blizzard in the desert

The snow started around 12:30 pm Saturday.. by the time we left for the store about a hour later this was the view of our road

 

 

it was coming down hard  ..

 

you couldn't see more than a few yards.. this photo is of hwy 70.. the car just ahead of us can't be seen...

we stopped to take a few photos in the yard.. in 28 years of living here in the desert we have never seen so much snow ( I don't own a jacket, very happy for my knit and crochet wear )

 

our fenced garden was turned into an igloo

before sunset you couldn't see feet ahead of you

 

 

 hours before it stopped ...

by the time it let up to flurries we were buried in at least 9 inches of snow..

by midday Sunday we could see the sky and mts again.. not looking good for our beaver tail and other cactus     

 

 

beautiful true.. many deadly things are.. more than 3000 people, blocks from us were without power through out the night.. roads were covered in black ice.. many accidents .. Brent couldn't get out of the driveway to even try the 45 min. run to work.. lost holiday pay plus a days wage.. not going to be easy.. but we are lucky we have a home.. food.. and each other...

Ruffled Crochet Wrist Warmers

 

 

I didn't count gauge or yardage, as I was making these for me I wasn't thinking of writing up the pattern.. but I love them so much I thought I'd share anyway... I crochet on the loose side, the 16 foundation stitches fit my wrist ( just over 6 inches ) a bit loose... adjust the amount of chains to fit your wrist or the size needed.. I used less than half a skein of Icelandic Jewels ( bulky weight, 129 yards per skein ) now discontinued ( using up my older end pieces ) .. as far as bulky yarn goes it's on the lighter side

both warmers made the same
First chain 1 does not count as a stitch, make first stitch in the same space, joining with the first stitch not the chain 1 through out the pattern

ch = chain
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet

1 ) ch16 join with slip stitch
2 -5 ) ch1,  sc to end using the back loop only, join
6 ) ch1, sc twice in first stitch, sc to end of round, join
7)  ch1, sc twice in first two stitches, sc to end of round, join
8)  ch1, sc twice in first stitch, sc 2 stitches, sc twice in next stitch , sc to end of round, join
9 ) ch1, sc to end, join
10 ) ch3, skip 5 stitches, sc to end, join
11 ) ch1, sc 2 around ch2 stitches of previous row, sc to end, join
12 - 15 )  ch1, sc to end, join fasten off. ... I wanted the fingers covered a bit more.. check to make sure you like the length.

trim
using the chain foundation ( front loop ) ch2 in same space dc once, dc 2 in each stitch around join with the top of the ch2 stitches, fasten off. weave in all ends.

 

easy knit cowl

Made a knit stitch cowl for my friend... used size 15 US needles.. cast on 55 stitches and just knit flat until I was almost out of a full skein of Lion's Brand Home spun... seemed together.. came out so comfy and looks great on her

Free reindeer pouch pattern

When I first starting crocheting I signed up for email from All free crochet patterns ( see link ) I have found some really cool patterns this way and learned a lot...
All free crochet patterns

When they sent a link for this one I had to give it a go..
Reindeer pouch

I didn't have dark brown yarn for the antlers so went with tweed.. made them with 2 strands held together.. also added a strap ( 2 single crochets ) .. very quick fun pattern :D


As I wanted to make more reindeer patterns I really needed to find some dark brown.. I almost gave up again after trying 3 times... I found some stuck in back of the bottom rack ( had to get on my knees and reach in the darkness.. lol ) at Joann's.. on sale :D that meant I still had my 60% off coupon to use :D :D  I had been sent there to get myself something for our 31 anniversary ( I really prefer it this way.. I get what I want without spending a lot... double win ) always loved stuffed animals when I saw this booklet it had to come home.. going to get started on it soon as I get one more reindeer done as I now have that dark brown yarn... life is good  

Happy Reindeer

Happy Reindeer

I ran across this free pattern from Lion Brand... wasn't look for a red nose reindeer this time so changed it just a bit... very easy and CUTE :D
 

busy busy...

very busy times.. I know I've said this before but dang we are hitting new levels here lol... we have added a few new members to our family... very active new members ...

This is Xabrina she is so sweet.. about 5 months old.. wise beyond her age..

 

Yanni is a ball of fluff lol he loves to cuddle .. the photo doesn't show how blue his eyes really are..

 his sister Zahara is the feisty never sit still one.. they are close to 2 months old now.. 

