Fall Gatherings

Hubby and I were invited to an annual "gathering" our very good friends BS & SP have every year, so yesterday we took a road trip~~when we arrived at our destination the air was filled with Celtic music, bagpipes and from these photos you'd ask yourself...



where are they~~Scotland?


Meet Mick a 9 month old Highland bull...

and his half-brother Mack.
(I know the names are unusual and I'll explain in a moment...warning to vegetarians).

Oh, they are so sweet...but I've been told I can't get to attached to them. They are the beginning of our friends new cattle farm, which means that someday they will be a meal. (gulp) Oh...I've had the beef from this type of cattle before and it is very good. I've never had the opportunity to "pet" a meal. Now, I grew up going to the country and milking cows, feeding chickens, gathering eggs and slopping hogs, but I never gave any thought to the fact that our fried chicken dinner was one of the many chickens I had just fed.

Now as for their names...you'd expect them to have some really fancy Gaelic name, but BS has such a sense of humor. Many years ago in this area (I'm not sure if they were a national chain) we had a chain of grocery stores called "Mick-or-Mack"~~thus the names of the bulls. They are planning to get a heifer this spring and really get their farm going.

Anyway we had a wonderful time, even created a game! With a volleyball net in place and no REAL volleyball players in the group...actually we were REALLY bad. We created the game of "PirateBall" no rules, you can play the bounce and hit the ball as many times as necessary to get the darn thing over the net! And the entire time spouting "pirate talk"! Arrrrgghhh!

For refreshment...some good old fashioned "jar passin'" to end the game! As always we have a GREAT time!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

Eye Candy Friday

Yep...I'm at it again! Not much to show on the knitting front, even though I am knitting. I've been perusing through my picture files and came across this one.

This was taken from my BIL's island...yes you heard me...he lives on an island, 800 feet off shore in the Rappahannock River (VA)! Anyone (Bobbi?) feeling challenged enough to try and find it I'll give you this hint...It's positioned somewhere between Tappahannock and Deltaville. It's man made by Hubby's Grandfather and actually been in the family for more than 50 years. Survived several hurricanes, though the buildings have had various levels of damage, the original oyster house had to be demolished. I love going to visit...sittin' on the deck, fishing or just enjoying the sights and sounds it has to offer. I just wish I could offer you some of the sounds...close our eyes and imagine sea gulls and water lapping at the pilings.

Have a GREAT weekend and...

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

TOUCHDOWN!

Check it out....Jenn has scored a touchdown!

Lots of goodies...I have to say I was surprised by the weight of the box when I picked it up. For the life of me I couldn't imagine what was inside~~
Football bowls (handpainted, and giving me ideas for pottery class), a variety of teas (which I need today since DD gave me a cold), some lavender...yum, Silja yarn in, of course, Cowboy colors~Woo-Hoo!!
And...last but not least...(this one has a story I don't think Jenn is aware of, if you planned it forgive me for my stupidity)...a mini jersey for my truck. The mini jersey is for running back Julius Jones, who is a VIRGINIA native!! He's from far SW Virginia about 5 hours from here. Get ready for a football lesson here....his brother Thomas played with the Chicago Bears last year, he's playing with the New York Jets this year...he attended college at (drum roll please) UVA!!! WaHooWah!! Okay...I'll stop with the football talk.
Thanks Jenn!!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

Mrs Sunrise?

We'll need to ask some others in the house about me being "Sunrise" at 5am!

You Are Sunrise

You enjoy living a slow, fulfilling life. You enjoy living every moment, no matter how ordinary. This is true You are a person of reflection and meditation. You start and end every day by looking inward. This I'm not so sure about...maybe if I had an IV drip of caffeine prior to getting out of bed I could manage to be more "reflective" Caring and giving, you enjoy making people happy. You're often cooking for friends or buying them gifts. I would have to agree with this one, though I don't cook for friends that much I do love to cook! All in all, you know how to love life for what it is - not for how it should be. Boy...this has been a lesson to learn, but so true! One thing I would add is that~~"Life is what you make it!"

What Time Of Day Are You?

Okay, lets here it...leave me a comment on your time of day!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!!

You're Not Going To Believe This....

Not only am I blogging twice in one day...but this time it actually contains knitting content! You heard me...knitting content!!



I have a FO to show off...just in time for me to wear at the beach! Two weeks and counting...

Rockport Vest...finito!!
I used Blue Sky Alpaca Dyed Cotton on size 7 & 9 needles
Started in June...no I'm not a slow knitter, just an A.D.D. Knitter! Remember there's a new baby in the family!

