knittingyoyo

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T10:15:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T14:44:00.000-08:00

The true meaning of Christmas.

More Hats

2011-12-15T18:54:00.000-08:00

After the marathon knitting just to get Jo a hat that fit right with her ponytail Scout thought she needed at hat. What do you want? She replied purple and white. I had some purple in the stash, Loops and Threads Impecable #1310, amethyst. I also some Lion Brand White multi #301. It has a small metallic thread through it. I do not know if it is stress or what but when I finished the hat it was a little too short. I have never in all my hat making had this happen so often. I looks ok but seemed to ride up.

So I took some white and picked up all the stitches and knitted one more row. It turned out ok but I was not happy with the fact it seemed a little tight.

This fit a little better length-wise and is ok but I was still not happy. This was also a K2,P2 pattern for the whole hat. I decided to try adding four more stitches to give it a little more stretch and did a 1x1 rib pattern for the whole hat. I used some Bernat Pink Camo from the stash (it is now discontinued) and some Lion Brand Wool-ease White Frost. The white is a little fuzzy and looks cool on hats. I used the white for a small trim and the rest of the hat in the pink camo.

Not only did it fit good but she can pull it on and off all by herself.

Perfect.

Seriously? Three hats?

2011-11-27T09:49:00.000-08:00

I wanted to make Jo a hat since she started school this year. Her favorite color is yellow so I thought...easy, I will just use the standard kids hat pattern. I can do that in my sleep. First I made the hat in bright yellow, her favorite color. It was so cute. Then on the first really cool day I gave it to her.

Seriously? It does not even cover her ears! This is the standard lower elementary hat pattern. I do not know if the it was the yarn or the fact that I knit it while sitting around in the hospital but it was too short. What to do. Make another one of course. So I took this hat, let Scout choose a contrasting color, purple, and crocheted an edge around it. At this point I thought I was making another hat just like this one.

Ok, ears well protected and she was glad to have a new hat. Allison said she liked a 1x1 Rib hat that I had done a long time ago. It had been in and adult size so I had to adapt it to kid size. Again Jo chose bright yellow but I also had some Lion Brand WoolEase White Multi yarn I thought she would like. It has a sparkle thread in it. We were now doing stripes along wth a 1x1 rib. I thought things were going great. I measured, re-measured, counted. It came out cute but dang, what the heck, it was too short also for what I wanted. I mean seriously, she could wear it with her hair down ok but a ponytail made it hike up.

What the heck? Ok, now I am a woman obsessed, maybe possessed. Yeah I get this way when something does not work the way I want it. I was going to make a hat that would work if I had to research Ravelry and google hats till I was bleary eyed. I had already had to look up how to make sure the rib went to the crown of the hat correctly. I had even emailed my sister knowing she had done a lot of rib hats. Apparently not too many people want to do 1x1 rib for the whole hat. Once you get in the swing of it you really do not have to think about it. I was going to get this right. I was determined. So I reworked the pattern, added a few more stitches in width then measured Jo's head length, again. As I reached the decrease I had to alter the pattern again because of the odd amount of stitches. I decided that if this did not work I was going to have to take a break because this was crazy. I thought this all the time knowing that I would just start over on a new one again. Apparently the third time was a charm. This one seemed to come out good. Oh, yes, when I asked Jo what color we should make this one she said yellow, orange and white. Three colors now? I did not have any orange in the stash but had some I Love This Yarn in Candy Corn. It was perfect. The result? It Fit!!

Finally, it works. It fits, her ears are covered and the ponytail does not cause it to ride up. I also found that the 1x1 rib makes the hat a lot thicker feeling than my regular kids hat of a 2x2 rib for the brim and the standard knit up the rest of the hat. I am so pleased. Now I wonder, how much will I need to reduce it down to make Scout one. You know she is going to want it.

Dang RA, Dang Weather

2011-11-26T16:10:00.000-08:00

I am tired of the unpredictable weather. The ups and downs of low 40's to high 70's in a matter of a couple of days. Back and forth with today an unbelievable wind making it feel colder than it is. First it is the knee, then the elbow, and to top it off the neck. All are griping at me about the seemingly instantanious weather changes. Argh!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T11:53:00.000-08:00

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good;

His love endures forever.

Psalm 118:1

Scarves Mailed

2011-11-16T11:10:00.000-08:00

I mailed the "Soldier Scarves" today. Well, that is what JE and I call them. A few months ago we learned about the Operation Gratitude organization. While they help send boxes of all kinds of things to deployed soldiers ( see http://www.operationgratitude.com/ or click on the link in my blog roll), the scarves were what caught our attention. Knitters that we are we saw the scarves as a way we could send a hug to deployed soldiers and help keep them warm. A little love sent across the miles. I started knitting and let JE know what I was doing and she also pulled yarn out of her stash. Since my son Joseph enlisted in the Army I have felt the mother's pull toward all servicemen and women even more than before. I see the uniform and want to let that soldier know that they are loved and appreciated for all they do, for their sacrifice. No one made them sign up. It was their choice. So here is the first box of hopefully many for as long as we have soldiers who need a litttle touch from home.

We always take a picture of the things we knit. We knit 28 scarves since August.

Boxed and ready to mail.

What My Sissy Gave Me

2011-11-15T13:15:00.000-08:00

My sister Jane Ellen (knittinginnaples) was here for a visit this last week. Things have been a little overwhelming lately, to say the least. She surprised me with an beautiful knit shawl. It is made out of Euroflax Linen (love it) with little tiny beads on the fringe (love them). No words can describe what it feels like when someone knows things have been difficult and then gives you something so beautiful. As a knitter I am doublely, triplely, quadrupely (are these real words?) appreciative since I know how long it takes to knit these things. Thanks Sissy, I will love it and you always.

