Tulip Meets Daffodil

My Atlantic City Weekend...

I had a wonderful, special weekend with an old friend (friends since we were eight!). We met in Galloway, New Jersey - right outside of Atlantic City - at a very nice (and old!) hotel named the Seaview Resort. (Remember "The Shining"? Yep - that pretty much describes the experience... the beds were comfy and the staff was very nice though!)

 

We got in late Friday, had dinner at a local Italian place, then on Saturday headed into Atlantic City.

(Doesn't it look cold? It was.)

I had not been there since I was a kid... so it was neat to see now. It was a very, very windy day. We (quickly) walked along the boardwalk, trying to see all we could while we could still tolerate all of the sand blowing around - directly into our faces. We played some slots at the Borgata (I lost $30! Then stepped away... reluctantly.) And did some shopping too.

I definitely wanted to see Caesars... and my friend was very, very patient while we trekked around the city in the cold, biting wind while trying to find the entrance, (everything seemed larger than life and the whole place somehow felt like a labrynth).

(Why yes, I do have an affinity for anything even remotely related to ancient Rome.)

Saturday night we wanted to lay low... so we just headed downstairs for a couple of cocktails in the hotel bar.

Sadly, it all went very fast and today we're both back to the grind! Definitely a special weekend, though, and one that I'll remember forever.

Work in Progress - Crochet Ripple Scarf...

I really do love my current work in progress... it just feels like the project is never-ending! 

I've been working on this ripple scarf for - months it seems. Maybe just since December or so. I've worked on other things in between, but really, really did want to finish it this week because (1) I have a bunch of other projects I have my eye on (2) I want to actually wear it before spring and (3) I wanted to wear it THIS weekend (going away!)

It's just not going to happen, I'm afraid. I really need about 10 more inches of ripples. Sigh.

Hopefully very soon I can post it as a finished project.

I'm using one of my favorite yarns - Lion Brand Cotton Bamboo. Absolutely love the colors - and it's very soft.

Off to weave in some ends!

Inspiration - or Lack Thereof...

I have to admit I've been feeling somewhat uninspired lately. Spring please come - quick!

I did bake some blueberry muffins last night... (oh how I love them). Besides that... nothing substantial going on in my kitchen lately I'm afraid.

It is in the 50s here today, so Patrick and I took a long walk this morning.

We might have snow this weekend though!

Happy Friday.

Spring Flowers and Winter Weekends...

Kind of a lazy weekend... very, very windy and cold, so we mostly stayed in with a fire going.

Beautiful winter sunset on Saturday...

I had one of my famously debilitating sinus headaches, so my sweet hubby brought me a Starbucks and some cut red tulips to try to make me feel better. Oh, and some meds too.

 

 

They all did help I think!

The tulips were tightly closed when he brought them inside... and within about 40 minutes they were wide, wide open. Pretty amazing to watch! I wished I had set up a time lapse camera.

We also have some gorgeous daffodils in the house at the moment.

 

 

 

Is it spring yet? :)

Work, Chocolate, and Fridays...

Truly one of the only things that's helping today:

 

(Well, it's not helping my waistline but you know what I mean...)

Don't you also just love this package design???

♥

Mini Heart Valentine Garland...

Kind of a mopey day today... cloudy, with a rain/snow mix forecasted for later this afternoon. And too many thoughts in my head. Just one of those days... they happen.

I am pleased though with the Valentine's Day garland that I made with my mini hearts.

I hung it over the fireplace.

It does make me smile. :)

Tiny Crochet Hearts for Valentine's Day (and brainstorming with puppies)...

I'm discovering some of the upsides to being a yarn hoarder... for example, you (almost) always have yarn on hand if you are suddenly inspired to try something new. Yippee!

So I've been seeing adorable little crochet hearts all over the web lately... and I've been dying to make some for myself. I used the pattern I found on this blog (she is so crafty! I love it...). It's a great pattern - quick, easy, and adorable. However, I did tweak it a bit by adding an adjustable ring (magic circle) to the center of it.

Aren't they cute?

Patrick and I were brainstorming earlier... trying to figure out what to do with these cuties... (Yes, I know he looks very bored but he was a huge help, truly.)

And I think we came up with the perfect idea... more to come... ♥ ♥ ♥

Lacy Crochet Cotton Scarf...

While I was on vacation I finished up a quick scarf project. I used Rowan Handknit Cotton yarn and the pattern here (her website is chock full of cute projects!) I just loved her Crimson Lace Scarf... I think the design is so, so pretty. Mine came out nothing like it! I really want to try the pattern with a chunky yarn as she did. I also had to adjust the stitching in the last round to compensate for the thinner yarn. (As well as my somewhat still rudimentary crocheting skills!)

 

 But I think the scarf came out pretty interesting... I kind of like how the lacy edging curled a bit. It might look good worn with a dark coat or turtleneck.

(And yes, I know it does look rather "Christmas-y" in the photo, but it's really not... the red is more of a burnt orange, and the green is a bit olive-y.)

My New Martha Stewart Yarn Stash (and a few vacation pics)...

I'm giddy I tell you, just giddy.

Last week I took a little vacay to go visit my auntie abi (she is a very accomplished crocheter and the kind soul who taught me to crochet several years ago - I will always be indebted to her for that!)

So we had a lovely time shopping, chatting and eating. On Monday we ended up at AC Moore and - to my absolute shock and delight - found a huge, huge bin of Martha Stewart yarns on clearance, (plus an extra discount on top of that!) I have used both the Extra Soft Wool Blend and the Alpaca Blend yarns and LOVED them both, but they were really a bit pricey for big projects. Each time I found myself in Michaels I would eye them longingly but knew that buying anymore would be a splurge I couldn't justify.

So imagine my delight when I saw a whole bin of the stuff. I ended up buying about 20 skeins of the Extra Soft Wool Blend, and six (yes, I did use *some* self-control!) of the Alpaca Blend. They are both such wonderful yarns I can't wait to use them.

 Exciting, yes?

My auntie lives in a very nice community in Fort Myers with a nature preserve and wonderful little butterfly garden. I took a couple of long walks while I was there, and spent some time in the garden, thinking, relaxing, and watching for butterflies.

 

 

 View of the Butterfly Garden.

 

 

And of course... palm trees!