Friday, August 28, 2015

Thanks, new yarn and a special present from Carol.........

There is much to be thankful for in my life right now and just getting to the end of this week is one very big thing I am thankful for.  Starting off with Monday's Little Buddy scare, and then my sister leaving on Tuesday, plus a big whopping migraine on Wednesday, well let me just say that this week has been a tough one.  I'll tell you right now I am TIRED!  I am tired and oh so happy this week is over. I even had to work today to make up for two little ones I missed because of Little Buddy and my head.  I feel like I can finally breathe, I know you all know how that feels.

Thank you all so much for your kind thoughts on my little boy.  We may never know what went on with him but you can be sure I will keep my eye on him.  He is back to school and having a great time.  Apparently his teacher thinks he is a bit of an instigator and that he is very smart.  I told her that he will keep her on her toes.  I think she is fascinated with how independent he is and how much he can do.  Everyday I have picked him up he is just coming from the playground, he is sweaty, covered with sand and mulch, and has a big smile on his face.  A perfect way to start the school year I would say.


Here he is on his first day of school, you can tell by this picture he is a bit of mischief maker.


Let me start the yarn confession right now.  I went 8 whole months without a yarn purchase.  8 Months!!!  I know that is like a lifetime in yarn years and I am so glad I made it that long.  But there is a new baby coming in our family in five short months, and I need to whip up a blanket because every new baby in the family gets one whether their parents want it or not.  I am not sure of the gender of this new little one so I decided a soft cream and gray would be perfect.  I am thinking a crochet ripple in large colored sections, what do you think?


 And this gorgeous yarn, oh my goodness it is so soft and beautiful I can hardly stand it.


I am planning on making this garter stitch sweater from the book, Essentially Feminine Knits by Lene Holme Samsoe.  You can find the link for this sweater on Ravelry here.  I made the Bella sweater from the same book several years ago, and I love it.  It was a hard sweater for me to master so I am hoping this one is a bit easier.  All the yarn above was purchased at Criativity in Largo Florida which just happens to be near one of my patients.


When I dragged Claudia to do a little yarn shopping this past Saturday we went to Raspberries, a small yarn store in the heart of old downtown Dunedin.  It has a lovely assortment of yarn  and I had two things in mind when I went to visit.  I wanted to make another Zick Zack Scarf/Shawl, actually one for myself this time.  This Cascade Yarn Tangier, is very soft and yummy.  I am very excited about this future project.


They also had this gorgeous yarn, actually I already have a skein of it that I bought last year while visiting my son in Ohio.  There just wasn't enough yardage to make something with it, so I decided to buy some more knowing the dye lots won't be the same but I don't think that will matter.  So that is it for the yarn shopping for me for a while.  I am still trying to shop from my stash first, and only buy yarn if I have a specific project in mind that I do not have the appropriate yarn for already.  I think those are good rules to stick to.  Of course if I ever get the chance to go on vacation, vacation yarn does not count against a purchase, it is a souvenir after all we all know that.



My lovely reader and blog friend Carol made this amazing blanket for Little Buddy.  Carol sent me a text asking me if I would be interested in a superhero blanket like the ones she had been making for her great-grandsons.  Are you kidding me of course I am interested!  This beauty arrived about a week later and it is fabulous.  It is a giant spiderweb in what my husband likes to refer to as Kansas Jayhawk colors, he is a Jayhawk after all.  It is the perfect size and Little Buddy just loves it.  Carol you are the best, just the best ever to think of  Little Buddy and send this to him.


Little Buddy is calling you all to say thanks for your positive thoughts and prayers.  Have a great weekend.

43 comments:

A Whole Lotta Magic said...

Awww .... he's so cute!

Betsy said...

Oh sweet Meredith I'm so sorry you have had such a rough week. Yarn shopping and petting and planning is good therapy for a week like this. I like all of the projects you have planned. They all look like fun. I made a super hero blanket just like that for my grandson a couple of years ago. He still carries it around with him. That was certainly a sweet gift for your little guy.
I hope your weekend is much better. I know you must be missing Claudia. I know when my sister left I missed her terribly. What a gift you are to each other.
Blessings,
Betsy

Gracie Saylor said...

