Time well spent finding joy.

Today was a quiet very ordinary day filled with joy.

From the bougainvillea that is blooming in our front window, to a delicious supper, the day was filled with opportunities for me to experience joy.

Paul had a volunteer drive this morning and I enjoyed getting up and making breakfast for him, then having the house to myself.  

Lake Rosalind

Taking time to clean up and begin making supper as it is our turn to cook.

Driving to yoga and taking the time to really look at the lake and enjoy its tranquil beauty.

Finding joy how my body moves and in the beauty of the room we practice in.

In posting letters to my great niece and nephew knowing how much they enjoy these letters and in the post mistress who has noticed the regularity of my letters to Saskatchewan. 

Joy in a great cup of coffee.  

In being able to drink it at our local library and laughing with other adults as we noticed every hour library staff walk around and count (us) how many people are using the library.

At home joy in mastering how to knit socks on one needle both socks at the same time – what did we do before Youtube!

Youtube video links that I used: 

How To: Magic Loop (2aat)  

How to: Work a Gusset Heel

And finally joy in trying new recipes that everyone likes.  

Recipe link:  Crisp-Cut Chicken Pot Pie

Grandma Snyder

©2013-2019 twosnydergirls 

Myrtle Beach January 30, 2019 Cold outside

Myrtle Beach is also affected by the Arctic air that has Canada and the northern USA in a deep freeze.  Now let me be clear in Myrtle Beach we woke to frost on the roofs not a deep freeze and the high today was 49F far warmer the minus temperatures and snow.

We started our day with a wonderful breakfast fry up thanks to a small piece of ham that we did not eat yesterday, thus our big meal of the day was breakfast.  The cooler weather meant that we were not in a rush to walk the beach and we ate a leisurely breakfast.

In the early afternoon we headed for a short walk on the beach and to be honest to get some interesting photographs for you.  The sea was calm and the beach almost empty of people because of the temperature.

We were on the beach for less than 30 minutes before we were driven back to our shelter and the warmth of our heater.  Here we passed a pleasant two hours reading and enjoying being out in the fresh air.

A late afternoon nap was interrupted by the loud pounding noise of helicopter routers as the military appeared to be engaged in some type of maneuvers that included flying low over the campground. 

Our day ended warm in our Rpod listening to The Sign of the Book by John Dunning on Audible books and I knitted socks.

Grandma Snyder

©2013-2019 twosnydergirls

Latte Baby Coat free knit pattern by Lisa Chemery

With a new great niece on the way an offer was made to crochet or knit matching outfits for the yet unborn baby girls and her older brother.  Our niece looked through many free patterns on the internet and settled on Latte Baby Coat by Lisa Chemery (click the name for link to pattern).  

The pattern is on Ravelry and an account is required to access all patterns, this is not an difficult process and there are amazing free patterns.

The pattern is clear and well written.  I did Youtube how to do the Woven Basket Stitch there are many to choose from here is the link that I used. 

The pattern called for four button we went with two and we used the weave to create the button hole.

Grandma Snyder

Free Cable Knit Dog Sweater Pattern

This is a Drops Design pattern #102 -43 

Click here to be linked with the pattern

This pattern worked up quickly and was easy to follow.

We doubled the length of the turtle neck and added 4 inches on to the end of the sweater so that it would fit our granddog Toaster.

We would recommend that if you are going to make this dog sweater that you create a 5 stitch button hole at the center back at the end of the turtle neck in the row prior to starting the cable.

We did not do this and our son asked that a hole be made for the lead to attach to the dog collar, so we cut and stitched a hole into the sweater – that was a few tense moments.

We are very happy with the result and recommend this free pattern by Drops.

Grandma Snyder

©2013-2017 twosnydergirls

Vacation Knitting

Being one of those people who does not get car sick I use the time to knit. 

Our trip to Saskatchewan was just such a trip.

While in Myrtle Beach SC Carla purchased a Top This kit from Knit and Purl .

It was Great Aunt Marjorie's job to knit it.

And as you can see Luke not only has a winter hat he has a new stuffy to play with.

If you are looking for a quick and easy hat I recommend this one.


  





The average price online for the kit is $10.00.

This is not a paid endorsement it is my opinion.

Grandma Snyder

©2013-2015 twosnydergirls

Knitting the Temperature 2015

May 2015

May

The wind is tossing the lilacs,

The new laugh in the sun,

And the petals fall on the orchard wall,

But for me the spring is done.

