Monday, September 19, 2016

Monday, Monday!

Hello and happy Monday to you all.  It's a cool fall-like day today here in the Northwest.  We had a nice, but rainy Saturday.  It was warm and cozy in the trailer and we watched a few movies while I knitted.  We did decide to come home in the evening though, because we had a potluck at church on Sunday and by being home, we wouldn't have had to wake up extra early to drive home and prepare the food.  After church Dennis mowed the lawn and then we went back to the lake.  I just came home an hour or so ago, just in time to make dinner.  

I do have some knitting to show you.  Here is Dennis' sweater, all done but not washed and blocked yet.  A couple of comments from some readers were: 1) possibly using some design to break up the miles and miles and miles of plain stockinette knitting and 2) knitting in the round to avoid seaming.  In answer to them, 1) Dennis prefers plain sweaters for work and 2) I'm not a good enough knitter to figure out how to change a pattern for knitting in the round.  I'm pretty pleased how this one turned out.  I made him one like it in a different color last winter and it was a learning project. The neckline and seams on this one are much, much better if I do say so myself!  :-)
Another dishcloth was finished...
And another one was begun.
I've turned the heel on my plain vanilla sock too.
I'm looking forward to working on my cozy memories scrap sock yarn blanket now that the evenings are cooling off again.  It will be years before it's finished using the tiny size 2 knitting needles.  I almost regret starting it and have thought about changing to a crochet version.

Here is a photo of the marigolds in the back yard that I took just a few minutes ago.  They are doing wonderfully well with this weather.
I thought I would answer a few other questions that people have asked lately in the comments.  If I miss yours I truly apologize.  Please send me a message or comment again and I'll try to answer as soon as I can.

Do we see Loons at Loon Lake?  Yes, in the spring we do.  I have no idea where they go later on when the lake gets busier though.  I don't know if they don't like the warmth or the business of the skiers and swimmers.

What do I do when I make mistakes when knitting?  I just take it out, or tink it. (Which is knit backwards.)  It's really not hard and I have to do it all of the time!  :-)

Is crochet easier?  Well, crochet is fairly easy for me, but that's because I've been crocheting since I was 7 years old, almost *gasp* 50 years!  I've only been knitting for about 10 years.  Crochet has lots and lots more stitches to learn, whereas knitting is made up of knits and purls and variations thereof.  I'm of the firm belief that if you can crochet, you can definitely learn to knit.  :-)

Does our trailer stay at the lake year round?  Yes it does!  And it's SO nice not to have to find a place to store it.  We pay a yearly, (seasonal), fee and we can leave it there all year.  The sewer stays hooked up although we do disconnect the water and winterize the trailer.  We can go up in the winter and walk in to spend some time there.  If the snow gets too deep  they will even shovel the roof for us for a small fee.  One year we got a call while visiting Mandy in Portland and there were several feet of snow on the roof.  They just wanted to know if we wanted it shoveled and we say yes!  It's not unusual for that area to get 5-6 feet of snow in the wintertime.  We can pull it out and take it somewhere else for a weekend or vacation but we haven't felt the need to do that with the nice setup we have where it is.

Where is the lake?  It is in Northeast Washington State, 26 miles north of our home which is in Spokane, Washington.

How did my doctor visit go last week?  It was with my primary care doctor for my physical.  All went well, although I have to have a mammogram and bone scan.  They let me out of the mammogram last year because I had just gotten the pacemaker and it would be too painful. On a downer though, the cardiologist's office told me last week I still can't fly for now.  I'm praying that will change soon so I can get a Piper and Mandy fix!  My primary care doc shared some scriptures about patience and trials in life.  I appreciate him for sharing prayers and scripture with me.  It's one of the reasons I like going to him.  Dennis had his physical at the same time in the room across the hall from me and everything was good with him too.  Good news for both of us.  Now if we could only get this tachycardia thing under control maybe I could get my wings back and go visit my kids.

I hope all is well with you and you have a wonderful week with pretty fall trees wherever you may be.  Our trees have started changing color already.  Does that mean a severe winter?  I hope not!  You all know how I feel about snow!

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes."  Romans 1:16

Blessings,
Betsy





16 comments:

  1. Thanks for answering the questions we all have... When someone asks a question on my blog, unless I have their email, I have no way to answer them. That's one thing (of many) that I love about FB --since we can easily chat on there...