Dear Meredith,

Take a deep breath...let it out...slowly...repeat... :)

It is cloudy here and we are thankfully expecting rain this weekend in the Pacific Northwest! The weather forecast I saw today says that you are to get some rain as well. I hope that you will be able to have some relaxing rainy day fiber fun time and enjoy making some of the projects you have lined up, Meredith. [Your yarn diet is inspiring!]

Carol is certainly generous, kind, and a talented crocheter!

Hi, Little Buddy! You are welcome! May you and your family have a great weekend, too! xx

Anonymous said...

You made some lovely yarn purchases. One of these days I need to get back to Raspberries.

Love the picture of Little Buddy making a phone call. That's an amazing Spider Man blanket. I'm sure he'll enjoy it for YEARS!

Judy S. said...

Love those yarns you just bought. Cascade Yarn comes from Seattle! LB's new blanket is awesome; so are his pictures. I'm so glad he's better!

Karen said...

I'm so glad you made it through the week, and now I hope you can relax a bit this weekend. And enjoy all that gorgeous yarn:)

Teresa Kasner said...

Goodness, my dear friend. I think the fates are testing you. But I know you'll get through it all with the strength and grace you exhibit in all of life's dealings. I'm so glad Little Buddy snapped back from his rough spot. It sounds like his teacher admires him.. and he's having fun. Good for him! I love all your new yarn.. can't wait to see what comes off your needles and hook with it. How generous of Carol to send that blanket.. wow! Tell LB that his unofficial auntie from Oregon sends some hugs.. and some for you too. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Summer said...

wow I love all your wool, you did well not to buy for 8 months..thats a lifetime lol Love LB spiderman blanky, bet he loves it too :)

CJ said...

Oh the superhero blanket is fantastic, no doubt Little Buddy adores it. I'm glad he's back on fine form at school, it sounds as though he has a whale of a time there. Sorry you had such a rough week, I'm glad you've made it to the weekend and (hopefully) some down time. The new yarn is gorgeous, and a cream and grey blanket will be perfect for a new baby. Wishing you a good weekend, CJ xx

Between Me and You said...

Been playing catch-up with your posts since I hadn't seen any in a while. I had to come and find you too since I don't know how to solve the problem of you not showing up in my blogroll. Don't know how many times I've clicked on that 'follow' button!! Anyhoot, great to 'see' you and am so sorry about that awful incident with your boy. Your reaction was exactly the same as mine when something similar happened to my youngest a couple of years back. You just want to bring them home and lock them in their rooms forever! Little Monkey is sure full of mischief, isn't he? Great to see that you had a wonderful time with your beloved sister and I have total yarn envy all over your new purchases. I especially love the cream and grey combo. New look blog looks great too. Well done, Claudia. Happy Birthday to Max too. xxxxx

gaia said...

Dear Meredith,
I am glad Little Buddy is doing great. Your yarn are soooo lovely and I can't wait to see the sweater in progress. It is a design I have been admiring for so long but I am no knitter.
Best wishes,
Gaia.

Janet said...

I'm so glad Little Buddy is enjoying school. I can imagine him as a mischief maker. Congratulations on lasting eight months without buying yarn, that takes a lot of self-discipline. The colours are all gorgeous.

mamasmercantile said...

I have yarn envy, such beautiful yarns that you have bought, I am so glad that holiday shopping does not count as I intend to do a lot of shopping when I visit Florida in October. Such a sweet gift, the spider man blanket how wonderful. As always Little Buddy made me smile, so glad he is on the mend.

Christina said...

