Granny Square Shell Stitch

 I finished an afghan.   I started it mid July and finished it mid August.  I was pleased with how it turned out.

I did not go rogue with the colors...the main color is called Stone and then I used six different repeating colors. Some of the colors were Petrol, Copper, Cyprus and Claret...plus two more whose names escape me.  I am not sure how much yarn was used for the main color...3 maybe 4 skeins...I had partial balls from previous projects.

I began another using Stylecraft Special DK using just two colors Parchment and Denim using a 3.5 crochet hook.  I am starting this project with 4 skeins of Parchment and 1 of Denim and we will see how far that gets me. 

I suspect this one will take about a month maybe longer to finish. 

I crochet in the afternoon when we watch Grey's Anatomy and in the evening when I watch TV. 

My stash is not going down very fast...I have not ordered yarn in a long time...I have four large totes of Special DK in all kinds of colors:)

Far Guy had company for coffee on Tuesday morning an old friend from the Air Guard.  

After the visitors left we worked on Christmas Ornaments in the garage.  With Fall in the air around here I cannot waste a nice day. Progress is slow but steady. 

Minnesota Weather: High 71F or 22C  Low was 46F or 8C

What's Cooking?  Brats and Far Guy's Famous Dip. 

Far Side

Stash and other stuff

 I decided to gather together colors for a afghan just like the other one I am working but in different colors. It didn't even make a dent in the stash.

So another has been started.  There is some chocolate brown down in the left hand corner. 

We gathered together lots of "stuff" from outside and recycled.   The old leaking birdbaths are gone and have been replaced by new ones...a Mother's Day gift.  Old glass flowers were taken down they have seen better years.  A select few will go back up. 

I have a bowling ball yard ornament that is being glued and glittered so it will sparkle in the sun again. 

It was a warm day...Far Guy brought out the shade umbrella for the patio table. 

I did some Find A Grave stuff that I promised I would do...people in a Cemetery that does not exist...all because who ever wrote the obituary didn't know their butt from a hole in the ground.  Another Cemetery that I have no idea where it is...and that will require some asking around. 

Hark! Back! Is a new project I am starting.  It will have blogs that appeared in a now defunct site from 2007 and 2008. You may or may not be interested when they show up on this blog...hopefully my Grands will enjoy them.  

Minnesota weather: Warm.  High 73F (but our thermometer hovered at 80F) or 23C  Low was 50F or 10C. We are in a Red Flag Warning and a Fire Weather Watch....wind and low humidity.

What's cooking?  Phillys on pretzel buns and cheesy potatoes.

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Nice Pattern

 I really like the newest crochet pattern I am working on. 

I am making progress:) It will have many more rows around!  There are you tube videos to help you along if you get stuck.

The transition from round to square was fairly easy.   One of the later rows had a stitch that I had not done in years...I watched video after video...finally I just went to my comfy spot on the couch, relaxed and low and behold the old muscle memory did the trick....fyi it is a back post double crochet....it is alternated with the front post double crochet...I knew exactly how to do that stitch!  Yeah me.

I finally made menus for two weeks it has taken me about a month to figure out what we have on hand that is still good:)

Whats cooking?  BLT...I like my T on the side...we baked some bread so it was especially good. 

Minnesota weather:  High on Monday 64F or 18C  Low was 46 or 8C.   It is supposed to rain on Tuesday and we really need rain.

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A decision

 I finally made a decision about my next crochet project!! 

I have always admired the blankets that use lots of colors of yarn...starting in the round and morphing into a square.   So...I found a free pattern.   It is called Bernat Study of Reality

Here are my mostly final colors nestled in my work basket. 

I call it a bucket of color.   That light pink in the far left has not been used yet....but I think it will make the cut.

Here is what I have so far.  If it all works out I can see me making more blankets of this pattern.  I am using Stylecraft DK yarn and a 3.5mm crochet hook. The pattern calls for different yarn and a different hook size...I must be a rebel crocheter.

So far the written pattern has one mistake but I figured it out.   There are also You Tube instructions. 

I like doing the different stitches...it keeps my brain engaged. 

We took Tilly to town for an oil change and a gasket replacement...Far Guy is getting nervous as it is late in the afternoon(Tuesday) and they have not called him to pick her up yet!  If they don't call pretty soon I will have to cook something for supper....we wanted to go out for a late lunch/early supper...lupper:)

We had a good visit with my cousin Chuckie, he was 86 a few week ago.   The visit was on my list of things that I wanted to do!

