Where has the time gone?

I haven't posted since May!! Life has been good in the meantime. We sold our home in Yarmouth - I guess we really sold our "house", because our "home" is here with us in Casco on the lake. It will soon be on the road in our motor "home". We are leaving for Florida, by way of Myrtle Beach and all of our friends in that area, on the first or second of January.



After closing on our Yarmouth house we left for the south (May 11th) visiting friends along the way, and spent 3 days with friends in Arcadia, FL where we will spend the winter - or, at least, most of it. We may meet our daughter who lives in Tucson "somewhere" in between, "sometime" in the winter for "some time".



We spent the summer on the lake and had quite a bit of company. Frequently on the weekends our son, dau-in-law, & granddaughter would come and stay. Our granddaughter is 3-years-old and loves to fish from the dock or from Grandpa's boat. She caught more fish over the summer than her father and nearly as many as Grandpa who was at the lake all the time.



The fall saw me taking part in several Christmas Fairs. This is new to me. I have always gone as a "buyer" before. I'm learning that all fairs are not created equal, and how to discern which are worth doing and which are not. I make jewelry. I started with watches, some of which I showed on the blog m-o-n-t-h-s ago, but have now branches out and make watches, bracelets of several varieties, anklets, necklaces (again, of several varieties) , rings, earrings, wine glass charms, knitting stitch markers, bands that can be interchanged with others on watches and on Medic Alert bracelets.



Next time I blog I will do so from my husband's computer where I have stored many pictures of pieces I have made. Most of what I have made is costume jewelry, but very attractive. Now I am beginning to use a lot more Sterling Silver, 14K gold-filled, and Vermeil (Sterling Silver that is heavily electroplated with gold). I am also using a lot of Swarvoski Crystals.



Also in early October I had surgery on my left thumb (I am left-handed). I never can remember what it is called, but today I had my last appt. until May or June with both the surgeon and the therapist. I have to continue wearing a splint most of the time until I see them next. This limits what I can do, but does not eliminate making jewelry. In fact, up to a point it is good therapy. I've had lots of instruction on active vs passive motion. I had the same surgery on the right thumb 3 years ago and the recovery time was 18 months. This one feels like it might be shorter.


Well, it's time to put up the Christmas decorations so will sign off for now.

Is Life Ever Going to Slow Down?

We have been on a rollercoaster lately - in both activity and emotion. Our house (not the one we are now living in) has been "under contract" for over a month now. This has meant that we have had to empty it of everything that is not part of the sale. You need to know that this is an 11 room house, we are now living in a 6 room house that we have been living in part-time for 8 years, and very little of what was in the sold house is going to the current house. Does any of this make sense? To us it means that we now have 2 storage units (10' x 20' each) stacked with furniture and boxes that we need to find homes for. We have been pitching and packing for most of the last month. We managed to have all of it done by the FIRST closing date. That date came and went with the paper work not finished. The same for the SECOND closing date. Ditto the THIRD closing date. Two days from now is the FOURTH and hopefully actual closing date.



Since we finish OUR part of what had to be done for the sale to go through by the FIRST closing date, we have had some time to play. Today we put the dock out and launched our Pontoon boat. It was great to cruise around the lake looking at all of the changes since we left for Arizona last September. There is still a little pile of snow behind the barn next door and I was in the water up almost to my crotch to push the boat off the trailer. It really was quite nice - the temp was close to 70 and the sun was shining brightly.



Within the next week we will leave for South Carolina to tend our motor home and cover it for the summer. Then we will drive to Florida to check out the park where we have reservations for next winter.



Projects: The first Alligator Scarf is done and the second in process.

Spring is here! Finally!

The ice is out! And there are Black Ducks, Loons, waterbugs, and boaters on the lake!! Also, so many varieties of birds I can't keep up. Wish I hadn't left my binocularsin the motor home in South Carolina. Must get another pair to leave here.

Bought more yarn today to knit Alligator Scarves. It's acrylic so I'm not sure I will enjoy knitting with it. Will report when I finish the wool one I'm doing now.

Time to get dinner! Have a nice day (or evening).

Almost Ice Out

This is the view I had out our front door this morning when I got up. It almost looks like a "water path to nowhere" in the midst of the ice still on the lake.



