A Time for All Seasons---Glaucoma and Corneal disease

I am writing a short  long post to catch up.

A new year

2016

 I really can't believe it!

Many of you that have followed my blog for a while and the closest of friends know for the past 5-6 years I have been on a journey with glaucoma. It's not something I would wish on anyone for sure.
I was diagnosed at a simple Walmart eye exam about 6 years ago and also had a hemorrage near the retina.

I thought things were getting blurry because I needed new glasses. On yeah, "I'm getting old!"

 My readering glasses from Walmart were doing fine actually. However, the digital picture they took identified "cupping" of my optic nerve in the left eye which was very slight and early. I was so glad they identified it early as I started on eye drops for glaucoma. I still did fairly well in my profession and with stitching and knitting and life goes on.

So for 5 years I went to the same general eye doctor every 6 months as I had to have a medical exam for the glaucoma. They explained it as a "CT of the back of the eye to get a picture of the optic nerve and for any damage".  Four years ago, the optic nerve started to become damaged. I still didn't notice anything in my eyes different with exception that the corneal scar on my eye (they found that at the first exam as well) was becoming more apparent with pain. At first this was like having an eyelash in my eye all the time. This progressed to severe pain this past year like having an ice pick stabbing my eye. The scar was getting worse. The scar was old and originally from a hit in the eye in my early 20's. The glaucoma meds and dryness has caused degeneration of the cornea over the years.

Zoom forward to this past March. I had an intense migraine right after a long trip. I went to cover my right eye and I looked forward and really got unnerved that many areas were totally blind. Just gone.
Like steamy fog on a mountain. You know the mountains are there but all the dense fog totally makes them go away.

I looked again. Blinked. This didn't change anything. Evidently my right eye had been taking over my vision and I can still function well but my optic nerve and visual field tests for the past 4 years were worsening. The general eye doctor referred me to a glaucoma specialist. It was at this point when I got my records I saw my failing tests every year but this generalist eye doc didn't take it too seriously.

This started the real brick that hit me that I was going blind in my left eye and it was a matter of time.
Since April of last year through October, I have had to see retina specialists and glaucoma specialist with pressure checks and many tests including a CT of the brain back in October to rule out a brain tumor. I was having headaches from the eye pain so bad.

I was then identified and told I had a Salzman's nodule on my cornea on that eye and I needed surgery. I had no idea what that was. I work in the medical field but eye issues were definitely not my specialty; however, when you are going blind, you learn alot about all kinds of things in the eyes.

CT showed no brain tumor. Headache behind the left eye would come 3 times a week like a brain freeze from eating ice cream and it would last 24 -48 hours. This increased. I was set up for surgery at the glaucoma specialist when they decided surgery needed an open OR room not out patient as my risks were too high in an out patient eye surgical center.  I continued to work in my profession through this entire time. I could see as my right eye now is dominant but the pain was identified then at Emory University as a corneal ulcer with corneal degeneration, advanced and advanced glaucoma in the left eye. They said at second look that it was not a Salzmans nodule but a corneal ulcer that was a much more severe problem.

The corneal specialist is very nice. The university is a big, busy place but all the drops, meds, everything was professional and options given. My husband has been through this with me and has been a good supporter. My parents also were concerned and aware of the pain I have been through.

On the day before Christmas Eve, I got an amniotic graft on my eye by a corneal specialist.
I literally was in bed with this prosthesis about the size of a quarter under my eye socket and praying that the graft woud take when they removed the prosthesis 3 weeks later.

I took 3 weeks off work for this procedure and had it removed last week. It healed the corneal ulcer but the glaucoma is fairly stable, but necessary now to look at other options for the glaucoma. So now I have a corneal specialist for the degeneration and they have set up in February seeing an attending glaucoma specialist at Emory for options. I returned back to work this week.

I still have some irritation under my lid where the device rubbed and still very sensitive to light but it was good to be back at work. I could not ask for any more sweet and understanding co workers and friends. The day before my procedure, they asked to say a prayer for me in a circle. I was so deeply touched in my heart and so thankful. The graft is from amniotic/placental donor tissue from a woman who had a C section. I had never heard of this and interesting to me because I'm a women's health practitioner.

The scar on my cornea will always remain and the specialist said I will have to wear a prosthetic clear scleral lens. I will be fitted for it in 2 weeks, it's sent to New York to be made and then I go back to get the device, learn how to put it in and take it out every morning and night.

