Just Like Old Times

It's hard to believe Laura and I have known each other for over 30 years. We just don't feel that old and when we are together it feels just like it did when we were silly junior/high schoolers. Day two we are riding bicycles, sunbathing, sharing makeup and wearing each other's clothes...some things just never change. Next thing you know we'll break out in a cheer, well, not really.

Northwest Vacation

Once again, I'm very fortunate to be able to take off for the Northwest again to visit friends and family. Just like last year, the first part of my week I'll stay with my high school BFF, Laura outside Seattle and then on to visit my aunts in Portland/Vancouver.

Laura picked me up at the airport and took me directly to a knit shop, All Points Yarn in Des Moines, WA where I purchased two great crocheted patterns the owner, Morgan Hicks (pictured) designed using Noro yarn. What a great find! Then we were off to Redondo Beach for a seafood lunch at Saltys -- a great place we like on the water.

Northwest Knitting

With the blanket now complete I can start a new project on my nortwest vacation. That's one of the best things about airports and flying, all the uninterrupted knitting time. Citron will be the perfect project for this trip as it's a small, uncomplicated lace-weight project...here I go!

Crochet Baby Blanket

We have a new baby coming to our family so I used my family crochet pattern for the 36" square body from Bella Shimmer and then added a scalloped edging in green and brown Comfort DK.

Camping at Council Grove

Hubby went on a trip with the guys so my girl Melanie and I met up at Council Grove Lake for some fun in the sun and camping with our dogs. While I got a little showy with my Coronaville theme, the weekend really turned out to be all about the dogs.

Sure had a good time with ya, Melanie and Gunther!

Blanket Complete

The scrap sock yarn blanket is now complete and ready to go. I made it just the right size to roll up as a pillow or stuff in a backpack. It's going to be my new traveling companion!

Prairie Ride

Shared a little slice of freedom with a dear high school friend, Paul, riding the prairie back roads today. It was a day trip for him to put on some miles and get comfortable with his new bike. For me, it's much more than just riding. It seems that the older I get the more things are constantly changing. I find comfort in the familiarality of spending time with old friends who really know me and where I come from. Now it's just a bonus when they ride too!

Heartbreak Monday

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.

Engagement Celebration in Santa Fe

New Mexico calls to me like no other place (besides Sturgis) so when neice Amy announced her engagement-and they both ride-a road trip was in definite order to Santa Fe. There's an unexplainable comfort in being with family and sharing our common interest in motorcycling. And I must add that Amy is one of the most spirited and adventurous individuals I know and she makes us proud. We had two days/1,300 miles riding time, nice accomodations, and two days of sightseeing in Taos and shopping in Santa Fe. Congratulations, Amy and Jason!

Memorial Weekend

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.

Replanting

Baby grass is popping up all around and this weekend we completed the last of the yard work on the side of the house. I had to dig up all my iris plants so that we could bring in a load of dirt, lay some commercial grade edging and cover with mulch. Replanting the iris's allowed me to separate them and spread them out which is a good thing to do with them because their root systems/bulbs become over crowded. We got it all done with the help of a good friend. Now I've got a little more seed to lay down along the edging.

Knitta Campout

Jackie and I picked out a great spot on El Dorado Lake for the night. It was overcast, cold and windy but we still got our Knit ON sitting by the fire all day and night. Becca showed up later in the day and we had a classy dinner with wine and hummus. My big tent was cozy and warm for the most part. Knitting has brought me so many precious friendships and fun times.

Ready for Summer

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.

DIY: Crystal Necklace

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.

Girls on the Loose

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!

Manos Citron

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!

DIY: Day of the Dead Bracelet

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)!

DIY: Tshirt Tubes

It was a cold, cloudy day that had me wanting to stay home and make something. I had seen this exact same Mtn Dew top for sale in Texas for $55. My version set me back $15 at the most. Cut them a couple inches wider than my measurements, sewed down the sides and folded over at the top to make a casing for elastic. Iron on crystals add a little pop to these tshirt tube tunics.

Goin' Coastal

Kenny Chesney brought his Goin' Coastal Tour 2011 to Wichita tonite at Intrust Arena and I invited my best riding bud, Melanie along to the show. Uncle Kracker opened and then it was Billy Currington pleasing the crowd with his song, "God is great, beer is good and people are crazy." Corona was the tour sponsor and I had my own special little goin' coastal Corona moment. Kenny was great.

It's a Blanket!

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.