 

our Posarde is I would say around 7 or 8 months.. as she is still growing at a pretty fast rate I think this is pretty close to right.. she more than doubled her weight in the short time we've had her with us.. just over 50lbs now

We also now have ducks in our flock... talk about fun :D love watching them play in their pool

I have found some time to make a few things...

selling as fast as I can get them off the needles and hooks.. market has been going great :D... all in all very busy happy times... life is good indeed

 

super blood moon photos

 
 

 

 

First 2 taken from our yard... it was such a pretty night we took the doggies to the park to watch the moon a bit more.. had the place to our selves for the most part..

Beautiful

Football can cozy

Football can cozy
10 US dpns
15 yards brown worsted weight yarn
2 1/2 yards white worsted weight yarn
yarn needle for stitching on "seam"
gauge 7 sts. by 10 rows per 2 inches

cast on 24 join in the round
1-2) knit all stitches using brown
3) knit all stitches using white, cut white yarn
4-16) knit all stitches using brown
17) knit all stitches using white, cut white yarn
18-19) knit all stitches using brown, bind off purl wise, weave in ends.. add stitching for seam using photo as guide.

cat derrière coasters free crochet pattern

A friend shared a photo to me of similar coasters... loved them .. had to give them a go.. this is my take on cat derrière's  lol

I US hook ( 5.50mm)
3/4 yard of pink 100% cotton worsted weight
11 1/2 yard of main color 100% cotton worsted weight
Exact gauge is not essential to this project

stitches
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
increase = 2 single crochets in same stitch
sl st = slip stitch


1) sc 6 into magic circle using pink join, cut yarn and fasten off.
2) ch1 in any sc of ring, sc2 in same stitch, sc twice in all stitches using main color, join with first sc
3) ch2, sc in same space as join, to top ch of ch2 counting as first increase here and through out pattern, sc1, *increase, sc1* to end of round, join to top ch of ch2 
4) *increase, sc2* to end of round join to top ch of ch2 
5) *increase, sc3* to end of round join to top ch of ch2 
6) *increase, sc4* to end of round join to top ch of ch2  7) ch7, sc in second ch from hook through back bar, sc in same manner to end of chains, slip stich to next sc to fasten back to body, sl st 14,* ch 4, sc3 starting in second ch from hook through back bar, sl st on to body in next sc** ( first leg done ), sl st 4, repeat from* to * fasten off.
 

1 by 1 revisited warmers, adult size

1 by 1 revisited warmers, adult size

Size 9 US dpns

gauge 10 rows by 11 stitches ( including purl stitches relaxed in the back ground ) per 2 inches in 1 by 1 ribbing 

approximately 66 yards of worsted weight yarn
Both warmers made the same 

on Ravelry

1 2 3 Ripple Crochet Scarf

 

1 2 3 Ripple Crochet Scarf

 

one skein of with love by Red Heart in Water Lilly  ( 180 yds medium worsted weight )
Size J hook ( 6. mm )
gauge not important to this project.. ( I do crochet on the loose side )

sc = single crochet
dc = single crochet
tr = treble crochet

Size can easily be adjusted by making a longer foundation chain ...  you with of course need more yarn than :)

Chain 125

Rounds 1 - 3 are worked through the back loop only
All rounds are worked along both sides of the foundation ch

1) sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc to last ch, in last ch 3sc ( place marker in center stitch ) turn and continue to work along the opposite of beg ch, sc to end of foundation ch, 2sc in last chain

2) Join through back loop, ch3, 2dc in same space as join, dc to marker, 6dc ( place marker in center stitch ), dc to last stitch, 3dc

3) Join through back loop, ch4, 2tr in same space as join, tr to marker, 6tr, tr to last stitch, 3tr

4) join through both loops, 2ch, sc into same space as join, ch,  ( sc, ch, sc, ch ) in each stitch to end fasten off.

 

Baby socks free pattern online

red heart baby socks

I came across this pattern on Red Heart had to give it a try .. the photo doesn't really match up with the size of the sock given in the pattern.. it is for a 6 to 9 month old comes out better looking than the photo shows in my option...
I did make a couple of changes.. I made the cuff and leg just a bit longer so the could fold over.. I went with 8 rows of each... I also grafted the toes at 12 stitches ( counting both needles ) instead of 8 as called for.. but made as the pattern calls for would give you a nice baby sock :)

Small ( child size ) standard fingerless gloves

Small standard fingerless gloves ( model is 8 years olds ) love how the photo came out.. it was taken from the side lol

