Blue Jeans Neck Warmer

Okay, so I'm in love with this one.  It's super thick and soft!  I made it in about three hours last night while watching Dallas, Diamond Divers, and some of what came on before and after those shows.  This is an excellent pattern.  Every pattern should be this good...lots of pictures and very clear instructions.  Here are the details:

Free Pattern:  City Neck Warmer by Donna Okoro

Yarn:  2 skeins Lionbrand Jiffy in Denim

Hook:  Size J

I'm still always amazed that you can take this...

And a few hours later have this...

Amazing!

I love crochet!

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The dogs are all clean!  This picture shows how slick Eli is with a fresh shave.  I know it's a shame to shave a dog with beautiful hair like Eli's, but it's just such a pain in the ass!  It's much easier to keep him clean, and there is way less hair around the house with it shaved.

I took the weirdest picture yesterday totally by accident.  Wanna see it?  Okay, here ya go...

Ha-ha-ha!

Two dogs, one head...creepy!

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I've got to go find something to crochet.

Thanks for dropping by.

You sure do look pretty today.

Bye!

First Snow Cowl & Dinner

I couldn't get a picture of this one that I was happy with.  It looks so pretty in person.  Oh well.  Same pattern, but for some reason it came out much shorter than I like.  I swear I measured it when I made my starting chain!  Hmm...

As you can see, I'm having a cowl obsession these days.  I found a new pattern of a really cool one I'm going to make soon.  I need to make a few short-term projects before I get back to some of the longer ones and these are making me happy.

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I made a yummy dinner last night.  Again, the pictures aren't that great, but it tasted better than it looks!  I wanted to share the recipe with you so I'm showing the pictures anyway...

That's a lump of mashed potatoes in the back there.  Everything looks the same with that gravy on it, but it was good!  Just believe me and ignore my bad pictures.

Salisbury Steak & Gravy

1 pkg onion soup mix

2 cups water

1 1/2 pounds ground beef

1/2 cup dry bread crumbs

1 egg

Salt & pepper to taste

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/4 cup ketchup

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon mustard powder

1 jar sliced mushrooms, drained (optional)

Combine soup mix & water in a 2-cup measuring cup and set aside.  In a large bowl, mix together 1/3 cup of the onion soup with ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, salt and black pepper. Shape into patties.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown both sides of patties. Pour off and discard excess fat.

In a small bowl, blend flour and remaining soup until smooth. Mix in ketchup, water, Worcestershire sauce, mustard powder, and mushrooms if using. Pour over meat in skillet. Cover and cook on low for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

I also added some browning sauce (Kitchen Bouquet) to the gravy mixture to get that great dark brown color. I added about 2 tsp.

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The dog groomer just pulled up...gotta run!

Clean dogs, oh yeah.

Autumn Cowl

I’ve been working on this cowl a row or two at a time each evening after I get in bed.  It’s my favorite cowl pattern.

I’m going to start another one just because I like having something to work on before I go to sleep.  And before long, you have a beautiful scarf that seems like it was hardly any work at all.

I used the rose pattern from the Rose Booties pattern you can find on Ravelry.  It’s much prettier than the flower pattern that comes with the cowl pattern.

I made this pattern a few years back using a different yarn and color (ILTY in Mulberry), and I think I like that one better, although they are both nice.

It’s bulkier using the ILTY, which I like.  The above pic shows the flower made by the one provided in the cowl pattern.

This is what it looks like unwound.

Pattern:  See below.

Yarn:  1 skein Caron Simply Soft in Autumn Red  (I prefer ILTY)

Hook:  Size H

Rose Pattern:  Rose Booties

Autumn Cowl

Finished measurements:

Height: 22 cm (8.7"), circumference: 154cm (60")

Hook: H

Yarn: Lionbrand Fishermen's Wool Yarn, Natural #150‐098 8.00 oz. 465 yd 100% Wool, 1 skein

Ch to measure 60". Join in first ch to make a circle.

