Monday, April 11, 2016

Fun and Pretty

 Hello MONDAY!  My new Susan Branch book came on Saturday so by Sunday, late morning, I had consumed it.  I do love Susan's chattering way of writing because it's so friendly AND orderly.  Each page is gorgeous.
I am ironing at the moment.  Every time the iron beeps (shutting off) I get up and iron again.
 Last night I ate popcorn, watched news, and knit (Bill is in Romania).  I like the turtleneck collar I decided to make instead of the tulip-y one the pattern called for.  I hope the alpaca yarn doesn't make my neck red and itchy.  The last thing I need is another rash.
 I have quite a knitty station behind the sofa and I keep looking at the short striped sweater on the needles and thinking, "FINISH that, Pom Pom!"
 Well, it's good to have a bunch of stuff for making at the ready, don't you think so?
 In Susan's new book she tells about how she came upon Gladys Taber. What a GT ambassador Susan is.  Is that how YOU heard about Stillmeadow?
 See?  I'm working on the board!  I need to buy some rubber cement today and begin arranging and adding pretty stuff.
 My sweet friend Betty sent me a lovely letter.  I could stare at her watercolor dafs ALL DAY!

 I guess I'm a sucker for a free yarny calendar.  I ordered from Knit Picks for the first time.  LOVE it!  
 I am not completely sure why I chose the dark lilac/purple yarn.  I am pale and it might make me look even paler, but I think I am in the lilac mood already.
 Hey! Can I see YOUR grocery list?  Here is mine.  I have been eating stuff out of the cupboards and refrigerator while Bill is away.  Today when I took my sourdough toast out of the toaster I spied . . . MOLD.  Ruh row!  
 And then I went outside in my jammies and captured a pansy!  
 And TWO lovely dafs!
 My neighbor's crab apple blooms
 And the beginning of this piggy plant that if not kept in check will RULE the garden
 These two softies came over to say hello!  Wiggle worms!
 Spring has sprung even though it is a grey day.  I used my better camera today and I think the key to my regular blogging is a real camera instead of my phone.  I grow weary of my phone because I find it so attractive and I keep checking things which is a trapped way to treat a phone.  
So, before the iron beeps again, I bid you farewell until I find pretty things to show you in the very near future!  
Thank you for visiting. I love it when you pop in.  
Check out what Mr. Badger is doing!  He's at MK's and she took him to the river!  Bliss!

27 comments:

Susie said...

PomPom...PU on the ironing. LOL. You did well on that sleeve..I just iron as I need it. Iron so much growing up. I hang right out of the dryer...so that truly helps. You are an awesome knitter. Love those sweaters. Susan Branch is a wonder..I love her blog and how she points things out at the Vineyard. Things are looking like spring in your area. Enjoy them. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

Danette Bartelmay said...

Ahhh....such pretty Spring things.... we are still slowly coming into Spring here... trying, that is. You are blooming ahead of us. The crabapple in my side yard is just barely budded. I'm like you, always a stash of projects to pick up and work on. I get determined to finish things every once in awhile but then I start the cycle again...

elizabeth said...

like your pictures!

wish we were closer, think of all the books we could discuss! I have not read either S. B or G. T. must remember them for the future! have a wonderful day! grey here too.

elizabeth said...

oh!! forgot to say that I like your yarn and knitting! Romania! wow, my sister and her husband lived there. I hope to visit one day, the monasteries in the North esp. :)

Julia said...

Everybody is talking about Susan Branch these days. I still haven't gotten a copy. She is a smart cookie, making lots of money from what she loves to do. She truly has a great gift of creativity.

Your knitting is lovely. How sweet of Betty to send you a letter and beautiful water color daffodils. They will keep for ever.

I Love Pope Francis' Five Finger Prayer. It makes it so much easier to remember to pray for everyone in the right order.

Have a colorful Spring Day.
Hugs,
JB

Terra said...

You are reminding me that I want to buy a Susan Branch book as a treat for me. Plus I will check our library and see if they have some Gladys Tabor books. I like the soft colors of your yarns, very beautiful. I do need to ask you, what is ironing? Ha ha! I do have an iron but don't use it.

happyone said...

I always have a few projects going too. Keeps things interesting.
Your shopping list is a bit unusual and creative. I just put my items in one long list. : )

Kezzie said...

I must read these Susan Branch books!!! They sound and LOOK marvellous!!! I am reading a delightful murder mystery called 'A colourful murder' which is set in sleepy Cornwall and the amateur sleuth is Eleanor Trewitt who is an ex-charity worker in her 60's or 70's- so delightful!!!
The wool projects are beautiful- you are clever as is Betty's card!!

GretchenJoanna said...

What is that "piggy plant," do you know? It looks minty...

Elizabethd said...

Your poor old piggy plant is only Catmint or Nepeta, I think! I like it, and you can keep it in check by cutting it back, hard.

Debi said...

I love Susan Branch, I hate ironing! I am delighting in all the spring flower photos that everyone is posting... we had snow this morning, no flowers for us yet! As soon as I get my laptop back I will post a photo of my shopping list... have a great week!

Granny Marigold said...

