Am I a Hoarder?

I went grocery shopping this morning, and along with the food, I bought the silliest things...

Do I need them? No. Do I love them? Youbetcha! The storage bags are already full of fun, 

and using them cleans up the toy bin at Gramma's house a bit, too!

Then I got to thinking about how many little things I've acquired in my 58 years of "collecting." While I don't think my habit has reached the "televised-hoarding" level (yet), I sure don't want it to get out of hand! I'd better start using or giving away some things! Let's start with these 10, paper egg cartons...

Hey, local chicken friends, gardening friends, crafting friends...any immediate needs in your world? I'm happy to bring them to you for the price of some friendly conversation!

I am not, however, ready to give the yarn away, so I'd better start using it! What should I start (or finish or photograph)? Here's one I finally took modeled photos for, though I finished the knitting 2 or 3 weeks ago...

...and here's a pair of fingerless gloves using leftover yarn from two projects! 

I still had a bunch of the dark pink, silk blend left, and this light speckle, so now I have half of a second pair! 

I have lots of other ideas for the yarn stash, but another opportunity sounded like fun this weekend. It started with a box of melted gummy candy, left too long in the trunk on a hot day, looking like this: 

I took a shot at re-melting and molding the candy with the small, silicone molds I keep in my kitchen. 

I really thought it was going to work, and the resulting gummy cars looked good at first, 

but they were wayyy too sticky! After coming to room temp, they juste became sticky, green, sour apple blobs with cornstarch all over then. 

Oh, well. You win some, you lose some, and i can always go back to the knitting! 

Before I go, seriously, Amy takes on those egg cartons? I hate to throw them away, but I'd hate being a hoarder more! Drop a comment here or on FB if you'd like any or all of them! 

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health! 

Germy Weather

It's been a challenging week, and I think this "hooo-huuum" face says it all:

On a normal Friday, I would have fought harder to keep that beagle-face off my dinner table, but a week of late-April showers and gray weather

coupled with the germ I've finally succombed to, Strhinovid, maybe? (Strep, rhinovirus and covid have infected several around me lately...)

These have all weakened my resolve, and curtailed the fun knitting. Just a single sock, with a second started, stays with me so far this week. 

So I'm taking it easy today, and thawing a chicken for soup to support my immune system,

and hopefully I'll be feeling so much better before next weekend...because opening day is only a week away! 

It is in these moments, friends, that I'm glad we can connect online, without sharing these snotty germs, so...

Thanks for stopping by, wash your hands, and Knit in Good Health! 

It's Been Everywhere, Man

On March 21st, I mailed a box to my son and granddaughter. There is a birthday gift (it's silly, not valuable) and a Taylor Swift inspired scarf (handknit, priceless) in the box. 

Let's say that the box is headed for somewhere in Kansas...which it still is, by the way. I realize that Kansas is far from Cleveland, and I probably didn't mail it early enough, but the original estimate of arrival was March 25...just 1 day late for the birthday. Oh, well.

Except for the fact that the actual travel itinerary for this box, priority mail and so far, has been Cleveland to Akron; Akron to St Louis, Missouri; St Louis to Kansas City, Kansas; Kansas City to destination? No, Kansas City back to Columbia, then St Louis, MO; St Louis to Hebron, Kentucky (!?What?!); Hebron to St Louis again; St Louis to Kansas City, KS again...and, although the estimate says that the box will be delivered today by 9pm, I am not confident. So, cross you fingers and say a prayer (if you are the praying kind) that the box will, in fact, arrive today.

I guess I have to laugh, although I am frustrated. This is a first for me, and it is more angering to watch it travel back-and-forth in my notifications... But maybe I should just be glad that this scarf has had an adventure? 20 years ago, I would have simply wondered where it had gone...today, I know a part of its story. Yes, it has had quite the adventure!

To keep calm, I have carried on with the knitting (shocker, right?!?), working on some giftie things. A few dish cloths, here and there, and gifts for a soon-to-be birthday boy! 

This guy will be 2 next month, and he loves Brown Bear, Brown Bear...can you start to see the characters in these blocks?

I've knit 4 bases in a week, and there are 9 animals, so I'm going to have to hustle to get them all done, but I think I am up to the task! 

Before I can keep knitting today, I'll need to get the bread and potatoes going for tomorrow's Easter dinner. Dough is currently rising, and I'll cook potatoes as soon as I sign off...

Whether you are observing a holiday or not, I hope that you are able to enjoy some time with family this weekend. I'm looking forward to celebrating that Jesus is alive with my family and church tomorrow! 

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

Not Quite Turkey Time

Where's your turkey? Mine is in the freezer, but I'll be moving it to the fridge for thawing well before I go to bed tonight. 

While I was checking on the turkey, I noticed that my butter stock is a little low... for this time of year anyway!

I'll use about two pounds on the Thanksgiving feast alone in just a few days. Butter goes in all the good stuff...on the bird, in the potatoes, stuffing and corn! It's especially good in the homemade rolls, and in my second batch of Christmas caramel! Yummm!

Second batch because we may put up the tree this weekend and decorate it on Turkey Day! We will need wrapped candies for that...and cookies too! I'd better take a break from this sweater and start baking! 

But before I go, here's a couple pictures of last weekend's party!

The boys had a blast, and so did we! 

My daughter and her hubby sure put on a great party! 

Now, for Thanksgiving, it's my turn! Tell me, what's your favorite holiday tradition? 

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health! 

Busy, Busy, Busy Day!

Earlier in the week, I put up a random Facebook post about the probability of my survival if I had birthed three, rambunctious boys, like my daughter has. The odds are not good that I would have been thriving in the same way were this scene part of my daily experience:

Yet, thrive she does, enjoying sweet moments and snuggles...

Moments of defiance, as he will clearly go any direction he pleases on that ladder, Mama...

Moments of big feelings, when the little kids watch big kids get off the school bus, and then the bus just drives away...without taking them anywhere...

Even the joyful moments make my heart leap in unexpected ways, because this idyllic scene...

Can quickly turn into the scene where the baby is done, and he will clearly roll himself off the swing, all by himself...Mama, he done! 

Gah! Somebody catch the baby!

So, it's been a busy, busy week in the lives of the local Pretties, and our hearts are full! My Saturday is also full, I've been going since about 6am today, so this will be a quick post. I have cookie-baking plans with my daughter this afternoon, a hat to finish, and a pair of socks to start!

A favorite shortbread cookie recipe
New cookie cutters that I am pretty pleased with
Another Musselburgh hat in a Stroll Gradient
Some sock planning and design...shhhh!

These come on the heels of chili-making, muffin-baking, chocolate caking (I dunno. I guess I'd like some chocolate cake? Lol...), and more! 

All of this in preparation for a fun afternoon with the boys and their parents. Yes, even despite the rough patches that are sure to show up from time to time, my life is good. Yay! I hope you are finding some good in your life lately, too, but it's time for me to stop typing and get on with the day.

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!