To Everything There Is a Season and Purpose

Hello and Yes.....it's been awhile, 18 months or so since my last post. For the last 13 months I have been recovering from a major car accident. I was on the interstate on January 16, 2018 going to a new job that I know I would have loved for sure when my life changed in a crash. I don't remember much of the first 3 months except getting a concussion again a month later falling down stairs from vertigo. It has been a tough year but I'm so much better now. I had to go through months of speech therapy to basically learn how to speak again. It left me with a TBI and stuttering/stammering. Needless to say that was very isolating but I've since on most days sound normal again but if I'm tired or anxious I still may stammer or stutter.
At the TBI center I went through alot of memory work and still make it a point daily to exercise my brain using apps, games, reading, knitting, writing, etc.
For a long time I wondered why on Earth would God allow this to happen but then I remembered that everything happens for a reason and I may never truly know but............I do know whatever it is God will make it for the good!
Being grateful is top priorty!

Things I learned from the experience:

• life is short. Don't take one day for granted.
• God allows things to happen for a reason. We have to trust Him to heal us and prepare us for the next step in life.
• Persistance is crucial. Its 2 steps forward and 1 step back.
• We are stronger than we think we are.
• Don't take speech for granted.
• Make lists, and more lists
• write everything down!
• not everyone will understand but that's ok.
• do everything your doctor tells you. Everything.

I could go on and on but to keep it shorter, let's just say I'm lucky I'm alive. Although the journey is long, I have been through most of it. I'm more aware of things that matter. People that matter and those that really are draining.

The cross stitch bug is biting me again lately. I'm frequently torn between knitting and cross stitching samplers. I love both!!!!

I also started an ebay business last Summer that is doing quite well. 

I'm in the process or organizing a knit group. 

Alot going on but I'm so ready for Spring!!!!! 

And ummm........flipping through some ideas online and considering moving this in our kitchen for functional use. Found a really neat You Tube video of kitchen decor and functional use of the Sellers Hoosier cabinet that would work well in our house too and allow me to use the flour sifter in the middle (built in) and the extended ceramic top for baking needs.

Yep, this may just get a new purpose in the kitchen.

I think Mr. Darcy did a good job at refinishing this cabinet years ago.

Here's to new purposes on a Monday!!! ✍

Sunday Rest Time is Best Time

Around the house today at the homestead is a little cleaning with a couple of tea breaks. Much, much needed as it's been months since I had the energy or time to do so. Getting it back in order for guests.

The curtains and linens are all washed up and fresh.

Friends are truly the best therapy. This is true.

But sometimes the introvert in me calls for alone time to recharge my batteries for the next week.

Pick a cup and your favorite flavor of tea.

The kettle is on

Miss Abbie is saving my place for me

and the needles are at rest to enjoy the day.

It's hot and humid here but the view outside is nice and green. Thank goodness for air conditioning and good window views.

and enjoy the quiet if you can to get some much needed recharge-rest for the week.

I hope you are enjoying this Sunday day of rest wherever you are. And most of all are at peace, happy, and healthy.

Matthew 11:28  "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest"

Happy 4th of July! Apple Cobbler recipe

Need dessert tonight?

Apple Cobbler

This recipe is a little different than my usual cobbler.

But it was a definite winner at our house today!

