Must kill the yarn

Bandit being the perfect dog that she is, has never bothered my yarn. But I think she has grown weary of me knitting and not petting her. Because yesterday she attacked the yarn. It was not funny, because it was good yarn. So I went and found her some nasty acrylic and let her go to town.

And go to town, she did. She threw the yarn, she bit the yarn, and she totally mutilated that nasty ball of acrylic. There was no talking her out of her death grip on her ball. Even though hubby tried and paid for it with a bloody hand.

And in the end, she even wore the yarn

New knits

New outfit fresh off the needles for "polka dot," our granddaughter to be. This is knit in Queensland Bebe Cotsoy and was a joy to work with. The pants are a free pattern off of ravelry. I'll have to get back to you which pattern. The sweater was "Angelica" from the Queensland Collection Book 8. The hat pattern was the simple baby hat from Blue Sky Alpaca. But best off all Karlie, the expectant mommy, loved it. I can't wait to see the baby girl in the outfit. Another finished project tomorrow...

It's Fair time

It is that time time again - Payne County Fair time. We love the fair, the rides, the smells, the animals, and the preparation. This is my stack of entries - 6 in all. A child's sweater, my granny square blanket, an adult sweater, a lace baby blanket, a log cabin blanket, and a pair of mittens. I will have picture individually of them after the fair. It was a little rushed this morning. Trey is also entering for the first time this year. A photo he took on our New Mexico vacation. Wish us luck, it is fun to get ribbons but it is just as much fun participating. Does anybody know how to get the underline off the text?

This little guy

I spent the weekend with this little guy, Memaw's boy, Kolby. What a fun and exhausting weekend. We played with soldiers, explored the farm, went to the park, ate lots of popsicles, wrestled with Papa and Uncle Trey, and had tons of fun. By the time, his parents arrived to pick him up, he was sound asleep, and Papa and Memaw needed a nap. Grandchildren are so much fun, especially when you know their parents are doing a fantastic job. Then all we have to do, is enjoy the process. And yes, I managed to keep yarn in my hand most of the time. See picture below. The yarn is attached to my giant granny square blanket inspired by Attic 24 and her glorious crochet. I had not crocheted since the 70's, decade not my age, and am loving it.

Rain, don't go away

Rain, beautiful rain! My flowers are so happy and my grass it tickled green. I don't even mind the mud in my flower beds. It was quite a storm last night and the rain has decided to hang around today. Oh, to be home cuddled under a blanket with a book, some knitting, and maybe a wee snack. Oh well, work before play - there will be other rainy days.

Butterfly days

The butterfly days of summer may soon be coming to an end. School is back in session and the mornings have that touch of fall in the air. So step outside and enjoy the aerial show before it goes away. Sometimes it can be a long, colorless winter.

Sew, I canz

My bff and I were upstairs in my house the other day and I stated that I needed new curtains. I just couldn't stand these curtains dragging the floor anymore. Dogs, dust and all sorts of icky stuff getting on them all the time. She states, matter of factly, don't buy new ones, just make those shorter. How, says I? Well, sew them, of course. But I can't sew! Pshaw, says she. Later on, I tell my mother-in-law, who taught me to sew in high school, that maybe I could fix those curtains. So she sends me home with

her prized sewing machine. After much angst and agony, here you go, my new curtains. And who knows, I might have liked it . I'm not sure quite yet, it was sort of like childbirth maybe th e pain won't be so fresh in the morning.

Our forest

Coming home from New Mexico, I realized how much I love our hardwood forests and their beautiful canopies. I don't think I would enjoy living without them. Yet, I totally take them for granted. Only looking at them in passing, not really looking at them. This summer I have noticed how wonderfully majestic they are, strong and sturdy, and all the many shades of green they provide. Green has never been a color I was particularly drawn to, but my world has been saturated with it this season. I have become a fan! Aren't we lucky we don't live in a black and white world?

Baby girl

My baby girl is having a baby girl! Oh, the joy, of expectant motherhood. I know she is glowing inside and out at the thought of being blessed with a new little life. She is the bestest mother in the whole world. Full of love, patience, and kindness. I am so proud of the woman she has become.
This means lots of tiny knits on the needles at my house. This hat is the last of a three part set. The pants and sweater are anticipating their reveal on Monday. This itty bitty hat will, I hope, whet your appetite for the curtain call on the finale of baby set #1.
Big brother wants to name her polka dot - which I think is just perfect.

First day of school

What happened? When did my little boy grow up? It seems like just yesterday when he was small enough to hold in my arms now he can hold me.
Junior High, a whole new world. Exciting times at the Sasser household. New teachers, new classrooms, and most important new lunch time! I am so happy that he gets to grow up in our hometown where everyone still knows everyone but is a little disconcerting to walk in classrooms that you used as a child. Surely, I am not getting old!

Mowing and growing

This post was going to be about the fact the it is August and our farm is still green. We have been so blessed this summer with rain that has kept our grass from going all brown and crinkly. But with that blessing has come mowing, mowing, and mowing. But oddly, it is a most relaxing job that I have found myself enjoying. All alone in a sea of green with the hum of my little tractor and my thoughts. Not so bad.

But as I loaded my lawn pic, I found these flower pictures that Trey took this morning. I love the light particles behind this zinnia.

And the structure of this coneflower.

The color of this beautiful zinnia.

And the perfection of this rose.

And I thought you might enjoy them too. How does your garden grow?

Ta Da Deux

Woot, another finished project. Our grandson, Kolby, is going to need a cuddle blanket when his new sister arrives. So MeMaw has been working on a log cabin in cowboy colors for his room. This was my first log cabin and I absolutely loved working on it and am eager to start another, and another, and another. I am totally enthralled with the idea of turning quilt patterns into knitted blankets. Of course, I will grasp onto any idea that results in a visit to a yarn store.