Happy Halloween to all!!!!
May you have a spook-tacular evening!

Great News!

Oh its a beautiful day in the neighborhood or at least in the Blume household today!
Mikes doctor appt. went fantastic!! They cut off his cast, took x-rays and he come walking back to the room to sit. Think I had a shocked look on my face as they wheeled him out in a wheelchair...lol Mike's look was quite surprised too and then the doctor came in and turn on the computer to check out the x-rays and said cool, its a stable fracture and looking good. Then the Dr. asked Mike how it felt, Mike said feels really good, the doctor then said he could use an air cast for when he's on it alot but still keep it elevated now and then like he's been doing. Doesn't want to see us for another month! Quite the shock when last week they were talking surgery.
I do believe we were very blessed and I "Thank you all" for all those well wishes, good thoughts & blessings and great prayers cause I'm sure that's what did it!! As my grown kids would say, "I'm stoked"!! lol :)
I hope soon to be regularly posting and showing pieces of projects soon, so on I go to work on some seeings I have the rest of the day...
Thank you all again and I hope you all have a Fantastic Tuesday!!

Updates

Wow, thats the first weekend I wasn't able to post any updates, but I did try to catch up on some of my blog reads. Guess first thing is to let you all know Mike was in an accident while heading out to work Friday morning. He was on the Harley and the bike fared better then he did, but he is okay. He's got sore ribs, road rash knee, jammed left tumb and broken right ankle, but he's on good pain meds. In fact we just got home alittle earlier from getting the cast put on it finally. He's getting around alot better, but now we're battling his high blood pressure and unfortunately have to say coverage for everything...sucks when you can't use your VA benifits just because your not "old enough" to actually "retire" and because he makes too much with the real job he has so we can live, they won't see him. Even the base won't see him as we only have standard Tricare...lol Gotta love it :), anyways, we will figure it out, I have my insurance guy looking through back records to see if we ever actually had the UM coverage on the bike to cover him...not looking good, but we'll see, was suppose to have full coverage on her.

On other news my pals bag for the FFBE is alive and almost a bag. Know I didn't post much about the bag but spent quite a bit of time waiting for yarn to come in. Miss some contests on that part and then afraid to post colors as I thought she'd figure me out, so far I think I'm safe, I hope..lol
Heres a sneek peek of colors and man, this thing is hughe!!! But its got pretty colors!! First time working with a size 'M' hook for me. I do hope that the bag is ready by the weekend. I know I spent alot of time on this this last weekend trying to get it done. My pal knows its will be alittle late, though I'm shooting for getting it out by the 30th. Got the goodies, just need to finish the bag.

I'm also trying to work on Christmas items for my Etsy store. Hopefully will be able to put more up there soon. I just feel so behind at the moment, but I will get it going soon. Need to dig out that sewing machine and see if it still works..lol Was thinking of doing a survey on what people look for when their Etsy shopping..what'll think??? Might be an idea huh?
Well I'm gonna get back to work on my pals bag, God knows I have to work the rest of this week to make up the last 2 days I missed. Hope you all have a great rest of the week and I'll try to comment more when bloggin around :)

