Spring Has Sprung.....how's that for a heading!

I have been missing from the blog due to various health problems; but I think I should bring things up to date. It took over 3 months to arrange to have 2 bad teeth extracted! Being on coumadin sure makes a difference in what you can, and cannot do. *sigh*

THE BIRDBATH

This was a birthday gift from my friend, "Buttercup", aka Cathy Jo. :)

I've been wanting a bird bath for my back yard, like.......forever.

I just had to show it here. Needless to say, I cried when she gave it to me, and then ...... I cried some more.

Every time I looked at it, more tears would come. When friends sacrifice to give you something they know you really, really want...you know they must really care a great deal about you. And I have some truly wonderful friends, of which she is a very special member.

*

Thank you, Cathy Jo!

*

It is incredibly beautiful! I don't think the birds have found it yet; but it's done nothing but rain and turn off uncomfortably cool the past week and more. So, I watch from the west facing windows of the house, to see if and when they will discover and use it. She placed it where I could see it from the windows, since I spend a lot of my life indoors.

My Garden Spot

So, I'm waiting for the sun to come back out and for it to clear off, for my garden seed to sprout, and for things to grow in it.

It isn't very large, as gardens go. I put in 7 tomato plants, 3 bell peppers, an eggplant, a parsley plant, a birdhouse gourd, 2 hills of cucumber, 2 hills of zucchini, 2 rows of green beans, a row of onions, and a little lettuce/radish patch.......hoping to add some marigolds and nasturtium as insect deterents when it dries off enough.

My Wenslydale Sweater
I made a sweater some many years ago, before Wensleydale wool was something you could readily get in the U.S.....and I had to send to the Dales of Northern England for the yarn. That was a real learning experience for the novice spinner. I learned about trying to figure out the differences in money exchanges, duty, and all sorts of stuff I had formerly never even considered. I contacted a lady at the Wensleydale Longwool Sheepshop and made arrangements for wool top and yarn. I shared the wool with my spinner's and weavers guild; so we could all experience spinning it.

Then I proceeded to knit "The Sweater". I'm not sure anymore where the pattern came from; but I thought it the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.

As you can see, it is a vining leaf lace pattern. It has eyelets at the edges of all ribbing and down the button bands.

I entered it at my local county fair, and was surprised and pleased when it took several ribbons....and best overall of the Fancy work division and a Championship ribbon.

The only thing I would change, were I to do it again, would be to sew the shoulder seam instead of invisibly weaving the back and fronts together at the shoulders. The yarn is very soft, and needs the stability of a seam at the shoulders to keep it from "growing" in this area.

I really love the detail on the top of the sleeve.

DEBBIE MACOMBER

The co-moderator for my yahoo Indiana knitters and fiberholics list, (http://www.groups.yahoo.com/groups/indianaknits) Christy, attended a signing for Debbie Macomber's new book, Twenty Wishes, and knowing what a huge Macomber fan I am, she brought me a birthday book, autographed especially by Debbie herself! I have many of her books, and all of her Leisure Arts Knit Along With Debbie Macomber booklets; so this was a rare and treasured treat. Thank you, Christy!!!!

This is a photo of my lunch with a couple of friends, Brenda and Connie, and the first time meeting of Christy and her two darling little girls in person at Benjamins in Rockville. This was where Christy presented me with the Debbie Macomber book, Twenty Wishes. To the right is the very special autograph Debbie signed my book with.

Christy had invited me to go to the signing with her, by picking me up and taking me. Being a handicapper, I knew it would be impossible to stand in line; no matter how much meeting Debbie Macomber would have meant to me.

Thank you, Christy! Thank you, Julie and Kate! And, Thank you, Debbie Macomber! :) I read the scripture inserted, as well. :)

The photo is not really very good; and I am still wondering if the man in the booth - to the back of where we're sitting - is related to Dr. Suess's Cat in the Hat, or a Santa elf. Funny, what photos can distort! :)

Benjamin's has the very best walleye I've ever eaten, and I will invaribly order that when I eat there......which is as often as I can manage. :)

Until I post again, God bless.

January 04, 2008

Do you feel as strangely as I do, writing 2008, instead of 2007?

I have developed the rash from.........won't say that word; but if I did you would know what I am talking about! We are not sure what caused it; other than it is contact dermatitis, and it developed while I was in wrap mode for therapy. I have bi-lateral lymphedema of the lower extremities. To put it simply, I have a compromised lymph system to my legs that causes them to swell abomniably and hamper my mobility.

