Crochet Stitchin' and Hot Flash Bit*hen

I Am SAD tonight....

 My Sweet Little Bingo...

My very sweet little Bingo... 

I had to make the hardest decision a fur person's Mom could make today...

My little Bingo dog, who has been with me 18 years and who was already an angel, went to sleep today and has gone to be with her other furry brothers and sisters.

She is now is a true angel.

She was so very old and today she was suffering. I won't let my pets suffer in their last days...

I cried alot today and am crying now.

I will miss her forever... It will be very hard for awhile.

Annie misses her...

 

And...

 
Butterbean misses her...

 

We all miss her...

 

BINGO, I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART!!!

Goodbye my little friend...

Until we meet again...

And, I'm sure we will...

Hanni-belle the Canni-belle alias; Boodgie-Boodgie...

Do you see it?

  
 No!!!

It is not cute!

Do not think it is cute!

It is an ornery cat!

It's evil little mind is thinking of the next evil little deed that it will act upon bringing mayhem to it's cat brother and cat sister or maybe even it's owner.

It lies in wait for it's cat brother and sister and then attacks!

It rules the house, yard & bed

 and

wants to take over the world!

It's owner will call it and when it gets within petting distance it will run away!

See it's little face?

 

It is not a happy face it is a scheming little evil minded varmit! 

It will let it's owner pet it for a little while then it will bite it's owner!

Yes, the nice lady who feeds it and gives it a nice warm home.

Hence the name "Hanni-belle the Canni-belle".

Nickname: "Boodgie-Boodgie"

Evil cat!

But we love it anyway...

 
 
 It is cute when it sleeps!

It is soft when it lets us pet it!

And it's motor runs under it's own power with a little catnip bribe...

 

It likes to "help" me type. 

But, don't be fooled it is still and ornery cat!

 

On the other hand...

This...

 

Is 

"Handsome"

Nickname "Hairy Larry"

He is the biggest sweetest cat that I've had the honor of sharing my nest with.

He is a huge cat with a long skinny tail.

He, has aquamarine colored eyes.

He, is so regal and he talks alot.

He does not like it when his food dish is empty.

And he tells me loudly that he does not.

He had a twin brother "Butterscotch" and they used to take long naps together on the bed.

Butterscotch was kind of shy.

But, "Butterscotch" didn't come home one day. 

I think "Handsome" misses him sometimes. 

I know I do.

"Handsome" likes to sit on my lap and shed big piles of cat hair all over me.

That's okay though.

Because...

 

I Love him a whole lot!

 

This pretty girl is...

 

"Butterbean"

She is my little angel feather cat.

She is a Norwegian Forest Cat.

She has golden eyes.

And, very long white whiskers.

Her nickname is

"Miss Fluffy Britches"

She has fluffy britches.

She is very quiet and barely speaks,

unlike "Handsome" who is quite vocal.

Of the cats, I've had her the longest.

She loves me the most and will sit on my lap for hours while I do needlework.

She sheds really bad too!

 

I Love her Alot!

 

And these...

 

Are Woman's best friends...

"Bingo" the mutt and "Annie" the Schnauzer.

Bingo is around 17 years old. 

And is as deaf as a post.

Annie is 10 or 11 years old.

Annie can't see like she used to.

Bingo traveled all over the United States with me when I was driving truck,

long hauling. 

She loves me with all her heart...

I love her back with all my heart!

Annie is one of the sweetest dog people I have ever known.

She is so gentle and so smart.

She loves me with all her heart.

I love her back with all my heart!

They are my little buddies.

Where would we be without critters?

 

As Chief Seattle said;

"What is man without the beasts?

If all the beasts were gone, men would die from great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to man.

All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the children of the earth."

Chief Seattle - Suqwamish & Duwamish

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Healing... Sunshine... and Pretty things...

 

Hello fellow bloggers!

This is my Mother's Day bouquet, that still looks good enough to share with you all on this beautiful day!