Little Buddy does look mischieveous indeed. That's exactly how little boys should be in my book. I am glad you made it to the weekend and hope it is a relaxing one. I think just burying nose in your luscious yarn will be relaxing :-) How beautiful. xx

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I always breathe a sigh of relief when weeks like that are over and we've all survived! Little Buddy is so precious and that grin of his, well it says it all. Love the yarn purchases, so pretty. I know LB must love that blanket, my grandson would adore it, super heros all the way these days.
hugs,
Linda

Regena Fickes said...

He looks as if he is feeling much better. PTL! That first day picture is wonderful. I think I agree with his teacher. He has mischief just oozing from those gorgeous eyes. Give him hugs and kisses.

ellen said...

You have had a rough week. I am crossing fingers and toes that this coming one will be much better.
It does seem as if Little Buddy is having a whale of a time in school. I am so happy to hear that and that he is back to his usual wonderful self. The blanket is a wonderful gift. Just think, a Super Hero blanket for a real life Super Hero.
Your yarn is beautiful. Did you notice how the yarn for the baby blanket echos all of the colors in your rug?
Wishing you a peaceful week.
Love, Ellen.

Lynne said...

All that new yarn has me drooling! You deserve a yarn reward Meredith, with everything that's been going on.
LB is a pistol as my Grandma used to say. The teachers are going to love him.
The Spiderman blanket is awesome....what a great idea!

Anne said...

I am sorry to hear you had a rough week. Fingers crossed the next one will be more cheerful!

The yarn looks divine! I am sure you will make many wonderful things from it!

Take care
Anne
Crochet Between Worlds

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

I'm glad to hear Z Man is off to a great school year. That blanket from Carol is downright awesome. Hope you are having a relaxing weekend. Hugs, Tammy

Pammy Sue said...

I love all your new yarn!! So pretty. I'd love to stick my face in it. Haha. Aren't you glad I'm not there? Sorry you haven't been feeling well. I haven't either, but it's really nothing specific I can say...just an overall ache in my whole body. Maybe it's all the smoke getting to me. I don't know. Anyway, hope we both feel better real soon! So sweet for someone to send LB that little blanket. I know little boys, and he must think that Spiderman theme is so cool. Have fun with your new yarn!

Ali said...

Thank goodness things are settling down for you all enjoy a quiet weekend x

Amy at love made my home said...

So very sorry to hear that you have not been doing so well. I hope that you will have a relaxing weekend and will perhaps feel better by the time next week comes around. I most certainly think that you needed and deserved some yarn shopping!!! Everything you bought is gorgeous! I am glad to hear that Buddy is doing much better, I love the last photo of him! He looks as though he is very happy because he has a lovely new blanket to snuggle under! Just the right thing for a superhero boy! Hugs to you my dear, take care of yourself. xxxx

Babajeza said...

This sounds good. It's a blessing when children love school. I'm with you in this: to shop from my stash first, and only buy yarn if I have a specific project in mind that I do not have the appropriate yarn for already. I'm thinking of making a South Bay Shawlette and buying some lovels yarn here in Montreal. But, I am really depressed about the refugee situation in Europe, can't even think of any project today. Anyway: Enjoy the weekend and rest your head. Hugs, Regula

Bridget said...

I don't know about you, but if I had been having a terrible week, and that blanket arrived in the mail, I'd forget all about anything that had happened before! :-)

The new yarn is lovely - of course, my favorite yarn name of the ones pictured is "Moonshine" ...

Caffeine Girl said...

I hope you are getting some much-needed rest this weekend and that your active little boy isn't getting in the way of that!
I cannot imagine going 8 months without buying yarn, so I think your purchases were hard-earned! Beautiful choices. I also try to buy only yarn that is destined for a particular project. Sometimes the yarn changes its mind, but that's OK.

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

What a week you've had. Glad you are all better. I like the pattern for the scarf. I will have to come back to this on Ravelry. Not a member but I should be. I have so many patterns it's not funny. I need to finish a project soon. Finally found the 5th needle of my dbl pointed knitting needles. Our granddaughter was rocking wildly on my recliner the other weekend. My daughter found it on the floor the next day under the recliner. I'd been looking for it for months and I couldn't find it in the recliner as I know that's where I dropped it. Must been in a corner somewhere that I couldn't reach. Take care and thanks for sharing your life in photos! Hugs!

