Monday, January 31, 2011

And the Winner is....

agd509! Congratulations Jean! Thank you to everyone who entered. It was wonderful reading all the comments. I hope that all of you will drop in from time to time and let me know what is going on with you!

I will have more giveaways in the future!

Thanks again to everyone!

Love,
Lynn

Sunday, January 30, 2011

My Gardening Roots

I have had a deep love of gardening since I was just a small child. My Grandmothers (both of them) were gardeners and had the most beautiful flowers, vegetables and herbs. My Dad also inherited this love of gardening and when my Grandmothers both passed at a very young age, he became my gardening mentor. He was the greatest gardener that I have ever known. He knew all the tricks, the old fashioned farmer remedies, the time to plant, harvest, clean, he knew it all. I am so fortunate that he passed most of that on to me. He firmly believed in planting by the moon, knew the perfect ripeness of a tomato and just when the okra was ready to harvest.

Before I moved to Atlanta in 1998, gardening was my only love and hobby. I sewed a little, crocheted a little, and did some other crafts, but you could find me every weekend in the summer either in the gardens or in my greenhouse. I developed a love of herbs and studied them endlessly for many years. I grew heirloom tomatoes, all different kinds, wildflowers, herbs, roses, veggies and always had cuttings in the greenhouse. When I moved here, I left all that behind, and as I was trying to establish my life, I found that I didn't have as much time for gardening, and what was worse, no space. So, over the years (I have been here 13 years), I have sort of replaced gardening with lots of other hobbies, mostly quilting and knitting. I still have pots on the deck and a big border down the side of my front yard that I grow in. I have an herb garden, roses, and each year, I try to grow veggies in a small raised bed on the side of my house. I have not had the success here that I had in SC with my gardens and each year as spring approaches, I feel that churning in my stomach to start seeds and start planning for the planting season. I have never lost that anticipation of the upcoming garden season, even when my plantings were not successful. I miss my days in SC sometimes and long for the days when my Dad and I compared our tomatoes to see who had the best ones. My Dad passed away in 1994, and I still miss him so much. I bet he is growing the most beautiful tomatoes in his garden in heaven.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Friday Wrap

There are only 3 days left to enter the giveaway! I am so excited about drawing a winner. These needles are wonderful! I participated in a Valentine swap on Ravelry and received a wonderful package yesterday.

I will post a pic of the one I sent my partner as soon as she receives it. I am not sure if she reads my blog, so I have to be careful!

I am hoping to get a few dream pillows made this weekend. I need one myself and I have a couple of friends who want one, as well. I am also cleaning out my soap supplies and getting them organized. I am still trying to get the Dresden plate quilt binding done so I can hang it in the dining room. There are just not enough hours in the day. Randy's socks are coming along nicely, and I am hoping to decide on the yarn for Anna's Sweet Pea blanket this weekend and get that organized and ready to start.

Randy and I are trying to eat healthier and I am so surprised at how easy it is to cook healthy meals. I have always been a country cook, like my Mom and Grandmother, but I am learning how to cook delicious meals that are also healthy. Now, if I could figure out how to get more exercise.........

Friday, January 21, 2011

Friday Wrap

Happy Friday! Looking forward to the weekend. I had planned to make blankets for both of my grandchildren for Christmas, but just did not have the time. So, now I have decided to try and start working on the blankets, and since I don't have a deadline, such as Christmas, I can get them done.

I have decided on a cute granny square blanket for Anna. I found the pattern on Ravelry, but it is a Lion Brand pattern. It is called Sweet Pea and here is a picture:



I haven't decided on the colors yet, but I think that she will love it.

I am looking for something for Brian. Any suggestions? He is 5 years old and loves trains, trucks, construction equipment and cars. I made quilts for both of them when they were born, but I want to make them soft and snuggly blankets.

I would love for all of you to give me your suggestions for a good blanket for Brian.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Snowy in the South


We still have a ton of snow and ice and it doesn't look as if it will be melting anytime soon. Predictions are that we will be getting more. We have not had this kind of weather in the South in a long time.
Here is a pic of my best bud playing in the snow yesterday!


I found this article on Knitty that I think would be excellent for those of you who are learning or want to learn to knit socks. Take a look: Socks 101
Another good source for learning to knit socks is Ann Budd's book Getting Started Knitting Socks. It was my go to source when I was learning and it has great beginner patterns.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Needle Mania Giveaway!


I am giving away a complete set of Knit Picks 4" DPN's!! To welcome you to my blog, please enter for a chance to win these great needles. They are Harmony wood and include sizes 0 - 4. These are a dream for knitting socks! They come in a portable, take along bag that keeps them clean and handy. Good Luck!

Knitting socks is an addiction! Stashing sock yarn is a bigger addiction! If you are a sock knitter, then you know exactly what I mean. When I began knitting several years ago, it was because I wanted to knit socks. I have been a crocheter for many, many years, but there was something about socks that really intrigued me. I learned that you have to be to knit before you can knit socks, so I decided to learn, and the rest is history.

Gardening has always been my first love, but I have to admit that gardening has taken a backseat to knitting socks. I am planning to start blogging about socks as my main interest and then add in other things like gardening, quilting, crocheting, etc. I hope that you will follow along with me and enjoy the world of socks!

To enter this contest you need to do the following:

1. Leave a comment on this post and tell me why you would like to win these needles and if you too, are a sock knitter.

2. Join my Ravelry group "Brian's Bunch" and introduce yourself.

3. Post on your blog about this giveaway and link back to my blog.

4. Follow my blog and add it to your favorites.

5. Announce this giveaway on your Ravelry group or a group that you are part of.

I will choose a random winner on January 31, 2011. Good Luck and again, Welcome to my Blog!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Giveaway Update

Due to some unforeseen circumstances, I did not get the contest posted today. I apologize for that. I will have it posted by tomorrow evening!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

The Giveaway

This Saturday I will be posting a giveaway. I haven't decided on all the details, but it will be a good one!

Hope you have all had a great week!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Sandra Singh Giveaway

Sandra Singh is giving away a sock kit on her blog. Take a look:

SandraSingh

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Getting Organized

I spent some time yesterday, between cooking and cleaning, and started organizing some of my projects for 2011. I made some real progress and got quite a bit done today. I worked on my sketch book, started looking at fabric for the Cape May bag, and started working on the January block for the KAL. Good day!