Veteran's Day

2011-11-11T07:41:00.000-08:00

Thank you to all those who serve or have served in our military. A special thanks to those in my family.

My son Joseph

My Dad

My brother-in-law (with Joseph)

Life

2011-11-04T14:50:00.000-07:00

The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together.

William Shakespeare

Happy Birthday Jo !!

2011-11-01T07:31:00.000-07:00

Today is Jo's 6th birthday. I cannot believe it has been six years. Jo you are a delight and I will love you forever.

Bluebonnet Girl

Fun with Scout

Summer Fun

Tea party with Aunt Jane Ellen

Love you Jo! Happy Birthday!

Cambridge Shawl 2

2011-11-01T07:12:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture I found on http://www.whatkatewore.com/ of Kate wearing the original design of Cambridge Shawl. I have hopes of mine turning out this nicely. For pictures of Ravelry members completed projects go to http://www.ravelry.com/ and check them out.

Cambridge Shawl

2011-10-31T14:36:00.000-07:00

I have been working on Cambridge Shawl by Carol Sunday since the end of July. Yes, by now I should have finished it but a lot has happened. So I have been knitting hats for Knit-A-Cap because I can knit one of those in my sleep and they take no counting. The shawl pattern came off of the Ravelry group. Carol Sunday designed it to look like a shawl Kate Middleton, the Dutchess of Cambridge worn while grocery shopping. After a few false starts getting the correct count and twisted stitches I was coming along nicely. Moving and the hospital got in my way. I pulled it out again the other day and did a couple of rows. I am using yarn that has been in the stash for who knows how many years. It is Lion Brand Wool-Ease Sport which has been discontinued. I think I got 10 skeins at a couple of dollars a skein. Yeah, too good to pass up. This yarn has tried to be many things and just never found it's calling until a few months ago I made my sister a shawl and hat. Then when I saw Cambridge I thought maybe it would work. I think it has found what it wants to be.

Yes, that is a lifeline 3/4 of the way up.

The ruffle.

Can't wait to see how it turns out.

Needlework From Years Gone By

2011-10-28T14:34:00.000-07:00

When you are packing up and moving after 34 years in one house you come across things you have made in the past. Two samplers I did in the 70's. Yes, they don't have a frame right now. Yes again, I was just as picky about embroidery as I am about all my other needlecrafts.

Saw This at the Doctor's Office

2011-10-27T07:13:00.000-07:00

Happiness is a Box

2011-10-26T15:05:00.000-07:00

Scout found this box today. She played in it all afternoon. Imagination in motion.

Fog

2011-10-24T16:04:00.000-07:00

"The fog comes in on little cat feet." This is the first line of the poem The Fog by Carl Sandburg. I thought of it this morning when I opened the front door and was greeted by this...

Then there was more....

You could barely see in front of your car. It took until around noon before it all burned off.

The Many Faces of Jo

2011-10-22T13:15:00.000-07:00

We recently went to Sam's Club for some "stuff". Lately every time we go we have to have the hotdog combo . If you haven't had the Nathan's hot dogs there they are pretty yummy. I usually have my camera because you never know when there will be something to snap. Jo started making these funny faces and I had to take a pix of them.

Scout is apparently thinking what the heck is she doing.

What is going on in her mind?

Extreme closeup.

The girl of many faces. Gotta love it.

Party Ponchette

2011-10-15T12:53:00.000-07:00

Back in the early summer before everything in the world started happening at once, I came across this pattern on the Caron yarn website. It is called Party Ponchette. I decided that I would make one for Jo since she was to start kindergarten this year. It is crocheted with a size I crochet hook and I used I Love This Yarn worsted weight from Hobby Lobby. I cast on 88 stitches for a 6-8yr size. I did it in hot yellow, Jo's favorite color and then added orange beads. It was very fast to crochet. Can you tell her favorite color is yellow?

When I finished Jo's I knew I could not give her one without giving Scout one too. So I used Vanna yarn in

blue, Scout's favorite color. I used white beads for the fringe trim. I made her's in the 2-4 yr size. As you can tell she sort of liked it but was not too thrilled with having her picture taken wearing it.

The pattern also has a 10-12 yr size. It is a very fast, easy and cute pattern. I think if you kept going you could make an adult size.

More Rheumatoid Arthritis Info

2011-10-13T15:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I recommended Lene Andersen's blog http://www.theseatedview.blogspot.com/ . Today I am recommending another blog. http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/ . This is a great blog written from a guy's perspective but if you have RA or any type of arthritis we are all one family. RA Guy's blog has loads of info and resources. Check out the 60 Second Guide to RA. Good stuff.

World Arthritis Day

2011-10-12T15:58:00.000-07:00

Today is World Arthritis Day. There are many different types of arthritis that affect people in different ways. Check out Lene Andersen's blog http://www.theseatedview.blogspot.com/ . Good info here from someone who knows what she is talking about.

An Infusion is a Wonderful Thing

2011-10-11T10:52:00.000-07:00

I had my Remicade infusion yesterday. It's a wonderful thing. With all the stress that has gone on since my last one I really needed this one. To say nothing of the fact that we finally got some rain here, 4 inches worth. Yeah rain. Felt that coming on. The temperature has dropped some to a more pleasant low 80's. The ragweed has been in full force so I have been sneezing and blowing my nose off for 2 weeks. But all in all the last infusion held up even with "the old man's" traumatic health issue, Matthew's surgery, and Joseph's move to a bigger house. Thanks to all who have gone before me and were in trials to help find a drug that is now allowing me to function pretty normally. Wow, an infusion is a wonderful thing.

