What's going on around here?

Enuf said.

He won't stand still long enough for a picture . . .

You know how the other day I posted I might get a cat? Well, instead we ended up with a DOG! Meet Sparky.

He's an 11-month old Yorkie. When I saw him I just had to have the cute little bugger. I'm such a softy for little doggies. He's got the cutest personality and absolutely fits his name. He's bops around just like a little spark plug. He desperately needs a trip to the groomer but we can take care of that in short order. His owners were having a new baby and didn't think they could handle both a new baby and an active doggy too. Guess where he slept last night? Right on the foot of my bed where he kept my feet nice and warm. It was really hard to get a picture of him. I got a lot like this one:

He just can't seem to get enough of all the people in this house. He bounces from one to another to give kisses and get hugs. I can't wait for Austyn to see him today. He is going to be so excited. That is one little boy that loves all dogs. He hops from neighbor to neighbor to give their doggies loves when he is here. I can't wait to see his face.

(I'm blaming Pammy Sue in part for this -- all those pictures of her cute dogs have driven me to dog ownership myself -- thanks, Pam. I'll be sending you a bill for reimbursement.) ;-)

Saw the nutritionist yesterday

The surgeon's office has a nutritionist that you are supposed to see. I knew this but no one told me when I was supposed to see her so I was about two months late in making my appointment. Anyway, I saw her yesterday and found out I am eating all wrong. I have been having my three protein shakes a day (sometimes only two) but having them in the morning, afternoon and evening. Then I've had bit of food for lunch and for dinner. She said I'm supposed to be having a shake for breakfast, one for lunch and then one for dinner. She said I'm supposed to limit all "food" intake to three times a day. After I left and got to wondering, "When am I supposed to eat?" I've got to call her today. Since this surgery my mind has been totally obsessed with food. What can I eat and what can't I eat, etc. I hope I get myself into a pattern soon and can stop thinking about it. It's driving me nuts.

Today is clean-up day. My bedroom and office look like a tornado hit them. It's only the two of us. Do we really make this much mess? When we had all the basement to store stuff in it wasn't nearly so bad but now everything has to be kept upstairs. The Hubster is a stacker. Nice little piles of stuff here and there. Everything looks kind of organized but it's really not -- then he tries to find something and his stacks become piles of rubble. We are in a constant state of clutter. Do I contribute to this mess? Oh, never!!!! My yarn doth never overflow!! So now we have stacks of papers mixed in with stacks of yarn and . . . it goes on and on.



I have two more squares to complete for the swap on Ravelry. I am going to finish those off today and if there is time I'll take them all to the post office. I wanted to get it out of the way so I could run to Idaho and see my brother. They have moved him to another hospital. He's still not doing as well as we had hoped but does seem to improve a little every day.

The Versatile Blogger

Dorothy, at Hooks 'n' Grannies, has given me an award. Thank you, Dorothy. (If you haven't visited her blog, please do. She makes some beautiful things.)



First I have to share 7 random things about myself:

1. I collect Tom Clark Gnomes and Norman Rockwell figurines.

2. I am looking for a pet -- must be hypoallegenic. Thinking about a Sphynx cat.

3. I love cookbooks.

4. I grew up on a farm in Idaho.

5. I have four highly intelligent children who married highly intelligent spouses who went on to have highly intelligent grandchildren.

6. I failed geometry in high school -- twice. (Due only to total lack of interest on my part.)

7. I was awarded Legal Secretary of the Year (Salt Lake City) in 1994.



I'm supposed to award it to 15 bloggers and they are to answer the same questions and award it to 15 more. Since I have awarded many of you an award, I'm only going to choose those few that I don't think I have:

Ambassador Crochet
My Crochet Therapy
Crochet and Cross-Stitch Pattern Slut
Crocheting the Day Away
The Garden Bell
Beansie Babbles
Whiskers & Wool
Notes from a Crazy Mothering Chick
The Laughing Willow

Okay, carry on!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Just stopping by to wish you a Happy Valentine's Day!

