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I found my new LYS. Needles and Pins in Delevan is amazing.   Nestled in this little farmhouse are skeins and glorious skeins of yarn.  It may have looked quiet from the outside but inside it was a buzz.  People were taking classes, enjoying one another and planning their next knits.   I found my new knit.  I'm making the Gapstow shawl in malabrigo in Central park's book 8.  (the first photo of this post) My colors are above.  Your comments to me were a comfort ! A huge wonderful hug.  I'll see my mom weekly.  That was our plan and it has been easy so far.   I'm still going back to work in the Shelters OR once a week.  I can't give that up yet.  I'll see my mom the same day.   The sweet corn is peak.  The sun is warm and the humidity has dropped. It is so beautiful out.  September is going to be wonderful. 

Of course, every day has its Ying and Yang. It's good and not so. I try to focus on the good.  When I awoke this is what I saw.  What a gift.  It is not all my land, but I stand before and declare: The Queen has decreed it shall be a very good day in the little kingdom.  Yesterday's not so good.  My sister shared a photo of my parents.  It was their 65th wedding anniversary. Many of you know my father and I are keeping our distances. My mom is quite ill with alzehimers. It was the saddest photo I could imagine. They sat in a dark corner of the nursing home together.  Her in that chair they put her in. Him with his back to the photo.  I imagine he is crying but he is eating at the same time. My mother is staring, blankly ahead.  There is a banner that says Happy Anniversary . it. Tore. me. Up. I know from Susan, my smart and sweet therapist of years ago that important dates carry heavy weights...

Dear buddy nurse and spay neuter pal Linda, came to visit yesterday.  We knitted. We laughed.  We shared books we are reading. She Showed me her scarf.  It looks like a shawl but it is a scarf. Here is her yarn choice. And the( OUCH) price.   It makes her happy to knit.  If Linda's happy I'm happy.  I dont' know the pattern and neither does she.  Her dog literally shredded her pattern.  She was at a point where she had memorized the easy part and she's nearly finished.  So there you go, anyone know the pattern? You are all so sweet about the move and the house. This morning I got my cuppa joe and headed to the porch to write you.  In the distance, my nearest neighbor, whom I can see through some trees.... well one of their teens came out, stretched, peed on their lawn casually, and then laid in his hammock for 5 minutes.  I'm sure he's not the first boy to do this.  I'm not even sure he's the...

Moving has done wonders for my brain.  I am asked and I ask myself a dozen times a day, (not exaggerating) , Where is the (insert noun) ? Amazingly, 99% of the time I know where something is in the new home.  This has really been a gift to me as my mom's dementia is always in the back of  my mind.So silver lining there. Where's your silver lining today? The sunset photo below was taken on Saturday.  It may be my best sunset photo ever.  Where was your favorite sunset photo taken? (mine on Willow road headed to the tollway (94) in Northbrook Illinios) 3. Summertime and the knitting is mindless here.  I have to pay attention to baseball.  It is nearly September folks. The CUBS are still in first place in their division.  Should I knit and felt a CUBS colors stocking?  This is our year.  It is . It is.  4.  Amy Beth of the Fat Squirrel podcast is giving away some goodies to folks who send her a microdonation ...

Cindy of Delighted Hands and I were dishcloth swappers.  My very first package arrived in the mail at the new house yesterday.  I LOVE these dischcloths.  The sunny sunshine I may never actually use. It is too darling. Not only do I like the blue lace cloth, I may try to make one! Cindy did you block these or iron them?  They are Perfect? Anyone who has not mailed their swaps out yet, gentle reminder: they must be in the Mail by 9/1.  I believe that's Thursday coming.  Is anyone having any trouble with the swap? just let me know!!

  This is the view from the kitchen window. Serenity, nature, quiet.  I love it here.  I'm not one bit homesick.  It is the time of year when I am DONE with al fresco dining.  The flys have multiplied and the bees are frantic.  I will only eat in.   I think this is my favorite summer knit  2016 besides the Stockings .    How about you? Favorite knit of the summer of 2016?