Round 1. Ch 2, hdc in first ch, ch 1, [skip 1 ch, hdc in next ch, ch 1] around, join in top of beg. ch 2.

Round 2. sl into next sp, ch 2, hdc in same sp, ch 1, [hdc in next sp, ch 1] around, join in top of beg. ch‐2.

Repeat Round 2 until it measures 22cm (8.7") from edge, or until desired width; fasten off and weave in ends.

Flower Motif

Round 1. With 4.5mm hook, ch 6, join in first ch to form a ring. ch 4, [dc in ring, ch 1] x 7, join in 3 ch in beg. ch‐4.

Round 2. sl in first sp.  Ch 1, sc in same sp, [ch 5, sc in next sp] x 7, ch 5, join in first sc.

Round 3. ch 1, [sc in next dc in Round 1, ch 4] x 8, join in first sc.

Round 4. sl in next sp, [1 sc, 3 dc, 1 sc in next sp] in each sp, join in first sc.

Round 5. ch 1, [sl in the back of second dc of next pedal, ch 4] x 8, join in first st.

Round 6. sl in next sp, [1 sc, 2 dc, 1 tr, 2 dc, 1 sc] in each sp, join in first sc.

Fasten off, leave a 40cm/15" tail and sew the flower to the scarf.

*This is not my pattern.  It was originally called “Martha Cowl” and was designed by Che from Little Thingies Ravelry Shop (No longer available.)

Flag Re-Do

I spent the morning finishing up the 13 stars for this and tea-staining all the "whites."  It didn't work.  The stars turned out a murky brown and the stripes turned out brownish-pink because the red bled on them.  It bled over on these bottom antique white ones too, but at least I can rinse it in the washer again after I'm finished and they will all match.  You can see that I was able to salvage the bottom half of the flag and only have to re-do the last half.  I just couldn't give my daddy anything less than my best.  I'm VERY happy he's still around and I'm able to make him something.  So what if I have to re-do it?  It's not that big of a deal and the ripples are fun to do anyway.

Some of you asked if my dad was ex-military, and yes, he retired from the Air Force back in the early 1970s after 20 years of service.

Hope y'all had a nice weekend.

Enjoy your Sunday evening.

Grannies & Watermelons

So what is my solution to being disgusted and depressed about all my unfinished stuff?  Make something totally new!  Ha-ha!

Double-sided Granny Potholder

All CottonYarn, F Hook

Watermelon Potholder

Cotton Except for Acrylic Shell Edging

G Hook

I saw a pair like this on someone else's blog (different colors), and I liked them so much I decided I had to make the pair today.  I can't remember where I saw them or I'd tell you.  I do know it wasn't one of my regular blogs.  It was one of those where I clicked on a blog on someone's sidebar, then clicked on their sidebar, etc., and I ended up deeper and deeper into blogland where I never go.

Edited to add:  I found it!  Find it HERE.

That's my problem, see.  I like to look at what other people are crocheting then HAVE to have what they made NOW.  I can't wait until I'm finished with what I'm working on.  Oh well.

I spent a pleasant morning crocheting and watching dumb TV.  I watched some Diamond Divers show and then a couple of episodes of some show like Storage Wars, only it wasn't Storage Wars, it was better.  And now I'm hooked on the Diamond Divers show and will have to watch it on Wednesdays after Dallas at 9PM (Central) on Spike TV.  I don't even have a clue why I liked it.  It was a bunch of old trashy biker dudes that went to South Africa to take a boat out to sea to mine for diamonds.  They all think they are going to be rich.  Ah...the American, er, I mean, the African Dream.

Waiting for the steroids to fully kick in.  I'm feeling the leg pain start to ease up this evening and my face just turned red so relief must be on its way.  Yay!  I'll take it, even if it's just temporary again.

Totally Disgusted

I am just totally disgusted with myself over the amount of unfinished crochet projects I have.  Seriously?  What the heck is wrong with me?  Ugh.  I've got to stop the madness.  NOW.