Breakfast at the Ponderosa

2011-09-17T08:11:00.000-07:00

This Saturday Jo and Scout worn aprons to eat their breakfast of oatmeal with dinosaurs in it. These aprons were made by Great Granny many years ago when Allison was Jo's size and Uncle Daisey was Scout's size.

Scout giving directions on how to eat oatmeal.

Funny Jo.

Granny would love knowing that these little aprons are still in use.

Old Sweatshirt Found

2011-09-16T17:10:00.000-07:00

While going through stuff to move I found this cute little sweatshirt I had cross-stitched for Allison when she was about Jo's age. Hopefully I can get a picture of Jo in it soon.

The Girls

2011-09-10T11:49:00.000-07:00

Here are Jo and Scout trying on their new clothes.

What can I say, they make me laugh.

Sweater

2011-09-10T11:46:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of a sweater that Aunt Jane Ellen made for Grandma Statler a long time ago. The yarn is still good and surprisingly it almost fits Jo. She is such a clown posing for pictures.

A Morning at the Park

2011-09-10T11:43:00.000-07:00

Today Coach felt well enough that we visited the Ponder park with Allison, Jo and Scout. Here are a few pictures of the fun.

Well I Was Not Expecting That

2011-09-10T11:29:00.000-07:00

In the middle of the move Coach had to have emergency surgery. After three weeks in the hospital and now two at home we are trying to get healthy. Sure threw a wrench in the moving. If not for Allison and TJ we never would have gotten the stuff moved out of the old house. Now we are just sitting around healing and enjoying some country air. Never can we ever thank Allison and TJ for all the physical and emotional help they have given us. We love you guys.

Moving

2011-08-03T11:46:00.000-07:00

After 34 and almost a half years in one place, in one house, I am moving. I will be back when the dust settles.

It Is Way Too HOT!!!

2011-07-15T16:44:00.000-07:00

Ok, it is just way too hot here in Texas. It was 112 degrees on the external temperature of the car while I was on the freeway. It is 6:30 pm and it is 106 degrees. So here is a picture from my Alaska trip too cool me off. Exit Glacer in Seward Alaska. I feel cooler already.

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T07:20:00.000-07:00

Land of the free because of the brave.

Celebrate Freedom.

Wish I Was There

2011-07-02T15:19:00.000-07:00

It is so hot here in Texas.

I wish I was here.

Portage Alaska

Byron Glacier, Alaska

View from Exit Glacier, Seward Alaska

I took these pictures in July 1999. Would love to get back there.

Sisters

2011-06-17T17:13:00.000-07:00

Jo and Scout are sisters but they have very different ideas sometimes of entertainment.Today was the first day of the Liv dolls being in McD's Happy Meals. After grocery shopping we got a drink and the girls got the new doll. Jo had apple juice and Scout had ice cream, of course. If you ask her what she wants for lunch she will say ice cream. She seriously rivals her Uncle Daisey in her love of ice cream. The girls were enjoying playing with their dolls when somehow Scout's dool got ice cream on her head. The giggles were unbelievable.

Scout then decided that her doll needed another lick of ice cream. More hysterical giggling.

Then there is Jo who wants her doll to remain ice creamless.

Notice Scout laughing in the background. A good time was had by all.

Cooling Off

2011-06-17T17:02:00.000-07:00

Jo was here this week and wanted to go to the new water park we have just a few blocks from the house. Here are some pictures of kids having fun.

My Creative Sister

2011-06-08T13:16:00.000-07:00

Just this last year my sister JE found out I am not creative. Yes I knit, crochet and do all kinds of crafty things, but I am not one who comes up with most of the ideas. Sometimes I will modify a pattern or come up with an idea and make up a pattern but overall, no. I do not want the responsibility in a group of being in charge or coming up with ideas. Just tell me what you want me to do and I will do it with gusto and hopefully close to perfection. Last year JE wanted some ideas on how to get cool pix with all her hats. Thinking I was creative and crafty she asked me what to do. Duh, I don't know. She became really shocked that I had no ideas, not a one, nada. Here is what she came up with, pretty cool.

Some years she has knit over 365 hats. In the last 8 years she has knit over 2,000 hats for our hat project.

While she was here this last weekend she wanted to take pix of my hats that are finished so far. Of course I had no ideas, did not want to take them outside and could not think of anything that was "cool". So here is what she got. Yeah, great picture.

Point being I have knit 135 hats so far for the Knit-A-Cap project. Maybe it is ok for me not to be creative.

Happy Birthday Joseph!

2011-06-01T10:05:00.000-07:00

Your nieces adore you.

Ground hogs fear you.

Aunt JE hugs the stuffing out of you.

You look for adventure.

Someone keeps you warm and makes you laugh.

At 10lb 12oz your doctor wanted to sign you up with the Dallas Cowboys.

And your Mom will love you forever.

Happy Birthday Jonathan!

2011-05-31T20:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Jonathan!

Seems like it was not that long ago you were the size of these guys.

I love you bunches.

Leapin' Lizards

2011-05-26T16:23:00.000-07:00

What is there?

Leapin' Lizards!

We have had these wonderful tree lizards since we moved into the house three decades ago.

They know we are not going to bother them and we can get fairly close to them if we move very slowly.

We never try to touch them and because we have earned their trust they just hang out

on the side of the house and the fences.

I just love them.