Jill at emeraldcottage said...

Blimey what a scare with LB, so glad that he is ok. Not surprised you had a migraine with everything you are juggling - you are an inspiration Meredith. Glad you made it through the week. Beautiful yarns you have chosen, can't wait to see what you magic up!
Hugs
Jillxo

moonstruckcreations said...

So happy that LB is back to full health - you sure did deserve a yarn purchase!

Helenxx

Ladybird Diaries said...

Aw little Buddy is just so cute...I'm glad that he's ok. 8 months without a yarn purchase is really impressive and you so deserve the beautiful yarn you bought.
Marianne x

Unknown said...

Nice to know that Little Buddy is feeling better, that cute blanket from Carol probably helped ;), and oh, the yarn... such pretty, beautiful yarn! I think the blanket will turn out great, and I'm so curious to see your other projects, too! You've been so good to go 8 months without purchasing yarn, I'm trying to follow the same rules you said, buying only the one I need for a specific project, but I'm not as good as you... :)

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

My goodness, such pretty yarns. And the superhero blanket is very special. Lucky Little Buddy.

Mylittlepieceofengland said...

Hopefully next week will be so much better, lots of hugs xx

Jo said...

We have been away so glad things with little buddy are settling down. Stressful times. Meg's finger looks better, I mean it still looks awful but so much better than the mash she made of it in the door! The girls are back to school next week and I a glad Buddy is enjoying his first few days. Love Jo x

elns said...

Oh boy blankets! I am just beginning to work on a garter stitch blanket right now. Blankets are a lot of work Mere. I keep waiting for it to grow, alas it's slow going. Hopefully I'll get it finished in time.

elns said...

Oh and a random thing. I kept thinking one day I'd learn to ripple. I never have. Maybe it's my fear of crochet again. My blankets used to come out so uneven so I'd rip a lot with crochet. Do you find it easier or more than knitting blankets?

Vera said...

What a wonderful blanket for Little Buddy! I'm sure he will love it for many, many years. And your yarn purchases...lovely. I'm heading up to the Finger Lakes Fiber Festival in a couple of weeks and hope to enhance my stash a bit. Little Buddy does look like he could be a bit of an imp in class -- that's wonderful! Hope this week is going better for you Meredith...you need a break for sure.

Annie Cholewa said...

I've just been catching up on all your news ... I'm shamefully behind with everyone! It's good in a way though to visit after all the trauma and know for sure that all is well. I do hope life's rollercoaster takes you along a nice flat, gentle patch next dear Meredith x

Elizabeth said...

Beautiful yarn ! Hope this is a better week for you !

Anita said...

Oh how exciting! The first day of school! Love all the colours and textures of the yarn you have. Happy knitting.
Cheers, Anita.

susanne said...

I must be slipping, how did I miss this post? The yarn is all gorgeous. Like all of us who love yarn, I bet you can't wait to get busy and make something of it. I have put myself on a "yarn diet", no more yarn for awhile. It will have to be something special for me to break down and purchase any. I came to the realization that I was becoming a collector instead of a user. That was why I made all those scarves from the stash, but there is 2-3 large totes yet and they can wait till cold weather. Your little guy looks very happy to be going to school. es, I imagine he is gonna be someone the teacher will not forget. Had I mentioned my grandson starts pre-school next week. He will attend school at my daughter's work place. His class will have special needs children. I go a week from Friday to have lunch with him. They celebrate grandparents day the last 3 days of the first week. I'm looking forward to that. It was so nice of your blogger friend to make and send the super hero blanket. Looks like a Spiderman one.
(((HUGS))) Susanne :)

Suzan said...

I bet Little buddy is glad to be back in school!! What an awesome spiderman blanket for him!!!
All those yarns are lovely!!! See you're going to be busy while Buddy is at school!

handmade by amalia said...

Adorable photos of Little Buddy.
Amalia
xo