Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Drift Cowl Knitting Project All Done

 Hi Everyone!  Well it is another rainy day here!  I think it is supposed to rain until Sunday.  It is bringing all the flowering trees, daffodils, quince, and regular trees out.  I see green everywhere, which is wonderful!  I love this time of year!

I finished the Lucky Coasters I was working on and then I picked the Drift Cowl up and finished that last night.  The Lucky coasters and the Drift Cowl were all designed by Margaret at Heidi and Lana.  I buy all my yarn from her and I love her designs.  The Drift Cowl yarn, pattern and goodies were in her Winter Box.  I really love her projects.  I've just ordered the Spring box.  Can't wait to see what the project is.  She said it is something to do for the home.  Here are both projects completed.

Lucky Coasters-just in time for St. Patrick's Day!

Drift Cowl

Closeup of Drift Cowl

This is taken from ravelry.com courtesy of Heidi and Lana.  This is Margaret wearing her Drift Cowl she made.  The pattern is available on Raverly.com and her yarns are available on her website:  heidiandlana.com.


I will go back to working on my Travertine Throw, which was also designed by Margaret.  I am using her Patreon Monthly Mini Skeins for my throw with Farmhouse in between the colored oblongs.  When I get further along I will share that with you.

Everyone have a wonderful day!


Sherri


Saturday, March 2, 2024

Be Aware of Your Pets with Yarn

 Hi Everyone!  Yesterday after I posted my last post, I had something happen to me that has never, ever happened with any of my pets before.  I had completed knitting the Lucky coaster and put all my supplies back in my yarn basket (which I keep up on the couch so Riley can't bother it).  Well I went in my office/craft room to look something up on the computer.  About 5 minutes later I heard Riley gagging and choking.  I ran out and he was in the hallway.  I saw a trail of yarn (2 different colors) coming out of his mouth.  I started to pull the yarn out and I couldn't believe how much he had swallowed.  It was like the clown acts that they have scarves coming out of their sleeves or mouths.  I got it all out and he never had stopped breathing thank goodness.  He gave me a scare I don't ever wish to repeat.  Below is a photo of the yarn I got out of his mouth, throat and it had to have gone down even further.  


The dark green yarn I had rolled most of it back on the ball before I took the photo of what was in him.  The lighter green yarn represents the true amount he swallowed.  

Very scary and I now keep my yarn in a basket with a lid so he can't help himself.  I think it scared him as much as it did me!  

I'm just glad he didn't stop breathing or have other complications.

Have a wonderful weekend!


Sherri

Friday, March 1, 2024

Happy First Day of March!

 Happy first day of March my friends!  I don't know about where you are but it is chilly, gray and rainy here today.  Not a great beginning to this month, but I've been knitting and reading.  

This is another good day to drink hot tea and that is what I am doing right now.  I took Riley out and got so cold.  I thought it would be good to have hot tea to warm up a bit.

Talking about Riley, yesterday he decided he wanted to spend some time just sitting (very regal I might add) on my bed for part of the afternoon.  He does this every once in a while.  He usually needs to be right up against me.  Here is the photo I snapped yesterday.  Sorry some of it is a shadow, but I still think he looks very regal!



I had gone to Harris Teeter on Monday to do my grocery shopping, I had picked up some roses and baby's breath.  I was able to make 3 different arrangements with them.  I put one in my room in the vase that was my Grandma's.  This morning when I woke up they looked so beautiful against the wall, I decided to take some photos.  This is what I took with my phone.






I thought they look so pretty and I especially like the one with the black background.  

Because it is raining here today and no walks in the park could be done, I decided to knit the Lucky coasters (I got one done) from Heidi and Lana.  I have 3 more to go.  Just in time for St. Patrick's Day!  The one I took a photo of needs to be washed and blocked when the others are done.


Yesterday I hung my Spring/St. Patrick's Day wreath on the front door also.  I made this wreath when I lived in SC.  It brings freshness to the door.  I'm still working on the pattern for the stained glass window for the door.  I lost momentum and I also was trying to draw the last flower part for the window.  I'm having a hard time deciding whether I should have the last flower partially opened or another fully opened one.  I don't want to make a mistake because once I start cutting it is pretty much the way it is going to be or I be wasting glass.  I'm going to work on it this weekend and decide.



I truly love this time of year!  It means renewal for me, new beginnings, flowers, trees coming back with their leaves and flowers, and this year it will be a labor of love creating all my new gardens!  I'm ready for this season!

Everyone have a lovely weekend and remember to take some time for yourself.  

Hugs,

Sherri

Monday, February 26, 2024

Spring is On Its Way!!

Hi Everyone!   I am pleased to announce Spring is on its way for sure in the little town of Rockwell!  The daffodils are blooming, the Star and Saucer Magnolias are blooming and the weather is getting warmer. It was 71 degrees here today!   I also hear the birds chirping loudly in the morning when I let Riley out.  They sound wonderful!

I have been spending alot of time going to the Park with Riley.  Usually walking 2 miles.  It is good for him and good for me!  I noticed the other morning when I took him out that he is morphing more into an adult dog now and not so puppy looking.  Here you can see for yourself:

Riley 1.25.2024-5 months old.