Storm Clouds

2011-05-25T09:22:00.000-07:00

This has been an unbelievable May for weather all over the US.

These are a few pictures I quickly snapped yesterday evening.

I wished they were more clear but I shot them with my cell phone.

There was wind, rain, thunder, lightning and pea-size hail.

The thunder was so loud. I grew up in south-east Illinois so I know about storms.

The only thing I can compare this thunder to in loudness would be the

Army tanks we heard firing demonstrations at my brother-in-law's retirement.

Seriously loud.

We were lucky there was no damage in our subdivision but the people in the

northern part of the city were not. They had baseball size hail.

I do have to say watching the Texas Rangers try to decide

how to get their patrons to safety from the stadium would have been amusing

if it were not such a serious situation.

Hopefully we are on the downhill side of the spring weather.

Oh, dear, hurricane season begins soon.

Hats

2011-05-24T13:41:00.000-07:00

I am knitting furiously on hats for the Knit-A-Cap collection. The shipment does not go out until September but there have been years that because of "baby" knitting I have not sent as many hats. I decided this year to try to use up all the little bits and pieces of skeins that have a tendency to get down in the bottom of the tub. Now my organized sister never has this problem. She is disciplined and uses up the four or five skeins she is using in various stripes before she starts another color. That is not me. Well until this year. I am in a cleaning out mode. Actually it started a couple of years ago. So I decided this year I would use up all the little balls of various colors and be more organized. So far it has worked pretty good. I have only had to buy four or five skeins of yarn. Since the hats go to a lot of students in the same school I try not to have ones that are exactly alike. I am excited. I have 125 hats so far and I have only a few little balls left. This hat is one that I am finishing up today. It has five different yarns. I think it looks pretty cool.

Memories

2011-05-15T18:20:00.000-07:00

When I was a little girl I loved going through my Grandma's bookshelf. Of course they were all too advanced for me but I liked to look at them. One that was interesting was Streams in the Desert by Mrs. Charles Cowman. The words were small and there were no pictures but the reason I liked it was the cover. The picture was of a desert scene with sand dunes and palm trees and a camel. I have always enjoyed the memory of that book even though I had not read it.

This is a picture of my Grandma in 1973. She taught me to crochet when she was here that Christmas. I had been looking for a "Streams", the older version not the new updated one, just because it is part of my past with my Grandma. I never could find one. This weekend my church had a booksale with the money going to a mission trip in the summer. I went not thinking I would find anything in particular. Then there is was, an old version of "Streams." I picked it up and looked at it. It did not have the paper cover but it was the same green book. The original price penciled in the book was $1.50. The published date was 1940. I could not believe what I held in my hands.

I am sure that someone was cleaning out their bookshelves and had no idea the joy someone else would have in finding this book. Today many books are updated, given more modern versions for "easy reading/understanding". There is something to be said for the older versions not just for the beauty of poetic writing but also for the memories they bring.

Hydrangea

2011-05-14T13:44:00.000-07:00

I love Hydrangeas. Last year on Mother's Day Allison gave me a hydrangea plant.

My love for them goes all the way back to early childhood. My grandma had the most beautiful

Hydrangea bush beside her house. I am so excited because the plant survived our crazily

cold weather this last winter and now is starting to bloom.

Sisters

2011-05-09T13:33:00.000-07:00

Happy 3rd Birthday Jaxson and Ryan!!

2011-05-05T06:06:00.000-07:00

Three years ago today
two of the sweetest boys in the world were born.

Jaxson

and

Ryan.

After their Mommie sitting patiently in the hospital they demanded to be born

almost 2 months early. I think they chose Cinco de Mayo so everyone would

always remember their birthday. They were both so tiny. I knit the hat Ryan has on

and it fit perfectly on a small apple.

We went up to see them on the 4th of July. Not quite 2 months old even though

it was summer I made them patriotic hats to wear.

Not a very good picture since I had to take a picture of a picture. But oh they were sweet.

They grew.

Here is at their 1st birthday party.

Too cute!

Then they grew some more....

And more...

Ryan

Jaxson

Most precious boys.

This is one of my most favorite pictures of them.

Happy Birthday Jaxson and Ryan.

Grandma loves you bunches!!

Crazy Weather and Aches and Pains

2011-04-27T16:59:00.000-07:00

Anyone else out there being beat up by the crazy, wet, stormy, cold weather? It is making me creak around and ache all over. Sure I live in Texas and we are used to the crazy spring weather but this year it has been ridiculous.

Easter Fun

2011-04-27T16:56:00.000-07:00

Testing the icing for the hot cross buns.

Sharing fresh shucked corn.

Hunting eggs.

I found one!

Counting eggs.

Found some more.

Scout and Uncle Joseph,

who she calls, for a reason no one

knows, Uncle Paw Paw.

He is Risen!

2011-04-24T04:54:00.000-07:00

Hallelujah!

Five Stars For The Kings Speech!!

2011-04-22T19:09:00.000-07:00

I watched The King's Speech tonight. If you have not seen it, rent it, buy it, borrow it.

It is positively one of the best movies I have seen in a very long time.

No wonder it wonder Academy Awards.

Little Mermaids

2011-04-09T13:53:00.000-07:00

In Texas

In Denmark

Bluebonnet Time

2011-04-08T14:31:00.000-07:00

Spring in Texas

2011-04-08T14:26:00.000-07:00

Childhood

2011-03-19T12:48:00.000-07:00

Happy St Patrick's Day

2011-03-17T06:41:00.000-07:00

Shamrocks

Matthew, this one is for you.

Fun With The Grandkids

2011-03-15T13:44:00.000-07:00

Scout waiting for the party to begin.

