Sooo . . . what am I giving my honey?

Hey there---the cookies are baked and the pie is ready (more on that in a bit), but what most special thing am I giving my honey for Valentines Day this year?

Something knitted perhaps?

Yep.

Now Dan isn't into sweaters or mittens or long scarves or knitwear in general, but I am hoping that this little gift will be the ticket this year.

This not overly exciting beauty is a button-up neck warmer that he should be able to wear along with his Carhartt jacket, cover alls, and warm, fuzzy hat when he is outside without it getting in the way of anything.

I few years ago I had made him a nice pull over neck warmer out of various scraps of yarn that he absolutely loves, but it is even too bulky to wear with his hat. It is great for skiing or wearing with a regular stocking cap, but a stocking cap doesn't fit the bill when my Dan is outside splitting wood or plowing out the driveway--or even out feeding horses at below 0 temps.

I put one cute little detail into it that only he will see when he puts it on . . .
I thought a little embroidered heart stuck underneath the flap would be just the perfect thing to remind him how much I love him everytime he puts it on.

Specs on the project:
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease-(at least it has a bit of wool content, right?) doubled in Forest Green Heather and Natural Heather-much less than one skein each
Needles: A pair old plastic Boye needles of my grandmothers-size 10 1/2
Pattern: I just cast on 23 stitches cuz I thought that might be a nice amount and garter stitched back and forth until I thought I should decrease a few stitches for the back of the neck (so it won't get too bunchy back there) and then when I thought it seemed like it was long enough I increased back up to 23 stitches again and kept going for a while. Oh, I also threw in a couple of buttonholes at the beginning of it.
Extras: The brown corduroy buttons were in my grandma's old button box. Before I started the project I thought of maybe just putting in one big button, but when I found one medium sized corduroy button I thought, "If I can find a matching one this will be the perfect look" and I did!
I also reinforced the buttonholes when I was all finished by whip-stitching all the way around them with the green yarn. I just made them much more stable.

Now, on the pie--I made a Mile High Frozen Strawberry Pie, so I am hoping that it will taste alright because it doesn't look as pretty as it should. I made a crust for it using the same recipe for the peach pie crust-ummmm . . . that pie crust isn't very good for a pre-baked pie crust. It falls down in the pie plate. I am sure the people at ATK knew that and have a different recipe for a pre-baked pie crust, but I don't check those kinds of things out.

It is hard to describe how it looks, so I will bring the camera home tonight and take a picture. I have had the pie before and it is quite good, so it will just end up being like most things I make--maybe not the most beautiful presentation, but very good tasting.

Oh, and one last thing--remember the drawing I was commissioned to do?
It is finally done!

Robin's Remuda

Yummmmm!

It has been cold here and my sweet and wonderful Dan has had to be working long hours, so I got out this peach pie from the freezer that I had frozen up for just this kind of occasion.

It was based on the recipe on America's Test Kitchen (can't link to it because I think it is only available to subscribers or something, but go ahead and try to google this lattice top peach pie, I was able to write down the recipe by watching a video online).
In the summer, I always buy a crate or two of peaches for canning and I decided to make up a couple of pies (these peaches are the best ever--homemade canned peaches our also waaaaay better than store-bought canned peaches, so if you want to try out canning I would highly suggest trying it out with fresh peaches). The first pie we ate right away and my, oh my was it tasty*, so I made sure to freeze one and save it for some gray and sad days during midwinter to lift our spirits. It was well worth the wait--I wish I had made more (I do have a bunch of apple crisp in the freezer and they are good, but golly gee peach pie is tasty*)

One other summer fruit-ish picture, just cuz I feel like it

l to r: dark jars behind the empty ones are maple syrup (oh and I think there is also a little jar of strawberry syrup in there too), strawberry preserves, apple sauce behind strawberry, salsa, more strawberry preserves. Not having to buy any syrup, jams, or jellies from the store---priceless and far more tasty*!

*my word of the day

Hidden in this Picture*

*Brownie Points to anyone who can tell me about the play I am referencing--
(I'd give you something, but considering I am about to go out and spend my last little bit on a few groceries and I tend to spend too much on little things, I'd better not-my husband would really start to shake his head and wonder why he married such a flighty girl)

Beautiful Star of Bethlehem

Hi, here is a quick video post of me playing guitar and singing. Be kind and don't tell me how bad it sounds.

