Eggs, eggs, and more eggs!

Not much to post today, but I wanted to share the fruits of my chickens' labor!

Wow!  For months my chickens have been slacking and I was beginning to wonder if it was time to replenish the hen-house.  Well, no worries anymore!  Look at that!  32 eggs.  What does one do with this many eggs?! 

I'm reminded of Bubba from Forrest Gump, but instead of a litany of shrimp dishes--eggs:  scrambled eggs, boiled eggs, eggs benedict, egg salad, poached eggs, fried eggs, egg custard, etc.

Looks like my girls are back in business, and that makes me a happy lady.  Look at those colors, too! Browns, blues, and greens . . .ah!  I love it.

Have an egg-celent rest of the day ;)

Spring has sprung

It's official. . . spring is here!  No more cold, bone-chilling days full of ominous clouds, fog, mist, and cut-right-through-you wind.  I've been rather lax when it comes to getting my runs in this first part of 2015.  I'm a weeny when it comes to braving the elements and getting to it, and I've come to the conclusion the treadmill just doesn't offer the same cathartic release that an outdoor run provides.

SO. . . yesterday morning, bright and early, I laced up my shoes and hit the pavement!

 So what that the forecast called for 100% rain--AgAIn!!--, so what that my hair was standing on end, so what that my feet were soaking when I got home.  It was glorious! Exhilarating! Uplifting!  How I have missed these days of being alone, clearing my head and thinking of absolutely nothing. 

Aside from the birds flitting about and the occasional rabbit, there was not a soul in sight. Just the way I like it.

Nearing the end of my route, getting tired, losing speed, the intoxicating smells of mountain laurel and weesatch blooms carried by the light breeze served as an elixir to the senses and carried me home.  How I love this time--spring--such a healing balm. Sigh . . .

On the crochet front, I've completed half of my bunco blanket and plan on working up some rows this afternoon.  I wasn't liking this blanket AT ALL in the beginning.  The colors are not my preferred shades, but I have to admit it's growing one me; the more squares I complete, the more I'm starting to like it.

The natural light is almost nil (rainy skies in recovery) and I used my phone's camera so the colors are a bit muted.  Once she's all done, I'll take a proper picture.

Here's hoping spring has sprung in your neck of the woods and put a little spring in your step!

Bunco Blanket 2

Evening everyone!  Just a quick update on my bunco blanket.  Last post I was undecided as to what to do!  After much experimentation, I figured it out.

I decided on simple 5 round granny squares, JAYGO.  I added the "interest" I wanted in the centers. I am using 11 different colors--the six original colors plus a few others.  Some were from my stash and others I picked up from Hobby Lobby over spring break this last week.  I have three rows completed and am working on the fourth as "we speak."  Each row has 9 squares across and I'm thinking I will end up with 11 rows.  We shall see!  I generally steer towards darker, more vibrant colors, but these Eastery colors I think are fitting considering it is a spring bunco tournament.  

Time is ticking . . . I've got to get busy!!

Enjoy your week!

The Bunco Blanket

Just a quick introduction to the latest blanket I'm undertaking.  I have chosen six colors thus far (actually they were for another project :0) and am working on a pattern.  So far, I've completed 1 square and am working on a 2nd. I'm trying to make this blanket using two different types of granny squares so I can make it up quickly, but still have some visual interest.  I LOVE the little sunburst square and I'm a traditional granny fanatic so I'm wanting to use them both.  I'm currently working out the details!!

Each year, our local Rotary Club (of which I'm a member) sponsors a Ladies Bunco Tournament to raise scholarship funds for local high school seniors.   You can read all about the game of Bunco HERE.  Door prizes are given, major prizes are won, and there is always much laughter and fun had by all.   Traditionally, the tournament is held in the fall; however, because our fall bunco night was so successful, we decided to host a second this spring.  My contribution is going to be a blanket--hence the name.  

I don't know that I will stick to these colors, add more, take some away . . . what I do know is I have 5 weeks to figure it out and get it done!  

Wish me luck!!

February Days . . .

14 volleyball games
3 track meets
3 softball games
5 books read
22 miles jogged (striving to better that)
1 crochet blanket finished
1 hair appointment (much needed)

Typical February Fog

February has been such a dreary month.  Many cloudy, misty days. . . and cold.  These are the days that are so un-motivating to me!  All I want to do once I get home is take a HOT shower, put on my fuzzy socks, and hunker down.  WheRe ARe YoU SuNSHiNE??!!!!  The weather has given me an opportunity, however, to get some reading done and finish up a blanket that you can read about in THIS post.  I also introduced myself to a new series of books to which I am dedicating this post.  I LOVE ready cosy mysteries.  Some of my favorites have been the crochet mysteries by Betty Hechtman and the tea shop mysteries by Laura Childs.  I am a series reader, number one, but secondly I like a quick read filled with mystery, a little romance, and relatable characters--bringing me to the current series I am devouring:  The coffeehouse mystery series by Cleo Coyle. I am in the third installment, Latte Trouble.

