July 4th Weekend

Spent Thursday nite in the big city....our monthly quilting meeting, normally held on Friday, was moved to Thursday nite due to the holiday.  We had dinner and I came home.  Spent the rest of the evening binding off my Vertices Unite from the WestKnits Summer Knit-a-Long.  This looks like a hot mess right now - let's face it, over 800 stitches is always going to look like a mess until one gets them totally off the needles.  I need to soak and stretch this beauty out and then will post a picture.  I'm really liking this shawl.  Stephen West is an amazing designer and I love everything I've knit of his (so far, 3 shawls).  I have another one ready to start and several more in the planning stages.

Got up to feed the dogs at 5:30 this morning...the sun was just beginning to peak over the horizon.  I couldn't resist taking this picture off the back deck.

The dogs get their final treats and go out to do last chores just about sunset each nite.  Last night this is what I saw on the other side of the dog run fence...these beauties are not afraid of my barking dogs...they know those silly canines can't get to them.   Notice they are not concerned at all...even if that human is standing on the deck taking their picture.

I spent the last two days working on the Block-of-the-Month from last year. I have now finished the top - it measures 92" by 92".  I had already purchased the backing fabric so this baby is ready for the quilter!  I've even made the binding and it's ready when Oliver gets the whole thing quilted and back to me.  One more thing off my To-Do List!  I finished the block from Thursday nite so it's ready when I go to the Block-of-the-Month meeting next month.  And now I've got all day tomorrow to work on something else!  I'm one happy girl!!!

Thanks for stopping by...I'll be back soon.

2nd Day of Summer in the Ozarks

Spring is finished for another year and summer came amidst storms and June gloom.  Here is one of the last sunsets of spring.

Sunset before the storm

2 Sundays ago, my dryer died - again! Now this normally would be cause for concern here at Pieceful Harbor because Mr. Wonderful is quite handy with tools and such.  He has repaired both the washer and the dryer numerous times and saved us tons of money in both repairmen and replacement.  But since he is not handy, it was either go to the laundromat in town or buy a new one.  Since the washer was older than the dryer, it made sense to get a set.  I pretty much knew what I wanted - front loading washer and dryer with pedestals to bring them up to my height. My spinal arthritis doesn't lessen with age and having these babies higher make it so much easier to reach into them.

I went to The Man Store (Lowes) because they give a military discount every day...it so happened they also had a sale going on, and by the time I had made my decision (2 days after I went to see what my options were), there was a further incentive to purchase.  I measured the two appliances sitting side-by-side and from top to bottom and came home to measure the opening where they were to sit.  I had 1 inch at the top and 1 inch on the side to spare....that made me one happy girl!

The delivery was scheduled for Saturday morning and they arrived just shortly after noon (they called about 10 minutes till to tell me they were on their way). Two wonderful men hauled the old set out, and while they were putting them on the truck, I was able to mop the floor where they had been - can I just say YUCK! They brought the new appliances in and installed them.

Once they were installed, I just got dreamy-eyed!  I'm so in love with this set!  They are quiet, efficient, quick, and even play a song when the cycle is done (different song for the washer than the one for the dryer).   

  All I can say is, watch out, Mr. Wonderful...you could be in 2nd place if this love affair goes much longer! 

Just kidding, you will always be my hero!  But I do love a good washer and dryer!

On the quilting front, I am excited about a country-wide 'shop hop' that starts on July 1st and goes thru September 2nd.  Those of you who are reading this in another state, I'd be so appreciative if you could check out the link here and see if one of the shops in your state is near you.  All you need to do is go into the shop during those days and ask for the FREE Row-by-Row pattern.  Let me know if you need my mailing address or email address if you have the ability to scan and send it that way.  I don't expect to get one from each of the 34 states that are participating this year but it would be so cool to get a bunch more than the few here in Missouri. I've got Missouri, Arkansas, and Utah covered already.  Here is the link:

http://www.rowbyrowexperience.com/row-by-row-experience-participating-areas.htm

Thanks for stopping by.

June Already?