In order to try to keep the swelling down, we get MLD (manual lymph drainage) from a trained, licensed therapist, especially trained to work with those like me. It comprises of being massaged, then wrapped in layers of low stretch bandages that compress and help to drain the lymph from areas where it tends to collect and pool.

While in wrap mode, I began to get this maddening itch......and it broke out in a rash from hip to toe. Now I am slathering cream on it and taking an oral itch inhibitor that helps; but doesn't quite do the job.

I awakened at 2:30 this morning, itching and scratch like a mad woman.
I came in here and clipped my fingernails as short as possible. It is beginning to fade somewhat; but is still there, itching just beneath the skin. I look like my legs have been scalded with boiling hot water. The rash was fine and very red raised spots in the beginning.

The next thing will be to try to find out what caused the reaction......but how without getting in this mess again? It was either the moisturizing cream used for the very dry lymphatic skin, or the spandex content in the wraps. Which will create a problem if it's the spandex, as I am sure the new compressive garment will have spandex material in it. :(

While at the doctor's the other day, I learned that the little boy (the doctor's young son) for whom the hat in orange and black stripes was intended, was well received. He thought it was "cool" to have black stripes added to his favorite color of orange! This put a huge smile in my day. The doctor's wife is a sweety, and she took me to see his office, where a sunny window contains all the raised from seed violets I've given them..........and they were all blooming cheerfully there. So, two smiles to my day.

My oldest son has just undergone surgery. I'm praying for a rapid and full recovery for him.

I think indianaknits is going to have a dishcloth exchange in February.
www.groups.yahoo.com/groups/indianaknits
This is my restricted list for indiana residents (and borders) that are into knitting, machine knitting, spinning, weaving, crocheting, and all fiber pursuits.
We enjoy just hanging out with our knitting, and sharing what life brings.

We also have a list on Ravelry.
On Ravelry, I am fiberluvr.

Oh boy! Oh No!

Well, after several too small hats, I finally got the recipe right for Daniel's hat. That's the orange color loving young son of my doctor. It is at the right.

Below is what I am working on, for the little neighbor girl. I did my own figures for the orange and black striper but the pattern for Punkins came from Maggie's Rags website.

Now, I am wondering if it's also going to have to be re-done. Talking to the lady keeping Punkin, she tells me they have problems finding a hat that will fit her.....what the problem is, I'm not sure......but I asked her to measure the child's head to give me some idea of the size I need.

At this rate, I will be knitting hats yet, next spring! :(

What is with me? I think I'm going to automatically have to go up several needle sizes. Does the bottom look like cables to you? I am doing them right......but I wonder if they are looking the way I expected them to.

The ribbing goes 5" before you begin decreasing for the top (crown).

I don't post as often as I should.

I go tomorrow for a lymphedema therapy session on my legs. It has been some too many years since I last had therapy...About 7, I think.

Cross your fingers all goes well.

I seem to have problems posting photos of my sons with the great grandsons.

Let's see if I can get it right, this time!

Okay, this is Don, my oldest son, with his granson (my great grandson) Jake.

And this is Don's son, Donnie, who is Jake's daddy, and my oldest grandson.

This is son, Butch with his grandson, Mikey. Earlier, I had a photo of Butch's son, Michael, who is Mikey's daddy, in the delivery room when Mikey was born.

I got my old plastic bed knitting machine out, which is completely manually manipulated.......it had been awhile since I've machine knit anything. I had to clean up the machine, added two new needles and oiled it.

I have some hats and slippers I want to make; so I endeavored to do so.

I had the table taken over, so the men ate their supper in the livingroom and I served it buffet style from the counter top.

This will go to one of the neighborhood children. It was meant for my doctor's son; but I fear it will be too small. I miscalculated; not having anyone to measure for it. :( But, it will not go to waste.....there are several children who can put hats to good use, and they're small enough to fit into

it.

Some Christmas gift giving in mind

I designed this soap sack for use by my indianaknits list www.groups.yahoo.com/groups.indianaknits; but thought I would put it up on my blog to share with others, as well. It is quickly crocheted, takes little cotton worsted wt. yarn, and can be for male or female.

