Sunday, July 1, 2018

A Lot of Summery Things

 When Jenny was on her last camping trip there were chickens at the campsite.  Plum likes to cuddle chickens.  

I found some very small canvases at Walmart.  It is a sweet pleasure to create a doodle on a tiny canvas.


I LOVE to glue pretty images I find in old magazines, into small notebooks.  This is truly how I feel about pie eating.  Sadness.  It's all good though because I have eaten my fair share of pie slices in my almost sixty years on planet Earth.  
 Some days Timothy simple relocates to extend his naps.  He chooses different spots and moves according to where Bill and I are.  

Here is grubby Pom Pom on a gardening day.  Dig. Dig. Dig.  
 See what I mean?  He loves sheep skin. 


He also loves a golden velveteen cushion right beside my big cushy knitting chair. 

 It is NOT knitty enough around  here unless I am adding new projects to my knitting line up.  This yarn is part cotton and part alpaca.  The nice friend at the knitting store thinks it will be lovely and drape well.  
 Tim smells the skeins and wonders what it is like at this yarn store he often gets whiffs of. 

The fancy feature of this shawl = bobbles
 Here it is the first of July which means the first week in August is only a month away which means it will be time for my Jane Austen festival.  Reading and viewing, knitting and drinking tea . . . writing and drawing in my Jane Austen journal.  Yay!
 I really should have a Beatrix Potter festival, too.  Maybe I'll do that in September.
 Sometimes my sister sends me gnomes and this one sits on the shelf in my office/study/prettymessyspot.  Look at his socks!  The ribbon trim on his jacket!  His basket!  No WONDER a bird perches in his hand. 
 Here is my ongoing colorful yarn artistry which will eventually become a garment that is VERY heavy and will necessitate the buying of a $20 shawl pin.  
 Tis the season for gorgeous fruit.  The cheery cherries tasted way too delicious and upset my digestive system a little bit, but I must over indulge at least once during Rainier cherry season.  
 Can you believe the blush on the pear?  The taste of pear is miraculous.  
I am so tea-blessed.  Brad and April buy me tea at Happy Lucky. Christie and Jeff gave me the love bird cup for Christmas.  
 Kelli gave me the one thousand gifts devotional by Ann Voskamp.  I am enjoying it SO much this time around. 
 I bought the "stick it in the dirt" cup holders from Target. We use them all.the.time.  Here's my view of the fairy/Shirley poppy garden.  
 And I finished a tunic!  I made a few mistakes. I cut the neckline too big and I must be somewhat long-waisted because it seems short for a tunic.  I like the 100 Acts of Sewing patterns but they are intended to be very basic and doable, so sometimes they are less tailored and fitted than patterns often are.  The dresses and tops are very boxy.  The pants are the MOST comfy and I remember that stretchy waisted pants felt very good when I was a child and now they feel very good to Granny.  Confining waist bands are not kind.  Baggy clothing is a great idea and it makes for happy and relaxed people.  That's your bit of wisdom for the day. 😃

I really hope you have a peaceful and pleasing week.  I hope you eat some pie if you are an American and celebrate Independence Day.  I hope you revel in sunshine if you live in this hemisphere and if you live down under, I hope you drink lots of tea, play with fabric and wool, and feel cozy.
YOU readers (family and friends!) are very kind to click over here and view my photos, read my commentary, and leave a nice little note via the comment section.
Bless you.

37 comments:

Julia said...

What a brave little Jenny to hold a chicken almost as big as her.

Your artwork looks bright and cheery.

Sorry that you can't eat blackberry pies. I can't eat anything with strawberry in it. It gives me terrible stomach aches and hives.

That's a fancy little gnome with special socks. It must be because you are a knitter that your sister gave it to you.

Your heavy shawl will come in handy when the cold weather hits. I love the seed stitch the best. That's the stitch I usually choose when I knit scarves because the knitting lays flat. Love the teacup holder. Wishing you a pleasant and peaceful week too.

Hugs, Julia

NanaDiana said...

What a great post. I love every word of it. I used to love blackberry picking when I was a kid...and mother would make a blackberry pie and jam if there were enough berries.

Love the top and with an undergarment it looks like the neck works okay.

Enjoy all your needle projects and your sweet kitty! xoDiana

Kit said...

I am sitting by the sea and was so excited to see your post! You never fail to make me smile with how much you enjoy the simplest of pleasures. Your joy of life comes thru in all your pics. I am loving your Tim pics, since my cats are at home. :( I had to read your quote about baggy clothes to my hubby. That is me to a T!...lol Happy July! Kit

Farm Girl said...

