Scarfin' Around

Working on yet another scarf for a Christmas gift. Using a galaxy stitch this time, which is actually pretty tricky at first. I'm surprised at how fast it's moving along though. The only hard part is when I try to alternate the colors. Still... it looks good so far. I would post a picture but it's a gift, so I can't! I am going to take pictures of each scarf I make and post them after Christmas though, including the names of the stitches I use in case anyone wonders.

I am also making a slow inroad on finishing that evil blanket. I think it will be ready for a border after another 4 skeins of double crochet. I plan to use the granny squares for the border itself, instead of in the center as I had planned. I'll post a picture of what I have so far:

The yarn color is called High Sierra Stripe. It's from the I Love That Yarn brand. I bought mine at Hobby Lobby, but I think Michaels carries it as well. For the bulk of the blanket I've used an easy double crochet. Once I finish it out I'll add the granny squares to the edges on three sides, leaving the top edge blank. At least, that's the plan so far. I already have 32 granny squares done, I will need more, I'm sure, but don't want to do too many... so I'll wait till I'm finished with the base before I count out how many more I need to edge.

I think this color goes very well with my new green walls. I may also do a few throw pillows in the granny square style and just use this instead of buying a new comforter set!

Monday... Done Day

Well usually I try to post a recipe or other home style thing on Mondays for the Weekly Barn Hop website but this week I didn't make it. I was very busy today trying to make up for being sick over the weekend. Ah, well... next week I will get back on track.

Cooler weather is rolling in here in Colorado. 50's at night means I can leave the screened windows open for fantastic airflow and I haven't had to run the air in a week thanks to the 70 degree weather! I do hope this is here to stay, and that it gets much colder. I'm a sucker for cool crisp air and a warm blanket. If only I had a porch to put a swing on I'd be in such a state of bliss.... ah.

This is my favorite time of year. The leaves change, the weather is beautiful, crops come in and everything just fits together so wonderfully. I love Halloween and Thanksgiving. I think most of all though I like the colors. The deep earthy tones of orange and red, brown and green all mingled and mixing. That is the best part of it all. The only thing I dislike about living here in Colorado is that it doesn't snow enough for me i nour city. Higher up the mountains it does, but not here. Yes, it does snow... we have snow days for school and get good dustings certainly... but it doesn't stay. I want blankets of snow from mid December through March. A girl can't have everything though, and for the time I am content with what I have. At least the seasons change, unlike when we lived in Texas. I've made a vow to myself never to live any further south than Kansas. I used to say Oklahoma, but I lived there for a year and it was no better than Texas weather wise for me!

Ideally I would love to settle in Maine. I'm in love with that state, though I've never been there. I know it is an even bigger fantasy than me owning my own ten acres stead, but you never know. I could win the Lottery.... of course, you have to play that to win it and I don't... so I guess I couldn't actually win. Still... It's lovely to dream about it. At the very least I would love to visit there. Stay at a bed and breakfast and eat maple candy. Someday, perhaps.

Tired

Well, after sleeping for pretty much two days straight I think I've finally shaken the worst of this cold bug. I still have a bit of a cough and some drainage, but that should clear up in the next day. There really is only so much herbal teas can do before you have to resort to NyQuil and Tylenol. At least I got some much needed rest. Bastian was so loving yesterday, even cuddled with me for a short nap in the afternoon. I have the most thoughtful 5 year old on the planet.

One week until my birthday. One week until I'm not in my 20's anymore. I suppose I shouldn't be as down about it as I am. I haven't felt like a 20-somehting in years, why should the date make a difference? Still... I guess I equate 20 with young and 30 with old. My parents are 30, how can I be!? (Well, of course they aren't now, but they were when I remember them best....) I'm a parent now so 30 is inevitable. That doesn't mean I have to like it.

I'm not having a party, or anything fancy. Maybe some cake for myself. I'm hoping for that sewing machine, but thinking I'll probably have to buy it for myself. I have hinted that that is what I want to my husband, but our relationship lately has not been the greatest and I doubt he cares. We shall see.

I'm going to take one more lazy day and not clean anything. Tomorrow is Monday and I can clean just as well then. Probably better since Bastian will be at school.

Still sick...

Probably should have rested yesterday instead of redecorating. Fever is back, throat is worse. The plan is to drown it in extra pulpy orange juice and Nyquil. If this doesn't fix it nothing will. Take that you evil virus.

New Bedroom

Well, I certainly didn't waste any time with this project. Forcing myself to be active really helps keep depression from strangling me. Here are some pictures of my new bedroom, well... same bedroom new color! I found the coolest wall sconce at Big Lots on clearance for $10. It was too gorgeous to pass up. And the deep green is very me (it's actually a bit darker than the pictures show, but not by much.) I'm a very earthy person and it just feels right. I haven't decided yet if I'm going to do a contrast color on the lower half of the two outfacing walls, because they have that weird shelf thing, or if I'll just leave it white.

 I really need to buy some new bedding. Now what I have looks shabby compared to my walls!

 The white lower wall looks worse than it actually is. I think it was the sunlight from the window making it bright.

 I love my sconce! You can see the deeper green color of the wall in this photo better.

The window was open so the air kept moving the curtain, it was hard to get a good picture of that wall. 

The walls are so far a bit bare, but I plan to add some photographs in nice dark wood frames and maybe a picture or painting or something if I find one I feel fits well. I also have plans to do a runic inscription border around the top, a blessing or something. I have the silver paint and brushes but want to put more thought into it.

Redecorating

The weather is turning and the nights are cooler. It's wonderful to be able to have the windows open. I love this time of year.

I am thinking about redecorating a little. Perhaps some paint on the walls and some radical rearranging. I know we won't be moving this year, sadly. We resign the lease tomorrow. Perhaps another year here will allow time for saving more money though. If I'm going to have to be here, I may as well make the best of it. So paint it is, and maybe some stencils or border wallpaper? Who knows. I don't want to get too crazy, but I do want to look at something other than white walls all the time!

Sick

I believe I have caught the cold virus that has been plaguing everyone else. I thought I had dodged it, but apparently it was lurking somewhere waiting to pounce on me unsuspecting. I was up most the night with drainage and a small but nasty cough. Today my throat is sore and my nose a bit stuffy. It doesn't seem so bad yet, and I'm hoping to get a jump on it and pin it down before it goes all crazy like my husband had. He was hacking for days and sneezing like he had been dumped in a dustbin full of pepper. He looked miserable and I have no desire to be anywhere near as unhappily ill. So the plan is herbal teas with honey, vitamin C and orange juice. Rest, rest, rest... as much as can be had with a 5 year old on  Labor Day break... and if it doesn't seem to be fading by the evening perhaps some Nyquil. At least it's just a cold and not the flu....

Now where did I put that peppermint tea.