I also knit socks

Having a large stash of sock yarn, and having not knit socks in quite awhile, I decided to join the Year of Stash Socks 2011. The first sock is the above, called "St. Brigid's Carnamoyle". I love Aran cables and this one was fairly easy and was knit from worsted weight yarn and I think the name of it is "ella rae". Although they don't fit me (I have diabetic feet), I'm sure they will fit my daughter. Anyone interested in the Stash socks group can click on the box in the sidebar. There is also a group on Ravelry.com. Heavy rain this morning, and they are predicting it will change to snow by noon. Bah humbug!

It is quilted and Earl helped

The first photo is of Earl Grey. It just appeared on the camera when I went to download the picture of the quilt to the computer. My son must have taken the photo, or maybe the house elf. Who knows. It is cute though. As far as the quilt goes, it is quilted, but not hemmed. I used the "swirl" pattern and orange/rust thread to match the backing and is about 60 X 72. Just a good cover-up size. I'm going to hang onto it awhile and just look at it. As much trouble as it was to find the last Fat Quarter, I hate to give it away right now. I hope to get the St. Jude quilts quilted soon, but as long as it is so cold in my office trailer it is difficult. The machine won't work until I get the room warmed up! No more robin-sightings, oh well...

Fat Quarter needed, an UPDATE

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UPDATE: I found one! Just got back from the walmart (getting food items) and happened to go thru the "limited" crafts aisle. They must have gotten more of the FQ's in because there was about six or so on the shelf. So I got the ONE I needed. Praise God!!!

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I am still looking for one Fat Quarter of the lighter fabric in the photo (click to make bigger). I only need one more FQ to finish making twenty blocks (I have 18 now cut out and 16 sewn). The fabric in question came from the walmart in Elkin and it is a square Fat Quarter. The sticker says MD-G-PC514 Pink Assorted by Fabric Traditions LLC. It isn't really pink, but a flesh color. If anyone has one they don't want please let me know. I'd love to finish this quilt. By the way, the pattern is a "quickie" one I got off the internet. All the blocks are the same, and seem to "swirl" when put together. Just cut eight 3 & 1/2" strips, if using yardage, recut to 6 1/2" and sew together (12 blocks). This will be a charity quilt when (and IF) completed. Thanks!!

Robins, I saw robins!!

The trip to the walmart in Mt.Airy yesterday went well. So well, that this morning, my son and I ate b'fast at Mickey D's, took the trash to the recycling center and went to the Goodwill and walmart in Elkin. (I'm still looking for a fat-quarter of fabric I need to finish my quilt). On the way back, we saw TWO small flocks of robins. I couldn't believe my eyes! This early! Seeing robins usually means that the winter is about over. We can only hope. Wow! I am encouraged and overjoyed. Now if I could just find that small piece of fabric I need to finish the quilt. (Above photo from internet.)

More Snow

A small kid's quilt using 6 inch squares of old St. Jude fabrics from Hancock's Fabric Store.


Last year we had over ten snow storms. This year they PROMISED we would have a warmer winter with less snow. Yeah, right. Bah-humbug. So far we have had three snow storms, complete with driving wind and piled up snow. This is the Foothills of North Carolina, not Michigan!!! I haven't been out of the house, literally, since last Friday. Talk about cabin fever! Sheesh! You see, I don't walk too good and haven't for years. I am fortunate that my son lives here with me and takes care of things. But today I am going to get out. Me and the Nissan are going out inspite of the ice on the driveway. The kitties need tuna, and I am on a mission....get to walmart and buy tuna and catfood. I am lucky that my son rides to work with a good and kind friend, but I will pick him up today and to walmart we will go. I know that this isn't at all interesting a report, but since I've been cooped up for a week, working on kid's (charity) quilts, it's the best I can do. I'll let you know how it goes later.........

A recipe we like

Traditional Scottish Recipes
- Oatmeal Cakes

Oatmeal was a staple of the Scottish diet and has been described as "the backbone of many a sturdy Scotsman." It was used in many ways - porridge, oatcakes, brose (oatmeal and peasemeal) and scones. Here is a recipe for a sweet oatcake which is more like a biscuit than a conventional oatcake.



Ingredients:
Teacup of medium oatmeal
Teacup of plain flour
Half teacup of milk
Tablespoon of soft brown sugar
3 oz butter or margarine
Level teaspoon salt
Level teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)

Method:
Sieve the flour, salt and bicarbonate of soda into a bowl, add the oatmeal and mix. Cut the butter or margarine into small portions and rub into the mixture with your fingers. Add the sugar and mix well. Pour in the milk and mix until you have a stiff but workable dough.

Shake some flour on a worktop, turn the dough onto it and shake a little flour on the top. Roll out thinly (about half an inch thick) and prick over with a fork. Cut into rounds with a scone cutter and place on an oiled baking tray. Bake in a pre-heated oven for 15/20 minutes at 350F/180C/Gas Mark 4. Use a palette knife to lift the biscuits onto a wire coming rack. Store in an airtight tin.
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I'm not a teriffic cook, not even close, but occasionally I find a recipe that we like and plan to use often. My daughter Googled "Scottish Oakcakes" and this is what came up. I made them like I do biscuits, with my floured hands. We ran out this morning, must make some more later on. Great for breakfast!!

Christmas Snow

My daughter just sent me this photo of the Christmas Day snow at her house. I have not been out to take any pictures here as the wind is blowing fiercely! She lives on the side of a mountain, and you can barely see her house for the snow! This is the first time we have had a Christmas snow in our part of the country since 1981, the year we moved here!! Our family had our Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve this year as snow was predicted for the next day, so on Christmas Day, I spent the day watching it snow! A quiet but pleasant day, but it gave me time to reflect on the real meaning of Christmas; that is, the Birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! This morning at 1:30am I awoke to the sound of a car stuck in the snow/ice just up the hill from my house. That was the first of many! In the 29 years we have lived here that has never happened before. The road was a sheet of ice with drifts of snow knee high. The snowplow came at 6:30 and worked on it for awhile. All is moving as usual again now and the sun is out!! Happy New Year.... it is predicted to be 60 degrees F. on Saturday and Sunday! Hooray!!

Snow Day

This photo was borrowed from another blog, it isn't one of my cats, nor do we have that much snow here (yet), but schools are closed here today due to some snow and ice. Yuck! I can handle snow, but ice is a different story altogether. Well, it is almost Christmas...