play time for me

Have absolutely no time lately,I guess that's what happens when you get obsessed with tightening


your belt However, I do take a break every now and then and this is when I pick up my needles and knit a row or two while I sip on my coffee.These are hand towels, the kind that won't fall on the floor after someone wipes their hands and walks away. I think they would look great just about anywhere. I found the instructions at Canadian Living
They have new patterns available all the time.Usually it ranges from beginner to intermediate. They knit up rather quickly, I have two sets completed and I'm trying to keep from starting a third. Of course I like to think the finishing touch is my choice of a perfect button. I have a 3rd generation button box. I have no idea where or when this button joined the team ,but,I think it's a perfect match for these towels. It's not a huge prezzie but, it will be one from the heart and hands and that's what we are trying to do this year.How about you?Are you making any Christmas presents?Maybe some of these will make a special birthday present for someone.I'm kinda getting the hang of this one handcrafted present a month. Just make it and tuck it away for the end of the year. I'll just go to my secret stash in December and do my shopping there. He he no malls for me. Of course I must confess it's been many years since I actually went to the mall.I went to do my Christmas shopping about 20 years ago. I had my $500 in hand and was ready to purchase well thought out gifts that I had agonized over. My list was complete and exact.I came out of the mall about 4 hours later with all my money spent and none of my gifts being exactly as I had imagined. I heard ever excuse that day from salespeople. With a big smile they informed me that what I wanted was no longer available or the color was currently out of stock or they had never heard of a certain product. It was then that I decided that Mr. Big Business was not getting any of mine. For several years I rounded up the children,sometimes with friends and took them events or places like the Boston Museum of Science for the day and that was how we celebrated the holidays.Just being together was enough for me to make it a special day. Of course I can't

come up with the perfect present for everyone but,now that I have my friends at stitch and bitch,maybe we can come up with a present swap that would give me a more mixed bag of prezzies. Maybe one of you would be willing to exchange presents? I am currently knitting these socks.The original pattern has them about 5 inches above the ankle. I like a longer look. They ask for a 1 inch cuff,I prefer 2.The Celtic knot pattern is repeated 4 times in the pattern and I did it 6 times giving me a knee sock rather than mid calf. The material is 100% merino wool.It's machine washable and although they say drying on low is OK,I would let them air dry. So what do you say anyone out there want to trade prezzies?I could also use some ideas for the men in our family. What do you think is a well received manly gift? It's always a tough call and now that I'm starting so early maybe,I can come up with something that will be just right.

Well it's getting to be that time.The garden can't wait any longer. Although we still have minor amounts of snow and the ground is not completely thawed there is much work to do. I'll try my best to get back to you as soon as possible I have so much more to tell. I received an award from Connie ,a new friend I have found since joining blog land.
I hope to tell you all about it before it becomes old news................said the hobbit

Back in the old days

Wow!!End of March???Where does the time go.

Everyday I planned on stopping by to talk to my friends but,there was always some oh so pressing thing that had to be done. The pantry project is going well. I have 2 grocery list going I write down supplies that I'm out of or think I'm going to need.However I only purchase what I will actually use in the next 2 days. Here in the United States we tend to over purchase.We have biggied up and it's not easy to break the habit. A lb of lunch meat is definitely more than one needs to make 2 sandwiches,so, I've been putting it in the mac and cheese with other things and trying to buy less next time I shop. Also grade 2 veggies are being roasted with evoo,balsamic vinegar,garlic and a little s&p. This has become a favorite because it's always ready. Whatever I can get on sale is roasted and keep in the fridge to round out a meal or just pick at.Stuffed in a pita with salad dressing and greens is also good.

Then we have pesto!!How we love this stuff. Over cream cheese it makes an excellent cracker spread. Saute garlic mushrooms and onions and toss over pasta and you have a nice dinner. Have shrimp chicken or leftover sandwich meat and that works too. My shopping for 2 days usually can last 3,4,or even 5 days.
My only problem right now seems to be that I'm always prepping cooking or cleaning up. How our parents and grandparents pull this off,I'm not quite sure. Of course the fact that this is also my line of work really makes it feel like I'm always in the kitchen. There has to be a balance here,I've sworn off take-out for a year and I'm sticking to it..Must be off to work now but,I'll be back to show some of my knitting that has helped me keep my sanity.................said the hobbit

Down on the farm

Last Sunday I had the chance to visit with my
brother and his wife in their little corner of the world. They have been very busy lately with new baby lambs. These little twins were about 2 weeks old in this photo. They're not very shy,the minute we came close they seem to want their photo taken. Of course, mama was close by and they might have thought I had food to hand out however I prefer to think they just liked me. This was not the only set of twins,unfortunately things did not go as well with the last set. They were about 4 days old and the mother had stepped on one of the babies severely injuring its shoulder. My sister-in-law had them in the house and was doing her best to nurse that little baby back to health.

Off in the distance are the little goats peeking out of the window. I didn't get as close as I would have liked. Although I certainly should have known better,I was poorly dressed to go walking around the grounds. My brother has a beautiful piece of property that I hope to explore a little more in depth when the weather is more suitable. Beyond the goat house and trees is a range of mountains that some people only see when they vacation. They have this view every time they look out their window. The work is hard but they believe the effort has been worth it. I have to say I agree.


This sweety was one of my favorites. Isn't she gorgeous. I have forgotten her name or if she even has one.What am I saying my sister-in-law treats these animals like family,I'm sure this one has a name.Somewheres under all that wool there are two big eyes staring at you . I know because my brother pulled back that mass of fuzz and showed them to me. I just fell in love with her. Also a major attraction was VERMONT a ram that had a building all to himself. In my excitement,I accidentally erased his photo so this is another reason I have to go back to the farm.
By the way, those of you who are interested in my eating out of the pantry project,February's total was $4.31 a day.This gives me a year to date total of $177.10 ,not too shabby and knowing is a good thing. I have to keep reminding myself that this is about finding out how much I actually spend on food during the year and not a competition as to how low can you go. February saw a treat of local lobster and shrimp that increased the total. I still have enough shrimp in the freezer to enjoy another 5 meals. I think it was worth it.....................said the hobbit

February prezzie

Well as you know,this year I and many others are

making an effort to create 1 Christmas present per month. This is what I made for February. It's a shawl similar to the one I made for Sarah last Christmas. This one is in hues of purple to lavender. It was one of the first attempts by Liz over at Riverslea to make a hand dyed fingering yarn. I absolutely love the way it handles.

An added bonus to this present comes from my friend Cynthia. She is a wood-turner.Before I even met her,she had made this great looking holder for the shawl. She joined our stitch&bitch on Tuesday nights and when she showed us what she did in her spare time,I was sure this would be a perfect match.

Well as you see, I need to find the shovel and clean off the porch .

It seems winter is still alive and well in N.H..................................said the hobbit