A Brief Intermission...

from knitting for a bit of sewing. I'm amazed I remember how...


Whipped up this new sock bag last night with some left over fabric from Rena's wedding quilt. I finally got tired of that crinkly sounding plastic bag, lol.

How do you like it?

It's a bit clashy with my new Amy Butler bag but that's ok. Maybe Rena will be jealous and want one and I can pass this one on to her when I make another one with a fabric that is more complimentary to the Amy Butler. *devious snickering goes here*

Hey Rena, love you!

Here's an inside view...That's the mate to my Neopolitan Monkey languishing in the bottom of my new bag. Maybe this will motivate me to get it done - after the EZ Adult Surprise comes off the needles...maybe.


Howdy and thanks to everyone who stopped by and said hey this past week. It's so great to hear from everyone. Have a great week!

Conspicuous Consumption

One last look at the tree before disassembly...


Am I spoiled?

Every year when Christmas has passed and the tree is out in the back yard serving it's next life as a bird haven for the winter I assess the holiday bounty.























As in past years The Saint went totally overboard in my opinion with the gift giving. This whole issue makes me crazy. I have so much and yet he insists on adding to it every year. Don't get me wrong here, I do enjoy the gifts and no one else goes without in the family as a result of his giving to me, but I still think it is too much.

Here's the list this year:

Canon camera
Zen mp3 player
diamond earrings
Amy Butler knitting bag

Maybe if I weigh these gifts against the loads of laundry washed, dried and folded, sinks full of dishes washed, toilets scrubbed and toe nails trimmed, yes, I trim his toe nails *shrugs a shoulder* that I aka Gretchen rack up during the year it equals out. Doesn't it?

I try to be a good wife, mother, step-mother and grandmother to all. I know I have my days just like anyone else but I put a lot of effort into having a positive attitude in general. Guess it's paying off. I am thankful every day for the loving and caring family I find myself surrounded by. Love you all! Thank you for loving me back in a big way!

I remember many years in my previous life that I prayed for strength to get through to a better place. I promised that if I didn't have to be afraid everyday and hold my breath waiting for the next disaster that I would be a better person. I stand before you as hopefully the better person I promised to be. Thanks to everybody that stuck by and helped me to get there. I think that blogging has made me more acutely aware of myself and more willing to assess my mental "place". Nothing like a little additional accountability, eh?

Today, after The Saint took the tree out, I was trying to figure out why the vacuum didn't work worth a crap anymore...opened it up to check the bag - which was full - took that out and found a filter inside the cleaner that I don't believe I've cleaned since I've had it which is probably two or three or 6 years, lol...keeping in mind that we have 2, sometimes 3 dogs here that made for a lot of crap caked on that little filter. ewww

I scraped off the bulk of the dirt then washed the filter out and voila! the cleaner works like new again. Who knew?! Maybe I should get out the instructions for that thing and read through them again to see what else I've missed in the routine maintenance of a vacuum cleaner...nah, we're good for now...we don't need no stinking instructions! hahaha

Tomorrow I'll be heading over to the "Y" for my first official exercise of the new year. I think I'll start with a tour and a good walk on the track. I need some exercise so bad! Winter just isn't conducive to outdoor fitness activities. Since I quit walking everyday I've noticed the pants are getting a wee bit snug, lol. Or maybe it's the cookies and chocolate candies that are everywhere this time of year. Out damn goodies! I'm back to my good eating habits starting tomorrow! Anyone want to join me? I believe that if I work now to get that extra 5 off it won't be as big a deal as getting 44 off was.

Our friend Ronnie was taken off the ventilator on a few days ago and was able to breath on his own. They moved him out of intensive care, where he had been for 9 weeks, and into a regular room. We got word yesterday that they may be sending him home today but haven't gotten an update on that yet. Thanks for all your good thoughts on his behalf.

Here is the obligatory knitting content...

I am actually making progress, maybe by next weekend I'll be on the last leg of this project.
So, I'm off to work on the ASJ and/or my puzzle for a bit. This is how I have to work a puzzle in the office/sewing room...space is limited in here, lol. Hope nobody wants any fresh-baked cookies, hahaha!

Have a great day. See ya!

Do I have to take down the tree if it isn't dead yet?

Hey Yarny Peeps! How's your weekend? I'll be glad when all the leftover cookies, nuts and candy are gone...why do I feel compelled to eat it all? Ack!

I signed up for a 3 month membership at the YMCA yesterday...good thing...my jeans are getting a bit snug, lol.

Cass asked what kind of camera I got, hey, Cass! It's a Canon PowerShot SX100 IS. I hope I can figure out all the buttons and dials and make some decent pictures soon. I think it's going to take some time though.