Whipping Cream or Vanilla Ice Cream is perfect a few  minutes out of the oven,

and, also the aroma of all the ingredients cooking for 30 minutes in the oven will please the crowd!!!

~~~~~~~~and it will definitely go fast so prepare in a 3 quart long oval casserole dish.

The cinnamon, vanilla and butter are awesome.

You will need to preheat the oven to 350 degree F

Take about 8 medium size apples or enough for 2 cups here or there chopped in medium pieces after peeling.

Sprinkle a good 1/4 cup of brown sugar all through the cut up apples and stir and let rest for a few minutes.

Grease a 2-3 quart glass long baking dish with olive oil

Take all the cut, brown sugar coated apples and place by hand in the cassserole dish.

Sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of cinnamon over the apples.

Then, with a mixer combine 1 egg and 1 cup of white sugar and 1/2 cup of milk well.

In another bowl, put dry ingredient of 1 cup of self-rising flour

Melt 2 tablespoons of stick butter in a small cup 

With the mixer and sugar, egg, milk combo, mix in flour, melted butter and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

Continue mixing the batter. This batter will be thicker and will produce a cake-like moist cobbler.

Pour all the thick batter over the apples evenly. Do not worry if apples are still seen. The crust will rise around them.

Put in oven to cook 30 minutes.

Take out of the oven and let rest 5 minutes or 10 before serving warm.

Top with ice cream or whipping cream.

In this recipe, I substituted Lactaid milk with no problem or detection of tasting differently.

We are having barbeque chicken in the crock pot, 3 color spiral pasta/egg salad with fresh veggies, corn on the cob and biscuits!

I hope you enjoy and have a safe 4th!

Jennifer

The Present Moment---A True Present

There is something uplifting about water of any kind. This is the view on our back porch. On a nice, sunny day here in the North Georgia mountains, I could stare at it for a long time. The thick green in the trees at this time of year nearly obscures the view; however, it really helps frame it if I look at it in a more positive way.

The temps here this week have been awesome. If only the weather could stay like this, right?
I thought that one morning when it was in the 60's at night and 75-80 in the day with little humidity.

Then I remembered how could I really appreciate this so much if there were no changes to really cold, dark, humid weather? Icy cold weather?  In reality, I wouldn't. We are pretty much conditioned this way to ebb and flow with change because change is the constant in life.

It's kind of like when I was a teen growing up. In June our church always had the youth group go up to Ridgecrest, N.C for music week camp. I think of that every year at this time because attending those camps yearly instilled the love of the mountains in my heart. It took me until I was 37 to finally move to the North GA mountains but it was always a hope.

After living here for a good while now, I have to remember not to take the beauty of where I live for granted. I'm reminded each time I go back to South GA. I may not always live here in the mountains. We really don't know where our life journey will take us but for me right now at this moment, I can enjoy the beautiful weather, fresh air, and nature's beauty here.

Being the introvert that I am, living in a place like this has it's benefits for sure. But will God have me stay here forever? I'm not sure on that. However, as I look at the pond below our house, I'm reminded gently to live for the moment because that is what I have.

So I'm going to take the moment of today and as I do that I'm hearing birds of all kinds singing, reminding me that if God takes care of the birds He will certainly take care of me.

I hope you are enjoying this Saturday with whatever helps you feel at peace.

Jennifer

A New Knit Finish--Mantle of the Garter shawlette

So.

I was looking for a good stashbuster to use up the remaining precious cotton/viscose from Italy yarn from the last project. I found on Ravelry a great free pattern HERE called Mantle of the Garter by Margaret Anderson Kilfoil.

It's a good TV knitting or traveling or waiting around in doctor's offices kind of project.

I finished it last night at midnight and had a million ends to weave in until about 1am.

This morning, I stretched in on the chaise on the back porch where tiny bits of morning sunlight could show you a bit.

The coloring is not that great because again I used my Ipad camera.

I used my teeny little decorative pins to hold it a bit.

The morning sun filters through and it's nice and cool out. The shadows cast are not so great but you can get a general idea.

I even used a section of the English Roses by Malibrigo that I made a shawl last year in. It was just enough to finish up the remaining skein and blended so well in the shawlette.

 

I plan to wear with a navy blue summer dress or a white Tshirt and jeans.

Things I learned from this project:

Even though I used cotton as the main fibers, I would suggest using the much springier, fiber that the pattern calls for. I used up 2 balls of stash yarn together with straight cotton. I also use a remaining Malibrigo merino called Old English Roses from a previous project.

Cotton /viscose has give. Plain cotton doesn't so much. 

Reinforces my love for my favorite cotton yarn for my budget I Love This Cotton from Hobby Lobby. You can find any color for any cotton project and for the yardage per skein and the quality it beats all for me. I go to it when I know I want much variety for straight up cotton.

This is a shawlette and I would probably, if knitted again, increase more and make it larger for a shawl.

Weaving in ends is still my notoriously least favorite part of knitting. That being said, when my last end is woven in, the pure rush of a finished project is a good thing. A real good thing. Like finally finishing and completing something.

And that, my friends, has been my easy knit project while going through yet another eye surgery last Friday. I had a trabeculoplasty in the left eye. Lets say the weekend was rough but I go for my post op today and better with exception of the sunlight. 

Sunlight is no longer my friend even with my really good sunglasses.

