Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Spring is trying to come back!


Hi Everyone!  I hope everyone is having a good early Spring where ever you are in the country.  I know some of you are still getting snow or snow squalls and for that I am sorry.  It has been chilly here this week and the end of last.  The plants aren't acting like it though, they are blooming and thriving!  I love this time of year with all things awakening.  I follow a woman on IG who has a farm up in the mountains of NC and it is lambing season.  Those little lambs are jumping around and baaing for their mamma's.  They are so cute.  John and I had a farm in NJ and we raised sheep.  This time of year those little lambs are so cute but lambing season is very demanding and alot of hard work.  Atleast you have the reward of seeing those cute little faces and all the hopping and jumping they do!

I received some roses from Jackson and Perkins and some dahlia tubers from Petal Pickers in Greenville, SC.  I still have to till up the gardens where I want to plant them.  We had alot of rain so that put it on hold for a little bit.  I really have to do that maybe on Monday.  This week has been busy.  I went to Harris Teeter yesterday to get my groceries and I always buy a few bunches of flowers and make 3 bouquets for around the house.  Well they had these beautiful white lilies (I think they are called Casablanca) and they were gorgeous.  They came home with me and so did some baby's breath and some miniature pink roses.  Here is one of the bouquets:

Easter Bouquet I made.



I painted the 2 rocking chairs I had on the front porch.  My parents had them on the front porch of their house in NJ.  They were bought many, many years ago from Cracker Barrel.  They were very weathered, so I sanded them lightly and painted them black.  I love how they turned out.  I also finally put the bird feeder together.  It didn't come with any directions, so that was a little challenging at first but then I figured it all out.  I love how it looks and the birds have found it!  

These are the chairs that are all done and the bird feeder.

This is what the chairs looked like before I painted them black.  I think they look much better!

I was able to go down to visit Jenny and the boys last week.  We had a great time!  I brought Riley also.  He ran around their fenced in backyard like it was his job!  It was wonderful for him.  We went to lunch in Lake City and then we went to my favorite place Forest Lake Greenhouses.  I bought 2 azaelas, 1 Lady Banks Rose, another rose and lemon thyme.  While I was at Jenny's I was able to snap a photo of one of her many camellias.  This one was so pretty!

Camellia at Jenny's House

I decorated the house for Easter a little bit the end of last week.  I have a collection of bunnies, but I really love this bunny in the arrangement on my Dining Room table.  The dough bowl everything is in was handcarved by my Dad.  It was one of the last things he made before he passed away.  I think I have to get some more of that Spanish Moss that is dyed green, it seems to be shrinking every year.  


This little bunny I bought almost 35 years ago!  It is handcarved and has this little basket on it's back filled with eggs.

I was going through some old photos and it also showed up in Memories on FB of the boys when they were little.  They were watching the squirrels playing in the backyard when we lived in Mint Hill, NC.  I love those boys!  Then there is our wedding picture.  I love that photo of John and I!!  The other one is me with a group of my friends celebrating my birthday a few years ago.  We had such a great time that night!

Celebrating my birthday with friends 2020.  I am the second from the right.

The boys many years ago watching squirrels in the backyard of our Mint Hill, NC house.  They group up so fast.  Owen will be 13 in July and Jack will be 11 in April.

Our wedding 8.11.79.  One of the happiest days of our lives!


I was watering my orchids and misting them the other day.  I saw a little bud scape coming out on one.  I think the others won't bloom this year.  I think the move shocked them.




Orchid with a little budscape on it.

The last photo I'm going to share and then I really have to get some more things done in the house, is a sunrise I took a few days ago!  It looked like the sky was on fire.  Just beautiful!
Sunrise in my backyard.

Well I think I have caught you up on everything.  I really hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Hugs,

Sherri


Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Drift Cowl Knitting Project All Done

 Hi Everyone!  Well it is another rainy day here!  I think it is supposed to rain until Sunday.  It is bringing all the flowering trees, daffodils, quince, and regular trees out.  I see green everywhere, which is wonderful!  I love this time of year!