Minnesota weather:  There was snow in the air Tuesday morning. (It was not in my imagination either as cousin Chuckie saw it too) High was 39F or 4C  Low was 28 or -2C.  Seems we are in a cold spell.

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Remember this?

 

Well it is now a ugly looking blanket...back in the day I would have called it fugly ucking :)

Lots of small balls of yarn used up.  This was a project I started and only worked on in the afternoons while we watch Grey's Anatomy.  We are in Season six now and I will need to figure out another project.  

I have a couple of ideas for the next project.  Might be time to revisit one of my previous projects:) 

We had a quiet day, it rained just about an inch according to the neighbors. 

Minnesota weather: High 41F or 5C  Low was 29F or -2C.  Rainy and the grass is turning green.

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Stash

 I made a small baby blanket...perhaps just right for a car seat in the Summertime.  

It is the linen stitch using a 3.5 crochet hook.  The yarn Stylecraft Special DK  and I have no idea what the colors are anymore.   I have a bunch of yarn yet to use up. 

Far Guy and I took Tilly to town for his Infusion and a blood draw for me.  Our Buick has been in the body shop getting a small dent fixed.  Tilly is now in the repair shop for a diagnosis about her transmission fluid leak.  We are glad to have the Buick back...although Ranger Blue is great transportation! 

Minnesota weather: High 77F or 25C  Low was 32F or 0C.   It rained early on Thursday morning.  Thundered enough to wake me up...which is really saying something as I am a sound sleeper!

Whats cooking: Freezer food...Vegetable Soup for me and Jambalaya for Far Guy.  One night we had Moons over my Hammy.  

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Update:  This blanket was given to Baby K so she would have a small blanket to have in her car seat!

Big Ball

 of yarn.  I had a whole bunch of little balls of yarn...so I made one big ole ball of yarn. 

I started with brown and ended with brown.   I am using a 3.5 hook and am doing the linen stitch.  Easily done while watching tv.   It will make a blanket...not sure how big but it is what it is. 

We had a quiet day on Sunday.  My other baby brother and she who sees robins first came over to visit. 

I napped in the afternoon.  

Supper was left over pork ribs, corn and a baked potato. 

Minnesota weather: High 40F or 4C  Low was 24F or -4C.   We are in a fire watch.

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Fire Weather Watch in effect from Monday, 10:00 AM CDT until Monday, 8:00 PM CDT. Source: U.S. National Weather Service

Affected area

Becker

Description

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR NORTHWEST MINNESOTA... The National Weather Service in Grand Forks has issued a Fire Weather Watch for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from Monday morning through Monday evening. * AFFECTED AREA...In Minnesota, West Polk, Norman, Clay, Kittson, Roseau, Lake Of The Woods, West Marshall, East Marshall, North Beltrami, Pennington, Red Lake, East Polk, North Clearwater, South Beltrami, Mahnomen, South Clearwater, Hubbard, West Becker, East Becker, Wilkin, West Otter Tail, East Otter Tail, Wadena and Grant. * WINDS...Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 20 percent. * IMPACTS...Any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and become difficult to control. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

A finish

 I finally finished the afghan that has been in the works for a just about a year. I started it in June of 2025. 

The back is just about as pretty as the front.  The pattern is Apache Tears and I used a 3.5 hook and all different colors of yarn.   It is good to have it done. 

We had a quiet day on Wednesday.  Far Guy worked in his garage.  I did some laundry and all kind of misc things...not much that shows.  I picked up some sticks in the yard and soaked up some sunshine while reading a book.

We had leftovers for supper. No cooking just warming up!

Minnesota weather: High 67F or 19C  Low was 40F or 4C. 

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Stash

 I finished one blanket using up part of my "stash."

It is a shell stitch.  I  was not thrilled with the one blue/grey bunch of yarn but it is what it is. 

Yesterday was a busy day.  Far Guy tackled all kinds of small projects while I did some laundry and got rid of a bunch of over the hill stuff in the fridge!

We made pork chops and rice for supper with peaches. 

Friday night we went out with my other baby brother and she who sees robins first for supper at a local place...the food was good.  

Saturday was the Frozen Four Championship.  So we watched hockey in the afternoon. 

