And the first one is DONE!

I finally got the first blanket done for our Ravelmama who is having baby #2 on Thursday. I wish I wasn't cutting things so close, but such is life. This one is a 9 square blanket and I think it's lovely. The perfect crib size blanket and sooooooo soft. Miss Miranda has been carrying on about trying to get me to give it to her. I think I might need to make one for her.

Here's another one. I'm hoping that later I can get someone to hold it up for a pic for me. You really MUST see all of the beauty in this blanket. So much love from so many talented hands went into this special blanket. I am so proud to be a part of such a wonderful group of gals.

Here's another pic of one of the squares I received earlier. I just couldn't get a good pic of the beautiful red color of the yarn. It turns out I just needed some good light.
Here's a pic of a square I just received this week. Such a wonderful camel color. I joined the squares with a single crochet. It makes the front of the blanket have a raised edge around each square. It adds a bit of contrast and some nice texture. I finished it with a scalloped edge. I think it looks nice.

We have a lot going on around here and some days I feel like I'm just barely keeping up. This blanket really was such a joy to put together. I felt so honored that these women were sending me these beautiful squares. It was such a joy to open each and every one. I have one more blanket left to make and six squares to do it with. I may receive more. I may make more. We'll see what happens. I'll definitely be posting the finished project and sharing all the love and beauty that comes from being part of such an amazing group of ladies.

Trying to get back to it.......

...and sharing more squares......

..........and trying learn more! I have a very ambitious personality, but very little time to follow through with most of it. lol I'm working on it. I have wanted to learn to sew clothes for YEARS now. I mean that. Why? Well, because. I get a lot of, "it's cheaper to buy" and all the other jazz that other well-meaners have to say to me. However, have you seen what the big box stores (and some little box stores) want us to dress our young daughters in?!? I have and I not only disagree but I strongly disapprove. I have two daughters. Not to mention that they do not make clothes for moms. Have you noticed this? You either have to be itty bitty or a bigger gal. I fall somewhere in the middle, right now, and cannot find a thing that fits me. It makes me want to cry. Also the lack of maternity (which I no longer need, lol) and nursing (which I DO still need) at a reasonable price makes me want to scream. I am NOT paying fifty bucks for something just because it's easy to nurse in AND is cute. I'll just make it myself. So, without further ado, here are the girls' matching skirts.

I know, the house is a mess. And the white stuff is soap. She's an odd one, lol. This skirt is just SO cute on her. It goes below her knees....SHOCK!! Huh? lol

This one is a little fuzzy, but I really wanted to show the length.

And here is Miss A's. I know, her swimsuit is yucky. It needs to be scrubbed. She seems to think it is everyday, all day attire right now, ugh.

So there we have it. They were easy and turned out too cute. They have given me a little more confidence and a lot more motivation! I'm going to get this down. I mean it. ; )

Baby Squares

Well, me and the gals from one of my Ravelry groups are getting together to make a baby present for one of the other gals who is having her second baby in August. We decided on 12 inch squares. When all is said and done, I am thinking that we will have made enough squares for two baby blankets! See, knitters/crocheters are amazing and giving people!!










I'll post more as they come. And of course the finished product! It's so nice to be able to do things like this for people who are important to you, with people who are important to you.

the swing of things?

Is there really such a thing? Maybe. I seem to be a bit wishy washy (which is what I accuse hubby of, ahem). I pick things up and just as I get good at them and really happy, I just stop. Really? Why? Who knows. Well, I've done it with our budget and my grocery shopping and my house and and and and...... Well, we'll start with the budget and my grocery shopping. I'm using The Budget Kit because it has lots of great "forms" and lists and all that jazz.

I've also started a price book. I've meant to do this for years, but am just now getting to it. So I'm keeping track of the prices of things we normally buy at the stores we normally shop at. This way I know where the best prices are. I'm also tracking our spending on absolutely everything. Now, I know that there are lots of websites or software programs that do all this for you. Just enter and go. However, I like the old fashioned way of writing it all down. Plus it's all right there at arm's reach and easy for us all to understand. Wish me luck! lol

I've got more planted. I've got more started. I've just got more. lol And more to come in a couple of days.

Around the farm

Joining in again with Sara over at Farmama for a trip around our little farm to see what's going on.

The transplants are finally done. I'm not sure how many will make it, but they are in the ground. I really just need to do as I go instead of taking an all-or-nothing approach to this thing.

Perfect example is my cucumbers. They were doing GREAT, but since I was waiting until all the beds were ready (which may be never) they got all wilty and sad. Now they may die, ugh.

The sweet corn is going like a champ!! Some of the stalks got broken in our most recent storm, but for the most part it's going good. I managed to plant a few more seeds today and while I still have time, I may plant a few more.

We've also been doing some swimming lately (isn't she cute in her new bathing suit?). We've been indulging a bit too. And we are happy about it.

Around the farm

Joining in with Farmama for a trip around our little farm.....

Today on the farm, we had a birthday! My sweet little girl is eight years old today. Her birth and the preceding pregnancy were very scary and every day I am grateful that she is as happy and healthy as she is. (sorry about the lighting)

Flowers are blooming like crazy. I love to look around and see all of the color we have popping up around here.

My strawberry plants have their first runners!! I was a little worried after babyzilla stomped on them while I was weeding. It seems, however, that all is well.

The babies are finding their legs and their place in our little homestead.

The popcorn has come up! I am super excited about this. I can't wait to be snuggled up this winter, popping our own popcorn to munch on.

Well, that's about it. Nothing too exciting to report. I'm hoping that next week will bring something more. The heat is supposed to be letting up a little and that should help. Hope you all had a great week!

Thursday: Around the "Farm"

I'm joining in with Sarah at Farmama and sharing photos of our goings on around our little farm. So, here you have it.

Today was a serious day....

Kids were kids and did the things that kids do on beautiful, sunny and warm days.

The potatoes are going good and strong, if only I could keep the cats and kids out of them.

The corn is growing good, although it's in desperate need of some weeding. Any volunteers?

This is supposed to be a really big garden spot. It's still in the works, unfortunately. We plan to get it completely tilled and planted tomorrow. I hope....

Today, men folk were men folk and talked of manly things......ok and Miranda listened.

Mom, that's me, sat and weeded the strawberry patch, that was also in desperate need. Do you see what happens when it rains and is really sunny and really warm for two weeks straight? Oh well.

The chickens ran like their lives depended on it. It didn't, but they sure did do a convincing job of making us think so. (see? I got lots of weeding done.)

We also put our teen chickens in with our big girl chickens tonight. I'm a little nervous, but hubby says they will be just fine. Tomorrow morning, the babies go out to the now empty coop. Every thing's moving forward.