Because My mom cannot Bless our new house, and because my dear friend Kathryn was in town to visit her dear mom Mary, we got together.  Mary is nearly 90 and amazing.   Mary said she'd be honored to Bless the House.  She blessed the outside first.  She got teary. Then we came in, albeit very slowly with the help of her snazzy new red wheeled walked, and she kept blessing.  In the kitchen she said,  "May the Bloody Mary's Start at 11!" Mary is from New York and never lost her accent.  It is awesome.  My friend Kathryn brought us a house warming gift.  She's a vintage head vase!  Oh was I thrilled.  I have NO nurse stuff.  Only a few ornaments.  I . just. Love. it There was a tiny bit of knitting last night! I showed Kath and her mom my present box and let them pick a hand knit.  Kath took the cashmere socks. Her mom took a shawl I made with alpaca from last years Sheep a...

  I Believe that Fireman's mother, who passed 23 years ago, was with us on our move.  The very last piece of mail we got at our OLD hundred year old home in Glenview was addressed to her, Helen B.   When Fireman's parents first died their mail was forwarded to our home.   Now very infrequently and rather miraculously, we still get an occasional piece of mail addressed to them.  It seems to happen when we are stressed.   I believe she's happy about our move.    I believe cats are magnificent at finding ways to be comfortable.  Ahem, Sir Fezzik discovers a/c vents.  I believe that flowers in a wall vase are spectacular!  I believe I'd never have known this if the cats weren't such big believers in eating flowers.  I believe I found a huge cedar closet in my new basement.  I believe I will have time to read your blogs and leave comments today! I also believe Kims Hunks and Chicks voting is a blast...

Time for a picnic.    We moved.  It all come together on Monday.   If you've moved recently you recall the crazies.  The crazies are over now.  Except I accidentally took Tanks' prozac just now.  Time for  a nap I guess. How does one accidentally take Tank's prozac?  I was reaching for Tylenol and then ran to grab Tank.  I had the tylenol and the prozac in my hand and just took it when he bolted on me.   The cats are not happy in their new home.   A dog would be thrilled.  Cats dont like change.  We nearly lost Pie to a rafter moments ago.   The hard part is done. Everyone is using their litter boxes and showing up to be snuggled from time to time.  Knitting.....cast on another Christmas sock yesterday.  Went two complete dayswithout knitting before I realized it.  We are 90% unpacked.  I think we unpacked in our sleep.   The movers...lets not go there.  The one kid who...

  Ready? Let's Play .  Fezz says my brother is winning all kinds of Championships.  Hooray for brother Kevin from Chemicoons cattery .  1- Have you ever won an award?  2- Do you like the baby blanket below?  3- What's your favorite gauge to knit in? 4- Where was the best cup of coffee you ever enjoyed? 5- Do you have a favorite family recipe that has been passed down for a few generations? 6- Did you know you can have a conversation in the message section of Facebook with someone out of the country? 7- Is it harder to send the kids to kindergarten or college? 8. This is a new free Knitpicks pattern.  I may have to knit one.  I think pattern are so much better written now than years ago.  Do you? 9. Ravelry really changed our craft and our communication. Do you have an old pattern that a family member passed down to you?  10. When is the last time you traveled with your pet in a car? My answers: 1. Honestly I ...

  1. My pal Abby is in Peru.  She sent me this photo.  She is bringing me back alpaca yarn.   That's a pal, I say.  Going all the way to the yarn shop in Peru...oh wait, she may be there for some sighting too.  2. I shy away from Religion on the blog.  I'll just say my grandma and mom were deeply devoted to the Blessed Mother. I am too.  She has been so good to us in every way.  This is a photo I took near the Seminary at Techny.   3. Zach got to Mexico safely yesterday.  One day closer to coming back...I'm awful. 4.  I poured sherry over my chicken as it bar b cued last night. Didn't really taste like it.  Had to get rid of another thing to move. . Bye cooking sherry! 5.  send me good bloggy pal luck.  We hope to move this week. 

My zinnias were well worth the 2.29 packages of seeds that I tossed into the soil in May.  Late May.  They are like little pops of colored joy to look at from the porch.   This one is more fur than frame.  Giroux and Fezz might have a good time.  Fezz takes all kinds of orders from tiny mighty Pie. Pie did a leap into a closed window yesterday, once again proving she can't see much.  Her poor Pie brain.  She's on the concussion protocol now.  That means we leave those windows open.   Zach flew off to Mexico this morning. I was so good at the airport. Then I came home and started bawling.  Shoulders shaking, and snotting into tissues.  We love our kids dont we?  They are well worth it.  I'm knitting a hat.   because all the other needles are packed somewhere.  because I Found some Zara.  Because I need to keep knitting and a hats a hat and thats that.   Monday q and a may be done on sunday...

