Friday, October 27, 2017

Trying Again

Hello my friends!  Well, Apple has done it again.  With the latest update I can no longer do anything with Blogger from my phone or iPad.  It says that Blogger needs to be updated to work with their systems.  Oh well.  For now anyway, for the first time in several years, it let me upload photos from the desktop.  We're still in business, if only for a short while until the computer decides to not cooperate again.  I am SO technology illiterate.  I need my kids at home again to teach me. :-)

Okay, enough grumbling and moaning. It's been a great week.  Last Friday we went to Coeur d'Alene, ID for a meeting.  We had breakfast at Cracker Barrel first.  It was really good this time.  Look at the goodies in the gift shop.  They always have the best things.  They must have a great buyer for their stores.

Oodles of ceramic gourds, pumpkins and owls.  I love the designs on them.
 A cute turkey shirt.  This almost came home with me.
 Owls were really big in the décor theme.
 I wanted it all and bought none of it!  Aren't you proud of me?
 The trees were beautiful but the clouds were not cooperating with our plans.
 After our meeting we had planned to go walk the boardwalk on the lake around the resort, (resort photo below).  It rained and rained and rained.  So instead....
 ....I found a new to me yarn store called "KnitKnit".  The owner and I whined together just a bit about being the only knitters not at Rhinebeck last weekend.  Okay, okay.  I know there are lots of you knitters that weren't there either, but last weekend, in that yarn store, we felt like the only ones! Ha!  I came home with one lonely skein of yarn.  It's a beautiful black, grey and cream yarn with a very few specks of red from an Indy dyer named "sewhappyjane".  The colorway is "Writing's on the Wall."  Don't you just love it?  Only one skein, because the cost of one skein of this yarn just about sent Dennis into conniptions.  :-)  It will be saved for something very special.  I don't know what yet.
 We had our first fire of the season on Saturday. It was cold and damp outside and the fire felt so good.  We invited Neal and Jenny over at the last minute for a dinner of lasagna, salad and bread with brownies and ice cream for dessert.  It felt like a fall comfort meal and we had a great time.
 I did a test knit this week for Teresa on her hat pattern.  I wanted to make it for an older teen/adult so I added some stitches and a few rows and it fit Dennis and I each perfectly.  I'm going to give it to a very deserving teenager at church on Sunday.  He deserves it and is such a great kid.  It looks brown in the photos but it is really grey.
 I also began a test knit for Taci at TaciStudios.  It will be a shawl and is somewhat larger than this right now, but it's a test knit so there has to be mystery involved. :-)
 Dennis had an endoscopy done on Tuesday and they did biopsies of his throat and stomach.  We won't hear anything for a week or two so prayers would be much appreciated.  We were there hours and hours and hours because they were running late.  It was a typical "hurry up and wait" situation.  I was the only person left in the waiting area for the last several hours.  Good thing I had my knitting with me.
 And then!  I have been trying to meet up with fellow blogger Pammy Sue since she moved here from Texas awhile back and it has just never worked out.  Dennis and I drove right by her house on our way to Canada last week, but she wasn't home.  She let me know that she would be driving to Spokane this week to do some errands and we made plans to meet for lunch on Wednesday.  Well!  We couldn't wait for lunch.  She texted me when she was at Hobby Lobby and I drove right over, (I only live a mile or so from HL).  We had fun shopping and then had lunch together.  She is a wonderful lady and I wish we lived closer.  She's only about 10 miles from the Canadian border, about 2 hours from me on two lane highways through the mountains, so especially in the wintertime travel is not easy.  It was wonderful to finally meet though and we hope to do it again soon when she's in town.
 She gave me a set of Pioneer Woman measuring bowls that I have been wanting since they came out.  I just rarely buy stuff like that for myself so I was very touched that she knew me so well.  Also some teas that will be wonderful with the cold weather moving in.
 I finished a baby blanket for a new little niece that will be joining our family in January.  I just love these blankets.
 I thought I would throw in a picture Mandy sent me yesterday of Piper doing her new favorite chore.  I wonder how long this will last and she'll actually ask to clean the floors! :-)
 I made these Chocolate Chip Pumpkin muffins yesterday and they are Amazing! I used my new measuring cups too. :-) If anyone would like the recipe just let me know.  There are tons of pumpkin recipes out there right now and I don't want to bore you.  They were a hit at Bible study last night and several people took one home for breakfast today.  That's when you know something is good, everyone wants to take it home!  :-)
 Finally, this is a terrible photo, but I finished Jeremy's HUGE socks.  I also have a pair for Dennis about 3/4 completed but I'm taking a break and doing some crochet because my hands are hurting from all of the socks I've made lately.
We're driving to Moses Lake, WA tomorrow to watch Hayden, Alicia & Jeremy's son play in a school basketball game.  It's about 2 hours west of Spokane.  They have no family here, so if you remember from my previous posts we're kind of like adopted grandparents.  He's so excited that we're coming to see him play.  So in the past two weeks we've been north to Canada, East to Idaho and west to Moses Lake.  I think we'll be staying home for awhile after this.  It does feel good to be able to go places again after the past year of babying my back.

