Knitting

Impulse Buy, Just Grands

July 13, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

REPURPOSE

I bought this table runner a few days ago at Hobby Lobby for 66% off, mostly because when I saw it, I didn’t see a table runner, I saw a purse. I love its colors and at $5.00 (give or take a quarter or two), I couldn’t pass it up. In my head, a seam up each side would make a really cool pocketbook and the flap can be trimmed with the already existing fringe, with enough fabric left over to make a strap. Super cool, super easy, right? Pay no attention to the fact that I don’t know how to sew, it’s two seams, how hard could it be? Right? Bigmommy is bringing a portable sewing machine when she comes to visit tonight and knowing me, I’ll be up all night, trying to make a purse from a table runner, using up all my best swear words in the process. Oooh, another trip to HL for purple thread, which I’ll need for the side seams that may be my Waterloo.

THE GRANDS

Mr. Iknead and I had some oh so precious one on one time with the Stuttgart grands last night, when they stayed with us overnight so Bigmommy and Bigdaddy could also have some precious one on one time with each other. These babies are pure gold, went down for the night without a whimper, slept through and I woke up to sweet snuggles this morning.

Pensive Papoose

Sprout and Pawpaw

Then, when I thought it couldn’t be any sweeter, I had some serious one on one time with the Sprout, while everyone else went to lunch. These special times seem few and far between, so we made the most of them. I fed her lunch – bananas and oatmeal if you’re interested – gave her a dry diaper, followed closely with a bottle and then put her down for a nap. So precious!

Copeland, if this dish looks familiar, it is, I have Aunt Veda’s dishes and use them every day. We’ve eaten a lot of beans and cornbread off these, haven’t we?

The Sprout

Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes. Carl Jung

Knitting

Spinning, Birds and Blessings

June 29, 2013June 29, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

OFF THE SPINDLE

Pulled my first ever handspun off my drop spindle yesterday afternoon, gave it a quick bath and laid it out to dry. I can only hope to improve, I suppose. Mr. Iknead’s drop spindle works like a charm and is easy to use. It turns so easily and spins for what seems like a long, long time. I invested in a small niddy-noddy and a yardage counter from Knitpicks today, they were on sale and if I stay as interested in spinning as I think I’m going to, I’ll need them. Here’s a look at my first ever handspun:

Very kinky and I’m sure horrendously overspun but it’s a start.

LET ME DRAW YOU A (BIRD) BATH

Mr. Iknead and I finally got back out to The Good Earth Garden Center today. We went out last Saturday but our shopping trip was cut short when my mother took a turn for the worse and had to be taken to the Emergency Room. More about that a little later. Anyway, we spent a couple of hours or so just wandering around, looking at different plants, coveting the largest and prettiest of whatever we happened to be looking at and browsing containers and pretty pots. We had decided a few weeks ago that we really needed (read wanted) a small birdbath for the front yard, so we spent a little extra time just checking different ones out. They were pretty expensive and we really just didn’t see one that turned over our engines and decided to wait for the perfect one, maybe pay a little more rather than just getting one that we thought was so-so and inexpensive. We had this agreement and were leaving when I saw the Birdbath That Called My Name. We both loved it, the price was right, so our front yard is now graced by the perfect birdbath. I hope the birds love it as much as we do!

I love the leaf shape!

Now, if only the ground cover would hurry up and fill in…..

WHERE WE STAND

Our meetings with hospice went very well, Mom was officially admitted to Arkansas Hospice and they’ll be coming to the nursing home at least five days a week, caring for her and providing support for us. A nice surprise was that Bigmommy’s best friend since babyhood is a social worker with Arkansas Hospice (we knew she worked for a hospice, just not which one) and has known my mom pretty much forever. She and her family are like family to us and that gives us reassurance and comfort during this time, when it feels like we’re always second guessing ourselves and the decisions we’ve had to make. A blessing.

THE GRANDS

The Stuttgart grands are at Grayton Beach, Florida even as I type. They’re enjoying the Vaughan side of the family tree, and I’m sure being totally and deliberately spoiled rotten by their Grandmary and Pops, aunts, uncles and cousins. Another blessing for sure. Waiting on some beach pics, will show off a few when (and if) they arrive.

Grown-ups never understand anything for themselves, and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them. Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Knitting

You Mean It’s Not………

June 25, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

WHAT’S UP

Still coming to you live from the 4th floor, UAMS, another day spent sitting in Mom’s room, imploring her to eat, which doesn’t work very well, but I was able to get about 1/4 of her supper into her. It seems to take forever, between sips of water or tea and I’ll admit right here that even in routine situations, my patience is short at best, but, you do what you have to do. She’s having difficulty drinking, I can’t tell if she’s just too weak or can’t remember how to use a straw, so I’m using the old straw in the drink, finger over the straw, into the mouth for a drink method. Then, as I was doing this for the billionth time today, the idea of using a sippy cup occurred to me, so I’ll give that a whirl tomorrow. Her doc told me today that if her blood pressure stabilized a bit and if her appetite started returning, there’s a possibility of discharge back to the nursing home sometime tomorrow. We’ll see.