YeeHaw!

Baseball time.

Hit the ball.

How do I take the picture?

Yummy cake!

Happiness is a guitar.

Bubble fun.

Happy Birthday Scout!!

2011-03-09T06:02:00.000-08:00

Today Scout is 2 years old. Can't believe it. It has gone by so fast. She is definitely a girl who knows what she likes and what she doesn't and she will let you know it. She is huggy and soft and can make you laugh till you are holding your stomach and wondering how she does those things she does. Happy Birthday Scout, YoYo loves you bunches!

Little Miss Sunflower

2011-03-08T11:07:00.000-08:00

Hats

2011-03-08T11:03:00.000-08:00

So far 71 hats finished for Knit A Cap. Whoo Hoo!

Happy Anniversary

2011-03-05T08:14:00.000-08:00

Happy Anniversary to two of my favorite people who always make me laugh. Love you bunches!

Check It Out

2011-02-26T18:37:00.000-08:00

There are many athletes today that you seriously do not want your kids to emulate. The March/April Arthritis Today has an interview with golfer Phil Mickelson. The last couple of years had been stressful for Mickelson since his family had been dealing with health problems. Then he was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis. This is a very good article. Mickelson talks about thinking he would get treatment and things would get back to normal. He then finds out it is something he will deal with the rest of his life. Mickelson seems the real deal. If you have ever watched him play golf he portrays the idea of civility sorely lacking in many athletes today. Check out the article. It is informative about arthritis and the feelings people go through while dealing with this disease.

Feeling Better

2011-02-24T09:13:00.000-08:00

Scout is feeling better after her bout with the 24 hour "thing".

While out looking for stuff for Scout's birthday party

Jo found this funny little Mardi Gras hat. Cracked me up.

She still has glitter in her hair.

Life

2011-02-23T18:06:00.000-08:00

This is a quote at Nana & Blah Blah's house.

I like it.

Ahhh....Remicade

2011-02-22T13:39:00.000-08:00

Today was my appointment with my Rheumatologist. It was Remicade infusion day. Yeah!! After all that cold (16 degrees) weather, ice and snow we then had some upper 70's and even an 80 degree day. Yesterday morning it was 67 degrees when I got up. Today it was 37 degrees. Welcome to Texas.

Friday

2011-02-18T20:39:00.000-08:00

Cowgirl having lunch.

Nothing better than chocolate ice cream.

Shopped till they dropped.

Finally

2011-02-13T17:59:00.000-08:00

Yes I am going to remember these last few cold days when it is 105 degrees this summer but it was sure nice to have 72 degrees and sunny today. The aches and pains are much improved.

No, Seriously, I am Done

2011-02-11T17:41:00.000-08:00

Ok, I am really, really tired of the bone-chilling freezing cold weather. I am creaking around, aching all over, taking more pain meds. The ridiculous thing is that by Sunday is is supposed to be 70 degrees. Wonder how the joints will react to that drastic change. Ah, Texas weather if you don't like it just wait a minute.

Ok, I'm Done

2011-02-10T13:40:00.000-08:00

Seriously, I am done with this weather. Yes I have said for the last week that I love snow and I do but enough already. I am now thinking that even with all the wonderful meds I take for my RA that really RA does not like 16 degree weather with snow and ice. Last night I was thinking I have had enough. The ache-ness was starting to take over. We had gotten up to 24 degrees in the afternoon but this morning we were back to 16 again. Out comes the Tylenol. Yesterday I had promised Jo we would do our traditional McDonald's today since we were pretty much house-bound yesterday. So off we went. Jo had to say hello to Ronald. Now even though we went out to the store and the sun was warm and it is now 35 degrees let's just say I have had enough of the bone aching cold.

24 Degrees

2011-02-09T14:37:00.000-08:00

It is now 24 degrees. we decided to go out a little bit before all the snow and ice were gone. Jo had a bucket of snow that had not melted so she threw it around to pretend it was still snowing. Then she had to splash in the puddles.

The snow was melting off the roof and had dripped on the bushes refreezing and making icicles.

We went around on the other side of the house and there were tons of icicles hanging off the roof. Sadly we are at the end of this round of winter weather. It was fun while it lasted.

Snow.....Again

2011-02-09T10:05:00.000-08:00

Yes, it snowed and iced again. Right now it is 16 degrees. They say it will only last two days this time. We will see. Jo came home with me yesterday from Nana's so this morning we went out and inspected the latest snowfall.

The ice was thicker in some spots than others and there was a dusting of snow on the street.

We scraped up the snow that was a little deeper up closer to the house. It was very fluffy and powdery.

Jo made a snow castle and then decided it needed to snow on the castle.

We stayed out a little while and then came in. It was fun but it was a little cold for hanging out too long.

Favorite Mug

2011-02-08T05:51:00.000-08:00

I got this mug for Christmas from Jo and Scout. I love it and I love being YoYo.

New Mug

2011-02-07T13:43:00.000-08:00

A few years ago when JE moved to Florida we began to love flamingos. Not because they are in Florida, there are very few there contrary to popular belief. We started liking them because everyone makes fun of them. They are really very fine birds with the most beautiful colors. We also found that I could find more things with flamingos on them here in Texas than JE could in Florida, weird. I have found plates, cups, placemats, socks, shirts, pajamas, stuffed toys, lawn flamingos (plastic and metal and yes I have both) even bed sheets (yes I have those too). Now lest this sound obsessive they are not everywhere, I have just a few I like to use and look at. Yesterday we watched the Super Bowl (big yawn for the game but the food was great) with Joseph and Caitlin. They had been to World Market and knowing my fondness for flamingos got me this new coffee mug. I love it. It is large and holds a lot of coffee. Let's hear it for those dang cute flamingos!

