Are you thinking garden?

My mind keeps drifting to the garden,wondering how I can improve on last year. This wasn't how I dreamt it would end.

Right in the middle of harvest we had Hurricane Irene which left us with minor flooding in our yard and a twisted mix of weeds and produce sitting in about 6 inches of mud.

So I grabbed my little 3 prong hand tool and proceeded to rototille my garden. I know your probably thinking "Why didn't she have someone till it for her?",but, I'm crazy like that. It took 2 days of intense flipping and digging of my soil,and when it was done I certainly felt like I had won the battle.

Just check out what I found in the garden. Lots and lots of big fat juicy worms. They all said they would bring on a great harvest in the next garden and that I shouldn't throw in the towel quite yet.

The garden is only 12x15 feet. Ever year I try to extend the amount of growing space. This year will be no different. My son in law has made a few boxes which will give me more room to plant without the chore of turning over new soil. Just fill and plant. Sounds too easy doesn't it?

Anyway once that was done I went out and purchased some Cow A Dunga to feed said garden.Of course it's the end of January, the seed catalogues are arriving almost daily and I'm itching to get started. I definitely need more tomatoes...........maybe some turtle beans and green beans of course.......and cukes lots of cukes. What about potatoes? Should I try them.Hmmm........maybe we should call the rototiller guy......................said the hobbit

It's a Bittyful Friday

It's going to be one of those days..........rain, snow,darkness and gloom......I'm going back to bed.

A new challenge for 2012

Although I'm fairly confident with what I knit, I think I might be in a bit of a rut and need to venture out of the comfort zone,as they say. That's probable one of the best things about being in a knitting group. Ours is pretty laid back and there is no pressure to learn anything new. We just enjoy each others company and meeting every week gives us the push to finish projects that might sit in a knitting basket for months and become one of many NQF that crafters tend to gather. (NQF=NOT QUITE FINISHED)


Before the crazy holiday rush set in Cindi S. found this pattern at Jo Ann Fabric shop. Actually she found a photo by the yarn. Instructions were said to be on line,just a click away. Well as with many sites, this wasn't quite true. Instruction for the socks, minus the chart for the pattern, was the only thing available. Chart for the actual design would be forthcoming. Really? Of course, that didn't prevent our Cindi from moving forward with her project.

She just grabbed her paper and pencil and worked out the design herself. Using the photo as a guide, and the stitches required from the sock pattern, she was able to come pretty close.

I think they came out great! Somebody would be very lucky to get these,don't you think?But hold on she had to tweek just a bit more.

After finding these soles online what else could she do but turn them into a great pair of slippers. What do you think? Of course if you want to take the easy way out. The pattern and the chart are now both available HERE Hmmm maybe I'll take the easy way out..........................said the hobbit

It's a Bittyful Friday

SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO TAKE YOUR BAT AND BALL AND GO PLAY SOMEWHERE ELSE..................ya know what I mean?

It's a Bittyful Friday

I LOVE THIS BOOK.................SO MUCH TO LEARN, AND THOSE CHICKEN LOOK MIGHTY TASTY..... DON'T THEY?

The birthday cake

Between Christmas and New Years is dear Jiggy's birthday. Every year I try to do something special but, there have been times that it just didn't get done. This year was going to be different. He loves yellow cake with chocolate frosting and this was the year he was finally going to get one.


I have been trying to concentrate on more local so KING ARTHUR FLOUR located in Norwich Vt. was the natural choice to search for that special recipe. It wasn't long before I found this

CLASSIC YELLOW CAKE WITH FUDGE FROSTING It was perfect!! A one layer cake that would not be overwhelming for a person just getting ready to start that NewYears diet and yet rich enough to let him know that I didn't forget and yes his birthday is worth celebrating even if it does fall smack in the middle of the busiest holiday season.

I creamed my sugar and butter then added the eggs 1 at a time, then beat for 2 minutes till light and fluffy. The recipe called for plain yogurt (not low fat) well, would you believe that right after Christmas, due to slow deliveries , such a yogurt could not be found in all the 2 hours that I scoured our little towns grocery store. I settle for regular sour cream. After alternating my flour mix with the sour cream I lined a cake pan with parchment paper.Instructions implied removing the cake from the pan could be a problem.

I carefully spread the batter and popped it in the oven. Time was getting short,Jiggy would be home from work in just a few hours and I wanted to be finished before he arrived. He makes his own work hours so the possibility that he would walk through the door at any moment was in the back of my mind. Paranoia was setting in...........don't you think?

Baking done ..........seemed a bit high in the pan. Maybe it would come out in pieces!!!What would I do then? Hand him a plate full of crumbs while I sang Happy Birthday !!!!

Not to worry..........it came out clean and ready to frost.

Recipe for the fudge frosting makes enough to frost 3 cakes. Really......I'm not lying. They suggested letting it run over the cake and that the excess could be wiped with your finger should you so wish. As you can see, I did a lot of wishing...

Final results..............check out that smile. That's a happy camper. The single candle was a reminder that today we celebrate the first day of the rest of his life.....................said the hobbit

It's a Bittyful Friday

A TUTORIAL ON HOW TO BECOME ONE WITH THE TREE.

STEP 1......Ignore the tree......show it no interest

STEP 2.......W.hisper softly the beauty it possesses.

STEP 3........snuggle up and quietly become

ONE WITH THE TREE............SO SAYS BITTY

What we did at our knitting group

December was brimming with project meant for all the special people we know. Of course I wasn't going to post pictures of anyone's work until after they were gifted. People have spies you know.


There were mittens and socks scarves and a most delicate scarf being done for a 4 year old great granddaughter. No pattern here.......just a very dainty stitch that she called french ribbon. The knitter is from France and what struck us as amusing is that in France it is referred to as English ribbon............only it is said in french. What's up with that........very confusing for the hobbit.

On our last get together before the holidays we were 18 knitters and stitchers gather round for an evening of laughs and great progress on our projects.

Cindy S. was working on a table scarf done in wool with each individual pieces sewn with a blanket stitch.

Cynthiaaaaaaa as we call her brought all her lathe turned felters,seam rippers,pens and quilters aids for us to do a bit of local shopping.

I managed to finish 3 pair of fingerless gloves to start 2012 with a bang..........said the hobbit.