Apples and cinnamon...

does it get much better than that??

I am so enjoying this fall weather. It has been beautiful in East Texas! I have my windows open, and am really enjoying the fresh air!

Last night I did a little fall baking. I wanted to try this recipe from Pioneer Woman, Apple Cake in an Iron Skillet.

Wow. Yum!


Here it is ready to eat!


It really doesn't get much better than that! I even ate a bit warmed up for breakfast! (shhh.... don't tell my nutritionist! wait... what nutritionist? Pass the apples!) :)

Coming up next... Finished Object Friday!!

Welcome to the Frog Pond!

Well, the capelet saga continues...


Today I visited the frog pond. These two pictures (above and below) are the capelet off the needles. It gives a good idea of the shape it is becoming. The top picture is more the true color - I don't like using flash, so the other pictures are a little grayer. I am really liking the basic construction - maybe soon I'll move on to an actual sweater. The pattern I have picked out has similar construction.


Here it is ripped to where I am going to resume knitting:


And now safely back on the needles: (Whew!)


The pile of yarn reminds me of Little House in the Big Woods. Laura is describing her doll, Charlotte, that she got for Christmas, "Her hair was black yarn that had been knit and raveled, so that it was curly."



So now I'm ready to go at it again! I have a much better idea of where I'm going now, thanks especially to Techknitter and today's post. The post includes something I was looking for in trying to figure out this pattern - a chart generator!!! After a little tweaking, and learning how to input the data, I came up with this chart that gives me a good picture of what this pattern is supposed to look like:


Yes, much better! Thank you all for your encouragement - you really helped me to keep on going! :) (oh, and a non-knitting post coming up next!) :)

ETA: So Funny... I got my Knitting Daily email right after I published this post - it's on reading charts!

I'm Stuck

In my knitting journey, I've come across some bumps in the road. Usually I am able to work through them or drive over them.

Not this time.

I'm stuck. stymied. spinning my wheels.

and it looks like such a pretty piece of knitting...

I am trying to knit a shawl for my Grandmother for Christmas. I was going along pretty good until I started watching the pattern - paying attention to what stitches are on top of each other. Hoping that I could memorize the two repeating lines of the pattern and get some speed going. (and also be able to knit without paying the utmost strict attention.)

However, evidently "strict attention" isn't what this project has been getting, because I must have messed up... or I'm just reading too much into this. I've set it aside, then looked at it, looked at the pattern, set it aside... Just waiting for that "AHA!" moment because those are supposed to come, right?

I know it doesn't look messed up, but if I keep going, it will...

So do I rip back? do some plain stitches in hopes of starting again right... you know - improvise? Or even scrap this pattern altogether? (But when I think of that, I think of the sock I made... This shouldn't be much harder than that!) Or maybe I should just keep going in hopes that it will work out in the end?

Until I decide, I guess I'll just keep waiting for the "AHA!" Although the more I wait, the more frogging becomes highly probable.

Have you had projects you've been stuck on? Did your "AHA!" moment eventually come? (Is there any hope???) :)

Sunday Blessing

Jesus, Thine all victorious love
Shed in my heart abroad;
Then shall my feet no longer rove,
Rooted and fixed in God.

O that in me the sacred fire
Might now begin to glow;
Burn up the dross of base desire
And make the mountains flow!

Refining fire, go through my heart,
Illuminate my soul;
Scatter Thy life through every part
And sanctify the whole.

From Jesus, Thine all victorious love
By Charles Wesley

The picture above was taken the last week of August. I wonder what that tree looks like now?? Happy Sunday!

Welcome, Autumn!

Sweet and smiling are thy ways,
Beauteous, golden Autumn days.
From Autumn Days by Will Carleton



If someone were to ask me what my favorite season is, I would have a hard time answering. I enjoy each season as it come. I love spring with all the beautiful flowers, the return of warmth, and the bird's song. I love lazy summer days, fall crispness, and winter coziness (for a little while). I do enjoy fall probably almost as much as spring. I also love all my fall decorations, and I wanted to share with you!

