I am in the process of updating my blog and I hope to write on a more regular basis.

I hope that all of my dear friends are well and blessed!

Not much going on but I've been knitting and clipping coupons.  I will try to figure out how to keep you all updated on my progress ~ really want to get to using only one blog but for some reason its not working. LOL

You can read more of my recent adventures here and I'll be back soon.  Off to visit some of my friends ~ been awhile since I've done that.

Happy New Year to you ~ it has been a very long time since I've blogged here.  There are some wonderful changes I see too and don't know how I managed to stay away so long.  Though it has become increasingly difficult to maintain several blogs, I will keep this one open so that I can visit from time to time and post.  However, you are all welcome to visit me over at my other blog for the details of whats happening in my world.  I've decided to have one main blog from now on so I can have more time visiting my friends instead of trying to post everywhere. ;D

With the New Year, I'm looking for ways to cut costs, start a garden and live simply.  So what better place to go then to our wonderful community here.  I'm hoping to get some needed advice and start plans so my family and I can have the lovely things I've been dreaming about.

I'm off to read and leave a comment or two.  Talk w/you all soon.

I changed the layout ~ so what ya think?!  Pretty springy, I'd say.  Well, I'll be back to move things around and add my links, buttons and stuff back.  But this will do for now.  Good night!

things are a bit quiet here for sure now that the storm has seemed to pass.  I am working on my blogs, reading some blogs I've missed and changing things.  I'm considering changing the layout of this blog though I really like my template.  I did manage to update my avatar and get it to work again.  I used to be able to change my avatar and it would automatically change here but when HSB had the system changes it stopped working.  Its working now though and I'm happy.

I've been doing my FlyLady cleaning assignments.  I like how they have started giving sneak peeks of the weekly assignments so I have them all at once now.  No more logging in daily to get my assignment and I can plan accordingly if I will miss a day due to work.  We are in the kitchen and I feel like I've been in the kitchen for a long time.  Those 17 mos of working really put a dent in my home organization and my motivation. LOL  Things are getting back on track, one day at a time.  I hope you all are doing well.  I will be making my rounds this week to catch up on my fav people.  More spring cleaning to come in the house and the blog.  I may have to get a new look so that it looks fresh and inviting around here.  Stay tuned ~ never know what I may come up with.

Have a wonderful evening!

don't forget to stop by my crafty blog too. 

I'd love to hear from ya.

Its been quiet around these parts.  So I thought I'd pop in and say "howdy."  I hope I haven't lost too many of my good friends over here but its not as convenient to work here as it once was.

I've not been busy on the homestead of late but definitely need to get my act in gear.  The yard is in need of my attention and thx to our wacky weather, I think my cherry tree has kissed the baby for the year.  Hmm, need to go out and mulch and feed it.  My climbing yellow roses are in dire need too but I've not been motivated to tackle the yard.  I do need to make a quick decision on whether I will garden to include planting some veggies this year before its too late.  However, these storm fronts have made me a bit indecisive.

I've managed to work on the inside of the homestead though.  I've shampooed the carpet at least 2x in the last month and now am working on a regular maintenance schedule.  I knew having the kiddos and myself here 24/7 was much but when you add the dog ~ it really gets pretty dirty fast and the rain doesn't help.

Today, the oldest fixed dinner which was great.  It was a total surprise, I awake to mail delivery and found her in the kitchen cutting potatoes.  She planned and cooked the meal herself.  Its so wonderful too see her growing up.  She'll be 19yo in a wk.  My how time flies when you least expect it.  I'm grateful, though, for the past 5yrs of being able to get to know her and help find some common ground for her transition into adulthood.  Its definitely an awesome, and scary at times, experience.

Well, off to bed w/me.  I've a long week ahead of me but I'll try to update over the weekend.  Have an awesome week!

~ at our homestead ~

smells ~ cinammon candle

dinner ~ fried potatoes, homemade biscuits and corn

sounds ~ clicking needles, tapping fingers on keyboard and a movie in the background

planning ~ my week to not burnout ;D

my hands ~ knitting my first baby sock

I've found a solution to my query and you can read more here. 

Have an awesome day!

Please post (on your blog) about your favorite yarn and your least favorite yarn (if you have one!) What have you made with it? Tell us about your experiences!

Until recently, my favorite yarn was Caron's Simply Soft.  I loved the feel of the yarn.  Its texture and easy of use.  I made lots of baby afghans and blankets with this yarn in white, blue, yellow and I used it mostly to make a baby size version of the "Victorian Lace Blanket" by Leisure Arts.

This blanket requires something very soft to make the scalloped edges and ribbon is added.  CSS made making this blanket a pleasure and shorten the time necessary to make it.  Each time I've made one, it has taken less time since I knew the yarn so well.  It will probably always be my first choice for baby items especially when price is an issue.

I'm finishing off a white one now and have used my scraps to knit up different stitch squares.  The softness has made the task of learning new stitches very pleasing.

Regarding a least favorite yarn, I would probably say "fun fur".  Not that I don't like it and I will be using it for making gifts but I don't like how slippery some of it is or the fact that my stitches get lost and its difficult to determine your stitch counts.  Now my oldest dd figured it out but I've not tried her method nor have I tried making scarves which is what she whips up with them in about a hour.  Hmm, maybe one day I will but for now, I'll continue to learn about new yarns, sample yarns and develop new favs like my recent pick:

"Debbie Bliss Cashmerino"