He acts like a gentleman most of the time at the park now when he passes people, but sometimes he just can't help himself.  Especially if someone says he's cute or wants to pet him.  I had trouble getting him back in the car to come home today!  He weighs a little over 50 lbs. now, so that was no easy fete.

I went out into the backyard today and guess what was blooming!  Tiny little purple violets-2 clumps of them and I see more getting ready to bloom.  Here is a photo (photo not that great because Riley started jumping around):


The moon has been so beautiful the last few nights.  Last night I turned my outside light off and got some really beautiful photos.  Here is one:


Last Friday I decided I had neglected my orchids long enough.  I took all of them out of their pots, cleaned up their roots, rinsed them off, sprayed their roots with hydrogen peroxide and then planted them in new soil.  I had to repot one because it got so large and one had a baby with it's own root system in it.  They are doing so much better now.  I also repotted a Christmas Cactus that needed refreshing.

Repotted Christmas Cactus.

Repotted orchids.


With St. Patrick's Day right around the corner, I decided the house needed a little green.  I can also keep these things out for Easter too.

Just a little green and grape hyacinth.  It isn't real but it looks it.  I've had it for years, I think about 25 years.  I bought it at Pottery Barn.

A little green on my Dining Room table.

The little statues of the Irish couple is from Ireland.  My friend, Jean brought them back for me on one of her many trips about 30 years ago.  I also knitted the table runner.  I thought it would look good on this little side table.  It is actually a small piecrust edged drop leaf table.  I use it as a little table beside my Pumpkin Pine Stepback Cupboard.


I have been knitting alot too (when it was so cold to go out).  I'm working on the Heidi and Lana Drift Cowl.  I just started yesterday Heidi and Lana Lucky Coasters for St. Patrick's Day.  I don't have enough knitted though to show you yet.  I will when I have one done.  Here is what I've done with the Drift Cowl:

Drift Cowl in progress.

Well I hope everyone is getting some warmer weather or a hint of Spring also.  Everyone have a lovely day!


Sherri

Thursday, February 1, 2024

Planning my Stained Glass Window and Riley

I hope this post finds you all doing well. I hope it is as sunny at your place today as it is here in Rockwell! Finally the sun has made an appearance!  We have had alot of rain and gray, cloudy days lately.  It is so nice to have some sunshine.

Well I have finally measured and set down to draw my pattern for the stained glass window I'm making for my front door.  Here is what I have so far:

Start of the stained glass pattern.

I am sketching morning glories fully opened, buds and I will be drawing a partially open one or another fully opened one.  There will be leaves (I've already included some) in different color greens.  I am trying to decided whether I used glue chip (Frosted Glass) or antique seed glass.  I cannot wait until I finish this and install it!  Should be a beauty with the light streaming in!

The adventures of Riley!  I took Riley twice to the Granite Quarry Park.  He had a blast and we walked 2 miles!  Needless to say, he was one tired pup when we were done.  We came home both times and he slept for 2-3 hours.  It is good for him (and me) to get this kind of exercise.  Here are some photos:

Riley at the Park watched the Canadian Geese and Ducks.  He was also resting from the 2 mile hike.

On the wooded part of the path, a brook runs down the middle and this little waterfall was so pretty.

One of the resident ducks at the Park.

Beautiful pond and fountain at the Park.

Geese at the pond.

Trail through the wooded park of our walk in the Granite Quarry Park.

Pond at the Park.

Riley all tuckered out after his 2 mile jaunt around the Park.

I was also able to get the Guest Room bed all together.  I ordered a mattress in a box from Amazon, thinking that would be high enough.  Well I was wrong.  I ordered a box spring in a box and put it together.  It didn't take 5 minutes that's all I'm saying LOL!!  I got it all together with clean sheets and bedding.  I think this room will be cozy for my guests.

Guest Room

I need to get painting some pictures to hang in here.  I need to decorate a bit more in here also.  

When the moon was full last week, I took a few photos:

Full Moon from the backyard.

Behind Main Street there is a water tower here in Rockwell.  It was super dark when I took this photo during the full moon.  My flash on my phone made it bright.  I also think it looked like an old photo.  I love it!

This was the water tower at sunset.

I have been knitting, reading, listening to audiobooks and watching Heartland on TV.  I never watched it before and my sister, Sue kept saying you need to watch it, you need to watch it.  I love it!!  Right up my alley-HORSES!!  I have ridden since I was a child and I have loved horses I swear since the day I was born!  This show just makes me love them even more.  Now I know they are alot of work and expense but I always felt they were worth it.  I have many fond memories of my horses:  Mohawk, Duke, Melody, Teddy, Oberek and Dan.  Those horses got me through some times in my life and I am forever thankful to them!

Well off to the stained glass table!  Everyone have a lovely afternoon and evening!

Sherri


Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Planning my Gardens at the New House



I hope this post finds all of you well, warm and happy!  The past week the weather has been so horrible I think for everyone!  The one morning I got up and it was 12 degrees.  That is cold for our area here in NC.  

