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!