Vest, Jaywalkers, and Legwarmers

Hi all--
Finally a knitting post!!!!!!

First of all pictures of a knitting project that I finished last fall

It has five buttons up the center and I am very happy to say that they turned out well.
I was a little worried that the buttonholes might be a bit too small for the buttons because they felt a little tight at first, but I just pushed the buttons through a couple of times and they work!

Pocket and ribbing detail-I was a bit confused at how they pockets would finally come together on this, but I just followed what the pattern said and when it came time to put it all together it did make sense.

My dad liked it so well, he decided to wear it for his city council picture!

Next, Jaywalkers--the second sock has been started-woohoo!
It has only taken me 8 months, but I have finally finished the first sock
Here is the finished first sock. (this picture is not accurate in color, but I did want to show the length of the sock) I had to start the ribbing at the normal spot because my calves are rather shapely, but I really wanted to make these to be something nice and cozy for winter and being out in the snow and ice. I could have made them a little longer even, but I do like that they go above my knees. I need to wear a brace on my left knee when I go skiing and having the sock under the brace will be nice.

Finally, a close up of the stitching. They are really quite pretty. I think I will even wear them this spring when the weather still has a little chill in the air under my 3/4 skirt.

Lastly--my very own legwarmers.
I made these up fairly quickly, but they took me longer than they would have had to because I set them aside for a few weeks.

These have gotten a fair amount of use. I am now in a ballet class and although I have not worn them in the class (the teacher wants to see our ankles to make sure we are pointing our feet correctly), I have been using them at home in our 140 year old farm house.


In fact I have also been wearing those thick black tights as long underwear as well. These negative digits we have been having the past bunch of weeks, make it important to wear layers.

Well, I am prepared for the cold--bring it on!

Helloooooo, my oldest brother is famous (or here's some info on DTV)

Hi all-I have a really good knitting post in the works (with pictures even! (I took my dad's camera out for some fun the other day)), but right now I want to let you know that my oldest brother is famous! Okay, maybe not overly and amazingly famous, but he was on Des Moines TV talking about the switch to Digital TV coming next year. It's even on You Tube, so if you guys want to know info on the switch to DTV coming next year he explains some of the key information. (How exciting, huh? All my brothers have these technical careers and I am a lazy old artist and knitter. Golly-I feel like such a slacker!)

First Interview

Second Interview

Sooooooo, I've never linked to You Tube before. I hope this works!

A Christmas Card and Letter

Thought I would send you all my Christmas Letter
click on them to make them bigger

Crazy, busy life is nearly over (I hope)

Just some quick picks of things I have worked on during the past couple months.

Squash buns made for Thanksgiving-mmmmm-tasty

More teeny/tiny ornaments
(I sell them at a local coffee shop during the Christmas Season)

I finally finished the mittens and scarf I started working on last spring!

Edge detail-I enjoyed making these, but I think that I will use either different sized needles or thinner yarn next time. I ended up using Lion Brand Homespun for these and for some reason the fabric seemed a little too dense even though I had used the same things when I made my own a few years ago. I mean I like the denseness of the fabric for warmth, but it sure got stiff as I was knitting and made it a bit unpleasant to work on. Either my hands were less bothered last time I made this pattern or I just forgot that it was a bit painful. (It did take me a couple of years to make the first ones because I kept setting it aside to do other things--maybe that was why)

Now for the cutest picture of the day!

My friend Leah's little girl in the little EZ sweater I knit.

Thanksgiving

My Family last Thanksgiving-
l to r-me, Dan, my dad, brother Joe, nephew PJ, sil Melissa (my mom took the picture!)

Deadlines are looming--I'm busy, busy, busy . . . furnaces die, but yet life is goes on!

I'm tired as all get out tonight as I got very little sleep last night, but tonight we will go to our Thanksgiving Eve service at church and remember to be thankful for all we have been given in this life.

The classic thanksgiving song comes to mind tonight

Count Your Blessings
Johnson Oatman, Jr.

