Birthday Present

Birthday present
Originally uploaded by BarbaraLN
I finally finished my Highland Fling. I started it last July when I took a class. I was going to give it to Jacci for Christmas, but I got overwhelmed with projects. I finally finished it in time for her birthday.

Yarn Bowl

My mom gave me this bowl. It originally belonged to Loren's mother.  I imagine it was the perfect bowl for letting a large batch of bread dough rise.  I don't eat bread anymore, but it seemed like a good place to keep some of my yarn.  These are projects waiting to happen.  I like the way the colorful yarn looks in the old bowl.

Home Made Chicken Stock

I enjoy reading blogs on all subjects.  One of my favorite cooking blogs is The Sister's Cafe.  I found this recipe for Home Made Chicken Stock.  I made mine from a rotisserie chicken.  The house smelled marvelous, and now I know exactly what is in it.  I love the fact that I made something so delicious and useful from nothing.

Half Finished

Half Finished
Originally uploaded by BarbaraLN

I finished my Top Down Sock knitting class on Monday.  One sock is finished and it fits.  Now I need another one.  I'm only half finished.  The second one is cast on and started.  I really like the top down method, however I like the finished toe on the toe up method better, but I like the heel of the top down method.

Whichever method I use in the future, I think I'll stick to one at a time.  It's the same amount of knitting, but psychologically it seems to go faster when you are working on just one at a time.

Map of Iowa

I love this colorful hand painted map of Iowa.  It is located in the entryway  of Trader Joe's.  I'd love to have one for my classroom.

Top Down vs Toe Up: Two at a Time

When I first learned to knit socks, I signed up for a class called "Magic Loop, Toe Up, Two at a Time."  I didn't really know what that meant, but I soon learned that I would be starting at the toe, using magic loop needles, and I would be working on both socks at the same time.  I am now working on my third pair of socks using that method.

Lots of patterns call for starting at the top and working down, so I signed up for a class to learn how to knit socks from the top down.  I am working to get my "homework" done in time for tomorrow night's class.  I am still trying to decide which method I like best.

I took this photo with my new Galaxy IIIS phone.  It sure takes better pictures than my Droid did.

Two Shoes

Last week was my first full week back to school and now I am transitioning from the big black boot to wearing two actual shoes.  I start with three hours of shoe wearing, and today I'm moving up to five hours.  The rest of the day it's back to the black boot.  I love my new shoes!

Button Bowl

Cadry Nelson, one of my daughter's friends from high school and college, is now making pottery.  I entered a contest she was having at her Etsy store to win this small button bowl.  I was so thrilled when she sent it to me in the mail last week.  I really love it!  Thanks Cadry!

Welcome Back

I started back to school on Wednesday, after being on sick leave for five weeks.  This wonderful banner, made by my students, was hanging on the front board.  It was a great welcome back.

Fully Bloomed

Summer and Jill gave me an Amaryllis bulb and pot for Christmas.  It bloomed this week, and it is gorgeous!

Droid vs. Galaxy

My Droid has been a good phone, but it is now more than three years old.  That's old in Droid years.  Last night I bought a brand new Galaxy IIIS.  There is a big difference in the screen size and clarity, but the Galaxy weighs less than my Droid.  I've been playing with it all day, but I don't really know how to use it very well yet.

New Shoes

The crutches and knee cycle are gone, and I just have one more week of wearing the big black boot, then I will be able to transition to wearing sneakers.  I have these brand new walking shoes waiting for when that time comes.  I could wear the left shoe now, but I'm waiting until I can wear both of them. I can tell you that the left shoe is very comfortable.