Spring Fever...... Already??

Living in Southern California does have its blessings (ok MANY blessings) This is what I wake up to at this time of year. From my bedroom window, the back hill comes alive with what we affectionatly call "sour grass" Pretty little neon yellow flowers that grow on a long stem from a bunch of clover and filled with the most sour "juice" you can imagine. I know this first hand because when I was little my siblings and I probly ate enough of them to have permantly puckered mouths. They smell so fresh and springy that you just want to tuck in your nose and inhale hard. That kind of smell.
When my girls were little I told them that I loved these flowers and so of course one of my favorite memories is that of a little fist thrust proudly into my face, over flowing with yellow, spring time and love followed by a little voice stating " These are for you, momma" Needless to say I always had glasses, jars and whatever else I could find filled to overflowing with them. (If you eat to many of these at once you can get a real stomach ache) and so I told my girls just what my mom told us so they wouldn't eat too much " The reason they taste like that is because the dogs pee on them" Mean huh?? Didn't stop us ....... or them...haha "My Tree" begins to bud as well and the fever sets in. Though I have been here long enough to know that to start planting too many things now is just for not. Because you see these days are just a tease and soon we'll have weather back in the high 60's and fog and hopefully more rain. (we do need rain here, always) And honestly I'm not altogether ready to stop having fires in the fireplace yet ......
(I got a new camera and so am trying lots of different things. Bear with me ok)
" Honey bees are social insects and live in colonies. Each colony is a family unit, comprising a single, egg-laying female or queen and her many sterile daughters called workers. The workers co-operate in the food gathering, nest building and rearing the offspring. Males are reared only at the times of year when their presence is required." --Bees of the World---

"It takes honeybee workers ten million foraging trips to gather enough nectar to make one pound of honey" --Bees of the World--
I have had very many cats in my lifetime, but none have grown more attached to my heart than 'Sassy'. She is a most amazing little personality. She is everything I presume a cat should be. Absolutly beautiful, her coat reminds me of the sky in many different moods. An ominously grey day filled with heavy dark clouds,which means, a fire in the fireplace, and my self snuggled up and knitting away and a bright spring day with puffy white clouds floating happily on their way, which means me sitting on the patio with the warm sun on my back, spinning away. And her eyes are just the most amazing shade of green.(which is also my favorite) She has really been through alot too, this girl. Amoung the many things being that she has lost her front left leg, and dosn't even know it's gone.
Okay your probly thinking is this the thing that won't shut -up. But I feel rather rambly today as so thought I'd take you with me. It's been fun. Until next time.... Blessings, Sue
Note added: If you scroll over the pictures and a little hand shows up, you can click on it to make it larger.

Even though my LoveInterwoven business has been on vacation (put on hold) since the car accident I was in last June, I havent exactly been sitting idle. My spinning and dying have slowed way down but a girl can still knit, can't she? Some days are slower than others but I have managed to complete a few more things than I have started. I thought I'd show you a few.

This is one of the Elizabeth Zimmerman Jackets I have made. I used Plymouth, Encore, worsted weight. I believe it's 75% acrylic and 25% wool. I love this yarn. Its is really nice to work with and great for gifts because of its durability and ease of care. The addition of the wool make it feel less plastic than most acrylics I have used ( a long time ago)The cost is just right as well. Using the worsted weight made this jacket turn out to be a toddler size. Probly for a 2 or 3 year old. I did not extend the sleeves though you could quite easily with a little more planning before casting on. (I have read of several people who have and like it alot)

This is a close up of the neck line and shoulder arm seams, I used a single crochet closure and like the way it looks.

In October, Our friends were blessed with a beautiful baby girl. At the time I started this we didn't know boy or girl so I decided on this Classic Raglan Sleeve Baby Sweater.
I used Lion Brand Cotton Ease, and again I love this yarn. Its felt great in my hand and is soft enough for a baby. Washable and classic. I believe it's worsted weight as well.

This is close up of the hem. I changed the pattern a bit.

I downloaded the pictures backward. This one was supposed to be first ( oh well)
I hope you enjoyed seeing these projects. I'll add more later. Right now my fingers are goin rather numb. I'm freezing.

Enjoy your days, Blessings Sue

Too much thinking going on?????

We have had a busy week. It started off with the flu and a cold and ended up with a romp on dog beach. I especially like this picture with all the feet!! Gus and ball leading with Allison and Lily close behind.

There are times when I'm ready to load it all up, pack it into a moving van and find someplace new. A fresh start, somewhere... you know... Where the grass may be greener? hahahaha
And then I get back to my senses and think about just where it is that I live right now. We just had a wonderful winter storm. Rain, cold wind, fire in the fireplace and temps dipping rather low for here ( it's really 56 degrees right now) My poor sister in Idaho is snowed in.