Now I think I can start Kauni with a semi-clear conscience!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

A Part Of History Is Dying

THIS is NOT good! Where will hubby and I play? When I volunteered this Spring I knew something was wrong...terribly, terribly wrong. Most of my friends had left their jobs at the park, they saw the writing on the wall. I guess I was in complete denial.

We attended the original meeting in 2005 where this developer Larry VanderMaten PROMISED that the park would remain open and that all employees and volunteers would have a place! Yeah...right! Jerk! He also promised he would NOT turn it into a water park, well guess what...I don't believe anything he said now. This piece of history will be no more. Keep in mind the Mt. Union Church at Explore Park is where Hubby and I were married!

If you've ever said you want to visit...you better do it before November of this year! Looks like our playground will be no more.

Just the latest "Bee in my Bonnet"!

Happy First Day of Autumn!!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

Saturday Sky

Yeah..Yeah...I'm copying other bloggers (I'm not a member of the ring). But while working in my garden this morning I had to take a picture for this post.

This is my Maximilian Sunflower given to me by one of my knitting buddies. The weather has cleared so much here the blue sky behind it made it a picture worth taking.

Well...gotta go enjoy my pond with some knitting in hand....

Have a GREAT last day of summer!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

Eye Candy Friday

I don't religiously do this (but I should)...I just HAD to share this picture with you.

Look who came by for a visit and a meal!

I hope you all have a Wonderful and Fiber filled weekend! Oh...go on by Carole's blog and wish her a Happy Birthday!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!!

No Knitting Content...

but a VERY important movie review!

Most of you know the sports nut that I am, so for those not interested you can read your next blog in queue!

Hubby and I watched a movie Tuesday night that I MUST tell you about...that is if you haven't already seen it or bought the movie on Tuesday!
Since I'm the Asst. Cataloger at our library branch I find it my duty to make sure all movies (that I'm interested in) are in complete and perfect working order for our library patrons.

WE ARE MARSHALL

This is a 2 boxes of tissue movie...3 if more than 2 are watching it! I remember when this tragedy happened...but there were many aspects of the movie I WAS NOT aware of, I won't get into them because they are deeply football related and I don't want to bore you to death.
I cried...I laughed...I rejoiced and I cried some more, much more. This movie was not Hollywood-ized, except for maybe the quirkiness of Coach Lengyel's character but that was where the light heartedness came in to play. It gave you the REAL sense of what that town went through...they not only lost 37 members of their team but 5 coaches...major members of the community, fans and the crew of the airline. I've been to Huntington (about 5 hours from here)only once in my life, but since seeing this movie...I'm going back and I hope it's on November 14th of this year.

This is a MUST OWN movie...hubby and I have a small collection of our favorite movies~this one will be purchased to add along with the likes of Rudy, Hoosiers and Radio. No, not all our movies are about sports.


WE ARE........MARSHALL!!!


Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!!

HumpDay...

Only 2 more days till the weekend, and 2 more weeks until I see Little Landon again then...off to bury my toes in the sand!




Pics of my recent "Fiber Conquest" This is my very first fleece process by hand, yes it's hard work...but the satisfaction of knowing I DID IT MYSELF! As you know from reading I'm somewhat of a lazy spinner, I normally buy my fiber in roving!

Raw...












Washed...











Carded rolags.....
another reason I need a camping trip, to get away from everyday life to just sit down and spin for hours on end!
What is it going to be you ask? I'm thinking of maybe a heavily cabled sweater coat maybe?! I normally don't decide until I start spinning.




I started my first toe-up sock for my BIL, maybe I can get them finished for his birthday, late Oct...speaking of which, I photographed the sock with my "Christmas" Cactus, which always seems to bloom about Halloween!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Another Week Begins...

Remember Mindi and Liam? Well....they walked on Saturday and check out their goal totals!

Woo~Hoo!! Way to go!!

I didn't win any yarn for my donation....but I WON by knowing I contributed to help their cause. Liam's smile is so special...he smiles with his heart!

On the knitting front:
I'm frogging the Charade Socks, this is the second (and last) time. The pattern doesn't provide much stretch, so I looking for a new "manly" pattern to use this STR for. Suggestions?

I don't have much left on my Rockport vest to finish...I just haven't picked it up lately.

Eva Braun...DONE!! Now I have more fiber to work on, I just need my arm to recover a little. I'm going to look like Popeye on my right side, time to learn to do some things left-handed!

