Thursday: Dogs and Books

Lailah is teaching herself to knit.

Puppy knitting requires a good deal of space!

Lailah looking innocent with her protector, Max.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There was a widely reported statistic reported last week, stating that 1 in 4 Americans did not read a single book last year. Clearly, we don’t fall into that category, but . . . how many of our friends do? Do you have friends/family who read as much as you do? Or are you the only person you know who has a serious reading habit?

All of my close friends and family are readers in varying degrees according to their schedules. Those closest to my love of reading are my nine-year-old-grandson and my DH. All seven of our DGs receive books on birthdays and holidays as well as now and then throughout the year. Clearly the 1 in 4 nonreaders does not apply to those that I know. We all have unique interests, however I do hope that one person in four will find at least one enjoyable book in the coming year.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------~~~ Open a book. Fall in. ~~~

Wordless Wednesday and a Big Bronze Bear

Sweet? Tart?

Here is a finished scarf for "Scarves From the Heart" (See sidebar.). I did 2-4 garter ridges, then a row of dropped stitches with fB Fashion "Granada" and size 15s over 11 sts.

The fiber is cotton and nylon and reminds me of the colors of "Sweet Tarts" candy. I didn't lick it, but I really don't think the fruit flavor is there. I bought this ball from a sale basket at a LYS because it is unusual and would be fun to use for a scarf. Just something different to work with...don't think I'll use it for any other projects though.

At some point --- who knows when? --- I want to use this Kureyon to make a B4 bag for one of my sisters. This B4 is just her style---I know she'll love it! Decorating the bag will be fun-fun-fun!! Look at all the variety here: http://b4bag.blogspot.com/

God bless all the children and teachers beginning a new school year!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Those that know, do. Those that understand, teach. ---Aristotle

Saturday Sky and Scattegories

Paula tagged me with SCATTEGORIES meme. The rules are:
Use the first letter of your name to answer each of the questions.
They must be real places, names, things ... nothing made up!
If you can't think of anything, skip it.
You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question.
If your name happens to start with the same letter as mine, sorry, but you can't use my answers!

My name: Pooch

1. Famous Singer: Paul McCartney
2. Four letter word: Pond
3. Street: Pearl Place (Where I grew up!)
4. Color: Pink
5. Gifts/Presents: Pen and pencil set
6. Vehicle: Pontiac
7. Things in a Souvenir Shop: Plastics!
8. Boy's Name: Peter
9. Girl's Name: Pamela
10. Movie Title: Persuasion
11. Drink: Pepsi
12. Occupation: Plumber
13. Celebrity: Paris Hilton
14. Magazine: People
15. U.S. City: Portland
16. Pro Sports: Patriots
17. Fruit: Pear
18. Reason for Being Late for Work: Pile up on the freeway
19. Something You Throw Away: Paper towels
20. Things You Shout: Police!
21. Cartoon Character: Petunia Pig
TAG! If you're reading this and want to Participate, then you're tagged! It's fun to do! Thanks, Paula!

+++++++++++++++++

The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.
---Psalm 145:18

Dogs on Thursday

Tugging on the red dog toy is a way of sharing....isn't it? Max plays around until he's tired of the game. Then, he just jerks the toy right out of her mouth. She's feisty and hangs on! It's hard to believe that Lailah is now three months old!! Wish we could get this house breaking successfully completed!!

Little Lailah's legs are getting long! It takes some time to decide on the proper toy for play!

RE: Wordless Wednesday--It was about a bazillion degrees with immeasurable humidity!! No knitting was happening. OK, maybe I exaggerate, but you get the idea! I was standing on the deck of DS's bedroom to take this pic.

******************

An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language. ~~~ Martin Buber

Wordless Wednesday in TX

In the Back Yard

Here's another scarf for the Red Scarf Project made with Plymouth Encore and size 11s. Forgive its ratty appearance. Lailah did a couple of laps around the house with it before I snatched it out of her mouth and posed it for picture! The pattern was devised by Penny http://pennyknits.blogspot.com/ and is available in her post on August 16. She regularly completes projects at an amazing rate! You'll love looking at her blog!!

I'm using my "rowsary" from my SP10. This is the first time I've used it and it is very handy!! It's a beaded row counter made with beautifully shaped sterling silver flower balls. Just gorgeous! And functional too!


Let's play "Find the Puppy"!! Lailah is searching the redwood mulch to find a nice, big hunk for her chewing pleasure!

As Lailah inspects the little butterfly bush, I think it might be a good idea to wrap that hose back around the holder!

OK, kids, now let's play "Find the Teeny-Tiny Tomatoes" that make my heart sing!! See them?? Look again!! These are planted in a large pot on our deck. I'm not really a gardener, so I attempt to simplify things as much as I can. My heart sings with memories of my Nonno and Nonna's large vegetable gardens, flower gardens, fruit tress, strawberry patch---so I do make a meager attempt in the summers to do a little. My Nonna would NOT be impressed!! :)

Sad. Plain, ol' sad.

And the sun sets through the Rose of Sharon in our back yard.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

What is impossible for people is possible with God. Luke 18:27

Saturday Sky

It's a bright, bri-I-I-ght

Sun-shiney day!

===================================

Let the glory of the Lord

Shine forever!

Let the glory of the Lord

Shine forever!

O-o-o, let it shine!

Dogs on Thursday

Lailah: Hee-hee! While Max sleeps, I don't have to share the toys!

Let sleeping dogs lie.