These pictures were taken at Mission Trails after the storm. The creeks are full and it really is beautiful. And whattya know the grass is even kinda green.
More later....til then Blessings Sue

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ?????

Grain seeds have lain dormant in the pyramids of Egypt for thousands of years and still sprouted after being planted. Weed seeds that were recovered from a sunken galleon sprouted after 350 years in salt water.
Seeds are dormant but still alive. When the right conditions come along, just the right amount of warmth or soil or moisture they wake up and bloom.
I found this little sprout growing in my yard in a dried up puddle last July. I followed its progress and it really did turn into the flower you see below. An absolute miracle.


I believe we all need times in our lives to be "dormant". Quiet, stepped back from the main stream, and contemplative. It refreshes us. It gives us time to replenish our storehouses. It doesn't necessarily have to be a long time.
What seeds lay dormant in your life? I have found quite a few. Ready to begin again.

Blessings on your contemplative time, Sue

Afternoon Tea

Please join me for a pot of tea, and a bit of quiet companionship.

Until next time then, ponder your many Blessings, Sue

Pots......

I love words... I always have. I was born talking and I haven't stopped. Ask anyone that's around me. I also love to do word studies. This comes from my years of inductive bible study. I was thinking the other day about the situation that I have recently found myself in, due to the car accident I was in, at the beginning of summer. (Pain is not good.) I decided I would have a bit of fun with a word study. Not anything in depth but bear with me for a bit.......... Let us look at the word POT. or s, ing or whatever like I said we won't be getting technical. This picture is entitled "Flax looks into the Pot of Gold" it is an illustration from a book entitled The Pot of Gold and other short stories by Mary E Wilkins 1893. You can find it entirely online and it is a joy.

These of course are painters pots....

These Lobster Pots are made by Nigel Legge. A fisherman artist and traditional willow lobster pot maker. You can go to his website. He is a fellow artist and the beauty of his craft is evident.

It was a cool site to check out. www.lobsterpots.co.uk/boattrips.html

This of course is a flower pot and not to be out done by the following coffee pot.

There are even the Fountain Paint Pots in Yellowstone National Park to be considered.

There are chimney pots, the ones below are called chioggia.
A crock pot

Bean pot

Money pot.......a control pot, a Gimchi pot , melting pot and a stock pot.
You can sweeten the pot, or just go to pot.
You take a pot shot, have a pot belly or a pot of ale.
You could hit the jack pot, or know a crack pot.
Don't' forget Pooh's honey pot.

Theres the watched pot that never boils.
The hot pot of tea or The warm pot stew on the stove.

This last picture is my favorite. It is a pot being created on a potters wheel in Thailand.

I didn't do anything in depth and this was just for fun. Maybe you can come up with a few more. I did notice that not once could I find anything that even looked like a pity pot. That's reassuring since I'm not going there anyway. Thanks for all the well wishes and support.

I'll try to be on here more often.. leave comments.

Blessings, Sue Isaiah 64:8

Must be Summer..Sure is HOT!!!!!!!

Seth bought a new thermometer..... So now we can not only feel hot we can know EXACTLY how hot it is we are feeling. The top number tells us the time. The middle number is the temp. inside and the bottom is the temp outside. Pretty cool huh?!!!? Being a firefighter, the man is adamant about knowing the weather conditions. I love it. It makes things interesting/fun around here. I know your probably ready to see some yarn or some knitting but alas my hands and shoulders are still not doing that great. Soon though. Seth said that he misses seeing me spin... Man... If I could only tell ya how I miss spinning. I am knitting. Slower than usual but I am finished with clue 3 on the Mystery stole. I'm happy with it so far. Pictures later. I finished a baby sweater and some booties, but can't share pictures yet on here either.
I guess you'll just have to look at these beautiful strawberries I bought. I do love the produce that summer brings us.

This is a sunflower that came up from one of the seeds that got tossed out of the bird-feeder.

It always amazes me what can come of one little seed. God is truly AMAZING.

Our Little fat hen is alone no longer. We have added to the flock, actually we added an entire flock at once. We got eight little ones. Boy are they cute.

We got 3 Rhode Island Reds, 3 Buff Orpingtons, 2 I can't remember right now and oops 1 New Jersey Giant.

I don't have much else to write about. I start physical therapy soon and am hoping to get back to business soon after that. I'll keep everyone posted about that.

Till next time then, stay cool , drink lots of water and count your many Blessings, Sue