Hot, Hot, Hot

My oh my! What a week and a half I've had. Fun times, but very busy.  In the middle of it all I've been working a row or two at a time on Piper's Wonderful Wallaby sweater.  I'm almost to the neck ribbing and then I'll knit the hood. And viola!  It will be done. This is really a quick knit, even though it's taken me almost two weeks.  I really haven't done much crafting at all for that length of time.

Now that it's almost done though, I'm thinking the color is much more boy than girl.  My thought process was that it would be a great fall color for her when she's living in D.C. this fall.  Also, if they have another baby someday, (this is a Grandma talking, remember?), and it turns out to be a boy he could wear it too.  That's why I didn't choose a "girl" color.  I may just have to make her another one.  She loves red so that could be an option. Any thoughts out there?

I think this just looks HaPpY.  That doily looks difficult but it's really not too bad.  It only took a short time to complete.

Look what came in the mail for me from Tammy at "T's Daily Treasures" over on my sidebar. She lives in an exotic locale on the other side of the world. That's my teaser for you. Go ahead. Check out her blog.  I know you'll be glad you did.   I love this beautiful doily and I'm so honored that she thought of me.  I think I'll take it to the trailer where I can enjoy it all summer and then I'll find a place of honor for it at home this fall.

I also got a box in the mail today with 6 skeins of beautiful yarn from Barbara waaaaay back east. I wanted to show you a picture but my camera battery died.  I'll give you more info next post and show you a picture. I'll also tell you about sweet Barbara and her generous heart.  Don't forget to come back and visit again.  :-)

This is my big brother Roger and his wife Rachel.  This was his first visit to see us since we moved to Spokane almost 21 years ago.  He lives in Iowa so it was a long trip for him.  I never knew Roger well as he is quite a bit older than I am and was away in the Navy before I was old enough to know him at all.  We talked more in the past few days than we have in our entire lives and we learned a LOT about each other.  A few tears were shed. There were lots of hugs and I was truly sad to see them leave this morning.  They just bought a new truck and camper and promise to return soon.  Roger was a trucker for over 40 years and I'm amazed he's still enjoying pulling that 28 foot camper all around the States after all the driving he's done over the years.  They were in Arkansas last month visiting Rachel's family so it seems they are enjoying retirement.

This is their truck and trailer.  Sorry about the blurry picture. I took it through the screen in the window.

This is his toy too.  He carries it in the back of the trailer.

And this is what we did yesterday.  Yep.  That's me squinting into the sun on the back of that motorcycle.  We took a ride up to Mt. Spokane.  It's been over 30 years since I've been on a motorcycle and I had a blast!!!!  Fun times!  I guess I'm not as old as I thought.  :-)

See those clouds In the picture above?  They aren't really clouds at all, it's smoke from a wildfire just a few miles away.  In fact, Hubby and I looked at a house just last month that we wanted to buy but it sold before we could make an offer. That house and all neighboring areas have been evacuated.  This is a reminder to me of why we always decide to stay in town instead of buying an acreage outside of Spokane.  There are way too many forest and wildfires.

This is Nikki, Roger and Rachel's dog.  She was a wonderful houseguest and got along well with Chloe and Mandy's cats who are staying with us.  She was a "found" dog who was wandering the street so we're not sure what she is but she is REALLY smart.  She sure loves her Mom and Dad and really likes to ride in the truck on her pillow.

I snatched this recipe from Jennifer at Thistlebear blog. (Also on my sidebar).  It's really easy and light. Both Roger and Rachel are diabetic so I used sugar free whipped cream.  Just slice up an angel food cake and lay in the dish. Cover with whipped cream and decorate with sliced strawberries and blueberries.  So good and easy for a HOT summer day which we have been having.  90's all week and 102 forecast for the weekend.

Sorry this is so long for you to read.  Hopefully things will calm down a bit for a little while.  I'm looking forward to playing in the water at the lake this weekend to cool off.  I hope you all have similar plans to keep cool where you are.

Blessings my friends and I pray you all have a safe and wonderful weekend.

Betsy