Spring Happenings

Geez, I can't believe how long it has been since I posted anything here. Although I have not been posting, I have been busy with lots of different things. I will try to give you a glimpse into some of what's been going on since my husband's birthday in March.

Hubby has been enjoying his birthday present. 

Vanilla still seems to be the flavor of choice. He actually has the ingredients chilling in the refrigerator today, so we can enjoy homemade ice cream for dessert this evening.

My husband and I lead a parish retreat, along with our pastor who was the spiritual advisor.

The planning began in January for the retreat to happen in April.

My mother celebrated her 98th birthday!

I celebrated a birthday, which qualifies me for Social Security benefits!

Cooking healthy meals is still a priority. This creamy mushroom, chicken dish was easy, delicious and low in WW points....7 SP to be exact to those WW members who might be following my blog. The recipe in on Pinterest.

This lemon/blueberry trifle is not as healthy, nor as low in points. One thirteenth will cost me 12 SP, but well worth the sacrifice! 

I was able to spend a fun afternoon with my husband last week when he took a ride in a stock car around the Pocono Raceway.

zooommmm!!!!

I have been knitting like crazy since February when I knit my son's birthday sweater. Gifts, gifts and more gifts in the making. 

  

The cotton tunic and two baby sweaters are three of the most recent projects drying on my blocking board as I work on this post.

Although I don't have a picture yet to share of my garden, it has been planted and making progress. Late start this season because it was unusually cold here in NE PA, so planting was more than a week behind schedule.

So, as you can see I haven't been loafing, just very lax in posting and sharing with you. I will try to do better this summer. In the meantime, stay well my faithful followers.

I Scream, You Scream

We all scream for ice cream!

Hubby got an ice cream maker for is birthday.

Yesterday we all reaped the pleasures of his new toy!

Yummmy.....simple vanilla for the first batch.

Saturday Guest Dinner

We had a guest for dinner Saturday night so I decided to go all out with homemade bread. It has been a long time since I made Dilly Casserole Bread. It was a bread pretty popular in the 1970's and early 1980's. When made correctly the house is filled with the fragrancy of dill. Forget the dill and you have a typical white bread....been there/done that! Although I don't have  picture of the chicken dish I made, it too is an OLDIE! I made Chicken a la Maria; again a recipe from the late 1970's early 1980's but as delicious as ever and everyone enjoyed each bite. 

We get caught up in all the newness around, we forget about the 'golden' treasures of our past. However, I did try one new recipe, which everyone enjoyed, but I didn't think was worth the extra work. Very good, but not enough to make me want to try it again. That was the Crispy Potato Roast; you will see a picture at the end. Looks impressive, but not a "10."

Dilly Casserole Bread

He's a wishin' and hoping and watchin' and waitin'.........

Crispy Potato Roast

February's Memorable Moments

My dear friend, Joe, traveled to Rome to meet with the Pope!

He has received the mandate from the Holy Father to serve as a Missionary of Mercy.

Another dear friend, Nancy, invited us to celebrate her mother's 95th birthday.

Happy birthday, Dear Helen!

My niece has had two rounds of chemotherapy and as expected her hair started falling out in clumps.

So, yesterday was hair buzzing day.

Bald is BEAUTIFUL and so is Betty!

Here she is sporting one of her new wigs. She plans on having several, 

and as she put it, "I'm planning on getting some fun ones too, so I can switch them out each day. Making the most of it."

Betty has an awesome attitude, which shows her inner beauty!

Simple 2x2 Rib Cap

I cannot possibly send two hats off to Alaska for my daughter 

without even one hat for my son-in-law!

Using scraps from the Swirl Cap I knit last year, I was able to whip up this beanie last evening. I like how the self-striping yarn looks. I have a feeling my son-in-law will like it too. 

The original pattern is on Ravelry for free here, however I knit it in the round not wanting to have a seam.

Cathedral Cap

Using the same Jiffy bulky yarn I used for the Wise Old Owl hat, I knit this Cathedral cap. This hat is much longer than the owl hat;  longer than I could have anticipated. Crazy, because I checked my gauge which was right on the money!

So, I decided to take out 18 rows and create my own decreasing crown by knitting only five rows, eliminating 13 rows and several inches! 

I am much happier with the hat now, and I believe it still holds the integrity of the design. I only hope I have shortened it enough, but not so much that it doesn't cover my daughters ears!

Specs: one skein Jiffy bulky yarn, slivery heather and size 4 needles

Pattern: Cathedral cap (modified)

Hat and Scarf for Charity

This 'Wise Old Owl' hat was easy and fun to knit. I knit it in one night! Although I could sew buttons onto every detailed cable to give all the owls eyes, I have chosen to only give two owls sight. One on each side, so if you are standing on either side of the wearer you will notice the hat has owls knitted into it.  The pattern is free on Ravelry.

Below are two pictures of a "Spectacular Single Skein Scarf" I knit a few weeks ago. It too was very easy and fun to knit. It is not real wide because I want it to be for a child.  This pattern was also found on Ravelry and is free.

Hat Specs:  Pattern: Wise Old Owl Hat; Lion Brand Jiffy Yarn (Silver Heather) and size 10 needles

Scarf Specs: Pattern: Spectacular Single Skein Scarf; Chunky scraps from stash and size 8 needles