Minnesota weather:  High 46F or 8C  Low was 40F or 4C.  It rained a little.  It is supposed to be 70F on Sunday...we will see if that happens.  I think we still have too much snow cover for that to happen!

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Pastel

 I am working on colors in the stash.  The stash could be an ongoing project for several years:)

There will be more colors, it is a shell stitch and I am using DK yarn and a 3.5  crochet hook. 

Tuesday morning Sadie came to tell us that she had a problem.  It was TUESDAY.  She goes to Daycare every Tuesday and plays with friends.  Andy forgot it was Tuesday and left her at home...good thing Far Guy knew what day it was and what her problem was!  How in the world did she realize it was Tuesday???  Dogs know more than we think they do. Yes Jen took her to daycare!  No April fooling either!

Minnesota weather: Snowy and windy.  High 35F or 2C  Low was 23F or -5C eh!

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Onward and forward

 I finished another baby blanket.

Sage Green this time...same old story ...single crochet...6.5 crochet hook and three skeins of Baby Bee Snugs and Kisses yarn. 

Started another blanket...using misc colors of yarn...you know from the stash. 

I will frog ( rip it ) what I have started...as I was not pleased with the spacing of the pattern.  Plus maybe I should have an idea of how I am going to work out the colors...decisions...decisions.  It will be stripes of different colors that I know for sure!

We finished up #17 and #18 of 22 medical appointments on Thursday.  Come back next week and come back in three months.  So it goes onward and forward.  #19 and #20 happen today (Friday). Next week we finish up the month and the last two appointments before we turn the calendar to April. 

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Sunday

 Far Guy, Jen and Andy went to the movies. They were all interested in Project Hail Mary. They report that the movie was really good. Sadie and I stayed at home. 

I finished the blue blanket.

It is a simple single crochet using a 6.5 crochet hook. I used about five skeins of Yarn Bee  Cozy Occasion in the color Nice To See Blue. 

The next blanket has been started it is a pale green.

Then I will be onto a different stitch trying to use up some of the yarn stash!

We have four appointments this week all at the end of the week. We have finished 16 out of 22 appointments. 

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Eyes and Yellow

 I saw the eye Doctor again for visual field tests...etc.  I do not have glaucoma or macular degeneration!

Come back in six months. Yeah me!  

I finished this delicious looking baby blanket a few days ago and started another one.  Single crochet using a 6.5 crochet hook and Snugs and Kisses Yarn in the Sunny Seasons color. 

We are happy to have Jen back home again!  

Minnesota weather: High 45F or 7C  Low was 25F or -4C  Snow was melting!

The kids made supper...bacon, apple pancake and fruit!

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Slow but sure

 I finished a blanket last week.

It is a linen stitch.  I used a 6.5 Crochet hook and 5 skeins of Cozy Occasion Yarn in Ivory.

Jen and Maddie sent a photo of a Mama Sloth with a baby! 

Monday activities...laundry, grocery store and cooking.  Biscuits and Gravy along with fruit for supper. 

Minnesota weather: Cold!  High 12F or -11C Low was -5F or -21C.  Hopefully yesterday was the end to the cold spell. 

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Stripes

 I ventured into something new for me.  A striped blanket.   

 Hobby Lobby Cozy Occasion Yarn one skein ivory and then five skeins of colored yarn.  I used a 6.5 hook and the Linen Stitch.  I repeated the colors twice so it ended up an ok size.  This is the yarn that was supposed to become colored hearts on an ivory background...I didn't like it at all so I frogged it and went with a totally different idea to use up the yarn.  I finished this blanket on March 4 and quickly began an ivory blanket to use up the remaining yarn plus two more ivory skeins procured on a trip to Hobby Lobby. 

4 medical visits out of 19 are done.  The ENT Surgeon advises that Far Guy see the Endocrinologist for follow up ultrasounds/biopsies to keep an eye on the Thyroid nodules.  So no thyroid surgery is scheduled. 

I picked up groceries at Wally World while Far Guy had his infusion and then we went to Hobby Lobby together and out for lupper at Perkins where we had breakfast. 

Minnesota Weather: Cloudy, gloomy, frosty, slippery.  We are in a Winter Weather Advisory for all of Friday mainly for ice and slick roads.  High was 36F or 2C Low was 19F or -7C eh.

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Another blue blanket

 I finished the blanket that was in my work basket. 

I needed a new project to put in my work basket. 

