Red Sox World Series Winners & Patriots hauled hinney and kicked but on Sunday!!

Well my granddaughter Daja was celebrating cause her team (Boston Red Sox) won the series I was excited about that as well. But I tell ya the Patriots kicked some serious butt on Sunday and all I can say is Woohoo src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_30_125.gif" width=83 border=0>, , , , , . Yes I am a die hard Patriots fan. I know some Texan fans do not like it but hey DEAL WITH IT!!
I will have some pictures to post after my trip to the Fiber Festival with my friends Sonya and Linda that is next Friday and return Saturday night. A Knitting ladies weekend .
My friend Sonya is so awesome and such a wonderful and caring person. She gave me the directions for the entrelac bag and even had the one that she made at the KANG meeting and it is "HUGE" and I thought that the colors looked nice. I will be using black (as my base color), camel, espresso and rust for my other color choices.

Was a crazy weekend had the girls over the weekend. But not Sunday night and I did nothing but sleep I was totally exhausted. DH was doing the dinner theater they had at church he had a part to play in it. I'll get to watch the DVD of it. Tomorrow is part one of the stress test that I need to do both parts so I can get surgical clearance for my surgery. I will also be having my foot checked again and find out when that surgery will be. Well I am off to bed need to be rested for the test!

Ciao!
CW

Winter Wonderland Coffee Swap

Yes , I am doing another swap! I know you must think I am nuts lol. No just need to keep busy and I find the ones that I have joined and those I have finished have been such a joy to participate in!!. Anywa moving right along here is the answers tothier Questionnaire:

Coffee

What are your favorite kinds of coffee? (Brands, Roasts, anything at all you'd like to share!)
I love different types of gourmet and flavored coffee. Right now I have Green Mountain Blueberry coffee and my DH likes their Dark Espresso. I also belong to the Green Mountain Café club. So I get to try different coffees and we also just joined the Gevalia club as well.

Do you prefer whole bean or ground coffee?
I prefer whole bean, I love o grind the coffee fresh every morning.

This time of year, there are often Holiday Blends available, and many flavored coffees - do you drink flavored coffee? Do you enjoy special blends?
Yes, I drink flavored coffee and love the holiday ones tht come out. Last year we had this yummy French Vanilla Caramel. It was already ground, but that was ok and it was heavenly. I also like to try now and again special blends.

How do you take your coffee? Cream and Sugar? Straight up? Decaf?
I like cream and “raw” sugar, or sometimes I use Splenda. It all depends upon the type of coffee it is.

Do you prefer drinking from a nice thick mug, or a matched cup and saucer?
We have more mugs that I care to mention. So I have started to collect tea cups and saucers. I think it is real neat to drink using them. This way I won’t get spills on the table or my computer desk. My DH likes mugs but I prefer the latter for myself.

Winter and Holidays - PLEASE be descriptive! Your pal will need this information to be sure to put together a package you will enjoy!

What is your favorite part of Winter?
It used to be walking down snow covered trails. That was until I moved to TX, now I guess you can say that having a tree trimming party with friends and the fire in the fire place and good food and drink.

Do you celebrate a holiday in December, and if so, which holiday?
Yes, we celebrate Christmas.

If you celebrate Christmas, do you put up a tree?
Yes we usually have a 9 -12 foot tree.

Would you enjoy items related to the holiday, or would you prefer a Winter themed package?
Since it does not get winter cold her where I live I think a Holiday themed package would be wonderful.

Do you collect anything? Are there any holiday or winter-themed items (Snowmen, Angels, Snoflakes, Santas, etc) that you collect?
Yes, I collect Tea Cups & Saucers and Angels.

Do you wear scarves? Mittens? Hats?
I wear neither, too warm here. Last winter it was 65-70 out. (I live just outside of the Houston area).

What is your favorite holiday or winter treat?
Egg Nog made from scratch and Hot Mulled Cider.

Please share a favorite Winter or Holiday memory.
That would be the Christmas, when my daughter got up before the family and had opened all the presents that were under the tree. I think it was my mom who helped me wrap everything back up. It was so funny she thought that Santa has left all the presents for her.

Yarn and Crafting

Do you Knit or Crochet? For how long?
I knit, took a 20+ year hiatus and now I am knitting all the time. How much do I knit I always have at least 2 projects in my knitting bag. I knit when we drive into Houston or anywhere. I knit at the church fellowships, before service and after while waiting for my DH to finish doing the video work. I even knit while I am waiting for the doctor to come into the exam room. We go to the flea market almost every Saturday and I bring my knitting. When I get tired of looking and walking I just go and sit down on a bench and knit until my DH catches up with me. Guess you can say I am addicted to knitting. I will be learning to crochet again. My grandmother taught me how but it has been a long time since I picked up the crochet hooks.

