Recycled Tshirt Bath Rug

Tshirt Rags were the Alternative Yarn group on Ravelry's April KAL. Okay, so I'm behind everyone else...what else is new? I have been cleaning out the drawers and closets and after seeing a pile of old tees that we wouldn't or didn't need to be wearing again, I decided to join in the fun. Following tutorial for making rag yarn, or "Tarn" in this case, I cut 1" strips and, on US15 needles, CO today during lunch.

Creating something useful out of things that would otherwise be tossed is fun. For my first rug, I'm not going to go all out and do one as beautiful as some I've seen. Just going for a finished, simple project. Unfortunately, as I (in my typical fashion) have a few too many projects going on, this may take a bit but I'm excited about it thus far. Can't wait to use it!

A Memorable Memorial Day

The fun began Sunday afternoon when my brother, his wife and new baby boy stopped by on their way home to Ft. Worth from a wedding in San Antonio. This was the first time my DH and children got to meet their brand new nephew/cousin! My son kept trying to poke Court and was saying, "He's cute!". My daughter would have hogged ALL the baby time if allowed cause she just LOVES her new baby cousin and after Court left she was all upset and was heard saying, "I miss so very so much already." (Yes, we are working on the order of words in a sentence, but the message was understood loud and clear!) As for my DH, he commented that he didn't get near enough baby time to satisfy him. LOL... Needless to say we very much enjoyed the visit. I loved chatting with my "little" bro and Ashley about this and that and, obviously, oogling and aaaahing over Court. We were sad to see them leave but, having kids of our own, understood the need to hit the road and get on home.

Monday, despite having a ton of projects that needed attention at home, we packed up the family and headed to Lake Georgetown to spend the Memorial Day holiday with some friends. What a grand time we had! My DD couldn't get into the water quick enough and once in had to be pulled out (I think she's part fish). DS was mortified of the water at first and even after DH carried him he was less than thrilled with his surroundings. Of course, he hates baths too, so no big surprise. Things changed, however, when the boys went on the boat and went tubing. Although not as much a water baby as our DD, our DS was a maniac in the water the rest of the day!

The party ending and everyone was packing up to go home didn't go over well with kiddos who wanted to live at the lake forever. I wish! With all the excitement of the day they hadn't had a much needed nap so to say they were cranky about leaving is an understatement. Once in the car headed home, however, they passed out.

Boy! What a day!!!

Sweater Deconstructed

Once upon a time there was a pattern I wanted to knit but the yarn called for was, at the time, a little out of my price range for the amount I needed. In the same household there was this old sweater that was too big and not my style sitting in my closet (and had been there for a couple years...I REALLY need to clean out my closet) that turned out to be made from the type of yarn I needed for knitting that desired pattern.

What's a girl to do? Well, deconstruct and recycle the big, ugly sweater yarn to be used on an item that will get more use from me, of course. That is exactly what I set out to do. It took some time to snip the thread that had attached what amounted to a knit seam binding to the base of the sweater but finally that part was off. Next came the side seams and the arms, then the shoulders/neck area. All that was left to do then was, Rip-it! Rip-it!

The recycled yarn is a 50/50 cotton/linen blend. I can't wait to give it new life!

My Baby's Green Thumb

My DD had picked out a small purple petunia plant a few months ago while at a nursery. I went ahead and got it for her and had her help me to plant it in a pot. While I would have preferred it to be in my garden, I figured having in a pot near the back door would best enable her to care for and admire it. Well, care for it she has and admire it she does!

Is This Heaven?

No, and it isn't Iowa either. It was the annual Austin Pond Society plant swap! What fun! We had a pretty good showing and I think everyone had a good time. I came home with some wonderful plants and even some mystery plants that were doomed to the trash at the swap's end...and I just couldn't allow that! I'll be posting pix and more about the plants I received as I get them all planted and they grow.

And then there was one...

Well, actually, we currently still have five little puppies with us. Seven went to their new homes this past Saturday. One we are keeping for a couple weeks until the new owners get back from vacation, one we'll have for about a month or so until we can get it transported up North to a family member, and two supposedly have someone who want them but we are waiting for confirmation. That leaves us with one that hasn't been claimed yet. She's a cutie, too. If you would like to give her a loving home, let us know!

Check out www.sunnyandherpups.blogspot.com for the latest updates on who has gone to their new homes and who is still hanging out at the James'.

By Golly, It Bloomed!

Earlier this spring, as soon as the leaves peaked through the ground, I went and dug up a slew of iris bulbs that we inherited when we bought our home. As though being in full shade wasn't enough, they were also in high dog traffic areas of the yard. As I'd never gotten any blooms from them in their original locations, I decided to move the bulbs despite it not being the best time to do so.

After having spoken with my mom and a local Master Gardener, I understood that the transplanted irises would probably not do spit this year but was told, repeatedly, to not give up on them because in a few years they would be SO very happy with their new full sun location...hopefully. Patience, by the way is NOT one of my best virtues, especially when it comes to gardening.

Well, by golly, I got a bloom THIS YEAR! It is a lovely light purple and I'm so excited I can barely stand it. Okay, so that may be the only bloom I get because the rest of the iris look a little puny but I got a bloom! Of course, as I only noticed it this am as I was leaving for work..

Speaking of irises, my water iris that Naomi gave me went nuts recently. First one, then two, then something like ten blooms at one time adorned the plant. Last night I deadheaded the plant and have two full blooms and about 5 about to pop open. Gorgeous deep purple blooms... WOW! Seeing that gorgeous display of color has made all the work we did on the pond worth it.

I LOVE playing in the dirt!

Presenting (again) My Nephew!

Can you tell that I'm a wee bit of a proud Auntie? Hee hee..

Recently Court had his baby pictures done and oh my goodness they are BEAUTIFUL! What a handsome little guy my new nephew is. We can't wait to meet him end of May when he and his parents come through town. And if you think I can't wait to see him again (I took a road trip and got to see him the day after he was born!), my kiddos are beyond excited over the opportunity to see "THEIR" baby Court. LOL.

Anyway, what was I writing about? That's right, my nephew's beautiful baby pix. Well, I don't have room to share them ALL here but I did want to include a few of my favorites. Enjoy oooohing and aaaaahing over this handsome little guy.

The Addition of Tiki-Man

Just because I didn't post anything in April doesn't mean I was being lazy. In fact, quite the opposite was true.

We were very busy working in the pond garden and I must say that I'm extremely pleased at how well it is all coming together.

To watch over the fruits of our labors and to serve as a plant stand, I introduce to you - Tiki-Man! I was fortunate to receive Tiki-Man from someone who was tossing him out (code word: FREE) and every time I see him I smile. I especially like his "hair-do" which my DH notes makes him resemble the Chiquita Banana chick. HA! Of course, the time between when I took this photo of Tiki-Man and my entering this post, I've changed the pot on his "head". Same plants but a raffia rope type basket pot that looks much more "natural"?

I'm hoping to get some pix of the pond posted sometime this century. Keep watch!