Thanks for all the feedback about my new template, I'm still tweaking on it. Especially after a certain someone told me my banner reminded her of a concentration camp! A "certain someone" needs to get her own blog so I can make comments! So...I went back to the old banner. There are some things I can't do within the html code, or I just need to do a little more "homework" and learn.

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

Callin' all 'Coop' Fans

Okay all you 'Coop' Fans...what do you think?

It's still a work in progress, but this is what I've gotten so far.

Yeah?

Nay?

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'

15 years....

and counting!

Happy Birthday Mr. Ace!

Yep...my grouchy little buddy is 15 years old! Have I told you his story? If you know it scroll on down, otherwise let me indulge you in this strange cat's history! You see, he's not your ordinary cat...in fact, he doesn't think he's a cat. He's somewhere between human and dog.
Now, I NEVER wanted a black & white cat (they have a reputation) nor did I want a male cat...guess what?!?! This male tuxedo cat found me...we were meant to be together!
I say he's 15 today but today is only the day I found him, and his brother & sister. They were only about 3 days old at the time. We had a NASCAR race team, where at the race shop we had a spare parts car that was moved into the garage overnight, one of the guys called me to say "we have a problem~there are kitten crying from somewhere in the car." So being the animal rescue person that I am...I go down to find under the passenger seat, laying in a pool of water, where these 3 tiny kittens, no bigger than the palm of your hand. No momma to be found anywhere and one kitten in distress, I took them home and started caring for them...yes, I bottle fed them every 3 hours~around the clock! One kitten died that night and the other kitten began to "rattle" the next day. So I did the humane thing and had it put down. Mr Ace made it!
At the time I had 2 dogs, a Weimaraner and a black lab, who took great care in helping me with the kitten. This is why he doesn't think of himself as a cat...in fact, he hates cats and loves dogs. He used to play chase with my neighbors dog! My brother's 95 lb boxer is "ruled" by Ace, he loved my Mom's basset hound Molly, who passed away a couple hears ago but can't stand the new basset!?
He plays fetch...greets you at the door wagging his tail...craves attention...can't stand the taste of fish but loves fruit (like bananas & grapes) and is scared of mice & birds.
Up to the other day he had all his 9 lives intact! I know he was just having a bad morning but jeez!
So, there's his story...strange as it may be. I do everything possible to keep him healthy and alive for another...15 years...think I can do it?
It will be a horrific day when he passes, I've put a lot of love into this old cat!

Well, my blog is still looking "Wonky" to many, I don't know why. I've checked and checked the code, blogger isn't stating any "issues" with this sort of problem. Bear with me, I may have to to some updating to my template, my 2nd Blogiversary is coming up...so maybe it's a trend to update to a new template every year!?

I'm still working on my fleece, and I'm seeing the bottom of the bag!

It rained yesterday....FINALLY! Cooler weather is here...mmm I love the smell of Fall in the air! Our colors this year won't be a bright as in years past because of the dry summer. But come on and visit Virginia...October is one of the best times to visit the Mountains!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

What The??

Something screwy is going on with my blog today...anyone else having the same problem? I swear I haven't changed a thing...

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Wah...?

Bad blogger....(that would be ME)!

Anyone else have a frustrating week? I know Bobbi experienced a day of....UGH! Mine has been all week, one thing after another!

Our beach vacation has been pushed back 2 weeks...

Mr Jerk Ace woke up on the wrong side of the couch the other morning and decided to attack my arm when I went to love on him (as I do every morning)....I look like I got into a fight with a buzz saw!

Work has been...annoying to say the least...I have to be careful here because I don't know who may read my blog!

For some odd reason I've had problems sleeping this week...so I feel like the walking dead!

But y'all don't need to hear me whine...

On to better news~~DSD and Little Landon are home, all are well. Great news after all they've been through. I was talking today to someone who know a lady who's been on bed rest for 5 MONTHS! DSD was lucky she endured 3 1/2 weeks...but that was still a very long time.

On to what I've been up to since this blog has grown so silent...not much on the knitting front to report, but Sonya has been calling my name lately!




Remember Eva Braun?
I think everyone knows who Eva Braun was?! If not hit the link for a brief history...I'll wait. Is it just a myth/urban legend that she wore bright red lipstick? More on that question in a second.




Do you remember MY Eva Braun?

I purchased last March at Hawks Nest Spinners Retreat...3 lbs of 100% Shetland.

Washed it...put it in the fiber room and waited...now I'm working on carding it! Fall means cooler weather and I'm ready to do some spinning!

Here's how much I've gotten carded so far...


And here's how much I have left to card...whew!

I'll get there~~I think!