My mantle is a little different than last year. I am loving the corbels underneath!


I thought my little school girl went perfect in the fall vignette.

I have decorated my coffee table a little differently as well. (The candle holders I have used there are top heavy, and don't work to well for babysitting!) :)



This is the little side table behind the couch - it's where I keep all the toys. It's also a little extra display area for my dollstones.

Thanks for stopping by and taking my little tour! I hope you enjoyed it! I'm off to make supper - Brittany's Chicken and Dumplin's!

What You've Been Waiting FOR!! (Giveaway!!)

I am *officially* announcing the opening of my Etsy shop!
Chari Tree Designs

In celebration of this "momentous occasion," I am having a giveaway.

One of you, my readers, will win this delightful little bag. It is a smaller version of some of the bags already listed in my store. It is 9 inches wide and 12.75 inches high, the handle is 28.5 inches long. (A larger version of these particular prints will be listed on Etsy soon....)

So, how to win?
You can get up to three entries!

1. Leave a comment on this post. (I'd love to know if there is something you would like to see in my shop!)
2. Become a follower and leave a comment (current followers will be entered twice once you leave a comment.)
3. Blog about the giveaway and let me know you did. You are welcome to snag the giveaway picture at the top.

If you do all of the above, you name gets put in the "hat" three times!

The giveaway closes midnight (my time) October 5. I will post the winner sometime Tuesday, October 6. :)

Sunday Blessing

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, it is well,
With my soul, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
It was nailed trough his cross, and I bear it no more,
Bless the Lord, bless the Lord, O my soul!

from It is Well
by Horatio G. Spafford

Finished Object Friday

Time for Finished Object Friday, once again! Ok, this one is long overdue!! I finished this...hmmm... like over a year ago.



What is it, you ask?



A camera sock, of course! This is a project born out of necessity as well as the desire to try a new technique. I wanted a small lightweight cover for my camera to fit in my purse, so why not knit one? :) The yarn is leftover from my second pair of socks.

The neat thing is the technique - called Helix stripes. The basic idea is two colors worked at the same time, creating stripes, like if you were to weave two springs together. It may look a little complicated, but once I got started it made sense.

One reason I waited til now to post this is because it is hard to get a picture of your camera modeling the case! :) Here is the dinosaur I actually used to model - it's about 1/3 bigger than my little canon!


ETA: Courtney (bookflutterby) asked about the construction. I answered her on her blog, but thought someone else might want to know! :) I just started with a garter stitch flap, then knitted a circular tube until it was the length I wanted and used a three needle bind off. I don't remember how many stitches I cast on, but it is a little large for my digital camera.

Sorry non-knitters, for another knitterly FOF. For my knitting friends (and family... Hi, Jennifer!!), I hope you enjoyed it. Have you used this method before?

On the other hand... I've been up to more than just knitting!!! Hey, where did that come from??? :)
Hmmm... could it be a clue?? Stay tuned for a big surprise!!! :)

Now it's your turn. I enjoyed seeing the projects last time, and I can't wait to see this week's! If you are new to FOF click here.

Happy Friday!!

Early Fall Baking

I have enjoyed our weather the last several days! We had desperately needed some rain, and it has rained every day since Friday! It has also cooled off - so nice!! But enough of the weather report! This cooler weather has got me in the mood for some baking!



Molasses Crinkles (or Ginger Snaps)
Mix thoroughly:
3/4 cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses

Sift together:
2 1/4 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger

Stir the dry ingredients into wet mixture. Chill dough. Roll into walnut sized balls and dip the tops in sugar. Place sugar side up 3 inches apart on greased baking sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes on 350 degrees. (I didn't grease my stainless steel pan and they came off just fine.)

