How's the pantry doing?

So ,are you itching to get out in that garden?

This is what's left of my canning. As you can see I still have some jars that are unused but,don't forget there's still a lot of work to do before we get to the point of refilling those shelves.Here in New England we get all excited about gardening the minute the temp goes above 40 degrees.This year that happened a little early however it wasn't long before Mother Nature brought us back to reality with a hard frost.

Some flowers like the cold .This one in particular was made just for hobbits,it's so close to the ground that you have to be really short to see it's beauty.It is a Hellebore's and loves the shade.When I cook at the barn it's the first thing I see when I drive up to the kitchen.

Off in the distance from the rye field is where the strawberries.blueberries and raspberries are growing.It's quite a walk for me to sneak a closer peek but, I'll head over when I know I can taste them

Always something to do .These are the logs that fell in the storm.
The widest one reaches my hip,so,we are waiting for more powerful equipment to cut and stack into cords.
Well May has crept up upon me and there is much to do so talk to you later........said the hobbit

So,what do you think?

Remember when I said I'd be right back to show you the rest of the project? Well as usual life got in the way. Not a problem,I'll just keep on as if it were yesterdays news.

These are the fingerless gloves I've been working on. I never seriously thought of selling my crafts ,but, I have been encouraged to do so in the past year,so I'm taking the plunge and giving it my best shot.My BFB(best friend Betty) is my cohort in this venture and so far we are still in the formative stage. I'm still working at the farm so finding time is still a problem, Betty is needed by her grandchildren. She is a true yaya.

So,tell me what you think? I found the pattern in Martha Stewarts' January 2009 Living magazine.Tweaked it here and there and came up with this. I will probably never tweet in my lifetime but,I can hardly look at something without wondering how I can make it different,more me.This sometimes gets me in trouble because people think I'm correcting or worst yet judging their work. Has that ever happened to you? Not a good thing.

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I met with my daughter to show her my latest projects and this young girl was our waitress.She said "You're not going anywhere till I can purchase a pair of those gloves". Now that's the kind of thing a crafter likes to hear. Of course I didn't get her name but,I did promise to return with more gloves.

Another creation came when I was doing the winter scarf .

I just loved the clean finish lines on the scarf and thought it would be great on headbands.

I just couldn't stop myself .They really are fun to make.Well I guess I've rattled on enough ,time to go knit.........................said the hobbit

Taking a ride

This past weekend we had the whole family over for the day .We had such a great time I forgot to take pictures.So I'll just have to tell you about a day trip Jiggsy and I took.You know him hubby/cooking student.Golf season is almost upon us so I don't think we'll be having too many cooking lessons till Nov.I don't golf so before he disappears for the next few months he tries to get in some together time.A few weeks ago,in mid-March,we took a ride to the beach. We are fortunate enough to be about 30 minutes from the Atlantic Ocean and 45 minutes from N.H. White Mountains.An awful wind storm had sparked a fire at the beach.

It burned a whole block to the ground.I couldn't get a better picture than this because when Jiggsy said we would take a ride to the beach he didn't think I actually wanted to stop.HELLO!!He's funny that way.

When I finally said "dear,I can't focus on the waves unless you stop" He said "Not a problem,your wish is my command" REALLY? The water was so calm that the seagulls were sunbathing out on the waves.Can you see them? Just beyond the surf?

So many places to stop and take a deep breath from the everyday hustle and bustle. I always wonder why I don't go more often.

The summer house has to be opened ,but,it'll have to wait till another time. Just kidding,but,this is someones summer place just not mine. I'll be back soon I've got a few new projects to show you........................said the hobbit

no more stitch holder

Ok ,this is for everyone out there who is making mittens and dislikes using a stitch holder. No matter what size holder you use it always seems to stretch the first and last stitches. Let begin.So this is where you would normally put the stitches on the holder.

Take a contrasting piece of yarn about 12 inches.I was putting 12 stitches aside,so, this was more then enough.Knit your stitches with the scrap yarn.Now thumb stitches are on the right needle.

Now slide them back on the left needle.

With your regular yarn knit right over your scrap yarn
and continue with your pattern like nothing happened.

When your mitten is done ,this is what your thumb area will look like on the outside.

This is how it appears on the inside.

From the inside,take out your contrasting yarn 1 stitch at a time.

You will be getting (for me)12 stitches at the top and 12 stitches at the bottom of the thumb.No need to fumble with picking up stitches they will all be there ready for you to knit your thumb.

Next time the finished project. Give this a try and if you have any questions feel free to give me a holler........................said the hobbit

An Easter gift

Hi everyone ,I've been crazy busy lately and neglecting my blog.I'm sorry about that.Easter dinner is at our home and between that, work, and garden planning I just can't seem to put 5 minutes together.Also, we have daylight saving time in these parts.Just when you least expect it someone takes away 60 whole minutes of your sleeping time, and I'm getting too old to adjust as quickly as I use to.Alright enough excuses.I want to tell you a little story.
Once upon a time I bought a beautiful painted egg at Christmas time ,1986 to be exact.I thought it would be a lovely tradition to start with my family and the addition of one every year seemed like a good idea.


Of course I never found the artist again nor did I find anything close in quality. This is all painted by hand. The egg has been blown out and the top decorated so you don't even see the hole.

Well to make a long story short,I was talking to my friend Pam about egg decorating for this year. I mentioned how I like Martha Stewarts eggs and the different shading she had achieved.She sends me this link saying if you like that what do you think of these? I was in shock .The eggs that I had searched for the last 25 years were right there in my computer.Now that's an unexpected present. Thank you Pam you made my day. Pam and her daughter are an extremely talented family. If you are looking for a new craft or browsing for ideas check out daughter Diane's site. Happy Easter to all........................said the hobbit