Yarn Along - I'm Back

Our cruise was wonderful and I promise to post some pictures this week.  I'm still in the relaxed state of mind.  It's tough to get back in the groove though.  I did some knitting while I was away.

Ah - sitting by the pool with a drink and a sock.  Very relaxing....

I had to take a break and work on a baby blanket that needs to be finished by Saturday.  As soon as that's done I will be working on that sock again.  I just love the colors.  Reminds me of cotton candy and bubblegum.  All summer things.

What's on your needles?

Joining Ginny.

Yarn Along

I am making some good progress on my Garter Path Shawl.

The color changes are really noticeable now.

And that makes me happy.

It's difficult to see progress because it's all scrunched up on the needles but it's growing and growing.

I'm up to the lace border, which due to my not following the pattern correctly, I have to fudge and fiddle with.  It's a good learning experience.  I ended up with extra stitches between the repeats so I have to figure out how to fit them into the pattern.

It will be done by the weekend.

Like that positive thinking?

Joining Ginny.

10 On Tuesday

This weeks 10 is all about being grateful.  And it's something we should remember often.  Thank you Carole for the reminder!

10 things I was grateful for last week:

1.  My stepmom got positive news about some test results.  It could have been icky bad but it looks like all will be well with the help of some antibiotics.
2.  I got to pick Nicole up from work Friday night in the middle of all the heavy rain.  She usually just drives her own car, but she had a friend drop her off and asked if I could pick her up.  When it came time it was raining like crazy and the roads were pretty well flooded.  I was fine in my big truck but I would have been concerned with her driving her car.
3.  The sun came out over the weekend and we got to enjoy it!  I even got some color.
4.  I got to sit by the water and do nothing but smell the sea air for a good 15 minutes.  It's rare that I just sit and do nothing but I kind of enjoyed it and was glad that I got the chance.  I even took a couple of pictures, like the one above of the flag.
5.  To be able to sit and snuggle with Mowgli.  He's lost his puppy smell, but I love that he will just sit on my lap and put his head on my shoulder so I can rub his ears.  I'm not sure how this "sitting on the lap" thing is going to work out when he's 70 lbs.
6.  I hung clothes outside and I just love the smell of fresh clothes on the line!  I thought the sun wouldn't stay out long enough but it did.
7.  I got some quality knitting time in.  It felt great to sit on the deck early in the morning and knit and watch podcasts.
8.  We got some college courses straightened out.  Nicole will be starting mid July and it turns out she doesn't have to take some courses they originally thought she would.
9.  Speaking of Nicole, she was invited to spend the day with a friend of ours who is a nurse mid-wife.  She's going to make sure it's on a day where she has a patient scheduled for induction so she can watch a birth.
10.  We had a nice family dinner mid week to celebrate the end of school.  It's a rare occasion these days when everybody is available to go out at the same time!
11. Nicole's sweetheart returned safely from his short deployment.  It wasn't for too long, but it was nice to know he was home safe and sound.
12.  We found out a friend who is pregnant is having a boy.  It's actually my friend's daughter, who was 8 years old when Nicole was born.  She was so excited when I had her and I remember thinking "she's going to be such a good mom."  And here we are.

OK - so I went over the 10.  But I had more to be grateful for than I thought once I started writing it all down.  What are you grateful for these days?

Random Happenings

I know - another puppy picture.  I just love the expression on his face there.

So my posting has been rather sporadic.  I have been fitting in a couple of knitting related posts here and there but that's about it.  I promised a re-cap of life in general, so here is it in no random order:

1.  Nicole is graduating.  It has been a whirlwind of activity surrounding that alone.
2.  She is all registered at college and is staring this summer.  She chose to stay home and is going to the local college to start her pre-reqs for the nursing program.  I'm still trying to digest this.  And the bill I just got for it.
3.  As you can see, the puppy is growing.  He's up to about 25 pounds now.  Training is continuing.  If we could just keep him in his crate all would be well.  He has escaped them all.  He has major separation anxiety.  I would take him to work every day, but he needs to know how to cope on his own.
4.  I got a new camera.  It's another point and shoot, but it has 16 megapixels and wifi.  So far I am loving it.
5.  I'm taking a Craftsy Class - Point and Shoot.  I love how I can start and stop it.  If you haven't heard about Craftsy go and check it out.  They have so many online classes.  I think my next one will be the Knit to Fit class that goes along with my book.
6.  I continue to be addicted Instagram.  I keep in touch with so many people on there.  And I love looking at peoples pictures.
7.  We are going on a cruise in a few weeks.  We are so excited.  I am especially excited because no air travel is involved.  We are leaving from Boston and going to St.Johns and Nova Scotia.  I have never been so this will be fun.
8.  I caved in to the Candy Crush craze.  I could kick myself.  It does keep me entertained at times though.

Yarn Along

Now that summer is here I am craving a bit of lace in my knitting.  I should really pick up my Evenstar but I'm petrified that puppy will grab it while I'm working on it and it would be a disaster.  So that is staying tucked away till I can get outside and knit up on the table where he can't get to anything.  In the meantime I started a Garter Path Shawl with the yarn I got from RI Sheep and Wool.  

I love the yarn.  I got it from Chrystee at Play at Life who is a member of the RI Spinners Guild.  She has such great stuff.  Definitely check it out.

The shawl is coming along.  I'm hoping to have it finished in time for our cruise in a few weeks.  Of course I have made some modifications.  Not intentional, but mostly to correct my mistakes.  Hopefully they aren't too noticeable.  

 

Joining Ginny.  Have a great Wednesday!

10 On Tuesday

The weather quickly turned to summer, and of course it makes me crave ice cream.  Well, that's partially true because I can crave ice cream in February during a blizzard.  I remember growing up that my grandfather had to have a dish of ice cream every night.  Well, he lived to 96 so it couldn't be THAT bad for ya, right?  So I blame my addiction on him.

This weeks 10 on Tuesday is 10 Favorite Ice Cream Toppings.  This is an easy one for me, especially since our latest favorite place to go is Orange Leaf.  If you haven't gone, you need to.  It's all self serve.  You can have as much or as little frozen yogurt as you want and add whatever toppings you love most.  And for the most part, it's a healthier choice than most places since you control the portions and toppings.

So onto those toppings.

1.  Hot fudge.  No explanation needed there.
2.  Marshmallow.  Especially if it's combined with:
3.  Peanut Butter.  Oh yum!!!
4.  Reese's Pieces (since we are on a peanut butter kick for the moment).
5.  Hot caramel.  I love love love the hot caramel sundae's from McDonalds and am thrilled that they brought them back.
6.  Cookie Dough.  The little tiny drops they have at Orange Leaf are so yummy!
7.  Sprinkles.  Yes - sprinkles.  We do not call them jimmies where I come from.
8.  Heath Bar pieces.
9.  Chocolate Chips - white or dark is fine by me.
10.  Whipped Cream.  No sundae is complete without it!

Well, I know where I'm going tonight....

Weekending

I should really name this Month Ending since I was absent for most of May.  But for today we shall just stick with the past weekend.

There was getting ready for Senior Prom

There was the actual Prom

The kids had a great time and all were safe, which was the important part for us parents

It was hot so Mowgli got to see what the kiddie pool was all about

He was a little hesitant at first but got into the fun of it after a while

There was obviously knitting and catching up on podcasts

The weather was just perfect so we spent lots of time outside.  We took a ride to Newport and walked the docks.

I love the beginning of the summer.  The water is still so blue.

Mowgli liked it too.

How was your weekend?