2011 E-Book Reading Challenge

Have you signed up for the 2011 E-Book Reading Challenge at  The Ladybug Reads  - - Why not join us and keep track of your reading history for the year?


I finally finished Lucifer's Hammer, illness kept me from finishing it in my usual time.  While the book is about the end of the world as we know it, due to Earth being hit by an asteroid, it is also a book about the struggles of people to help one another in living and regaining the advances that mankind had made in the past century.  In other words, to me it is a book of hope for mankind, should a worldwide event destroy what we have built.

Now I am almost finished with To Catch A Theif by Christina Skye.  It's an easy read fiction, entertaining and relaxing to read.  I enjoy her books and re-read them annually.  Hey, at least the cover's nice to look at~ ~LOL~

Next?  I'm not sure, maybe a non-fiction book for a change-of-pace?

New Project -

Who could reisist this pattern?  I couldn't!  So I bought it and am working on my own Big Bunny Foo Foo now~

I bought the pattern from Crafty Deb on Etsy.  Also bought her Spunky Monkey pattern that was too adorable to pass up.  Both look easy to make, and quick.  So I hope to have a bunch of both to donate to needy kids this holiday season!
Crafty Deb's Etsy Shop

WIP Wednesday

I usually forget WIP Wednesday, but today I made it barely in time~

I'm crocheting some wrist warmer, hat, and cowl sets.  Using a washable wool/acrylic blend for them and they are soooo soft.  One set is finished, but I need to find a mannequin to borrow for a photo shoot to get photos of them.  Another set is underway but going slowly, as I am having to figure out how I did the first hat and write the pattern down as I go.

I'm using this pattern from Bella Crochet to make the white wristers and the mobius cowl.  The hat will be from my own pattern.

Also just finished another pair of wristers and a different set for our DIL.  At least crochet keeps me busy and off the streets, with the price of gas getting so high, yarn seems a bargain! ~LOL~

Sick and Crocheting

I've been sick, so have not crocheted much.  But I did finish one sock in a pattern testing.  It's the Smoothie Sock by MsBusyFingers, and is a very comfortable and well fitting sock.  The pattern should be available on Ravelry soon.

Wendy has been working on a pattern testing too.  It's the Cutest little girl's sun dress.  She hasn't completed it yet, but all that's left is more of the skirt.  Here's a photo of it on my Po Bear . . .

It's by anu-monty, and you can see it here - http://www.ravelry.com/people/anu-monty  I don't know what the name will be for the pattern when it goes up, but it sure is a cute dress.

The arthritis in my hands has flared up, so I'm having to stick to easy projects until it eases off again.  Getting old has its benifits, but it sure has a lot of drawbacks too!  In spite of the drawbacks, I plan on getting a LOT older before cashing in my chips~:o)

I have a very tired back of my front~

Have you ever had the opportunity to visit the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida?  If so, you know the layout - it's big and stretched out . . .

We had to go there for a "second opinion" and boy did we get our daily walking in!  Why is it, I wonder, that when you are sent for a test you have to leave the area you are in and walk the entire length of the facility?  Do you think they lay it out that way on purpose?  Yeah, me too~

First we sat to wait to see the doctor in the Canaday building.

* Had a length of time until the first test, so we went to the Cafe in the Canaday building. 

Then came a test in the Mayo building, where we sat again to wait for our turn.

* Had a length of time until the first test, so we went to the Cafe in the Canaday building.

Next it was go back to the clinic in Canaday building to sit again to wait for our turn.  Ok, not bad so far.

* Had a length of time until the first test, so we went to the Cafe in the Canaday building.

Then it was go to the Davis building at the back of the building of course~ and sit again to wait for our turn.

Of course we had to return to the Canaday building,  to sit again to wait.

Tom Foolery aside, the staff at the Mayo are effecient and friendly.  They take care of multitudes of people quickly and well.

The cafe was in the Canaday building, hence the hours between tests we went there for tea or food.  The food there is healthy, of course, and quite tasty.

Between the walking and the waiting, my legs and backside are tired!  Add to that the 4 hour drive to get home, with a meal about half-way due to the hours of our travel. 

   Need I say that we could happily stay at home for the next week?

And it looks like we get to do it again next month.  Our cats are NOT going to like our being gone again.  At least they've forgiven us  now for being gone for four days and are "allowing" us to pet and scratch them again.

Look at the mess you've gotten me into!

That's what I said to myself after ordering this -

It is a "Meggie", a kick spindle~  Today, if we can drag our very tired bodies out & into town, I will get a hands-on teaching session on how to spin fiber into yarn.  Yet I already have two, TWO, drop spindles that I love, and have ordered the Meggie from Heavenly Handspinning  AND I have 3 pounds of fiber, roving, to spin.  The Meggie's price is great, she is very portable, takes up almost no space, and can be sat on the floor or a table to use.  In our cramped living space, she is perfect.  I wonder what her name will be . . . My spindle #1 is Betsy Mae, spindle #2 is Jenny (Jennifer gifted her to me, so she had to be named after Jen).  Naturally my Meggie will have to have a name too~:o)

Some may say, "Yep, she's lost it for sure this time."  Others would  know that this is an ancient art that I have wanted to learn for more years than I can count.  And that's true.  I don't have a clue as to why I waited until I was 66 years old to learn, but I do plan to have a total blast with it now!

When I produce some yarn worth showing, I will post photos.  I have some very pretty roving, so if today's lesson goes well, maybe I will get to post some soon~

Little Britches Dishcloth pattern

Britches Dishcloths


Size H hook
4 ply 100% Cotton Yarn
Ribbon for joining

Make 2 cloths to make the britches


Row 1: ch 28, counting the loop on the hook, dbl crochet in 3rd ch from hook and in each st across, (27 dc)

Row 2: Ch 2, counts as first dc now and throughout, turn, dc in each st across (27 dc)

Row 3-14: Repeat row 2. Finish off.

Fold each dishcloth in half and thread ribbon through second from the bottom row, gather and tie a bow in each. this will form the bottom of the "britches" leg. Then thread ribbon through second from top row starting on the front and continuing around and connecting both dishcloths in the back and continuing around to the front. Gather and tie to form waist of pants. Tie one more ribbon 4 or 5 rows from waist connecting both together to form fly.



Attach the following poem and they are ready to give away:

Now don't get excited,

Don't be misled.

These aren't for you,

But our dishes instead.

Just pull on the bow,

Take out the stitches,

You've gained two dishcloths,

But, you've lost your....britches.