Wicker-look crocheted Soap SackMaterials needed: A small amount of sugar and Cream or Peaches and Cream......or similar worsted weight cotton yarnAmerican size F crochet hookChain 11 loosely; but not too loose.....you want to be able to move the needle in the loops easily; but not have the chain stitches too big.Row 1:Double crochet (dc) in 3rd chain across to end. You should have 10 dc; counting beginning ch 3 as a dc.Row 2: Chain 3, turn and dc back across the last row. 10 dc.Row 3: Chain (ch) 1. Single crochet (sc) in corner, at end of row, then 2 stitches (sts) into each dc across left end of piece, then 1 sc in corner. Single crochet in each dc across bottom side, going into the single loop at the bottom of each stitch; sc into corner, then 2 sts into each dc across 2nd end, sc in corner, and then across top edge, joining with slip stitch (sl st) into chain 1.Row 4: Ch 3, 1 dc in each stitch around. Join with sl st into top of ch 3. You should have32 dc, counting ch 3.Row 5: ch 4, skip (sk) next dc, dc in the next dc (don't crochet into stitch as one normally would; but make sure to go into the top of the dc itself. Continue around. Join with sl st. in 3rd chain of beginning ch 3.Rows 6-12: Repeat row 5 for next 7 rowsRemember to double crochet directly into the tops of the double crochets in the row below, sticking the needle through the stitch top, itself.
Row 13:
Ch 1, sc in each dc around. <32>
join with sl st in beginning ch 1.
Row 14:
Ch 1, sl st in same stitch, *ch 1, sk 1 sc, sc in next sc* across row. Ch 1, join with sl st in beginning ch 1.
Row 15:
Chain 4, *skip (sk) ch 1, dc in next stitch* repeat across row. Ch 1, join with sl st in first ch 1 st at beginning of row.
Row 16: Repeat Row 15.
Row 17: *chain 3, 1 dc in ch1, 1 dc in next dc* across row. Join with sl st in top of beginning chain 3. Cut thread and weave in ends.
Chain 60......finish ends, and weave through eyelets formed on row 14.
OR, alternatively, you can make I-cord and use that, instead.
Insert a bar of soap and enjoy or use to gift someone.
Designed by Pat P. October 2007.

I don't care if you choose to gift this, keep it for yourself, or share. Just keep my copyright with the printed pattern, and don't sell the pattern.

Time Lost

Well, it has been awhile since I've posted to my blog. On indianaknits, we've been knitting/crocheting washcloths and soap sacks for deploying Indiana reservists.

This past 10 days, we've been in the throes, in Parke County, of our annual Covered Bridge Festival. I didn't venture out to go anywhere.

I had a small vacation in the hospital a couple of weeks ago which wasn't much fun. Since coming home, I have been trying to recoup some strength and energy. I've also had a terrific resurgence of LE in both legs.

I cannot believe it is almost November, already. We went from mostly green foliage on the hillsides last weekend to trees beginning to glow with reds, oranges, golds and purples, nestled in among the still green leaves.

I had a Daily Knitting button I wanted to add to my blog; but being blog illiterate, I wasn't entirely sure how to do it.....especially since I could not see any of the gizmos I needed on my Blogger Dashboard. I think I finally achieved that, tonight. It will take me awhile to figure out what needs to be learned and accomplish same.

Falling Behind

The leaves are falling from the poplar trees in the yard, and reminding me that it is almost Covered Bridge Festival time in Parke County, already.

I need to take more pictures so I can share with anyone who wants to see what my world looks like.....from my perspective.

I've had some neck problems; but all is better now.

I promise to actively try to put up some new photos and some better information.

I got out my plastic bed machine, the other day.......thinking to try to knit with it. First, I must find somewhere to set it up, up here. :(

We had a computer given us that would not boot. I re-formatted it, and now Jerry has his own computer in the living room so he can work his puzzles whenever he wants to, and watch t.v. at the same time. I think he really enjoys being able to access his jigsaw puzzle games whenever he wants to, and I enjoy not having to share time on mine when the mood hit him to do puzzles.

I intend to install the deerhunting game, so he can play with that, as well.

Nothing knitting so far, since my last dishcloth; but I have given all my cloths knit so far away, and need to make more. :)

Our indianaknits group (some of us, anyway) www.groups.yahoo.com/groups/indianaknits are planning to make washcloths for some of the men who are being deployed soon from our area.

I hope everyone remembers to hold these service people in prayer as they serve our country, and pray for their safe return home.