Wildlife in the Suburbs :)

We're suckers for feeding the birds, squirrels and other wildlife in our neighborhood. On a tree by the driveway we have a squirrel cafe where the little critters can dine on corn we buy for them.  Here are a couple little guys chowing down.  I was hoping to get better pictures but they were skittish when they saw me with the camera.  The one on your right is a tiny thing.  So here they are:

Here is an overall view of the cafe.

Sorry about the junkyard-like house in the background.  This is where the neighborhood paparazzi lives.  He started taking pictures of our home and visitors again today.  He also called the police because one guest had partially blocked the sidewalk with his vehicle.  I did mention to the police officer that the car next to the red one has expired tags.  I'm really tired of this guy!

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A little bit closer view of the cafe.

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Here's the bigger of the squirrels at the Squirrel Cafe!

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Here's the little guy

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The big guy again

Eleanor Roosevelt--A Pitchman/lady/person for Margarine?!

Eleanor Roosevelt has long been my favorite First Lady. When you get down to it, she was her husband's legs and ears for much of his reign in the Oval Office. You may recall from history, Franklin D. Roosevelt was crippled from polio. Eleanor did much traveling for him and advising him also. Imagine my surprise when I saw her advertising margarine on a video clip!  Her career ran from First Lady to salesperson--that's our wonderful Mrs. Roosevelt!  Here's the video for your perusal--




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Family...

This verse will hopefully be an inspiration to an angry not-so-young lady in my extended family:

⁸ Anyone who does not look after his own relations, especially if they are living with him, has rejected the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (This is from 1 Timothy 5)

I don't "preach" my spiritual beliefs.  I attempt to follow them.  I informally say my prayers off an on throughout the day as if the Lord was in the room and we were conversing.  I say "thanks" for whatever I have to be grateful for and ask for His help with problems--whether the outcome is what I want or just receiving the strength to handle what is coming our way.  I make a lot of mistakes, perhaps not as many as when I was a more foolish young person but mistakes just the same.  I'm human as are all of us here on earth.  I'm getting better as you will too.  The Lord will forgive us if we sincerely try to do better and are sorry for our errors. I've had a family situation recently that tried me tremendously but I am getting through it.  I hope the lady the above verse is meant for will read 1 Timothy and take his message to heart.

No matter what you have said out of ignorance or by knowledge gleaned from hateful sources, I love you.  I don't know if you'll see this but if you do, know that you are forgiven.

Sorry for being so gloomy today dear readers.  I just had to get this off my chest.

Here's a New Dishcloth

I think the round Granny Mandala is very pretty so I thought I'd adapt it as a dishcloth.  Here's my version!  I just finished off a few rows sooner than the pattern called for and edged it in a shell-like stitch.  Voila!  I have a new dishcloth to go in my gift drawer!  Hmmm, it's almost too pretty to go in a sink full of dirty dishes so maybe it can be used as a doily-like accessory around the house somewhere--anyway that's just an option 'cause it's still a dishcloth. Hope you enjoyed and hugs to all....

ps--This is what I refer to as a "purse project" because it's something I carry in my purse and work on when I have time to kill.  I was volunteering for the upcoming elections and this was what I did today because we were very slow.

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Why Isn't Technology Advanced Enough for This?

Every now and then, I'll think about items in everyday life that aren't as efficient as they could be. Like the cruise-control in my car. Why doesn't it work at slower speeds?  This comes to mind every time I'm driving past the high school on post at Ft. Knox.  The posted school zone speed limit is 15!  Try to keep to that one!  No, I haven't gotten a speeding ticket, it's just that it is very difficult to keep the lead out of my foot when I drive there.  We can send a man an astronaut to the moon but we can't develop an efficient cruise control.  Do any of you have instances about how technology can improve things in our everyday lives?  Post them here for everyone to see.  Hugs to all of you...


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Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern

If you've been coming for a visit to my blog for a while, you may have noticed that the little loves in my life are 2 rambunctious Chihuahuas--Opi and Nellie Belle.  Today's free pattern link is for a amigurumi fashioned as a Chi!  Go on over and take a look 'cause you know you really, really want to!  Hugs y'all...

Just Heard this On the News

I had 1/2 an ear listening to the news and I just heard the Flintstones are 50 years old today! Whooo Hooo happy birthday!  I also learned something else, this was the first prime time cartoon, and also it was based on the  Honeymooners.  I went looking for a clip to post here and there are many, many available on Youtube.  I chose this one to illustrate how much our society has changed--a commercial done by the Flintstones advertising cigarettes!