It's also our 42nd wedding anniversary. I told Ken this morning that I'd love him for another 42 and he said, "Well, okay, but I plan to love you FOREVER." How sweet is that? Choked me right up. He's been such a terrific husband. Truly he has. Oh, there are times he frustrated the hell out of me but overall, I don't have anything to complain about (other than football season and that he's a workaholic). I figure in another 8 years that I'll have him completely broke in to submission and then true happiness will reign on the Matheson household. If I don't drive him crazy first.  ;-)

We seldom go out on our anniversary. It's just so hectic to go anywhere on Valentine's Day so we celebrate it another day (which usually turns into never gettin'er'done). Our son and his wife will be up tonight and probably our live-in son and his family will be here so I guess I'll make Chili, fresh rolls and Apple Walnut Squares.

Apple Walnut Squares

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1-1/2 cups flour

1-1/2 tsp. baking soda

2-1/2 cups finely chopped peeled tart apples

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla extract

In a mixing bowl cream shortening and sugar; beat in egg. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well (dough will be stiff). Stir in apples. Spread batter in a greased 9x13" cake pan. Combine brown sugar, walnuts, cinnamon and vanilla and sprinkle over batter. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool. Cut into squares.

Oh! I weighed yesterday and am down 59.5 pounds. SOOO close to 60 that I can almost taste it.

Today's Chuckle

I got this from a friend today and nearly fell off my chair laughing. I don't know why it hit me so hard but it sure did. Thanks, Connie!

Two good ol' boys in a Tennessee trailer park were sitting around talking one afternoon over a cold beer after getting off of work at the local Nissan plant. After a while the 1st guy says to the 2nd, "If'n I was to sneak over to your trailer Saturday and make love to your wife while you was off huntin' and she got pregnant and had a baby, would that make us kin?"

The 2nd guy crooked his head sideways for a minute, scratched his head, and squinted his eyes thinking real hard about the question. Finally, he says, "Well, I don't know about kin, but it would make us even."

Valentine's Day is nearly here . . .

whatcha got planned for the people you love? I've bought some little boxes of chocolates for the grandkids, mailed a card to my mom and my aunt, but still need to get out and get a card and something for The Hubster and the kids.



It's also our 42nd wedding anniversary. I remember our wedding day SOOO well. We really were just kids -- what did we know about being married and life? Not much I can tell you but we learned together and somehow survived. Sometimes I miss those early years when the kids were all little and we struggled to make ends meet. Even though times were sometimes really tough we always managed to pull through. The Hubster says it was "because we were too dumb to know any better." Maybe he's right.

I've been working on squares and the sweater test. I feel like I'm starting to get my mojo back again. I've decided it's because it's been such a weird winter. Very little snowfall this year but colder than the Dickens. We did get a bit of snow today but nothing to shout about.

Hope you had a fantastic weekend. My Lil Peanut, Brayden, spent the night last night and he was so doggone cute. He is just the spitting image of his mother and it warms my heart to spend time with him. Grandpa let him have breakfast in bed: pineapple, watermelon, cheese and crackers. Spoiled little fella! (You know Grandpa loves you when he lets you eat crackers in HIS bed.)

Squares, etc., etc., etc.

I received an email today asking for permission to use my photo of my Sunshine On My Shoulders Wrap. I readily agreed and can't wait to see it at www.crochetdaytoday.com. What a fun blog. Check out all the free pattern links while you are there.

I am still working on squares. Most of the ladies in the swap have posted what they want as to colors, no big holes, non-lacy, no flowers, no solid squares, etc. With all those requests it's hard to find patterns -- especially for 9" squares.

Here's what I have so far:

To think I only have 20 more of these to make. UGH!

The Hubster will be home early today and so I have his favorite Tuna Casserole in the oven. His mother always made this with a white cream sauce. I use mushroom soup and a bit of sour cream with it. I tried making the cream sauce once and ruined it. Since I never make the same mistake twice, I never try it again either.

9" Squares -- Oh My!

I didn't back out of the Blue Lagoon Swap on Ravelry after all so now I am making 9" squares. Here's three of them so far and I finished another after I took this picture. Not many in the group seem to like the Lime yarn but I am loving it. With the blue it's really a striking contrast. It looks kind of yellow on here but it's a very vibrant lime green. Added:  (Vanna's Choice Worsted Weight, Colonial Blue, Silver, Dusty Blue and Lime.)

I hope you have something FUNKY on your hooks and needles.

