Apples and Worms

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My apple tree set like gangbusters this year. Unfortunately I didn’t get it treated in time earlier this spring due to my morning sickness and the worms have done a number on my apples. There are still a number of good apples. Just going to take a little extra time to peel and trim away the bad parts.

I don’t think they will be in good enough shape for apple pie or apple pie filling. But good news…I think they will be just perfect for apple jelly. And after my last experiment in apple jelly, I have a few tweaks I’d like to try!

I’ve picked a five gallon bucket of green apple goodness. They are now cooling their heels in the fridge. Now I just have to wash, core, trim, and slice a five gallon bucket of apples….crap. Didn’t I just process 8 gallons of tomatoes yesterday? I must be a glutton for culinary delicious punishment.

I’ll let you know how everything sets up! Hehe, see what I did there? I love a good pun! That or the delirium has set in 🙂

I promise to get back to knitting content soon! I have another update on Jellybean’s blanket coming, a #sockswithsarah update, and one last sweater WIP I want to work on before Jellybean gets here!!

The Day of The Tomato

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My family has a ridiculously large garden. And I’m blessed to reap the rewards. Right now I have 8 gallon bags of frozen home grown delicious tomatoes in my freezer. Ripe and ready to hit the sauce pot. And that is literally just the tip of the iceberg so to speak of what the plants produced.

I learned how to cook, season, and can my own tomato sauce and salsa last summer. And boy….let me tell you how delicious that was all winter to have yummy jars to cook into my casseroles and crock pot!

Jellybean is growing and growing so I don’t quite have the get up an go of last summer. But my plan is to work slow and steady today with lots of water and sitting breaks. All so I can convert those juicy tomatoes into sauce. It’s a rough day when your food cravings crash against your swollen pregnancy feet, lol.

Wish me luck! I hope to have some good foodie photos to show when I’m done 🙂

Motorcycle Adorable

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I had my first baby shower this past weekend and it was amazing. It was a small gathering for just my family. The party was hosted by my younger cousins who once upon a time were my flower girls in my wedding. Oh how time flies! I just had to share my favorite and cutest gift. This adorable diaper motorcycle was made by a dear family member. How ridiculously sweet is this thing?IMG_0197.JPG IMG_0198.JPG IMG_0199.JPGShe managed to squeeze in a package of diapers, burp rags, pacifiers, socks bottles, baby wash, lotion, and baby bibs. I’m so in love this that I couldn’t bear to take it apart. Right now it sits on top of the nursery dresser for me to admire every time I pass by. Only two more months until Jellybean’s arrival! Time to put nesting into high gear…. Happy Friday!!

Dining Chair Renovation

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When we moved into our home last year we were gifted an amazing dining room table and chairs from my aunt and uncle who had a spare. It was perfect for our home except for one small detail…the seats were white!IMG_0194.JPG   No one wanted to sit on them for fear of getting them dirty! So between my nesting in high gear and 60% off sale of upholstery fabric at Joanns…I give you the transformation! IMG_0196.JPG Not so bad if I do say so myself! The fabric is still neutral to fit the room but a much darker shade. Not to mention much easier maintenance and cleaning! IMG_0195.JPG So I have officially completed two of six chairs…four more to go. Not sure if my hands can handle it! Look at how many silly staples the manufacturer uses…sheesh! IMG_0201.JPGHave anyone else every adventured in upholstery?

Hustle and Bustle

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Greetings from the great steamy state of Kansas. Mother Nature has ratcheted up the temps in the last two weeks along with with the humidity! This combined with week 31 of pregnancy has tested my ability to do most everything. But I digress….

I’m still making progress on jellybean’s blanket…

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I’m in the fourth or fifth row? Nearing the end where I must decide on an edging techniques. Only 60 some days to jellybean’s arrival!!!

My schedule is packed for the next month or so. Four small baby showers, 8 gallon bags of tomatoes to can, baby room decor to complete, apples to pick, gobs of doctors appointments, and finally one last hurrah of a barbecue at our house before Jellybean takes over.

I may be insane but I promise to keep you updated!!

Happy Thursday!!

FO Friday: Sprout Cardigan

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Ladies and gentlemen….we have a winner! 20140720-072515-26715709.jpg 20140720-072514-26714640.jpgI had to add almost 5 inches of garter stitch to the bottom of this sweater. But you know what? It looks pretty darn good! This is now a very comfy and gorgeous sweater.

Pattern: Sprout Cardigan

Yarn: Berroco Comfort Chunky in Pumpkin

Size: Medium (I should have made the large)

Needles: US 9

Even with all my struggles with this sweater, I still love it. This is definitely a keeper in my wardrobe. Not to mention on of the few sweaters that fit around the growing baby bump. I think all of my initial problems would have been solved by simply making the large sweater. The large version better fits my torso length even those my bust measurement matches up with the medium. Please don’t let my struggles deter anyone from this pattern. It is a pretty nifty garment!!

Happy Friday and Happy Knitting!

Vacation At Last

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The hubs and I are hitting the road shortly to take a little vacation/baby-moon. Nothing fancy, just a trip to see old friends and their adorable family. Looking forward to putting my feet up and gabbing with old friends. Not to mention a little time away from my big girl day job. I’ll fill you in when we get back.

Suitcases are in the car. I’ve packed a cooler of fresh garden veggie goodness from the family garden and I plan to cook a spectacular old fashioned family meal as a thank you for their hospitality. Now I just need to settle on what knitting to pack…..

Anyone else have exciting summer plans?

 

On Being Inside Out

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In my last few #sockswithsarah sock updates I’ve had a few curious questions about the fact that my socks are knitting inside out. And I would I would share why. Two things:

1: I like working in what I think of “modified magic loop”. In other words I have two dpns that I use like two circulars or one extra long circular. I then have a third needle to work the active yarn. And normally the socks are right side out and the active stitches to be knit would be on the needle closest to my body.

2: I have very long fingers. And now I have developed pregnancy induced carpal tunnel in my hands/wrists. I couldn’t stand to work very long on my socks.

My local yarn shop owner overheard my problem awhile back. She had a nifty suggestion….turn the darned thing inside out!  

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This allows the active stitches to be knit to be on the back needle. I’m still knitting…no purling. But the slight difference in distance allows my hands to relax more and my fingers to be less cramped. I’ve had almost zero carpal tunnel since switching styles. And when I’m done….I just have to turn the socks inside out 🙂

Not sure if this makes sense. Not sure if it’s a knitting thing or just something weird that works for me. But I had enough comments I wanted to share with the world. Sorry if the photo doesn’t help me elaborate the point….I’m about to turn the heel after completing the gussets.

Has anyone else every done something a little different to solve a knitting problem?