Dog Days of Summer Contest

* Someone who crochets: Angela
* Someone who's never made a dishcloth before: Rachel S
* Someone who has been knitting\crocheting for less than 2 years: Debbie S
* Someone who has been knitting\crocheting for more than 5 years: Barb
* Someone who is from a non-US country: Jodie W

Contact has been made and I am sooooo excited. My secret pal left me a message...

Too damn hot...

Yup - that just about sums it up...We are all laying around the house in similiar poses . Who says Minnesota is cold??? It's 95 degrees here today with 110% humidity (okay, maybe not quite that much humidity, but you catch the drift)

I have strawberries

Don't they look just yummy? There is nothing like the smell of strawberries as you pick them.. warm sunshine, soft breeze, and luscious, sweet, yummy berries...doesn't get any better than that. Picking was easy - I picked four ice cream pails full - and was back home exactly an hour from when I left the house. ($7.50 a bucket in case your curious)

Now - what to do with my treasure...strawberry freezer jam for sure (Jeremy there will be some in the freezer with your name on them), strawberry shortcake tonight, and maybe a strawberry pie....and we'll just eat the rest. I bought some strawberry cream cheese fruit dip - works well with the berries :)

Now, if it wasn't so darn hot.. I could get right on that...maybe we'll just hav eto eat them straight up.

It's Friday...

Hmmm.....berry picking??? garage sale"ing"???? shopping??? knitting???? the beach????

Ohh... so many choices and so little sunshine.

It has come to my attention...

I have neglected an important member of our family. Meet Max. He is about 7 years old and we've had him since he was a puppy. As you can gather, I am definitely more of a feline person than a canine person. But, look at that face ...gotta love him.

Sunshine, music and knitting

Sunshine, music and knitting...doesn't get much better than that...I am happy to report I did not need to put on a turtleneck or a sweatshirt. I am glad we had brought the umbrella along to block the sun - it was pretty strong about 2:00. I worked on my red bag - am going to have to find a name for that project....



Rock-A-billy Revue on stage and rocking as usual.




The Aerial lift Bridge. The Bridge is the gateway between Lake Superior and the Bay. The Bridge deck goes up and down to allow boats to enter or leave the harbor.




The bridge is in "up" position to allow an ore carrier to enter the harbor and be loaded at the docks and then sail to far away lands and unload. The carriers come up the SOO Locks and through the five Great Lakes to arrive here in Duluth. They load iron ore, grains, and I haven't a clue what else. (This sounds like a bad book report. I would give this a C-. What do you think English teacher???)

Wish the picture could have been better - but the (damn) camera would flash "battery empty" every time I would zoom in. It was a filthy lie. I put fresh batteries in it before we left for Duluth, which means of course, I had no spares with me...thus the far away, blurry pictures.

As I was sitting there knitting, my focus would continually rest on the American flag flying at the edge of the park. Got me thinking about the many freedoms we have as Americans and the many lives lost and many more young men that are still in danger protecting those freedoms. Let's not forget the sacrifices behind our freedom. Pray for our soldiers.

4th of July plans

We are going to celebrate the 4th at Bayfront Park in Duluth.

(For those of you who have never been to Duluth, Minnesota...We are on the point of the largest fresh water lake in the world... Lake Superior. Here's what you need to know about Lake Superior...it's cold. Consequently, the weather in Duluth is usually colder than the surrounding area.)

Anyways...at Bayfront Park there will be music, vendors, food, people to watch, hopefully sunshine and good knitting and of course fireworks at 10:10.

Among the line up of musicians that will be performing...*drum roll*..Rock-A-Billy Revue will be performing, as well as the Duluth Symphony Orchestra and several others. (Kim, you knew I couldn't have a blog without mentioning RBR!!)

I will take some pics to post...Hoping for sunshine...hate to wear a turtle neck and sweatshirt on the 4th of July.

What does your space look like?

Sue has a picture of her knitting space posted. Got me wondering...How organized are you?

Here is a pic of my corner of the living room. Note the jar to hold needles so they won't roll off the table. The "Altoids" box has stitch markers inside. The cat's bed is nearby on the floor. Both working projects are within easy reach. The plastic container on the floor is to keep my sweater yarn in so it doesn't roll around the floor and collect cat hair.

Did I mention Michael's has their "big" Sugar n Cream skeins on sale this week for $5.99? So, I bought two...

So - I've shown you mine...I would love to see yours...

Sweater progress

Check out my progress....Vanilla KAL

Pics by Nathan

...we were watching "Chronicles of Narnia"...and of course I was knitting...

Knitting calls

Nathan wants to watch "Chronicles of Narnia" with his mother. How awesome is that!!! Not everyday I get such an invite - gotta grab them when I can. Soon he'll be following his brothers down the "college path" and I'll be sitting here...alone. I'm not going down that path right now.

So - I am going to go and enjoy my son.

Fat & Sassy

Yes! That is my fat cat "lounging" in my basket of new yarn for my sweater.

It is my fault...I left such an inviting "nest" on the floor...She looked and saw "CAT BED" As I am jumping around (looking for the camera)...she's looking at me as if to say..."What's all the bother about and could you keep it down...I am trying to take a nap."

I shooed her off of my yarn and provided a comfy blanket in the basket for The Princess to sleep in. What a life.

It's raining

It's raining today.

Good news...I get to knit all day - because that's what you do when it's raining outside...(okay, I could also be doing laundry or cleaning)

Bad news...the yard work planned for today won't get done. My flower beds really need some attention and I wanted the boys to mow. My garden seems to be more weed than tomato plants.

The Berry Farm is open for picking. But, because it is raining - Chris won't be working today and I won't have fresh strawberry jam for my toast tomorrow.

But...I get to knit all day.

I have working buttons

Many, many thanks to Mandy for all of her help. She provided me with step-by-step, clear directions. I now have working buttons.

If you are still struggling with your buttons...e-mail me and I will send the directions on to you.