his first manly nap on the couch! Starting early!!

Some knitting got done but mostly lots of baby holding!

B&D Last Rodeo

2010-05-28T00:16:00.006-05:00

BROOKS and DUNN -- LAST RODEO TOUR

Started out the evening having dinner with friends. Mexican of course.

With a bit of excitement the five of us head to our not so secret anymore parking place and to the concert!

Kix and Ronnie.
Two great performers.

I cant believe its been 20 years.
It seems like yesterday when they opened for Reba back in the early 90's at the Coliseum here!

One of my favorite songs - Believe.

Just dang neat!!

Awesome tribute to our military!

Thanks again Hubby for risking you life for us!

Mr. has his Masters

2010-05-25T09:10:00.000-05:00

YEA! He did it!
Our son has graduated from California State University, Fresno with a Masters degree in Viticulture and Enology! There were three graduates in the school this year. I believe that will now be about 50 people in country holding a degree in Viticulture.
So happy they did a live broadcast on the school web page so I could watch. Hubby and Daughter were there for the hooding as I stayed home with a cat with Vestibular disease, (something similar to severe Vertigo). Its been a long 10 days of supportive care and vet visits, but she is showing improvement.

For the memory books -- Not bad with a cell phone taking picture of a computer!!

Home Grown

2010-05-16T19:25:00.000-05:00

A few years back we planted strawberries for ground cover.
They are ever-berry so we get a few here and there.

This year was a bumper crop! Not the best looking but so flavorfull!!!!

more critters

2010-05-13T23:19:00.002-05:00

Of course the Critter Whisperer
finds the LARGER critters,
May 6 post
but I can find some too!!!

It was so dang tiny and cute!!

Kansas Stroms

2010-05-10T22:47:00.000-05:00

This was as the rotating clouds were passing over to the west.

Once the storm passed the sun came out then it cooled off, leaving some really eerie fog! NEAT!!

PBR

2010-05-07T22:55:00.002-05:00

What a wonderful show. The new arena hosts a fabulous show. Love the big screen for replay!!

Kansas cowboy

Isnt he majestic? Such beautiful animals!!

Tulsa Fiber Fest

2010-05-02T20:04:00.001-05:00

The Barn @ Brush Creek
Very nice showing for their first event!

