Sunday Morning

Good Morning my friends.  Yes, it's Sunday morning and I'm at home.  A very rare occurrence because I almost never miss church.  My headache is still not cooperating though.  It seemed a bit better yesterday and then I turned my head too fast last night...or some silly thing like that, and it came back full force.  I didn't think I could handle the music so I stayed home this morning.

It has been a productive week for me though.  Besides the hats I showed you a few days ago I have another two finishes and two starts so I thought while I was sitting here alone I would share them with you, my friends here in blogland.

First up is my gumdrop blanket.  The pattern is loosely based on Lucy at Attic24 granny stripe blanket.

The edging is just a simple two round single crochet.  It hasn't the been washed yet as I finished it late last night so it still looks pretty stiff.  It will soften up perfectly after washing.  I have no idea where this blanket will go.  I'll put it in my "gift closet" and it will either go to charity or wherever I feel compelled to give it.  It think it would be great for a toddler or baby boy because of the bright colors. 

I also finished the top secret project for Mandy for Christmas.  I can't wait to show you all but it will be awhile...like after Christmas!  Ha!  I'm very, very happy with how it turned out.

I made my first attempt at crocheting a knitting bag on Friday.  It took me most of the day because I ripped it out several times, but I do like how it turned out.  I love the bright, summery colors.  Since it was made with Sugar and Cream cotton it will wash very well and could actually be my knitting bag for the beach at the lake, if I ever get back out there. HA!

I also started a pair of socks using Knit Picks Stroll Fingering yarn in Northern Lights hand painted Merino/Nylon blend.  This yarn is so soft to work with.  I'm using a new pattern for me called "Petty Harbour", free on Ravelry.  Do you like my DPN holder and project bag I made last month?  It reminds me of my growing up years in the 60's and 70's!  The bag is the perfect size for socks.

I also started a new shawl, "Lala's Shawl", another free pattern on Ravelry.  I was given this yarn a few years ago by an older lady at church who no longer knits.  It was made in Turkey and is 100% acrylic but incredibly soft.  I have four skeins of it and I'm really, really liking using it.  I like how the soft stripes are forming in the pattern don't you?

So that's pretty much what I've been up to recently.  The weather was pretty nasty yesterday.  We went from hot, hot, hot early in the week to 53 degrees yesterday.  Dennis went to the lake and took the clean towels, sheets, and a few other things out that I had packed and ready to go.  He also brought back the refrigerator stuff I was stressing about!  Ha!  He was going to mow out there and he did fill the mower with gas but it started pouring down rain so he sat in the camper and drank a glass of iced tea hoping it would stop but it didn't show signs of slowing so he just came back home.  He said it rained so hard he could barely see the highway at times.

Today the sky is as blue as blue can be and is predicted to be in the 70's.  We had planned to go out to the lake today but I think I'll wait a few more days.  That's okay, I have lots to do here and I've enjoyed catching up on podcasts that I can't watch at the lake due to Internet restrictions.

In my last post I was asked if Dennis did all of our yard work.  Yes, he does and he really enjoys mowing, trimming and edging.  He says it relieves the stress of his long hours of sitting at a desk at work. My job is to trim all of the bushes which is a huge job in and of itself.  Last summer they really got away from me when I was down for a couple of months.  This year has been a bit better so far.

Alex face-timed Friday night while Dennis was mowing.  He said he actually misses helping him with the yard work like he did when he was home.  His plans to buy a house in northern Japan have fallen though.  Apparently the house is too old to get a bank to loan him the money for it.  Although it's in great condition, they much prefer new properties.  At least he is getting his earnest money back because the issue is with the house, not him.  He is disappointed though.  He has been saving and saving whatever he could and he actually could have paid for the house, but then not had the money for his company's start-up.  I think renting for now is a much better thing for him.  Not as much stress as owning property when he's trying to get his business up and running.

Mandy and Brad had visitors this week.  Brad's best-man from the wedding, Matt, his wife Amanda and daughter Sadie came to visit for a few days before a family wedding that was close by.  It sounds as though they had a wonderful time together.  Brad taught Matt how to fly years ago, so they have that in common too.  Amanda is an ER nurse, Matt is an ER doctor and I think Mandy said Amanda's dad is a life-flight nurse.  Since Mandy is an RN too, she said she felt they had all the bases covered in the event of a problem while they were out and about touring D.C.!  HA!

I hope all going well for you all and that you're enjoying your summer.  I so enjoy the comments you leave for me.  I truly do feel that you have all become great friends of mine.

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I just heard about the terrible shooting in Orlando just a moment ago.  Tragic.  My prayers are with each and every person touched by this horrible tragedy.  This verse popped into my mind just now and seems appropriate.

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has NOT overcome it."  John 1:5

Hate CANNOT be allowed to win.  The LIGHT will overcome.

Blessings my sweet friends,

Betsy