Friday, March 13, 2015

Five on Friday

This is my first time participating in Amy's Five on Friday's link party and I am pretty excited.  You see I am not feeling myself lately, I am sort of a little down in the dumps.  No real reason, maybe just menopause and life in general.  This Five on Friday post will make me look at things I can be happy about and therefor help bring me out of my doldrums.


Sixteen centers have been made for my new baby blanket.  I was going for 20 but ran out of white yarn, so this will end up being a square baby blanket instead of a rectangle.


I am using the same pattern I made my big green blanket with.  You can find the pattern here.  
Each square will be 10 x 10, with a white inside and a soft green outside. Simple and appropriate for a girl or a boy.


My lovely friend Nicole recently posted this recipe for Sun Butter Honey Oat Bites on last weeks Five of Friday.  I tweaked the recipe a bit using agave nectar instead of honey, and natural no sugar peanut butter instead of sun butter.  Of course I had to top them with a few malt sweetened chocolate chips which melted just a bit.  Can I just tell you how yummy these are?  Nicole, thank you so much for this super easy recipe that is delicious.


My after Christmas bargain amaryllis has finally bit the dust.  It only had a couple of blooms and they were small, but still very pretty, so I decided my kitchen table was in need of some color.  Flowers make me smile.


I have thoughts of a new project.  This is Jordan -sleeveless pineapple top by Vicki Chan.  I have had this baby in my Ravelry library for some time.  This Cascade Ultra Pima yarn has been in my stash for probably six years.  I had already started another sweater with it and never really got very far on that project.  I think it has been waiting for this top all along.  I have 880 yards of unused yarn, which should be about perfect for this top.  I rarely actually buy a pattern on Ravelry, but I think this one is worth the price.  I hope I am up for the challenge, crochet is not as easy for me as knitting.

Oops I have one more thing, can I do six on a Friday?  Mr. 21 comes home tomorrow for a few days.  He was supposed to travel to Mexico with a teammate to this swimmers home.  But unfortunately this young  man's parents were in a car accident this past weekend.  They are both banged up, but okay.  It was quickly decided that this might not be the best time for them to have a house guest, so quick arrangements were made and my boy will be home.  I can't wait to see his beautiful face.

See I feel better already.  Want to join in the fun.  There is a link for Amy's Five on Friday on her blog.

Have a great day.

42 comments:

Amy at love made my home said...

You are up to some wonderful things! I hope that thinking about them has cheered you somewhat ready for a great weekend with Mr 21. I am sorry to hear about his friends parents and glad that the accident was no worse. I hope they are soon recovered. Your new top will be beautiful, that yarn is the most gorgeous colour isn't it!!!! I love it!!! Thank you so much for joining in, it is great to have you! I hope that you have a great weekend!! xx

Christina said...

You have so many lovely things on the go Meredith! I really like the crochet top pattern you chose, it will be perfect for your hot summers. We all get times when we feel a bit under the weather and focusing on the little things that make us happy is a useful trick to help you overcome these times. Enjoy the weekend with your Mr 21. Cxx

mamasmercantile said...

There is nothing like a visit from family to cheer you up. Sorry to hear about the accident but thank goodness it was not too bad the bonus is Mr 21 is homeward bound hurray!

Mylittlepieceofengland said...

I hope you start to lift soon, it's horrible being stuck in the doldrums. Your flowers are a lovely colour, and exciting news about Mr 21 xx

Stins said...

I had missed so much on your blog, but I enjoyed reading all your lovely posts! Your mini super hero is so sweet :-)
Have lots of fun with your boys dear Meredith, I am sure they will make you feel better! Mirjamxxx

Bridget said...

Happy Friday the 13th!

Enjoy your bonus visit with your son, and have a wonderful weekend.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Something wonderful to look forward to! Seeing my kids always makes me happy. The new crochet project looks so pretty!
hugs,
Linda

Home Meadows said...

The baby blanket is going to be very pretty with the green and white. I love the yarn for the new top too, it looks super soft. I don't think I've seen it before. I think I need to broaden my yarn horizons. :-) I hope you have a great time with Mr. 21 being home. Have a wonderful weekend, Heather

Clare said...

Some wonderful happy friday things, I hope you are feeling tip top again soon, I'm sure having you're son home will cheer you up. Love the look of that baby blanket
Clare x

Handmade and off-centered said...

