Nest Bowl

No it is not a new football game.  The Decorah nest bowl is forming nicely.  Dad will shimmy himself into the soft grasses where the eggs are laid and hatched.  This morning you can really see the form taking shape, wont be long now before people across the world are holding their breath for that first egg.  It is almost time and the new cameras will give us a better view as well as the new nest with lots of possibilities for this year's hatch.  With my new TV i can connect my computer to the TV and watch the miracles come alive on the big screen.  Come join me as we invite new eaglets into the world.

Double Stitch, Rings, and Picots

I had my first tat class this evening. There is only one stitch, a double stitch.  Then you can make rings with picots and other fun things.  So here is my learnings for the evening.  There were 14 in class anywhere from about 12 to 80.  It is fun and I always like learning new things,  Now I only hope in the morning I remember what I learned.  I found some flowers and butterflys I thought might be pretty hanging on walls.

Mrs. Wilson's Knitting Circle

Mrs Wilson's Knitting Circle lecture today was mostly a philosophical one, why do we have war, will we ever have peace, what changes did our country undergo, etc.  Some of the things we got from WWI are trenchcoats, wristwatches, medicines to combat new diseases, wireless communication, etc.  
One of the huge changes was for France.  During the war they lost 1 out of every 3 men and many others were inured so much they could not do much.  This put a damper on the next generation as there were not that many men to populate future generations.  This may be why France is so reluctant to get into any war ever.

The pattern we received today was a woman's pullover from wool.  The collar, cuffs and girdle balls were made from angora.  The tie around the sweater looked more like a pointed scarf with the angora balls that looked like a driedel.  The patterns are interesting to read because the gauge is so off from today. I have to wonder what the weight of the yarn was as well as the size of the needle.  The pattern calls for casting on 75 stitches with a size 5 needle for the back.  I don't think that would fit most women today.

I love to go the lectures and get patterns from 100 years ago.  So much history to learn.  If you ever get a chance to go to the museum you should take the day, there is so much they went through just to try to survive.

Knitting Without Fingers

This woman does everything you and I do but without fingers.  Watch the video, she just wows me.  Just goes to prove that you have to try and not give up,

http://www.businessinsider.com/woman-without-fingers-knits-2016-1

How Old Are Your Eggs

Fresh Eggs Daily with Tory Steelman.

January 19 at 3:01pm · 

A few weeks ago I mentioned how the average grocery store egg might be 45 days old (or more) by the time you buy it. A few people asked for proof (beyond the LAW which states that a farmer has 30 days to carton and egg and then another 30 days to sell that egg after it's been cartoned).

So today (1/19) I was shopping and snapped a few photos of some egg cartons. EVERY date I saw on them was between 352-355, meaning that those eggs were put in that carton on the 352nd-355th day of last year. Add to that the 19 days so far this year, and these eggs have all been in the carton for about a month (and could have been laid up to 30 days prior to that) and check out the Sell by dates - these eggs can still sit on the shelf for a few more weeks.

Just be aware of the food you're buying. Know how to read labels. And keep raising those backyard chickens! I'll take a 45 MINUTE old egg from a happy hen any day over a 45 DAY old egg!

Chick-Fil-A

http://www.conservativeoutfitters.com/blogs/news/83898561-chick-fil-a-does-something-truly-amazing-after-you-throw-away-your-cup

Some might say I am obsessed with CFA, but once again they do something good for the community.  How cool is this? 

Stained Glass Window Afghan

My niece has a board on Pinterest where she puts things she wants me to make her.  I bought the yarn last year and decided this year would be the year of afghans. I have several to start on and try to get done.  This afghan only has 12 squares 15" so not a whole of squares to sew together but it does look like an interesting pattern.  I hope to do one round a week and get it done in a few months, we shall see.

Progress from last week and this week:  the black was done last week and it really is more like a cobalt blue instead of purple was done today.

Tatting

No I am not getting a tattoo, but I have always wanted one, just chicken I guess.  Anyway we lost the best yarn store a couple years ago in town and no one teaches advanced classes.  I like to take classes so when my local branch of the library  put out their new list, there was a free tat class.  I have always wanted to learn how to tat.  So I ordered a book, ordered my needles and I do have crochet thread, so I found a sewing basket and I am ready for Feb when the classes start.  Will keep you posted as to my progress.  So how many of you tat?

RIP David Bowie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9G4jnaznUoQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9kfdEyV3RQ

Are You Knitting or Crocheting?

http://blog.lionbrand.com/2016/01/06/franklin-habits-friendly-three-point-message-to-journalists-who-seek-to-write-about-knitting-and-crochet/#more-35618

This is an excellent article by Franklin Habit on the difference between knitting and crocheting. How many times have you seen an item and it is listed as knitting and it is really crocheted or vice versa.  He makes a good point all balls are not used for the same sport, so don't assume yarn is all used for the same craft. 

I Am Breaking Up With You

I always remember having a newspaper in the house when I was a kid.  I read the Sunday comics and briefly scanned the rest of the papers. I remember my mom going through the ads planning out the shopping day for every week.  When I left home one of the first things I did was see if I could afford the paper, I could so I ordered it.  Every time I moved I got the paper delivered.

Today I am done with the paper.  It is way too liberal for me.  I can get the ads online.  Mostly lately it has not been delivered or it is after 10am and it is wet and sections are missing. I am tired of reporting the deliverer almost daily for the past few weeks. It is certainly not worth the money I pay and I am just done. 

I guess I held onto it for so long because I am old school, you have to have the paper delivered.  There are only 2 of us on our block who take the paper, and yesterday she is cancelling because of the same problems I have.  I know papers are losing money and it is their own fault.

I will get my news elsewhere and it won't be left leaning.  It was a good run, but now it is over.

Two Great Voices Gone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKCyUe4syc4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHVO63w5a7M

Perhaps they will sing together again.  RIP Natalie.

Happy 2016