Pampered Pets

Today was a high maintenance day for the dogs. They got the "works" including a soak in a warm bubble bath, ears cleaned, teeth brushed and nails trimmed. Sheba would just as soon have all the pampering time to herself instead of sharing the day with Molly.

The Stash

Like I need more yarn! But how could I resist when I got a call from a friend (Celi) who was trying to sell off someone's yarn stash. All she had to say was, "Noro" and I was in. Then she carried in about 8 bins full of other yarns like Malabrigo, Manos, and Lamb's Pride to name a few. For $40 I have a pretty large pile to add to my own stash.

Weekend in Texas

Mom and I went to Texas over the weekend to visit family. Like usual, we stopped in Canton to shop at the First Monday flea market. I was searching for planters or pots for my patio and found a man who made wrought iron supports for terra cotta pots that will work perfect for my patio. On one, the 8" pots spiral up from a larger pot, and the other will stack 10 pots together (my favorite).

Patio Complete

The next step was to lay down concrete supported to the foundation of the house. The bricks we were able to get were not the same size as we've used before so we couldn't continue with a basket weave pattern. We staggered rows in each section for a different pattern. Now I need to decide on patio furniture and big pots to put in front of the basement windows. It's good to have a project completed.

DIY: Duster Refills

I had seen something similiar to this on Pinterest so when I saw an 8 pack of wipes for $1 at the grocery store I knew exactly what I was going to make with it. Reusable Swiffer duster refills that can be washed after every use. I simply stacked 4 wipes, machine stitched three lines down the middle (following the pattern of a real Swiffer dust pad) and clipped fringe along the edges with pinking shears.

A Warm Bum

The heating element went out on my motorcycle seat and we had to send it off to get repaired. Why it took several months can't be explained but I'm happy to finally have it back. This one has a cute, lighted switch. I'm a pretty tough chic, but not when I'm cold so it's good to once again have a functioning seat warmer.

Front Porch Sit'n

For as long as we've owned our house, we've struggled with this area between the front porch and driveway. It gets blazing full sun everyday and is a pain to water things that don't grow. So what's the solution? We hired a friend to dig it out to make an extended patio. Just perfect to do some front porch sit'n and keep an eye on the neighbors. Stay tuned for the progress...

Dog Park

I had so much anxiety about throwing my baby into a pen of dogs but I knew it was time for her to learn some animal social skills. Plus I watch Dog Whisperer and had it all figured out. Really, no secret but just to calmly do it. At first she cowered to all the big dogs and then she was off running with the best of them. Happy Dog!
Another great reason to support the Kansas Humane Society.

Productive

Some recovery down time has given me the opportunity to knock out some knitting projects this week. I can't believe it took me two days to finish these leg warmers. I tried different sized needles, messed up a couple times following the chart and almost lost all interest but managed to get them done. Who says you can't wear leg warmers with Harley boots?



Also finished some headbands and got them out in the mail.

Winter Knits

Winter makes me want to knit, knit and knit some more for things like ice skating and chilly outdoor walks with the dogs. This time some mittens to match the wool headband I made up last week. More to come on the legwarmers now on the needles...

Leafy II

I really like these headbands. This one from leftover Comfort Chunky.

Leafy Headbands

I've started a tradition knitting for my neighbor for her birthday. This year, I gifted her with a leaf lace patterned headband in chunky Cascade 128 in tweed.

This gray yarn matches a new down coat I got for Christmas so I knitted myself a stockinette version headband over my lunch hour.

Another 100 Miles

Happy New Year! I'm ready to take on another 100 miles in 100 days challenge. It worked for me in the past and I'm giving it another go in 2012. I've been dealing with some knee pain so the miles will consist mostly of eliptical jogging and walking. Just the perfect fitness goal to prepare for wearing a bikini in the Caribbean.

Merry Christmas 2011

Christmas is here and I really don't want the long, holiday weekend to end. It has been packed full of last minute shopping and knitting then time with friends, family, and our pets, Molly and Sheba. Our neice Amy looked adorable in the striped slouchy watch cap I knitted and she was a dear to make us a prime rib dinner on Christmas Eve. It amazes me that she can be such a great host when she is getting married in just 6 days.

Slouchy Watch Cap

I found a great Cascade yarns pattern, the Mock Cable Watch Cap. It calls for Eco Cloud, but I'm using Berroco's Ultra Alpaca. The yarn makes this relaxed-fit hat soft and slouchy (but not too much of a rasta slouch) and I really like the mock cable design. I'll be making many more of these hats.

Out for a Spin

Met up with some of my knitting friends, Jan and Pat, for an afternoon of spinning at their monthly gathering at Covenant Presbyterian Church. It's probably been over a year since I've had my wheel out and it was so much fun to chat it up with them about our dogs, life, sloths and menopause while working on a spool of recycled silk.

Antique Vanity

I've been looking quite a while for a bedroom/makeup vanity and finally found one at the Flying Moose antique mall for the bargain price of $150. I debated it for several weeks and today Mom shows up with it loaded in the back of her Subaru. It's in very good condition but I gave it a good soaking with Old English dark oil scratch cover and went to Bed, Bath & Beyond to get some drawer organizers filling it up with beauty products from two of my bathrooms. It will be nice to have everything in one comfortable, girly place. I feel much more organized and everything has it's place now.

GAP-tastic Cowl & Mitts

The pattern for this was inspired by the huge loopy cowls that can be found at the GAP. My home-made GAP-tastic cowl is even better in a Kermit the Frog green, soft Berroco Comfort Chunky yarn and fingerless mitts that I made up to match.

Santa Baby!

That's my Santa Baby making an appearance for the kids at a lock-in at the Tae Kwon Do Academy. They all went nuts when he walked into the room with his bell and bag full of toys. I'm nuts for him too!

Christmas Boxer

This is Molly's first Christmas so I needed to get a holiday picture of her to make my annual ornament. She was so naughty on our trip to see Santa. She piddled on his lap and while I had my back to her, she raced across the room and jumped up on the table where I was paying. So cute but such a bad baby boxer!