Beautiful place to hold a yarn event!
~~~~

Pretty P and I headed to lunch.

From the ratings this is where we thought we would have lunch!! There are bars around the AC!!

Nothing much else in the area. We said -- keep driving!!

Quick trip -- great day!

Old & New

2010-05-01T19:36:00.001-05:00

Forgot to upload these~~

OLD --

With Paul for our last round at Echo Hills!

Sorry to see this place close!!

Food at the turn!! They had great hot dogs!!

NEW --

Making progress on the FireFly Shawl

Family Addition

2010-04-30T18:43:00.000-05:00

He is here!

Grand son Liam with his Daddy!

I am not crazy

2010-04-27T00:33:00.001-05:00

Got an email today from The Alpaca Yarn Company. Thank you for your quick response!!!
I am impressed with your desire to help me with this pattern. They stated if the email didn't solve my issue to call and they would assist me! Wonderful customer service -- A+!!
There was an error in the patten. That didn't totally solve my problem.
What they feel, at this time didn't need to be in the instructions is what she wrote in the email:
Yes, the highlighted block is the repeat. After row 48, go back to row 17 again. You will work the repeat in the box 2 times, so work the edge border sts (once), then the main graph (twice), the center sts once, and then back to the main graph (twice) and end with the edge border sts. As you complete row 48 again, the repeat in the block will become 3 times and then 4 in the last repeat.

Rows 49-55 were taken out of the updated version, so as soon as you are done the 4th repeat of row 48, you will begin the border.

AH HA!!!

Where do you the previous quote from the bold part of the revised instructions:

Begin working shawl as follows: RS rows (odd numbers) Work edge border then main graph and then center sts from right to left. Then work main graph and edge border from left to right to complete the row.

WS rows are not shown on graph and are worked k5, p to last 5 sts, k5.

Work row 1-48 once and then rows 17-48 three more times. Keep sts live on needle.

Now if I can quit forgetting to put in the YO's and find some other project to work on while shows like HOUSE or Chuck is on I might get this shawl done before the sun burns out!!

So for that ahhh moment... pictures of the grand cats since the grand son has not made his appearance YET!! He is due come Wednesday!!!!!!

Chart Knitting

2010-04-25T10:00:00.003-05:00

I admit I dont like taking classes. Never had much need for them. Might (and I say this loosely) Might have been told this if I took a class.
Not sure if this is my mistake or the way they wrote the pattern.
"Work row 1 - 48 once and then 17 - 48 three more times. Keep sts live on needle" Then it goes to the border.
First of all the chart has 55 rows. (when do you knit those?)
Then the center 16 stitches of rows 17 - 48 have a darker line around them. Okay I know that has to mean something.
After some MATH -- yes math. I figured out you do the boxed area row THREE times when you get to it, finish the row, turn around and do the boxed area THREE times again in.
Where in the world does it say that anywhere?????
I looked up on the internet chart reading, lace knitting, etc. and found one foot note towards the bottom of one page, 'repeat boxed areas once'.
These instructions are like road signs on most hi-ways -- Made for the people that live there who already know where they are going OR like the person that wrote the pattern.
Am I not getting it? Is this odd to anyone else???
Now my brain is tired!! LOL!! But I am pretty sure I have this figured out!!

So here is a photo of my baby, enjoying double heat! Sun and heater! Her favorite place to be, when not on my lap!

Lace Knitting - sort of

2010-04-24T17:08:00.002-05:00

Had a bit of a problem getting things going correct on this Firefly shawl.

First time out got so far then found errors. Frogged, got going again, then found more errors.

Its hard to see what you are doing till you have enought on the needles to have a pattern.

So instead of frogging, I cut it off and set it free!!

Started again. Much better. This time I put in more markers than they called for AND life line where I knew it was correct. No dropped YO that way!

The yarn was purchased at the Dallas Fiber Fest. It is from Blue Heron. The yarn is the rayon metallic in polar bear/silver. Shabby Sheep/ Dallas was the vendor

Very soft and silky!! But not fingerling weight -- heavier!

I just want to sit and knit-- nothing else.

At least we got out for a 16 mile bike ride today. Tried to find my BGB Lanora, but I would assume her phone was on silent!!

Dinner with friends

2010-04-18T13:11:00.000-05:00

Nothing nicer that dinner out with friends!

Friends that have know each other for 55 YEARS!!

Four of these guy were in class together from grade school thru high school.

The other two, a neighborhood kid and a brother.

Until recently some had not seen each other in 30 years.

This has become an every other month 'expected' event.

Now there is talk of trips out of town some day!

!!!Let the fun begin!!!

Baby Stuff DONE