Do you like wooden, metal, or plastic needles\hooks? Circular or straight?
I like bamboo needles I have 3 straight pair and about 6-8 circulars; I have 3 circular s that are Addi’s. 2 are Turbo’s and the other is their Lace circular size 4. The only plastic ones I have are my Denise needles and they awesome because I can change the lengths. But I just received a pair of glass circulars from glasspen.com for my birthday. They knit like a dream. They’re a size 9 with a 47 inch cable. You can have them custom make the cable length. My DH got them in the African Queen design. I have my shades of blue Forest Canopy Shoulder Shawl by Susan Lawrence on them and they feel awesome in your hands!!

What sort of projects do you enjoy making?
I love to make shawls, felted bags/purses and lace work.

What are your favorite types of yarn to work with?
Schaefer Anne; Kuani in rainbow; Trekking XXL; Nashua Handknits worsted & chunky; Tilli Thomas – Flurries; Hainde Maidens - Silk Maiden; Luoisa Harding's- Grace & Kimono Angora and Nashua Handknit's Cilantro.

Do you spin or dye?

I am going to a Fiber Festival next month and I will be taking the workshops on Drop spindles and dyeing. I am so excited to be learning these 2 new things.

Do you do other crafts such as scrapbooking or needlepoint or anything else?
I make jewelry using semi precious gems stone/beads and Swarovski Crystals and sterling silver. I also use the same materials and I make stitch markers also. I do ceramics and I sew -quilt too .

General

When is your birthday?
September 18th

Do you have any children? (Furry kind count!)
1 daughter 28, 2 granddaughters ages 3 and 11; and 4 step children. Plus we have Rita a Chinese Crested (Hairy Hairless); and Sir Angus Seton Black and red Phantom Toy Poodle.

What are your favorite colors?
I love the rich and brilliant colors of the jewel tone family, plus Fuchsia and royal blue.

Do you have any allergies?

Long haired cats make me sneeze, highly allergic to Bee & Wasp stings.

Okay now that is done and I can now get to bed. Today is 5 hours I go to see the Pulmonologist then at 11:15 I go to see the Cardiologist to get surgical clearance for my gastric by-pass surgery. Well it is 3:45 AM and I am off to bed need to get a little sleep before these tests.

& ,

CW

Going to my first Fiber , Yarn etc show!!

Hi all,

Well today I finally got a chance to call my friend Sonya today. She is going to teach me Entralac I am so excited !! Plus she has invited me to the Kids n Ewe & Llamas too fiber/yarn Festival event that is going to be in Boerne, TX from 11/9-1111. I am so jazzed about it because they are having work shops and ther are 3 that I want to take. One is Drp spindle spinning and the the dyeing workshops. I do want to learn how to spin with the wheel but that will have to wait till the spring or next fall. But drop spindle is easier and spindle is not as costly as getting muy own wheel.

I have transfered my shades of blue Forest Canopy onto my glass needles. I think I like these better than the Addi Turbos. I mean these needles feel so sleek and lovely in my hands. I think I might get my mom a pair for either Christmas or Mother's Day!! My DH said he will get me another apir for Christmas. Yes he does spoil me, he said it makes it easier because he knows that I really enjoy knitting so much that he can't go wrong with getting me things that are connected to knitting.

I have laready gotten 2 of his Christmas gifts lined up. A digital camera and a dragon to add to his collection. Plus now since we watch the little ones during the day I get to run errands by myself and I can get things and he won't see then lol. We are planning on taking a trip this year and I am checking the prices for 2 types of travel flying or driving. It will be wonderful to take a trip together. Well it is late 1:30 in the wee hours of Tuesday morning and I am off to bed but not before I post picture of my daughter , grand daughters and grandmother and my parents. I miss my family dearly and hope tht they will be able to visit soon. Well blogger is having a problem with the upoad link so I guess I will post those pictures later today. Have a great day and enjoy the "brisk" fall weather!!

Ciao!
CW

The finished purse & Looky looky I got my purse from Sarah

y'all

Well I took the package for my partner Robin to the post today and ended up using one of the so called mail plus places. Never again they're highway robbery people!! My packaged weighed 5 lbs. 12 ounces and I was charged for 6 lbs. It was 22.95 to send package . From now on I will make sure I have the correct time the PO is open or I will use the online pick up via USPS online.

Anyway I received my package from Sarah (last picture on the right) and all I can say is , , . I love the colors and the size is perfect to carry one if not two projects in. I actually used my purse today when I went to wedding with my DH. He really likes it also and I got some nice goodies the candies he scooped them up and I said ok you can have them. But the Pretzels well sorry Charlie hands off, these be mine lol. I got some cute post-its that are the perfect size for me to use for marking the place of patterns I like in my books. I also got a pattern and some yummy Trekking yarn. I have never used this yarn before and I am anxious to fine the right pattern. I like to wear shorty socks about 1-3 inches above the ankle or ones that are hidden when you wear them with sneakers. I received several comments on the purse when we were at the wedding.