    Love Dennis' sweater and your COLORFUL socks....

    You are getting the rain that we NEED.... We did get 1/2 inch yesterday ---so that helped a little...

    Sorry you still can't fly.. It's hard to be patient ---but the doctor knows best I'm sure...

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  2. You amaze me with how fast you get things done. That sweater would have taken me years!

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  3. WOW!!! I think Dennis's sweater came out beautifully! [the dishcloths and sock are nice, too :) ] I am glad you physicals have good results thus far, and pray that the Lord soon steadies your heart rate so that you can fly to visit your family. Your Marigolds are gorgeous. Love with hugs xx

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  4. The sweater is just perfect.. now a request.. can you take a photo of Dennis wearing it when it's all washed and blocked? I'd love to see how it looks on him. It's a funny name for such a colorful sock.. vanilla.. lol! I do hope your doctor gives you the green light to fly soon.. no fair you can't go see the girls. Your marigolds are fabulous and bright! When are you coming back to Portland? ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  5. Very impressive makes I agree with Gracie Dennis's sweater came out beautifully. I love the dishcloth pattern, wonderful. Glad both your physicals went well but such a shame you still can't fly. Would it be too far to drive, doing some sight seeing on the way? Take care.

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  6. Love the dishcloth! Very pretty ♥

    summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com

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  7. Excellent finish - the sweater looks fantastic! What a happy, striped sock - love the yarn.

    I have a pacemaker, too (it was three years on August 23) and I feel sooo much better now since it keeps my heart ticking consistently.

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  8. Oh the sweater looks lovely. I love that little dish cloth, too. I find knitting so calming for me. I agree, crochet is faster. I keep trying to knit a blanket and always end up ripping it out and starting a crochet one. I might need those scriptures on having patience myself. :) I am so glad that both of you had good news at the doctors. Hang in there with the flying thing, before you know it you will be hanging out with your girls and all will be well again. Hey, I just thought of that song, All is well with my soul. Here's a link to the words. Blessing to you always sweet friend. :) http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/It_Is_Well_with_My_Soul/

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  9. Good news Betsy for both you and Dennis...here's hoping the flying restriction will be lifted soon. Dennis' sweater looks great! And the dishcloths and socks are wonderful. I've noticed some leaves beginning to turn in the Valley Forge area. Such a pretty time of the year.

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  10. I sure hope you can fly soon Betsy, I know you need to see your girls and they need to be with you too. Your sweater for your wonderful husband turned out perfect. It is a great color and will be very versatile in his wardrobe.
    Hugs to you,
    Meredith

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  11. Your marigolds are still so pretty. The sweater turned out very nice! Knit backwards? I will have to google how to do that one. Sounds like you have a wonderful set up for your trailer. Nancy

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  12. I can crochet (though like to keep it simple) but knitting just didn't make any sense to me (tricky crochet stitches often don't make sense either). Dennis will love his sweater, of course. All your projects are always wonderful. Nice that you do have a getaway so close to home so you never have to go very far to get your fix. Take care of yourself.

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  13. Great post and you answered many of my questions too! The sweater is a beautiful knit! What a loving gift. The washcloths are a nice break after a big project and yours is very pretty. The marigolds really filled in your planter and if you break the dead heads into your bed after they're done blooming you won't have to plant any next year. Sorry you still can't fly. Have a great week!

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  14. Betsy

    A doc who prays with you is wonderful. I hope your ticker slows down to travel pace. I love your plain sweater!!!!L

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  15. It's funny Betsy, I came across the other day and read all this post, and then didn't comment, I am sorry your flying wings are still clipped, we will have to pray for Gods mercy to overrule and for you be allowed to fly ..with your next visit to the dr... God enabling of course.
    I lve all your knitting and think knitting a large jumper for dear hubby, bigger than Piper etc, it's truly a challenge. You're swift in your knitting.
    BTW I did some of my crotchet cloth the other day, but it came to a grinding halt, cos I made a mistake, and am redoing what I'd done!!
    Hugs, Shaz in Oz.x

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  16. Hang in there! I've had tachycardia since I was 6 and can certainly relate with your frustration. Bummer that it's keeping you from flying though. Love your sweater; bet it gets lots of hubby time. Those Almost Lost Dishcloths are addicting, aren't they? Oh, and thanks for answering the questions. Hugs!

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