Around the homestead, while cleaning the back porch on these most gorgeous of cool Summer days, I saw one really large Turkey. I think she is trying to find a place to nest for her babies.

Not sure but I'm glad this Summer they are back.

Also saw 3 deer just outside the window and when I looked at one, he peaked around a tree at me. He was so funny. I think it was mother and 2 babies.

My next project I'm getting together from a KAL but really I missed the first 4 weeks so it will be later than the KAL on Ravelry. However the pattern looks more challenging and all the clues to the mystery knit a long have been given. The yarn is fingering and it's using 6 colors for a shawl.

I will post soon the skeins and the colors and my cast on.

Hope all is well with you and remember to enjoy some part of the day and spread love and compassion wherever you go.

Till later,

Jennifer

Sautee Sunset Summer Scarf Progress

Progress on Sautee Sunset summer scarf I'm making. The colors again are faded due to poor quality on my Ipad camera. I hope to get you a truer representation of the vivid, gorgeous colors when I get my camera fixed. I thought I would share my progress.

This yarn is Santorini which is 58% viscose and 42% cotton. Its a great combo. For a little history I looked up the viscose and basically its a rayon that actually has been around since the 1800's. I found a great little history site discussing cotton and viscose.

If you are interested in a bit more about the type of textile and why it is put in some yarns/fabrics, this is a good short read. I learned a few history bits about it.

click HERE

I started not to post pics as they are faded colors until I could get my camera into working order. Seems like a cloud or lavender effect in these pics but you will get the jist of the design.

I do get a few rows in  each morning really early or at lunchtime. 

I am using a sweet little heart marker progress keeper from Molly.

Her podcast and website is A Homespun House.

I'm starting on the second skein.

Each skein is 125 yards.

I was so surprised at how far the the first one was.

The colorway only has a number and is 2107

It is from Classic Elite Yarns.

I purchased this in Dahlonega Ga at Magical Threads.

I'm using a number 7 Addi circular needles

The actual colors are so vivid and actually look like a sunset on a clear day.

I made increases and decreases to create a "mountainous" effect.

I'm looking forward to incorporating this in my wardrobe with denim and a crisp white shirt and it will also be great into early Fall due to the autumn deep rust colors and navy scattered throughout.

The cotton and viscose with a lace pattern make it a great Summer accessory, not too hot, just right to still wear something you knit!

Our sunsets and sunrises here in North GA mountains are breaktaking.

It is awesome to be inspired to create living here. 

Future posts will show accurate colors of this project with the help of Mr. Darcy soon.

Here's hoping you are getting the weekend starting off at peace and have something on your needles to enjoy this cool Spring air!

For our weekend, we are going out to eat and working around the house cleaning out and donating many many bags of items, and actual pieces of furniture to the local battered women's shelter.

So far we have donated 8 large bags. Much more to go as I simplify our living space. 

See ya soon!

Jennifer

New Knit Finishes Prayer Shawls and Such

It's been a very long time and so much has happened since my last post. 

My health has had many turns. It's been a daily struggle with eye pain and losing my sight in one eye. 

Long story short. It would take an entire hour if you only knew, but I brushed myself off and decided to post a picture of my first prayer shawl I designed ( and maybe even have already) but on my dressform, along with another very simple garter shawl that I started back in Fall 2014 and found in a project bag and decided I needed to feel some accomplishment and therefore today it's cast off the needles. (Now that is a total run-on sentence but,,,,,,). 

 I have not blocked it. Just to take a look see. I have had this dress form from ebay for a couple of years now and it really was not expensive at all but has really, really, really come in handy for knitwear and such. If I can go back and find the seller on Ebay I will,  because I think every knitter, especially if trying to design, should get one. I think the shipping was even free and it's not too heavy, but not light either. 

Maybe I should name this one Blue Days. I think I spent many of them at Emory this year, I've lost 50% of my vision in the left eye now. Next, is laser in the next 3 weeks. They are trying to stop the progression but my cornea is not letting it. Again long story. But, I can knit.

I have another eye. Thank God.

I found a supportive glaucoma group that totally understands. I'm thankful for that. 

And thankful I have a husband that understands and will be my eyes if they fail.

I cast on this shawl in Fall 2014 and it's what I call a process shawl. I literally knit for the enjoyment of the process not the project. I'm sure many know what I mean. 

In the midst of many project bags tucked away I decided this weekend to finish and cast off this afternoon. Then, I rambled through my glass bobble and pins jar that I save things in and found a pin for it. 

Cheered me up a bit to put it on the dressform today.

The next one is my first design prayer shawl. This is a project shawl. I had a specific reason and goal in mind for this one.  One day I will write it up and explain why I chose and how I chose the pattern. It has a special meaning to me. 

The reason the dressform is so useful for me is that you can actually get it in your own measurements. 

This comes in great handiness when designing or knitting for sure.

Don't you like this choker necklace I put on it from the 90's? Yup, I still had this in my jewelry collection and now chokers are in again. :)

For not being blocked, it's not too bad.

And with this one, I used Malibrigo yarn

http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/

I don't think this colorway is even available anymore. I will need to search and find the ball band.

I used 3 skeins.

It knits like butter. I love it. This is the second shawl with this brand I used. I don't know if you remember the Old English Rose colorway that I knit a shawl with.

Gorgeous old rose colors.