So sorry it has been so long but my recovery has taken longer than anticipated.

Here are a couple of photos of my ankle and why I have been gone...

This is the front of the left ankle

 

This is the side of the left ankle.

It's much better now that the hardware has been removed.

It still looks kinda bad but it is really alot prettier than it was right after surgery.

It is not so sore and I think will be a bunch better when I start going for my walks again. To get my chubby little bum in shape.

***

Now, onto pretty things, and the project I have been working on.

Actually, the yarn is quite a bit brighter than in the finished photo on the web site and I am glad the colors are brighter.

I used white instead of the "Taupe" (gag).

The sun is shining today and the little throw is finished being crocheted!

That is one great thing about convalescing, you have an excuse to sit and "Croshayallday"!

But...

Now comes the task of joining the squares to make the throw or table cover as it were.

I was dreading the putting together of all these little buggars but it really hasn't been so bad.

On with the good stuff!

Crochet!!!

 
Here is a portion of a finished strip.

I love the colors!

So nice for spring and you wouldn't believe how soft the yarn is.

It is a bamboo yarn.

A bit pricey, but I have used Red Heart so many years it is okay to splurge once in awhile.

These are the makings for the next strips...

I did get all the little ones sewn...

See the little square on the left? Those are the little ones. They are 2"x2".

A little tedious but all twelve sets are done.

Whew! 

I'm so glad to be back.

Blogging has really helped open my eyes to the simple beauty that surrounds me each and every day.

Thanks for reading, and I promise it won't be so long between posts.

A beautiful day and a walk to the mail box awaits.

See you next time!

 

Snow... Snow... and more snow!!! And... A Very Pretty New Project!

You know that beautiful stillness that comes over the world when it snows? That quietness that is so rare in our busy world? I'm lucky enough to live in the country where I can enjoy it. I soaked in the hot tub last night with the snow tickling my face. It felt so-o-o-o-o-o-o-o g-o-o-d!!! Anyway, it snowed all night, all morning and it is now past noon. And yes, still snowing!

Gray and cold outside and warm and toasty inside...

Here is the cure for winter snow... Hot tea in one of my favorite mugs

 and

 lazy orange cranberry bread with a pot of crocheted flowers.

Ahhhhhhhhh.... That makes me feel better already!

I also started a new throw. The yarn is fine and I think it would make a wonderful tablecloth.

The pattern is at Caron and it is the Woodcliff throw.

Isn't it pretty?

I found that you have to use a waaaaay smaller hook to get the correct guage though.

I bought the Spa yarn, and decided I am using the off white color instead of the taupe because I think taupe is icky!

Taupe IS NOT a color?! (see?)

I mean really?!

Here are a couple of squares I worked up with this yummy yummy yarn. It feels like silk!

Doesn't the white look clean and pretty?

And...

  
What makes a needleworker more happy than a box of yarn?

Another box of yarn of course!

Isn't it wonderful?!

 I think of the miles of yarn and thread and whatever that I have crocheted, knit, whatever over 50 years and it just makes me tingle all over when I buy new yarn and I have a guest room full!

I am a sick woman I tell you! I love yarn!

I'm kind of a frugal yarn buyer though and usually settle for what is on sale or use the old standby Red Heart. But... This was a bit spendy and oh so yummy worth it. It has bamboo in it and it's silkiness is delicious!

It is a treat to work with such a lovely yarn. And, I think I'd like to make a shrug or cardi to wear. There are some nice patterns for those too at Caron.

I will have plenty of time to work on my project as I went to the Orthapaedic surgeon today and will be getting some hardware removed from my left ankle in a couple of weeks.

Is that a great excuse or what to sit on my b*** for a few days and heal and crochet?! YAY!!!

Now it's time for some quick housework B4 the hubby gets home...

And... Yes, it's still snowing... Sigh...

 

 

 

Button love... And a new project...

Wow! Ebay is a wonderful thing! Can you believe over a pound of buttons for craftin' and crochetin'!!!