WHA…..?

I spent most of the day attempting to get one of my current WIPs photos downloaded so I could post it for WIPW (the internet service sucks at the hospital, to the point of being nonexistant) and guess what??? IT’S NOT WEDNESDAY! Hospitals can do that to you, every single day is the same, only the faces change and the days are really, truly a minimim of 48 hours. There’s actually something called ICU psychosis, brought on because there’s no discernible day or night in the ICU, the lights are always on and the routine has no beginning or end. I think I might have a touch of it and I’m not even the patient!

THE GRANDS

No matter what, these little ones bring me joy beyond measure, so here’s my happy for today –

The Papoose, Smiling With Her Whole Face

Babydiva, In a Rare Moment of Stillness

Couldn’t You Just Overdose on the Sprout’s Cute???

SILVER LINING

Since I labored all day under the impression that today was Wednesday, not Tuesday, a photo has been taken and uploaded and blog post drafted, nearly ready for posting; so, for once, I’m already a little ahead of the game for once.

Never let yesterday use up too much of today. Will Rogers

Knitting

Passing It On

June 20, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

AS PROMISED

Like I posted yesterday, I spent pretty much the entire day with the Papoose and the Sprout. The Papoose is always fascinated by my knitting, she will pick up a piece of yarn and run it through her fingers, saying “I’m knitting”. She also has a toy that is big wooden beads on a string that can be strung and unstrung and she’ll put them on and take them off, all the while saying, “Look! I’m knitting!” In keeping with my belief that you’re never too young or too old to learn something new, I fixed her up a real, live knitting bag with some old, wooden, blunt size 13 needles and three balls of some scrap yarn – pink, green and blue. She was so proud! Like I said, never too young. I cast on a few stitches for her and she played around with “knitting” most of the day. Here’s my favorite photo from yesterday –

Proud Papoose

Sweet Hands!

and while we weren’t looking –

Another Knitter Is Born

Seriously, I get a warm, fuzzy, lump in the throat feeling looking at these, thinking about sharing my love for knitting and fiber with the grands and then their sharing it and hopefully, loving it as much as I do. The more (ehem) mature I become, the more I crave continuity and this makes my heart and soul sing.

JUST A COUPLE MORE

Angel

Babydiva And Babydaddy At The Lake

I love that she loves the water, I see a lot more pool/lake time in the future!

I can be changed by what happens to me but I refuse to be reduced by it. Maya Angelou

Knitting

FO Friday 06/07/13, Yarn, The Sprout

June 7, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

First things first –

OFF THE NEEDLES AND INTO THE SOCK DRAWER

Sunday Swing Socks

Shubui Sock

Poodle Skirt Colorway

Finally got colorway and pattern to play nice in the sandbox and I’m loving the almost candy cane color changes!

ALMOST ON THE NEEDLES

A little while back, Mr. Iknead requested a pair of blue striped socks, so off and on I’ve been scoping out different yarns and patterns, thinking maybe something with little or no wool (way too hot for our Arkansas summers) and chanced upon this yarn yesterday at Hobby Lobby. Blue – check, no wool – check, sock weight – check, price – $4.99. All systems go. Label says 93% acrylic, 7% PBT (whatever that is).

These are destined to be plain vanilla, quick knit, ribbed socks. All that pretty lacy stuff is lost on Mr. Iknead. 🙂

THE BIEBERSPROUT

Cutest Sprout Ever!

Annabelle at 8 months

Linking up with Tami’s FO Friday blog and Frontier Dreams KCCO blog. Pay them a visit, OK? They’re always brimming over with FO goodness!

When the voices of children are heard on the green

And laughing is heard on the hill

My heart is at rest within my breast

And everything else is still

William Blake

Knitting

Yum

May 23, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

IN THE OVEN

I’ve gotten a little bit out of the habit of blogging my baking adventures, but rest assured, they continue. I’m trying to keep my cooking/baking obsession somewhat under control but so far, I’ve not been very successful. I made a new cinnamon raisin swirl bread the end of last week which I had every intention of taking to Stuttgart and sharing but, naturally, it got left on the counter in the kitchen. So, we’ve been enjoying it ourselves. The only real rub is that Mr. Iknead and I just can’t eat the baked goodies fast enough and sometimes they go stale or even moldy. I think I might start sharing with the neighbors, would that be too weird nowadays? Growing up, we always shared back and forth with neighbors, but that was then and we knew our neighbors well. Now, though, we don’t, really, just mostly to wave when we see them outside. Could this be a sign to break out of my cocoon and reach out? I think it might be just that. I’m thinking of banana bread today, that would be a good start.