Enjoy!! I do have my fall decorations up. I am enjoying them! :) I did things a little different from last year, but most is similar - I'll do a little tour later. I do need to get some "twinkle" lights for my mantle. I enjoy all seasons as they come. I enjoy the coziness of fall time, Thanksgiving, and looking forward to Christmas! :)

Happy Grandparent's Day!!

Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children.
~Alex Haley

I have some wonderful grandparents!

My dad's parents

My mom's parents

Three of them are in Heaven right now. I was just thinking of them today... remembering them, their voices, their mannerisms. My dad's father has been gone 13 years this month, and yet I remember him like I just saw him yesterday. My dad's mom has been gone almost 6 years. I, along with Mom and Angie, were honored to be with her as she slipped into heaven. ( Psalm 116:15 ) My Mom lost her father in December, as many of you remember. I shared some of my favorite memories about him then.

I know many of you may not have grandparents with you anymore, some have recently lost a grandparent. I hope this day brings you happy memories! Some of you may be grandparents yourselves - Happy Grandparent's Day to you!!

As for me, I plan on calling my Grandma. I treasure her!

Never forget

Chari Tree Chat

Wow. September already! Fall is on it's way, even here - way down south. :) I hope each of you had an enjoyable Labor Day. Mark and I enjoyed a relaxing day around the house, then we went to our church picnic/hot dog roast.

Mark took this picture of the steeple. He's quite the photographer as well!

I haven't done an update on my garden in a while. It is still going strong. I've had a fresh crop of tomatoes.

(As my kitchen window sill can attest)

My banana peppers are producing again. They like this cooler weather.

And I have cantaloupe and pumpkin growing.

The cantaloupe sprouted from some compost I spread, and the pumpkins I planted about three weeks ago. It could get interesting, though... since they are this close. I wonder what a punk-a-loupe looks like? :)

Speaking of compost... You DON'T want to see a picture of that, although it has turned out rather well. Everthing is composting nicely with the help of a few "friends." (Not very appetizing!) But I plan on spreading it out on my garden spot for the winter. I am already planning next year's garden. It will be slightly bigger than this year's has been.

Well, I'm off to get some things done today. A few "Pocket Tasks" for me as well as starting fall decorating and getting some sewing things done - probably cutting out. Have you decorated for fall yet?

Sunday Blessing

Just as I am, without one plea
But that thy blood was shed for me
And that thou bidd’st me come to thee
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

From Just As I Am
by Charlotte Elliott

Finished Object Friday

Hello! I guess this has been a rather (unplanned) blogging break! The last week has been very busy! It was the annual "birthday week!" Angie's birthday was last Friday, mine was Tuesday and Dad's was yesterday! (Happy birthday, Dad!!) We had a fun time celebrating!

Mom made me an ice cream cake. We had a party with our small group on Tuesday night.

~~~~~~~~~~~
So on to Finished Object Friday! I've been working on a little knitting project. I finished last night, and just now did the photo shoot! (Thus the late posting...) :)

They are rather large for me. I need to find someone with bigger hands. They are super soft and cozy, though! Whoever ends up with them will enjoy them! :) I would have needed to go down a couple of needle sizes or adjust the pattern to have fewer stitches.

These are loosely based on the pattern. I did my own stitch pattern so they turned out different. Not sure why I had a hard time grasping the written pattern, but I think I like my (accidental) pattern a little better though. (K2, P2 on rows 1&3, and Knit on 2&4) I think they look very old fashioned! :)

I wanted to share a little about the background of the above shots: It is the afghan my grandmother crocheted for me! She made sure each of her grandkids had one before she passed away, so it is very special!

Here's another FOF... just for fun!

He did look pretty good, until I got ahold of the marker... I should leave drawing to the pros!!!

(poor guy!)

Angie picked up a couple of little books with instructions and a pump. It was fun to make - when I could keep the balloon from popping!

I know I'm not the only one who's had a busy week, but maybe you've got something to share! :) If you are new to FOF click here.


Happy Friday!! (and I hope you have a great holiday weekend!)