I have been planning out my gardens for here on paper.  I went ahead and bought 2 dahlia tubers from Petal Pickers in Greenville, SC.  I have bought from them over the years and there dahlias are always so good.  I brought 4 dahlia tubers over in pots from Scott's house when I moved my gardening things over here.  I hope they make it.  I have them in the garage.  They should be ok.  I am looking into roses and perennials right now.  The next time I go up to NJ, I'll also get some pieces from 2 plants my sister has that were my Nana's.  I had some but they are at Scott's house.  Mason may get them for me when he gets the daylilies I planted along the front walk.  I've got my rototiller all cleaned up and ready to till when the weather gets warmer in the Spring.  I'm going to pull the 2 ugly bushes the builder planted out front and replace them with 2 Encore azaelas.  I'm think a salmon color that I've had in the past.  I figured it would go perfect with the white house and black trim.  I'm also going to paint the 2 rocking chairs that were my parents out on the front porch a glossy black in the Spring.  I will get he usual annuals also to fill in.

The plants/bushes that I'm thinking of getting are:

Daylilies

Roses

Hostas

Zinnias

Sweet William

Butterfly Bush

Azaelas

Yarrow

Marigolds

Echincea


Echinecea

Graham Thomas Rose

Lady of Shalot Rose




That is all I can think of right now.  That is a good start!  I will also put some gladiolia bulbs in.  John loved them!  I always think of him when I see them blooming.  He loved that I gardened.  

Are any of you thinking about gardening in the Spring?  If so, what do you think you'll be putting in?  I'll also be putting in some raised beds and putting herbs and veggies in.  Hope they do well here.  There is plenty of sun for sure!  Down the side of the house there is some shade from my neighbors pecan trees, so that is where the hostas will go.

I have a garden journal and I will probably be using that alot.  I like to keep track of what plants do well and what doesn't.  

Well that is all I have for today!  I hope everyone has a great rest of the week and the weekend if I don't make it back here.


Sherri








Monday, January 22, 2024

Trying to Stay Warm and Some House Updates

Hi Everyone!  I hope you all have been staying safe and warm with all this cold weather.  We have been lucky and we have not received any snow or ice,  just wind and rain.  The temps the other morning when I let Riley out was 12 degrees!  That is unusual for here!  Riley is settling down very nicely here.  He is very good company for me.  I feel like he has doubled or maybe even tripled in size!  He is a very good boy.  Today we took a ride in the car.  I thought he was doing great but he got out of the car, he threw up on the driveway.  I guess he was unsettled by the wind and change.  

Riley-4 months old

I have been very busy at trying to get the rest of the house all set up.  On Friday my new coffee table was delivered from Kirklands.  I opened the box and there was so much styrofoam and it was all over.  Thank heavens for vacuum cleaners!  It came out really nice though and finished the living room.



My bedroom, kitchen, dining area are now all done and I love the way everything turned out.  I will be painting the walls in all of these rooms but for now it will just stay cream.

Dining Area

Living Room, Kitchen and Dining Area

My bedroom

On Friday I went to Gold Hill, NC, which is only about 4.5 miles from where I live.  What a cute little town.  They had a great restaurant and alot of shops.  I went with Lilli, Ben's girlfriend.  We had a great time despite it was freezing cold.  Alot of the shops were closed due to the cold, so we will go back again some other day when it is warmer.  They have a shop that you can cut your own flowers in the summer and they have workshops, which interests me!  Lilli and I may take a class sometime.  Here are some of the shops:

A little shop.


Another little shop.

This old house in the village is so beautiful!

This was a gas station at one time and now it is a shop in the village of Gold Hill.

This is the old post office made into a pottery shop.I definitely want to go back there.

When I was putting the living room together, I came across this wooden box which was my great-grandmothers.  I love this!


This was my paternal great greatmothers wooden box.  It looks like it could have been a jewelry box because it has velvet inside.

I bought some beautiful roses and mums at Harris Teeter and they have lasted for over 1 month and I got 2 bouquets out of the batch I bought.



Sunsets have been really pretty here lately.


I have been knitting also.  I started a new project called The Travertine Throw.  I'm not too far into it, but when I get some more done, I'll take a photo to share with you.  I'm reading Prodigal Summer for my bookclub.  I joined the Salisbury Library bookclub.  It will be meeting on 2/17.  I can't wait to meet everyone.  You can also go online and Zoom meeting the bookclub.  I'm excited to get back into a bookclub.  I have been having dinner with Jim, my neighbor just about every Wednesday and Saturday.  He has been a widower for the past 6 years.  He is 73 years old and very lonely.  We are going as friends and that seems to be working out just fine.  I have started going to church at Shiloah United Methodist Church in Granite Quarry, NC (just about 10 mins. from me).  I love that church.  They have a widow group and they go out to lunch every Sunday after church and 1 lunch a month at Longhorn Steak House.  I love that group so much and enjoy them every time I go!  They make me laugh!

So as everyone can tell, things are settling in rather nicely!  I hope everyone is well and enjoying 2024!

Hugs,

Sherri