And here's a picture from the Honeymooners.

Another WIP and Nothing Else Finished!

Here I am, hopping to yet another project without finishing up the others I have underway!  I needed something to work on that was "brainless."  So, I went digging in my stash and dug up some Christmas yarn--1 skein of red and 1 skein of green (ssshhhh don't tell anyone--I've had them for a few years). I also had some Red Heart SS in white.  I'm using these to crochet a super-sized granny square to use as a throw.  I'm going to give it to a dear friend for Christmas.  Here's where I was at with it this morning:

Do I Know You?

I love seeing the Live Traffic Feed device on my blog.  My blog has had visitors from places that I've been, known people from and some places I've never heard of.  The times I've seen places where I've been or known people from I wonder if the visitors are people I've known.  If they are, I wish they'd say hello.  I'm really sorry I have lost contact with so many people as we moved around because of military assignments and other reasons.  So folks, leave a note and maybe we can have a chat sometimes; I'd like that.


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Happy Birthday Matt!

To my first child, Matthew, I want to wish a very, happy 32nd birthday today.  I love you Sweetie!  You're Mom's favorite 1st son!

Standstill on the Doll I'm Making

ARRRGGHHH!  I finally got the crocheted doll I'm making assembled.  I made a skirt for her but I can't show you what I've accomplished so far because she's indecent!  I mean, who wants to see a picture of a topless doll plastered on their computer screen!  I'm trying to create some sort of top for her to wear.  Stay tuned, this project hasn't beat me yet!  Here's the pattern I started with but either me or the pattern is goofy so I'm winging the clothing.  Have a great day y'all...

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern

Here is a cute, feminine cardigan that can be made to fit xs to 5x sizes!  Check it out 'cause it's cute.  Happy Hooking!  :)

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Best Wishes on Your Birthday Dad

Dad, where ever you are, I'm sending you loving wishes for your 78th birthday.

Is it Me or the Pattern???

This doll that I've been working on frustrated with since August, is STILL driving me crazy!  Here's the pattern that I'm using.  I have all the parts to the doll made--just need to sew her legs on.  Now, the pattern did not come with directions for hair but I winged it based on other doll patterns out there.  I have also completed the bloomers.  Mine don't look the same but they'll do.  Take a look at the instructions on the dress.  The counts for the bodice don't compute.  I'm tired of it so I'm trying to use another pattern for the dress.  Wish me luck 'cause this dolly needs it before she gets flushed down the toilet--lol!  OK, it's back to the hook for me...Hugs y'all!

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New on the List of Links for Round Afghan Patterns

I have been maintaining a list of links for free, crochet patterns for round(ish) afghans.  There is a beautiful new one I just added for a granny round ripple.  Check it out and see some of the others that you may have missed.  If there is a problem with any of the links please let me know and I'll figure it out.  Have a great weekend y'all!

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What Did DH Order Now?!

The old lesson "don't jump to conclusions" came back at me this morning.

Every now and then, dh will get into one of the shopping channels and order some strange things.  So, this morning when I rushed to the door in my robe and the  mailman had a package in his hand I wondered what the heck dh ordered now.  Our sons were having birthdays soon, and Christmas was on the way.  Also dh was having a birthday next month and I thought, "Gee, maybe he bought his own present."

Then I looked at the address label, and lo and behold it was addressed to ME!

Now I know I didn't order anything so what could it be???

It's a roll of paper towels!  Then I remembered that I did a survey concerning different brands and now I'm supposed to use these towels and compare to other brands that I've used.  These will come in handy so it is nice to get a surprise "freebie" in the mail every now and then.

Take care y'all and come back again soon....Hugs.....

ps--It's a good idea not to jump to conclusions but in this case, I had a nice surprise.

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Soft Green Chenille Scarf is Finished!

This is a simple scarf made out of just sc and dc with shells on the edges.
The yarn is :

It is a little frustrating to work with.  A few times when I had to frog a stitch and when I wove in the ends, little bits of the fibers came off in my lap!  I love the finished item though--very soft and cuddly.  This item will probably go to a 'tween girl for Christmas this year.  

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What I Enjoy about Fall...

The season is getting ready to change.  Fall is in the air.  Even though we're still having temps in the 90s during the day, the evenings are sometimes dipping down to 50s.  A few leaves are changing colors and will soon be falling from the trees.  Another blog writer wrote about what she enjoyed about fall and I thought I'd put my 2 cents in about what I think of it too.  So what do I like about this soon to be here time of year?