  I'm was still in the dishcloth swing of things. This is Lion Brand Cotton Ease  50% cotton 50% acrylic. So it won't shrink.  I just got this Lion Brand from Etsy's site: 3c's Twisted Stitchers. All their profits go to fight cancer and assist local charities!  Good news: love the yellow Bad news: even with the acrylic there is next to no give and my hands hurt.   Yesterday we were in Evanston and I have always loved the old Lighthouse on Sheridan Road.  For years I threatened my children with a tour.   We never got to it.  Working so many Sundays made the tour availability really slim. Also there are crazy temperature constraints for tours. If the temp is above something like, 80 degrees, the tour is cancelled.  I can still love it.  And Waterlogue, you rocked the painting.  Moving update: There is none!  We are waiting for stuff.  The waiting is making me less sentimental abo...

  Sometimes the most difficult part of writing a post for me is giving it a title.   You must think, what in the world is she talking about today?  I'm feeling the need to be all organized, so  #1. This is last night's Sturgeon moon.  These are the best two shots out of ohhhhh probably 50.  (I'm shaky .  I have to balance the camera without a tripod and not breathe to take the pictures. ) So because I live on Lake Michigan's shores, I'll tell you the Native American's caught the most Sturgeon in the Great Lakes during this time.  I'm all Native American talk because Al's in Oklahoma City and she's learning so much there about this beautiful culture.  Chicago has/had  Potawatomi Indians.  Indians of the Plains wore hand knitted sweaters. I also loved the book, about Curtis ( Dark Night of the Shadow Catcher was one of my reads this year. ) and his extensive photographs of the Beautiful Native American ...

  Hooray for Boxie cat.  It is pretty much completely dust free cat litter.  It is odorless and controls that nasty cat pee smell .  This is a free trial from Chewy .com and I will be ordering more. My cats immediately began using the box that I put the Boxie in.   We have many cats and many boxes.  So I just tried this litter in one pan.  They instantly began to use it.   I like a litter  that is not scented.  Time will tell but it is supposed to be long lasting in odor control.   One of Chewy's great customer services is home delivery. I will be using their service soon.  I do not like carrying heavy litter to the truck. I usually ask Fireman to do it.     Sydney sent us The Evanger's dry cat food Meat lovers with Rabbit .  Fezzik was the only one to try it.   He seemed interested in it the first day only.  Successive days of leaving it out meant no takers.  I will try again in a week. ...

Ready to felt.  Played yarn chicken and lost with the deep green. Hey the light green works.  That's the joy of these Stockings, they are very individual. I dont' want to whine here, you know it is not my way, But I'm not in the mood to work another gusset.  So today I'll cast on more dishcloths.  Wheee!   IF you haven't already heard about the limited edition SWEDISH FISH oreos let me just tell ya.  The taste is there but the texture is off.  I had two.  Off to the shelter to help spays and neuters. Have you ever noticed how many of us knit bloggers are regular volunteers? Be it at schools or with the Falls, or donating knitted or crocheted items (Harry's Hundred needs more) or volunteering at school.  We give and we enjoy it! Happy Giving Happy Swedish fish

Channon (of pups and pearls) Now works for LulaRoe.  The clothing line is amazing for those of us who actually have some curves.  I plan to host an online party in the future . Perhaps September.  She sent me this beautiful yellow and blue skirt.  It is a long skirt and so very comfortable.  It was a generous birthday gift.  Channon knows fashion.  I sure don't.  Talk to Channon; Go to their sight.  Lularoe already seems like a great place for me to shop.  I really don't like to shop in stores.  Thank you so much Channon (and Mark and Sissy and Gg and Remy)  Still no moving date but we are hopeful it will be soon. Oh isn't this fun? Yesterday the Electric company cut our service off because their on line notification system lagged.  I had to laugh.  Thankfully it came back on before the food spoiled and the Olympic watching was starting.  I'm working on the toe of my lates...

