Monday, July 1, 2019

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


16 comments:

  1. All your knitting is just beautiful! I can't believe you got both those pairs of socks done so quickly.
    I'm glad to hear I am not the only one who cries when you have to remove a tree. I still feel terrible about all of those we had removed last fall.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh the sadness of losing our pets. Miss Frannie........surely beloved. Grieving pets is a gateway to grief that we will encounter as death is a part of life...every life. Every death. The pain of losing our cats and dogs is especially difficult because they love us so unconditionally.
    I am glad you are enjoying the lake. !!! I need a camper picture ! and your socks are awesome

    ReplyDelete
  3. Trees hold a special spot in my heart. They usually grow so slowly that when they're gone, they leave a hole in the sky. Love your socks and Miss Piper's special card.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You've been very busy with all your knitting.

    The red/white/blue bunting is very cute.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I know myself how special face timing is and the precious moments shared. Once again I am so sorry to hear about Frannie and how hard it is for everyone to lose such a special friend. The socks are amazing Betsy as are the thoughtful knitting of the burial buntings and hats. Hope you had a wonderful break away at the trailor and that you are feeling well. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sorry for the loss of Frannie... AND --sorry Mandy didn't get to say goodbye...

    Your socks are gorgeous... Love the colors of both of them. I usually choose the most colorful since I love bright colors, but the combination of colors in the first set is really pretty.

    Bet your Lavender smells terrific. I don't grow lavender --but love to smell it.

    Sorry about the tree. Doesn't look like there are many trees left in your area... I would struggle living somewhere where there aren't many big trees...

    Happy 4th of July..
    Hugs,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh, I know you are still missing your sweet Miss Frannie. So very sad. I trust the Lord will comfort your dear hearts during this grief. Oh, that lavender bush!!! Oh, my, it would be just awful if it killed it. I have no experience with this at all, but hope you are able to figure it out. Enjoy your time at the lake, sweet friend. Many blessings to you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm so sorry for your loss of Frannie. I think you did a very nice thing to give them such a loving home for their last years. If I had that Lavender plant I would let it go ahead and fill out more. It's magnificent. I'd vote not to chop on it.. lol. Bravo on the 2 pairs of beautiful socks and the little buntings. You're very kind. I love how your flag banner looks.. I'm loving my bandana banner my sister made for me.. it's on the gazebo. Have a wonderful 4th of July! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Such beautiful socks and baby buntings; what a blessing the latter will be.
    The lavender is so happy where it is growing-lovely herb.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Happy Stars and Stripes day for 4th of July, nearly here in Oz! Two hours away. 😊 love your decorating and knitting so precious the babies and the socks look wonderful.
    Re lavender. I’m a huge admirer of that.
    My advice and I’ve grown it for years is not to do it.
    However if you feel you must I’d take several precautions.
    Take some cuttings, from new growth without flowers .. prob at base you’d find some. It dies not strike from old or middle wood but only newer growth, in my experience.
    With cuttings ( do half a dozen at least) strip off all leaves, at bottom peel off the top bark layer with finger nails. Dip in some honey the tip of base.
    Then take stick to poke hole gently to plant in seed raising mix (it has more river sand in and excellent drainage) put a plastic bottle over it with top or bottom cut off.
    Then water as required ie every day for first week then less often depending on weather.

    Then once have some cuttings looking like they’d strike (so you know you ain’t lose it altogether) I’d cut half or a third of it back. Once it’s recovered cut the next third back wait till recovered and so on.
    I’ve done this with my huge, about five feet across lavender under my lemon tree.
    They dint like pruning though in summer.
    So wait till autumn.
    Get cuttings going now and enjoy the flowers.
    I’ve struck a number this way but lots of cutting still dont take and older wood did nothing. Only young wood.
    Hugs Shaz.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Happy 4th to you! Your socks are wonderful! I love the colors and the patterns! My socks are on hold I just don't have the "brain" for knitting at the moment. Your buntings are lovely I am certain that they will be appreciated. I belong to a group on Facebook that does lots of knitting and crocheting for Charity...I think it is wonderful! I saw little bears recently with vests that will go overseas. I wish I had more time. Your lavander is lovely chop it back some a little at a time...but I think it is just beautiful:)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow! I love those sock colors and patterns! You are a blessing to those families by making the little buntings and hats. What a sad thing that for those families to go through. We've always divided lavender and never lost a one. We even divided them when I worked in a greenhouse. Hmmm, interesting that some say it can't be done. Oh well. Keeping you all in prayer! Blessings to you, Betsy!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Sorry to hear that you lost another cat! Not on blogger lately and working on my blog post tonight. Almost done but wanted to find your blog first. Still fireworks going off in our neighborhood and 11:35 p.m. Annoying. Police were out writing tickets to people who had illegal fireworks. Got real quiet...fast! Your socks look so cool and even ones that don't match are fun too! Are they wool? Not made any. We had an ok time at the rodeo last night. Saw most of it but left early as I'd fallen on a step as I went back to my seat after going to the bathroom. It was annoying but am ok. Got checked out at first aid tent before we left. Relief roller ball helped me alot last night and today. I have lavender too. Cut one way back last fall....died! oh well! That's why I buy more! Take care my friend! Hugs and blessings through the weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  14. So sorry to hear about Frannie's passing. Cynthia Rylant's book Cat Heaven might help you and Mandy as it did me when Mocha passed. Love seeing all your lovely photos and especially the ones of your knitting. Thanks for visiting my blog!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Piper's card was so sweet Betsy. Hope you had a wonderful fourth and had a great time at that special party.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Betsy I have a new survey up if you wish to take it!

    ReplyDelete