I needed something to keep myself occupied over the holidays. With a lot of time to fill, I pulled out the afghan/throw I started crocheting….well…a long time ago. It was put to the side when I started crocheting all the Obsession Scarves. I’ve spent an enjoyable few days plopped on the sofa in the den, watching The Bishop’s Wife and Meet Me in St. Louis and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (that movie breaks my heart, every time) and old episodes of The Rifleman and The Big Valley.
This is a variation of the ripple stitch in seemingly random colors ( but not really). It’s a scrappy throw for the den. Because it’s so big, I usually leave it on the sofa between bouts of crocheting.
Of course, my little nester had her eye on it and it wasn’t long before I saw this:
and this:
That girl sheds like crazy and everything in me wanted to move her back down to the other end of the sofa. But it was Christmas and, let’s face it, her hair is going to get on it anyway, especially if we use it in the den.
Besides, she’s awfully cute.
I’m glad Christmas is over. It was a long day, punctuated by a couple of Skype calls with Don and phone calls with my sister and dad. I got to say Merry Christmas to my mom, which I’m grateful for. Any sort of phone conversation with her nowadays is very rare and very short – she is not doing well.
I did make myself a special vegetarian holiday dinner: mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy, steamed asparagus, some Quorn (which is a chicken substitute – no meat for me), jellied cranberry slices ( I love them) and my grandmother’s Cloud Biscuits:
Ummm mmmm good.
I’m off to run a few errands as we have a winter weather watch up for this afternoon and tomorrow. Yuck. I want it to be out of here by the time I have to drive to Hartford on Friday.
Thank you for all the holiday greetings!
Happy Wednesday.
Yup, Ben sits wherever he wasnt to aslo, lol!
Love all the colours in your blanky!
Sue
xo
Thanks, Sue.
Claudia, I got a camera just like yours for Christmas. Wish we lived next door to each other…we could play with our cameras..in other words you could teach me LOL. We are having a blizzard today, so I would love to be anywhere but here today. The movie ‘A Tree Grows In Brooklyn.”, I was watching it when I went into labor with my 1st born daughter and never saw the whole move till 40 years later. haha. I love it too. Hope you are safe and warm. xoxo,Susie
Congratulations on your new camera, Susie!
Good Morning Claudia, she is cute on the sofa. I gave up on hair and clean when I can. It is raining here and the puppy has to go out. I have been off line on purpose and have missed my daily drop in on you. Even if I do not comment I am always here. I needed a break but am happy to be back. Your biscuits are big and fluffy. I cooked very little and made everything ahead and baked nothing. I have been relaxed which is good. I hope you do not get snowed in. We had fake snow at Church on Sunday and loved it. We are pitiful Southerners. Hugs, Olive
At this point, I’d much prefer being in the south or in California!
Claudia- I am glad you got thru the day yesterday and actually got to talk to your Mom. That’s a good day. Your dinner sounds wonderful- I am glad you did it just for you. A Tree Grows In Brooklyn is probably one of my favorite books ever- I didn’t even know there was a movie made. I a going to have to see it and see who was cast as Frankie…and the Dad-portrayed as such a handsome Irish devil. It is right up there with To Kill A Mockingbird. I hope you have a wonderful day- xo Diana
The movie is wonderful, Diana. The actress who plays Frankie is simply perfect. Peggy Ann Garner. She will break your heart, as will the actor who plays the father – James Dunn. His last scene makes me sob.
I love the afghan Claudia. I am staying in today too, with cozy crochet blankets on my lap too.
Hugs,
Kris
I wish I was home crocheting, Kris!
Scout’s white(and brown) fur looks stunning with the new afghan, Claudia. It truly does look like it is being made just for her – so color coordinated! I’m glad you got through Christmas, and most especially that you were able to say hello to your mom :)
Hugs, Donna
Thanks, Donna.
Love the woobie you are making….looks so soft and comfortable. No wonder Scout likes it! Hope the weather stays clear for you…Hartford here you come! I love jellied cranberry sauce too…there’s just something so comforting about it! ;)
I ate the whole can, Donnmae. Spread out over 3 meals, of course. But I didn’t have to share!
Oh I watched Meet Me in St Louis too! Of course it is always fun since that is where I live.
Good for you, making yourself a special Christmas dinner. I am glad it was not too bad of a day.
I’m glad it’s over – but it was a peaceful day.
It’s been awhile since I’ve visited your blog. Between the loss of my Frankie, then working hard to finish my new book coming out early next year, and the adoption of my new bundle of joy, I just lost track of things. But now that I set up all my favorite blogs in Google Reader, I should be better at keeping up.
I’m glad to have come back to your blog, Claudia. It always warms my heart with such wonderful coziness.
~Barbara
Thank you, Barbara. I owe you a visit, as well!
I think snow sounds wonderful compared to the endless gloomy rain we are getting. i am staying in today and catching up on some work. Perfect day to clean sort, and list some new finds in my shop. Tomorrow is my birthday so I will not be wanting to work then. Hope the weather turns nice for you before Friday.
Hugs,
Laura
Happy Belated Birthday, Laura. I’m sorry I didn’t wish you a Happy Birthday on the actual day, but the last few days have been rather crazy!
Claudia – Sounds like you are keeping busy. I tried to call you a couple of times yesterday to wish you a Merry Christmas but couldn’t get thru. I figured you were on the phone. Just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you!!
Talk to you soon.
Love,
Judy
I wonder why you couldn’t get through? Maybe because the circuits were busy because of the holiday? Thank you for thinking of me, Judy.
Love the colors in your afghan..The biscuits look yummy..Good luck with the weather..This is a messy week..