Disgusted:  To feel revulsion or profound disapproval.

I am so seriously disgusted that I don't even want to post.

I'm going in for another steroid epidural injection tomorrow morning.  I'll talk to y'all next week.

Granny Bag & Cake

I'm making this granny square to make one of THESE.  I'm not really sure that I can understand these instructions on the pattern site very well.  I'm confused by the instructions of where and how many rows of sc to crochet after the big square is done.  We shall see how it turns out.  You can see lots of other people's bags using this pattern HERE (pattern link is there too).  Looks like some of them had problems too, because I can see that they don't have the side stitches as they should be either (at least it looks that way when looking at the pattern graph.

  

I made this cake yesterday.  The recipe came from DEBRA.  Thanks for sending this to me, Deb!  I have the most awesome readers.  Deb said she didn't mind if I shared it with y'all today on my blog so here's the recipe:

Saucy Apple Swirl Cake

¼ cup sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 pkg. Yellow Cake Mix

15-oz. Jar applesauce

3 eggs

Heat oven to 350°.  Grease and flour 12-cup bundt cake pan.

In small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon; set aside.

In large bowl, blend cake mix, applesauce, and eggs until moistened. Beat 2 minutes at highest speed. Pour ½ of batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle with sugar mixture.  Cover with remaining batter.

Bake at 350° for 35 to 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool upright in pan 25 minutes; turn onto serving place. Cool completely.

Dust with powdered sugar. 

The Captain is usually very picky about eating anything that's not chocolate, and he loves this cake.  You can see that he's nearly devoured it.  He puts it in the microwave for a few seconds and gets it hot, and then he slathers it with butter!  Ahhhhh!  My ass is probably growing just from typing that.  Hmpf!  Men.

Owl Cuteness

How totally cute.

Looks like a lot of hard work.

Here's the link to the pattern:

Owl Granny Square

(Not a freebie)

Yep, I loved it.  I do wish they had cast slightly older men as Christopher and John Ross, but that's probably because I'm an old lady.  Ha-ha.  Man, you really had to pay attention to keep up with all the double-crossing and deceit!  How fun.

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A couple of links for ya.  These are cute, but I'm not a knitter.  They're fun to look at though.

Knit Your Own Dog
Best in Show: Knit Your Own Cat

Thanks for the links, Auntie Gay!

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HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

I gots nuthin' else for ya.

Dallas Tonight! Rose Booties

This pattern is called "Rose Booties" by Paula Leach on Ravelry.  I had a fun time making them but a hard time getting a good photo of them.  If you follow that link, you'll see her photos which are better.  Next time I'll be sure and use my 3.75 hook.  I used a 4.25 hook and they were not as tight and sturdy as I would have liked them to be.  My roses needed to be slightly smaller too, I think, and the smaller hook and crocheting more tightly would take care of that.  I used Loops & Threads Snuggly Wuggly baby sport yarn.  Love them!

Note:  I love the way the rose is made for these.  It's different than any other rose pattern I've seen.  I hate the ones where you crochet a long strip of shells and then have to roll it and sew, roll it and sew, until it's done.  Mine NEVER turns out looking right.  If there's a trick to this and you know it, let me know.

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Are y'all going to watch the 2-hour premier of Dallas on TNT tonight?  I've been waiting for months for it to finally start.  I'll be watching with my popcorn and an icy-cold Dr. Pepper!

I'm so hoping it's going to be good.  I need a good new show to watch, and I loved the original show.  The only thing is, J.R.'s eyebrows are going to drive me crazy!  Look:

   
No, J.R., NO!  That's just WRONG and it drives me nuts to look at.

By the way, I live only about 5 miles up the road from Southfork Ranch!  Y'all look for my house while you're watching!  Hee-hee.

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Thanks for all your comments on the "inappropriate bra" incident.  I'm still getting comments, and have enjoyed hearing all of your opinions, even the ones that didn't agree with me.