The visual loss/blindness in my left eye is about 45% and is not reversible. I thank God every day for 2 eyes.

Until I got the graft procedure, I was knitting after work some at night and weekends but my pics are forthcoming. I do not write this for any pity AT ALL please but just to let those who follow my blog know why the gap in writing.

My corneal specialist is hoping and myself too that an ulcer does not occur again on the scar but she says that it probably is going to be recurrent. This is why the prosthetic device will hold my cornea and keep it from getting as dry too and maybe prevent this.

I have some limitations but mostly I'm doing well. The sun is probably the worst thing so I wear sunglasses alot. I love cloudy days now.

I'm very thankful I can continue in my profession and help others feel better. Being on the flip side is so very different!! I am also thankful for the corneal specialist. She listened and identified the problem right away. She was there when I cried about my fear of going blind. She is reassured with the graft the ulcer went away and is just a very understanding and knowledgable lady.

The next step on this glaucoma journey is next month. One day at a time.

I take one day at a time and I know that there is always a purpose for everything as God promises us but I also know we sometimes don't know why and may never know why these things happen. Coming to peace with that.

Amazing Grace how sweet the sound

that saved a wretch like me

I once was lost but now I'm found

was blind but now I see.

Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear

And Grace my fears relieved.

Thank you if you made it this far to read. :)

I have not forgotten my blog and all you who still take the time to read.

I will be back soon with a much better blog post and get back in the groove.

On the knit front.............just off the needles a scarf for my hubbie in the color Lake Tahoe

please excuse my picture. It's from my phone.

Actually picture one is the right color.

and this is finished and in a whole different light. LOL

It has not been blocked here. Definitely a simple, quite bulky alternating of stockinette and garter, easy on the eyes.

I plan to cast on my Christmas at Downton Lorna's Laces yarn REAL soon!!!!!!!!

I will be making a shawl.

Also will share a pic of part of my Christmas present in my next post.

I also will be having a blog sale in the next few months so stay tuned.

I hope this finds YOU all happy and healthy with the start of 2016!!!!

Jennifer

P. S. Miss Abbie sends her sweet love!

Sarah Bottomley sampler WIP

Hello all,

I picked up another WIP to try and finish. I don't even know why I got distracted from this one and went to another. I guess my creativity and interest in the sampler had diminished at the time.

Now, going through my stash I'm inspired to continue to work on it. I think I started this one about 5 years ago.

Sarah Bottomley

designer The Scarlett Letter

colors and linen are in the kit from The Scarlet Letter

Most of the colors are basic. Brown, tan, cream, olive green.

The chart pack states that the finished size of the sampler design is 8 and 1/2 in x 12 and 1/2 in.

 Just thought you would like to see what I'm up to in the stitching world!

Right now I have limited time for stitching as we are busy with finishing up remodeling. It's looking REALLY good; however, our backs and joints are pretty sore from it all. ;)

I will say..................it definitely helped me with my general goal for 2014 to simplify because I have cleaned out closets, bathrooms cabinets, and many other things and realized how much I had duplicates of and things that expired.

With that being said, it's looking a whole lot better and pics to come of the changes.

Back to the closet cleaning......................

Jennifer

Color Therapy and Sampler Making/Life

Color

Color therapy is definitely a useful tool in many situations, whether child or adult, happy or sad, whatever the case. Sometimes we don't even think about all the colors we are exposed to each day, which ones we love the most and why, and some scientific reasons behind exposures to cheerful colors. I found this link on one of my favorite websites for PTSD--Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. If you click below you will find a physician's explanation for the use of the color wheel.

http://www.giftfromwithin.org/html/FAQ-Frank-Ochberg-Color-Wheel-of-Positive-Emotion.html


If you or a loved one has PTSD, first do not be ashamed. It's not something you choose for yourself. There is much help as well. Gift From Within is probably one of THE best scientifically based websites for PTSD and has many, many short webcasts with this physician who has dedicated his life to the specialty. Also, are webcasts on specific PTSD issues with veterans. You might want to check this site out because most likely you will cross paths, knowingly or not, with a friend or family member with this issue. Trust me, the person will frequently not tell someone, because of the stigma, the shame, and the prejudice that comes with it. A counselor is your friend and can really help.

Some myths about PTSD are :

1) it always effects men (absolutely can effect man or woman, child or adult. In fact, more women and children are susceptible to it)

2) it always effects military soldiers (can also affect childhood sexual abuse, rape, domestic violence, etc.)

