Monday, March 31, 2014

Catching Up

Hello!
For the past few weeks, someone in my house has been sick.
So, it's been a lot of down time for me, stuck in and around the house and not much getting out.
So, I thought I would share so pictures of what has been going on around here
over the last week and weekend....Nothing too interesting...lots of knitting, animal loving, kindle watching and reading.


I knitted up this little vest to sell in the store. It's made with alpaca yarn.



I finished my sweater. I haven't taken it off since. Seriously. I haven't. I promise that I won't wear it every day for the rest of my life, but I worked hard on it and I'm so happy to have it on.
 

 
 


 My sister Andee released a new pattern, so I casted on.



The weather was a little nicer on Friday, so we got out a little to say hi to the alpacas.




 Liz is due to deliver this baby any day. She looks like she's squatting him out. Sorry, TMI.



A highlight from the weekend was an author signing we went to.
Our local bookstore had Dan Gutman visit to meet and get an autograph.
He is a famous children's author and my 10 year old's favorite.
 
 Great guy!

I was planning on attending my cousin's baby shower, but since I was still sick and another kid got the crud, we stayed home and I knitted. A friend of ours had a baby girl over the weekend
so I made my first attempt at an original design.
 

First attempt: FAIL!
 
 2nd attempt: SUCCESS! I'm going to write up the pattern and release it :)
Yippee!

A sleeping toddler. Ahhh. Wrapped up in my Leaves of Grass knit.


This kid and his Kindle watching....






Sunday...some kids feeling better and we had to get out of the house.
We live on my parent's farm, but sometimes it's fun to go to another farm.
We drove over to a local farm to visit their animals. 
And surprise, we actually saw a sign of spring...buds on the trees!







After the farm visit my sister Liz and I went out for an awesome lunch WITHOUT the kids!
She ate something spicy, we walked all of Manasquan with hopes that the baby would come out.
He didn't. Boo. Soon though. SOON! Come on baby boy we want to meet you!!!!

So, that's about it for now. Hoping for warmer weather and some baby news from Liz :)

Have a good week!

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Knitting and a Springtime Snowfall

 
Silly winter. Didn't you know it was time to go?
We woke to a pretty snowy scene this morning.
The Jersey Shore was covered once again but this time only about 2 inches and it didn't mess up the roads or school schedule. That's my kind of snow :)
I do love it. It's very pretty...but enough already.
Warm days are you ever going to be here?
 
 


 

My sweater....
My Goldfinch Cardigan is almost done.
I did wear it to pick up the kids from school yesterday.
There were strings hanging from all seams, but who cares? I could wear it!!!
I have to finish the belt and buttons, but then it's ready for real pictures.
 
 


I also casted on and knitted this little vest. It's made with alpaca yarn from our farm store.
I have cute little buttons for it. Simple, sweet and practical.
A good staple item for the store.
 
 
 

For my reading....I'm listening this time.
I am listening to Sycamore Row by John Grisham.
I'm shocked at how much I'm liking it. It's a lawyer book. Normally not my cup of tea but I think I like it so much because the character is the same character as in Time To Kill that was played by Matthew McCoughnaey (spelling??) and I can picture him reading to me.
Hey...I can dream.
 
 Joining in with Ginny for the Yarn Along.
Happy Knitting and Reading!
-Leanne
 
 


Friday, March 21, 2014

Birthday for the Bean Queen

Today is my mom's birthday!
Also known around here as the Bean Queen.

We gathered together at the farm to celebrate.

I didn't take many pictures, but we did manage to get a grandkid picture before the new one pops out.

What do you get when my parents have 3 daughters?
7 grandsons. Yup...all boys. 6 with 1 on the way...any day!

Nice group huh? We're a happy bunch. A little odd yes. But we're family.


Happy Birthday Mom :)

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Cardigans & Catching Up

Wow! It's been a while since I posted. Thank goodness for Wednesday Yarn Along day.
It's always a nice way to start my morning and post what we've been up to over here lately.

Thought I would catch up on what we're knitting and other things that have been going on around the farm compound.

First.....

My sister, Andee, just released her new pattern.

Postcard Cardigan by AndeeKF
She's a miracle worker! What talent.
I did the graphic design for the pattern layout and I was amazed that she can design patterns.
I don't have that brain. I can knit it and make the pattern look nice...but design? Nope.

Pattern Page Link Here



 

Andee also started a Ravelry Group Page for pattern support, KALs and fun.
So hop on over and check it out. I did the design for her banner. Glad I could help!


Now onto my knitting and reading...
I am knitting non-stop on my Goldfinch Cardigan.
It's a joy to work on and I'm determined to get it done before the warm weather arrives.
At this rate, the winter is hanging on way too long so I might just finish it in time to wear!

The pattern is the Channel Cardigan by Jared Flood.
Knitting with Beaverslide Yarn, worsted weight in Winter Wheat colorway.

That's me knitting in the coop last week.


Yellow is impossible to photograph. That's what I've decided.
 

Body is blocking....started the english rib button band collar.
 


I'm reading My Notorious Life. Based on a midwife's journal from the late 1800's in NYC.
So far it's ok....keeping my attention but not the greatest.

Onto other things....

A bit of catching up around the farm and family.
My parents were away last weekend at the National Alpaca Show.
We kept down the fort and helped with the animals.

Maggie is such a ham and likes to get very close. Hard for taking her picture!!!


A brief warm moment for some swing fun.
 




My son Garrett celebrated his 10th birthday last week. He asked for brownies to take into school.
While they were cooling he asked if he could have one. I said yes.
This is how he cut a piece for himself. So Garrett....
 


Curly head






That's it for now! Have a great week and happy knitting!

Joining in with Ginny for the weekly yarn along.

-Leanne