I finished the Lucky Coasters I was working on and then I picked the Drift Cowl up and finished that last night.  The Lucky coasters and the Drift Cowl were all designed by Margaret at Heidi and Lana.  I buy all my yarn from her and I love her designs.  The Drift Cowl yarn, pattern and goodies were in her Winter Box.  I really love her projects.  I've just ordered the Spring box.  Can't wait to see what the project is.  She said it is something to do for the home.  Here are both projects completed.

Lucky Coasters-just in time for St. Patrick's Day!

Drift Cowl

Closeup of Drift Cowl

This is taken from ravelry.com courtesy of Heidi and Lana.  This is Margaret wearing her Drift Cowl she made.  The pattern is available on Raverly.com and her yarns are available on her website:  heidiandlana.com.


I will go back to working on my Travertine Throw, which was also designed by Margaret.  I am using her Patreon Monthly Mini Skeins for my throw with Farmhouse in between the colored oblongs.  When I get further along I will share that with you.

Everyone have a wonderful day!


Sherri


Saturday, March 2, 2024

Be Aware of Your Pets with Yarn

 Hi Everyone!  Yesterday after I posted my last post, I had something happen to me that has never, ever happened with any of my pets before.  I had completed knitting the Lucky coaster and put all my supplies back in my yarn basket (which I keep up on the couch so Riley can't bother it).  Well I went in my office/craft room to look something up on the computer.  About 5 minutes later I heard Riley gagging and choking.  I ran out and he was in the hallway.  I saw a trail of yarn (2 different colors) coming out of his mouth.  I started to pull the yarn out and I couldn't believe how much he had swallowed.  It was like the clown acts that they have scarves coming out of their sleeves or mouths.  I got it all out and he never had stopped breathing thank goodness.  He gave me a scare I don't ever wish to repeat.  Below is a photo of the yarn I got out of his mouth, throat and it had to have gone down even further.  


The dark green yarn I had rolled most of it back on the ball before I took the photo of what was in him.  The lighter green yarn represents the true amount he swallowed.  

Very scary and I now keep my yarn in a basket with a lid so he can't help himself.  I think it scared him as much as it did me!  

I'm just glad he didn't stop breathing or have other complications.

Have a wonderful weekend!


Sherri

Friday, March 1, 2024

Happy First Day of March!

 Happy first day of March my friends!  I don't know about where you are but it is chilly, gray and rainy here today.  Not a great beginning to this month, but I've been knitting and reading.  

This is another good day to drink hot tea and that is what I am doing right now.  I took Riley out and got so cold.  I thought it would be good to have hot tea to warm up a bit.

Talking about Riley, yesterday he decided he wanted to spend some time just sitting (very regal I might add) on my bed for part of the afternoon.  He does this every once in a while.  He usually needs to be right up against me.  Here is the photo I snapped yesterday.  Sorry some of it is a shadow, but I still think he looks very regal!



I had gone to Harris Teeter on Monday to do my grocery shopping, I had picked up some roses and baby's breath.  I was able to make 3 different arrangements with them.  I put one in my room in the vase that was my Grandma's.  This morning when I woke up they looked so beautiful against the wall, I decided to take some photos.  This is what I took with my phone.






I thought they look so pretty and I especially like the one with the black background.  

Because it is raining here today and no walks in the park could be done, I decided to knit the Lucky coasters (I got one done) from Heidi and Lana.  I have 3 more to go.  Just in time for St. Patrick's Day!  The one I took a photo of needs to be washed and blocked when the others are done.


Yesterday I hung my Spring/St. Patrick's Day wreath on the front door also.  I made this wreath when I lived in SC.  It brings freshness to the door.  I'm still working on the pattern for the stained glass window for the door.  I lost momentum and I also was trying to draw the last flower part for the window.  I'm having a hard time deciding whether I should have the last flower partially opened or another fully opened one.  I don't want to make a mistake because once I start cutting it is pretty much the way it is going to be or I be wasting glass.  I'm going to work on it this weekend and decide.