Our house has been on the market for 8 months so far.  Now, I understand the economy is crap....it's crap everywhere!  But Mr. Wonderful has been so far away for the last 8 months as well...and that's beginning to be crap, too!  So I decided to take matters into my own hands, or rather, to turn it over to a different source.  Those who are Catholic are aware of the Saints...we pray to them to intervene on our behalf, to add substance to our own prayers.  St. Joseph is the Patron Saint of the Home...and thereby, is also the saint we pray to when we want to sell our home.  There is even a St. Joseph Home Selling Kit!  For a small fee, one can get help from a higher source...well, that's where I went!  After I got my Hepatitis A injection, I drove to the Catholic Bookstore and bought a kit.  This morning, I performed the ceremony to get this house selling into higher gear!  First, you dig a small hole - near the For Sale Sign and near the road.  

 Next, you place the statue of St. Joseph face down, with his head facing the road.

 Cover him up.

 Then say the prayer that comes with the statue. I've heard from different sources that the prayer should be said only once or every day till the house sells.  I'm not taking any chances - I'll say the prayer every single day.  I've got the prayer card in my car and will stop each day on the way to work and say the prayer.

There are those who say this is poppycock and resonates with 'magic'.  I say it is a matter of faith. And I have faith that between St. Joseph and me, we can get the job done.  Not sure how long it will take, but I've done my part!

I'd appreciate any prayers toward selling our house from any of you, too....we can use all that come our way!

Thanks for stopping by.

End of May

Oh, what the heck was I doing for the last almost 2 months....I honestly can't think what kept me from the blog...I've not been sitting at home eating bonbons and watching chick flicks, but I can't imagine what has kept me from updating the blog.

Suffice to say, I am here now and will try to keep you entertained with info about the goings-on at Pieceful Harbor.

I've been knitting in this year's annual Sock Madness competition. I managed to get into Round 3 but the socks and the timing just didn't mesh for me.  I finished one sock (with the exception of some embellishments to the cuff which come at the end) and part of another.  That pair will eventually get finished entirely.

I am currently knitting a beautiful shawl for Stephen Wests Summer Knit-a-Long...I'm using autumn shades and hope it will be useful come the cooler fall weather.

The sorting and purging and packing of the house continues. Not at all quickly, but it continues none-the-less.  I'm currently sorting the computer room filing cabinets and purging what we no longer need to retain.  Those items that do not bear legal info or bank account numbers or other important digits that thieves can use are being simply pitched...the other items are being shredded...a slow process but necessary for our security.  I will go on to the studio next.  A very daunting task!  The idea of purging fabrics and yarns is terrifying!  But it must be done and I can do it with a bit of perseverance and patience.  And maybe a helper to keep me on track.  I've had offers from a couple of ladies to come over and shred while I purge or pack items that I decide to keep in the studio.  That will cut the task considerably.  

Spent this last weekend with John.  He flew to St. Louis on Friday and I drove up to get him.  We used the 2 days he was here to get several items done that needed attention.  Filters changed out, vent covers installed, carpets destained, etc.  Had some serious discussions regarding the sale of the house (no,it hasn't happened yet...just trying to make sure we are on the same page when it does finally sell).  Then,.yesterday, all too soon, I drove him back up to St. Louis to fly back to Salt Lake City.  That 3 hours drive home was quite long!

A friend of mine asked me to help her pick out some fabric for borders on a quilt she is making so I met her in Springfield on a Friday nite.  After she'd made her decision, we decided to go for dinner.  Decided on Red Robin.  I love their Cobb Salads so I ordered one to go after I had the fish & chips - I figured I would have the salad for Saturday's dinner.  Fast forward to Monday - News conference regarding a waiter at Red Robin who tested positive for Hepatitis A...everyone who ate there from May 8th to May 16th was encouraged to get the vaccine ASAP....We ate there on the 16th.  Now, anyone who knows me well, know I am terrified of needles.....TERRIFIED!  I do not voluntarily get injections unless it is dire.  This situation qualified...darn the bad luck!  So today, I got shot!  And I have the appointment in 6 months to get the 2nd shot that goes with it.  Proud of me?  I thought so.  

Thanks for stopping by....I'll try to do better with the news in future.  

Hugs to you all!

Spring is Finally Here!

