Fall Has Arrived

 Yes here it is September 30th and the rain trees are turning red so I know cooler weather is coming finally to Florida.  One thing that we don't have to worry about anymore is raking up the maple tree leaves that always cover the front yard.  We had to have the tree removed and with it went the leaves and the whirlies that always got over my car.  I hated those things.  

I've finished knitting the shawl I was working on and I had to get a longer cable for my interchangeable needles.  I sent away for a 60 inch one and wow that made a world of difference in the ease of knitting so many stitches.  The finished shawl turned out about 70 inches wide and about 30 inches deep to the point.  I love it and will use it hopefully several times this winter.  Here's the finished product....

The last stripe at the top I only did for half the number of rows because I wanted to do a crocheted edging around the shawl so I saved some of the yarn.  Now I'm looking for a nice black pin to wear with it.  I'm going to try Etsy because it would be nice to have a hand made one to go with it.

I haven't done any stitching on the Coming to America cross stitch.  I really wanted to finish my shawl but now I can get back to it.  

I'm still depressed as ever and  can't seem to get myself out of it.  I've talked with several others and it seems to be a condition that quite a few people are experiencing.  I hate it and I hate how I feel.  My attention span is shot and I can't concentrate on anything for more than a few minutes.  I babysit Zane and Evelyn twice a week for about 2 hours each day while Little John is in school and Peyton is taking one of her college courses.  That breaks up the week some but what do I do for the other 5 days?  I find myself sleeping a lot and that's not good either.  I have an appointment coming up with the family doctor so maybe he can give me some hints on what to do about this funk I'm in.

Hope all of you are enjoying the fall season and the beautiful colors it brings,

Blessings, Barbara

Chugging Along

 Good Wednesday to all you chicks.  I'm still working on the knitted shawl and I wanted to share something with you about it.  In between ball number 1 and ball number 2 I did 2 rows of black alpaca.  Between ball number 2 and number 3 I did 4 rows of black alpaca.  Now I bought all these 4 skeins at the same time and they were from the same dye lot.  Take a look at the difference between 1 and 2....

Do you see more red in the second ball?  I didn't even take notice of this until I had added the 4 rows of black at the top.  Strange how it's different even from the same dye lot.  Can't wait to see skein 3 and 4 knitted up.  Should be interesting.

Well I've started the Coming to America sampler and I decided on 20ct. Lugana over 1 with 2 threads.  It covers really well and it's pretty easy for me to see.  If anyone out there is wanting to do this pattern on 28ct. Mocha Linen that the design calls for, I have a piece I can sell you if you're having problems finding it in your area.  Here's what I have done....not much but it shows how wide it will be.

I went with the kids on Monday to Daytona Beach to initiate Evelyn to the ocean.  Wow did she love it.  Peyton had to keep a good eye on her because she wanted to chase the waves back out to sea.  We ate at a restaurant on a pier called Joe's Crab House and wow were they good.  I love seafood and their blue crab sandwich hit the spot.   Here's the view from our table.

I hope all of you had a safe and happy Labor Day.  

Blessings, Barbara