"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

To err is human: To forgive, canine. --- Anonymous

Wordless Wednesday in Italy

Logging

It's another very hot day, so I am knitting, reading, and enjoying Max and Lailah. I am using odds and ends of acrylic to add a few more "logs" to the log cabin blanket for charity. I am using 7s and WW.

I'm not as compulsive as I had been, but I had to get up and straighten that lamp shade as soon as I opened this pic! Most of my pix are taken in my home office because everything I need is right here!! Well, the food is in the kitchen so I do have to walk down the hall for that!! ;)

My friend K delivered the pretty yellow azalea---oops! begonia, make that begonia!!-- to me last night, bless her heart! The last two weeks have been very difficult RE: the effects of my West Nile and problems with my most recent immuno globulin infusion. (I have another one in the morning.) So, K took time to bring me a touch of beauty and love to cheer me! I don't blog about my health very often because they are chronic conditions. I guess the last two weeks have gotten the better of me so I'm blogging to release it. I covet prayers for strength and calm. Any way...the Lord has blessed me with thoughtful friends who mean the world to me!

====================

I say that anybody whose life keeps tangling up with yours for no logical reason is likely a member of your karass, a team God has formed to get something done for him.---Kurt Vonnegut

Saturday Sky

Blue-blue-blue
and
Green-green-green
Summer.

.............

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.

---2 Corinthians 1:3

Dogs on Thursday

Lailah has become Max's personal trainer. Limited by health problems related to his age, Max didn't get much exercise. With Lailah's arrival came games of tugging, bouncing, and pulling to keep them playing and panting!

Baby that she is, Lailah does need her nap time!

++++++++++++++++++++

I used to look at my dog Smokey and think, "If you were a littler smarter, you could tell me what you are thinking and he'd look at me like he was saying 'If you were a little smarter, I wouldn't have to.' "

---Fred Jungclaus

SP11 Questionnaire

Hello to my SP11! I'm looking forward to a fun time with you over the next couple of months of our exchange!

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely not like?
I enjoy using different types of fibers and yarns. I prefer not to use acrylics.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Needles—in a hand-thrown pottery pitcher/Hooks—in a case that I received in a swap.
Circs--in a case made for storing them

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn?
Since 1962--I learned from books and friends. A "yarn shop lady" helped with assembling my first project, a hooded long-sleeved sweater with a front placket. I wore it for many years!
Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? Advanced

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes, Amazon although I don't know how to set it for another person to access!

5. What's your favorite scent? Yankee candles/natural scents

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Russell Stover milk chocolate

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Crochet
Do you spin? No, I don't.

8. What kind of music do you like? Contemporary Christian music
Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? Yes. I also use iPod.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? I like practically all colors with the exception of orange.

10. What is your family situation?
Dear Husband and I have three adult children and seven grandchildren.
Do you have any pets? Yes, our beloved Max, a very handsome Boxer, who is nine.
Our newest addition is a female Boxer puppy, Lailah, who is about 10-11 weeks old.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Scarves and mittens.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I like variety and don't have a favorite. If I see a pattern I like, I'll knit it!

13. What are you knitting right now?
I have many WIPs. I am actively working on scarves for Scarves From the Heart and for the Red Scarf Project.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Circs for large projects--Bamboo and Addi Turbos

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes, both

17. How old is your oldest UFO? About six years

18. What is your favorite holiday? Fourth of July! Whizzz-BOOM-bang!

19. Is there anything that you collect? Dolls, hand-thrown pottery, owls

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
I'd like to make something with Malabrigo Merino worsted--love the new Fall colors of "Apple Cinnamon" and "Vetiver"! I also like the "yarn packs" at One Fine Yarn and would enjoy playing with Magic Garden Buttons Yarn.
What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
None at the moment. I decided not to renew them since there are so many resources online and in my files. :)

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Not at the moment.

22. Are you a sock knitter? I have made them, but am not really interested in sock knitting.
What are your foot measurements? 10 inches long, 3 ¾ inches wide/Prefer a cotton or cotton/blend

23. When is your birthday? February 26

24. Are you on Ravelry?
According to the info on their site, I calculate that my number will be up by the end of next week!!

25 Other? I'd like to have some beaded or otherwise hand-crafted stitch markers that would fit needles size 10 and higher.

Note to Comedy+ : You are so right!! The WW pic is indeed scrub pine at the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.

And to other commenters: I am so happy that you enjoy its beauty and form as much as I do!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Isaiah 40:29

Wordless Wednesday

Saturday Sky

This sky shot was taken while standing on the deck in our back yard and looking up through some of our trees. Gorgeous, sunny, Colorado afternoon...94 degrees. I'm inside. In the AC. At my computer. Drinking Diet Coke.

This is the "gull and garter" stitch from Lion Brand patterns. http://cache.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/faq-search.cgi?store=/stores/eyarn&faqKey=291

Red scarf? Ex-ack-ah-lee! It's another for the Red Scarf Project. (See link in side bar.) This is with Plymouth Encore and size 9s. I could have lain that out more nicely. It really isn't this wonky shape!!

Ranking waaaaaaay up there on the Frivolous-o-meter.... the FrivAhMeter......is the personalized sticker book available at http://www.moo.com/products/stickers.php

Just upload some of your fav fotos and receive them as stickers within about 10 days! Although I do not plan to trade them with my friends, as the site suggests, I do intend to use them to seal envelopes and decorate packages.

.................................

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:11

Dogs on Thursday

"Are you my mommy?"

Baby Lailah settles into her new home with us. Eight weeks old.

Max and Lailah

Best Seat in the House!
**************************

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.

---Ben Williams

Wordless Wednesday in our Back Yard