3) jobs will not be prejudiced about it (they will)

4) there is no cure for it (depends on the diagnosis and the length of time before access to treatment, and the person themselves, not always forever and those they do have chronic and are treated, recognize their triggers and have many resources to cope)

5) no one can help ( not true. Anyone can be a positive healthy person or friend for someone with PTSD IF they choose to)

6) people with PTSD are crazy (not true. Please see Gift From Within for biochemical and environmental issues with PTSD)

7) People with PTSD are not loveable. (not true. In fact, they are probably the most sensitive people and loving you can ever meet when you extend trust in a friendship)

8) family members with PTSD should be excluded from family ( a family can choose this but does not help the person with PTSD nor does it help the family unit. For a family not to even try to understand it in this day and time of resources like Gift from Within is unimaginable. If someone is triggered and you do not feel comfortable with this, you can remove yourself but cutting someone off the family is not a healthy way to deal with it although it is often chosen because it's the easiest way)

9) all military men that return from Afghanistan twice, have PTSD. (this actually was told in an interview of a friend who did not have PTSD but had been to war twice) first this is legally wrong to discriminate and second NOT all people who serve our country get PTSD. Society needs educating.

10) a person with PTSD should tell everyone about it. (this is a variable decision based on each person's circumstances. If you choose to tell, be ready for friends/family's to conveniently leave the relationship as they are not confident in themselves or choose the easy way out to not be your friend. Because of the stigma attached to it, people with PTSD sometimes do not; however, I've seen educators who have the disorder incorporate it in their introductions in a positive manner. So there is not a right or wrong but be prepared for people judging you, or even hating you for it. And on rare occasions, it may even help a family member understand you much better and strengthens the relationship.

When I cross stitch or knit, the colorway of the threads or yarn, can greatly be cheerful. The sampler I am working on from The Scarlett Letter is very simple, changing silk colors frequently.

It finally dawned on me through this that there is a pattern to the mixed colors in the sampler.

The colors of the letters go Blue Red Gold Pink . If you look at the color wheel and see how the colors in the sampler could be interpreted, the sampler (red stitching) is surrounded by love. I think this is why I love redwork so much!

 

I love these Kelmscott little scissors that come in all colors as well. I picked up a pair of blue ones in my collection to work on the sampler. Blue is so cheerful.

 

 

 

The colors are cheerful and remind me of the color wheel. Positive thinking.

 

I hope to be done pretty soon on this one. At the homestead in the past week, we have had some major things that have not given me much time at all for stitching. We had a pipe burst and effects 3 rooms and luckily we have insurance but the chaos of moving all the stuff around and calling adjustors and such and working in between has been time-consuming.

 

Through out all this a ray of sunshine is in the distance when we get through. We will have a new kitchen floor and bathroom floor, opportunity to remove the large island and maybe paint the cabinets, make use of some space upstairs better, and most of all, forced me to really clean out the things I don't use anymore, therefore cutting down clutter.

 

So all in all above the loud fans going, it's expedited me de-cluttering for my yearly goal to simplify my life. I've turned a desk that was not used into a vanity for myself and it's SO very nice to sit and do makeup/hair versus standing in a bathroom.

 

When we get done, we will share pics but I do believe this will be further out in time. We have a lot to do. But in between I did just set some time to stitch and when I finish this little sampler I will have a little sense of accomplishment with one thing!!! 

 

I do appreciate all your comments and personal emails. I hope you understand that if I don't respond right now in a timely manner it's not because I do not want to be friends with you. It's a temporary set back we are dealing with in the homestead and a new job taking up a lot of my time. I dearly love all of you that take part of your day to read things I like to share and do read each and every comment.

Thank you again for your hanging in there!!!!  I know it's time for a freebie sampler and I hope soon to get my designing hat on to do this for you.

 

I hope all mothers, both children and furbaby mothers, had a GREAT Mother's Day yesterday. I worked for most of it but was given a beautiful rose at work (PINK!!!).

 

Till later,

 

Jennifer

 

The Scarlett Letter sampler progress!

Hello my friends!

 

It seems to have been way too long to write and post but I've had some good changes in my life in the professional arena and therefore, a little busy with getting into the swing of a new routine. Life is good!  God looks out for me in many ways, well, all ways and in doing so in the past few months has changed my career direction into the same field, but actually a much more positive and brighter environment. I can't believe I've been in the nursing field for almost 30 years now! The beautiful thing about choosing this career is 1) the ability to make a difference in others lives in many positive healing ways, 2) changing niches and tweaking to build on experiences and 3) the options are limitless in choosing a focus.