Chinese Food

2011-02-07T13:31:00.000-08:00

Today I had to go to Sam's to get the monthly haul of prescriptions. Hmm...what to have for lunch? There is a new restaurant called Royal Chopsticks right by Sam's. Well that is a no brainer...Chinese. They have very good food and large portions. I got Hot and Sour Soup, of course, and Hunan Chicken. It also comes with fried rice. Yum yum. I love Chinese food. The portions are so big that there is always enough left over for supper. Can't wait.

Deer Chili

2011-02-04T16:15:00.000-08:00

Since we have bunches of snow and ice and it was about 22 degrees. I decided to make chili. Originally I was going to make a stew but while browning the meat I decided on chili. My great son-in-law TJ, the deer hunter, had given me some meat from his last deer. The recipe I use comes from a book called Bowl of Red by Frank X. Tolbert. The official title of this recipe is called Pedernales Chili named after the Pedernales River here in Texas.

Browning the meat.

Deer meat is very lean. After browning the meat I just added good ol' Rotel and the spices.

Nothing is better than Original Rotel

Cumin is one of my favorite spices. The smell is wonderful.

After all the spices have been added the chili needs to simmer. It says simmer an hour on the recipe but I just kindof go with how long I can wait to eat it.

Simmering

The finished product.

The chili turned out fantastic. Just enough left over for tomorrow's lunch.

Dogs in Snow

2011-02-04T09:54:00.000-08:00

Our dogs are almost 11 years old. They have always been outside dogs. They don't even like the inside. But of course they have a doghouse each which is in a sheltered "condo" which has a tarp over it. So they are pretty protected. They also have about five blankets each inside their houses. A few years ago we got them heat lamp so they are pretty well protected. (In the summer they have their own swimming pool.) I have been worried because of the cold here, serious cold. Right now it is 22 degrees and that is about as warm as it has been this week. But being outside dogs I still wanted them to be comfortable in the cold. They have always eaten dry dog food but with their age and the cold we have been adding canned food to their meals. Allison gave us a can awhile back and we used it. They liked it so we got some more. I kid you not this stuff smells like beef stew. So we put it in their dry food, stirred it up and served it. They scarfed it down like it I would El Fenix cheese enchiladas. After that they played in the snow. Now they are back in their houses taking naps. Not very different from humans are they.

I Love Snow

2011-02-04T06:44:00.000-08:00

I love snow. I think it must come from living in Illinois when I was a little kid. I learned to ride my bike in the snow. I love the crunch it makes when you walk in it. I love the silence it seems to cause. If you just stand and listen you hear....quiet. I love the snow making the trees look lacey. The weather people told us it was going to snow again. We got not quite 4 1/2". It is 20 degrees. It is not going anywhere for a while. We have had more snow in the last three years than I can remember ever having in all the years I have lived in Texas and that is a long time. I have decided that it is because grand-daughter Jo LOVES snow. She just knows every year there is going to be snow. We always say don't count on it and then it does. Scout on the other hand is not impressed. So everyone, just enjoy this snow and cold weather. It won't be long before we will all be complaining that it is 105 degrees.

Not Going Anywhere

2011-02-01T07:32:00.000-08:00

Yes I know it does not look like much but we are talking Texas here. Last night about 11pm it started raining, hard. Then about 4am the thunder and lightning started along with more hard rain. When I got up this is what it looked like. Of course it is not the gazillion inches of snow that they have had and are expecting in the north or even in the Oklahoma area but it was about 2" of ice with snow on top of it. Right now it is 19 degrees with a wind chill of Zero. The wind is blowing about 30 mph so it whips the dusting of snow on top of the ice. My car is one big sheet of ice. There is no going anywhere. I have only seen one person on the road, the mailman who lives across the street left about 7am. Bless his heart. They do not expect us to even get to 30 degrees till Friday. Stay home or you will be slip sliding away.

Pea Socks

2011-01-29T15:02:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago the flu was going through the family at The Ponderosa. As everyone was laying around Scout noticed everyone had on Pea Socks. Now in Scout talk that was Pretty Socks. Christmas before last I had made everyone houseshoes. I think Scout's were more booties. Since her foot has grown considerably since then she had no houseshoes. Well that is all YoYo needed to hear. I went to the stash and whipped up some Pea Socks for her. Mom gave me her foot length and wala new Pea Socks. They fit perfect. From now on when someone needs houseshoes they will be getting Pea Socks. Gotta love it.

Ahhh...Sunshine

2011-01-25T19:41:00.000-08:00

Rowdy enjoying the warm sun after some really cold mornings.

Reading

2011-01-20T09:07:00.000-08:00

A couple of years ago I decided to start keeping a list of the books I read through the year. Last year the total was 39 books. That includes biographies, mysteries, political, a variety of things. I can't imagine anyone not liking to read. There is something out there for everyone. I am finishing a Brad Thor thriller and am in the middle of Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. I usually am not influenced by books that are recommended in the press. Different people like different kinds of books. Plus I hate wasting time on something that is boring or not my type of book. I also hate not finishing a book. Around Christmas I saw an interview with Louis Zamperini. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand is the story of his life focusing mainly on his World War II service. Before the war Zamperini was also an Olympic athlete. I started reading the book and found it very interesting. In fact it was hard to put down. Hillenbrand gave some childhood background and then introduced WWII and Zamperini's service in the Pacific theater. My dad served the Navy on Okinawa during WWII. All through the descriptions of battles I can see what my dad must have gone through but never talked about. I am only half way through this book but I highly recommend it. I will give a full review when I have finished it but will say it is well worth reading.

