the yarn grove antics

My Greatest Project

I know I've been absent lately, so I wanted to give you a peek at the project I've been working on. It started as small as a sesame seed, but now you can see I've added arms, legs, a heartbeat, and even a little brain! It hasn't been easy, I've been working on it 24 hours a day for about 9 weeks now, and let me tell you...its taken a toll on me! Chris has been great about bringing me supplies: Triscuits, chips and salsa, pickles, lemonade and Tums. He even does the laundry and vacuums. He's the best. I'll keep you updated on my progress. My deadline for completion is February 18th.

A mish mash

I've just returned from a lovely visit with IG. I did not want to leave but alas... I had to.

I got a little knitting done on the plane - still working on my Pagewood Farms Denali socks. Love this yarn. It is great and can't wait to see how it wears. With 20% nylon, I know it will be a winner! Since I usually knit my socks from the toe up, you would think there would *never* be a time when my socks did not fit. Last night I decided to try them on... well, part of the way on since they would not go near my heels! So I will finish them and put them in my gift drawer for someone who does not tread on Number 10's as I do!

And finally, a sad goodbye to Big Girl aka Lucy Girl, our beloved black lab. She left us on July 1st. Her rear leg finally let her down. She knew it. I could tell by the way she looked at me when I came home that day around noon. All the trying in the world to make that back foot/leg work - and nothing. I spent the rest of the afternoon with her until my husband came home and together we took her. I love this picture of Lucy and Junior. That bed was actually our previous dog, Charlie's bed, but Lucy took it over. And on this particular day, Junior decided to join her. Junior, Shorty and Woolly Boully (aka Mulley the Cat) are still looking and waiting for her. She was the queen, the leader of the pack.

We adopted Lucy when she was 5 years old. Found her for free in the ATL newspaper from a couple who was having triplets and already had a 2 year old at home. The husband had her since she was a puppy and I don't know who cried harder that night we left with her - me or the husband. We stayed in touch daily for about 1 week during the transition. The wife was on complete bed rest but ventured out to meet us before we left with her. I remember her words: "Boy, my neighbors sure won't be sad she's leaving because Lucy always licks the kids ice cream cones". That was Lucy - who hated the rain, lacked for manners, was the best trash picker we had ever seen, greeted everyone with something in her mouth, and loved life to its fullest. Lucy was just a couple months shy of her 15th birthday.

Big Girl, you were loved and you are missed by us all.

Shorty 0, Yarn 1

Yep, Shorty lost the battle with this ball of yarn that he snuck from somewhere. Where? I am still trying to figure that out. He must have had a "ball" with it because when I found him, the yarn was wrapped tightly around him in so many places, I had to literally cut it away. It was everywhere... Cats are not the only ones who love yarn - I can clearly attest to that!

I have been knitting on Casablanca KAL. However, last night I became disenchanted with the beads I had chosen for it and frogged the whole thing (which sounds dramatic but in actuality, I have only finished Clue 1 and 3 rows of Clue 2). So I shall begin it again - sans beads.

Shipping News at The Yarn Grove: Any orders received after Wed. July 2nd at precisely 7:00pm EsT will be shipped on Monday, July 7th. Why? I'm going to see Island Girl!

Have a happy and safe 4th of July...

Namaste Bags ...

The Namaste Cali Collection bags in the Laguna style are back in stock here at The Yarn Grove. Also in is their new seasonal color which is Peacock. Great knitting bag or just all around functional purse...

We heard you ! So now stocked at TYG is 20" Hiya Hiya Stainless Steel circular needles. Perfect for socks on 2 circs...

I started the Casablanca KAL and it is a fun knit for me so far. Anyone else doing it?

Had to Have it...

I'm a sucker for cute things and this book is no exception. Last night at our Noble Knitters, Knitting Friend, Donna, found this book, Love from Woolly. She bought one, Lauri bought one and I bought the other. Why? I shall save it for the Woolly Wonder (aka) future Grandchild ... It is adorable and a great gift! From now on, all new babies in my life will receive as follows:

One itty bitty hand knitted, made with love from my hands item

-and-

Love from Woolly Book.

News at The Yarn Grove ... More Namaste Cali Bags arriving any day now. More colors of O~Wool Organic Classic are here.

Adorable new patterns from Katie Park of Caffaknitted - distributed by the wonderous Gardiner Yarn Works. Peg and Tulip are waiting to be knitted up - try some organic - would make a great gift for a youngster!

Also a photo of my pickins' of the day. One jalapeno, several cherry 'maters, plum 'maters and one green pepper. That pepper smells divine... I expect a serious explosion of red ripe 'maters any day now - friends - look out...

Orange Boy and Cheryl are coming. Yay! You *know* I'll have a marvelous weekend and hope all ya'll do too...

Strawberry-Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Here's my recipe for the perfect summer salad-

Salad
1 pint strawberries (sliced)
1 lb spinach leaves
1/2 cup sliced almonds (or the nut of your choice)

Dressing
1 cup salad oil
1/2 cup sugar (don't you dare use Splenda!)
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp poppy seeds
Serve dressing on the side

Serve with raspberry lemonade and crusty bread on the back porch.

No one is safe now...

Yep, I got a new camera. My sweet husband gave me one for my birthday last week and I have been playing around with it. It has come to the point where even the birds scatter and cover themselves with their wings when I go outside to look for my next *subject*. I have a Nikon Coolpix P80 and I have a lot to learn about it but am having a blast.

Knitting? Not so much but have started a new pair of socks and will show them soon. I am actually waiting for the Casablanca KAL to begin which I hope will be this Friday.

Here are some of my latest *subjects*... Back soon with some knittin' to show but in the meantime, here is my first