The Best of Cooking Light 2012

I'm terrible when it comes to picking up magazines while waiting in the grocery line. (Actually, I'm terrible when it comes to just about everything.) But when I saw this I just had to have it. I used to subscribe to Cooking Light but then decided buying their compilation was a better buy in the long run. This issue has two things I can't wait to make -- mainly because I can actually have them. Yummmm! The picture on the front is Frozen Orange Tortes with Cranberry Compote. Sounds good, doesn't it?

Grilled King Salmon - doesn't it look delicious?

and Roasted Banana Pudding. Now with this I'll have to use a sugar substitute but I think it will be yummy, don't you?

Speaking of food:

A dietitian was once addressing a large audience in Chicago. "The material we put into our stomachs is enough to have killed most of us sitting here, years ago.


Red meat is awful. Soft drinks erode your stomach lining. Chinese food is loaded with MSG. Vegetables can be disastrous, and none of us realizes the long-term harm caused by the germs in our drinking water. 


But there is one thing that is the most dangerous of all and we all have, or will, eat it. Can anyone here tell me what food it is that causes the most grief and suffering for years after eating it?" 


A 75-year-old man in the front row stood up and said, "Wedding cake".

It's so hard to believe that I am now officially in my 60s. I have to tell you honestly -- it's depressing at all get-out. If my grandson weren't coming up to see me today I'd just stay in bed and sing the blues.

What's Up, Doc?!

I've been working on a test pattern for a friend. It's in Tunisian crochet and while the pattern is really easy, I had a really hard time getting gauge on it. I'm using Lion Brand Glamour in Sandstone. It has a bit of a sparkle to it and I like how the fabric looks.

I didn't get out over the weekend to get some pink or red yarn for the doily but plan to do that today. Where does the time go?

Oh, I made Salmon Chowder for dinner yesterday. It was really good. In case you are interested, here ya go: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/salmon-chowder/detail.aspx. I had leftover salmon from the night before so didn't use canned. I used Fat Free Evaporated Milk by Carnation. Since my surgery I can't have corn or celery so I left those out. Let me tell ya, this was really really good. It would be even better with the creamed corn.

No red yarn? How can that be?

I didn't have any red or pink yarn to make the heart doily. You know what that means, don't you? A TRIP TO THE YARN SHOP -- again. Yay! I did, however, make a cute little shower puff. The idea and pattern can be found here. I happened to have some yellow and white cotton out so I just used it and put flowers instead of hearts on the ends. I might have to make a few of these to give to my daughter and daughters-in-law. They are constructed in a very interesting manner.

Now to share a funny I got from my friend, Jan, this morning. I am still chuckling.

Tee Hee!!!!!

P.S. 56 pounds gone -- when I think of that in pounds of butter on the kitchen counter I am totally blown away.

And when I got there the cupboards were bare . . .

Do you ever let that happen? I've cleaned out the fridge of all the jars of stuff that are outdated, same with the pantry. Went through the freezer as well. Now it doesn't look like there's anything to eat around here. Well, it's more than that -- there really is nothing to eat around here. I did scratch together the ingredients to make a crab casserole but to be honest, it just doesn't sound that good to me. Were it with fresh crab instead of canned . . . I'd just have the crab!!!! ;-)

On The Crochet Front

Still nothing much going on. I did join a afghan square swap group on Ravelry. The colors are four shades of blue and one of lime green. It seems to me that I said over a year ago I wasn't going to do these anymore. I thought maybe it might motivate me to get busy on some crocheting but you know what? In the end I know it means I have to put them all together. UGH! I better drop out before groups are assigned. I'm not sure I'm up to it.

What I really really really want to do is design something new in Tunisian crochet. I just can't think of what though. Maybe I should just design some squares for the swap? Hmmmm, now there's a thought.

First, however, I'm going to crochet Debi's beautiful Valentine doily. I'm headed into the bowels of hell (formerly known as the storage room) to find me some yummy pink or red yarn. If you hear on the news that a woman from Utah is missing after going into her basement storage room, you'll know it was me. Wish me luck!?

I have to admit that I haven't accomplished a doggone thing the last few days. I started three different projects and ended up either 1) making a mistake or 2) didn't like them so had to frog them. Last night I just set it all aside and said

To Heck With It!