I truly love this time of year!  It means renewal for me, new beginnings, flowers, trees coming back with their leaves and flowers, and this year it will be a labor of love creating all my new gardens!  I'm ready for this season!

Everyone have a lovely weekend and remember to take some time for yourself.  

Hugs,

Sherri

Monday, February 26, 2024

Spring is On Its Way!!

Hi Everyone!   I am pleased to announce Spring is on its way for sure in the little town of Rockwell!  The daffodils are blooming, the Star and Saucer Magnolias are blooming and the weather is getting warmer. It was 71 degrees here today!   I also hear the birds chirping loudly in the morning when I let Riley out.  They sound wonderful!

I have been spending alot of time going to the Park with Riley.  Usually walking 2 miles.  It is good for him and good for me!  I noticed the other morning when I took him out that he is morphing more into an adult dog now and not so puppy looking.  Here you can see for yourself:

Riley 1.25.2024-5 months old.


He acts like a gentleman most of the time at the park now when he passes people, but sometimes he just can't help himself.  Especially if someone says he's cute or wants to pet him.  I had trouble getting him back in the car to come home today!  He weighs a little over 50 lbs. now, so that was no easy fete.

I went out into the backyard today and guess what was blooming!  Tiny little purple violets-2 clumps of them and I see more getting ready to bloom.  Here is a photo (photo not that great because Riley started jumping around):


The moon has been so beautiful the last few nights.  Last night I turned my outside light off and got some really beautiful photos.  Here is one:


Last Friday I decided I had neglected my orchids long enough.  I took all of them out of their pots, cleaned up their roots, rinsed them off, sprayed their roots with hydrogen peroxide and then planted them in new soil.  I had to repot one because it got so large and one had a baby with it's own root system in it.  They are doing so much better now.  I also repotted a Christmas Cactus that needed refreshing.

Repotted Christmas Cactus.

Repotted orchids.


With St. Patrick's Day right around the corner, I decided the house needed a little green.  I can also keep these things out for Easter too.

Just a little green and grape hyacinth.  It isn't real but it looks it.  I've had it for years, I think about 25 years.  I bought it at Pottery Barn.

A little green on my Dining Room table.

The little statues of the Irish couple is from Ireland.  My friend, Jean brought them back for me on one of her many trips about 30 years ago.  I also knitted the table runner.  I thought it would look good on this little side table.  It is actually a small piecrust edged drop leaf table.  I use it as a little table beside my Pumpkin Pine Stepback Cupboard.


I have been knitting alot too (when it was so cold to go out).  I'm working on the Heidi and Lana Drift Cowl.  I just started yesterday Heidi and Lana Lucky Coasters for St. Patrick's Day.  I don't have enough knitted though to show you yet.  I will when I have one done.  Here is what I've done with the Drift Cowl:

Drift Cowl in progress.

Well I hope everyone is getting some warmer weather or a hint of Spring also.  Everyone have a lovely day!


Sherri

Thursday, February 1, 2024

Planning my Stained Glass Window and Riley

I hope this post finds you all doing well. I hope it is as sunny at your place today as it is here in Rockwell! Finally the sun has made an appearance!  We have had alot of rain and gray, cloudy days lately.  It is so nice to have some sunshine.

Well I have finally measured and set down to draw my pattern for the stained glass window I'm making for my front door.  Here is what I have so far:

Start of the stained glass pattern.

I am sketching morning glories fully opened, buds and I will be drawing a partially open one or another fully opened one.  There will be leaves (I've already included some) in different color greens.  I am trying to decided whether I used glue chip (Frosted Glass) or antique seed glass.  I cannot wait until I finish this and install it!  Should be a beauty with the light streaming in!

The adventures of Riley!  I took Riley twice to the Granite Quarry Park.  He had a blast and we walked 2 miles!  Needless to say, he was one tired pup when we were done.  We came home both times and he slept for 2-3 hours.  It is good for him (and me) to get this kind of exercise.  Here are some photos:

Riley at the Park watched the Canadian Geese and Ducks.  He was also resting from the 2 mile hike.