Winter Wonderland Coffee Swap Questionaire

Coffee
What are your favorite kinds of coffee? (Brands, Roasts, anything at all you'd like to share!)
I’m usually a Maxwell House gal, NO DECAFE (it wires me up, I’m backwards yes and No folgers or espresso-tears the stomach up) ) I’ve only tried a few flavors and they are not too bad, especially like the chocolates and mints, but no nut or vanilla flavors..yuck! Different roasts are okay. Do drink StarBucks too, wish I could remember some of those names though. I do drink coffee all day long up until bedtime! Think I’m a coffee-oholic ?
Do you prefer whole bean or ground coffee? Usually ground for convenience but either is fine. I do have a coffee bean grinder thingie..lol
This time of year, there are often Holiday Blends available, and many flavored coffees - do you drink flavored coffee? Do you enjoy special blends? Only holiday blends I have tried are in Hot Cocoa or Starbucks but don’t recall names (they had at work when someone brought in for something different) so willing to try.
How do you take your coffee? Cream and Sugar? Straight up? Decaf?
Black with sugar –High test & NO DECAFE
Do you prefer drinking from a nice thick mug, or a matched cup and saucer? Mugs, funny saying mugs, mugs, BIG mugs
Winter and Holidays - PLEASE be descriptive! Your pal will need this information to be sure to put together a package you will enjoy!
What is your favorite part of Winter? Holidays, especially Christmas, people are more like regular human beings being like they should all be year round, Just the magic of it all! I’ve always been told I’m a dreamer, maybe I am and I still believe! Snow, glorious snow, never thought I’d miss it, I miss it lots, use to love to make snowangels cause then we would warm up with hot cocoa with marshmellows in it. I wa sa crazy mom when my boys were small, we did lots together. I love me some warm slippers, too or thick fuzzy socks, sweat pants and sweater time of year, just love it.
Do you celebrate a holiday in December, and if so, which holiday? Christmas, I LOVE Christmas! It’s my very favorite time of the year - I love the smells, the sights, the songs, the decorations, even the shopping(which I have most done); just everything. Most of all I’m with Anne in that one month a year, so many people are more focused on others than they are on themselves. That is “The Magic” to me and why I believe! I lost track of Hanukkah after FIL past away and MIL moved back to Jersey but we do put a Star of David on the tree near the top just below the angel, (was a cookie ornament but broke last year, hum think it was due to ms. Lady pup knocking tree over)
If you celebrate Christmas, do you put up a tree? Most definitely a tree, real if we can, love the smell of a real tree! My tree is always decorated with lots of lights, mostly all homemade ornaments and things the kids made when they were small, plus some new ones as Lady took a tasting to some the first year we got her...lol My tree top is an Angel. We also have The Polar Express (train set-up) that goes around our livingroom wall and all around our one village setup, etc. Also have other village set in center at eye view on top of TV & Mantel. We do put a Star of David on the tree for Mike’s side of the family, but he loves Christmas and is my worse kid…lol
Would you enjoy items related to the holiday, or would you prefer a Winter themed package? Either is okay, just not folksy/country type. I do like snowflakes & stars and love the glitz of silver & gold and the more burgundy red with the dark green colors. My kitchen will be getting transformed to my coca-cola/diner theme.(yes I finally decided a definite decision there..lol)
Do you collect anything? Are there any holiday or winter-themed items (Snowmen, Angels, Snoflakes, Santas, etc) that you collect? Oh wrong question…lol I collect Angels as I’m fascinated with them and it’s my given birth nickname (i was 17 when dads side of family found out my name was Mary), anything Polar Express (if we don’t already have it), think I have to add Santa’s to that too now (seems we get a new one every year) and I can’t forget the M&M & Coca-Cola stuff, they are always an every year thing!!
Do you wear scarves? Mittens? Hats? Not too often here in the desert..don’t get cold enough, gloves and hat maybe for those chilly mornings but no need for scarf here or winter coat..lol
What is your favorite holiday or winter treat? Big ol Mug filled with Cocoa with lots of marshmellows and a small candy cane hanging from the brim for that touch of mint, Candy that use to be called Chocolate Candy Straws. Love homemade choc chip cookies & fudge(which I make every year).
Please share a favorite Winter or Holiday memory. Only remember all the family gathering and then taking turns visiting everyone’s homes and tasting all the different goodies they made, seeing all the decorations around town and family members houses and most of all the last year spent with both my parents when they were alive. I could hours just sitting staring at the lights of a lit up Christmas tree :)
Yarn and Crafting
Do you Knit or Crochet? For how long? I’ve knit 4 dishcloths :) I’m more a crocheter for ummm long, long time..since grade school but really only got back into it big time in the last ol say 15 yrs or so, when I got inot making more than afghans.
Do you like wooden, metal, or plastic needles\hooks? Circular or straight? I’m finding out while teaching myself to knit I’m liking the bamboo needles, I do have a couple…crochet I’m good with the whatevers available, would like to get some more bamboo hooks though, I do have 1 or 2 and they are great.
What sort of projects do you enjoy making? I’m a self taught crocheter too, so if I can read the pattern and follow it I can say anything and everything…I love making stuff!
What are your favorite types of yarn to work with? This is a toughy, I don’t have access to a whole lot of the different namebrand yarns so I really enjoy different ones I get in swaps or order online if I knew what half of them were :) I’m easy with yarn and I do have plenty of sock yarn..lol I guess I don’t really have a favorite yet as I haven’t tried them all.
Do you spin or dye? Nope
Do you do other crafts such as scrapbooking or needlepoint or anything else? Me…hahaha you silly hostess :) you name it I’ve either tried it, did it or still do it, just need more time!
Scrapbook, macramé, work with wood stuff, cross stitch (but not as much with the ol eyeballs), crochet, sew, bake and try to garden..lol and I'm sure thier still lots more..
General
When is your birthday? June 9
Do you have any children? (Furry kind count!) 3 boys-Tim 31, Rob 30 & Nick 28
Rob & Nick still live home, in fact Rob just moved back from OR. I have 2 grandkids- Tj-8 and Kalee going on 3, but they are up in Reno area. I do have 2 cats-Electra & Dyna and 2 dogs- Storm & Lady. (just recently found out Storm is diabetic)
What are your favorite colors? I tend to go more with bright & bold, like purples, teal, blues, black, browns/beiges, but I do like lots of colors and some I normally wouldn’t say I did, but definite no orange or rust. I wear a lot of jeans and black
Do you have any allergies? Only to the desert..lol