A short while later I caught sight of our neighbor who just couldn't wait for the ice to leave before climbing into his kayak for a cruise through what water he could find.

Later in the day this was the view looking left from the dock. The branch laying in the water is where the beavers built a lodge last summer. Just before sunset the lake was pretty much open water with some patches of pock-marked ice that should all be gone in the morning. Has been an interesting day watching it go.

Latest knitting project is Alligator (crocodile) Scarfs for an auction at the Clockedile family reunion. For obvious reasons anything "crocodile" is quite popular at the auction. The one pictured is about 1/3 done with leftover yarn from another project. Lots of fun to knit. Using Swallow Pearl needles. I think I will try them in a variety of colors as shown on the Morehouse Farm pattern that I am using.

Have a great day!

Word Pictures

No photos today - just word pictures! This morning we drove to our house on the coast that is under contract (yea!) to do some pitching and packing. Our lake looked much as it did in yesterday's picture as we left. As we drove by one of the lakes on the way (Crystal Lake) it looked pretty much the same, too, but more gray than white (the ice was thinner). On our way home in the afternoon we saw that Crystal Lake was open blue water! With just a wee bit of ice in the middle. We were encouraged to think that Coffee Pond (our lake) would be the same, but alas, as we approached we saw ice! But not thick white ice - it was thinning to gray with open rivulets in many places. I took a chair to the front lawn and sat there with a book reading and waiting for the ice to "go out".
The sun was moving around to my back and shining on the trees across the lake. It is only April in Maine so the leaves aren't out yet, but as I looked at the bare trees I could see in the sunlight hints of green, red, and yellow on those bare branches. That brought back memories of my childhood (100 years ago) when my father told me how when the buds first come in the spring they pop out showing pale shades of the colors they will wear in the fall. It is really true. The first thing to appear on the maples that are such a vivid red in the fall are the pesky little red things that litter the walks when they fall in the spring as the leaves begin to grow and uncurl. And the birch that turn only to a yellowy green before dying in the fall have a very delicate green cast to them now. And have you ever noticed that the beech trees still have last year's leaves on in the spring? Also some oaks.
As I pondered the colors of the trees the wind began to grow cold and the temps dropped into the 50's. I knew I should go in so sat in the bow window still waiting for the ice to go. It grew dark before the ice went so I am praying that it gets cold enough tonight that it will still be there when I wake. There is nothing quite like watching the ice "go out".
Several years ago, before we built our "year-round" house here I sat on the porch of the old camp bundled in blankets, while the wind swirled around me, for a whole day and finally saw the ice go out! For years before that I had tried to be here at just the right time, but when you live "someplace else" it is a hard thing to do. Just another "perk" of retirement!
Bye for now and have a great day!

Spring at Last!

Today has been a wonderful day! The temp. reached 76 degrees! And you can see from the picture of Sterl working in the garden that there is still ice on most of the lake in the background.

We still have a pile of snow over 3' high at the end of the driveway. Went looking for ice cream but none of the stands are open yet. So we looked at new dock materials instead. Doesn't taste nearly as good, but lasts longer!

Since it was so nice I decided it would be a good time to photograph some projects out in the yard. First is the Jamaica Pouch from the One Skein Wonders book from 2006. It was designed by my daughter and I've meant to knit it for a while, now, and finally got to it. Katia Jamaica.

Next is the pair of socks with yarn (River Bed) and needles from Knitpicks. I'm knitting both together on 1 long (40") needle. Have only knit about 3" of leg so far. Must get busy. The yarn is soft, the needle a pleasure, and so far I haven't had a problem with tangling the 2 skeins.

Now it's time to get dinner so must leave you. Have a great day!

Catching Up

Have I really not written since March 28th? Doesn't seem that long, but a lot has happened in that time.


I am working on a pair of socks knitting both socks on one 40-inch needle. I'm really enjoying it - especially since I am using a lovely laminated birch needle from knitpicks . Don't have pictures right now, but the yarn is also from knitpicks and is a very nice feel in the hand. It is called Riverbed and that's just what it looks like as it knits up.

