...And The Projects Pile Up

Good evening from the rancho.

First, it was a scarf.  Just a little blue scarf...

Nice pattern, eight row repeat.  But a "pretty scarf", not a particularly warm scarf.

Then, since I gave away the gray/blue scarf, I started a teal one for friend...

She is taking an Alaskan cruise for retirement, so I thought the simple rib pattern would be warm and cozy... My friend retires at the end of November, so this one is important to finish quickly.

And now the foolish part...I figured that it was time to throw a crochet project into the rotation...

What was I thinking?  Three projects?  At one time?  I need intervention...Someone...anyone?

So....in order to feel better, I found these gems at the grocery store...because we all know that when we are feeling stressed and overwhelmed, sugar is always the answer.  And what can be better than pumpkin AND sugar?  LOL

Nope, definitely did not help.  Sigh.  I really need to kick the sugar habit.  And, these were not as pumpkiny as I expected.  Sad face.

We had an inch and half of rain this weekend.  Very nice start to the rainy season.  Here is the sunrise on Saturday.  The pictures were taken only a few minutes apart...amazing color changes.

I start my vacation at the end of the week.  No big plans, just a few overnight trips.  I will spend some time organizing my stash, both yarn and cross stitch.  And naps, definitely naps.

I wish each of you an amazing week.  Be kind to one another.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk...and The Cow Parade

Happy Sunday evening from the rancho.  Today was the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in San Luis Obispo.  A friend is a four year survivor and invited me to walk with her and her family. It was my honor.  My pink scarf was a gift to her and finished just in time!!  I was binding off at 9 PM last night.  LOL

The walk is held at the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, found by Father Serra in 1772.  It is beautiful and still an active parish.  It is right in the middle of town and next to a seasonal creek.  It has walkways and lots of areas to just sit and enjoy the quiet.

And a pink rose...I think it was celebrating our walk, too.  SMILE.

Here is the starting line:

It was only a three mile walk...and I'll be honest, with all my chattering, we seemed to finish in no time. LOL This group has raised over $40,000 just this year to fight breast cancer.  Save the TaTa's!!

On the walk, we passed by the San Luis Obispo "Cow Parade".  The cows are "enhanced" by local artists and are spread throughout the town to be enjoyed by all.

The abundance of California...

The Day of the Dead...

Right outside the Mission.  Seems a little odd to dress up the cow as a Franciscan monk...but the missions are a huge part of California. LOL

And who would this sweet face represent?  Another Day of the Dead Cow! LOL

Our county fair...

It says the Royal Cow...I'm a little fuzzy on how this represents our county.  I should have read the placard more thoroughly...

And a Texas cow in California?  LOL

Next to the mission is a Carnegie Library.  Paso Robles (my home town) and San Luis Obispo both have their original libraries, though are now used by the local historical societies as museums.  I feel fortunate to still have these buildings in my county.  So many were demolished in California.

If you look carefully, you can see the "Free Library" over the door.  The gray rock was blasted out of the Morro Bay Rock, about 15 miles away.  The Rock is now a protected area.

Hope you enjoyed the pictures.  I am off to work on my next project...if I can keep my eyes opened. Have a wonderful and be kind to one another.

Did You Celebrate "I LOVE YARN" Day?

Good morning and happy Sunday!  Really.  It's Sunday.  I checked.  LOL

My husband and I traveled to Fresno yesterday for him to take a test.  After the test, we (okay, I) decided to stop at a yarn store in Fresno.  Yesterday was "I Love Yarn Day".  I decided to celebrate by purchasing  adopting two lonely skeins of yarn.  Thank you, I did my part.  LOL It wasn't a very big shop, but the owner had some amazing yarns and carries quite a bit of Malabrigo, Madelinetosh, and Anzula. I found out that Anzula yarn is made in Fresno.  How cool is that!  I know I said I wouldn't use that tiny yarn anymore, but isn't this beautiful?  And of course, it has a sparkle...

I spent part of my wait knitting and napping.  I didn't get a picture of my nap.  LOL

This scarf is speeding along.  Amazing how a worsted yarn and size 8 needles changes your attitude. The pink is quite bright (it's called Tutu) but it is perfect for this pattern.  The stitch definition is nice. 