I started to test knit another prayer shawl in the colorway Christmas at Downton and got halfway through it when the season ended. Couldn't do much knitting in March so it's in a project bag waiting for me.

On the other half, my sweet husband has started woodworking as a hobby, in between managing several schools in the district, and is just about finished with his MBA online.

He is presenting one of the plaques he made to the principal and has made each one for many schools in the region. 

At Christmas, he wanted some woodmaking stash stuff (in our language), and so I was so happy he has a creative outlet as well. He really is talented. He totally restored the Hoosier cabinet in our house a couple of years ago.

I am very proud of all he has accomplished this year. We will soon be celebrating his dual major/ Masters in Business Administration with a focus on Human Resources and Operations Management. 

Well, I have to leave you with a bit of humor. I couldn't stop laughing at this one..........

I know that's sick, right? LOL

Long story short?

since January

• Downton Abbey was our every night must have to see. We ordered the complete series of years and went through all of them except this past season of which we will probably watch endless episodes with popcorn again.
• I've learned how to put objects in my eyes I never thought I would before. Yup, I can do this!
• my better half got me my first pair of REAL sunglasses......and I love them because sun is not my friend
• I've learned how to really appreciate seeing everything and especially colors.
• I've learned from great sources for vision impaired how to utilize things on the computer for adapting to going blind.
• I've eaten way too many lunches at Zaxby's. People at work think I'm addicted.(can't help it, their tea is the best)
• I've come to love hubbies mustang just for the tinted windows.
• Putting on eyeliner is a real 10 minute event now
• I've watched many declutter You Tube channels but wishing I had the energy to do it all at one time. It's getting there though. 
• I just got my supplies for my first KAL---Queen of Thrones!
• My goal to drink 10 cups of water a day is a very real thing I HAVE to do, not want to do now.
• My hubbie has watched many a chick-flick with me in the past 3 months.
• Abbie freaks out on the weekend when we say
  "the pizza man is here" and he is here quite frequently
• there's no place for fluorescent lights......no place
• Sunday mornings are a given for chocolate-covered doughnuts at the homestead
• Cross stitching patterns haunt me to be stitched but my eyes went to yarn instead
• McDonalds now knows my breakfast order by heart and I just say hi at the drive through and it's one egg biscuit and a large half cut coffee with 5 splenda/ 5 creams
• February, in the middle of another corneal ulcer and 2 weeks out of work, my husband got me the prettiest Valentines Day chocolate box with red velvet EVER and I ate every one.....well, I shared a few with him
• chocolate was pretty much a theme since January and the answer to all problems
• my Ipad mini is now playing the Bread and Olivia Newton John Pandora stations quite regularly

Bless you and have a great Monday.................

Jennifer

Coming Undone and Waitin' on Tom Video

Sometimes, even as much as our creative juices are flowing, mistakes happen in the pattern and, well, it can't be fixed. 

I tried everything with this pattern.

I absolutely loved the edging it was making.

and as big and far as I had gone............into the first lace chart, I had to take it all back apart. 

I mean...........to the first knit stitch.

Coming undone.  I was undone to say the least. 

I spent a good 6 hours trying to avoid that but I decided knitting is a hobby not something to stress over, so the answer was to make something better with it. 

Lessons were definitely learned:

when starting to learn a new technique, start on a small scale

always, always, always keep a lifeline row!

don't knit when sleepy

everything can have a new beginning

sometimes we can even make something better

My DH took me for a road trip and consoled me as I did rewind the entire skein. 

I was inspired again to start over but not using that pattern. Nope. Had way too many start overs with it. It is a beautiful lace pattern but on to something new.

So, with some inspiration one morning near our homestead, I decided to try again.

Of course it also helped to be on the way to the local yarn shop.

The  colors in the early Fall air and clear skies got me thinking.

Even Abbie got to thinking.

So I tried to make a go of blending to start a new shawl.

I also was inspired by some Etsy stash of new, little owl markers from this sweet lady who sent her card and a bird. Right now, it looks like a turkey to me, but that could be because I see about 25 or them every morning and evening feeding in the yard, getting fatter and fatter for Thanksgiving.

If you order from her on Etsy, I can assure you she has great service, quick and fair shipping and will put in 1-2 gifties extra like these buttons and the extra marker.

Guess what?

I made a mistake again.......................

and I couldn't fix it.

so............my mojo for cross stitching a WIP was really making me antsy and 

I pulled out this one from about 3 years ago and re-pulled my threads to start working on it.

This is Pink Hill Manor from Blackbird Designs. 

With the use of my magnifying glasses with a light, I was in Heaven again...........enjoying my work, like revisiting a long-lost friend, and getting somewhere!

And I have had the best week on staycation!!!!

Instead of going on a trip, we both wanted to work on our house alot and we have really worked the outside and the inside, moving some rooms completely to other rooms, purging and finally letting go of some things I should have a long time ago. It's nice and cozy again. 

We also got the complete season 1-5 of Downton Abbey on DVD now and watching a few episodes, starting all over with popcorn and cuddling in the evenings. 

We've taken bookoodles of pictures of turkeys and put them on FB and we even made a video that was quite funny.

Even though we could have gone anywhere for the week on vacation, we really enjoyed it more staying home together. Improving our homestead and putting love in it, readying it for the Fall and Winter guests!!!

Enjoy!

 

not only these guests but people guests too!  :)