Our son & DIL had an explosion at their house a couple of nights ago that woke them in the middle of the night. It was in their gas fireplace stove that is part of their heat for the house. It didn't start a fire but it did cover everything in the house (except for granddaughter's room which had curtains hanging in the doorway) with a thick coat of soot. They are living for the next week in a hotel suite while the pros clean EVERYTHING from top to bottom and stem to stern. The positive side (for which we praise the LORD, is that noone was hurt and the house is still there. Also, that insurance paid to clean everything. Can you imagine having to clean greasy soot from everything in your house? It happened to us once when our son (an daughter) were young. We, too, were grateful for insurance to let the pros do the dirty work.

Took granddaughter to the Childrens' Museum last week. We knew how to get to the street but not the parking lot, building, or door. The 3-yr-old gave us perfect directions for everything.

Spent Wednesday afternoon doing beading with the 12-yr-old I mentor through The Root Cellar in Portland (ME). She loves to bead and her eye for design is really good! She's very capable with the pliers and other tools, as well. She made a beautiful necklace and several pairs of earrings. She gives away most of what she makes to sisters, mom, aunts, friends, but this week she kept the necklace and 2 pr of earrings for herself.

I'll include pictures of socks and jewelry in next post.

Done!

The Berrocco Sox socks are done! In fact, I am wearing them as I write (we had 6" of fresh snow today!!!). I love them, I am very pleased with the yarn, and I REALLY enjoyed the needle from Knit Picks http://www.knitpicks.com/ .

About the snow - we live on a dirt road. It leaves the paved road at the top of a hill and we live at the bottom and around a curve. We have had 2 days lately of above 50-degree temps. which has softened the road to mud. That means the plow truck can't come down the road, and when it freezes again (which it is supposed to do) the ruts will be worse than the mud. Ah, the joys of spring in Maine!

Anyway, I have also finished the watch with the woven band. I'm not happy with the way it looks with the thread showing. Must do some more planning to be rid of that. Any suggestions?

While waiting for my new 40" needle and sock yarn I went rummaging and found this skein of Opal from many years ago when it was first available. I hated it then as I knit it up and ripped it out. Decided since I had it, it should be used and not wasted. I am working on the heel flap now and as you can see from the pic, I still haven't knit up all that I ripped out. I still hate it, but will finish it. It has no pattern - just looks like my eyes are dizzy when I look at it. At least I won't have to see them when I wear them - I'll only wear them under boots! Wouldn't dare give them to anyone - I'd be afraid of losing a friend!

E (granddaughter) turns 3 on April 2nd. Her party is Sunday. She's a sketch - has told everyone in every store she's been in that she wants Princess Barbie for her birthday. It's about the only thing she's asked for. Hope she doesn't change her mind before Sunday as that is what we got her.

On to dinner and other wifely pursuits.

Have a great day.

Pea Soup

I had a friend in high school whose nick-name was Pea Soup - but this is not about him. Our winter has extended so far - and snow had been predicted for today - that I decided to make pea soup with the ham bone from Easter. A great warm cozy meal for a cold day. Got up this morning and started it right off in the Crock Pot. Then the temp. proceeded to rise. Hubby and I decided to take a day for ourselves and go riding over the frost heaves of Western Maine. After sufficiently jostling our insides for several hours we arrived home with the temp at 53 F!!! and had our soup and "johnny cake" which had been planned for the cold day we were expecting. It was delicious, and we really enjoyed it as I don't make it often.

Almost finished the "Sox" socks as we rode. Will photo them when done. We saw several barns and other buildings that have collapsed under the weight of this winter's unusual snowfalls. We have managed to keep enough off our roof that we have no worries there.

Today I recieved in the mail a watch face that I have been waiting for. The band has been woven and waiting for a week or so. The pic shows all the parts and I'll photo the finished watch soon.

Enough for today. Have a great one!

New Computer

Yesterday we picked up the new laptop we bought on Saturday. It is so-o-o touchy! We have some relearning to do after the laptop we've had for I-don't-know-how-many years. We are acustomed to nothing happening until you actually TOUCH the touch-pad, but with this one if your hand stays suspended above the touch-pad more than 3 or 4 seconds you get taken "someplace else" (sounds like Mr. Rogers' neighborhood) that you didn't intend to go. Hubby told me that but I didn't believe it until it happened to me, too!

