Small Steps

One thing I have noticed since Lewie came here to live is that it is really hard to get a good picture of a black cat. Especially when he doesn't cooperate.

But the upside is that as time goes on, the growling and staring (glaring?) by Leo has greatly diminished. I have even seen them both on the bed at the same time. Yes they were at opposite sides of the bed, but they seem to be adapting well.

On the knitting front, I have finished another birthday present.

Isn't just the cutest thing? I am considering making one in my size. The pattern is sized from baby to adult large, and now that I know how it works, it would be easily adjustable.

That leaves me with some Christmas knitting to do. I have even thought about casting on for another vest for me, this time in garter stitch. As though I don't have a pile of WIPs (Works In Progress) already.

Posted with Blogsy

Games and Races.

Great day for sports in the farmhouse.

The Detroit Lions actually won their second game in a row today. And while I don't watch football (I have a friend who shoots me the score while I give her race updates), I do appreciate the fact that both of these last two games haven't been high scoring games. My Scoreboard Cowl isn't growing quite as fast as it was previously.

The knitting goes easier with the majority of the cowl folded up into a plastic bag. I can manage the three skeins much better without the length of the cowl getting all wrapped up in it.

The other sporting event, more near and dear to my heart was the NASCAR finals. My favorite driver was out of the running for the championship, but up until about 10 laps left, was leading the pack. Then a caution hit. He ended up third, and since Brad couldn't win the championship, I am glad Kyle did.

What a comeback it was too, after missing the first couple months of the season with both a broken leg on one side and a broken foot on the other. I am happy with the outcome of the season.

Now how long till the Daytona 500?

Posted with Blogsy

Gift Time Knitting.

I can't call it Christmas knitting, because I have two birthdays coming first. Both Little Farmer, who first popped into the world last Thanksgiving, and my Lil Farm Gal,whose birthday is early December, are needing presents, so that is coming first.

First up is this Turquoise Benedict Cowl. The yarn was just purchased last Friday and I am ready to start my last sawtooth section. I should have it done by bedtime, if this post doesn't take too long, at least as far as the knitting goes. But sewing up and hiding in ends should go quickly, so probably tomorrow with that.

Than, after tossing the stash, I came up with this. I'm thinking a Farmall colored earflap hat. I have a bit of time to decide which of two patterns I like best.

At least until tomorrow sometime.

Posted with Blogsy

Happy Blogiversary to Me!

Was it only eight years ago when I began this humble blog? Way back in 2007, after seeing so many of my friends writing blogs about their knitting, I bit the bullet and signed in to blogger and started blogging.

Many of those same blogs I followed then have faded away. Others I have discovered and enjoy continue. I follow blogs of knitters in Scotland and Canada. Blogs of multi-taskers in Oklahoma, a weatherman in Grand Rapids, and a few farmers, scattered from Alberta, Canada to Wisconsin, are among those I still enjoy. Not many of those local friends still blog, at least with any regularity.

I miss those blogs I used to read that are no more. There was a knitter and backyard chicken farmer in Austrailia whose blog I particularly loved to read and miss.

Still, I trudge along with my little blathering here, grateful to whoever happens to read them. My readership has possibly increased with my discovering how to share them on Facebook. Nothing like self promotion, huh?

Sometimes it takes real effort to think of something to write, signified by longish pauses here. Other times I have so many ideas, I could post several times a day if I typed them, instead of just composing them in my head.

Blogging has been a great source of discipline. It keeps me on task with my knitting and writing, even if I sometimes need to be reminded by a friend when it has been a while since a post. I love the challenges I sometimes set, like a poem a day for a month, or just posting daily. (November is a lousy time for National Blogging Daily Month, just saying.) I love having a reason to just write, even if I don't get many readers. Or even any readers.

So, to any of you reading this, thanks for the support. And if you start your own blog, let me know. I'd love to follow it.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Time For Gift Knitting

With both birthdays for grandchildren as well as Christmas fast approaching, it is time for gift knitting. Some is coming from the stash, but I did make a few purchases. Just as a supplement you know.

I started a cowl like my St Augustine Cowl finished early this year. This one though is in turquoise. I think I can find someone who would like that.

I have plans for a hat and possibly mittens too but they may be able to wait until Christmas, I hope. Hope is high for a pair of Mary Jane style slippers also by Christmas.

