Boy, I'm Hot!

As you all know, I had surgery almost 5 weeks ago.  It really threw my body for a loop.  I have napped almost every single day since the surgery and I'm still tired all the time.  Well, this weekend, I have to take my lifeguard recertification class.  I'm more than a little bit worried about this because I've lost my stamina.  So in the hopes of getting back my "mojo", Small T is going on walks with me.  It's hot and humid out today but I still went with her anyway.

We walked about 3/4 of the length of our main street and then turned back towards home.  By the time we hit a block from home, I was definitely "winded".  I was one "hot momma" once we got inside the house and it took me a little bit to finally cool off, but I'm glad she's walking with me.  Not only will it be better this weekend with all the laps I have to swim, but it will also help me get my strength back over the summer.  Thanks Small T, for all your help and encouragement!

20

I finished Block #20 of the Knit A Block A Week Challenge this morning.  :)

It's made using Caron's Simply Soft yarn in the color Bone and size 8 knitting needles.

Hexagons

I decided that I didn't really care for the previous hexagons that I made.  I posted about them here.

So I found a different pattern that I liked and sat down to try them out.  By the time I was done, this is what I had.  I think I really like the idea of joining them as I go, so that's a plus for this pattern.  You can find the free pattern by clicking here.

Rain

We had a few small, sprinkle-like showers yesterday morning and then in the afternoon, it rained so hard that the water came down the road in "waves".  Can you see them in the photo below?

20

Last night, I started Block #20 of the Knit A Block A Week Challenge that I'm participating in.  This block is being made with Caron's Simply Soft yarn in the color Bone.

Hat 2 (and a size difference)

 I finished the 2nd Lime Green Hat last night.  It's the one I made using the Bates Inline hook that I favor.

I put both the green hats together to see if there was a difference in size, and there was.  The 2nd hat is in the back.  I used the exact same pattern for both hats, but different brands of hooks.  I used a size H for both brands, just to be specific.  Obviously, the Boye hook I used for the 1st hat is giving me a smaller product.  I wonder if I actually crochet a tighter piece because of the type of hook?  It's a possibility.

Alumni Game

On the evening of the 23rd, Big C (far right, back row) played in the Alumni Game at school.  It's a yearly fundraiser held by the Alumni Association.  Shown above is a photo of the men's team.

Memorial Day

Today is the day to remember and honor those who served in the military and fought for our freedom.

Happy Memorial Day Dad!

I love you and miss you.

Hexagons

I've been dying to try out a hexagon blanket for a long time now.  After getting the "itch" yesterday, I went downstairs to my yarn stash and dug out a bag of yarn.

 I have (from the bottom up) Amethyst, Shocking Pink, Pumpkin, Turqua and Royal.  All are Red Heart Super Saver yarn.

This morning, I sat down and started crocheting the hexagons.  These are the first two I've made.

The hexagon pattern I'm using can be found here.

I'm using a size I crochet hook for these.

Green Hat #2

I've started the 2nd Lime Green Hat.  I'm using the exact same pattern that I did yesterday but I changed up my hook.  I'm using my favorite size H Bates Inline hook.  I can say that the hat is turning out bigger already.  I think I crochet "looser" with this type of hook.  Hmmm....  I hope it doesn't turn out too much bigger.  I'll have to watch my tension.

Green Hat #1

Even though the cold weather has passed, I still have a list of items to make...such as hats, scarves, etc..  So I started on the Lime Green Hat for my nephew, Jarrod, yesterday.

 The last one I made him was way to big he said.  So, I adjusted the pattern a bit and got started.

I finished it up last night and it's so small that not even Small T can get it on her head.  So...back to the drawing board.

By the way, the yarn I'm using is Caron's Simply Soft. The color is Limelight.  I used a size H (Boye, non-inline) hook, and I usually use a Bates Inline Hook.  I think I was crocheting a lot tighter than I normally do, due to the difference in hooks.  I'll keep this in mind when I start the next hat.

