Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Rainy Days continued...and continued!

It's still raining.  Okay, yes.  I know that we need the rain.  But days on end of rain are not my thing.  And although we live in Washington State and people usually think it rains all of the time here, that couldn't be more wrong.  Seattle gets a lot of rain, but they are on the other side of the Cascades mountains.  We're in the high desert here in Spokane.  It's usually fairly dry.  Oh we'll have a day or two of rain but then it's gorgeous again.  It was beautiful the entire time Alex was home.  Now that it's lake time, it's been raining and it's predicted to continue through the holiday weekend.  Oh well.  I still like to be in the trailer, listening to the rain on the roof, but at some point we have to leave the trailer and take Chloe for a walk.  And in the process get completely soaking wet.  So I haven't gone to the trailer yet this week.  I had an awful migraine most of the weekend.  Yesterday after going to the mall to try to get my walking in without turning into a duck, I sat and worked on my mystery project and watched knitting podcasts all afternoon.  Seriously, I hardly ever watch television anymore since I discovered podcasts.  And now I have found, wait for it... another whole world of CROCHET podcasts!  I don't think I will ever have enough time to watch them all.

I did add a bit to my socks.  This is Knit Picks Stroll Fingering weight yarn and it's so soft with just enough nylon added to make them strong enough for socks.  These are some of my favorite colors.  I'm just using a plain vanilla sock pattern with 2x2 ribbing for the leg portion.  So comfortable.
My blanket has a few more squares added.  For those of you who have asked, I'm using a US size 2, nine inch circular needle for my blanket.  The squares are 44 stitches.  You pick up stitches as you go and the squares are worked directly onto the blanket, not added later.  Be warned.  This blanket is addicting.  Someday I may make one out of worsted weight yarn.
I received this beautiful gift in the mail yesterday from the generous Araignee.  You can find her blog on my sidebar.  I really think that there is nothing this lady can't do.  She crafts everything and I don't know where she gets the time to do it all.  She sent me three bars of soap, a lotion bar in a cute tin, stitch markers from the 2016 Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival.  And a sweet little card.  I wanted to go the the festival with Mandy this year but it just wasn't meant to be.  How sweet of her to send me the sweet stitch markers.  Thank you so much Araignee.
Sandra from the SamIAm blog on my sidebar has been reading these Ladybug Farm books.  They tweaked my interest when she said if you liked the Mitford Series, you would like these.  I looked on Amazon but really didn't want to spend the money right now.  So after a wasted trip to the big box bookstore of Barnes and Noble, where the teenager working looked at me blankly when I asked if they had these books, I went to the library!  Lo and behold they had this one at our branch, another at another branch which will be sent to me tomorrow and the third one is damaged.  They will try to get the damaged one in a week or so if possible.  I think that's the entire series.  So I was going to start reading this one but will wait a day or two to see if the first one arrives.  I would much rather read them in order.
That's about it.  I was out of commission most of the weekend with my migraine and didn't do a thing. I get them VERY rarely, thank goodness.  I get the octicular migraines where I lose my sight, I go completely blind, and then the pain comes.  The doctor told me years ago that each one would be progressively worse.  He was right.  But it's been several years since I had one, so I really can't complain much.  It just frustrates me to lose time on my projects.

Do you have big plans for the holiday weekend?  Dennis is taking a vacation day on Friday and we're spending it at the lake.  It was predicted to be a beautiful weekend, but they are changing the forecast to rain.  I don't care.  We'll still be there enjoying our time reading and I'll be knitting.

I hope your plans are wonderful too, but, especially if you live in the United States, you'll take some time to remember why we celebrate this holiday.  I appreciate each and every one of the military men and women who gave up their lives for the freedoms we have.  I also remember each of my family members who have passed on.

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst." 1 Timothy 1:5

Blessings,
Betsy



14 comments:

  1. Hi Betsy, sounds like you live in Eastern PA as we are having the same weather - rain, rain and more rain. Today actually has been pretty nice, but suddenly hot and now it is clouding up for an afternoon storm. I do hope you have a wonderful weekend at the lake and that your weather is great!

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  2. Sending prayers your way sweet friend. I hope you are feeling much better today. The book series sounds interesting. Makes me want to start writing something new myself. Ok, do you know about the cross stitching podcasts on you tube? Here's one that I really enjoy watching The Twisted Stitcher https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hZvpoDxzvQ
    There really aren't enough hours in the day to watch all of these talented people! :) Blessings to you always sweet friend. :)

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  3. I am so sorry you have had such a terrible migraine. Bless your heart. That is just terrible that it takes your eyesight. I hope you feel much better and are able to enjoy your time at the lake with no headache, and I hope it stops raining, if it is the Lord's will. Enjoy your time, sweet friend...and your blanket and projects are so beautiful.