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed
When you are discouraged thinking all is lost
Count your many blessings, name them one by on
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly
And you will be singing as the days go by.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small
Do not be discouraged, God is over all
Count you many blessings, angels will attend
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

Count your blessings, name them one by one
Count your blessings, see what God hath done
Count your blessings, name the one by one
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

Ahhhh . . . I needed that ;o)

Happy November!

Pictures from the long ago arts and crafts show!

Flasks and coasters made by my Stetson Man-Dan!

Dan and I sitting in our booth (me knitting on my dad's vest)

Knit mini stockings and sweaters and leather Christmas Ornaments

Hutchinson Brothers Sculpture with our tent in the background
(My dad did the sculpture and Dan and I helped him with it all during the process. Dan works at the bronze foundry where the sculptures were put together. I used to do wax work at that foundry, so I help my dad with that area of his sculptures.)
Info on Lost Wax process for making bronze sculptures.

I hope that this posts finds you all doing well and that this coming month will be a good one!

Another Friday, another drawing

For Robin

Hi!

Here's a little kernel of something to look at today.

Have you heard of Ingrid Michaelson? (you probably have because I'm a little late to hear of a lot of up and coming musicians--I'm not so much up on who people are and new stuff and all, but I digress) She has some great music. She did the "sweater song" for the Old Navy ads and for all you knitting lovers she also has a song that includes knitting called "The Hat"--(scroll down a little-you'll find it)

So anyway, I, for the very first time in my life, downloaded music from itunes because of her music and the need to hear it all. You should seriously think about it, too.

One last thing--a drawing I just did in honor of a woman who I just met on Saturday--keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

Busy Bee

Aack, I feel like I have been a busy, busy bee lately putting my nose into every little flower that comes along. Here are a couple of things that I have been up to . . . (photoshop has been working over time--click on pics for bigger versions)

I've always loved this quote from Mother Teresa and thought I would like to be reminded of it when life gets real busy and crazy-like, so I fancy photoshopped one of my pics of Butternut Lake (the lake just down the road from my house) and here it is--Now to frame it--ha, ha, ha!

Quick had to make a map up of all the businesses participating in the Arts and Antiques Weekend (October 26-28--shameless plug to advertise to the few remaining people who don't even live near me who read this blog--Sorry--I sometimes think I am the one woman chamber of commerce for my town!)

New business card design--ain't it purty!!!!!

And tomorrow I go to take pictures for my first real commissioned artwork! (I do graphite drawings of horses. So far all the horses I have ever done are portraits of my own and other relations horses)--Here's one of our horses that I did a drawing of several years ago.

***Sorry about the copyright stuff, but I'm protective of my horses***

Long time no blog--me bad blogger

Hi, do you still remember me? I have been a terrible blogger of late (which seems to happen quite often).

I have also been doing some knitting of late. Christmas stockings, finished the vest for my dad (still need to get pictures of it, but it is quite nice if I do say so myself (plain as anything, but exactly what my dad wanted)), and a pair of legwarmers!!!!! (Ever since I was a young child I have yearned for a pair of legwarmers and now I am in a dance class just down the block from the gallery and feel as though I can really justify the luxury)

Anyway, I have been extremely busy setting this up. (getting everyone to work together and putting the advertising together) We are hoping for a stunningly beautiful weekend that will bring millions . . . ummm . . . . thousands . . . . ummmm . . . several hundred people with checkbooks and credit cards to our fair city.

Have a beautiful weekend! (I leave you with some Camel-ly goodness)

Arts and Crafts Festival

Hey all--if you live around here---- my dad, my husband and myself are at the Hutchinson Arts and Crafts Festival this weekend. Come by and see our booth if you can. We are located by the statues of the Hutchinson Brothers.

Our booth consists of photography (mine and my dad's), knitting (mine), leatherwork (my husband's), and a couple drawings (mine).

Anyway-hours are Friday 10-6 and Saturday 9-4

Hope you all have a great weekend wherever you are!

A few pictures of the weekend!

Hey all-now that another weekend is nearly upon us-
here are some more pictures of Red Rooster Day Weekend
(know to the rest of you as Labor Day Weekend)

Dan and Dakota on the porch

The local parade . . . .

