Making space

Between my husband arriving home from a job on Friday, my grandson's birthday on Saturday, and Easter on Sunday, I can tell you that not a whole lot of knitting or spinning happened for me. Yet, somehow, we managed to get all of the housework, and yardwork done by yesterday. We had a small water feature at one end of our patio, and decided to take it out. It's not really what I wanted in the very beginning anyway, and we've decided we could use the space for more seating, a table, or whatever we choose. So, we will be laying more flagstone to match what my husband did a couple of years ago when we took out a huge shrub in what was supposed to be a flowerbed that the previous owners put in. Anyway, it will be nice to have the space. We have such a great time when the grandkids come over to make s'mores around the firepit, or for the times when Scooter and I just want to sit in front of a fire on a cool night and have a glass of wine or a beer. Better pics to come when it's finished.

 

My grandson's 11th birthday was noisy, energized, and fun watching all the children attempt backflips on the trampoline, play tag around the yard, fill squirt guns up with water and chase each other. All while my teenage granddaughter and her best friend stayed inside and played video games, listened to their music and gossiped (did I mention they are 13?). Later on, my son-in-law bbq'd everyone dinner, I brought a yummy summertime salad, and then we all huddled around while the birthday boy blew out his candles. They grow up way too fast!

He asked for a new pair of inline skates, and Nana and Papa Chris delivered!

 

We kept Easter low keyed this year. Scooter and I wanted some 'alone' time, and my daughter was preparing for her new job. I've never seen someone so excited about waitressing. Haha! She's so cute though, and with her personality, it's perfect!! She's had several office type jobs, and it's just not for her. I'm very confident that she will have success. She's young, she's energetic, vibrant, and loves to have fun with people. It's what she wants to do, and that's the most important thing. We all completely support her, and I'll admit it...I'm a bit selfish and am looking forward to spending a lot more time with my grandkids. I'm actually excited with the task of picking them up from school, and they think it's pretty cool that grandma wants to ride bikes or play catch with them. Haha

Anyway, back to Easter...Scooter and I stayed home after we dropped off baskets of goodies around the corner to the grandkids. We bbq'd a couple of Porterhouse steaks, added a salad and some roasted brussel sprouts, and enjoyed dinner out on our cleaned up patio by candlelight. Very relaxing, for sure!!

 

I did say not much knitting happened, but after looking at my project, I did manage to get another repeat done on The Age of Brass and Steam, which I'm knitting out of my own handspun. I can't say it enough...there is nothing like knitting with handspun yarn! It is the best in every possible way!! I'm adding extra repeats to my shawlette/kerchief, so I can use as much of the skein as possible. I chose this pattern because I joined a knit-along with a group on Ravelry who is doing a "Spring Clean your Queue" for it. It had to be a pattern you have had in your queue prior to 2014. It's a plus if you use yarn that you've had in your stash prior to 2014. I meet both those criteria to qualify for a prize. That's not the reason I chose to join the Doubleknit podcast group to do this with though. My queue had built up to a ridiculous amount of patterns that I planned to knit. I think it's pretty safe to say if it's been sitting there since 2007, well, the chances were slim that it would be knit. I queued the design I'm knitting in April 2012, and while it's too warm to wear it for now, I will be all ready for it when fall and winter arrive! I can't hardly wait to choose my next pattern, but I'm actually thinking about completing a tunic I started last year called, Opal, by Louisa Harding. It would also be a lovely fall piece to wear when it rolls around again!

The Age of Brass & Steam

 

Opal...isn't she lovely? I'm not sure why I ever put this one down in the first place! It's knit from a beautiful linen, and the drape is amazing! Onward ho...

So, what's languishing in your queue? C'mon over and join us at the Doubleknit podcast group, get those projects knit, and clean your queue up at the same time! You still have time...the deadline isn't until June 30th.

 

Life is grand!!!