2010-04-17T23:35:00.001-05:00

The last of the before baby is born projects are done!
Baby Surprise Jacket has been knit for some time... needed finishing work.
Really cute!

too short

2010-04-15T14:06:00.001-05:00

One more baby thing done. I purchased the fabric for another project. Change of plans.

Fabric is a bit short but you cant make from salvage to salvage any wider!!

If I were to try it again I would have to buy more fabric and the pattern would go the other direction. Not sure that is an option I would like

Soon as the buttons and loose threads are done with the Baby Surprise Sweater...... this box is closed to be shipped. Maybe tomorrow!

p.s. trial one done too. It was too long, then too short, now its done! I really L*O*V*E my serger

Thank you gift

2010-04-12T15:19:00.000-05:00

Just before we left for our golf/yarn weekend, I finished a simple scarf that is going out in the mail today. My sis in law picked out the yarn and I added some accent yarn. Came out neat!

Thanks for having me!!

DALLAS done Kansas Style

2010-04-11T21:02:00.006-05:00

Three sets of golf clubs and all the accessories that you need for three fabulous days in Dallas. Can you see Pattie our driver??
A very red table for Mexican food after 18 holes of golf at Indian Creek Golf course on a beautiful Friday morning. Pattie and Lanora have bloomed with their golf. It has been fantastic to watch them find their game!
Out last supper in Dallas at Dukes Roadhouse -- with many brewed beverages. This type of food will not encourage good sleep!!

Our only painful memory! Standing in line to pay for a parking spot at West End for probably 30 minutes after very large beverages!! Never again!!

Lanora took more pictures than I did...... check it out!!

New projects! Yea!!

Easter walk

2010-04-04T01:32:00.002-05:00

Took the day to make a day trip to see the daughter for Easter.
The city has been revitalizing the area along the Missouri river. So we walked about 2 1/2 miles!!
Gonna be really nice.
Soon she will be a walk all the way to the Isle of Capri Casino!!

Dad and Girl
The Girls

BBB Best Bike Buddy

2010-04-01T21:01:00.003-05:00

After a few days of thinking about how I was going to do this. I got to sewing.

Now I can ride in style without things bouncing

out of my basket when I hit a bump. Added a nifty drawstring to the top of the liner.

I just barely finished my basket liner before I needed to pack

everything up and head downtown to meet my BBB.

I will always will remember this April 1st!! Our first duet ride.

The tempreture was perfect. The choice of clothing colors almost identical by accident, again.

Only that gale force winds of up to 39 mph, made it a bit tricky here and there.

After a short ride it was time to head to our Mexican stop to meet Pretty P.

Then a stop at Twist to look at yarn... and back to our starting point!

What a wonderful day!!!

Long LONG ago....

2010-03-30T16:42:00.001-05:00

Back when I gave up my old bike for my first car, which was a used 69 Chevy Camaro, I use to umpire little girl softball games at this park for the city Park Board.
I dont think they have many games there any more. But the backstop is still there and the street sign that a pre teen gal swung around because she was so happy to score a run. We had to take that run away from her because she left the playing area. Wow how can I remember that??? Probably why I cant remember what I had for breakfast!

finished four

2010-03-28T14:48:00.002-05:00

This is another small project that gave me a bit of trouble till I figured I was using the wrong tools! Toss the circular and bring out those trusty double points. So much easier for smaller projects. The 80% bamboo was too slick for keeping tension on a circular cord even.
LOVE this yarn, well love any bamboo yarn.
Sirdar Snuggley baby bamboo from Twist is so fun to work with.
The pattern is "The Little Flap Hat #109" from Cabin Fever.
Changed the center stripe. Really easy once you get the right tools!!

How cute is this gonna be on the real "Baby J"???

Made a trip to Lawrence. Saw this really cute Jayhawk,

AND went to the Yarn Barn --

Of course I found some bamboo yarn -- on sale to boot!

Love me tender, love me family......

2010-03-21T20:01:00.000-05:00

Spent a FANTASTIC four days in the Memphis area. Got to see Graceland --- inside this time.

Had LOTS of time with the my sister-in-law, two nieces, precious Eric!
Yep Bob too. Lots of eating out! LOVED it!!

Came home to a WONDERFUL husband.

Now I need sleep.

Ready to ship

2010-03-17T11:44:00.001-05:00

Baby gift done - minus one. Oh well I tried.

The Elizabeth Zimmerman sweater is still not finished.

Just dont like the neck line. Need some thinking time.

Successful Blocking

2010-03-16T21:59:00.001-05:00

I love playing with yarn. It is so dang neat!

The boot to the right is my trial, its staying here on the prairie.
Made the matching pair using a smaller hook and love the results.

Also... blocking! I was not happy with the brim of the hat.
After some soaking in cedar wash, very boy baby smell,
