I started the day with a trip to the vet to find that my beloved dog Sassie has bone cancer. I really wasn't expecting such devastating news and only wish I had just one more day with her. But, she was in pain and we had to let her go. I will miss her energetic and adoring presence in my life.
This afternoon, my Aunt Blondie lost her 2 year battle with cancer. Growing up she treated me like a daughter, inspired creativity and served as the matriarch of our family. While it was such a difficult day, I feel blessed I was able to be with both of them to the end. God be with you, Blondie and Sassie.
It was a long holiday weekend at home filled with friends and family. Saturday morning I took off early on my bicycle in a light drizzle to meet up with a friend for coffee and a walk around the Farmers Market. That night we had a BBQ and stayed up late chatting with friends on the patio. Sunday brought breakfast with family and the drive-in that night with hubby and mom. What a windy, cool night that turned out to be but always a relaxing, good time. Basically all the good stuff a holiday weekend should be.
Our high school friend, Glenn Welch with Custom Touch Landscape has been working on our lawn installing a sprinkler system, dirt work, verticutting/seeding and today brought out some really nice dark cedar bark mulch for my flower beds. It's amazing to me how much of a difference a thick layer of mulch can make.
New this year in my front flower bed are some crape myrtle bushes, seed geraniums, petunias, lupine, black-eye susans, caladiums, elephant ears and coral bells. All the work is done and now I'm ready to kick back and enjoy the summer and a fresh, new lawn.
Inspired by one of my most treasured necklaces, I sat down with some grey crystal beads and headpins and started making double ended looped beads, connecting them together to make a longer necklace. Then I added a hand made silver heart pendant I had from Tracine's Treasures (Abilene, KS) to make a necklace and earring set.
It's been about six months since I've rode my motorcycle so I jumped at the chance to hit the road with my best riding bud for the weekend. Although we didn't ride far this time, it was so good to get out and spend some time together in SE Kansas with her and her family. Love ya, Melanie!
Starting a new knitting project right now is probably the last thing I should do -- but I just couldn't help myself. When I saw this Mano lace yarn out of lucious baby alpaca/silk/cashmere I had visions of pearls and a lace shawl. It's really soft and lovely. So, what's a girl to do but to get busy!
Oh, these skulls are cute and are going to make a fabulous Dia de los Muertos bracelet. I found these great beads and findings at a small, packed little bead and bauble shop in Hutchinson, KS called Amelia Beadelias. A shop that's worth the drive (or ride)!
My scrap sock yarn project is now starting to look like a lap blanket. Before starting this, I would have never guessed it would turn out to be the most enjoyable knitting project I've ever done.
I've been making slow progress on this project but that's okay. I complete several squares a night while I wind down from the day and then wake up early wanting to do a few more before starting the day. Changing yarns and colors keeps it interesting to see how each square will turn out.
P.S. We are also going to have a KIP traveling bag if you would like to donate sock yarn scraps or swap your stash.
Time has passed slowly the last couple of weeks while husband recuperates from knee surgery. We watch a lot of movies and nap. I injured my elbow making it somewhat painful to knit for long periods of time so my ski jacket is progressing slowly as well.
Kansas weather is exciting and so is starting a knitting project. We had a 95 degree variance in one week from Thursday to Thursday. Really, I'm not ready for winter to sneak into spring. Guess that's why I'm starting on a new wool project. The main color will be charcoal accented with gold. I should have started this Ski Jacket earlier but I had to order the pattern book and the winter months just got away from me.
Peace fleece is a Romanian-American coop trade yarn. It starts off as somewhat of a scratchy wool/mohair and then fluffs and softens with continued washings. 
I used it years ago to make a pair of mittens and matching hat so this time around I'm using it for the New Cabled Family Socks. Warm socks to wear with short boots or around the house.
I finished this Kurasun vest by Jane Ellison just in time for Valentine's Day. I love hearts and especially vests because they keep my core warm without the bulk of a coat. So when I saw a sample of this displayed at Twist I just had to make it. 
I knitted it from Mirasol Sulka (60% merino wool, 20% alpaca, 20% silk) yarn from the Peruvian Highlands and sewed in a two-way zipper. A feel-good added bonus is that a portion of every purchase of this yarn is dedicated directly to the funding of a school in the remote area of Munani in the region of Puno.