Size 8 US dpns or circular needles
gauge 8 sts. by 10.5 rows per 2 inches
50 yards of worsted weight

 Both gloves made the same

k = knit
knit = knit all stitches of that round
kf/b = knit the front loop like normal, then knit the back loop of the same stitch making a one stitch increase
k1 tbl = knit one stitch through back loop
1 by 1 = knit one, purl one to end of row
( )x = repeat instructions inside of brackets as many times as the number after the x indicates

cast on 24 stitches

1 - 12 ) 1 by 1

13 ) k4,  ( yo, k8 )x 2,  yo,  k4

14 ) k4,  ( k1tbl,  k8 )x2,  k1 tbl,  k4

15- 18 ) knit

19 ) kf/b x2,  knit to end

20 ) knit

21 ) kf/b,  k2,  kf/b,  knit to end

22 ) knit

23 ) kf/b,  k4,  kf/b,  knit to end

24 ) bind off 9,  knit to last stitch,  kf/b

25 ) joining over thumb opening,  kf/b,  knit to end

26 - 29 ) knit

30 - 31 ) 1 by 1

bind off in 1 by 1, weave in ends

Roly Kittie pattern

I found this supper cute crochet pattern on Ravelry... and it's free :D

 

roly poly cats pattern

 

Quick one pot stove top tuna casserole

I've been asked a few times how I make my tuna casserole ... so here it is

 

Tuna casserole

2 lbs of elbow noodles
12 oz can of light tuna in water
3 cans of condensed cream of mushroom soup ( 10.5 oz )
bag of frozen peas
about half a cup of onion, chopped
Morton's Nature's Seasons ( seasoning blend )
 sea salt
garlic powder


Cook noodles in large pot, with a touch of sea salt and garlic powder added to the water before boiling
drain noodles .. do not rinse .. set aside

in pot add peas, onion and soups  ( I put a few ozs of water in the bottom of one can and stir to get all the soup out.. moving same water to the next can and so on.. add to mixture in pot )
add tuna after draining
add seasoning blend to taste... mix heating just a bit, over low heat.. onions should stay crisp..
mix in noodles .. let set for a minute or two .. serve warm


this makes a large pot .. feeds us four plus left overs.. left overs good rewarmed or cold
 

Beads

a few of the items for next weeks famers market

Sunday Farmers Market At Tractor Supply

 

Free starfish coaster crochet pattern at Joann's

 

 

I was at Joann's craft store the other when one of their free patterns caught my eye.. a quick easy crochet coaster .. I had to give it a go :D

it was fun to work up.. I will be doing more..

 

starfish coaster pattern

Summer roses

Summer is in full swing ... gardens are looking good.. roses in full bloom.. I love this bush.. it has so many colors in each rose.. pink, orange, red and yellow :D

 

 

Jorden put together some for me..

 

 Loved them

 

 

 

 

 

He did more so we could add them to our tables at the market.. :D

 

  

We been getting a lot of rain this year.. rainbows every few days

 

to reflect

I got some reflective yarn by Red Heart thinking I would make a few simple items to make it easier to be seen while walking the dogs at night... in the colder months I take them during the day, but as things heat up it gets too hot for that... so with this in mind I wanted light weight items that didn't add warmth..
I went with a long very skinny scarf that could be worn as a belt or tied on to whatever lol


Using size 15 US cables I cast on 175 stitches long tail.. in pink, cut the yarn.. knit a row in black again cutting the yarn... bound off in pink.. I just tied the ends together adding one strand of fringe to the end with less tail ends then tied them together....
Very easy takes only a few minutes,  but could make the difference of being seen or not 

chickens... lots of chickens

Nostradamus loves watching the babies..

These are the little ones he is watching.. Cornish rocks, Leghorns, Cochins and two we are not sure about yet...

 

These little ones are bantam Cochins and Ameraucanas... and a few we are not sure of yet lol  ..

in this group we have Reds, Leghorns and buff Orpingtons

Theses are full sized Ameraucanas the only pullets we got other than in the first group.. they didn't have straight run.. we do try and stick with straight run as much as we can.. the roos will have a much longer happy life..

this is our new frizzle... so soft

 

this girl turned into quite a beauty.. in spite of the look she's giving my phone lol

a few of the hens we were gifted last fall.. they don't normally stick this close together glad I had my phone ready to snap a shot

 

this hen is one of the babies we hatched out last year.. she is a total sweetie...

 

just a few our new and not so new chickens..

 

Happy Easter