In all three books, thus far, the main character, Clare Cosi, and her EX husband, Matteo, operate and manage the Village Blend Coffeehouse along with a handful of devout employees.  Both were swindled into not only managing the coffeehouse, but also sharing the top floor well-appointed apartment by Madame, Matteo's mother. She has hopes of the couple reuniting as does their daughter, Joy, a 20 year old culinary student. Clare's days are spent pulling espressos, putting up with her ex-husbands antics, looking for love, and investigating murder.

I'm not wanting to write a full-on review of these books, but if you like lovable, realistic characters, intrigue, humor, murder, New York and coffee, give these books a go.  You can read a more in depth review HERE

Here's hoping March will bring a little "spring" back in my step!

Wonky WIP

Such a dreary day today.  The temperature has dropped from 79 to 35 degrees.  The skies are leaden and it has been misting rain throughout most of the day.  I was so glad to get home from work and enjoy a huge mug of hot chocolate!  After the usual housekeeping duties were completed, I found myself alone in a too quiet house and decided to pull out an old WIP.  When I say old, I mean about 4 years old.  The poor blanket-to-be came out of its hiding place today.

Along with the blanket was a note that read,"finish off pink side and start edging!" with the edition of a count, "26 double crochet."  I'm now down to 24 double crochet rows.  It's been so long ago that I started this blanket that I don't remember the number in my initial chain!  All I know is after working on this blanket for what seemed ages, I got really frustrated with the slow progress, and tried thinking of a way to expedite it.  My thought for the blanket was to construct a double-bed sized blanket out of SINGLE CROCHET STITCHES!!  That was my FIRST mistake.  The second mistake was the amount of time the blanket would sit without me working on it.  I titled this post wonky because that is just what this blanket is.  It has been put away and taken out so many times that some of the rows consist of single crochet and turn into half-double crochet.  It's no wonder I finally started leaving myself notes! Let me get back to expediting the process.  I had an epiphany one morning: start crocheting from the foundation chain! I did just that starting here.

My foundation row was created using the red yarn.  I simply added a row of single crochet stitches (starting with the light blue) and kept going.  Once the blanket was "balanced" (with the foundation row in the middle), I began to create rows of half-double and double crochet stitches on either end of the blanket to help it grow quicker.  Progress has been made.

This is a QUEEN sized bed, so the size is right on.  I do need more rows so the blanket hangs correctly; however, I don't think I need 24 more rows.  I did want the stripes to lie the other way, and I may give in, but right now I'm thinking a few more rows and some edging will do just fine and this can be one WIP checked off my list for this year!  For right now, I'm going to update my little note to myself and put this baby away for another day.

Until we meet again, my stripey, wonky creation . . .

Friends, family, finds, and fun!

How I enjoyed my weekend of partial relaxation. My weekend started with a fun night of trivia. This is my 4th year to participate in a local literary club's trivia night.  It's a fast paced night of 10 rounds of trivia regarding 10 different topics.  The purpose is to raise money for local scholarships.  My team consisted of 7 adults.  I am pleased to say my group won for the third year in a row--many thanks to my sister-in-law who has a bank of knowledge over so many random topics!  The group also includes a silent auction to which I bid on a few items.  These are my finds!

The above photos were titled "Bluebonnet Babies" and are signed by the artist.  They are done in watercolor and I think they are so sweet!

These two, I just liked the flowers!  The dreary days we've had here prompted me to get these to add a pop of color for the house.

Aside from trivia night, there was softball and volleyball to keep me busy.  I do visit the "babies" every chance I get.  They are growing sooooo fast and are the sweetest kids (pun intended) in town ;)

It's hard to get good pictures of them as they want to climb and chew on everything AND everybody! They remind me of a litter of puppies.   They are soft and sweet and smell like leaves and grass. They are inquisitive, playful--simply adorable!

On the crochet front, not too much is happening.  Do you ever go through a lull after completing a project???  I did manage to make a couple of sample squares this week for a future project.  I like how they turned out, especially after a run through the wash.  No loose ends--always my worry.

Today was spent watching the Daytona 500.  Yes, I am a Nascar fan.  This year my daughter's favorite driver since his rookie year WON!  My gosh, the girl went nuts!  It was a fun afternoon spent with family and a good end to my weekend

Hope you added some memorable tales to your diary this week!  Have a great week!