I'm just stumped. There are so many things on my to-do list and as I go down them I just lose all hope and interest. I do have to tell you, however, that I am totally stoked about losing

54 Pounds!

I'm at the point now that I really do need to spend some time doing a bit of clothes shopping as the seat of my pants is hanging down close to my knees. The Hubster says it looks like I've messed my pants and would I please do some shopping. I put on my one and only dress to go to church on Sunday and realized I had a problem. Usually it's about 6" up off the floor and on Sunday is was clear to the floor. Had I been able, I'd have been jumping up and down but was afraid I'd fall on my butt for sure if I tried it. It was a wonderful feeling.

My brother was taken out of rehab the day after he got there and put in isolation with MRSA (another infection). He's still there and very discouraged. I feel so bad for him. I think we might have to go to Idaho and visit him. I did send flowers and I have tried to call but haven't been successful in reaching him. It's now been over a month since he was admitted. I can certainly understand him being discouraged as I am discouraged for him.

A Letter from Martha Stewart

Monday, 9:00 a.m.

Hi Loretta,

This perfectly delightful note is being sent on paper I made myself to tell you what I have been up to. Since it snowed last night, I got up early and made a sled with old barn wood and a glue gun. I handpainted it in gold leaf, got out my loom, and made a blanket in peaches and mauves. Then to make the sled complete, I made a white horse to pull it from DNA that I just had sitting around in my craft room.

By then, it was time to start making the place mats and napkins for my 20 breakfast guests. I'm serving the old standard Stewart twelve-course breakfast, but I'll let you in on a little secret: I didn't have time to make the table and chairs this morning, so I used the ones I had on hand. Before I moved the table into the dining room, I decided to add just a touch of the holidays. So, I repainted the room in pinks and stenciled gold stars on the ceiling. Then, while the homemade bread was rising, I took antique candle molds and made the dishes (exactly the same shade of pink) to use for breakfast. These were made from Hungarian clay, which you can get in almost any Hungarian craft store.

Well, I must run. I need to finish the buttonholes on the dress I'm wearing for breakfast. I'll get out the sled and drive this note to the post office as soon as the glue dries on the envelope I'll be making. Hope my breakfast guests don't stay too long - I have 40,000 cranberries to string with bay leaves before my speaking engagement at noon. It's a good thing.

Love,
Martha Stewart

P. S. When I made the ribbon for this typewriter, I used 1/8-inch gold guaze. I soaked the guaze in a mixture of white grapes and blackberries which I grew, picked, and crushed last week just for fun.

source: http://www.jokebuddha.com/Craft#ixzz1kyJRSDuP

I'm going to make this . . . I hope

Carol Wolf at Wolf Crochet has designed yet another great pattern. It's called the "Erika Neck Cozy." I have crocheted a few of her patterns and they are always really well written. If you haven't been to her blog, be sure and check it out. I think I might use some of that new KnitPicks yarn I got a week or two ago and make a couple of these as gifts for ladies in the neighborhood.  I also really love her Neckwarmer Vest. The only reason I haven't already made it is that it's not in my size.

Have you ever crocheted with fabric? I found this cute Easter Basket pattern on Ravelry with a link to her blog (Me and Madeline). It's free! And so cute. I might have to give it a try too.

I think this would be cute on the coffee table at Easter filled with treats.

 Molly has posted step-by-step instructions on how to cut the fabric, sew the ends together and crochet it. While there be sure and check out her other tutorials and patterns.

Today's Chuckle

Hahahahahaha! Don't you just love Maxine? I tell ya, she totally cracks me up -- a woman after my own heart.

Debi's Lovely Doily

Debi, at Hooks & Yarns, posted a pattern for sale last week. It used plastic heart bracelets but I couldn't find any so I made it with a round one. Isn't it lovely?

A very, very sweet lady sent me a couple of plastic hearts so now I can make the correct pattern. This was so fun and so easy. You should definitely buy the pattern. It's less than $2. When I make the one with the heart I am going to add some rows to it. Our table is BIG and needs something a bit larger in the center. I was pleased that this held a 3" candle perfectly.

I'm testing a top pattern for Amy Depew. She used Vanna's Choice Glamour to make hers but I couldn't find it at Michael's, Hobby Lobby or WalMart so I am using Red Heart Sparkle. I haven't had the chance to use the Glamour. Has anyone else?

Finished

I used Vanna's Choice yarn and just made up the pattern. It's a nice size and should last the new little one for quite some time. I'm glad to have it finished so I can move on to something else. I will admit, however, that the Tunisian stitches I used: 3 tss, yo, skip 1, 3 tss, etc. was very soothing and easy to do. Great project for watching television.