I've Been Tagged!

Jane over at Jane's Designs tagged her Secret Santa gals- not fair Jane.. lol
Here's the rules and if you want to play you can, I'm not gonna tag anyone :)

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself: some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).
4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.

7 facts:
1. I love to bake.
2. I love to be with my animals and enjoy spending time outdoors with them playing ball.
3. Love to do the crafts and wish i had more time for them.
4. I can sit at the computer all day reading blogs and visiting craft sites. Love to get ideas!
5. Love to look at pictures and sometimes just watching people...lol
6. I'm with you on this Jane- Hate to clothes shop, would rather spend all my money at the yarn or craft shop.
7. Would love to win MegaBucks!! Think of the yarn store we'd have!! lol (this might be a dream instead of fact..lol)

More Surprises In The Mail!

Wow, I must have some good karma around me lately, more surprises in the mail. Look at all my goodies!!!

Found out last week I was 1 of 3 winners in a contest that Judith had on her blog. She had a little problem deciding on slippers..so all we had to do was post slipper pattern links, free or to buy! Easy as cake and boy were there alot of slipper patterns posted! After seeing all the patterns listed I just left the one that was my favorite and one that she had posted herself in the group! Judith is the Queen of Links and has a group which is called Links,Links,Links. So needless to say I didn't think I stood a chance to win!! Boy was I wrong!! Thank you Judith, very very much! I absolutely love that little doggie angel!! Think she knew that though from a comment I left on her blog. (she pattern tested it and I just love it) I love the dishcloth and the sock yarn..see I am supppose to get the hang of this knitting..lol Wish I could see it done in person, I'd pick it up so much easier. I took a close up of the doggie angel..its just gorgeous and Lady and Storm had to check it out too! So she's sit above my desk area now and I do love it Judith, Thank you!

My next surprise I knew was coming, just didn't expect it early.