I've got to run, I wanted to be at the dreaded Costco when they opened to avoid the lines and I'm not going to make it.  I hope you all have a lovely week and enjoy the end of fall...at least up here I fear it's the end.  We have snow predicted at the end of the week next week.  EEK!

"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 1:15

Blessings,
Betsy

19 comments:

  1. HI Betsy, it looks like you had a nice trip to ID. I love Cracker Barrel but my husband doesn't so we never go. I would love to have visited with you. How nice to meet up with Pammy Sue. I hope she's doing well. I hope you're feeling well too. Have a safe trip!

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  2. I TOTALLY agree with you about Cracker Barrel. Ours carries college logo items --- we get mostly Gators, but there were a few UCF things recently.

    I didn't get to go to Rhinebeck either. But, I met up with a fellow blogger. It was a wonderful time so I didn't even THINK about missing out on Rhinebeck.

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  3. I love that baby blanket you're working on. I need to do another one someday. I'm glad you're feeling better. I hope you get to visit the Oregon coast again soon.. I know how you miss it. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  4. How could you resist that turkey shirt? I'd be wearing it on Thanksgiving!

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  5. I am praying the Lord will make Dennis completely well, and am sorry he had to have the test. I think I accidentally turned into the driveway of that lake resort in July on our way to try to find the city park where we had our picnic dinner in the car :) I shake my head in disbelief that when I lived across the Hudson River from Rhinebeck that I did not know about the fiber festival back in the 1980s and 1990s...but maybe that was before they had the festival. Your generosity and love always inspire me, Betsy, and I count you dear in my life. It is so good to see Piper up and about...and enjoying cleaning the floor :) Thanks for posting...even when you are challenged with computer problems. I spent h.o.u.r.s. syncing my Macbook Pro, Iphone, and Ipad this past week, and by the grace of God they all seem to be cooperating with each other and Blogger now...please God may the cooperation continue and may you sort out the issues you are having as well. "Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." Hebrews 13:20-21

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  6. It's good you are getting in some nice travel time before the winter weather sets in. Always great to see the variety of projects you are working on, too. I've been doing some cross-stitching lately and the way I tend to roll and hold the cloth really makes my left hand hurt (I sprained my thumb many many years ago and it never did heal properly). But we don't let those aches and pains stop us from finding ways to craft, now do we? :) I sure hope your back is much better by now. Praying results from Dennis' tests will turn out just fine.

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  7. I am not particularly good on the computer either Betsy, my son in law is able to control our computer remotely to help us out. Sending you a hug for Dennis to let him know that he is in our thoughts and prayers. You certainly are making up for lost time with all your outings its a joy to hear about them. We plan to have breakfast in a Cracker Barrel when we visit Florida so that I can browse the store. Love the baby blanket and the hat was a delight. Take care.

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  8. Oh, may God have mercy and allow wonderful results for your dear husband, in Jesus' name! I am believing with you that all will be well for him. It sounds like you have had a busy time, with many wonderful moments, my friend! I am so happy to hear that. I trust you are feeling well and look forward to you posting great news about Dennis soon. God bless you so much! Praying for you and sending hugs!

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  9. Wonderful to find your newsy post in my reader this morning. You've been busy and have had some great adventures. Prayers that Dennis' test results are good.

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  10. We are Apple people... Yes, they just did a big IOS update... All of my apps are having to be updated... I don't use or have a Blogger App --but George says that you need to update yours if you want to use it. Just go into your app store and look at the updates needed --and press "Update all"..... That may fix it for you....

    We have always used our computers (Macbook and/or Desktop) for blogging -- including photos... Don't know why yours didn't used to work. Maybe now it will. Good Luck.

    We love Cracker Barrel also.. Their gift shop always has something I WANT... ha

    Nice to meet a blogger friend... That is always SO special. Hope I meet you someday!!!

