Staycation

We are on a staycation this week.  We never made it back to the lake on Sunday after coming home for church. Instead, after church and taking home communion to the shut-ins, Dennis mowed the grass and then we went out to dinner at Red Robin with friends. We ended up going swimming at Larry and Nita’s house that evening.

I had an appointment with the neurologist on Monday afternoon for another Botox injection but they called me at 7:15 in the morning to cancel my appointment. Oh no!  I was sure that would mean a few weeks before I could get another appointment.  Then she asked if we could be there by 9:30!  I said of course we could. I did not want to wait an extra couple of weeks as the last shot had already begun wearing off.  Dennis went with me and watched and said I actually received about eight injections over my mid-back. Other than some tenderness at the injection sites, I had none of the side effects that I did last time and the spasms have stopped again. Hallelujah! Here’s to another three months of no muscle spasms.  Thank you all for your well wishes and your prayers. I have certainly appreciated and felt them.

Then there was a package to be delivered by Amazon that was supposed to arrive by noon. It finally showed up at 4:00. That meant we didn’t get to the lake until after five but that’s OK. We had a lovely evening and it was so quiet out there both Monday and Tuesday nights. Dennis and I took a walk down to the lake last night at sunset and these are two of the photos I took. I love the silhouette of the children fishing on the dock and the fishermen in the row boat.

Please excuse all of my chins and the squinty eyes. The sun was very bright as it was setting and I forgot my sunglasses.

We came home this evening because we have a very busy day tomorrow. An appointment to have the truck worked on at 9:00 tomorrow morning, grocery shopping and laundry, among other errands and a potluck at our house tomorrow night for Bible study. We may go back to the lake tomorrow night or we may wait until Friday morning. We’ll have to wait and see how late it is before the potluck is over and everything is cleaned up.

We had a lovely weekend with our son and our two grandchildren, Kyleigh and Caleb. I would love to share photos with you but they prefer not to be on the Internet. We spent the day Saturday at the lake where the kids and Grandpa spent hours swimming in the lake together.  We watched a couple of movies on Netflix in the evenings and spent some hours at the mall since they don’t have one in Helena. It’s hard to believe that Kyleigh is going into high school next month and Caleb in middle school. Where did the years go?

A dear blog friend recently celebrated her 15th blogoversary. Debra, from the blog “As I See it Now” over on my sidebar, sent me a gift certificate to Amazon as a thank you for leaving comments on her blog. Wasn’t that sweet? I told her it arrived at exactly the right time because I ordered the flashlights to go into the mini stockings for the veterans that day. I was able to apply her gift card to those flashlights. My friends, I looked everywhere for a deal on flashlights. I talked to store managers and explained what they were for but no one was willing to give me a deal. So that was the package we were waiting for Monday. 100, yep one hundred, flashlights arrived from Amazon and they are perfect! They are about 4 inches long and super bright and then will go in the stockings perfectly.  They also turn on and off with the push of a button so that should be easy for the people receiving them.

I think they will be perfect. What do you think?

I have been knitting, but I don’t have any pictures right now.   I hope you’re all having a wonderful week. I’m enjoying spending all of my time this week with my handsome husband. It’s giving me a glimpse into what retirement could be like in a few years and I think it will be very, very good. :-)

And now it’s time for bed. I’ll be back soon.  Love to you all.

“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation.”  Isaiah 12:2

Blessings,

Betsy

The heat is on...

The heat has finally hit here in the northwest this past week. We had several days in the 90s and then a rain storm came through and cooled it off for a day. Today we’re back to the 90s and that will last through the weekend. Although I much prefer it to be in the 70s and low 80s, our son and grandchildren are driving over from Montana tomorrow to spend the weekend swimming at the lake, so I’m glad it will be warmer for them. I went to the grocery store this morning and stocked up on Kyleigh and Caleb‘s favorite snacks and I’m all set for them to arrive tomorrow. It makes this grandma’s heart happy to have her babies around. Although, they certainly aren’t babies any longer!

Next week Dennis is on vacation and I’m looking forward to that. We are staying here in the area because we have appointments scattered throughout the week.  Most of the week will be at the lake with us driving back-and-forth for doctors and car appointments.  I hope he has a chance to get some good sleep and we plan on reading and watching movies.  A pure relaxation vacation.  I have my next Botox injection on Monday afternoon and I’m glad he will be able to go with me to that appointment.