I always enjoy reading your posts and seeing what you have been doing.
I love all of the bright colors. I am glad you are having a nice summer so far. Happy July!

Granny Marigold said...

Oh PomPom, There's always so much going on at your house. Reading and knitting lovely things, gardening....
I love this season of fresh fruit so much too. Right now it's raspberries and soon blueberries. Yum!
Soon our clan will be coming over and I think I should be getting busy. Have a great 4th !!

Connie said...

Very cute selfie :) Pretty top, too. My favorite shot was the one of your grubby feet and your beautiful garden in the background. I love garden tours and anything garden related. Yours is lovely and filled with fun objects to make you smile:)

Debbie Harris said...

First I have to shy that you look darling in your selfie!
How precious that photo is of your dear Jenny cuddling that chicken!
Cherries are a hard fruit to say no to, and eating just a few, well...
You are always busy with your yarn, good for you!

Enjoy your days in all their beauty~

Jennifer Hays said...

I loved seeing you in this post, Karen. You look happy. I love your top. I want to make some of her patterns too, but I'm afraid of how I'll look in the boxy designs since I'm top-heavy and carry all my weight in my belly area, I'm afraid I'll look like a beach ball. I enjoyed seeing all your summery photos, it's looking very lush in your backyard right now. I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family.

happyone said...

It sounds difficult to cuddle a chicken. : )
That cup holder is pretty cool.
Such fun to visit your blog!!

Kim said...

Your posts are always such a breath of fresh air, Karen! And your gardening attire is the cutest! Those stick-in-the-dirt cup holders are super cool. Great invention! I love how your kitty follows you wherever you go and has special places to sleep in each spot. I've seen those tiny canvases. It's very tempting. I might have to play with some of those at some point! Yours is adorable! And your grandgirl is absolutely precious! A chicken whisperer in the making! Happy Sunday and Happy Independence Day!

ellen b. said...

I have to admit that I've never been that close to a chicken. You look very cute in your new tunic. Indeed tugging waistbands are not enjoyable. I finally broke down and bought the next size underwear after 20 years and wish I would have done that sooner. LOL.

Kim said...

This girl from down under will this week, drink oodles of cups of tea and imagine woolly and fabric pretties while she thinks of you, dear Pom Pom, in your happy, summery place. Love your top.....baggy is oh-so-wonderful!

Sandra @ Thistle Cove Farm said...

Plum is a LOT more courageous than I; chickens frighten me to death! Happy Summer to you and happy knitting.

Victor S E Moubarak said...

I really like the gnome. And the cup holder idea is brilliant. I'll look out for them in the shops.

God bless.

Beca said...

I must be one of those happy and relaxed people because I prefer my clothes a little on the bigger side. Hooray for you for finishing another garment. I would love to take up sewing one day. It sounds like fun.
xx Beca

M.K. said...

Hello! Sometimes I am so envious of your Timmy. He looks like the perfect cat -- always lounging sleepily (and non-violently) on soft surfaces and looking handsome :) I wish I could have one.

And I didn't understand why you can't eat blackberry pie -- are you allergic? Are you concerned about over-indulging? Because I do that with every fruit pie I ever met :) I like apple the least, and I like it a lot. Peach is my to-die-for favorite!

The tunic is so cute. I like it that length, and the fabric is very cool. It looks comfortable to wear, and easy to wear. Have we seen a pair of the pants yet? Because now I'm curious.

The bobble stitch is so fun, isn't it? It does really well on that off-white. That'll look very good.

M.K. said...

Oh, meant to say ... I love the idea of your Jane Austen event, and I LOVE LOVE the idea of a Beatrix Potter event. Journals of those two would be fun!! I haven't read my Austen books for a long time, and it's been many years since I really READ Potter. Keep reminding us!

Between Me and You said...

Bless you for such another uplifting post. Loving your hair and your spiffy new specs, they really suit you. Strawberries are the fruite-de-jour here. I've been making jam with them and it tastes delish. Wish I could send a jar to you. Have a great week, my gorgeous friend. xxx

Henny Penny said...

You are amazing Pom Pom! Your post is beautiful and fun...like all your posts are. I can't eat pie either, like other folks do, because if I can't eat all the pie I want then I just as soon not have any. Your new tunic is lovely. Happy Fourth of July!!!

Lowcarb team member said...

It can't be easy to cuddle a chicken - such a cute picture.
I love gnomes, so good to see your one here.

Happy July Wishes

All the best Jan

Sue McPeak said...