We have a lot of snow. Over the past two days we have received about 14" in our front yard. The sun is kind of shining though and when I went to (a new) crochet group this morning the roads were a bit slippery. When I left they were wet but not icy.

So, here's a funny. I go to the nail salon yesterday to get my nails filled. I stop at Cutler's to bring home some egg salad and cookies. I get home and Tracee says to me, "Bev, do you realize you have your shirt on wrong side out?" Good grief! I was so mortified. Now I have to change nail salons cuz I don't think I can show my face there again. Or maybe I could be "that really weird old lady" and wear my shirt wrong side out again next time?? Who knows, they might think I'm kind of a sad sack and give me a discount? (Not likely.)

Today's chuckle . . .

The Baby Boy Blanket

Only about 4" left to crochet and the body of this baby blanket will be finished. I'm not sure what type of edging to put on it but I'm thinking something with both colors in it.

I made a really good beef stew for dinner last night. It's hard to ruin beef stew though, isn't it? There's so many different recipes. I loved the horseradish in it. You could hardly tell it was there. Just added a bit of zip is all.

• 1 1/2 pounds cubed beef stew meat
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans Italian-style diced tomatoes
• 1 (14 ounce) can beef broth
• 4 carrots, chopped
• 2 potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoons Dijon-style prepared mustard

1 tablespoon horseradish
salt and pepper

Mix together mustard, horseradish and thyme in about a 1/4 cup water. Put the stew meat in the bottom of your slow cooker and pour the mustard/horseradish mixture over it. Top with the remaining ingredients. Cook on high 2 hours and then on low for about another 6. Stir once after it's been on high for two hours. I also added mushrooms, green pepper and onion.  I mixed a little cornstarch with water and stirred it in before serving to kind of thicken it.

Happiness Is . . .

#1: My brother has been moved to the rehab floor and appears to finally be on his way to getting out of the hospital. They are estimating two more weeks and then probably home. It's been such a long haul for him and I'm so glad he's doing better.

#2: A sweet husband that never complains about how lazy I am or how much money I spend. I've been doing some serious yarn shopping the last week or two and he hasn't said a single word. Isn't he a sweetheart?

#3: A sweet oldest son. Our garage door has been broken since the nasty storm and you have to manually pick it up and fight with the now defunct garage door opener. Yesterday he was going to be in Salt Lake all day and left me a sweet note saying he had pulled my car out for me "just in case" I needed it. Most of all I loved the signature, "Love you, Mom. Brett." Is it any wonder I love my kids so much?!

#4: An online friend, Sheila from Massachusetts, sent me a "Care" package yesterday. It was full of protein bars, protein shake and soup mixes, etc. I was just overwhelmed with gratitude that someone who hasn't ever even met my ugly mug would do something so kind.

#5: Online friends. You bring me up when I am down and you have no idea how much I gain from reading all your blogs.

As you might remember, I have a husband known for putting weird things on his head like wooden bowls, grandkids' Halloween costumes, etc. For Christmas our daughter gave him a new hat. Here's another to add to the collection of "what's next for dad's head."

He refuses to wear it to work -- spoiled sport.

Stress Ain't Healthy!

Web M.D. says that if stress happens too often or lasts too long, it can have bad effects. It can be linked to headaches, an upset stomach, back pain, and trouble sleeping. It can weaken your immune system, making it harder to fight off disease. If you already have a health problem, stress may make it worse. It can make you moody, tense, or depressed. Your relationships may suffer, and you may not do well at work or school.

I might add that you also don't do well at home. Right now I am a total ball of stress. I feel like I am rolling down a hill and I just keep going faster and faster.

My oldest son and his girlfriend (and her two daughters) are still living with us. Finally the girlfriend does have a part-time job (starting today) but my son is still looking for work. It was enough stress just to have them here but with them not working, I am about to lose my ever-lovin' mind. I have often told my mother that she has a Ph.D. in Worrying. I must have a Master's in it cuz I'm right behind her. On one hand I feel very blessed that we have room for them and can help them out but on the other hand, it's very stressful for me. The two girls really stress me out and when all five of the kids are here every other weekend I get seriously stressed. When I get stressed about it then I feel guilty for being stressed. Its just a never ending cycle for me. I don't know why I get so stressed. On one hand I love having them here. How can you not? But I worry about EVERY little thing. Will they get jobs? Are the girls doing well in school? Even whose turn is it to make dinner, Etc., etc. See, I'm just a worry-wart. So today I am out on the web looking for ways to work it out -- without mind-boggling medications. Here's what I am going to do:

I'm moving to Antarctica. Anyone want to go with me? I don't think a little ice hut would be too expensive. You, me and the penquins? Are they noisy?