A few days ago I reached into my gift box for a dishcloth to give away and lo and behold I was out! How did that happen? So I have spent some time this week knitting up a few more.

I used Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Cotton, and I can get two dishcloths from a skein with a little ball of yarn left over.

I also made a few more burial buntings for the hospital.

I have a pair of socks on the needles for Mandy. I’m going to make a matching pair for Piper. I’m using the Hermione pattern. Mandy just finished reading her the first Harry Potter book and she loves Hermione.  Mandy‘s favorite color is orange so I thought I would make these using Knit Picks Stroll Tweed in the Persimmon colorway.

There is the beautiful fountain by the little store at the lake. I could not get a good picture of it but there is a metal sculpture of a man flyfishing and a fountain in the middle. There are gorgeous flowers all around. To the left you can see some of the little cabins that are available for rent.

Many of you made very nice comments on my dresses in my last post. All three are made with the same pattern. It is the New Look pattern, number 6352. I have had it for years and years and I’m not sure it’s still available. I have made so many dresses with this pattern that I have worn some of the pieces out.  When I called Joannes they told me they no longer carry it but I was able to find one on Amazon in my size. I even make dresses for in the winter time because the pattern comes with an option for sleeves.  I prefer dresses because they are so comfortable. My legs are so long it’s hard to find jeans long enough for me.  :-)

I hope you’re all having a wonderful week and that it is a big cooler for all of you over on the East Coast and in the Midwest. I know it was brutal for you last week.

“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”  Jeremiah 31:3

Blessings always,

Betsy

It’s Thursday already?

This summer is flying by! It seems like I just did a blog post but it was over a week ago. I can’t even say I was busy. I was at the lake until Tuesday morning when I came home. I have been busy, busy, busy since I got home though. A doctors appointment yesterday and another today. I managed to sit at my sewing machine and sew a dress yesterday! That’s my third one in the last couple of weeks. Considering I haven’t been able to sit at my machine for several years I’m counting this as a win! It makes me happy.

Here are the three dresses I’ve made. Granted, they don’t look like much hanging on the hangers, but my goodness they are comfortable!

This is a close-up of the fabric of the above dress.

Dress number two.

And the fabric.

Well hello there! I have dress number three on today. Please excuse Chloe‘s toys. Usually that cord is hidden behind the mirror but I had to move the mirror to get some light.

And this dress close up.

I also finished a baby blanket...

a sweater, two pair of socks and a hat. All have been shipped off to London. Alex‘s girlfriend Tara’s, sister and her husband had a baby boy last week. I wanted to get this sent off right away so the sweater would still fit him when it arrives. I have no idea how long it will take a package to clear customs there.

I found these sweet book markers yesterday at Hobby Lobby. They are the kind that are magnetic and go over the top of the page.

I ended up cutting them in half and putting them on my rolling cart where I keep my craft supplies. They make me smile to look at them.

They are very inexpensive so I don’t feel too bad about cutting them in half. I can always get another set to use as book markers if I would like to.

There isn’t a lot else happening. Life goes on as it does. My injection is starting to wear off so I’m scheduled for another one on the 29th.  I do hope they continue to work as well as this first one has.

Wishing you all a lovely week and I hope you are enjoying your summer...or winter time down under.

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”  Colossians 3:13

Blessings,

Betsy

Good Morning!

Good morning to you all! Since this is my first time posting since the Fourth of July celebrations here in the U. S., I would like to say that I hope you all had a wonderful day.  We sure did. The lake was buzzing! First there was a boat parade at 1:00, followed by a barbecue hosted by the resort for the residents. They supplied hamburgers, hotdogs and ice cream and we supplied the side dishes. There were games, music and dancing. That evening there were fireworks and another organized fireworks display on the fifth. In contrast to a lot of areas where it was very hot and humid, we were wrapped in blankets as we watched the fireworks!

Here is the boat parade getting organized and ready to motor down the length of the lake. I wish I could have zoomed in more. Some of these boats were decorated beautifully. There is a prize every year to the most patriotic boat.

It was the largest crowd ever at the picnic. There were so many salads and wonderful dishes here. It was impossible to try everything I wanted to taste...

Back at our campsite we had a beautiful fire and made Smore‘s before the fireworks started. At this time of year it doesn’t get dark until about 10 PM so the evenings last a long time.  Contrast that to the middle of December when it’s dark at 3 PM. That’s what happens when you live so far north.