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I sat outside (still in my jammies) yesterday morning, had my coffee, and finished crocheting that second bootie.  It was so nice out.  I was enjoying myself immensely until some fool rang my doorbell around 10:00.  There was no way I could answer the door in my attire (or lack of) so I have no idea who it was.  It wasn't a delivery truck because I can always hear the rumble of their engines as they come and go.  The dogs went nuts, I got up to rush around and put some appropriate clothes on, and by that time whoever it was had gone.  We have a "No Solicitors or Handbills" sign on our front door, but some people don't pay attention to it or can't read.

Anybody that knows us knows to call before they just drop by, mostly because I'm NEVER dressed appropriately, i.e. wearing a bra, unless I'm going somewhere.  Plus, I like to corral the dogs before anybody comes over because they are spoiled bratts and get too excited.  Nowadays, since nearly everybody has a cellphone, there's no reason to not do so.  It's just good manners to call first!  Doesn't anybody teach their kids good manners anymore?  (Jeez, I sound old and crotchety!)

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I need to make a cake tomorrow to take to a poker party on Friday night.  Do y'all have a good cake or dessert recipe you can share with me?  I've made most of my favorites for that group and need some new ideas.  It doesn't have to be a cake either.  It can be brownies or any other type of dessert.  I made home-made cinnamon rolls for them a couple of times.  pammysue8 (at) gmail (dot) com.  I'm going to delete this email address from here tomorrow so write it down if you want it!

I had a list of things in my head yesterday that I wanted to be sure and mention to you today.  Mistake.  Never keep a list IN YOUR HEAD, Pammy Sue!  Write it down!

So that's it then.  Send me some dessert recipes that you've tried and love!  I'll be waiting for your email.  Don't forget about Dallas tonight either! 

Hi, y'all!

I've been lazy about getting a post up the last few days, but here I am.  And away we go!

The Captain was off Friday - Sunday last weekend.  On Friday we went over to McKinney, Texas for some antique window shopping.  They have a quaint shopping area in the old town square.  This is a restaurant we ate at, Churchill's.  It was still really nice out at lunch time so we ate on the patio...

View of the old courthouse across the street.

Our table umbrella...

I was trying to get a nice picture of the streets and brick sidewalks...looks like I managed to snap a great picture of a light pole.  Duh.  It's a nice one though.  Ha-ha.

There was a big police presence on the square that day.  I don't know if they've had a big crime problem or what, but we saw these two guys on horseback and a couple of bicycle cops riding around too.  I have to say, these two guys were not very friendly.  I took their picture anyway and said thank you.  They never said a word.  Hmpf!  I hope they got horse shit on their boots.

Back to our lunch...it was FAB.  The hamburgers and fries were great...

Nom-nom-nom...

Not much shopping was done other than a short walk with some window shopping.  My back wasn't up to it.  The steroid shot is wearing off.  I'm still about 50 percent better than I was before it though.  That's something!

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I spent the last several days crocheting away on an American Flag afghan for my daddy for Father's Day.  It seemed like it was taking FOREVER and I'd never get to that last stripe so I could start on the stars and get it done in time for Sunday.

I was thrilled when I finally got that last stripe done and I cut the yarn.  Then I laid it out on the dining room table to admire my work...DOH!!!  Can you see it?  It doesn't show up really well in this picture, but the top three white stripes are bright white and the bottom three are antique white!  DAMMIT!  Why don't I pay more attention?!

So I've just been mad and pissy about it.  I'm a perfectionist with my crochet, especially when it's going to be a gift for someone.  So I'm just all hacked off and not sure what I'm going to do now.  What I am sure of is that I'M NOT RIPPING IT OUT and redoing those stripes!  At least not right now.

I have one smaller crochet project I made that I'll show y'all tomorrow.  Now I'm going to get back to work on my flower blanket.  I'm going to attach the next 20 squares I have done and start crocheting the flowers onto those last 40 middles.

