land girl cabled cardigan...

 Cables were a technique that I had convinced myself I'd never be able to do for the longest time.

(I can be such a chicken at times.)

Once I finally worked up the courage just to give them a try 

I was surprised how simple they really were!

(Well, provided you already know how to knit.)

This sweater is from my very favorite Debbie Bliss booklet "Land Girl".

I just love the 1940s English farm setting & styles.

You may remember my Land Girl Fairisle Yoke Sweater &

Robin's Egg Tweed Sweater which are also from this pattern booklet.

The yarn is Knit Picks' Palette in Clarity.

Isn't it just the most beautiful shade of pale aqua?

I'm partial to blue & I'm now particularly partial to this shade of blue! :)

The sleeves are a little bit squarish at the top 

which makes them nicely structured and VERY 40s.

^_^

recent knits...

I've heard that sweater weather is forecast for the end of this week.

It just happens to be my very favorite sort of weather. :D

I thought a post about some of my most recent knits would be appropriate!

***

This little number was made for a shower for a dear friend of mine.

This ballet style sweater is one of my favorites to make for little girls.

Naturally I had to make matching maryjane style booties since I had enough yarn left over!

Don't you just love this sweet bobble edging?!

***

Here is a recent make for myself.

The original pattern had a very low neckline so I added this rose yoke to make it more wearable.

When there's a chill in the air I can't hardly make myself put my needles down!

Even as I was waiting for these photos to upload I was clickin' away.

Here's what I've got on the needles now.

It's going to be a 40s style cardi for me. :D

Sorry for the spookiness of the pic.
It's just too dark in here I guess. :)
 I made a cowboy sweater from a vintage pattern for my nephew James' birthday.
I forgot to take a pic of it before I wrapped it.
Hopefully I can get some cute photos of him wearing it.
I'm making my nephew Jack one as well so that should make for some good photo-ops! :}

free indeed...

As I was baking these pies this morning for our 4th of July celebration later today

I was listening to some music on Pandora.

First, a little Sousa to get in the holiday spirit.

Then, some Country/Bluegrass Gospel.

(Nothing too howly mind you. Can't stand that!)

My thoughts began to center around "freedom".

I'm so thankful for our country.

I'm thankful for the freedoms that we have, at least for now, in America.

Freedom to worship our God.

Freedom to homeschool. 

***

I'm especially thankful that my true citizenship is NOT here on earth.

In the words of our dear Lord Jesus:

"So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36

Freedom from sin.

Freedom from fear of death.

Freedom from self.

Free indeed!

***

Enjoy your 4th!

in the good ol' summertime...

Ready to hunt down some good deals at a local flea market with my little sister. ;)

For some strange reason,

 I'm actually looking forward to summer this year.

I can't even tell you why...

I just am!

In the photo above I'm wearing my new summery seersucker dress that I made.

I'll be wearing mostly dresses this summer. 

I've just found them very comfortable as of late.

I even made a cotton slip for underneath.

Nylon slips are like some kind of torture to me once it's above 75*! :D

At that flea market I scored a few vintage dresses & some fabric!

Hopefully they will be featured in a future post.

One of the dresses, a farm-tastic brown checkered shirt-dress, fits like it was made just for me!

 On Memorial Day I made fried chicken (for the 1st time!) for my family.

Unfortunately I didn't get any photos of that,

but I did get a few pics of the strawberry pie I made.

Nothing says "summertime" like fresh strawberry pie!

I used Mary Jane's Farm's Butter Cookie Pie Crust recipe.

It is very good! I usually make my lard pie crust, but with strawberry pie I really like a butter crust.

 Don't for get to save the hulls for the chick-ie-poos!

 I added fresh blueberries to one of them just 'cuz I had them.

What is a slice of strawberry pie without a scoop (or two) of homemade vanilla ice cream?

Here's the recipe:

Sky High Strawberry Pie

2 lbs fresh strawberries

1 1/2 c. sugar

6 T. cornstarch

2/3 c. water

1 - 9 inch baked pie shell

Hull & quarter strawberries into a large bowl. (Save the scraps for the chickens!)

In a medium saucepan, combine sugar & cornstarch.

Add 3 cups of strawberries and mash well with a potato masher.

Add water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook & stir for 2 minutes.

Remove from heat. Let cool slightly. Add to remaining strawberries in the large bowl.

(You can remove a cup or so of the strawberries to make a pretty design on the top of the pie if you wish. I didn't do this 'cuz you can't tell what the pie looks like if you put enough ice cream or whipped cream on top!) ;P

Chill for about 20-30 minutes.

Pile into baked shell.

Chill for 2 or 3 hours.

Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

Yum!

^_^

Enjoy!

room re-do...

Having recently rearranged my room

I thought I'd share my favorite bits.

Here is Donna Sue sporting a "new" farm chic frock.

I found it at a coffee shop (of all places!)

Pinned to her frock is this cute tchotchke:

a brooch of mason jars (How cute is that?!)

A gift from my maternal grandma. :)

I left my top shelf pretty much the same.

(Cuz I liked it! :D )

The bottom shelf I did farm themed for the summer. 

My collection of vintage farmy children's books are displayed in a vintage Purina chick feeder!

I scored that sweet thing on a recently antiquing day trip with a dear friend.

A favorite photo of my dear Grandma Lou, seated on a hay mound in 1938.

Oh, how I miss her.

I used to clean for her every week. She had THE BEST stories.

This sweet photo is not of a relative of mine.

It just makes me smile every time I see it.

It kinda reminds me of my daddy & me!

Sweet mornin' sunshine!

Have I ever told y'all I love vintage linens? ;)

(The sheets are actually Simply Shabby Chic, but oh so vintage-y!)

My bedside "table" - a child's chair with stack-o-books.

The first sweet rose of the year.

Isn't it sweet!

Wish I could attach the smell for ya!

Hope you're enjoying this fine weather as much as I!

^_^