See Interweave came out with Interweave Crochet and I hopped on that subscription fast..lol Kim Werker has a new book released the 14th called "crochet me- Designs to fuel the crochet revolution", and they started a Crochet-a-long blog for the patterns in the book. I'm really excited and already know which pattern I'm doing first..now I just need to pick a color and need a ton of yarn..over 1200 yards worth I need...lol Wonder if I could talk Santa into that...hummmm :)

Well heres's the pic of what I've decided I'm making once I have all my yarn. I do apoligized for that glare, It wasn't in the screen shot when I took the picture.

I just love It. Its called Comfy Cardi by Robyn Chachula, isn't it pretty!

I've always wanted a shrug and I think this would work just great! Now just need to decide on a color, something that goes with jeans I guess, any suggestions?

I know I have another contest prize coming..I won over at Annes for the knitted dishcloth she designed and if that wasn't a shock..lol I think Cleo had something to do with that one, but I'm sure glad!! I'll post that when it come in, I know how you all love pictures, me too!!

Hope everyone has a great week!! Happy Crocheting! :)

FFBE Contest Question #3

For our Fall fetled Bag Exchange we are asked weekly questions..well here is this weeks question:
How often do you change the purse or bag you're carrying? Not too often when it comes to my everyday purse, usually only change if it breaks or just gets too small after a while..lol
Do you change based on seasons? Outfits? Something else? Nope, year round same one, maybe switch out to a denim one, but I need a new one of those..lol
What's your favorite bag in the world (and it doesn't have to be a knit/felted one!)? The bag that carries all my projets, yarn, hooks you name it. Its from the ITE4, Big, lots of pockets and right now so stuff I wouldn't be able to put anything else in it. I am defintely a pocket gal and they are loaded with my hooks, tape measure and such!

Goodies In The Mail!

Oh what goodies I came home to today!! I was good kid and order some yarn from Amanda, that purple just caught my eye and I knew I had to have it :)

Bluish pic is with my true light, I had to copy Amandas picture as thats the actual color purple it is, isn't it Bee-U-TEE-Full!!!! I think so! It is so soft and gorgeous! Thank you Amanda, that sure was some fast shipping girl!!

Now I also received 2 Thank you gifts. First, Holly sent me some Beautiful Tea themed Stitch Markers. You did great Holly and I LOVE em!! You know I don't have but a few of my own (the ones I received were in swaps) even though I do make them, lol So they mean even more to me. Thank You! I had fun Co-hosting as it was my first time. I did learned alot and you gals were so wonderful! Great bunch we had in that swap!! I can't wait for the next one!

Second, Nancy, my Jersey buddy and lady of many surprises, sent me this gorgeous Lighthouse tea bag holder! And No JoAnn you cannot have it...lol Thank you so much Nancy, this is just perfect! You still amaze me with your kindness :)

Well those are my goodies and I'm sticking with them..lol Actually have to get busy with some beads for something I'm making for a certain person, she knows who she is!

Hope everyone has a great evening!

A POEM FOR THE GRIEVING...

To my dear Chan, Mark & Mugsy, our prayers go out to you all as you try to find peace in all you've been through lately. Please know we all love and grieve with you, I know I do. Its taken me a bit to post as I reflected back on my original Lady's passing, still seems like yesterday sometimes, so this is my little Memorial for Fred. May God Bless you all!

Poem is from this site.

Tackhammer's Fred
May 2, 1996 - October 5, 2007

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak,

and the pain should keep me from my sleep,

Then will you do what must be done, for this,

the last battle can't be won.

You will be sad I understand, but don't let

grief stay your hand.

For on this day, more than the rest, your

love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years, you wouldn't

want me to suffer so.

When the time comes, please let me go.

Take me where my needs they'll tend,

only stay with me till the end.

And hold me firm and speak to me until

my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you will agree it is a kindness

you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved, from

pain and suffering I have been saved.

Don't grieve that it must be you who has to

decide this thing to do.

We've been so close, we two, these years,

don't let your heart hold any tears.