I have to go feed the dogs now before they eat my face off.  They are so spoiled!  Ollie has been crawling all over me and fussing for breakfast the whole time I've been making this post.  The other three are hovering and glaring at me.  Pushy!

Here they all are waiting for the Captain to give them a pistachio!  He eats them out on the porch and they all follow him out there because they know they'll all get at least one or two.  They love them.

BYE!

Lots of Appropriate-ness

So sorry for the roid rage yesterday.  That's what I'm blaming my rant on today.  Ha-ha.  Although I haven't changed my opinion, I think I may have blown it a little out of proportion.  I'm over it.  Your comments made me laugh, and I was surprised that nobody ripped me a new one with their opposing view.  You all behaved so nicely!  How boring.  hee-hee...

Okay, moving on.

I saw this on CraftGawker yesterday.  I blew up this picture so you could see the detail on the dress better.  It's SO PRETTY!  I want the pattern so bad, but I have no idea if there even is one.  I left this lady a comment on her blog asking her, but she hasn't responded (and I kind of doubt she will).  The finished dress is no longer offered in her shop either.  

It looks to me like something you'd see in a Japanese crochet book.  The stitch pattern looks easy.  It's just knowing how to put it all together and figuring out the stitch count and all that blows my mind to the point I just don't want to try to figure it out (aka, I'm lazy).  Maybe some day I'll get ambitious and give it a whirl.

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I was reading Casey Plus3 earlier this morning and followed the link she gave to Kristen's New Blanket.  I love how simple it is.  It's on the list.  So many things, so little time.

  

Random:

1.  The chocolate cake is GONE.  I stuck to my plan and gave most of it away.  Now I want more.  Ha-ha.

2.  I have started yet another crochet project.  (Kate, don't kill me.)  How many does that make in-progress now?  I don't even know for sure.  (flower blanket, shit-fit shawl, this one, ...) I'm sure I'll settle down soon and stop it with the crochet-ADD.  I printed out three new patterns this morning too.  I can't stop.

3.  Have you seen that Priscilla has finished all of the flower squares for HER FLOWER BLANKET???  GAH, it's gorgeous, even without a border yet!

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We went to IKEA yesterday.  This reddish-rust rug is one thing I got for the dining room.  I wish it was a tad bigger, but I still like it.

We also got two chairs for our newly converted extra bedroom to den.  It's still in progress.  Will show you when it's done.  I got three super-cute plant hangers too.  As soon as I can get to Hobby Lobby (planned ASAP) to get some fake greenery for them and get them hung, I'll show you those too.

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I would love to end this post with a "cute" picture of me in a tiny bikini, but darn...my camera batteries are low.  Oh, and I have lots of common sense.

Letting go now...really!

Bye!

I Feel GOOD Chocolate Cake

I know it's just the steroids, but I don't care!  I have not felt this good in so long.  It makes me realize just how bad and tired I feel most of the time.  Most people feel like I do right now all the time.  It used to be that way for me too.  For example, I just made a chocolate cake from start to finish and didn't sit down once.  It took me a lot less time than normal too.  I would have been rolling around the kitchen on the Captain's computer chair and sitting down as much as I could.  I would also be completely worn out right now, which I'm not.  I'm telling you, I just feel wonderful.  Too bad that part will wear off when the steroids do.  The leg is also pain-free.  Yipee!  Please, Lord, let it work!

So anyway, this is my favorite chocolate cake.  I usually make it every New Year's Eve.  I don't know how that tradition got started, but it did.  I usually don't make it other than that because I'd just eat it all.  I didn't make it this past New Year's Eve and I had a hankering for it, so here ya go...

Ain't it decadent looking?  Believe me, it is!  And what says LOVE more than a home-made chocolate cake?  Nuthin'!  I'm sure I've given y'all this recipe before, but here it is again.  You are cheating yourself and your family if you don't print this out and make it.  (I'm going to give 2/3 of it away and keep 1/3 for the Captain and me.)