There are a couple in here that will go just wonderfully on my next project... A carry-all (mostly yarn) bag. Either done in straight rounds or maybe a ripple pattern... Hmmmm? I just want it big and soft and colorful and full of yarn! Yesssssssssss!!! The sun was shining just at the right time to take this snap... I think it turned out quite lovely!

Update on the camera case...

Though I liked the pretty colors, my little case needed some decoration. So, I decorated it... WOWSA! It feels much better now and is much happier! My little camera said Ahhhhhh... When I put it to sleep last night...

Here is the previously (naked) camera case I crocheted. I jazzed it up a little with a flower and some leaves... It is so pretty!

Here it is all nestled in my yarn bag... See the little opening in the top? That is where the wrist strap threads through. It's almost like a little fashion for your wrist...

Next we have my beloved and expensive (gulp...) Etimo crochet hooks... I am In LOVE with these hooks... They glide through your projects... They are a rare and elusive animal though... So hard to find... 

I had spied a couple of reviews about them then set out on the hunt for a set... Luckily there was a set on Ebay and I won them. Though the DH doesn't know the true cost... Ahem... We girls do have to have a little secret once in a while and... I don't care they are worth it... I would have paid double!

I have many sets of hooks... Aluminum Susan Bates, Bamboo, plastic, the Tulip comfort ones, beautiful Brittany black walnut, Addi, and Tulip gold... But, the Etimo are the diamonds of the bunch!

Aren't they Bee-U-tee-ful??? Like I said I LOVE  them!!!

Here is my little cell phone charm that I saved to be used a little more delicately than on a cell phone as they do have a hard life... Sooooooo. After I adopted my hooks I put the charm on the inside zipper of my crochet helper pocket...

I love this little charm and bought it from a little etsy shop... It has my Virgo sign on it and the beautiful peridot color I love... I'm sorry that I don't remember which shop it was... But if you know I will be more that glad to give the shop a shout out...  

I also LOVE my new little camera. I have really been studying the manual and it really has some cool features... Thanks for reading... I'm really new at blogging but so far it is so much fun!

Time to Croshay... And have a cup of tea...That's how I spell it... That's what I love to do...

Hippie Chick Afghan...

Is this the grooviest afghan or what?

 
I found this photo in an old vintage crochet book from the 70's. It has so many little hidden "charms" in it. I want to try one myself. Just think of the possibilities! What a fantastic idea! I can't wait to start some sketches of some of my favorite things to hook into my hippy, happy hippie chick afghan. I am just about finished with my soft waves and this is one I can slowly build while I work on something else. Oh what fun!

Crocheted Waves, Color and Sunshine, and a new camera case...

What a beautiful day! I woke up the sun is shining. My beautiful afghan project was draped across my chair. 
The orange, gold and olive afghan was hooked by my paternal Grandma Connie. You can tell it was made in the 70"s can't you?  

 
I am sipping a cup of tea with my last piece of pumpkin bread. Delicious! And planning the day. Another trip to town. Groceries and a stop at the post office to retrieve a couple of packages. Little doo-dads I won on ebay.

I made a little "sock" for my new camera. Just a little something to protect it from bumps and bruises and to keep the LCD from scratching. I made it just snug enough to stay put without flaps and closures etc, that way I can just slip it off and away I go. Pretty colors and very functional. I used yarn that I purchased in the bargain bin at Wal Mart. Red Heart Strata... Small skeins and I was looking for a small project that I could use it for. Something useful I could enjoy everyday.

Like I tell my grandkids. There is nothing you can't crochet. Time for the Biggest Loser and add a few more rows to the afghan... Goodnight!

Snow... Pumpkin Bread, Tea & Tamales...