I fussed and fussed with a new pattern to begin a new project...it was colored hearts...it looked better on paper than it did in reality. The back of that project was so messy looking I would never give it to anyone.  So I frogged it ( ripped it apart).

It is cold here again. 

Minnesota weather: High 18F or -8C  Low was 13F or -11C eh!  We have a wind/blowing snow/ice advisory for Tuesday morning.

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Monday stuff

 I finished a baby blanket over the weekend.  Another blue one.  I have no babies in mind for any of the blankets I have been doing.  Just getting ready...to BE prepared!   I have enough of this yarn left to make another baby blanket....in fact I already started it.

We had no plans/appointments on Monday ...so what do we do?  Made two appointments!  The first was for Far Guy's Indefinite Updated Military ID...it seems the Government changed a few things so off we went.  Interesting fact is that they couldn't get fingerprints from him as his ridges are all worn off.   The next appointment was at the Eye Clinic...Jen had recommended her Eye Dr and she had an afternoon opening... Far Guy needs Cataract Surgery on both eyes.  Far Guy said "I am blind as a bat"  He has a referral and will be seen for the initial cataract consult next week.  The Surgery will be scheduled.

Now for the rest of the week...only three appointments.  Practically a week off.

Minnesota weather: Mostly cloudy  High 6F or -14C  Low was -16F or  -27C eh!

Supper: Steak sandwiches, twice baked potato and green beans.  It is just the menfolk and me this week as Jen is off to Puerto Rico for some time in the sun.

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Stitching

 After the photo project cleared my work space I got out the diamond squares that a blog reader sent me.  

The diamonds needed to be sewn together with a mattress stitch.   That is a difficult stitch but I finally conquered it... mostly.

It is a lap afghan size.  It is not perfect... it will be donated to one of the stores in town that benefits people...Salvation Army Store most likely or the Dakota Boys and Girls Store.

I began this project before Christmas and then I packed it away now I am pleased to get it off of my to BE finished list!  The pattern is called Tulip Cube Throw.

It was a cold day here, I took Far Guy to his Infusion and waited in the parking lot for him while crocheting and talking to my best friend Susie! 

Supper: Far Guy browned some brats and warmed up some potatoes and corn.  

Minnesota weather: High -12F or -24C  Low was -24F or -31C 

Weather Advisory

EXTREME COLD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Dangerously cold wind chills as low as 50 below. * WHERE...Portions of north central, northwest, and west central Minnesota and northeast and southeast North Dakota. * WHEN...Until noon CST Sunday. * IMPACTS...The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 50 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 5 minutes.

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Pretty Blanket

 I finished another blanket.

It is a very pretty turquoise/aqua  color.  I believe I know who this one will be gifted to. 

Far Guy had his weekly infusion on Friday afternoon.  I ran errands to Walmart and Aldi, then we went out for lunch.  I returned to clean a bathroom, do some laundry and take care of a few things on my list that swirl around in my head...just as the wind swirls the snow around...then I had a nap!

I need to BEgin another blanket.  The weather is perfect for starting projects...we are in a Winter Storm Watch and a Blizzard Warning.  The wind is really howling outside.  

Minnesota Weather; High 9F or -13C  low was -5F or -21C eh! Snowy and blowing. 

Since we went out to lunch supper became quite easy.  Chili, cheese and crackers.  No Cooking just warming up!

My Photo Album project is coming along, the Grand's photo albums are caught up with for now...I still need to order their 2025 photos for their albums.  I sorted to decades when I pulled the photos from the albums and marked them by year, now I have sorted the years....1972-2023.  Next comes the year sorted into months...then I can put them all in albums.  There is a method to my madness. 

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BE prepared

 Recently I finished two baby blankets for the stash.  

Purple...because someone told me when I have a baby I would like a purple blanket because the nursery will be purple.  Alrighty then.  Great Grandma is prepared! 

Blue...just because. 

The yarn is Baby Bee Snugs and Kisses...the purple is called Grape and the blue is called Blueberry.  I used a size J hook and 3 to 4 skeins of yarn.

One thing about this yarn is that you stay nice and warm when crocheting! 

Far Guy made brats and tater tots for supper.  He can cook!

Minnesota Weather; High was 10F or -12C and the Low was 5F or -15C. 

I had an MRI on my lower back to see what is or isn't happening. I slept all afternoon after the tiny little pill the Dr prescribed so I would not freak out in the confined space.

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