I folded it in half, rolled the sides, then let it dry.
Love the results!!

All is headed to Cal-i-forn-ia for the baby shower!!

Panic Stitchen

2010-03-15T00:07:00.000-05:00

I thought I had this knitting for grand baby to be under control.

HA! Thats what I get for thinking!!

Forgot about this commitment and that event. Ahh!

Let's hope for lots of FO in the next two days!!!

Finishing - three

2010-03-12T14:10:00.001-06:00

Hold it there partner! This brim looks off center.

Crochet in the round likes to twist. I have started this brim over about three times. Not sure if its gonna be center.

Hat is in the "should I frog the brim again" phase?

Lots of work for a baby hat!

I think I will get the boots done while I think!!

Redo on the hat band too once I figure out what I am doing!

She is all mine, or is it he's all mine?

2010-03-10T15:27:00.002-06:00

I traded in ole black beauty.

Now I have me a new smooth ride!!

Soon as soon as this dang rain is done -- ready for Thursday night Pub Crawl

Face to Face Tour

2010-03-04T07:43:00.002-06:00

Most fun we have had on a Wednesday night in a long time.
There was a full house at the Intrust Bank Arena for the team of Elton John and Billy Joel

The house was a rocken'

Elton John was fantastic!

Bill Joel was wonderful!

A great THREE and a HALF hour concert!

Baby Nest

2010-03-03T09:50:00.003-06:00

My son requested a photo prop for the baby on the way!
Its done!!! Pattern??? Ha! Might have to figure out what I did in case another is needed!

Its DONE!!

Cabbage Patch doll for a model.
Remember the lines for those dolls?

Smooth bottom

With a drawstring for adjustments!

Finishing - One!

2010-02-28T11:48:00.001-06:00

I am the best at starting......... but a little weak at finishing!

There are quite a few baby projects to be finished in the knitting bag and on the sewing machine right now before the March 25 baby shower.

But the first to be finished is a no sew fleece blanket. The boots are a choice of Mama to be. The other side was suggested by the lady at the shop in Guthrie, it is a very deep brick color with a rope pattern.

One down.... six?? to finish!?!?!!??

My Day!

2010-02-14T09:49:00.001-06:00

Saturday was my Valentines Day. I spent a fun few hours with a girl friend out and about. Women's Fair, lunch, yarn shopping and some fabric shopping!

Came home to flowers and candy -- my favorite kind, milk chocolate and fluff!

Dinner was at my favorite Mexican place, Playa Azul.

A wonderful DAY just for ME.

Today is his Valentines Days. I bet that means Knolla's for dinner!!

!!!Cables!!!

2010-02-08T22:19:00.002-06:00

I found a reversable cable scarf.
It is looking really nice.
I am getting a little sick of cables.
At least I read how to cable without a cable needle.

Sure wish I knew that earlier.
Of course kitty keeping me warm!!

Arena Cross

2010-02-06T23:21:00.007-06:00

Once again we headed to the NEW Intrust Bank Arena. This time we sat on the south side of the arena. We are getting to know all the neat spots. This section gives you access to the Cox Communications bar area. At the intermission we wanted a snack, but something a bit healthy -- if you can find anything like that at an arena. Well yes we did! Fruit and cheese bowl. VERY good!!

Tonight was ...... Gravity Slashers FMX. That blur is a guy standing on his flying motorcycle!

Look MOM no feet!!

Multiple blurs. Like buzzing bees.........

That blur in the lead is a SNOW MOBILE!!!

What a fun evening watching all the kids in the crowd in awe!!

Beach Stitchen

2010-01-30T12:18:00.000-06:00

J-girl has a little one that loves to cuddle with a blankie! A request was made while sitting on the plane to Punta Cana and with some sock yarn I had with me I crocheted a cuddle blankie with finger loops around the outside edge. Its a two year old size -- carry any where I wanna go blankie!!

Now isn't that J-boy precious!??????

Girls in Punta Cana

2010-01-29T11:49:00.004-06:00

It was wonderful to leave the cold of the Midwest and head to the warmth of the Dominican Republic. Coming back to snow was not a very nice trick Mother Nature!!

The daughter, my Okie friend and me! J-Girl taking the photo!

Red flag warning every day!

The youngen's

It did get cold after the rain with that wind!

WONDERFUL TIME!!!!!

A Success!!

2010-01-13T23:28:00.071-06:00

Last week I started a new baby sweater for the precious grandson to be.

I have been, grounded--- sick with my annual bronchitis.

The first time I got bronchitis I was pregnant with my boy, the daddy to be, 32 years ago.

Being sick with that stuff impairs my thinking -- (that's my story and I am sticking to it)

I decided to not make a front and back like the pattern said to do but knit in the round.

I guess I thought I knew more than they did -- imagine that???

About 2 rows from casting off I thought..... where are the sleeves going to go?
Instructions say... in the side seams.

Oops, don't have any.

The internet to the rescue! I found instruction on how to sew then cut my knitting.
Follow and all will be fine.