   I woke up to snow today. Big flakes, little flakes, a big flake looking out at the little flakes... The big flake decided to bake a  lazy loaf of pumpkin bread... (note pumpkin colored font) I say lazy loaf because it used the Krusteaz dump it out of a bag, mix in 3 magic ingredients and Voila! Years ago that would have been a sacrilege not spending the hours baking from scratch, But the family is raised and quick, easy and tasty are the key words! Very tasty though and the crust is Oh so crispy! Steep a cuppa Oolong to sip along with it and life is good!   Here is my cup sitting on my coaster that I crocheted last night.

 

Just finished my cuppa and a couple of slices of pumpkin bread slathered with melting butter... (I know shame, shame!) And the cutest little hispanic lady comes around the neighborhood some Saturdays with the freshest, hot, most delectable handmade tamales... And... If you could only smell them... Incredible!!! I know what I'm having later for Linner (that's lunch and dinner!) Mmmmm! Tamales!

 

 

Mmmmmmm Salad!!!

What a beautiful smiley sunshiney day! I sat in my rocking chair in the corner of my living room this morning and let the sun shine on my face whilst I sipped my mug of coffee with a touch of Toffee Coffeemate. The warmth of the sun chased out some of the winter cold that has set in around here. Ahhhhh!

I had to take my desktop to town Monday as it had slo-o-o-o-o-wed down and froze up so much the last few months I couldn't take it anymore!!! So I suffered through the slowness (molasses in January slow) of my laptop all week... Sigh!!! It is going to the computer Dr. as soon as I can get it into town...

I was on my way to town (round trip 25mi) and stopped at the post box and my new camera is here! My new camera is here! YAY! And my computer is fast! Life is good!

I can't wait to try it out but it will take a bit of reading to get it operational... My... They are complicated little buggers aren't they?

I also found myself in the yarn aisle at Yall-Mark... (That's what my little GD calls Wal-Mart) Yes in the yarn aisle, for the second day in a row... Shame is what I should be feeling but... How can there be shame in something that makes me so happy! YARN! YARN! YARN! Delicious! A bag full of yarn, a new pair of blue jeans and some new longsleeved men's T shirts. Almost made it out of the store but... Then there was CHOCOLATE! I had to buy a bag... Naughty, naughty! ;0)

Lucy at Attic 24 has me so inspired. I started a Soft Wave afghan for my oldest GD and it is already gorgeous... Photos to come...

In the meantime... If you remember the salad I fixed the other night for dinner? Well here is a photo of the remains... In my favorite hand thrown Big Bread making bowl. Just a basic green salad but oh so crisp and crunchy!

Excuse the new vitamins and a few dishes needing attended to in the sink! I just thought the little tidbits looked nice in the bottom of the bowl.

I feel a cup o' tay coming on with a piece or two of chocolate.  And it's that time of night when it's time to crochet a bit... Yawn...... G'night......

Beautiful Winters Day...

It is happy sunny today, and the sun is warm. I sipped my coffee and lit a stick of Nag Champa incense. The sun is shining through the windows warming the house and it is a little break before the next storm as we have had a little northwest drizzle here in the desert of the southwest.

I think country pork ribs the meaty ones are on the menu for dinner tonight and something new for a side dish. I have to run to town to get a few things and for me that is about a 25 mile round trip for me, it is a long way between here and anywhere in Nevada. Vitamins replenishment for one. Flax oil, fish oil, vitamin D, and a muliti... Seems like they all ran out at the same time. Also have to pick up dog and cat food for the furry kids. And a quick stop at the grocery store or some fresh fruits and veggies and some lunchie stuff for DH lil D.

I can't wait to get my new to me camera I won on ebay. It is the same one used by Lucy on her blog Attic 24, of which I am a groupie!!! I love her blog it is one of those places on the internet that makes you want to wake up in the morning! And her camera takes extraordinary photos! I hope this on will too!

I am on a big reduce, recycle, rearrange, redecorate and recharge around here. Get rid of clutter and only keep the true unique treasures that I have collected over the years. Also, organize, organize, organize! Especially my yarn... It and my crochet patterns and books are hither and yon. It is a sad state of affairs. lol!

I wish everyone a super sunny day! Time for me to get some things done around here...