Got Needles?

Here's a riddle for you -

How many knitting needles

does a knitter need?

In the beginning,

when you first learn to knit,

every new project seems to need

a different size (i.e. "new") needle.

So, you start to build a collection.

Of course, you have to try each and every

needle that comes along until you find

your favorite.

There are metal, aluminum, wood, bamboo, plastic, etc.

(I think I just read about glass needles.

Memo to me:

"Need to try those.")

Not to mention you can use

straight, circular or double points.

My "go to" needles are the ones in the

hanging organizer in the first two pictures.

The above are just a mixed assortment that I rarely use anymore.

Why not weed out a few and get rid of some?

No.

Just no.

I just do not part with knitting needles.



That's why I have such a massive collection.

I have accumulated these needles over

forty years of knitting.

I suppose that makes some of them true "vintage."

Of course, it wouldn't be much of a collection

without the double pointed needles.

It's hard to believe,

but these pictures don't even include the

numerous needles stashed around

in my knitting bag(s) with ongoing projects.

(Knitting bags are a whole other malady.)

Would you believe,

I still have occasions when I need to

buy another set of needles?

I know.  I have issues.

Don't even get me started on crochet hooks.

I know how to crochet,

but I am a knitter, not a crocheter.

That being said, every knitter worth her keep

needs a few crochet hooks in her bag too.

Let's just say I have a weakness.

What's yours?

It's Garden Tour Time!

"The Friendship Garden" by Nancy Jane Earnest

Aren't garden tours fun?

Last Saturday a good friend of mine,

Susan O. and I toured our local

Shady Oaks Garden Club's "Boundless Gardens."

This is a federated club,

existing in our area for decades.

It is a highly respected group,

with demanding membership and responsibilities.

When you see the pictures,

you'll understand why.

(These pictures, and much of the commentary

is from my friend Susan, who is a dedicated gardener,

daylily master and outstanding photographer.

Thank you Susan!)

The two pictures above are from our first stop.

This garden had extensive use of stone borders,

unusual conifers and shrubs,

and never ending daylilies,

which sadly were not yet in full bloom.

The next stop was  three neighboring gardens.

The first, above had a lovely woodsy feel.

A raised bed vegetable garden

was enclosed with fencing,

which we heard was to keep out a pesky fox.

The "Metamorphosis" Garden

was my personal favorite.

This home is very near mine

and I have probably driven by it

at least a thousand times,

never suspecting what was in the backyard--

 a real "secret garden!"

Here I am viewing the herb garden area

which was bordered with bricks and chimney pipes

filled with thriving herbs.

Bog plants grown in pots fill the deck.

Evidently, these are quite difficult to grow.

The owner said she only waters with

creek and rain water.

This garden has a creek running through

the backyard with a stone bridge over it.

It was breathtaking!

Healthy Pitcher Plants

This is the final picture, taken from the deck

 of the intensely planted backyard at the

Metamorphosis Garden.

A final stop was a "community garden."

This group of adjoining gardens was created

by three condo neighbors.

This front garden was planted as a

memory garden of the owner's sister.

The gated patios were open

and it was inspiring to see what

can be created in a tiny amount of space.

Here is a peek into another small patio garden.

Stacked raised beds for better accessibility.

What a great idea!

This is the area just behind the

neighboring condos' enclosed gardens.

These gardeners have made use of every inch of space.

Here is local artist, Nancy Jane Earnest, 

who started the painting above

using acrylic paint and knife,

at the beginning of the tour.

She was working in a pastorial setting,

adjoining the community gardens.

It was interesting and fun to see the painting

develop during the tour.

Take another look of the finished piece

at the beginning of this post.

If you have the opportunity to join a garden tour

this summer, don't miss out.

It's one of the pleasures of summer!

Books are for Stacking!

 I have a metal and wicker tea cart that has been

waiting for me to create some sort of

interesting display since I moved the large plant

that usually sits there,

outside for the summer.

I have several pretty pots of violets

to put on it,

but kept thinking I needed to find

some sort of risers to get some different heights.

Before Buttermilk Cottage I had lots of

bookcases, overflowing with books.

Sadly, that's not the case here.

My library has been edited to only

those books I cannot bear to part with,

even though they have been read, 

often several times.

Those books are stashed in a basket

on top of a wardrobe.

I have decided to put them to work!

Since space is a factor,

I have started using as much white as possible

for decor accessories.
It seems to add less "chatter."

Why not make some white paper covers for my books?



In just a couple of minutes

I had a whole stack of

white books.

Perfect for displaying the violets

on my tea cart!

This creates a much more interesting display

than just placing the violets all on one level!

And, I love the idea of using what I already have.

Linking this week with

The Dedicated House

Rain on a Tin Roof

Cozy Little House

Savvy Southern Style

No Minimalist Here

Between Naps on the Porch

Reflection Time...Again!!!

I don't know how it happens so quickly,

year after year,

but here it is once again,

my birthday.

I never regret birthdays,

I'm thankful to have another one to celebrate.

I don't regret that my energy level

is not what it used to be.

It's just a reminder that I need to listen to my body

and take the time to sit and

read that book,

watch that old movie on TV,

or spend an hour or two just enjoying the view.

All those piles of home projects

that never seem to end will wait.

I don't really regret my years at all.

On one level it is very liberating

when you come to understand

you don't have to prove yourself to anyone,

anymore.

Those days of trying to impress bosses,

friends, relative and mere acquaintances

are finished.

I am what I am,

take it or leave it.

That doesn't mean I don't have regrets.

I think my number one regret,

as I reflect on my life this birthday,

is that I didn't relish, really relish,

my daughter Kate's childhood.

What wouldn't I give to have more days

of that sweet little girl by my side,

"helping" me in the kitchen,

or her eagerly bringing me a favorite book

to read to her...for the 100th time

(please let me read it to you another 100 times),

or those countless hours in the car,

just her and me,

when the barriers seemed to come down

and conversations seemed to flow.

Kate now lives hundreds of miles away from home

and is doing precisely as she was taught to do.

She is being independent, and thinking for herself.

And she never ceases to take my breath away!

(An update note on Kate,

who has been living and working in NYC

as an editorial assistant at a major publishing company:

She will be moving to Washington DC

at the end of the summer,

and beginning the next dream of her life

by starting law school.

Bravo Kate!)

So, the lesson learned from this regret

is to hold tight to the time we do have together,

whether it is a phone call or a visit.

And it does not only apply to my time with Kate.

I want to really relish the time I have

with everyone I love.

I want to slow down, even more,

and take the time for

another hour's conversation.

I want to really relish the people in my life,

Kate, my sister Nancy,  my parents,

my brothers and their wives,

my knitting buddies,

my friends, relatives and neighbors.

All dear, dear people,

who are so easy for me to take for granted.

My sister left me a sweet birthday card this morning

with a note telling me to only do the things

I want to do today.

What to do with this wonderful gift of a new day...

Relish it!

(All images are from Google Images,

except the one of Kate and me!)



New Needle Cases in a Pretty Blue Ikat Fabric

I have just listed this morning

a complete assortment of

knitting needle cases

in a fresh and pretty new Ikat fabric.

You'll also find a set of my

"Crochet Hooks for Knitters,"

in the same fabric.

This is a handy and pretty set

to add to your knitting bag.

Every knitter needs some crochet hooks!

(Drat those dropped stitches!!!)

Not a knitter?

I have also used the same new fabric

to make Accessory Bags.

These little zippered bags, with vinyl fronts

are handy for jewelry, make up, travel,

sewing and small knitting tools.

I'll bet you can find many more uses for them too!

Happy weekend everyone!