I always love to stop by and read your posts. They are always so honest and real. Im glad Mr. 21 is coming home but its unfortunate how that came to be. I hope you feel better soon. You seem to know what you need to feel more cheery. I do the same and thats why I made a decision to buy more flowers this year than I have done before. They always brighten a mood. The baby blanket is going to turn our so nice. I like simple and sometimes simple turns out to be better :)

Enjoy your weekend and thanks for stopping by my little bloggy space.

Hugs,
Birgitta xx

Pammy Sue said...

Sorry you are feeling bummed lately. I hope the fog lifts soon for you. The blanket is going to be really cute! I need to get out, too, and get myself some flowers to brighten my day. It's another rainy one here, which I like. I'm going to go check out the recipe for those oat bites. They look yummy!

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

We all have days or moments of blahness. It's normal. You've certainly got lots of lovely things lined up to keep you busy. Yusef has Spring Break starting next week and will be going to Toronto to visit a high school friend and will also be able to spend time with my husband's brother and sister. They are looking forward to seeing him after many years. Enjoy time with Mr. 21. Blessings, Tammy

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Hi Meredith, I love your 5/6 Friday happiness! I think the last will do so much for your slump, kids always help me. We have two plus dog coming this weekend starting tonight! Those oat bites look awesome, definitely some smiles there. Love the flowers, in fact I think I need some : )
Hope you have a wonderful weekend and lots of happy moments, xoRobin

Lilbitbrit said...

Sorry you are feeling a little down. Life it such an up and down thing. It reminds me of a postcard I received when I was a little girl, from a very dear old friend, long dead. The Ups and Downs of Wales. Cartooney type picture of people going up and down these mountains in Wales, that's life. All your lovely projects inspire me.

Take care.

Beca said...

That crochet top is so cute. I've also had that on my Ravelry list for a while. Good luck with it. You should fair fine.
xx Beca

linda said...

Lovely six things Meredith, sorry to hear about your sons friends parents but glad they are ok and how lovely you get to see him this weekend, I'm missing my youngest so much. I love the pineapple top and am quite excited to see how it will turn out. Have a great weekend! xx

Betsy said...

I just printed out that pattern Meredith. I love it and it looks simple and relaxing. Just what I need right now. I'm sorry you've had a tough time, but glad that just this simple posting helped. Love your "six" things, especially the last one. I've had a tough week too. It's hard to leave my kids, not knowing when I'll see them next. But...chin up and onwards and upwards. :-)
Someday we HAVE to meet my sweet friend.
Blessings,
Betsy

MaryLynne said...

Dear Meredith,
I read your comments about feeling down and boy can I relate to that. The thing is, I have no reason to feel down. My life is good. Great job, comfortable house, nice kids who still talk to me even though they don't live at home, and like most North Americans we maintain a standard of living that the rest of the world envies. So what's up with the doldrums I ask myself? And why do I keep having to battle them lately? I found an article on the NYtimes that I was hoping to find for you but I haven't found it yet, but I did find this one. Its about how people right around 50's are statistically at the lowest happy point in thier life. This comforted my nerdy sciency side and I find some comfort in the fact that I am just in a phase, the kind happiness that I remember will return and be even better! Here is the article, I don't agree with all the article has to say, but its interesting none the less.
http://www.economist.com/node/17722567
There are other articles on this idea of "The U-bend of Life" if you google it.

Bestest,

Mary Lynne

kathy b said...

Hugs to you sweet Mere! Im so happy that you will have unexpected SON time. Sorry about the news of the accident of course.

Allison would look great in your new knit. Im going to send her the pattern.

Jordan will look great on YOU!!!!! you have the perfect yarn too!

HI LIL BUD and MAx

Tanna said...

I know seeing Mr. 21 will lift your spirits. Your blanket will be so nice, Meredith and I can't wait to see the pineapple top! It is going to be gorgeous. ENJOY your weekend, Meredith! blessings and hugs ~ tanna

My Garden Diaries said...

Sending you a hug buddy! We all get in those down spots....me too...and when I do I don't blog as much because my passion is lacking. The ups and downs of life I tell ya!! The pieces for your blanket are so pretty!! And how great that you tried the recipe!!! Glad it turned out and I am even more excited you added some chocolate...gonna try that for sure!! And like you all I need some times is a vase of flowers to make things feel better! Now enjoy your sweet boy this weekend! Such a treat to be able to have him home! Happy weekend Meredith! Nicole xo

CJ said...