Now about the lipstick question....for some reason this picture comes to mind of a ewe out in the field with bright red lips! Yep...I'm twisted! See, I SERIOUSLY need a week of vacation!



More on knitting later.

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

As Mentioned...

I mentioned my "Nervous Knitting" a couple of posts ago...sitting in a hospital lobby, labor & delivery waiting room, patients room, ICU waiting room....and as many other places as one could find. I carried my knitting tote with me everywhere! I know people wondered what the heck I was so protective of!

If you've been keeping track of my Rockport Vest progress you'll remember that prior to us leaving I was only at about an inch of the front complete (the back's been waiting for a mate). I know this doesn't seem like much but I must say that I feel a major accomplishment being where I'm at currently! The stitch markers denote where the split in the v-neck is going to be. Once I got to this point I knew I would NOT be able to concentrate on the decreases at either end and in the center so I quit and worked a little on my Charade socks...only to realize that I needed to step up a needle size so I frogged back and restarted on 1.5's (US). Hey, I don't mind frogging...as far as I'm concerned, that's therapy too! I was just concerned that they would be too tight going over my heel. This pattern doesn't have much spring to it at all, not like I imagined from the picture.




Marianne....notice my stitchmarkers? Aren't they appropriate!?!?


The other vest I'm working on is a Christmas present for my Dad...you know Santa. I was trying to find a pattern that looked like "Santa" would wear. What do you think? I know...not much there to tell by, but it's a very simple pattern by Michele Wyman.

It's called Cheltenham Pullover Vest, and it's pretty mindless. I just find that it takes me forever to finish a row because "Santa" has such a girth about him! He SERIOUSLY needs a WeightWatchers meeting! I'd buy him a pillow if he would lose some weight!

DSD UPDATE:
They've removed all her IV's and she's getting up and walking around on her own...often! Baby Landon is staying in the room with Momma! Both are doing extremely well!!! WooHoo!!! We're talking everyday and wishing we could be there! It's so hard knowing how babies change on a day to day basis that we are going to miss some of this! We are talking about monthly visits.

And for those who care...



FOOTBALL SEASON STARTS TOMORROW!!! (Well, actually it started Thursday night but my team starts tomorrow) This I'm happy about why? Because my baseball teams sucked eggs this year!

LET'S GO BIG D!!


Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!

Small Blessings...

Welcome to the world Baby Landon!

Look at Poppa Jack! Boy...how to hold a baby comes back REAL quick!

We arrived back home late last night and we both feel like zombies today...I was even late for work this morning~~MY bed felt so good!

I know I must have surprised and/or shocked everyone with my last post...I guess I have some splainin' to do. They administered Cervidil on Tuesday night hoping it would induce labor...not! Landon was taken by c-section but Mom didn't fair so well having to be put completely under for the surgery, they took her back to surgery at 11:30am. She wanted SO badly to have a natural child birth...I don't know how she would have been able to do it. You see DSD has a severe form of scoliosis which, if you haven't already guessed, means that NO epidural could be administered. The amount of fluid she was retaining, and let me tell you I've NEVER seen someone in her condition before, started to fill her lungs. Basically she was drowning! They rushed her to ICU where they put her on a respirator. Hubby and I stayed at the hospital in a room they provided for us. They came in at 2am on Thursday morning to tell us she was awake! THANKS FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS AND GOOD VIBES~~IT WORKED! They broke the rules to allow the baby to come into ICU for Momma to hold for the first time, 15 hours after his birth! A REAL tear jerker! She couldn't keep her eyes off him. She still has a long way to go but we hope she'll be going home on Sunday.

WE can't wait to get back to Richmond!

I want to THANK YOU ALL for your encouraging, kind and congratulatory comments...I'll be responding to each one individually! It's proof that prayer and positive thoughts work!

Minutes old...angry and VERY hungry! He was "smacking" his mouth!
I've got LOTS of boy knitting to work on!

Well...I think I need a nap...again! Check back later!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

Quick Update...

Hi...

Were still in Richmond...

We have a new Grandson! Landon Maxwell 5lbs 8ozs...

However, there were serious complications with my Step-daughter last night that put her in ICU.

This morning is a new day...she's awake and breathing on her own! She has seen the baby...who by the way is the most beautiful baby I've ever seen...well, besides my own!

Gotta run for now but I do have plenty of pictures to share when I get home!

Keep on Knittin' & Spinnin'!!!

(Which I've been doing a lot of nervous knitting...and I'm going to have to frog a sock...maybe it's not good to knit while on pins and needles!)