19

This morning, I finished Block #19 of the Knit A Block A Week Challenge that I'm participating in.  This block is made just like the rest of them.  I used Caron's Simply Soft yarn in Victorian Rose.  I went to purchase more of the Blueberry, Light Country Peach, and Lavender Blue colors and I couldn't find any of them on the shelf.  So I had to pick out another color that would work.  This color is what I ended up choosing.

Just One

Last Summer, Big Daddy and I planted two rose bushes.  They really didn't grow a whole lot over the last year, but they did have a rose or two bloom.

Yesterday, I was looking at them, and low and behold, the bigger bush (which is still straggly looking) had one, and only one, beautiful rose on it.  It's just gorgeous!

Container Garden

In the last week, my Container Garden has really taken off.

 The green beans went from this....

 to this (on the 20th)....

 to this (today).

 My radishes went from this...

 to this (today).

 My carrots aren't doing so well though.  This is the photo of them today.  Hmmm....I think we'll be replanting them.

And the tomatoes are doing great!  The two in the middle are as tall as the ones on the outside now.  The two on the outside have started producing some small tomatoes too.

18

I got out my bag of yarn and knitted up Block #18 for the Knit A Block A Week Challenge that I'm in.  I'm still several weeks behind, but I've managed to finish up all the blocks for April now.  I've started on the 19th block but I'm still working on it.  I'm going to have to kick it in high gear though.  I don't want to stay behind.  This block is made with the colors Bone and Lavender Blue.  They are both Caron's Simply Soft yarn.

Oh My Hair!

This is Medium J.  He's my oldest son.  He hates getting his hair cut.  He also hates shaving.  After I took this photo of him on Wednesday, I finally convinced him it was time for a haircut and I was paying for it.  So now....he's freshly shaved and sporting a nice, manly haircut.  Thank you God, for helping me talk him into it.

Pink

I found a little bit of Pink baby yarn in my stash.  I think it was Bernat Baby Sport yarn.  So I used it to make a couple of things.

 First, I made a Diaper Shirt.  Gotta keep that baby's belly warm.

And then a little hat to match.  I used the Sweet and Simple Newborn Hat pattern but added the scalloped edging on this one.  I need to make a few girl things even if it turns out that the baby is a boy.  I'm hoping for a girl though.  I need another great niece or two.  :)

Baby Mittens

I made another pair of Baby Mittens.  This time in Arctic Ice.  The sizing turned out a lot better with this pair.  I used the same pattern and hook size so I don't know what I did different, but I'll keep working at it.

Diaper Shirts

I made a couple of Newborn Diaper Shirts.

 I used the Artic Ice yarn again since we're doing gender neutral colors.

I ended up making two of these shirts.  One using a size G hook and the other using a size H hook.  I'm just not sure about the sizes yet.  I want to make sure it's not too big for a newborn but I also want to make sure it's big enough.  Crazy, right?  So I'm going to make two of each whenever possible.  One with each hook size.  Just in case.

Accident

Well, two of our four vehicles were involved in a little "family accident".  You see...Small T was pulling out of the spot and didn't give herself enough room and her car hit the rear end of Big C's pick up truck.

 The gigantic tank of a truck only had the lower part of the tail light broke out.  Seriously, it's been in a couple of accidents and came out without a scratch.

Small T's car didn't fare so well.  The mirror hit the tail light.  And the bumper of the truck put a crease all the way down the side of her car.  Ugh!

Rather than have a huge fight between Big C and Small T, Big Daddy broke the news to Big C.  And he took the blame for it.  He didn't want Small T getting "whooped".  No wonder she's so spoiled!

Tomatoes

Well, my tomato plants are really growing.

 Here's one of them, in the photo above.

Two of the plants even have a couple of small tomatoes on them already.  I'm excited!

Date Night

Last Saturday night, my youngest sister, Annie, and I went out on a date with 4 little old ladies.  We went next door to the American Legion to the dance.  Let me tell you...these 4 little old ladies can dance.  They like to wore us out.  It was good to get out of the house and have some fun for a bit!