Well that took a few days of contemplating.
Had a friend suggest to make a swatch to practice on which got me over that fear factor of cutting, thanks Wendy!

So I marked my cut line with the dark yarn.

Sewed two lines of straight stitch and then CUT!!!

There are loose threads and I am not sure how many washings it can handle.

But its a sweater for a 6 month old. He will outgrow it before you can wash it too much!!

It worked!

Sewed the seam up to the sleeve with mattress stitch. It is a really smooth, flat seam once you get it all done in comparison to the sleeve seam on the left side.

All I know is once I get a white button up shirt under it, that is gonna be one well dressed boy!!

Intrust Opening Show

2010-01-10T00:36:00.002-06:00

It was fantastic!

We started the evening having a Mexican dinner with friend Lanora and her hubby.
Made our way in the frigid cold to the arena.
Hubby and I were there last weekend for the open house, so we had a good idea of what to expect. Lanora and hubby, this was all new. Someone (L) got so dang excited-- it was wonderful to watch.
This whole arena things has been under such controversy for years. It is really a wonderful addition to this city.
Opening was Justin Moore, then Miranda Lambert.

The big draw.....

Beautiful videos.

Wonderful tributes to those legends we have lost.

It was a great way to show off a great new arena we should be proud of!

Sick knitting

2010-01-09T16:00:00.000-06:00

My annual bronchitis and sinus stuff has stopped me cold. After a couple a days of no desire to do anything, I managed to make some knitting progress. Plus a whole bunch of new 'friends' playing lots of internet games!

The blue stripped sweater and hat have been done for a while but in need of being sewn together. Got that done but not happy with it. It is the baby surprise jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman. As in many reviews, the neck hole is very small. Still thinking on how to fix this one...

Knitted most of the cream soon to be V-neck baby sweater while sick. It is out of the book "the yarn girl's guide to kid knits". Got the book in NYC when Wendy and I visited their shop in 2008. Even got it autographed! I tried to take a short cut and knit the body in the round. Well two rows from finishing I thought, "where are the sleeves going to go?" Crap that is what the side seams are for. (hint to self -- dont make major patterns change when sick) So I made the sleeves and will soon try my first effort in whatever they call it, sewing with a sewing machine then cutting the knitted fabric and sew in the sleeves. Wish me luck! I believe its a Scandinavian form of knitting in the round.

The only completed project for a whole week of sick knitting is one of three baby socks!

I hate being sick but his bronchial stuff is something I will never be too far from. At least I picked a good week to be sick. It has been the coldest Kansas has seen in years! Good time to stay inside!

Finally a Christmas post

2010-01-03T00:24:00.004-06:00

We had a wonderful Christmas. Hope you had a wonderful holiday also.

Daughter came home just before the storm hit! It was great to have her home for a few days.
For Christmas I got an electric tea kettle. I love to drink plain hot water. This makes it so much more fun than just putting a cup into the microwave.
Can you tell by the expression I was a bit surprised?!! We used one in California, but it wasn't clear glass where you could see the water boil! Pretty dang neat!!

New Years Eve we spent time with old friends D&L. We use to celebrate every year together before we were all married and for a few years after we all married. Children and family have made the years fly by. It was so good to spend that special evening with them again.

Since I got my MacBook Pro back in October I have been investigating what all it does. Lately working on an iBook of our vacation in California.

Since it will be so dang blasted cold this week I hope to get that one done and one or two of my girl trips done.
I have been knitting just not finishing!!!

On a more somber note.... Today hubby and I went the funeral of my good friend Lanora's father in law. It was a wonderful service. My thoughts are with Lanora and her extended family. Hard to loose someone at the holidays.
It has been a day to reflect on the importance of family or friends and how we need to cherish every minute we have with the ones we love. My father left us way to early, in 1978, a few days after Thanksgiving. I do remember those good time we did have, and there were lots of them!
One of the last photos I have. This is from 1977, if you cant tell by my glasses. Myself, daughter, my dad -- tan from a summer of golf and fishing, and his mom, my grandma --- Four generations.

Family Vacation

2009-11-27T21:50:00.000-06:00

This year our family Thanksgiving was in California. Hubby, daughter and I traveled there to be with our son and daughter in law, grand son to be, and two grand dogs.
They found a wonderful house for us to rent. It worked great.