1. We usually don't have to run the heater or the a/c so utilities cost less
2. Pumpkin cappuccino, pumpkin pie and basically any pumpkin foods
3. Homemade soups and stews
4. Colors--golds, browns, oranges and scarlets
5. The comfort of snuggling down under lots of blankets
6. Beautiful scenery with the trees changing colors
7. Clothes made for cooler weather
8. Television reruns are done with

I say "fall" and not "autumn." I'm sure there are more things but this is what I was able to come up with quickly. So, what are your favorite things about fall/autumn???  Hugs...

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What's Teddy Holding?

Teddy is holding on to the leg to the doll I started making a while ago.  Poor dolly has been languishing on a small table in the family room waiting to have some legs attached.  Teddy is zealously guarding the leg I finished last night.  I have lost all interest in this project and I'm finding it very hard getting in the mood to work on it. For several weeks, most of the shoe part of the leg has been done and the materials for this project have been staring at me every evening when dh and I kick back in the family room.  OK, I've promised  myself no new major projects are to be undertaken until this one is done!  I do need some "brainless" projects to work on that I can shove in my purse and work on at doctor appointments and such.  Anyway, I thought I'd just bring you up-to-date on what's up in my crochet world.  Have a great day folks!

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Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern

Seems like most crocheters love to make things for babies.  Here is a sweet pattern for vintage frock for that cute baby girl.  Enjoy y'all....

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Been Thinking about Making Homemade Fabric Softener

Now that I'm a veteran-user of homemade laundry soap, I've been thinking about making my own fabric softener too.  Here's a link to an easy sounding concoction.  I just bought a bottle of softener so when it's about gone I'll whip up a batch of this. DH is worried that it would give him a vinegar-like smell.  Hmmm, you can scent it with essential oils though... Has anyone made this or a similar softener?  Let me know what you think.

“May those who love us, love us; and those who don't love us, may God turn their hearts; and if He doesn't turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we'll know them by their limping.”  An Irish Blessing

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Crochet Project for Chihuahua Kids Complete!

My 2 chihuahuas love to sleep with us; unfortunately they have a hard time getting in bed with us because our bed sits up higher than the norm.  DH made a set of stairs for them to climb on the cedar chest at the foot of the bed then they can hop in bed off of it.  I've been concerned that their nails might scratch the cedar chest's surface so I crocheted a rug to sit on the top of it.  To keep the rug from sliding (with them on it) I put down some of that non-skid shelf liner you can get rolls of at Dollar Tree for, get ready, a dollar!  It works pretty good too. Here's the pictures.  I really need to put some sort of finish on their stairs.  Here's the pics!

Here's the finished project.

Here's the non-skid shelf liner I used

Here's the stairs dh made from scrap wood (I really do need to paint them or something!)

Hope your weekend is going GREAT!  Hugs to all...

ps. I used 3 strands of ww yarn, N hook and did sc in the back looks for a ribbed look.

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Finished Batch of Laundry Soap!

Here are a couple pictures of the finished batch of laundry soap.  Check out how much you'll end up with if you make it.  I used a regular Rubbermaid container because it looked and felt more heavy duty than the other brands.  Here's a hint--with this large quantity of ingredients to mix, I ended up using my hands instead of a big spoon.  Some of y'all might want to wear gloves when doing the mixing.  I didn't because I already have old lady hands--lol!  The container I mixed in was the perfect size because of the extra room in it for mixing action.  Have a great weekend everyone!

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Time to Make Laundry Soap

Hey, I'm making my own laundry soap today.  This is the 2nd time I've made it.  The first time I only made 1/2 batch but this time I'm making the whole enchilada!  The recipe I use is below.  I did a little re-writing to utilize the "tricks" I came up with.  Without further ado, here it is:

Ingredients:

12 cups Borax

8 cups Baking Soda

8 cups Washing Soda

8 (grated) bars Ivory soap

The easiest way to grate your soap is to use the food processor.  Just don't drop the processor like I did the 1st time--making my 1/2 batch a rather costly endeavor!  This only takes a few minutes to make so even the busy career lady person can make it in her his/her busy schedule (I'm trying to be politically correct here).  :)

• Mix all ingredients well and store in a sealed tub.
• Use 1/8 cup (2 Tablespoons) of powder per full load.  A coffee scoop works really well for this. I got a package of 2 at the Dollar Tree for a buck.  
• This is a "dry" product so there is no mixing with water.  The last time I packaged mine in gallon food storage bags.  This time I'm going to use a plastic container.

This stuff is lots better than the commercial products I've used and you only use 2 Tbsp per load! 

Happy Laundry Days!




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