On the wooded part of the path, a brook runs down the middle and this little waterfall was so pretty.

One of the resident ducks at the Park.

Beautiful pond and fountain at the Park.

Geese at the pond.

Trail through the wooded park of our walk in the Granite Quarry Park.

Pond at the Park.

Riley all tuckered out after his 2 mile jaunt around the Park.

I was also able to get the Guest Room bed all together.  I ordered a mattress in a box from Amazon, thinking that would be high enough.  Well I was wrong.  I ordered a box spring in a box and put it together.  It didn't take 5 minutes that's all I'm saying LOL!!  I got it all together with clean sheets and bedding.  I think this room will be cozy for my guests.

Guest Room

I need to get painting some pictures to hang in here.  I need to decorate a bit more in here also.  

When the moon was full last week, I took a few photos:

Full Moon from the backyard.

Behind Main Street there is a water tower here in Rockwell.  It was super dark when I took this photo during the full moon.  My flash on my phone made it bright.  I also think it looked like an old photo.  I love it!

This was the water tower at sunset.

I have been knitting, reading, listening to audiobooks and watching Heartland on TV.  I never watched it before and my sister, Sue kept saying you need to watch it, you need to watch it.  I love it!!  Right up my alley-HORSES!!  I have ridden since I was a child and I have loved horses I swear since the day I was born!  This show just makes me love them even more.  Now I know they are alot of work and expense but I always felt they were worth it.  I have many fond memories of my horses:  Mohawk, Duke, Melody, Teddy, Oberek and Dan.  Those horses got me through some times in my life and I am forever thankful to them!

Well off to the stained glass table!  Everyone have a lovely afternoon and evening!

Sherri


Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Planning my Gardens at the New House



I hope this post finds all of you well, warm and happy!  The past week the weather has been so horrible I think for everyone!  The one morning I got up and it was 12 degrees.  That is cold for our area here in NC.  

I have been planning out my gardens for here on paper.  I went ahead and bought 2 dahlia tubers from Petal Pickers in Greenville, SC.  I have bought from them over the years and there dahlias are always so good.  I brought 4 dahlia tubers over in pots from Scott's house when I moved my gardening things over here.  I hope they make it.  I have them in the garage.  They should be ok.  I am looking into roses and perennials right now.  The next time I go up to NJ, I'll also get some pieces from 2 plants my sister has that were my Nana's.  I had some but they are at Scott's house.  Mason may get them for me when he gets the daylilies I planted along the front walk.  I've got my rototiller all cleaned up and ready to till when the weather gets warmer in the Spring.  I'm going to pull the 2 ugly bushes the builder planted out front and replace them with 2 Encore azaelas.  I'm think a salmon color that I've had in the past.  I figured it would go perfect with the white house and black trim.  I'm also going to paint the 2 rocking chairs that were my parents out on the front porch a glossy black in the Spring.  I will get he usual annuals also to fill in.

The plants/bushes that I'm thinking of getting are:

Daylilies

Roses

Hostas

Zinnias

Sweet William

Butterfly Bush

Azaelas

Yarrow

Marigolds

Echincea


Echinecea

Graham Thomas Rose

Lady of Shalot Rose




That is all I can think of right now.  That is a good start!  I will also put some gladiolia bulbs in.  John loved them!  I always think of him when I see them blooming.  He loved that I gardened.  

Are any of you thinking about gardening in the Spring?  If so, what do you think you'll be putting in?  I'll also be putting in some raised beds and putting herbs and veggies in.  Hope they do well here.  There is plenty of sun for sure!  Down the side of the house there is some shade from my neighbors pecan trees, so that is where the hostas will go.

I have a garden journal and I will probably be using that alot.  I like to keep track of what plants do well and what doesn't.  

Well that is all I have for today!  I hope everyone has a great rest of the week and the weekend if I don't make it back here.


Sherri