I also have pictures of the finished bag and goodies that I have sent to Robin (those are the top photo's). I think she will really like the purse. She wanted something that she could carry some things in addition to knitting projects. I lined it with gradient colored satin and added 4 pockets tht are outlined with black grograin ribbon. It was so much fun creating this purse I used my own pattern and it came out better than I expected and that makes me feel real happy. I stuffed it full of goodies too! Well it is late the girls arrived at 9:45 tonight and grammy will pick them up at 8 tomorrow morning and then they'll be back Sunday at 7:30 p.m.

Oh and my needles from Glasspen.com arrived today. They are one of the things from my wish list that Michael got for me. The color is called "African Queen". So I will be transferring the blue shawl to those needles tonight!! So I will have that picture posted tomorrow in the blog.

Well y'all have a great night I going to take my coffee (yes I have culers in my hair till it dries, then they come out.) Can't sleep in them any more they hurt my head lol.

& ,

CW

Finally Bag is felting!!

Finally it is done!! I finished bag at 4 this morning and felted it, put in dryer on the shaper for 10 minutes and now it is air drying the rest of the way!! Talk about having fun this is the best one so far that I have felted and shaped. The bottom of the bag did not felt as well as the rest but that is okay because this one will be lined. The first picture shows bag on floor. Why is it on the floor you ask? Well Rita and Angus decided they did not want it in moma's chair and pulled it off. Thank goodness they aren't the type that likes to pull the yarn lol.

The lining I chose is a satin lining with gradient purple coloring, and the handles are black beaded ones. This time since the bag has a wider opening I will make a draw string closure. I an now trying to figure out how to make a zippered pocket on the inside, and I will have one for some needles and one for yarn to be held. I just love doing things like this. Well when I finish it I will post another picture of the finished project. I have the goodies to go in the box as well as some yarn too. Today the weather is a little humid after the rain, but at least we did not get a deluge of rain. Whgen I post the package I will begin my next purse for another exchange and also make a hat for the cure in a pink colorway. Well I need to get dinner started so will stop for now. Have a great day!!

Ciao!
CW

Help I am surrond by sick people

This past week has been so crazy and draining!! My DH got sick for 2 days and seemed to get better only to get hit hard again by this flu or what ever he's got. But I think it could be something else and I am praying it is not walking pneumonia. Today was a free day for me as the little ones spent the day with their Grammy. they will be back tomorrow and the sound a little children laughing will fill the house again. I love watching the babies for our dear friend Cat. The youngest is almost 3 months old and so alert now and she loves the bouncy seat I got her. So now when she is fussy I just strap her in and push the button and it gentle vibrates the seat and the motion seems to quiet her down, I call her my little lamb chop. Her big sister is 17 months and she is scooter bug lol. She is a sweety as well. I have them on a schedule so things are a bit better. So that helps not only me but their Grammy as well.

My knitting has been neglected for a few days since I've been Auntie and nurse to everyone. By the time I sit down I am exhausted and all I want to do it sleep a little lol. I am working like crazy to get my bag done for the fall felted bag exchange. I am just finishing up the knitting then the felting will be done and I figure it will take maybe 1-2 days to dry and then I will decide if I will line it or not.

Then I have to finish gathering the goodies for the box! I am going to send some pictures to my mom to ask for her advice on the stole. I am participating in the secret of the stole and I have 3 different beads to choose from and I would like to get her input. It boils down to this do I want shiny contrast, or matte rainbow or go with shiney nuetrals. So a second opinion will be nice. Well it is 9:31 and I need to check my little man Angus I think he has scatched his ear and broke the skin so I want o check it our and treat it with antibiotic ointment after I clean it so it won't get infected.


So y'all have a and even though tomorrow is Monday, ,





CW

Check out my yarn score & Granny's cold Remedy

Well it has been a crazy few days her in the Watkin's household. DH had the flu and it finally broke last night and now he looks and feels much better now. The girls have colds, and I have the sniffles. But my great garand mother's cold remedy is hot at work kicking out what ever I have lol. The remedy is: 1 small onion thinly sliced; 1.5 lemons thinly sliced. The put in a pan with 1 cup of water and boil till onions and lemons are just about transparent and most of the water is gone. I add a little ginger root to it as well (my little addition). Then add a little over .5 cup of honey and turn flame down and cook until everything is a nice golden brown then add .25 cup of good bourbon whiskey. I use Wild Turkey 101 and cooking until thick. Then let it cool down and put into a small mason jar and let it sit on the counter and take 1-2 teaspoons a day until cold is gone. It may take yucky, but boy I'll tell you it works better than antibiotics.

Then there is the matter of my yarn score. I got 20 balls of Louisa Harding's Kimono Angora , I call it a "BIG" score because it is being sold at 40% discount!! So instead paying $220, I paid $132!! This is the yarn that I have selected for the special shawls that I am making to honor the women in my family. The first one is going to my grandmother, she is 88 and has Alzheimer's and in a nursing home. She was back in the day a force to be reconked with. Well I need to get my butt moving as I have to go to the VA this morning will right more later! Have a great day!

Cioa!

CW