Flat Rib Popover Vest and Poll

I finished my Flat Rib Popover vest last week, blocked it, and almost cried.  Swatch. Swatch. Swatch.  Will I never learn?  I always think I'm a "normal, average, usual" knitter.  I used the exact yarn called for in the pattern; the needle size called for; and knitted the pattern with no modifications (except the plan to leave a slit in the hem when constructing it).

There's Oversized... and then, there is ginormous.  I LOVE the fabric of this piece and was able to salvage it by 1) crocheting across the back neckline using a 4.0 mm hook doing single crochets in every other stitch, thus tightening without gathering and giving a firm neckline so it didn't want to slide off my shoulders every few minutes and 2) belting the soft draped fabric worked for a more fitted look.  Sorry, no post-salvage-procedure photo.  LOL!

All that frustration called for an INSTANT gratification!  This little thing whipped out in barely more than two evenings.  The pattern is:  #9 Crochet Jacket by Jenny King.

You'll notice there are no sleeves yet...

I'm debating whether or not to leave it a vest...  I tend to wear vests more than jackets...

Any thoughts???  Jacket or vest??

The Mystery Mitts are blocking!  Woo hoo!

I've started another FUN little quickie project, too.  Now, to just decide about sleeves or no sleeves and then plot the next project.  ;)

May you find some little INSTANT gratification to light your day!

blessings ~ tanna

Winter Sunshine, Mystery Mitts, Sweet Notes and Oh, Yes!

Early morning...

After our bitter cold week, the winter sunlight has been a welcome guest...

Everything seems better when the sun is shining.

I've been working on my Mystery Mitts... Learning a few new stitches.  Not perfect, but getting better...

I've got to get back to work on them to get this week's clue done!  Just finished Shanghai Girls by Lisa See.  It was a pretty good read... very well written.

Received Thank You notes from our Little Men.  I love how their Momma has thank you notes made when she does their Christmas cards... then, we get an after-Christmas treat, too.  ;)

Makes me smile.

And, oh, yes!!  It has been warm enough for a couple rounds of golf (70F Sunday afternoon)!!  How WONDERFUL to be out and moving around without being COLD!  ;)  A big happy for this old girl.  It's gotten a little cooler, but the sun is still shining and it warms up to the mid-fifties... I can deal with that kind of temperature. 

Wishing each of you some happy in your week!

blessings ~ tanna

Escape Room, Spinner and Bitter Cold!

Okay, if you haven't tried an Escape Room, you are missing out!  LOL!  We returned to One Way Out for our second ESCAPE last weekend.  SOOOO much fun!

There were a few "projects" worked.  I have some hardworking grands on the project business.  LOL!

Totally engrossed in Nintendos.  Totally.

My family always played Spinner when we would get together.  Mom had found Zack a set in an antique store for Christmas and he thought we should begin teaching the next generation.  BUT, as you can see, it is the younger, not the youngest, generation that is most INTENT on winning this old game!

Zack frequently won as a child.  Nothing different today!  He was our WINNER (did he really want to teach the youngsters or just get another win?).  LOL!

Here we have a good student to the game!  Alex ended up a close third behind his Uncle and his Momma.  I'm thinking he will follow in their footsteps of being fiercely competitive! [And, as since he was a toddler, he was surrounded by a VERY organized troop of his current favorite toys.  ;) ]

Note in the background:  The girls may have BAILED out on the Spinner game to work more "projects".   Their Daddy will have to attempt to pass this game along another time. 

Miss B and I, well... we didn't do so well.  LOL!  There was a LOT of exposing our hand before she bailed out on me toward the end.  I'm just sayin'.

So, then, there's this...

We've broken the record.  Low in 1957 was 11F.  But... if we can just make it to the weekend...

I'm not gonna lie... I am not a fan of this kind of cold.  I feel so bad for the animals and birds.... myself.  Ha!

But, I'm hanging in there till this passes...  Like so many things in life, if you can just hang on... it will pass.

All across the country folks are experiencing bitter cold.  I pray there is warmth and safety for all.  I pray for those without homes to find shelter.  Lord, be with us.  Thank you, Father.

blessings ~ tanna

A Quote I Love...

So true... Our way of seeing things shapes our lives...

Can we discipline ourselves to shape our perceptions... therefore, shaping our lives?

I believe so.

I made this little ripple afghan a good while back and I still love its bright colors...

I'm happy to report that I'm back on track with my Flat Rib Popover vest.  The light bulb came on while I was taking down the Christmas ornaments from the tree Tuesday.  I love how our minds will continue to work on a problem even when we are not consciously thinking on it; and then, BOOM, we see the way through to the other side.   Just love it!

So now, I've finished the back and have cast on the front.  Yea!!

While both are true:  the glass IS half full AND half empty, I want to focus on what is IN in my glass... it is all I need.  I am thankful.

blessings ~ tanna

Weekend Fun and STUMPED

Our little snaggletooth, Andrew.  He has lost several teeth in the past couple of months and is getting them back at varying rates.  The boys were feeling good this weekend; unfortunately, the first day Pop Pop was not.

Still, we had ourselves a good time.  There was an excavation project... finding hidden "gems"...

Minion business...

Transformer business...

And, more Minion business... these boys came prepared!

And, we enjoyed a "friendly" game of Catan...  Can a competition really be friendly??? LOL

When all was quiet at our house Sunday evening, I got back to work on my Flat Rib Popover... only to hit a wall!  I am embarrassed to say that I am totally stumped and cannot figure out how to proceed.  I've requested help from Churchmouse this morning... hopefully they can help me see the error of my ways and get back on track!!

I still need to download Clue 2 of my Mystery Knit Along.  I'm feeling so far behind!

AND,  I still need to get down all the Christmas decorations among other things!  I had bookkeeping and 1099s to get out yesterday, so hopefully today!

Deep breath.  Keep calm and carry on.  LOL

blessings ~ tanna

A Little Catch Up...

Seems I got behind over the past week... This morning I'm taking a breath... Starting a new project (to knit along with my vest)...

This is a free Mystery Knit Along:  Winding Staircase Mitts by Sabine Kastner.   The clues suggest a solid colored yarn with good stitch definition... I'm miles away from the solid color part.  It will have 40 beads as well... they are a motley crew, too.  But, I'm excited.  This will be my first pair of fingerless mitts and I think it will be fun doing something new.

Our Little Men & Co. came for a Christmas visit and had "the sickness"-- fever, headaches, stomachaches-- the whole time.  Bummer.  Bless their little hearts.  It dampened our fun, but not our love.

 

We did enjoy a little Gingerbread building on one of our better afternoons.  They will be back this weekend, so I'm hoping for WELLNESS!

We got to see our grandgirls last night!  Out of all of our grands, Karsyn is without a doubt the most fun to give gifts... NO ONE gets as excited as she does or gives more thanks.  Such a joy to see her open a package!   Unfortunately, my photos of our other two Little Lady Loves came out blurry.  =(

It is SO COLD here (for us).  The 20s is just too cold for me.... I keep telling myself it will pass.  LOL!  For now, I'm staying bundled up!

Hoping whatever your weather, you are warm and content...

blessings ~ tanna