Sweet and Simple Newborn Hat

I made a Sweet And Simple Newborn hat to go with the Crocheted Baby Sweater.  The pattern for the hat can be found here.  I made the alternative edging instead of the scalloped one since we aren't sure of the baby's sex yet.  I used the same Artic Ice yarn.

Crocheted Baby Sweater

I used one of my favorite, go-to patterns to make a baby sweater.  It's called the Crocheted Baby Sweater and it can be found by clicking here or you can check out the Bundles of Love website.

 I used some of the "I Love This Yarn" yarn in Arctic Ice for the sweater.  I made it exactly as the pattern states.  (Sometimes I vary it up, but I didn't this time.)  I tried several different methods for the tie, since I didn't want to do a button.  In the end, I chose to use the tie made out of crochet chains.

I tried several different ribbons, but didn't like them.  This photo shows how one of them looked.  Yuck.

Diagonal Stripe Blanket

I've been knitting a little bit this past week on the Diagonal Striped Knitted Baby Blanket.  This photo shows it at the point where there is 100 stitches on the needles.  As of today, I have 125 stitches on the needles.  It's slow going, but I try to work a few rows every day, at least.

Radishes

My radishes are really starting to sprout up.  Today is the 8th day since planting.  :)  Cool!

Student Council Banquet

Last night was the Student Council Banquet (and Awards Ceremony).

 Small T received one of the High School "Learning to Serve" awards.  She had the 2nd highest total of community service hours for her class.

 During the 2014-15 Officer Installation awards, Small T was sworn in as Reporter.

Small T (as the outgoing officer for this last year) is shown swearing in the new Historians for next year.

#17

Today, I knitted Block #17 of the "Knit A Block A Week Challenge" that I'm participating in.

I used Caron's Simply Soft yarn in Light Country Peach and Off White.

46

46, 46, 46

It is 46 degrees F in my town this morning.  I can't believe it!  We were in the 90's just a few days ago.  I had to break out my winter coat to sit out on the porch this morning.  Brrrrr.....

Knitting

This morning, while waiting for the kids to get ready for school, I picked up my knitting needles and started the 17th block for the Knit A Block A Week Challenge.  This one is going to be a combination of Light Country Peach and Off White yarn (Caron's Simply Soft).

WIP - Diagonal Stripe Baby Blanket

Last night, I spent about an hour knitting on the Diagonal Stripe Baby Blanket.  I now have 60 stitches on the circular needles.  (I'm a slow knitter.)

Papoose & Hat

Yesterday, I finished crocheting the Shell Stitch Papoose (& matching hat).

 I think it turned out wonderfully and the pattern was really easy to follow.

I just wish my camera would show the "true" color of the yarn though.  This photo shows the correct color.

Papoose

I've started making a Shell Stitch Papoose for Z's baby.  I found the pattern in a crochet magazine in my pile of patterns.  It was in "Easy Living Crochet", Spring 2011.

At this point, I'm about 1/3 of the way done.

Newborn Wrap Diaper Shirt

I'm sure you all have saw me post about my niece Z, who's expecting in November.  Z has been inquiring about baby things ( a lot ) and is also worried about keeping her baby warm since it will be Winter then.  After digging through my pile of patterns, I came upon the Newborn Wrap Diaper Shirt.  You can find the pattern by clicking here.  After a lot of thinking (and chatting), it was decided that the baby would need a vest to keep warm.  It will be worn over a long sleeved onesie.  (I think in the UK they call them Pneumonia Prevention Vests.)  This Wrap Diaper Shirt pattern is exactly what we are wanting for the new baby.  So I whipped out some of the yarn I bought and made one in the Seablue Tweed.  I made it while watching TV last night, and it's a really quick and easy project.  

These will be rolling off my crochet hook a lot in the coming months.  I think it's exactly what the new baby will need and Z and her mom both think these are a good idea for keeping the baby warm.