I'd like to say a hearty Hey! to Joan, Linda, Clarabelle, Nichole, Grace, Jess, Purl, Birdsong and you too Novice Knitter. Thanks so much for stopping by and making your presence known from time to time.

Rena gave me sock blockers! Don't they look good dressed in my Neopolitan Monkey? Thank you Rena, for more than just the blockers...love you!


Some actual knitting has been done here at Chez B.

Mom's Irish Hiking Scarf in lavender heather Philosopher's Wool with a super cool shawl pin that Rena gave her. Doesn't she look cute?!

I believe she really liked the scarf.

She never has done any type of handcrafts herself but does appreciate the time and love that goes into them. Her area of expertise is apple pie. Just ask The Saint, hee hee.

Love you Mom!







I've been snuggling my new Amy Butler bag The Super-Sneaky Saint got me for Christmas.


It's roomy, lightweight, has lots of pockets inside for all my knitting "stuff" and when it's full of knitting goodies, like yarn and things, you can give it a hug and it is comforting like a big teddy bear.

And, it looks so cool on the sofa! lol

The purchase of this bag was a cloak n dagger affair.

A couple of days before Christmas The Saint and I had a couple days off work to finish up our shopping. We stopped by City Knitting so I could pick up some yarn for Chef Wes' Christmas present hat.

Wandering around the shop I saw this Amy Butler bag and commented on it. I think I said something like "Isn't this pretty?". I didn't even gush about it or anything.

While I was around a corner looking at some "sale" yarn he was sort of lagging behind pretending he was looking at some other stuff and chatting-up the owner, Lorilee. This is not unusual behavior for him, he likes to chat with ladies in fabric, yarn and book shops. He's real social that way. What he was really doing, with sign language while I wasn't looking his way, was letting her know that there was something he wanted to buy and he'd be back to pick it up later. Lorilee snuck a sticker to him and as he continued to wander he walked past the bag and placed the sticker on it so they would know exactly which one. After we left the shop they popped it into a box and he went back later, picked up the box and dropped it off at Rena's house (she's always his Christmas-wrapping-elf).

I love that he does things like that. He's done it several times in the 10 years we've been together. Love you Honey!

Jared and Tammy got me a gift certificate to City Knitting and I redeemed most of that yesterday while I was hangin out with Rena, doin our usual Saturday hangin out. I picked up a copy of 101 Designer One Skein Wonders. I want to make the Marialis scarf from the book with some of the lace weight yarn I got a few weeks ago.

Yeah, after I finish that blasted EZ Adult Surprise Jacket...I'm finally working on it again and feel like I may actually be getting close to done...that sure is a lot of garter stitch! I was knitting until 1 this morning trying to make some substantial progress so I would be motivated to continue working on it today. Nice try, it's after 5pm and I haven't gotten around to sittin n knittin yet. Maybe when I finish visiting with all of you I'll get to it. lol

Max got a new sweater, knitted by Rena. Pretty spiffy! How do you like the turtle neck?

Back to the grind

Well, I was back to the old routine at work today. And I am so glad.

I am a routine kind of a person and when I get out of that routine, doing busy stuff, with someplace to be or rather, several someplaces to be every day for 6 days...it's a bit much for me. I'm exhausted.

I think I'll hibernate for a couple of weeks now. No more parties please!

On to the knitting... I got all the hats done in time.

Exhibit A: Chef Wes' hat. It was a bit big but when he decided that it would fit nicely over his billed cap it worked out pretty neat. A new style is born. Hat design and yarn called Sheherazade

Exhibit B: Jared's hat. Basic black, nice snug fit. Made of Patons Classic Wool.

Exhibit C: Tammy's hat, looking rather elfish in this pic. Green heather Philosopher's Wool.



Group Exhibit:All photos will biggie size if you click on them.

My greatest accomplishment however, was for Rena. It's the Mason-Dixon Knitting Moss Grid Towel. I thought I would never get it done! But, I plowed on through, sneaking around working on it at lunch and when I knew she was working and there was no way she'd be stopping by with that bossy little Winston, lol.

I took this picture of the towel and the two Ballband Dishcloths I made to go with it just for you, Cass! ;-o The color of the bottle label complimented the knit items nicely too.

I have a really fabulous bag to show you. The Saint spoiled me rotten, as usual. I'll show it to you next time after I install the software for my NEW CAMERA! Can't wait to see how the new pics turn out. Until then, have a great day and stay safe and warm. You'll be amazed at how cool this bag is...

I'm Winston and I'm takin' over...

Winnie, here, saying Merry Christmas to everyone stopping in at Grama's blog...she's a little busy today so I got this...like I always do when I'm here, he he he. Thanks for coming by and we hope you and yours have a fabulous and safe holiday!