Monday August 15th Q and A, Come and Play   When was the last time you saw a butterfly?  ( I spied with my little eye, a monarch butterfly just yesterday on my zinnias)  Why on Earth is this shoe on top of the station wagon.?  It appears to be tied there.   ( Fireman's guess was my favorite: those shoes smell so bad they cannot keep them in the car whilst they drive)  Do you prefer a cardigan with buttons or a zipper?  (assuming you dont have to put the buttons or zipper in)  ( I so love the right buttons on a sweater but I'll be darned if I'm putting them on it) When was the last time you wished you didn't have so many ends to weave in? (Yesterday.  I wanted to give a pair of socks as a birthday gift and I had not woven in the ends . My finishing needle is packed amid a sea of boxes so I had to give her another pair.  She loved the pair I gave her anyhow. ) When was the last time someone asked you, "Did yo...

 I had our furniture repair/paint pals change the old secretary. I was sick of it.   It was an oak stain for years and years  I absolutely love what His and Hers Furniture did for this piece.  I'm into grays.  I'm going to knit a bit on my stocking later.  My Birthday is tomorrow and I know we'll have a great day. Fireman has worked so hard and we wont 'have to pack or do anything house related.  I told my mom , last night, that my birthday was soon.  She smiled and starting to sing  Happy Birthday to you then she forgot the rest.  It was awesome anyhow. 

My four felted Christmas stockings.  I'm on the fifth .   Truth: you can make a ton of mistakes and felting just erases them all Truth : I haven't measured a thing on these and 3 of them happen to be the same size now.  Truth:  I got in our local pool and swam for an hour yesterday. What a mind clearing peaceful afternoon. Truth: I then went out with Zach and Fireman and had 2 margaritas.  They were guava and delicious.   Truth: I was giggling and snort laughing on the way home. I was not driving of course.     Truth:  I was so angry with At and T that I hand wrote a letter to the Executive Director and the Board.   Within a week I had the Ex Directors assistant personally helping me.   Truth: I hate to complain Truth: I love to thank people.  Anita and I are getting to be fast friends.  AT&T  is working it all out.  I think a hand written letter gets more attention than an email now a ...

  I'm in love with these paddles.  Just sayin so   Much as I love the sound of rushing waters , I'd like to stop swimming upstream now.   I'm ready to float down the lazy river, but that is not to be just yet.  Packing packing blah blah blah.  So I grab my needles and I knit my Christmas stocking at night  and I get into that knitty trance.  Thank you Knitty trance,  without you I'd be sunk.  Tipped over in the kayak in the rapids, gasping for air...... but my knitting grounds me folks.  It really does.  These two, Big and Little, will very occasionally share a space. When Miss Pie allows it.  Miss Bossy pants.  Mr, What did I do? Did not did so and so it goes. 

Al's Olympic sweater . You make the sleeves first then the body.  The Pattern is Vitamin D by  an indy designer on Ravelry. Yesterday I had my pay it back day. The woman next to me in the parking lot couldn't start her car.  I had jumper cables.  What goes around sure comes around. Of course I would have helped her even if Zach had not just been helped in Chicago on Fathers day weekend.  Still, I love serendipity, don't you? **** I'm completely into the Olympics. They have actually shown Equestrian this year!  I've seen the safety vests some of the riders wear to protect themselves in a horse roll accident.  I saw a poor sick little Chinese girl on the uneven bars fall. So much drive in these young people.  If  I cleaned the bathroom sinks on time during my childhood  summers I considered myself driven.  My father made us come up with these  lists of what we'd do around the house to help our...

this is not my dishcloth, it  is from  http://onestitchdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/04/free-crochet-round-dishcloth-pattern.html Okay swap ladies.  Here we go:  Here is your name , Ravelry name and your partners name and Ravelry name.  (If you are not swapping at least you get to make new Ravelry friends if you wish)  Communicate via Ravelry for your home mailing addresses.  Your mission:   To create at least 2 dishcloths for your partner and have them in the mail by September 1st.   You may include a small trinket or two if you wish.  Keep it small.   I'll remind everyone at the end of August.  You can certainly send earlier if that works for you.  Keep it fun.  Pairings:  Nancy (pinnut) and  Betsy (betsyq) Cindy (DelightedHands) and  Kathy B. (Huckmom)  Bridget (Thekittyknitter)and Deb (Araignee) Val (Wanderingcat) and Karen51 (Momolake) Dee (DKissinger)a...