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  4. Hello my friend. So sorry to hear you have been laid up with a nasty migraine! I have only ever had two. I don't ever want another!!
    Thanks for explaining the blanket. I so want to make one, but I have not accumulated the sock yarns yet. When I do, I will start one too.
    I, like you, rarely watch the telly anymore since finding podcasts! Tell me your favorite crochet pods! I can barely keep up with the ones I already watch!
    My Greg goes deep sea fishing in Mexico every year over Memorial Day holiday. They have been going for about 30 years. My Dad started this fishing tournament, and it is still going strong. My brother runs it now. They just have a ball. I will be doing some shopping with my Mom and girls on Saturday, but other than that, no plans. I hope to get to do some more house stuff. There is still much to do!! But I love it!
    We are very unseasonably cool now. Usually by this time it is quite hot. But we haven't even been in the pool yet. Fine by me. I have no tolerance for the heat anymore.
    I hope you get to have at least a bit of sunshine at the lake this weekend. Enjoy your time, and I call be thinking of you.
    xo Kris

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  5. Oh, I hope the weather clears for your holiday weekend. Yes, I truly have always thought Washington was the rainiest state! Love the blanket squares- those are darling. Hope you are feeling much better. I've never had migraines but a friend has and she really suffers with them. Blessings to you.

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  6. We're having the same miserable rain day after day. I hope it gets better soon, we're having a huge celebration at Multnomah Falls on June 9th and I'm leading a DAR chorus to open the event with the National Anthem.. and I think I have strep throat! I'm off to the doctor tomorrow to try to get it taken care of. Wah. Hang in there.. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  7. Hope you feel better soon and that the rain stops. Wishing you a lovely break by the lake. The blanket is looking amazing, a great method, love the eclectic mix of colours. Take care.

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  8. I hope some of the rain made it's way to Canada to help with the fires. Here we just have heat which is the way it will be for many months to come. Sorry to hear about your migraine. Sounds scary to lose your sight, even for a short amount of time. Glad you are feeling better and back to knitting. Take care, Tammy

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  9. So sorry about your migraine, you know I understand all about them. Seems like there is some medication that could help. I currently feel like a lab rat with all they are trying with me, the latest which has made me feel very ill. I think a weekend in the rain at the lake sounds cozy. We are hanging out at home, spending time with Little Buddy in the pool teaching him to swim.
    Meredith

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  10. There is so much loveliness in this post. That blanket makes my fingers tingle.
    Amalia
    xo

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  11. If you get migraines freqently. Go see a headache specialist neurologist. I lived with chronic migraine for years. I drive 2 1/2 hours each way to see my doctor in Cleveland Ohio. Without the Botox treatment I receive from him every 3 months. I would be completely incapacitated by pain. With the treatments I get a couple headaches every 3 months normally when its almost time for the treatment again. A can of sugared Coca-Cola will get rid of the headache pain now. Before nothing worked well including heavy duty pain meds.

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  12. I'll have to try that 2 X 2 ribbing in my next sock and the fish lips kiss heel and contrasting heel and toe. I think it's time I expand my sock skills. I love your blanket and that is the exact technique I used for that tan and gold one I made for my grandson but they were different size squares. I remember how much I enjoyed that one so I will definitely be making one. Also, Stitched in Sweden is doing one using crocheted hexagons with a white background in join as you go which also is very pretty.
    I received some beautiful little balls of sock yarn from a sweet lady named Betsy...you are too good to me! I was so shocked as I wasn't expecting anything in the mail! I was thrilled and will blog about it tomorrow! What a treat! Now to dig up my needles and get started! Whoo Hoo! Thank you so much! I pray your migraines go away, the rain stops and your books come in before you go to the lake! I'm so glad you got something as you are such a generous person yourself! Have a wonderful week and weekend...it's raining loads here too and right through the weekend it looks like. I don't mind though but the girls do! I just let them out the door...I don't have to walk them. Take care and I wish you much joy and peace!

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  13. I loved the Mitford series so I will try the Farm books. I love the CLOUDS that are forming on your pooling socks. Deb sends amazing soap and yarny packages. Such a dear

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  14. Hi there Betsy so glad to hear you are getting some rain even if you are sick of it .. we need it too we get these cold cloudy days but not rain what a waste of clouds I always feel.
    If you get wet when out you need to get some decent waterproofs, my sister put me on my great waterproof coat and pants for the wet weather and I come home dry esp if I remember to spray my shoes with waterproof, too, I need to get some more of it but not actually needing it at the moment. :(
    Thanks so much for sharing.
    Shaz in Oz.x

    {Shaz in Oz – Calligraphy Cards}

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