 

Throughout my career, there has been one thing I remembered from a former mentor in the 90's. She told me these words of wisdom:  the only constant in life is change.

These words ring true to me every single day. The ability to embrace change and channel the experiences into a positive, moving-forward stance is what makes the difference. I can truly say that it makes a world of difference working in a more positive environment. I still balance my career part-time and am at peace in this stage of my career in the direction it is taking. God is good!

 

Thank you for hanging in there with me for the past couple of months as I was balancing new changes. I do appreciate you taking time out of your day for a visit here.

 

On a stitching note, last weekend I took the entire Sunday afternoon to snuggle with my hubbie as we found a marathon episode series on one of the channels of the PBS stations. Of course Downton Abbey, the last season that just finished, was on for 5 hours and we were thrilled to go back and see some of the past season's episodes again!  While I was watching Downton Abbey afternoon, I picked up The Scarlett Letter sampler below and here is my progress. I am loving the silk threads that came with the kit.

 

The Antique Alphabet Sampler

 

 

 

This is a smaller simple sampler that I referenced in a couple of posts ago that I wanted to do to get my cross stitching mojo on go again. I've had this chart pack for several years in my stash and had bought it on Ebay, included the chart, the silk threads, and the fabric. The cover picture of course and the actual threads look a bit different but I think the designer did a great job at reproducing this little sampler.

 

The sampler is stitched with one thread because it is silk, per instructions. If the cottons were used, I would have used 2 threads over 2.

 

Although the front of the package reads that this is 25 count linen, it really looks mores like 28 or 30 to me. I love their unbleached linen that is included in the kits because it is just more stiff feeling and easier to stitch on.

 

 

Again, a very simple sampler, but colorful and fun to stitch. This is one of the older ones as the copyright date on it is 1982.

 

 

 

Although this could be stitched in a monochromatic, or one color thread, manner, I like the different colors scattered about in the alphabet. I can only imagine a very young girl who had to stitch with the precious amounts of her silks that she had on hand to make this beautiful colorful blend.

 

 

I hope to finish this soon and frame in a darker maple frame, adding to one of my sampler walls in the keeping room. Then, what will be next?????  hmmmmmm............just have to wait and see!

 

 

I hope each of you have a restful night, surrounded by those you love,

 

Jennifer

Some Knit Finishes and Valentine Inspirations

It's been so long since I posted this time!!!  I can't believe how time flies. Since I last posted, I have done many things, just not all stitchy news. I did finish and pieced together my Chunky Edge Lace scarf and decided that putting this many sections to connect in one scarf was more than I wanted to do. Although it came out lovely, soft and oh so warm and girly, it has more bling in it that I thought when putting it on and looking in the mirror.

With that being said, I still love it, enjoyed knitting it and used 3 full skeins of the colorway Constellation, Thick and Quick yarn. I gartered all the stitching except the two end pieces. Used a # 13 straight needles.

 

 

 

 

Each end piece is a full skein of yarn. I joined them all with a quilting needle and weaved in the ends. I did have to taper down to fit the other 2 sections at the end but I still love it!

We had some really COLD weather since last post too!  Colder than I have ever seen it here before. I have seen colder air in Chicago in the past but this was like brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr cold for North Georgia. Our outside cat, Louie, of whom we love dearly, has an outside "cabin" Mr. Fox made for him but it was way too cold for Louie about 4 days so he boarded in the downstairs bath. I have a cat allergy but I will say that it didn't cause me any problems this time. They say allergies change and it's been several years since I was tested so.........maybe it's gone now?/?? I hope so because Louie clings to the door all the time.

Miss Abigail snuggled away in her knitted throw and pillows as she places them as she likes it for different times of day. She is so funny and so loveable. I love her so much.

Another finish this morning, well start to finish, is this Valentine colored washcloth. I simply gartered it because of the colorway in Damask, Sugar and Cream. I love the light pink, the dark pink, red and a hint of milk chocolate this makes. I can make a few more of these for washcloths.

 

It's funny how I really didn't see the pattern it made until I posted pics. Close up I couldn't see this pattern.

 

 

 

 

We've had 2 callings of snow by the weatherman but each morning, no snow.