I sure hope great-Grama P likes this scarf. She saw the yarn in my Grama's sewing room a couple of weeks ago and commented on how much she liked the yarn so Grama whipped up this Irish Hiking Scarf for her gift. I love the pretty cables. Grama said it was a bit rough to work with but after a good soak it came out nice. She made some other stuff too but some snoopy people might be lookin here so she can't show you those things yet. Hello snooper! Get to work on those appetizers! You don't have time to be lurking here today...

In other Christmas news the B children and grandchildren came over last night for their Santa Claus, and Grama tells me lots of fun was had by all. I didn't get to be there cause my Mom had to work at Chez Butt, ha ha ha ha! I'll get my chance for some snacks tonight though when everybody comes to my house!

The calm before the storm...look how the packages were piled high for the grandchildren. The Big Elf did a good job. Where my package at?! Any biscuits under there for a little dog?

Hey, nice ears, Pops, lol. And Grama, what's up with those big shoes anyway? Nice sweater too, meh. ROFL, can I get a couple of pets? I need some love too...oh, ok, I'm outta here!

Merry Christmas everybody!

Crazy Neighbors

You know how every neighborhood has a "crazy neighbor"? I think we're probably them, lol.

Standing in the back room a few minutes ago trying to find something to take a photo of for this blog post, this caught my eye...yep, that's my bottle tree. There's a guy who makes cooler ones here but this is The Saint's design from my request. I've had many questions from neighbors regarding my "art" at the corner of our back deck since it is visible from the street.

I'm thinking not everyone appreciates the beauty of colored glass...or maybe it's the previous occupant of the glass that they can't appreciate. I know I enjoyed the contents of every one of those pretty colored bottles over the past few years. Lots of fun times were had in the course of consuming that wine. Sort of like a diary of all the fish fry's and barbeque's we've had here with friends and family. It's hard to get the full impact of the colors on a wintry day like today but you can sort of get the idea, can't ya?

We got snow last night. After breakfast and a quick glance at The Press, The Saint put on his hunting suit (a lovely shade of blaze orange that keeps him from getting lost in the snow, ha ha ha) and trudged out to the garage and got the snow blower. In a few minutes he had the driveway and sidewalk nice and clean and was headed off to do his Sunday shopping at the local grocery and to hang out with the "old-heads" on the bench at the front of the store. Sadly, on such a cold, snowy day no one else was hangin' out. All he could do was get his few groceries and head on home.

I have my cards addressed and ready to go in the mail tomorrow. Hope they'll make it to their destinations on time. I'm not sure why I've been such a drag-ass about holiday stuff this year but I'm just not feeling any sense of urgency about it. The Saint and I will make our big shopping trip this Thursday and get the things we actually have to buy at a store. I do like to wait til the last minute for some things so you can get the best price. No sense in spending more than you have to right?

I have been knitting a lot, really I have. I'm 3/4 done with the Irish Hiking Scarf for my Mom


and I've started another Helping Hat









with some fabulous Cascade 128 Tweed color #7621 .

Then I found this and I'm thinking I want to make all of these for my tree for next year! I just love those lit-tel ti-ny sweaters!

And Max wanted to say hey so here she is admiring the scarf...

woof!

Everybody have a great week. Thanks for stopping by. Say hey while you're here. I love company! I have wine...

First tree in years

This year I decided against bringing the 2.5 ft tree already lit and decorated up from the basement where it lives under a plastic bag 11 months of the year.

On Saturday The Saint and I headed up to Greenville to see his friend Tiny aka The Giant and cut a tree. It's always great to see them and while The Saint and The Giant enjoyed a couple of holiday cocktails and caught up on all the latest truck driver gossip cause you know men gossip waaaay more than women The Giant's wife, granddaughter, son and I trekked through the snow to find just the right tree.

And here we have it...and the lights are pretty when you can catch them actually lit. lol

It's tough to catch blinking lights at exactly the instant when most of them are lit. That's a little house down there on the floor lit up. Looks a bit strange in this pic.

Here's this year's favorite ornament; one of Hallmark's Reindeer Girlfriends with her knitting basket. Rena found the set of three knitting, reading, drinking a glass of wine for me, she's such a good child. Love you Rena! I had to have them after seeing them on Grace's blog the other day. Thanks for the tip Grace, these are super cute. They were not easy to find either!

And yes, I actually have been doing some knitting, see...

it's the Irish Hiking Scarf that I'm making for my Mom. I think I'll have to knit in my sleep to get done but whatever it takes :)

I better finish getting ready for work.

Everybody have a great day and thanks to all of you who stop by and say hey.