Still Here

I'm still here. We've had a pretty busy week or two. My Girl Scout troop had a blood drive. It wasn't as successful as we were hoping but it's hard to get donors during the summer months, let alone a summer weekend. I however, donated for the first time ever and had a great experience. I will definitely do it again, and again...

I also took 5 girls to a local water park this weekend. It was close to 100 degrees that day so there was no better place to be. Fun was had by all but I was "done" by 5pm and ready to head home.

We've also just completed staining our deck and redoing the screen system on the screen porch. It's taken 4 weekends but it's done. Just in time for it to be too hot to even sit outside.

As for knitting, I've been busy with that as well. I finished my socks for the Toe Up KAL. I love these socks and pattern. I followed directions completely and they fit perfectly.



I've also completed clue one in the She Knits Mystery bag KAL. Not much to show there seeing as we've just made the bottom of the bag.

Lastly, I've completed the back and started the fronts of the Nantucket Red cardigan. This week I'm hoping to make some serious progress. So far so good.

Barrell Monster

Would this make you slow down in constructions zones? I think it's a very clever idea and so did the owner of the barrels. The City of Raleigh however thinks otherwise...and arrested the person who created it.

UP

I just got back from seeing UP (in 3D) with my kids. What a great movie! I think it's the best Disney/Pixar has ever done. I came home wanting to hug my husband and the kids came home wishing our dogs had the collars seen in the film. Funny how we each got something different from the movie.

I've Created Monsters

This weekend I decided to make homemade, all natural dog biscuits for my dogs. One of my dogs, Lily, has liver disease and some of the ingredients put into some dog foods are not good for her. I made 2 different kinds which required oven baking for most of the morning. After each type of treat was finished my girls wanted the dogs to taste test them. And they loved them. Now my dogs are not dumb dogs and they came up with the following equation:

Mixing bowls + Oven + Trays = DOG TREATS!!!

Now everytime I go to bake anything, they are right on top of me waiting for a treat. The treats were obviously a hit but now I can't cook without them around. I wish it was this easy to get them to stop jumping on people.

As for knitting, I finished the last two items on my "To Finish" list. Socks for hubby and a scarf that has since been claimed by my younger daughter. I very happy to be done with both of those. Men's size 13 feet and a scarf that has been on the needles since December...DONE!




I'm mid way through the second Lacy Rib sock from the Socks From the Toe Up KAL. I'm loving these and they are moving along quickly. I'm not sure if I will do next months but I do like the concept of working your way through the book.

Somewhere in Belgium?

Someone from Belgium "friended" me on Ravelry and I receive updates to her blog. I cannot read any of it but a recent posting of hers is lovely. I would love to be able to go to this yarn store.

McCrabby Shawl

It's done. It's lovely and squooshy and the kids keep stealing it from me. I think I'll be making another. And thank you to DD #1 for being my model.

The Wind Down

I really love this time of year when things begin to wind down. Volleyball season has ended. Girl Scouts ended tonight. End of the year events are happening at school. All this leads up to the easy breezy days of summer. Sleeping in, camps, vacations and no schedules. As the girls have gotten older I fight more for down time. Our schedules can get too crazy during the school year.

I'm trying to finish up some knitting as well. I want to move on from my spring knitting to my summer knitting. I need to finish up the items below.



First is a pair of socks for my DH who wears a 13 shoe. Big socks! Second is my Crabby Shawl. I am loving knitting this and I think a second one is in order. I just bought 5 skeins of Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb on Ravelry and I think it will make a beautiful shawl. The last item is my drop stitch scarf. It's been my in the carpool line knitting and I just want to be done with it.

My summer knitting will consist of She Knits Mystery Bag KAL and the Socks from the Toe Up KAL. I'm sure I will throw something else into the mix but that's plenty for now. No over committing!

I've also began my summer reading. I've started the Twilight series and think that will be perfect beach/back yard reading. I didn't think I would like it but I'm hooked. Please hold back on giving me flack. I know it's drivel but drivel can be good for the summer.