And then there is this, already started...a pair of fingerless mitts.

In navy tweed, from my stash, they are definitely daytime knitting.

But, with all this knitting ramping up I present this:

I finally sat down and added buttons to the Flo Oatmeal Vest.

Ta dah! Although I will need to see if I can get some better pictures, I think it isn't half bad. And enough left over for a hat.

That makes my tenth finished project for 2015! I'm doing better than I thought.

Posted with Blogsy

Family Addition

I think I mentioned that our 18 year old tortie cat passed away suddenly recently. I had been cruising the shelter websites and Pet Finder, looking for just the right new cat.

I finally fell for a couple 3 month old kittens at Lake Haven Rescue. They had a couple white and gray females kittens. Then I saw the two Russian Blues and fell in love. Tuesday we finally made connections and I went to see what was there.

Unfortunately, most of the kitties were off getting neutered/spayed and wouldn't be back till the next day. And the two little Russian Blue females were back off in foster with an eye infection. For three weeks.

After the disappointment lessened, while I talked to an older adopted red poodle waiting for pickup, I went to look at the only cat on left the premises.

Now remember, I was looking for a short haired gray or gray and white female. Meet Lewie.

Male, long haired, and black. And a cuddle bug of a purring machine. He came home with me.

I know he looks gray in the pictures, but trust me he is black and completely invisible in the dark.

Lizzie loves Lewie.

Leo, not so much.

A low rumble constantly fills the air. And you can find Lewie by following Leo's disdainful glare.

Posted with Blogsy

Little Farmer On the Move

I know that there haven't a lot of pictures of my Little Farmer as he fast approaches his first birthday. But let me tell you that pictures, at least good clear ones, are hard to get.

The little guy is constantly on the move. And as you can see here, he loves his "cell phone" and for the past couple weeks, has had it with him constantly. Not unlike his daddy, Older Son.

The toy box holds great fascination.

As does just locomotion in general. He isn't walking except around items he can hold on to. If necessary, he sees nothing wrong with dropping to hands and knees.

And he really would like to try using Grammy's phone.

He thinks selfies are fun.

Posted with Blogsy

Bye Week For Cowl

It seems to have been a busy week here in Farmmom land. It took until tonight to FINALLY finish this week's installment of the Lion's Scoreboard Cowl. It has been a rough season for the Lions themselves, and you can see looking at the cowl's edge that the big scoring streaks are all silver.

It almost looks more depressing seeing the blue Lions points against the silver opponents points. At least the team has a bye this week. Maybe they can regroup from their personnel changes and have a blue week after their week off.

Don't hold your breath though. I hear the Bye is favored to win this weekend 14 to 0.

Posted with Blogsy

Tripping Hazards

It is kind of funny that out of all our barn cats/outdoor cats, the three most recent drop offs seem to be the ones constantly under foot.

Well technically, Gina Kitty isn't really a drop off. She is a pick up. She had been an inside/outside cat who thought the couch made good kitty litter. Sho after being banished from her house, she came here to live. We live here year round too, so there was no worry about her fending for food in the winter.

Then a day or so from when Gina came here to live, Loud Mouth showed up.

If you don't pat attention to Loud Mouth, you will find her doing the winding leg thing. That's bad enough when you are walking regularly, but treacherous when you are using a cane while walking a dog on the leash.

We also gained Blackie this summer, bringing our total to about eight barn cats.

Blackie is also a foot wrapper, as you can see. Somehow it always seems to be these three cats who crave the most attention.

Unless the feeder is empty. Then they are all meowing and hovering nearby.

Posted with Blogsy

The Cowl Progresses

Even if the Detroit Lions aren't. Their season looks even worse in knitting.

You will notice that my 2015 Lions Scoreboard is heavy on the silver. And light on the Honolulu Blue. Sigh. And that photo is after last week's knitting..... As in before the London debacle of a 45-10 loss yesterday. Didn't I pick a great year to document in yarn?

Just to take my mind off the gloom and gloom, here is the latest project I just had to start.

There will eight row stripes of I think eight different colors and at this point I haven't decided on a recipient. Too girly for Little Farmer I think. I may hold for a while. But for now it will take a backseat to Christmas knitting.

That's right, more new projects coming.

Posted with Blogsy