I have been busy making baby hats for the hospital.

There was also a special new baby born in London on Sunday. I have started to crochet a blanket for him. Someday, I may even have a chance to meet him.

I have been spending a lot of time at the trailer at the lake. I came home yesterday to do laundry and buy groceries and I’m going back out this morning. My plan isn’t to come home again except for church until next Tuesday, when I have a doctors appointment. Have I ever mentioned how much I love summertime at the lake? I do! Especially the weekdays that are so quiet.

I’m always surprised when I meet new people who are spending their vacations at the little lake that I seem to take for granted. On Monday I met a sweet young couple and their two little boys who were out riding bicycles. They are from northern Canada and they come to Loon Lake every year for their vacation. How blessed I am to live in such a beautiful place that people make it their destination for their coveted time off every year.

One family has been meeting here for a week every summer for the past 53 years! They live all across Canada and choose our little lake to meet at every year.

I hope you are all enjoying summer time, and if you’re down under winter! 

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”  Psalm 51:10

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23

Love and Blessings,

Betsy

Thank you!

First of all, I just want to say thank you to each and everyone of you for your sweet comments on my last post about losing Miss Frannie. Each one of them was very thoughtful and much appreciated. It is especially hard for Mandy. She had Frannie and Amelia from kittens until last year when they came to live with us and now they are both gone.  There was not even time for her to tell Frannie goodbye, and that was very, very hard for her. Please keep her in your thoughts as well.

I have still kept busy with my knitting although it has slowed down somewhat as the weather has warmed up. I’m finding myself doing more reading these days than picking up my needles. However, I did finish two more pairs of socks.

These are knit with Paton’s Kroy socks using the “Hermione” Pattern. I’m sorry I don’t have the label with me to tell you what the colorway is. I tried to make them matching, but the way the yarn pooled it was impossible.

These are Knit Picks Felici in the “Petty Harbour” pattern.

I also finished a few more burial buntings.  Although it just shows one baby hat here, I have actually knit eight of them over the past week and a half.

I have enjoyed putting out some decorations for the Fourth of July. You can see a card that Miss Piper made for me while we were FaceTiming one day.

This is what she wrote on the inside. I love that she wrote she could see me. Oh, the joys of FaceTiming!  It makes being separated just a bit easier.

I’ve had this cute patriotic folk angel for several years now. I added the gaudy tinsel garland this year. :-)

Another new addition this year is this cute burlap banner I found at Hobby Lobby. For some reason I just love this.

It’s going to be a busy week.  Dennis has Thursday and Friday off and we were planning on spending the entire weekend at the lake, but good friends of ours are having a 50th anniversary open house on Saturday and I need to make some salads for it. We will probably spend Wednesday night and Thursday night at the trailer and then go home Friday to do the cooking. Hopefully we will be able to come back out Saturday evening. I know it will be very hard to find parking spots close to the trailer over the weekend.  Holiday weekends are NOT my favorite time to be there because of the crowds.

I am here at the lake with Chloe right now. It is so quiet. I love days like this. The sun is shining and there’s a light breeze and it’s 76°. Absolutely perfect.

I took this photo yesterday of my lavender bush at home. When I bought this a few years ago, it fit in a 4 inch pot!  I need to divide it because there is no more room for it in this space. Does anyone know how I do that? I have read online that if I try to divide it, I will kill it. That just makes me sad. It is such a beautiful lavender bush. I wish I could describe the smell for you all. The bees really like it too!

We had to have this tree removed last week. It absolutely broke my heart. It had been planted way too close to both houses and although we had it pruned every year it was still in a precarious position. Additionally the roots were heading toward our neighbors foundation. So unfortunately, it had to come down. Would you believe that the tree guys were only at our house less than 45 minutes?! I timed them! They cut the tree down and hauled everything off in less than 45 minutes! I was truly amazed. I also shed a few tears at the loss of this beautiful tree. They are supposed to return this week to grind up the stump out.  I think then we will have a big boulder brought in and put in the space. No more trees, that’s for sure!

I am wishing you all a wonderful Fourth of July if you are in the U.S. to celebrate it. I hope you all have a very safe and wonderful weekend.

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.” Deuteronomy 7:9

Blessings,

Betsy