Big SMILE here...your pics and post do that! Your alpaca and cotton yarn is yummy...I've been knitting, too. What's with this knitting winter stuff when it's triple digit summer? Cute tunic and yes, loose and compfy is in my wardrobe, too. Looks like you are having a super summer. Happy Freedom Fourth!

Jeanie said...

I love those tiny canvases! Such fun. And Tim. Oh, Lizzie's steering clear of any warm fabrics and hitting hard floor or thin carpet these days. It's hot for her. Seeing your beautiful yarn makes me hot, too!

Loved your photo and the tunic. Seriously cute!

Lisa Richards said...

Your posts are always so inspirational! I have to take notes! I love the 100 Acts top. I'd forgotten I want to try that someday. I think it's supposed to be kind of short and cropped looking. Looks perfect!
I've seen people make "glue books" like your blackberry one. I know I see lots of pretty pictures I'd like to keep. Good idea!
Love the photo of you surveying your backyard kingdom and the stick-it-in-the-dirt cup holder.
Remind me when the time arrives for Jane Austen reading. Maybe I'll join you. I've also got a few BP's around. Some of my books are in storage. This will be a good excuse to get them out!
I'm going to check out the Ann Voskamp devotional and see if it might be a good gift for my daughter-in-law.

Lisa Richards said...

Oh, I forgot to say BLESSINGS on your family and have a happy fourth!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Karen, I love your projects. AND your Jane Austen (and maybe Beatrix Potter) Festival(s)! AND your cat--nobody ever looks quite as cozy and comfy as your Timothy.

Gumbo Lily said...

I like your canvas creation. I'd like to try that sometime soon. Your Tim is so funny. I'm glad he likes sheepskin and all other cozy fibers. I loved the book 1000 Gifts. It really made me think and also realize how many, many reasons there are to be thankful.

I'm thankful for you and your sweet, inviting blog. God bless you!

GretchenJoanna said...

A campground with chickens! Wow...

I've never seen a stick-in-the-dirt cup holder but it is ingenious. I don't have a place to use such a thing, though...

Your top pictured is cute, but a tunic it's not! I so admire your knitting and sewing and drawing and book festivals!! Maybe I can take part in Beatrix Potter if that happens. Not Austen! But I'll look at the journals and blogs of everyone, of course. XO

Elderberry-Rob said...

You look very pretty in your blue top pic. Your specs suit you and your hair is looking wonderfully thick and tomboyish lately, it all suits you so well. Your posts are always so packed full of positive, cheerful vibes, thank you.

pleximama said...

An August Austen Festival is right up my daughter’s alley, although our tea will be of the iced variety due to the heat. What a sweet kitty you have!

Deb said...

Such a great post, I love the taste of pears one bite and my mouth feels happy. Just picked up rainier cherries at the market yesterday, years ago I had them growing in my yard.

Adrianne Smith said...

Wow, there is so much to take in with this post, and I enjoyed it all! Your kitty is so very handsome. I had a tabby when I was young and hold a very special place in my heart for them. And your doodle on your small canvas is adorable! I look forward to more of your posts in the future. Happy 4th of July!

Boyett-Brinkley said...

I love the top and I need to find some of those cup holders!

Mylittlepieceofengland said...

I love your beautiful photo and totally agree with you about roomy clothes having room to move in. Love the idea of a stick in the dirt cup holder, nifty little idea. I’m sitting here with a bowl of cherries, yum, your pear looked very appetising too xx

karen said...

I love the idea of an Austen festival :) Your kitty looks so happy with the areas to sleep on. My kitten is an older kitten but acts juvenile and can't sit still yet! I can't wait for some sleeping and cuddling. You look beautiful in your photo!!

Kezzie said...

It doesn't seem fair that you love pie so much and it is not so kind to you! I loved the picture of your lovely little grand clutching the hen- so sweet.
Tim sounds like my husband in reference to sleeping habits!!x

Livia Rachelle said...

We are loving our berries around here. I've made blackberry lemonade, and my mom made tarts and ice cream and cobbler. I'm sorry you can't have berry pie! I would be so sad if I couldn't have berries.

Your cat looks like our grumpy cat and acts like our sweet ones; they follow us around to have company; sleeping on tables and sitting on weeds I'm trying to dig up!

Annesphamily said...

A sweet selfie! I am not very good at them but I sure try. Our daughter Hannah is a master at selfies. I love the ones she takes of me. Makes me look lovely. hee hee hee!
Love all the photos and words you share. Timothy is a beautiful feline.
My goodness time flies away. I am playing catch up here. Have a blessed day. HUGS

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