I fit in a side trip to Starbucks.  What is this? A little bit of heaven in a bag?  Yay!  I bought two.  I figure if I use 1/3 of each package, each day, I can stretch the mix out for 24 days.  Yep.  I'm a planner.  LOL

I finished this little punch needle last year.  It is an odd size, so it took me a while to find something to mount it on...I hope it's not as crooked as it looks in this picture...I'll have to go check it out.  LOL

We got a little bit of rain yesterday.  Not much.  Not even enough to show in the rain gauge.  But, it did rain!  The smell of damp dirt, I almost swooned. I am ever hopeful that this will be the year of the rain.  We are still on the wait list for a new well.  Sigh.  I'm getting used to three minute showers and not drinking the water from the faucet.  LOL  We figured out that we use about 2500 gallons every two weeks.  But, no watering outside and I save all my washing machine rinse water to water my plants on the patio.  I'm getting pretty good at guessing when the rinse cycle starts.  

I wish each of you a wonderful day filled with good things.  Be kind to one another.

I Had A Plan. Really. I Did.

Happy Sunday...opps...Happy Thursday to all my peeps!

I truly had a plan.  I would get up Saturday.  Do chores and then stitch, stitch, stitch.  Same plan on Sunday.  The result?  A Sunday post.  My scarf would be finished and I would post the most amazing picture that could be ooohhh and aaahhhed over.  Well.  Chores?  Yep.  Stitching?  Kinda.  Then I had a nap, another nap, and then another nap.  I can honestly say that napping certainly slows down my knitting. LOL

But, I did finish the scarf last night.  So, here we are...

After reading a random comment on a Facebook knitting group, I found out that this type of patterning is called yarn "pooling".  If you have a variegated yarn with a consistent colorway, and you use the right stitch, the right tension, the right needles, you can make it create patterns on purpose.
Well, well, well.  I'm pretty sure that I will NEVER be able to do this again.  LOL

I started my next scarf.  It will be a checkered pattern, a simple knit block and purl block, done in tutu pink. I will get a few rows in and post a picture.

Otherwise, it is life as usual here at the rancho.  Dad is still in decline.  I was a bit worried last weekend, but his lung congestion seems to have eased, so we are back to our "normal".  I thought about my life and the passage of time.  My son was born on my dad's birthday and I am beginning to wonder if my dad will die on my birthday.  I know, a bit morbid, but sometimes my mind does wander...I don't think that it would necessarily bother me.  We have been on Hospice so long, nothing is really a surprise any more.

I am off like a herd of turtles.  I can hear the yarn calling to me.  Not really, but it is after 7 pm and I am old, so I will need to get ready for bed soon.  LOL

I wish each of you a special Friday.  Be kind to one another.

A Quiet Sunday Afternoon

A very quiet Sunday afternoon here at the rancho.  I was busy, busy, busy yesterday.  Lots of chores. I even DUSTED!  What?  Dusted?  Who dusts anymore?  LOL  Honestly, it started with me moving a picture. Horror...at least that's how I felt when clouds of dust began to swirl around around my head. Hmmm.  I took that as a hint from the great beyond.  I dusted.

I took some time to work on my projects.  My scarf is moving right along.  It's really helped to put in the stitch marker.  I feel like I'm finally getting somewhere.  It seems that the diamond pattern got a little smaller, now it's getting bigger again...all with no help from me!

I finished punching this little guy over a year ago.  First I put it on a box, then I pulled it off.  Then, I put it on some fabric, then I pulled it off.  I think I finally got it right.  I painted, dry brushed the black to give it an old look and then waxed the wood.  I'm not too sure about the ribbon, but I have some solid, hand dyed black that I may try later.  This will work for Halloween...

I think I mentioned that my hubby just had to HAVE a cat.  It started as "I need a lap dog" to "a friend is losing their home and needs a place for their cat".  I am not particularly a cat person, so it is ironic that Moto seems to like me better.  LOL  I think it's all about who gives him the most food.  He is not a cuddle kitty, but will sit next to me for hours while I am stitching.  I do appreciate that he doesn't crawl all over my yarn and thread.

Dad has been a tiny bit more awake this past week.  Does it mean anything?  No, I don't think so...

I am off and moving.  I've got one more load of laundry and then I am ready for Monday.  Yay for me!!  I wish each of you an amazing week.  Be kind to one another.