~~ Author Unknown~~

More Etsy Shops Opened

Well Amanda finally did it! While catching up on some blog reads Wednesday evening I read a post on Amanda's blog that she opened up an Etsy shop and its called "NH Knitting Mama"! You go girl! Lovin' that shade of purple you have there :)

Also my youngest sons girlfriend Crystal, just recently opened a new Etsy shop and you can find her at "Chrys' Creations". This girl does beautiful work on baby blankets and I do hope she can get 1 or 2 done up for her new store! I know its been nice having someone to crochet with :)

Congratulations Ladies & Welcome to the world of Etsy!

Winter Wonderland Coffee Swap

First Contest for the Winter Wonderland Coffee Swap. I am to post on my blog, telling you all about the new swap and let you know that registration opens on October 24th!! Come one, come all, should be lots of fun!! (and I already have 1 gift package already for my pal whomever she may be, hope she really loves coffee)

Hope to see you there!

FFBE Question 2

Now for this week's question:

The colors of fall tend to be oranges, yellows, crimsons, and other 'leafy' colors - what is your favorite "Color of Autumn" and where do you see it?Post up on your blog and that'll be your second entry for this final contest!

I'm guessing that out of those colors I go for the crimson! The darker colors reminds me more of Autumn. I see those colors only in the fake flowers I can get and I put them in my empty pots outside..lol Also helps for when I don't remember to water them and they still look so pretty! Don't you think..lol

Secret Santa Questionaire

1. What is your Christmas style? Contemporary, traditional, glam and glitter, primitive, cute or something else. Actually never thought about a Christmas style so I would have to say alittle bit of a mix. Contemporary, traditional, sparkle of glitter, lights and celebration of Jesus. All about love, family, kids (& hubby..lol) and giving, sharing..etc…

2. Do you collect something special? Santa’s, gingerbread people, angels, maybe snowmen, etc... I’m a collector of Angels. (the elegant ones) Always an Angel on the top of the tree, maybe cause its my birth nickname…I just know I love them am I’m fascinated with them.

3. Favorite holiday color. Fire engine red, lime green, burgundy, hunter green, pink and chartreuse or are you all about the metals, gold, silver or copper.
I love the Silver & Gold, more silver for me though but like the Burgundy/hunter green combo too.

4. Favorite things--Food, colors, pastimes or anything that you think we should know or that you just feel a need to share LOL
I love to bake and always during the Holidays. Always Chocolate Chip Cookies & Fudge, but if I can get my older kids help, we go nuts with the bake goods.
I have a lavender color on the walls in the kitchen and have noticed they now sell purplish colors Christmas items. Maybe I’ll finally get my color co-ordination in the kitchen…lol (the red/green just look horrible near my walls in there). I’m a crafty person and love to make things for friends and family. Anything else just ask, I promise I won’t bite

5. Least favorite things--scents that might bother you, allergies etc. If you don't tell us we won't know. No allergies except dust. Not much for flowery scents –family dislike..lol Besides there are to many other good smelling scents, Cinnamon, baked apples, baked anything..lol

6. What so you prefer--candy or cookies--those special things that we only make at this time of the year. Like fudge, caramel popcorn or Mexican wedding cookies, yum yum. I’m a junk food junkie so bring it on, just NO nuts in anything and if you don’t already know I am a choco-holic..I like both cookies and fudge and candies..love the chocolate straws but they are hard to find.

7. How about--coffee or tea A definite coffee drinker here, but do like teas too, just need to get myself a teapot or Big Mug. Please NO decafe on either (I’m a bassackwards individual and decafe wires me up something fierce)

8. Do you wear knit or crocheted scarves? Yes or No Yes when it gets really cold

9. How about slippers? Yes or No, If yes what size. Definite Yes Slippers or socks-Size 10 would cover it

10. Hats? Yes or No. Pin head or pumpkin head. Depends on the hat actually. I have no clue what pin head or pumpkin head is…lol Feel free to enlighten me :)