Waiting in line for the BBQ chicken dinner (I found out that we serve between 3500-4000 half chickens every year. Pretty good for a town of about 1250 people, huh?)

Looking out at the ball park.

(Crow River string Band playing, antique car show and bouncy slide in the background)

I'm Back (and a beautiful FO!!!)

Okay, I'm back everyone!! (if your still reading that is . . . sorry, I am a bad blogger sometimes) I hope you all had a great Labor Day Weekend! Around here Labor Day Weekend is called Red Rooster Days (our town festival) and it was much fun--(although much busy fun). Our gallery sponsors a fine art show with local artists. We set everything up, print off certificates for winners and do all that jazz. You would be amazed at how many really good artists like to live in our neck of the woods. Maybe it is the corn fields mixed with lakes and trees--who knows, but we have a lot of people around here who like to do artwork!

Anyway another fun thing that happens on Red Rooster Days is that we have a fireworks show on Sunday night. (One of my favorite events) I took my dad's digital camera along to get some pictures.

Ooooooo, ahhhhhhh



(and everyone clapped and cheered at the end)

Now, for some really exciting news the Myrtle Leaf Shawl is done! And I really like it. I don't know what you all will think, but golly, I think it is purty. We did a quick photo shoot yesterday evening. I may not be the best model ever, but I guess the photos turned out okay!

(this is my favorite photo-I used to dress up as a pioneer girl (like Laura Ingalls) all the time when I was a a little girl and I would go play by this rock-I don't know why it made me think of being a pioneer or why it felt like that was where I should go play, but I did)

Myrtle Leaf Shawl-
pattern: from Victorian Lace Today
yarn: Misti Alpaca Lace (in dark Brown)-Two and a little of a third skein. (if Barney hadn't have chewed threw my first start and some of one skein of yarn, I probably would have just used two skeins)
needles: clover bamboo size 5 circular and dpns
modifications: none, really, except for using a different yarn than called for and the random mistakes I made.
started: oh, sometime in February, but then Barney ate that first start, so I really started it around July 20
finished: August 29

One nice thing about a shawl that has pattern on both sides (rather than pattern on the right side and purl on the wrong side) is that you catch your mistakes right away. Now, that being said, it is much harder to pull out stitches and pick them back up correctly, so I tended to fix the pattern in the following row rather than ripping back unless the mistake was really easy to find.

It was so much fun to work on--now to finish that set of mittens I started on, and my socks, and my dad's vest, and, and, and . . . . .

EYEs not wanting to be open FRIDAY

Soooo sleepy . . . .been working late into the night on the Myrtle Leaf Shawl . . . fifty or so repeats to go on the border . . . need to . . . . finish . . . . the shawl.



Oh, one other thing----Remember those missing size one bamboo needles-I searched everywhere for them. One just magically appeared in my car. It couldn't have possibly been there the whole time (right?). Must be the gremlins screwing with my mind again.

Happy Monday, Everyone!

Hi!
I know that Mondays are often times not anyone's favorite day of the week, but for some reason this Monday seems especially refreshing--(maybe it is because my niece didn't wake me up at 5:30 this morning-even though she doesn't wake up until 8 at home)

Dan and I went to a great concert last night up in St Cloud. We saw Michael Martin Murphy. It was such a great night of music. Listening to him always makes me happy to live in the country and makes me feel like I should really get out and weed the garden ;o)

Of course, this morning I couldn't get out to weed because it is raining and has been all weekend. As with anything, so much rain can be bad for some people (Southern Minnesota has been getting some major flooding), but around here the rain has been a great blessing.
It brings to mind a song that we sang a few weeks ago at church

"Showers of Blessing"

There shall be showers of blessing
This is the promise of love
There shall be seasons refreshing
Sent from the Savior above

Refrain
Showers of blessing
Showers of blessing we need
Mercy drops round us are falling
But for the showers we plead

There shall be showers of blessing
Precious reviving again
Over the hills and the valleys
Sound of abundance of rain

Well, have beautiful day and I hope that you will receive some kind of shower of blessing this week.