Suggestions

2011-01-19T07:34:00.000-08:00

On my blog I have a link to "But You Don't Look Sick". The problem with a lot of autoimmune diseases, including my RA, is that if you are functioning pretty well people do not realize how really awful you feel. When you are having a flare it sometimes seems that people come out of the woodwork to give you suggestions on how you can "cure" yourself. It sometimes seems that they do not realize that you are actually paying good money to someone how is trained to help you cope with your disease. It is also not that we love pills, shots and infusions of which some are really toxic to our bodies. At this point we know that these drugs help us to live and function. And if we are lucky enough for all these meds to work well for us then maybe we can take our grandkids to the park or the train exhibit or the zoo. At this point the medical community has not found a complete cure for most of these diseases so those of us who have them have had to learn to adapt so we can live our lives. I mean it is not that we like having excruciating pain 24 hours a day, or perhaps that pain that doesn't knock us out but that is just "always there" distracting us. Today's post on But You Don't Look Sick speaks to all the well meaning people who think they are doctors but don't have an MD behind their name. It's not like they don't want to help us but as said before a little information can be a dangerous thing. Click on the link and check it out. After you read it understand that most of the time we don't think that you really are out to send us over the edge, but that you do love us and want us to feel better. The thing is it is we have read and heard it all before. We have an autoimmune disease that is not going to be cured by giving up caffeine, exercising or not, or giving up wine. If it were that easy I would have given up chocolate a long time ago. Yeah, like that is going to happen. www.butyoudontlooksick.com/dailymagazine The title is Sick Humor: Information Overload: "Suggestions" We'd Rather Not Hear Ever Again. After you have read it remember we love you too but the day you suggest we give up caffeine and we will get well, well it might just send us straight for the biggest cup of coffee we can find.

Knit-A-Cap

2011-01-17T12:40:00.000-08:00

It's January and time to make sure the knitting is progressing on the hats for the Knit-A-Cap group. This is the group that sends hand knit hats to various Indian reservations throughout the US. My sister and I have been knitting for this group since 2003. Our wonderful coordinator is located in Washington, DC and makes sure the hats go to the schools that have requested them for the year. 2010 hats went to Washington state, Arizona, Montana, Massachusetts and North Carolina. This is a picture of the hats I have finished so far, 15. I am hoping for many, many more. If you are interested in participating in the group leave a note in the comment section with your email or some way for me to get in touch with you. You can also leave me a message on Ravelry. I am knittingyoyo there also. This is a great way to help children. All it takes is one picture of the cute kids wearing the hats and you are hooked for life.

Shopping Day

2011-01-14T17:43:00.000-08:00

Today was grocery shopping day. Before we went to Wal-Mart we went to Jo's choice of El Fenix for lunch. At the end of the meal the waiter brought "sopapeople" for the girls. Jo actually prefers a four tortilla with butter and sugar for her dessert. Scout on the other hand loves the "people". Interestingly they bring you honey to add on top of the already sugar/cinnamon people. Whoa, way sweet. But Scout is not to be detered.

Here she is adding her honey.

After she put her honey on her plate she decided the heck with the "people" just go straight for the honey.

Since the honey is pretty drippy we decide to put it a little closer. Much more convenient.

That is some yummy stuff.

What? Doesn't everyone eat their honey this way?

Here is Big Sis Jo with her sugar tortilla dessert. Someone else was being funny.

It was a great day.

Mmmm, It's Wednesday

2011-01-12T11:31:00.000-08:00

Today is Wednesday. That means $4.99 enchilada dinner special all day at El Fenix. Yes it was yummy.

Snow?

2011-01-09T10:26:00.000-08:00

The weatherman was right. It's snowing! Yeah I know but in Texas we get excited over even a little bit.

Hat

2011-01-07T16:56:00.001-08:00

Another One Bites The Dust

2011-01-03T17:02:00.000-08:00

In this world of technology that we all seem to depend on it seems inevitable that things will break. So far in less than two months the car died completely, the computer crashed to a sure death and now today it was my phone. I am not sure how it happened but I guess I could blame it on my grip or the lack thereof lately. My RA has been shall we say acting up and I have been having some issues with my wrist and hand. But I think it was just one of those out of the blue things that happen. My phone fell in water. I grabbed it quick but the thing was five years old and had it's issues. So even though I was thinking it might dry out it was definitely dead. So off to the phone store. I now have a what I call "high faluting" phone. I am sure I will get used to it and like it but it is a whole new world. I may not know what to do with all the options, aps, and cool stuff on it.

Grandkids

2011-01-02T12:46:00.000-08:00

This week all the grandkids were here. We went to The Trains at Northpark display. It is sponsored by Mc Donalds with all proceeds going to Ronald McDonald House. It was a very neat display of trains. Jo was the only one who had a favorite display. It was of the State Fair of Texas. That is probably because she had ridden the giant ferris wheel . We will definitely be going again next year.

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year. In all the celebration of the new year don't forget our men and women serving in the armed forces. Take an opportunity to visit the Operation Gratitude website so see how you can be involved in bringing a little bit of home to the troops this year.

Champagne Corks

2010-12-31T17:53:00.000-08:00

Be careful opening those champagne bottles this New Year's Eve. I just read an article that said corks come popping out of the bottle at around 50 mph. Yeah, fifty miles per hour. Be sure to point that bottle away from your eyes and then enjoy the bubbly.