Oh Meredith, I'm sorry you're feeling gloomy. I know well how it is, and I do hope it passes soon. I think seeing your lovely boy will help. The oat bars look delicious, I wrote the recipe down as well. No sugar for me during Lent, but as soon as we hit Easter I shall give them a try. The yarn and the sleeveless top look lovely, I've admired the yarn before. I shall look forward to seeing it all come together. I hope you have a good weekend and that things feel more positive tomorrow. Look after yourself Meredith. CJ xx

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry to read about Mr. 21's friend's parents. Hope they are feeling better soon, but I'm glad you get to spend some time with your biggest boy.

Your flowers are lovely. I just love freesia.

Hope you have a great weekend.

Jill at emeraldcottage said...

I have that Doris Chan top on my Pinterest (before I found you lol), but I am entirely the wrong shape for it (put on weight since the wrist incident). Oh well, diet starts tomorrow! Seriously that top is gorgeous, I can't wait to see it done. And if you can do that flipping olive pattern, you can do anything !!
Jillxo

Chris said...

Meredith I am so far behind in all my blight stuff. Yikes!! Love your six for today, that recipe looks delish, flowers lovely, your projects look great- love your sweater to be! Having our kids around is a great cheer up that's for sure! Oh and your garter shawl with the red trim is stunning!! I love those colours together, I'm not a neutral or pastel colour girl. Makes me look like I'm the mummy from the crypts !!lol! Life has its ups and downs and it sure is hard not to get a little weary at times. Your blog always always brightens my day!!!

Teresa Kasner said...

I think you will look gorgeous in the top, I assume you will wear it over a t-top? Or else you'll be real popular in the grocery store.. lol! I'm happy your son is coming home for a visit.. I know that will perk you up bigtime! I know that he will have fun with LB, too. Enjoy your weekend with everyone under your roof. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Ljubinka said...

Have a great weekend.:*

handmade by amalia said...

Hope you'll cheer up soon, my friend, with the weekend coming and so much that is good in your life. A hug.
Amalia
xo

Caffeine Girl said...

I know that feeling of being down. It's not major, but does have an effect. I hope your blog friends are able to cheer you up!

And certainly having your son home will lift your spirits. The bad thing about Seth being in vet school is that I see him so rarely. Thank goodness for texting! At least I know he's alive.

eclectichomelife said...

Meredith sending you heaps of love. Sorry to
Hear you are down glad that you joined in on Amy's five on Fruday. It's a great post and I am doubly glad it helped you a bit. Enjoy the unexpected time with your son x

moonstruckcreations said...

Hope you have a lovely time with your son!

Helenxx

busybusybeejay said...

Enjoy the time with your son.Hope you are feeling brighter soon.Barbara

Karen said...

Finding six things for Five on Friday has to be a good thing:) The month or two after Christmas is hard for me. I am just now starting to feel more positive again, probably something to do with more sunlight, etc. I try to have fresh flowers in the house, too, it seems to help.

Jennifer Hays said...

Your baby blanket is going to be lovely. I was eyeing the same recipe, I'm glad to hear it came out well. I will definitely try it too. I hope you feel better soon, time with your son should help a lot.

Géraldine B. said...

oh so lovely things on the go !!!! Your new project looks so nice !! Have a lovely sunday !

Helen said...

That crochet top looks lovely! The baby blanket looks wonderful too. I hope you have a wonderful weekend with your son, and feel better soon :) xx

Annie Cholewa said...

It's a down in the dumps time of year I think, I know a lot of folk who are feeling a bit blue, but I feel sure that having your son home for a bit will really give you a lift x

That is going to be a fabulous blanket :)

Babajeza said...

I had the Jordan sleeveless Top made by a woman from Hungary. She is quite a crocheter! It turned out beuatiful and I am going to knit a second one. :-) Have fun making it! :-) Hugs, Regula

Carla from The River said...

Looks like you are up to some more great projects. :-)
Have fun with Mr. 21!
xx oo
Carla

Anonymous said...

oh the menopause. I understand, it is a total game-changer. my youngest will be 21 in three weeks, he lives less than 3 miles away and I see him about once a month, its always good to see him, hat hair, dirty from work.

I did that Jordan Pineapple Top, get ready....its a doozy. I did mine in some Knit Picks Comfy bulky, which was a bad idea. The top came out too heavy to wear and I always said I'd re-do it, but have never had the nerve to tackle it again. Good luck!

HollyM said...

Wow, that is a beautiful top. I crochet some too, but I don't think I could do that. It will be very pretty on.
We do have our ups and downs and unless it's serious, I think it is good to recognize it and accept it will pass along with doing the right things like keeping busy. You surely do that!
Your son's visit will help!

Taci simmons said...

Love the top Meredith.and so happy for you yr son is coming home. All the " six" on Friday were wonderful.