Thursday's Threads

There are a lot of evenings around this townhouse homestead when I am ready to turn in at the early hour of 7:30 p.m. but when I post to my blog, which has literally become my diary, I understand why I am tired. I am learning to make myself stop and sit, but to do this I have to have something to do when I'm sitting. Knitting is that thing. I would like it to be sewing, but sitting at the machine isn't quite as restful as knitting. 

I have absolutely no idea where this lovely and very soft coral colored yarn came from, but it's never ending and I still have a bit more to use. This week I came across a vintage knitting book and found the pattern for cuddle mocks, so I knit a pair. I made so many of these in every size when my children were younger, but this pair is for me. 

My new venture this year has yielded another pair of socks. This pair is a low cuff pair to wear with my sneakers. I have a very special skein of yarn coming to me via a trade my daughter made and I am so excited. It is multicolored and hand dyed. This pair makes my fourth pair, so that means I am averaging one pair a month. Not bad for a craft that is forcing me to stop and relax. 

Thank you for stopping by and peeking into my diary. Have a wonderful weekend and take the time to relax. 

Townhouse Homestead Tuesday

Finishing up the holiday baking and canning and have never been done this far ahead of the holiday. I've had so much fun trying new things and at my vintage age am learning so much. In the past I would stress the time to get things done, but this year I just let it go and it got done. Of course I worked all summer on my jams and jellies for gift giving. It feels good to know that I am NOT going to be up late nights finishing.

These are new to me this year. A young friend and I got together and made six batches of these no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies. They are so good and the recipe stretches to make plenty. After this day of cooking I discovered that the official name of these cookies is "Gorilla Poop Cookies". Of course we had the time of our lives laughing about it. I'm not only teaching but learning. Young people keep you alive.

Also new this year, yep never made candy before, are the crock pot peanut clusters, peanut butter fudge and peppermint bark. Now let me explain that we started shopping for some of the ingredients last spring. I was able to vacuum seal them so they'd be fresh when I wanted to use them. Our holiday budget was spread out over months instead of one big bill at holiday time.

I made one last batch of holiday canning (can't tell you what it is) and what we are doing for decorating is done. I will be getting to some sewing to make myself a few new things for this new chapter in my life and relax while doing it because I've planned well and can enjoy the holidays.

For freebies and almost freebies this week I have a sample of hair elastics with a coupon toward a purchase, more salt to bake with, two boxes of Jell-o pudding (one was given to me), and Eucerine hand treatment. I received a coupon for a free tube and when I got to the store it was buy one get one half price, so I got two for $3. At a regular price of $12 for both I think I did okay. It all adds up and I am grateful.

Busy, Busy, Busy.

For the last couple of weeks I have been trying to clean out boxes of stuff that were moved and that I had no idea what was in them. Some were marked and some were not. I've found projects started that I have been working on finishing. This week I finished another crib size quilt and a twin size afghan made of all leftover yarns for the Linus Project. Not wanting to throw the leftovers of the leftovers away, I have spent evenings after all chores are done crocheting these two and a half inch flowers and using my knitting knobby to make long knitted tubes. They are only as long as I have time to make them before turning in. I have ideas on how to use these. I don't know if I'll have the time, but at least the yarns are not being wasted or filling a landfill.
Other boxes were marked store inventory and I have been working on listing new items on my store. butterflyplace.etsy.com. It just seems like time is flying by and having time to do everything that I want to do isn't working to well. Time management is becoming top priority and I am learning that having fun blogging and stopping to smell the roses has become an urgent matter. I know the alarm is set for 3:15 am and that work starts early but I think for my own mental stability picking up the crochet hook, knitting knobby and making blankets for charity has done me wonders. I have more unfinished projects to work on and ideas for quilts from the tons of fabric that are filling my space. I hope to post some pictures of them in the next week so stay tuned. Until later I hope everyone has a wonderful week and I will watch for you all on your blogs.