I'm not happy with it but I'll show it to you anyway

It was so dark and dreary yesterday but just bright enough that if I used the flash it was too bright and if I didn't it was too dark. I'm really not happy with the sweater but it fit my friends 4-year-old. However, it's perfect measurements from a 2-year-old's jacket. I do think it is prettier in real life than in the pictures and it was hard to get the daughter to let me have it back. I needed to finish the embellishments. I'll get a picture of her in it if I take it back.

I've started on the baby blanket for the little boy my DIL's twin sister is having. Today I found out she has another sister due to the first part of FEBRUARY. Thank goodness I have this little outfit will in my DONE BIN.

Debi, over at www.hooksandyarns.blogspot.com has a really cute blanket called Ripples & Shells. I think I want to make that next (while Michael's is having such a good yarn sale). I've got to finish this one first though for the baby boy:

Hopefully I can get a better picture when the sun comes out. The colors are Colonial Blue and its veriagated partner.

50 pounds!

This week I enjoyed fresh shrimp with cocktail sauce. Believe me, I thought I had died and gone to heaven and 3 of them were the perfect amount.

I also enjoyed stuffed peppers. They were stuffed with ground beef but next time I think I'll try these:

Tuna Stuffed Peppers

1 pouch light tuna in water

6 peppers, red and green (I love the red ones best)

1 cup chopped onions

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp oregano

1 tsp parsley

1-1/4 cups cooked brown rice

salt and pepper

1 cup cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350F. Cut tops off the peppers and clean out interiors. Slice the top of the pepper around the stem and discard stem (although they are on in this picture). Cut and dice the bits of pepper from around the top and cook with the onions, etc.Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Stir in onions, garlic and diced pepper and cook until onions and peppers are soft, about 5 minutes. Add oregano, parsley, salt and pepper, tuna and rice. Mix to blend well. Stuff peppers with mixture. Place in 8x8 square baking dish. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Top with cheese and bake 5 additional minutes to melt the cheese.

Getting there . . .

I'm terribly worried about the sleeves. They look really long but they measure the same as for another toddler sweater (both body and sleeves). Tuesday I will take it to my friend's house and try it on her little girl. Still needs buttons and embellishments.

My KnitPicks Order Finally Arrived ! !

I don't know about you, but I absolutely hate it when it takes something so long to arrive that you forget what all you even ordered. It finally arrived and in addition to this lovely new Brava yarn (worsted weight and bulky weight and $2.99 for a 100g ball-291 yds.):

It's really very nice yarn. I also purchased some wooden shawl pins just to have on hand. KnitPicks has them for a very reasonable price ($6.40 each).

and what I totally forgot about:

blocking pins and a handy-dandy crochet hook/needle set. The hooks are double-ended with a different size hook on each end and has two nice tapestry needles as well. (While they are primarily for picking up stitches, won't they be handy in case you're working on a project and need to change hooks? They are going right in my purse.) Both are in very nice carrying cases. The double-ended hooks were $4.99 and the blocking pins were $2.99. Most of the time I think KnitPicks' products are very reasonable.

I've been working on the Ayasha jacket and am about half finished with the last sleeve. I did go with the yellow and orange. Hopefully I can finish up the sleeve today and get started on the button band and collar. I will try and post a picture of it tomorrow. I'm worried the sleeves are too long. On Tuesday I plan to take it to a friend's house and try it on her daughter. It will give me a good idea of what size it really is.

Quite a gloomy day here. We are getting ready for more snow off and on this next week. As much as I don't like it in the valley, we are WAY behind on our water needs so I'm hoping it will actually snow. I know -- you heard it here. Bev is asking for snow. (Is the world coming to an end?????)

P.S. Thank you, Debi. It's all your fault that I went to Michael's and bought myself a new basket and a bunch of yarn -- and I didn't have a gift card like YOU. ;-)