Chocolate Cake with Chocolate-Pecan Frosting

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

Mix the above together in a large bowl and set aside.

2 sticks of butter or margarine
1 cup water
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Place the above in a medium saucepan and heat until melted.  Mix well and set aside off the heat.

3/4 cup sour cream
2 large eggs, beaten
1 tsp vanilla

Add the above and the heated butter mixture to the first mixture and beat until well combined.
Place into a greased & floured 13 x 9-inch pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.  Test for doneness with a toothpick.  Remove from oven and let cool slightly before frosting.  FROST WHILE STILL WARM.

Frosting:
1 stick butter
1/3 cup + 1 Tbsp milk
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla
1 lb of powdered sugar
1 cup of finely chopped pecans

Heat the first three ingredients above in a saucepan until melted; combine well.  Add 1 tsp vanilla and 1 pound of powdered sugar.  Beat well with an electric mixer until smooth.  Stir in pecans.  Immediately pour over warm cake and spread evenly. Allow cake to cool completely before serving.

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Somebody asked how big the cranberry purse turned out to be.  The measurements are 11 inches x 14 inches.  I did not use a double strand of yarn for this one.  It's only slightly smaller than the cream colored one.

There's nothing much to show you on the crochet front.  I only made the first three rows of the shawl yesterday, and then I switched back to making more flower squares.

Back to the grindstone.  Bye.

Sunday

I've had a couple of requests for this pattern.  You can find the link for it on my Ravelry page HERE.  Everyone seems to think it is a poncho, but it's a triangle-shaped shawl.  It looks like a poncho because of the way it is hanging on the hanger.

Of course, on a week when I have less time to crochet, what do I get in the mail??

My Serenity Garden yarn for the Harlequin Shawl (aka Shit-Fit Shawl).  It was sitting on my porch yesterday afternoon when I went out for the mail.  It feels so soft and yummy.  I can't wait to start.  I'm going to work some before the NASCAR race and then some more after the race, but maybe I can get a few rows of crochet in during the race.  Or I may just wait until this evening when I'm relaxed and can enjoy it more.

I have about 40 more flower squares left to make, and I have about 20 more finished sitting in the dining room waiting to be attached.  Don't think I have set it aside, because I have not.

Lastly...

The Cranberry Bag

I will be crocheting the straps later.  Those leather ones are just temporary.  That ribbon is also temporary.  I don't have any right now that is as wide as I would like it.  See previous entry for the free pattern link.

I've gotta work and get a jump on the week.  See ya.

Blah, Blah

Ollie-Wally says hi.  Several of you have asked about him lately, and he is doing great.  You'd never know he had a broken leg.  He's happy and healthy and such a sweetie-pie.

I will probably be MIA a lot of this next week around blogland.  I'll be working more than normal because my partner is on a well-deserved vacation so I must man the fort.  I all ready have a few jobs lined up for the week, and of course, everybody wants theirs yesterday.

I had my epidural steroid injection yesterday.  All went well.  The pain is gone today and has been replaced with numbness and tingling...better than pain any day!  It could take several days or even a couple of weeks for it to take complete effect.  I've had several of these shots previously, and sometimes they work and sometimes not.  I'll just have to wait and see.

I'm all red-faced and chatty today from the steroids.  Thankfully these high dose steroids have the opposite effect on me as far as being hungry.  They make a lot of people ravenous, but I'm not hungry at all.  Makes it easier to stay on my diet.  Now I just have to make the right choices when I do eat.  I've been off of it for these last two or three weeks.  At least I only gained a pound or two.  Time to get back on it.  My short-term goal is to lose 13 more pounds.  I can do that.

The only crochet I've done in the last few days is on another purse like the one in my previous entry.  This one is a cranberry color.  I showed my mom hers earlier today, and she wants the straps crocheted.  I'll probably do that sometime this evening or tonight since I'm sure I won't sleep much (steroids again).

I'm going to force myself to shut up and post this entry now.  Otherwise, I'll go on and on.

Talk at y'all later!