SNEAK PEEK ALONG WITH AN UNPLANNED HAPPY COINCIDENCE

Temperature Blanket yarns have all arrived and been caked up.  

Now to get caught up for 2 1/2 months on Temperature Blanket.

You are looking at the month of Dec. 2021 where I wanted to start this blanket.

The city temperature is based at our cabin in Crestline, Ca.,

and taken at 12 p.m. noon everyday.

This is usually the highest temp during the daytime hours there.

The first of Dec. was a bit on the warmer side (low 80's) 

seen in the light cream on very edge ,

and then dropped a bit (high 70's) to the yellow (Chickie Masla).

 By 3rd of Dec. the temps quickly dropped down into the 60's and a few 50's,

with several days in-between in the 70's.

Needless to say a fairly warm December.

The Peace Fleece Yarn has a bit of a stiff hand

 so I upped the size of the crochet hook from an "H" that was recommended to a "J".

It's helped a bit but still a little denser feeling then I was hoping for.

The yarn is supposed to soften a bit after a gentle warm bath at the end.

I was also told by yarn store owner at Buku Yarns in LaVerne, Ca.

to add lots of extra lanolin in the rinse for softness.

But I'm so enjoying the tweed -like color changes and textures in all the yarns.

Plus the size "J" hook gives it a bit of an open lacy vibe.

Working on 2 separate projects right now.

The pair of socks for Jim (just turned the heel on first one)

and this blanket where I'm averaging about 6 rows of crochet a nite.

The happy coincidence happened after the first several nights of crocheting.

After finishing up one night I left the blanket on the couch 

and the next morning realized that the colors I picked to work with 

are almost identical to the colors in the painting above the couch.

Crazy, right?

My husband and I were so surprised because it was totally unplanned.

So now we know where it will end up when finished. 

Right now it's helping to keep the chill off in the evenings while working on it.

Our pup is enjoying it too!

What a life, huh?

LOL

If you are wondering about the painting,

it is an original oil that Jim purchased before I knew him,

one of his favorite pieces in the house.

It's such a stunning piece and I so admire the artist's loose style.

I guess I'm been looking and crafting under it for a good 10 years now.

Guessing the colors have penetrated my sub-conscious.

You are seeing only 7 of the 12 colors chosen.

Looking forward to incorporating the rest when the weather calls for them.

So far a super fun and exciting project

that's totally controlled by the weather.

AN UNEXPECTED VALENTINE

Our little poochy Sophie Jean 

got into my school basket when I got home from school on Valentine' Day 

and swiped my Valentine bear that was given to me by 8th grader Itzel Huerta.

She carried it around all night long and wouldn't give it back.

I think she thought it was her long lost child   Ha!

She slept with it that nite and has been keeping it near since she pulled it out of my basket.

And she keeps pushing on its belly thinking there might be a squeaker inside.

Love at first sight.

Sorry Itsel.

BEATING THE HEAT

Ahhhh, a nice cool wet towel.

Thanks Daddy!

We've been sweltering this July.

90's & 100's with some serious humidity.

I feel most sorry for the animals who have to stay outdoors.

Luckily,

 our little pooch here,

Sophie,

has air conditioning most of the time,

except when she's hanging out with us in the garage here.

Then it's wet towel time.

PHOTO SHOOT

What a doll!

Poses like a champ.

Sophie is entering middle age, 

just recently turning 6 years old,

and she's starting to slow down a bit.

I attribute it to her hearty appetite.

Her dad feeds her a little too much from his own plate while I'm at work,

even though he knows he shouldn't, 

which has added a good 10 pounds to her frame.

So I take her jogging with me before we go to bed.

She is posing here with her favorite Xmas toy from two years ago,

her soft,

 squeaky cow.

She is so smart and has figured out where all 6 of the squeakers are,

and is the best dog I have ever had.

JIM, 

stop feeding her!!

There's a New Girl in Town

And her name is Mia, 

Mia Love.

Part Jack Russel and part Pit Bull, 

also known as a Bull Terrier, 

and one of the sweetest,

 most gentle dogs I've ever met.

Her owner is Chris Love, our good friend from up on the mountain who just built and finished the inside of our barn.

He's down to build us new wood stairs in our home, 

and man oh man are they looking good!

It's taken a day but our dogs have finally called a truce and are actually interacting in a nice way.

Going so far as to play tug of war over my legs. 

Well, 

mostly Sophie is doing all the tugging. 

Mia is just being very stoic and patient as Soph tries her best to get her squeaky toy back.

LOL

They are cracking me up!

Puppy Love

A Dog's Life

As Jim and I are working our butts up up at the cabin, Sophie is snoozing the day away in the lap of luxury.

But at night she becomes super guard dog when the skunks and raccoons are traipsing across our front deck. 

Go, Sophie go!

It Gets Mighty Cold in Them There Mountains

SOPHIE UPDATE

Our little petunia lets us wrap her up good when the nights get cold at the cabin.

It was 87 up there today, unusally hot but tonight it's dropping to 60.