Anyway, I wanted to share this recipe I tried last night that was so good – it was comfort food and crazy easy – Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak. Here’s the link. I fixed mashed potatoes to go with it and it was divine! Real potatoes, too. I know what my lunch is going to be!

THE GRANDS

Can you stand a few more pics of the smartest, most beautiful grandbabies in the universe? I thought you could!

The Sprout and Me

That’s the Karma sweater I’m wearing. Turned out well, don’t you think?

The Papoose and a Cupcake

Babydiva in her Tutu – How Cute Is That?

Curiosity is one of the permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous mind. Samuel Johnson

Knitting

WIP Wednesday and HBD To You

May 15, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

WHO’S ON FIRST

Leading off is the Karma sweater, which I’ve made progress on even since taking this photo. One sleeve is finished, left to do is the other sleeve and a bit of stockinette around the neckline to make is roll even more –

This sweater has been a joy to knit!

Next up – A huge granny square using leftover sock yarn, with no particular effort to match yarn color or even coordination. I’m calling it Granny’s Grab Bag Blanket.

On third base – Crocus Vernus Socks, with heel flap begun, from The Knitter’s Curiosity Cabinet:

You’ll just have to trust me regarding the heel flap.

Last up is another granny square, trying to coordinate colors this time, that may end up as a scarf. Who knows?

THE GRANDS

Tell me this is not the cutest baby ever! The Sprout being her lovely self –

Today is a special day in Pawpaw and BeBe World – The Papoose turns three today! Look how much she’s grown!

Hot off the presses!

Three years later….

Happy Birthday, Papoose!

I’m linking up, as usual, with Tami Ami’s WIP Wednesday blog. Come check it out!

Problems are only opportunities with thorns on them. Hugh Miller

Knitting

One for the History Books, An Honor, An Award

April 23, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

ONE FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS

The 2013 Coleman family reunion bash has come and gone and I think it’s safe to say it was a unqualified success. Everyone played nice (but we always do) with lots of baby admiring, kid chasing, laughter, way too much food and just all around catching up. I’ll be posting pics for a while, there are at least a couple hundred, but don’t worry, I’ve no intention of subjecting you to photo after photo of people, places or things that are only interesting to the people actually in the picture. First, though, I finally got a pic of the Sprout in the Olivia Petit sweater. Oh.My.Gosh.

Lindsey and Annie – The first twigs on the Coleman Family tree

I can’t believe they have babies of their own now!

SUCH AN HONOR

I was so surprised and honored to learn that nothingbutknit2 nominated me for a Leibster award. Keep reading to get the skinny on this very cool award.

The Leibster Award is given by bloggers, to bloggers, and its purpose is to highlight blogs with under 200 followers that deserve a look. Encouraging people to visit blogs that others enjoy seems like a great initiative. The rules for the award are pretty straightforward:

1. Post 11 facts about myself.

2. Answer the questions given to me by the person who nominated me.

3. Invent 11 questions to ask people whom I wish to nominate for the award.

4. Choose 11 people (with fewer than 200 followers) to give this award to and link to them in my post.

5. Go to their blog and tell them.

My 11 Facts:

1. I’m an only child.

2. I have three grandchildren, all girls.

3. I’ve been married to Mr. Iknead for 33 years.

4. I am recently retired.

5. Before I was old and creaky-boned, I was an aerobics teacher.

6. I’ll try anything once.

7. I learned to drive on a stick shift.

8. I’m an unrepentent homebody.

9. I love to fish – but strictly catch and release.

10. I played bassoon in high school.

11. I love a challenge.

My 11 Nominee Answers

1. Favorite color? Any shade of purple.

2. Childhood punishment? Spanking.

3. Favorite book? A tie – Stephen King’s The Stand and Betty Smith‘s A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

4. Dog or cat? Both.

5. Party theme? Come as your favorite book character.

6. My favorite actor/actress? Diane Keaton.

7. What have I learned recently that surprised me? People describe me as “artsy”.

8. Have I ever done anything illegal? Yep.

9. Hardest thing ever done? Ran the eight mile leg of a relay marathon.

10. Title of my autobiography? Still Crazy After All These Years.

11. Easier to give up chocolate or TV for a week? Chocolate.

My 11 Nominee Questions:

1. Fiction or nonfiction?

2. Favorite dessert?

3. What was the last book you read?

4. What’s your favorite music genre?

5. Do you know how to swim?

6. What do you have a burning desire to learn?

7. Birth order?

8. What’s your guilty pleasure?

9. What’s your favorite thing to knit?

10. What would be your dream job?

11. What would be your dream vacation?

My Nominees:

The Mommy Life 101

My Knitting Circle’s Blog

wife*mother*disciple

Your Mess, His Message

Take a few minutes to check out these blogs, I hope you like them as much as I do!