All in all, January is halfway over and I do look forward to Spring. Actually, the daffodils here are already sprouting from this cold mountain!

Downton Abbey this past week was really intense and I was so upset about Anna Bates. We'll have to see what next week brings. I think Mary is realizing she needs to be in the "living world" instead of the "dead one" as her grandmother described now. This should lead to a lot of good adventure in the next episodes.

On the book side, I'm reading and participating in a Bible Study on facebook called Wife After God by Jennifer Smith, The Unveiled Wife. The book on Amazon is called Wife After God as well.  This study is something I look forward to every morning after I wake and grab a cup of coffee. She posts a 2-6 minute video in the study and some study questions for pondering through the day. We are all following her devotional book which can be found on Amazon and if you are looking for a good one as a wife, you will find this one to be full of humility, strength, encouragement and just really a lot of hope. Interesting discussions have been stimulated by many wives and her husband in fact, has a facebook page Husband Revolution. I do not see him doing any studies right now but I suspect he will in the future. The couple has been married 7 years and have the cutest baby boy. The focus of their ministry is an Ephesians 5 marriage.
Topics from this include faith, fears, arrows of the enemy, Satan and how to handle them, humility, submission, love, forgiveness, and many more. It's a 30 day study but her videos are available to the public so people can catch up if interested.

Ok, so in keeping with some other January beginning-of the-year resolutions, I have been trying to follow FlyLady and other websites for cleaning and decluttering/ organization which is not one of my good traits (really). This week is the bathroom detail and yesterday I spent 5 hours....yes 5 hours in one bathroom taking............every.thing..............I mean everything out of cabinets and reorganizing all the girlie stuff, tossing out old stuff, changing out shower curtains, scrubbing the tub, and I even changed the look of the bathroom by taking off the cabinet doors and putting in some old pretty baskets I already had for organization. The open cabinet effect is so much cleaner and easier to access. I read a book from Pixel of Ink freebie off of my Kindle that fired me up to start this weekly detail cleaning. The name of it is The Busy Mom's Guide to Speed Cleaning and Organizing by BJ Knights. Of course any couple or single person could utilize the info in it. It's easy to read, about 160 pages of just really GREAT remedies for things in cleaning. There are scattered recipes for natural cleaning solutions such as baking soda, peroxide, vinegar, water and others but very simple. 

I found the book to be a great motivation.

 I don't know about you, but I add free books daily offered at Pixel of Ink if you have a Kindle, You have to grab it though then to download at zero dollars because the next day it goes back to the 6-14.99 cost. Pixel of Ink on FB like and then you can check it out each day.

I have a list of several more to get read soon. I like the option on my old Kindle for text to speech. Crossing my fingers this is the first Kindle to come out and it's still working. :)

Another New Year's resolution is to start back yoga daily. I have enjoyed it a lot and look forward to it. Just using You Tube yoga lessons for my sessions. The stretching and movements are very beneficial for the body and mind. We also do couples yoga as Mr. Fox got a men's yoga mat and stuff for Christmas. He really likes it too.

I have completed half of the last row of flowers on At Home with Jane Austen by The Sampler Girl. I am so close to finishing it, I don't know why I have not already. I think I'm dabbling with ideas in my head on how to "finish, finish" it. We will see how it strikes me with the last stitch and I hope soon so I can show you.

Here's to changing up to finish this sampler and soon I will get a progress completion pic.

Jennifer

Monday Musings--a compilation of home working

Monday started with Banana bread breakfast this morning.

 

I baked a DOUBLE recipe of Banana Bread Friday and here is how fast is flies.

Out of the oven

 

24 hours later

and 48 hours later...........it goes fast!  That's why I doubled the recipe. It is a simple one I found in a very vintage recipe book from 1979. The name of it is "Think Christmas" and was compiled and published by The Junior League of The City of Washington, Inc. I've had it for about 5 or 6 years now found in a junkin' store.

 

 I really needed a few more bananas but I made do with what I had.

 

The basic recipe is :    (remember to double if making it in a cake pan)

1 cup of sugar
1/2 cup of butter, softened
2 eggs, well-beaten
3 large bananas, mashed or 6 small ones
1 tsp of baking soda
2 cups of all purpose flour
1/2 cup of chopped nuts (I used pecans)

If using for only this recipe and not doubled,

Preheat oven to 275 degrees.
Cream sugar and butter
Add eggs and bananas
Add sifted flour and soda
Add nuts and mix well
Pour in greased loaf pan and bake for 1 hour.