When I read the paper I'm given the opportunity to send stories I haven't even read to someone else. And this right in the middle of reading a story that I AM interested in. I'm slowly learning to keep my hands in my lap except when I am actually navigating or writing. By the way, I am writing this on the OLD one!!!

Enough of the computer! The second SOX sock is almost done and I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my 40" needles so I can try knitting both socks (of my next pair) at the same time on the same needle.

I also just found 20 some odd hat patterns that were in a Woman's Day magazine back sometime in or around the '70's. They are knit on straight needles (which means more purling than I can comfortably do) so I'll translate them to circular and use up a ton of leftover yarn knitting hats for my favorite charity - The Root Cellar - in Portland, ME. Should be able to knit a bunch before next winter - although I wonder if this winter is ever going to end. The calendar says spring but We're expecting snow tonight and tomorrow then again on Friday!!!! Maybe I'll knit them for THIS winter!?!

Speaking of The Root Cellar, their annual auction is early May so I'd best get busy making something to donate. The pictures above are of a couple of previous donations. The dragonfly is 14k gold with peridots and other beads. The necklace is pearls and Swarovski crystals. Have a great day!

My New "Favorite Needle"

Today (Easter) I knit on the way to church and again in the afternoon. Now I have finished my first sock on my new "favorite needle".

The needle is a colorful laminated birch needle from Knit Picks http://www.knitpicks.com/ . It is a 32" size 2. I love the smooth feel, fine points, and the very flexible cable! The yarn for the socks is Berroco Sox yarn - 75% superwash wool and 25% nylon. The color # is 1425.

An aside to this story: I found it very interesting that the yarn is made in Romania, because a pastor friend of our (whose church we attended today) is on his way on April 4th to Romania with a group on a mission trip.

Back to the needle - I liked it so well that I've ordered 2 more. Both are 40", 1 a #1, and the other a #2. The 40" length is so I can try knitting both socks at the same time on the same needle. My daughter has done it and is not sure she would again, but I want to try it for myself. I kinda think that the yarn balls probably get too intimate with each other and that is her objection. Will let you know how it goes for me.

Also ordered from morehouse farm www.morehousefarm.com their Alligator Scarf pattern. Our last name is Clockedile so the alligator (crocodile) has become our family's mascot. We have an annual family reunion and one part of the day's activities is an auction to raise money for the next year's reunion. I plan to make some for the auction.

While looking at their patterns I saw a Jester's Hat. My granddaughter (about to turn 3) loves hat's like that so ordered it, too, and will make her one (?some?).

Watches, my current passion

I enjoy making things with my hands, and right now that would be WATCHES!! Many WATCHES!! All kinds of WATCHES!! The latest 2 that I've totally finished are woven with e-beads. They are pictured above. All of the watches I make are for sale and I am looking for gift shops, etc. to sell them in. This is an interesting process as I have a hard time walking cold into a business and trying to sell something to someone.

I used to own a yarn shop and selling something to someone who comes to me is no problem at all! But even there, when I began to design knitted garments, etc. I had a hard time going to other shops to sell my kits and patterns. I finally began sending out brochures and following up with phone calls and visits. I guess that is what I should do with the watches and other jewelry.

Enough about my "insecurities". I really enjoy working with my hands, but I have had carpal tunnel surgery on both wrists and an extensive hand surgery with a rebuilt thumb joint on my right hand. The recovery from that one was 18 months!! and it has effected what I am able to do. I can knit, but purling is painful - so I knit mostly socks these days because there is not much purling in them. Beading does not seem to bother nor does needlework done by hand. Since my favorite beading is done with needle and thread and is actually weaving, I get along just fine making interesting watchbands.

Later I will post more pictures of watches, etc. that I have made. Right now it is time to do some laundry - oh, the drudgery of it all!

Dreary Winter Day

Is Spring ever going to spring? We have been dumped on (snow, that is) ever since we came home to Maine in early December! Today it is rain and there are flood watches out due to the high amouts of rain, the warm (comparatively) temps, and the snow melt that accompanies it. In addition to that we are both feeling low with colds and sore throats.

Good time to lay low and do some beading. My latest beading interest has been watch bands. I started out just stringing beads of various sorts on elastic, but have done much more experimenting and really like weaving seed bead bands. I'm including a few pictures.

Have a good day.