There is no such thing as a “self-made” person….Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken one word of encouragement to us, has entered into the make-up of our character and of our thoughts, as well as our success. George Matthew Adams

Knitting

Goal Met, Sweet Sprout, On to the Next

April 3, 2013April 3, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

ON THE NEEDLES

Yesterday’s goal met, with pictures to prove it! You can see that Olivia lacks a sleeve and some I-cord to be finished. Like I mentioned in yesterday’s post, this sweet sweater has been totally worth the hair tearing and project slinging but I’m ready to move on. It sort of seems like a waste to not go ahead and knit another since I seem to have gotten it down but honestly, I need a break. I’m thinking a simple pair of summer socks for Mr. Iknead. He suffered through my Olivia learning curve too!

Front, without buttons. Anyone have button suggestions?

Back

Love that the color photographed pretty much true on this gray, rainy day!

THE GRANDS

Today, I’m putting the Sprout in the limelight, I think she may have been given short shrift with the recent birthday and Easter. Her onesie says it all!

Don’t forget to check out Tami’s Amis WIPW blog for more WIP love!

I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library. Jorge Luis Borges (1899-1986)

Knitting

Play On, An Honor and Mad As A Hornet

March 25, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

A PRIVILEGE AND HONOR

I had the privilege of staying with my sweet grand, Babydiva, while her mommy was on a girl’s trip and her daddy was, sadly, being there for his best friend and brother of the heart while his father was fighting his final battle with cancer. Having lost my father a year ago in July, I know too well how difficult these final struggles are. Joe, you’ve been such a special person to Jordan, first as a teacher and mentor and then as a colleague over the years. Thank you for your guidance, caring and sharing. It’s been an honor.

Play On, Joe. We’ll Miss You!

Jordan and Joe

Teacher, Friend, Mentor, Colleague

THE GRANDS

The Papoose and the Sprout

I couldn’t resist sharing this. The Papoose’s smile makes me wonder what’s going on with her other hand, could there be a pinch involved somewhere?? Really, though, I think it’s just the Sprout’s temper showing. Still…..

Age is no guarantee of maturity. Lawana Blackwell

Knitting

Smudged, Hugged and Loved

March 19, 2013March 19, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

Is there anything sweeter than hearing “I luv you all da time” from a child? I’m here in Stuttgart giving and receiving hugs, kisses and snuggles from the Papoose and the Sprout, lacking only the presence of the Babydiva to make it totally what I call Grandma Nirvana. One of the best things about grandparenting is that the phrase “all of the pleasure, none of the guilt” really applies, along with “what happens with Bebe stays with Bebe”. Mr. Iknead has been sick with a bad cold so I made this trip solo, but I miss him and I know the grands miss him, too. The Papoose has asked several times today where Pawpaw is; she’s not used to seeing one of us without the other. I’m willing to bet that as soon as he feels better he’ll be hot-footing his way to Stuttgart to make up for lost time.

BY THE BOOK

The Velvateen Rabbit and The Berenstain Bears have been hot commodities around here today. Loved both the firs

t

around with my kids and am still enjoying them in reruns now. The bears never fail to make me smile and the Velveteen Rabbit always leaves me teary from sweetness alone.

The Papoose loves looking at the pictures on my iPhone and Nook. I always wait a day or two before I clean the screens just to relive how they acquired the smudges and sticky spots that accumulate. It’s as good a storybook as one found in a bookstore, written by a celebrated author.

Action is the antidote to despair. Joan Baez

Knitting

A Good Report, It’s Here and I Can’t Wait to Get Started

March 11, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

I’M FREE I’M FREE

I had my first postop visit this morning with McDreamy (Bigmommy’s word, not mine) and he released me to my normal life. Like, I can drive and everything! Who would have thought that I’d have fantasies of grocery shopping?? Who would have thought that Mr. Iknead would have fantasies of me grocery shopping – alone??? The things we take for granted, right? I’m doing really, really well according to McDreamy, which I knew already, and after one more follow up next month, this whole hitch in my get along will be officially over. Yay!!

LOOK WHAT CAME TODAY!!

My new Knitpicks yarn!! I love it, I can’t wait to get started, so sorry Lolita and former Spring Pools socks, this baby is moving to the head of the line! Oh my gosh, it’s so springy and green and pretty and is crying out to be on the needles as I blog this. See for yourself –