The Dance

2010-12-27T16:46:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T02:46:00.000-08:00

Waiting for Santa

2010-12-24T11:34:00.000-08:00

Scout wearing Jo's Santa hat. This one has a jingle bell on it.

Forgotten Hat

2010-12-23T11:17:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of Scout wearing a hat I had forgotten I had knitted. It was originally for Jo about four years ago. When I saw the hat I had to go back and look in my book to see when I had made it. Of course since the grandkids are at no loss for hats it is no wonder I could not remember it.

Jo's Nativity

2010-12-21T07:31:00.000-08:00

Knowing I love Nativity sets Jo made me this one a couple of years ago. She made it from one of the foamy craft sets you can get at Michaels. Love it.

Nativity 2

2010-12-20T06:50:00.000-08:00

Continuing from yesterday here are a couple more nativity sets. Allison brought me this one from Spain when she went there for her Senior trip. I think one of the coolest things about this one is that one of the wise men is riding an elephant.

I bought this little Nativity when Allison and I went to Alaska. I got it at a store in downtown Anchorage. Notice the igloo with the eagle on top. Also there are the wolf, moose, and seal that replace the sheep, donkey and cow. I just thought it was too cute.

Nativity

2010-12-19T11:15:00.000-08:00

I love Nativity sets. I have collected them for many years. This year Jo helped get them out and I let her put them where and how she wanted them. I debated how I wanted to post some of them, one a day till Christmas, all at once, I could not decide. Here are a few of them. The first was given to me by my mother-in-law. Notice the sheep are "upstairs". Jo thought that was where they belonged. In the past the donkey had to be there and it was interesting to see if he stayed there or if someone removed him to the lower level.

This Nativity came from Israel. It is made of Olive wood. It was a gift in 1983 from a co-worker who happened to be Muslim and who's mother still lived in Israel. Now these type may be found in some malls. Knowing mine had no camel Matthew found one and added it to the set.

This little Nativity is special. It was rescued from a garage sale. Matthew, who we called the "garage sale king" found it for me. I think he paid twenty-five cents.

Now from the traditional Nativity's to, well the modern, perhaps bizzare to some people. This is one of my favorite Nativity's. My SIL Jane gave me this. She found it in New Mexico. Mary, Joseph, and the Angel are all red chili peppers. Baby Jesus is a green chili pepper. It makes me smile. More tomorrow.

Reindeer Merry Go Round?

2010-12-17T15:15:00.000-08:00

Yes that is Jo, Scout and Allison riding on the Reindeer Merry Go Round at Bass Pro. That had to be the cutest merry go round I have ever seen. Everyone seemed to enjoy it.

Happy Birthday TJ!

2010-12-15T19:38:00.000-08:00

Today is TJ's birthday. Instead of having a regular birthday cake we had two pumpkin rolls. If you have never had them they are heavenly. The cream cheese filling is absolutely wonderful. TJ was very kind and let Jo and Scout blow out the candles. Then Jo ate all the filling out of her piece. Scout on the other hand tried to put her whole piece in her mouth. Happy Birthday TJ! Love ya bunches!

Operation Gratitude 2

2010-12-14T12:39:00.000-08:00

This is a continuation from yesterday about Operation Gratitude. Today I received an email from Operation Gratitude and included was a link to the fantastic interview with knitter Joan Mazzarelli. If you click on the blog link her interview is the second post down. Every time I watch it I am inspired. Check it out. http://opgrat.wordpress.com/

Operation Gratitude

2010-12-12T17:05:00.000-08:00

Today I was watching the news and saw a great story. Joan Mazzarelli is a 98 year old woman who knits scarves for Operation Gratitude. Operation Gratiude is an organization that sends gift boxes, handknit and crocheted scarves and hats, and care packages to our service men and women. This 98 year old woman stated that she knits scarves and has knit for service persons since World War II. She said she gets up and knits until lunch. After lunch she knits till dinner. She then stated that she knits sometimes till 2 in the morning. That is dedication. She said that she sometimes knits up to three scarves in one day. Being a knitter I understand the amount of time it takes to knit scarves and hats. All of her knitting is then sent to Operation Gratitude. As our time in Iraq and Afghanistan has continued we still have many troops serving not just there but in many areas of the world. They are all deserving of our support and gratitude. They are the ones that enable us to do the things we can and want to do. Check out http://www.opgratitude.com/ . There are many ways to support our troops listed there, knitting and crocheting hats and scarves, sewing neck gaiters and bandana cool ties, collecting candy and Beanie Babies for soldiers to give to children, and donations for care packages to make the soldiers feel a little bit of home. If you are not involved in some other way think about contributing in one of these ways. As a mother of a soldier I know how important those care packages are to the soldiers. If we all do even a little then a lot is actually done. (Thanks to Operation Gratitude for the use of their banner)

RA and Heart Risks

2010-12-07T08:35:00.000-08:00

I received and e-mail today from http://www.arthritistoday.org/. It was confirming another study done that found that Rheumatoid Arthritis is linked with heart attacks and strokes. Inflamation is a signature of RA, which is an autoimmune disease. This inflamation contributes to the build-up of plaque in the arteries. That is the bad news for those of us who battle this disease. The good news is that the study found that patients on anti-TNF including Remicade, Enbrel, Humira, Simponi, Cimzia had less thickening in their arteries. Prednisone caused more thickness but could be tempered if patients were also given a statin to lower cholesterol. Check out the full article at the website above. People with autoimmune diseases are at a higher risk for heart attack and strokes but everyone needs to check their cholesterol and their blood pressure on a consistant basis.