It is April and finally beginning to look like spring!  Here in the Ozarks, spring means storms...sometimes wicked storms.  This last week we had our first of what will probably be many storms...this is taken off the back deck, just before sunset.  That wall of clouds is quite scary the first time you see one.  It's sad, or good, that I've become quite used to seeing these clouds and they really don't scare me a lot anymore.  We got a bit of rain, a bit of lightning, and a ton of wind...never lost power or TV service.  

 It's Sock Madness time again...I've made it to Round 3 so far...Round 1 was the Brucie sock - designed by a first time entrant....these socks took me a week to knit and they certainly kept my attention.  Several different designs on the leg and a gansey-esque design on the foot...with a slight variation on a standard heel flap.  I really liked this patter.

 Round 2 brought the Diamond Shreddies by another first time designer.  I did mine in a sage green yarn - more like the leaves of a dusty miller plant.  The Celtic cable was intriguing and these socks only took me 9 days to knit.  We are awaiting the end of this round and then on to Round 3.

Mr. Wonderful is working fullstop on a project in Utah and he is working many extra hours to meet several different deadlines.  Added to this, his cardiac issues are being addressed and he continues to improve!  This past week, they did a procedure called - bear with me, I may goober this up - a CardioConversion.  They stopped his heart and started it again, in the hopes that the atrial fibrillation would reverse to normal heart rhythm...they had to do this procedure twice and he is currently on a pretty heavy-duty medication but so far, it worked and he went back to work the very next day.  Continued prayers are always appreciated!

Well, we are expecting another storm in a few hours and I don't want to be on the computer when the lightning starts....this will have to do, my friends.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Until next time.

Dear Mr. Winter

Dear Mr. Winter:

I know that you've had a wonderful time this season.  You've been able to stop entire cities from doing normal business.  There have been more 'snow days' from work than I remember ever having in the last 10 years.  Folks are still wearing winter coats and leg warmers and sweaters and socks even though Spring is just around the corner. And I am way more familiar with internet weather sites than I ever aspired to know.

Today is the 16th of March and that means Spring is just a few days away.  It appears you decided to make one more attempt to conquer the world.  I awoke to freezing rain stuck to the windows, making it appear like icicles on the glass.

  

I suspect we got a total of 2 inches of snow today.  And tomorrow it's supposed to get to the mid 50's.  So your feeble attempt to make us all aware of you is wasted. Now, don't get your knickers in a twist, that was NOT a challenge to you...just an observation.

I'm hoping you had a fun time, but most of the people I know, including myself, think you have outlasted your welcome from last November.  It's time to pack up your playthings and make room for Miss Spring to arrive  on Friday.  

And Gilligan is just plain bored with you!

Love, 

Sally

March of the Lions

 Whoever said that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb had it half right...or at least the first half is right so far this month.  Today is the 2nd of March and this is what I woke up to.  Sleet turned to ice overnight and the windows in the morning room were crusted with ice.

When I let the dogs out, it had started to snow. They say we won't have much snow this time - only 2-4 inches.  With the thin crust of sleet underneath, I'm not sure I want to try to drive to work tomorrow, especially since it won't get above 20 degrees today.  

Sock Madness 8 begins anytime.  The specifications for Round 1 came out yesterday morning and that means the pattern will be released sometime within 48 hours of then.  I have 2 weeks to knit that first pair in order to get onto a team. Piece of cake!  I've found that it's when we get to Round 3, 4, & 5 that I falter - mainly because I don't knit as fast as a lot of the other knitters from around the world.  And this IS, after all, a speed competition!  

As usual, I made several project bags to donate for prizes.  I did 2 embroidered ones - I'm particularly fond of the seahorse one.  Might need to make one for myself.

And these 6 lines drawstring ones.  They go together fairly quickly. I spent all day yesterday making 4 of them.  Not to be bragging or anything, but my project bags are very popular during Sock Madness competitions!  I try a different style each year and each year they go over quite well. This year is no exception.  

Well, time to get dressed...it's after noon and I still need to get the trash gathered and clean out the litter box and get everything out to the trash for pick up day.  I slept in later than usual and always need to have a fortifying mug of Irish breakfast tea to get started.

Thanks for stopping by.  I'll let you know how March ends - hopefully like a lamb and not a lion!