Now, when I doubled it, then I poured all this in a tube pan and baked at 300-325 instead for about 1 hour 10 minutes or so.

Makes great dessert, or a breakfast bread or a good midnight snack!!!! You can also freeze some of it.

On the stitching front, here is my progress on At Home with Jane Austen.............(designer, The Sampler Girl)

I finished the flower motifs and now on the last band of flowers at the end.

 

As for knitting, I have started and now have sections of a scarf I'm putting together with some serendipity.

 

I will combine all the sections. I found this wonderful FREE Chunky Lace Scarf pattern on You Tube over the weekend and it's a 6 row repeat.

 

Here is one section of the 6 rows. It makes a lovely scalloped pattern. I will do another row or two of this and decrease gradually to fit the gartered sections on each end.

 

 

I'm using straight needles for this because I don't have a 13 circular, I so wish I did!!!!!

I adjusted the pattern by decreasing by 10 cast on stitches and still this is a cramped fit on my 14 in straights.
I "unbunched" some stitches to show more of the lace pattern.

I would love to work this pattern on circulars in a shawl. This pattern practices ssk, ssk2p, YO, K, P.

You can find the pattern here  http://www.thecastingoncouch.com/ along with many others.
This is under freebies. It will also lead you to the You Tube tutorial. Please don't make the mistake of just Googling Cast on Couch as it also leads to some kind of porn videos.........wacko and not intended at all.

I like to follow her knitting as she knits like I do in English style.

Speaking of English style, there was a great replay of the last episode of Downton Abbey last night on PBS and another show for sneak season 4 previews. I LOVED IT. I didn't love watching the death of one of the main characters, Matthew, though. They said season 4 will start 6 months AFTER this happens, so next Sunday night we are glued to watch the new season start.

I hope by this time I am on to model stitching my Downton Abbey design. The colors I chose are so pretty. So, when I finish this band of flowers on At Home with Jane, I will be picking up my design of Downton Abbey pretty quickly. It's a large design. I plan to make some smaller designs from this series in between as well so stay tuned!

Keep calm and stitch on,
Jennifer

At Home with Jane sampler progress~~nearly finished WIP

 

Here is my progress on At Home With Jane Austen sampler designer The Sampler Girl.

 I've had this one in my basket for 4 years at least. Started on it, put it down, did a third, put it down. So I'm finishing this long WIP up very soon. I have one flower motif left and then the last band of purple flowers and it's done!!!!!!!

 

 

I so love Jane Austen.

 

 

 

And pinks are my favorite colors.

 

 

And my initial changed since I started it. That's how long it's been in my basket.

 

 

Home Sweet Home

 

Just wanted to share something I'm finishing up this weekend. I'm mixed on how to finish it because I can only afford a junkin' frame  .........and I can't find one.

So, I may finish it like the photo she has on the front and hang/display on the wall this way OR I have a frame that is bigger on the sides but the right length and put some pretty fabbie on the sides.

 

I used/am using Crescent Colors that are called for in the pattern. There is a DMC conversion but I like the overdyed effect.

I'm also using the linen called for in the pattern as well.

I believe it's 30ct.

 

So, I finished my Christmas shopping today, just a few items left and grocery shopping for the week. Feels good to be done.

Soon, to watch the Christmas Box movie with the Mr. cuddling by the fire.

We have some snack size ham, turkey, and 2 cheeses with crackers to nibble during the movie!

The last 2 gifts to mail will be late as they are to be mailed out Monday but I'm sure they will like them just as well!

 

Singing I'll be Home for Christmas,

Jennifer

 

As You Like It Scarf Progress and Design

Just to let you take a peak at some knitting this weekend from my stash, I will share these pics.

About 5 months ago, at least, I found a treasure in the junkin' store I frequent, all in a plastic bag and appeared to be skeins of DMC wool. I was first attracted to the colors as I love Colonial blues, reds, greens, etc. So, while resting up over the weekend with Mr. Darcy and 2 movies, I knitted.

Just one skein to another.

I counted after opening the bag!!!!!  53 yes 53 skeins in muted colors. Virtually 10 cents a skein.

 

I just started knitting, in no special order and then I stacked them like this so I can just pick one up as I go. This will make about a 90 inch scarf, plenty to double and triple with jeans on a winter day.

This DMC 100% virgin wool is imported from France. Washable. Cold water.