    I'd love that recipe please. Sounds yummy.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  11. Hi Betsy, It is great to read of all the things you have been doing. I also like looking around in Cracker Barrel. I guess I would not know a good yarn from a bad yarn yet but it would have been fun to look around in that store. I am sure your young friend will be delighted to receive that hat! Love your cozy fireplace. We just have a gas one. My husband also had that same procedure (I think) done that your husband had and I took my yarn and worked on crocheting those fold over pot holders! Fun that you could meet that other blogger in person! If you are in Moses Lake you should meet Connie from Crafty Home Cottage!! I would love to meet her! She use to live not far from me here in IN but I didn't live here then. Love the Pioneer bowls but I didn't know what they were called. I am not too up on things!! Who knows, Piper may end up being a little Suzy Homaker type! Have a great week-end! Nancy

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  12. Praying for Dennis to have a good report coming. I have to go to a Cracker Barrel gift shop now!
    LOVE your yarn purchase choice.

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  13. Prayers for Dennis for sure but he should not be upset about yarn as he wears socks from it doesn't he and you make many gifts and charitable gifts too. I will also pray that he realizes that! LOL! Yes, I just mentioned Cracker Barrel the other day in a post as I have several items from their gift shop from years ago. You are more savvy than you give yourself credit for....you got this post up! My grandson loves to vacuum also and my kids did too until they got to a 'certain age' so tell your daughter to take advantage of while she can! You should have gotten that turkey shirt...so cute and it would look darling on you! It was so nice that you and Pammy Sue could meet up and my daughter gifted me those exact same PW measuring cups...too cute! that baby blanket is the sweetest and I love the colors. Is it on Ravelry and/or your Ravelry project page? Are you on Ravelry? Also, I would love the recipe for those pumpkin muffins when and if you have the time...just publish on here as I'm sure I'm not the only one! LOL! So glad you both got to get 'out and about' before you get 'snowed in' for the season. We had our first frost last night. Hugs ~ Sam

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  14. I am sending both you and Dennis positive thoughts for healing and great test results. Piper is adorable, I cold use some help at my house with the vacuum.

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  15. Prayers for Dennis that he will be healed and feeling better soon. It made me giggle when you said the lovely skein of yarn "about sent Dennis into conniptions", it is amazing how much some of the hand dyed yarns cost. I never can seem to walk past them without touching them...but I move on. I can't wait to see what you make with yours. Pammy Sue is awesome. I am so glad you two got to meet up. She is very thoughtful, what a perfect gift she gave you. Little Miss Piper is getting so tall, she is truly adorable. Love seeing all the pretty things you make. Keeping you in my prayers, too sweet friend. Blessings always :)

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  16. I'm glad you met up with Pammy Sue finally! Aw, Hobby Lobby! I'm excited that store will be opening half hour away from us in Salem, not Albany which is further. Megan thought about applying so she could be a glitter queen again. She used to work at Craft Warehouse sometime ago. PW measuring bowls are nice! There's a Cracker Barrel in Tualatin and I think we're going there in Dec for a family get together for Christmas! I hear it's good. Nice crafty lady with all your knitting and crochet work. Fun! I need to print out photos for calendars asap! Cooler weather today, some misty rain but I wore my sandals to church without knowing that but didn't get feet too wet. Yesterday was so pretty outside and 72 degrees and we're in a cooling period, which is fine by me. Indian summer needs to go away, but I've enjoyed all the lovely fall beauty on the plants! Have a blessed week, my friend!

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  17. Hi Betsy,
    I read this a few days back but didn’t get to comment.
    Praying re Dennis’ test that in God’s great mercy all will be well. Love little “Miss Sadie, the cleaning lady” ... to quote a well known Aussie song.
    Beautiful baby blanket colours are so pretty, well done on socks too. Hard yakka.
    I’m curious as to what you mean by test knit, as they seem to be for folks other than you, is it to see how it knits for you or...?
    Well done on looking but not buying ... exception for the “conniption” pretty skein.
    Sending you hugs and prayers, your second post with recipe certainly is yummy sounding.
    Shaz in Oz.x

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  18. Your baby blankets are always so amazing! Sure hope that Dennis's tests have good results and he figures out what the issue is. Nice yarn!

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  19. Praying for Dennis that everything turns out well on his endoscopy results. We love to go eat at Cracker Barrel too but I rarely bring anything home because I am a thrift shopper and their prices are too decadent for me, LOL. It looks like we are going to get some snow tonight are you ready for it? Are we ever ready for it? LOL.

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