Thank goodness because we have no air up there yet.

This pix was taken last month when it was still dropping down into the 30's and 40's at night.

All Dressed Up with No Place To Go

Sophie loves to wear her jackets. 

This is her very stylish rain coat she got for Xmas but we've had very little rain for her to go out in.

But we still like to play "dress up".

Looking very svelte Soph!

From Pampered Pooch to Mountain Dog

Our sweet little girl is getting the lay of the land up top on our mountain.  This is the first time we've let her hair grow out this long, hoping it will kept her well insulated in the cooler climate.

Sadly, it's been a rather warm winter.

Here's hoping for more rain and snow, got my fingers crossed.

Got to get us out of this drought.

The Holidays Leading Up to Christmas...

down below in Yorba Linda at the Agrums, where Inars cooks us an amazing Prime Rib for Thanksgiving,

and it's just us the 5 of us this year, plus Bogie and Lily.  

Delicious!

Then up to the mountains at the Sposas cabin in Crestline to turn that left over Rib into an ugly but scrumptious soup  LOL

Prepping the cabin for the coming snow storm by climbing up onto the roof on a really scary ladder to get the leaves and pine needles off.  Jim wanted to go up to do this but I wouldn't let him.   Jim says the leaves hold moisture on the roof, not good.  

I have so much to learn  :) I'm just a beach girl  LOL

The night of the lighting of the Xmas tree at our Lake Gregory with the locals.  We are finding the everyone is so friendly and kind up on the mountain.  

And check out Princess Sophie in her new, snugly coat, she loves the cold and snow!

Then bringing up my kids to the rain and snow, with a pix on Santa's lap, and decorating the sweet little pine tree in our front yard.

Teaching Dani to light her first fire from recycle, pinecones and kindling, and doing some brain teasers before bed.

Driving around like a maniac in my Mini Paceman loaner car, and just enjoying my babies!

And of course a stop off at Trinket Traders to show my kids my selling space, and making them pose next to it.  Mommmmmmmmmmm...

Now just waiting for Santa to come.

Burrr....

it's cold up here on the mountain, 

but ahh, mommy lite a fire and now it's just right!

I'm going on a two week Holiday Break, but will be trying to keep up with my posting, so please stay tuned  :)

Happy Thanksgiving

Just snuggling and chillin' for a bit up on the mountain...

and watching the leaves drop

I'll be back on Monday Dec. 2

Check Out Our New Ride...

with Sophie Jean at the helm  LOL

This our our new and greatly used 1991 Jeep Wrangler with 4 wheel drive for the snow.  Jim hasn't taught me yet how to 4 wheel, but I'm looking forward to it.  Not so happy about having to learn how to put chains on :(  No heater or air, no radio or music system, only plastic zip up windows, lots of rust and wear, but we are loving it.   Sophie too :) 

Princess Sophie...

snuggled in at the cabin.  She's loving being a mountain dog, sitting on the couch with us in front of the fire and snoozing the night away.  And she's getting braver every time we go up, exploring the surrounding lots.  It's a whole new world to sniff.

Please Mommy, Don't Go

Started my 34th year teaching art at Whitney High today, and this is the face I get in the morning as I walk out the door.  Breaks my heart.  :( 

Notice Sophie Jean's neck wear.  Two leather tags that Jim tooled her name onto and a copper heart that I made and stamped her initials onto. 

Happy Father's Day To All the Dads in My Life

To Vinnie Sposa, head of the familia, you are the most handsome, wonderful father-in-law a girl could hope for.  Miss and love you and we will be there soon.

To Jimmy Sposa, my love, and the greatest Pop-Pop with his grand babies.  They adore you, wonder why?  LOL

Jim, you are the best father to all our children, always giving of your time, and helping our kids out at the drop of a hat.  Here you are under your son James' car helping him drop the trannie...

sharing your many musical talents with Zach, and encouraging him to play... 

waiting so patiently and never complaining as we shop for Dani's college gear...

attending all our special functions...

entertaining your grand doggies...

enjoying and hanging out with your beautiful daughter Julie whenever you can...

and taking excellent care of our baby Sophie.  Thank you sweetheart!

James, not only are you the most gorgeous stepson with the healing hands (he's our physical therapist at Ando Aston in Anaheim Hills), but you are an amazing daddy to your children (you take after your dad), and an excellent cook to boot (from your grandma or Giada? certainly not your dad  LOL).

And our Julie's husband Mike, we are especially proud of the man you are, a loving and attentive husband to Jul, a wonderful son to your folks Mary Ann and Joe, and a great father to your daughter Aleah.  May you continue to make your mark with the Orange County Sheriff's Dept.  They have a gem in you, and they know it!  You are their rising superstar!

And  to Inars Agrums, father to our children together, you are the best daddy, always there for them, supportive, hard working, and the best "ex" a girl could ask for  LOL

And you are also the best caretaker for all Dani's animals, Bogie, Lily and Yeezy.  But don't let her talk you into anymore!  LOL

Happy Father's Day to All.  Love you Boys!!!!