It sure is.
biscuit recipe please, miss claudia!! love the afghan…will those be coming to the etsy shop? so glad you have your projects before you while awaiting your man to come home from the sea. lol just went to one after Christmas sale & spent all my money on more Christmas decor (what’s wrong with me…)…. how are you loving the camera upgrade. are you already off manual? i have the canon t1i and love it too. so many questions, i’m rather chatty today. hugs a bunch, pam off to pjs & hot tea. we are at 27 today. 80s last week. Texas!
The recipe is somewhere on this blog, Pam. If you search for ‘biscuit’ I bet you could find it.
I love the camera. Since I worked on manual on my other camera, I’m already adjusting things and playing with the settings. I can’t wait to get back to it!
Oh Scout you love that soft spot. We have a pink, Poor Pier did I not only give him a girls’ name, fleese blanket I got on 70 % clearance that he loves. It had been in laundry for awhile waiting it’s turn. Brought it out last night for me but he just snuggled down and still is. How can you not let them. Piper has the same kind of hair. Very soft and fluffy and sheds alot.
Glad your day went well. A treat to talk to your mom. I felt bad that my hubby couldn’t call his but we saw her on Sunday. She said she had water (tears) when we left. She is not good either and in the nursing home.
It’s hard when you can’t talk to them on the phone anymore.
We are in a blizzard right now. Level Two…..only a couple counties in the middle of Ohio. Not sure why ours. HUbby has to drive 45 minutes to work normally. Afraid he won’t get home. I love it as long as I don’t need to get out and I won’t be.
Stay warm and safe and have fun on your trip.
xo
I hope it didn’t take your husband too long to get home, Debby! Take care!
Yay, you did it! Christmas is done and you made it. The blanket is beautiful and of course, so is Scout. Stay warm and cozy!
Thank you, Missy.
Next thing you know You will be looking back on these days.You know how time flies. Is the Cloud recipe a guarded family secret? They sure look delicious!! -Judy –
The recipe is somewhere on this blog, Judy. You can search for it on the sidebar. I have a feeling it’s just a variation on baking soda biscuits.
It sounds like you and Scout kept each other in good company this Christmas. Skype is a wonderful thing. That is how I keep in touch with my far flung family, too. Love the warm and cozy colors of the afghan you are working on.
Thank you! And thank goodness for Skype!
We didn’t get the snow after all. Thank goodness.
Brenda
We got your snow.
Scout looks pretty darn cute with that afghan!! Glad the ‘day’ is over also. Stay warm.
hugs, Linda
Thanks, Linda.
Sounds like a cozy and peaceful holiday, Claudia! So glad you were able to speak with your mother! The afghan is lovely and will obviously be well loved lol!
Thank goodness we’re used to Scout’s fluffy white dog hair everywhere.
oh the bishops wife…a favorite
Scout is adorable shedding on your lovely crochet ! :)
I love that movie, Debra.
Love the Bishop’s Wife it is on my all time favourite Christmas movie list along with The Man Who Came to Dinner and Christmas In Connecticutt.
Scout does look awfully cute. I am glad you got to talk to you mom Claudia. I did not realize Don was not with you for Christmas I hope you have a nice celebration when he gets back.
We are just getting a bit of a storm here in Southern Ontario now and I have put the Christmas madness away so tonight it is movie catch up time. I am going to cuddle up and just watch movies for a while, I need a break after the holiday crazies.
Have a lovey evening and your afghan looks lovely, wish I could crochet, I knit but never got the hang of crocheting.
hugs,
Sue
I knit too, but I find I enjoy crocheting even more. I think I’m more comfortable maneuvering the hook than the needles.
Hi Claudia,
Love to spend a cozy, lazy day, which I’m doing BUT have to go to work at 3 a.m. (crazy nurse hours). Right now everyone is snuggled in front of the fireplace. If I was your doggie, I would cuddle with that beautiful afgan too! What a cute doggie!
Oh, poor you! Going to work at 3 AM must not be easy!
Your throw is gorgeous…you’re so talented with your crocheting. I have three cats and they shed pretty badly, too. I have a comfy throw at one end of my couch that the cats love to sleep on, so I gave up and it’s now officially “theirs”. I shake out the fur outside every couple of days and then wash it every week. Your dinner sounded really good. I’m not a total vegetarian, but I do prefer to eat that way most of the time.
How far of a drive is Hartford for you?
It’s about a 2 1/2 hour drive, Melanie.
Love the throw, and your dinner sounds wonderful. Scoutie is so darn precious, how could you possibly move her–of course you couldn’t! I have dog hair everywhere, topped off with cat hair. With four dogs and two cats, it is a fact of life, but so worth it. It comes with the whole package, just like the messiness that comes with children. I wouldn’t miss it for anything, my “babies” are so very precious to me, hair and all.
I agree, Sandra!
What a beautiful throw. I can see why Scout was unable to resist.
Thank you, Dayle!
Wow! I love all the bright colors in your afghan. I, especially enjoy crocheting when there are a variety of colors. I tend to get bored when I’m working with just one or two colors. You chose a perfect project to curl up with your pup and some good old fashiond movie watching.
Sorry you are out there digging in the deep stuf. It’s pretty but inconvenient.
Be safe tomorrow as you travel to Hartford.
Blessings,
Carolynn
I like playing with color, too, Carolynn. The variation definitely keeps it interesting!
Oh I agree the colors are so pretty and your dog is adorable!!
Thank you, Alicia!
It sounds like you had a cozy, loving, delicious Christmas day … talking to loved ones, eating a scrumptuous dinner, and relaxing with your knitting and your girl Scout. Wishing you all the blessings of this season and a happy new year ahead.