I'm also wondering about that Piggy plant. It has popped up everywhere in my garden even though I've never planted it.
I got to know about Gladys Taber from the days when she wrote a column for a magazine. Maybe it was Family Circle. I wish I'd have cut out and kept them. Her books are so soothing to read.

Something else I like to read are other people's grocery lists. I will pick up dropped ones in a store or parking lot and tuck them away to read later. For some reason I find them interesting. My family thinks I'm odd.

Anonymous said...

I so enjoyed Fine Romance. I'm going to check out the other author you mentioned. That's a nice way to iron. Looks like you are enjoying your spring for sure. Blessings...

Happy@Home said...

I discovered Gladys Taber years ago while browsing in a thrift shop. I was happy to add another of her books to my collection just last week. Your shelf looks very much like mine, only I think your collection is larger than mine.
My hubby has been out of town for over a week so I was particularly tuned into what you are doing and eating while your Bill is away. Too bad we aren't closer... we could meet for dinner.
Love that plate in your last photo.

Gumbo Lily said...

Beautiful springy things! Love those early bloomers. I also like your knittin'. I think it's good to have a project at the ready. I have some embroidery that I've been stitching on-and-off for a while.

Grocery list: Lettuce, colored peppers, spinach, carrots, cukes, sweet potatoes. Apples, halos, bananas (or other fruits that might be on sale). Coffee beans, navy beans, pumpkin seeds and/or sunflower seeds. Peanut butter, tahini. Baby chicks! (from the feed store)

Gumbo Lily said...

P.S. I have that Piggy Plant too -- catnip, isn't it? Thankfully it pulls up pretty easy. Love the books -- Susan Branch and GT.

Fat Dormouse said...

I love that plate in the last picture - so bright and lovely!

My shopping lists are very boring - I really don't think you would want to see it! I have to try to be quite precise if I want something special as Mr FD does the shopping for me. I've learnt to my cost that "ch bsts ch toms" confuses him. I KNOW it means chicken breasts and chopped (or cherry - depending on which section it's written in!) tomatoes, but Mr FD sometimes struggles!

Nancy McCarroll said...

Pop in, I did. Good morning, friend.

Gene has started sour dough, and I might toast It a bit before it gets stale or moldy.

Pretty pictures.

Farm Girl said...

I always enjoy visiting with you. I love it in the morning before I start my day. It always helps me to start out on the right foot.
I love all of the colors you have for your knitting.
I think I found out about G.T. from one of my blogger friends. I don't think I had ever heard of her until I had read quotes from her blog.

You have lots of good books on your shelves. Your blossoms are pretty.
Have a lovely day.

M.K. said...

Hi, Pom! Adam keeps our grocery list on his phone, so I never see it :) And if he forgets his phone when we go to town, we can't go shopping - haha! Neither of us can remember what we needed.
Lookit all your pretty yarn. I love your knitting. Looks quite cozy, in spite of the flowers around. I do not iron, as I've probably told you before. As per Gladys, I found out about her from YOU, silly :) Susan is a great fan though. I haven't gotten the very latest book yet.

Elderberry-Rob said...

I think you introduced me to Gladys Taber and I got a book off EBay but then I gave it away on Book Crossings and sort of regret it now as I want it back !! ha ha. I am loving letter writing, glad you like the little daffodil bookmark. On grocery lists you would love ours - we are all a bit ocd - we have a menu and shopping list every week - mostly done by hubby - so we all know what we are eating at every meal! everyone likes it this way as it helps us plan and budget better. Hope your Bill will be home safely soon, those I have met who went to Romania have found the people very much in need. Betty x

ann said...

Wow. A lot of color here and a lot activity. I do wish I could knit. You make a grocery list? I do, too, but usually I leave it at home. Have a fine week.

handmade by amalia said...

Everyone is talking about Susan Branch, I have to give her a try. A lovely post today, dear Pom, so full of color and life.
Amalia
xo

Heather LeFebvre said...

Trying not to rush through my SB book too fast while at the same time indulge in reading as fast as I like. :) Michael's away too! I'm thinking that means its a good time for reading through a book! Wow, you have such a wonderful GTaber collection!!!! I think I have about 4 of hers maybe 5. Susan put me onto her!!! LOVE those books. Well, we will have to discuss Isle of Dreams when I'm done....

Thistle Cove Farm said...

My Susan Branch books has yet to arrive; waiting rather impatiently. Romania is one of my very favorite countries but I say that about almost all of eastern Europe. I've been reading Gladys Tabor for donkey's years, way longer than I've know about Susan Branch.

Boyett-Brinkley said...

Hi, Pom Pom! I know who Susan Branch is but I have never seen these books -- I am going to have to check them out. I love your Life Plan board and the five finger prayer -- I have that in my prayer journal which I really need to pull out and work on. Love your photos and your knitting is so colorful!! I would love to show you my grocery list but I don't have one -- if I did it would just have one word -- "everything" -- and then I wouldn't have to go to the store for a long, long time -- I dislike the grocery store. Wonderful post!

M.K. said...

Hey Pom -- I'm way behind and catching up, as usual :) Oh how I love looking at your yummy knitted things. You're so amazing, making sweaters! If the alpaca is itchy, add a soft sewn liner inside against your skin :)

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