This and that

Hello Folks ~ Well, here we are 10 days into January. After several days of cold weather for us down here in s.e. FL, to day it has been gray, windy and warm high 70's. Some rain is expected tomorrow morning, then clearing skies and less wind. 

Earlier in December, the garlic vine was in bloom. I just love this vine and it blooms several times during the year. The leaves of plant when crushed smell like garlic.

I was able to get out to mow and weedwack the other day, takes me about an hour. I have 1/4 of an acre. Thanks for your kind comments about my work. Sometimes it all seems so overwhelming to me, but then I see the photos of flowers that I share here and I smile.

There is a small lawn out front by driveway at the entry also, but I didn't get a photo of that area.

*** Edited *** I forgot to add this picture below. Mowing and weedwacking the edges really makes a difference in how it all looks.

I live in a tropical jungle. Most people down here do NOT live like this. They live in housing communities or condos and have manicured lawns, everything neat and tidy, it all looks nice, but I'm afraid I'll never be like that unless I happen to move from here. This is what I have been blessed with and I am thankful, oh so thankful for it. The road out front went from 2 lanes to 5, and people zip right past. When people come here for the first time they are amazed that it is here, calling it 'old Florida'. ;-)

I bought another book after Christmas. It is for the mandala afghan I started. It is a beautiful book filled with detailed instructions of the stitches used. So much easier it will be than having to look online while crocheting. I can sit in one of my new chairs with book at my side and crochet to my heart's content. Well, until my hands say, ok that's enough for now.

Photos below are my book cover, and pics from inside. I have a long way to go, and it will be challenging.

Where the black mark is, is where I am at in this pattern.

This is my piece so far. I had done more, but made a mistake and had to rip it out. Having the book will be a huge help in teaching me to do this.

I did finish a lapghan last week. I've made this pattern several times, this is not all of the rows by any means, but it made a nice size for a lapghan with the yarn I was using. I had gotten a HUGE skein of size 3 yarn at Aldi and used some of that, plus some left over yarn from a baby blanket I had made. It was a joy to make. It is called a 'Sampler' afghan.

Oh yea, I raised the paintings over my two new chairs, yesterday. I've also been working in my bedroom with storage for yarn, decluttering, etc. The little foot stool, is also Queen Anne style, my dear husband bought it many, many years ago for $1 at a yard sale. I need to make a new cushion for it as it has lost it's puffiness. I have the two extra arm covers for the chairs that I might be able to use for a new cover. Time will tell.

Ok, that's it for now. My stomach is telling me it is time to eat supper. Tomorrow is a new day, may you all have a nice weekend and be thankful for your life, it is a gift from God.