We had four days of all of us together to go site seeing, play "Are you smarter than a 5th grader on Wii" and lots of eating to make sure Mom to be stays full!!. It was great to spend lots of time sitting around with the family, took the dogs for a walk along the beach across the street and watched them run in the huge back yarn!
Our HOME away from home. La Selva Beach, California.

The Mystery Spot, was a very strange place. An old tool shed slid down the hill because of who knows what force besides gravity. We had a terrible time getting a photo that want fuzzy!!??!! Something weird going on there!!
Our view of at lunch in Monterey
Now that is a beautiful golf couse I would like to play. This is hole 17 at Pebble Beach or one of the other courses it is adjecent to!

I am thankful for such a great family!

thirty six years

2009-11-10T19:52:00.002-06:00

My sweet hubby brought home flowers

even through we were going out to dinner.

What a lucky girl I am!!

I GIVE UP!

2009-11-08T14:52:00.000-06:00

I am not a quitter and USUALLY will outlast most in a confrontation, well except when it come to dealing with people!
But crafts or dealing with an inanimate objects (like computers), I will fight to the very end!!!

Any who!! I have given this yarn, GGH Vento more than its fair share. I have knitted it, and sneezed. I have washed the knitted piece and swept up the fuzz. I have woven it, and sneezed. Someone else has to sweep up the fuzz at the art studio. Then I brought it home and washed it to see if I get the fuzz to stop.
I have now washed my washer and I think the fuzz is mostly out of the dryer...... I GIVE UP!!
It's in the trash with all the leaves!!

This second project is better, photo color is very vivid. I still have to finish sewing the bottom brown edge under then the top
This will be a place mat for my grand-kittens.
The kittymat, could have been a bit bigger! But how big a mat do two kittens need???

Picot- Picot - Picot!!

2009-11-01T16:32:00.002-06:00

The first 10 or 15 Picot's were fun.... but after 70 on just the first short end I was ready to do something else.... like a baby hat!!

I told myself get it done, reap the award of another project done.

Oh yes! Done! Beautiful!

Summer weight baby blanket for the grandson to be!

Train Photos

2009-10-29T21:29:00.004-05:00

My Blackberry will not upload pictures to Blogger -- sorry these are late

It was dark when we got the cab.
On the way!!!
Healthy *ha, ha* breakfast
Before dark we had two projects done.

San Antonio

2009-10-29T21:26:00.001-05:00

Our wonderful balcony that we stitched on for about 4 hours, the next day. Once the clouds blew over and the sun came out -- it was so nice and warm.
Lunch on the River Walk
Dinner on the River Walk
Our favorite place on the train -- the lounge car

train ride

2009-10-28T08:40:00.001-05:00

My Okie buddy Brenda and I thought it would be fun to ride Amtrak from OKC to San Antonio, Texas!
We had a blast!
Lots of time to chat and stitch! Brenda finished her first crochet project and I got a baby hat done!
For dinner on the train we met the ever entertaining Gloria and her son!! This gal was a talker-- I didn't get a word in besides "uh huh!"
We should have stayed another day in San Antonio, lots to do!
Pictures later!!

Thanks Lanora!

2009-10-22T21:59:00.001-05:00

My dear friend Lanora asked if Pattie and I wanted to take a weaving class with her since its too cold to play golf. I had taken weaving class YEARS ago so............. sure!!

Class is on Tuesdays and I will have to miss next week because of another commitment. I asked if I could make up the class so she asked me to come tonight!

I got a good start on what I hope will be a warm soft baby blanket for our first grand baby.

Tension is key. Easy to be too tight or too loose! Hopefully like most yarn projects, once washed it all evens out!!!

Lanora and Pattie will start on Tuesday! They will be hooked and probably weave instead of lunch.

This is gonna be a fun class!!!

birthday flowers

2009-10-06T14:56:00.005-05:00

A little late with this post of my beautiful birthday flowers with the neat iris type flowers because of my other birthday present.... a MacBook.

Once again my HP is dying!

This time its the mother board that is defective, overheats and slows the system!

Time to get with the current style of data storage -- online!!

It will take 7 days to back up to Jungle Disk, now down to 5.

I am afraid once the HP comes back it will once again be blank.

**Just want a computer that will work for more than SIX months!**

OKIE Weekend

2009-09-27T17:22:00.002-05:00

Rodeo then concert.

How do they do it? Hang the concert above the rodeo! Pretty neat!

Not many riders stayed on the bulls so the rodeo clowns played with the bull! Those guys are so gutsy!! LOVE to see a spicy bull!!

Then there was this horse that had a few too many... you head that joke....

Gary Allen and his band member in a kilt! It was so dang loud we left after two songs. Listened to about five more songs from out in the hallway. OMG it was loud! Even the youngins were holding their ears!!