 

I decided not to piece blocks together, just keep knitting from one color to another.

Hence, the name As You Like It scarf. It's stitch therapy. Keeps my hands busy and warm by the woodstove.

This bag was only 5 bucks. If ordered from a store would be over 50.00 bucks.

 

 So I think as they say another man's junk, is another man's treasure can certainly apply here.

 

I just keep knitting in simple garter one to the other, not really getting disturbed by some irregular threading through the next color.

 

Keeping it simple.

 

Picking out and choosing colors.

 

 Designing my own jeans and sweater scarf.

 

Loving the beautiful colors.

 

One really interesting thing about this pack~~~there is only ONE skein of Dark Brown. Yup.

From chaos.

 

 To organized.

 

To systemized in the colors I like.

 

But the brown is special all by itself.

Only 46 more to go! I've got some buttons in my stash I might use on this, as well.

 

Simple finds.  Simple joy. Simply colorful.

 

I picked up my smaller needle for 1 over 1 stitching on my pincushion. Didn't cross stitch much on it. I got side tracked to knit.

Till later,

Jennifer

Fall Shawls, Flowers and a Fine Gentleman

I haven't posted in so long I couldn't believe it~~~ but~~~ a few things I've been up to lately are:

~welcoming Fall in the North Georgia mountains!

~making Apple Cider again on cool evenings

~enjoying Mr. Darcy's sweet spirit, and feeling so blessed

~road trip to mom and dad's

~starting a new business for a second part-time job

~making a fire in the woodstove on cool evenings and mornings when we sip coffee together

~enjoying the back porch like a room of the house with this beautiful sunny cool weather

~trying new recipes

~knitting Christmas gifties and thank-you gifts

~attended a Joyce Meyer conference with Mr. Darcy, along with 90,000 other people (yup that is a correct count, it was BIG)--one word---INSPIRING

~reading some new, good books

~watching wildlife in the yard, including a flock of wild turkeys (5), tending to Thelma and Louie (yup, not Louise we found out) :), keeping a bear out of the trash, squirrels gathering acorns, and appreciating all the sunny days after such a season of rain this past Summer.

~and soooo much more~

I finished my Fall Shawl Ya'll and here are a few pics:

The colorway is one from Bernat and I can't remember it totally but this pic is much lighter than the actual color. It's dark burgundy. I used 2 large balls of yarn. For some reason my camera or the lighting is making it lighter.

{{{whispering}}} Abbie has a disclosure she wants me to tell you: White hair here or there is NOT from her at all! :P

 

more of the true color here.......................

I made it so that it would fold on the edges for a small collar effect.

 

I actually finished knitting this a couple of weeks ago but today, just getting to mending in the loose ends by hand. I didn't use a pattern, just knitted on some stitches for a set-up row and then increased KFTB on each end for................a very long time! Then I purled all stitches for 8 or so rows to make it curl for a collar and then BO.

It was a great TV, watch-the-Waltons knit project.

 

The camellias are blooming in the yard. They really get no attention at all so Mother Nature blessed us with several that I picked today for the dining room. A pop of bright pink, white, yellow and green with a lovely fragrance in the house.

I worked on the second repeat (twice this) and then made a mistake and couldn't save it so had to pull all out and started over! I do love this. It was a freebie on the internet. Will make a large chunky lace scarf in colorway of Redwood.

Sometimes starting over is not a bad thing. I look at it as giving me another chance to learn again and pay more attention when I should be~

 

Admiring Abbie's long hair on her tail. She is so funny but smart, smart and more smart.

 

 

And admiring Mr. Darcy as he is blessed now with a new job! So proud of him. One fine gentleman!

 

 

 

And enjoying some fun days, free-spirited.

 

I love October. Always have. The leaves will be turning their colors soon, the cool nights will get even cooler, and the knitting needles will be moving a lot faster! Hubbie and I have been very blessed.

 

 

 

Mum's the word!

 

 

The back porch is our most-loved spot here at the homestead. It's not perfect but just right for us.

 

 

Miss Abbie is enjoying the chaise. Yup, she is shedding like crazy.

Where's Waldo?

 

I hope you have been having some blessed days as well. I will be writing much sooner. I needed a lil' break on writing but I so love to read and write.

 

Till our needles click again,

Jennifer

 

Progress on At Home with Jane Austen designer, The Sampler Girl. My hopes to finish this one if I can, by the weekend and get it framed in a special way.

ok, bye for now...........stay cool!