Finishing Stuff

I am on a mission: To Finish Stuff I have started and get to those projects that have been lurking in my bags and baskets. This is one: Another Pi Shawl using Araucania sock yarn. Stitch patterns include Cat's Paw, Old Shale, Crest of the Wave and Print of the Wave. I am starting the 5th repeat of Crest of the Wave and have a total of 8 repeats before beginning Print of the Wave. The name of this shawl is Cat at the Seashore.

Chrome vs Foxfire

I have been trying unsuccessfully to log onto blogger for weeks using Google Chrome. I keep getting a message that Blogger has not been enabled by administrator at domain....blah blah blah. THEN I had a brainstorm....try Firefox. TA DA! Note to self: DO NOT try to use Google Chrome browser to access my blog!

Susan's Shawl

TA DA! Finally finished! I ended up having tons of yarn left and so I did one more repeat for seven wedges instead of the six called for in the pattern....and a good thing I did! It rolls to the front quite nicely and drapes wonderfully. The beads were a nice touch and added to the drape. My friend, Linda, helped me with the photo shoot. I will have more, and better, photos soon.....she is much better at this photo stuff than I am. Thanks again, Linda! By the way, I really enjoyed our girls day out....

Benefits of Country Living

I had intended this post to be about my latest finished project, but the sight that greeted me this morning when I looked out the living room window changed my mind. I had missed a shot at a doe and her fawn last week but was able to get the following pics of her and her twins!

The quality of the photos is not the best as I was shooting from some distance and using the zoom feature on my Sony Cyber-shot.

Long Hot Summer

In my last post I mentioned the really bad summer we had last year being a reason for container gardening this summer. Just to emphasis that I went out and took some photos of the yard as it is now. Notice the stumps: those trees all died in the drought last summer....6 large pine trees, 5 large cedars and several ash trees. I scanned back a ways for the first photo for you to see the other dead cedars yet to be cut down.

 

We are hoping and praying that this year will not be as bad, but with the temperatures already in the 90's in June we are expecting it to be bad again. At least we have had some rain so far. Last year we had very little rain in the spring and none at all after the first of June.

Container Gardening

I really, really need to get some flower beds made where there is full sun. The existing beds are in the shade most of the day, the ground is packed and they won't hold water. Also, the iris need to be divided and have more room to grow. I have a spot in mind to get ready for fall and in the meantime I am growing a few things in containers since we had such a terrible summer last year. At least it will be easier to water what I have growing.

The chives I dug up from where I once had an herb garden. I am also going to plant a sweet potato vine, some ginger and some garlic. I dug some dayflower vines from along the creek to put in a hanging basket, not sure if that will work or not.

I have lemon balm, oregano, basil, thyme and rosemary in one large pot, English lavender in another pot and spearmint in another.

The Dallas Arboretum

Several weeks ago a group of ladies joined me for a trip to the Dallas Arboretum. We had a marvelous day and took a picnic lunch with us. Aside from the tram driver from hell who would not slow down long enough for us to take the photos we wanted, and who seemed more interested in the buildings than the plants, we really had a blast.

There was a glass exhibit that must be seen to be believed. I have included some photos (taken on foot by the way...).

I so want to finish this shawl....

My friend, Linda, has unknowingly guilted me into getting back to blogging.....she linked to my blog from hers....so, this one is for you, Linda! And you can find Linda here: Fabric Follies Two.

I have forgotten how long I have been working on this shawl. I love the yarn. I love the pattern. But I am so ready to be done with this thing! I like the beads added onto the edge for weight and think it will be so nice for my sister-in-law's birthday next month.

On another subject altogether....I had an afternoon visitor in the yard....isn't she gorgeous? It's been awhile since I saw a deer in the yard and this doe was all alone. Usually there will be several passing through at the same time.