Beneath the apple blossoms

I go a wintry way,

For love that smiled in April

Is false to me in May

~ Sara Teasdate

Grandma Snyder

©2013-2015 twosnydergirls

Knitting the Temperature

April 2015

Having returned to Southern Ontario in April 2015 you can see the temperatures were much colder than those we had in Myrtle Beach South Carolina, nothing above 19°C/66°F and many days the temperature did not get above 6°C/43°F.   Just a reminder I am knitting the temperature at 2:00 pm each day.

“April is the cruelest month, breeding lilacs out of the dead land, mixing memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain.” 

T.S. Eliot, The Waste Land

Grandma Snyder

©2013-2015 twosnydergirls

Knitting the Temperature

March 2015

We need to be totally honest with everyone in March we drove south to Myrtle Beach South Carolina and so the very cold day (dark magenta) followed by a day that was just below freezing (dark blue) and so on.  The weather was great in Myrtle Beach because there was no snow the temperature was secondary really.  

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.  Charles Dickens

Grandma Snyder

©2013-2015 twosnydergirls

10 Favourite Online Dish Cloth Patterns

Here are my ten favourite free Dish Cloth Patterns on the internet.

This is a fun lace dish cloth to make.  I have made six of these out of different colours and then ties them up to look like flowers and included in a housewarming gift

Click here to be directed to Rhonda's website and the pattern

This is my go to pattern when I want to use up my stash of yarn ends, now don't cheat just use the colours you have the results are fun and tell you a great deal about the colours you work with.

Click here to be directed to the Bernat Chrysanthemum pattern

I used this pattern when I am teaching short row knitting and I like the feel of this cloth.  Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain pattern is easy to follow.

Click here to be directed to the Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain Picot Swirl dishcloth pattern 

This is a great scrubbing dishcloth I used twine for the ruffles which made a great pot scrubbing dishcloth

Click here to be directed to Nake-id Knits Really Fierce Dishcloth pattern  

This is my go to dishcloth when I want to give homemade dishcloths as a gift.  At Christmas I use red instead of the white and at Easter a pastel colour.

Click here to be directed to Whiskers & Wool Simple Stripes Dishcloth

This is the fastest dishcloth to make up and a great project for new knitters to work on.

Click here to be directed to Groovy Mom Crafty Idiot's Dishcloth pattern

Again this is one of my teaching go to dishcloths.  Yarnspirations has a well written pattern to work with.

Click here to be directed to Yarnspirations Celtic Cables Dishcloth

Mary Ann's Washcloth while not a dishcloth it is my favourite washcloth to take camping.  Everyone gets one and after using they hang it up on the clothesline where it dries for the next use.

Click here to be directed to Mary Ann Borden-Neary's Washcloth pattern.

Here is another great dishcloth pattern from Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.  If you use a yarn with texture it makes a great scrubbing dishcloth

Click here to be directed to Foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains Tulip Stitch Dishcloth

And I have saved the one I like the best for last, the Scrubby Posey from Yarnsipiration reminders of my grandmother's home.

Click here to be directed to Yarnsipiration Scrubby Posey pattern

Grandma Snyder

©2013-2015 twosnydergirls

Knitting the Sky 2014

Happy New Year !

With the end of 2014 comes the completion of my Knit the Sky Scarf 

I have enjoyed this adventure with you so much so that I am going to knit the sky in 2015, not a scarf I think I will knit a throw.  I am going to knit a scarf though this time it will be the highest temperature each day in 2015.  This year long knitting project is the brain child of 

and I encourage you to visit their site for even more knitting ideas, just click on their logo.

Through out this monthly series  I have included pieces of Percy Shelly's poem The Cloud here it is in the entirety. 

The Cloud

BY PERCY SHELLEY   

 I bring fresh showers for the thirsting flowers, 

         From the seas and the streams;

I bear light shade for the leaves when laid
         In their noonday dreams.
From my wings are shaken the dews that waken
         The sweet buds every one,
When rocked to rest on their mother's breast,
         As she dances about the sun.
I wield the flail of the lashing hail,
         And whiten the green plains under,
And then again I dissolve it in rain,
         And laugh as I pass in thunder.
   I sift the snow on the mountains below,
         And their great pines groan aghast;
And all the night 'tis my pillow white,
         While I sleep in the arms of the blast.
Sublime on the towers of my skiey bowers,
         Lightning my pilot sits;
In a cavern under is fettered the thunder,
         It struggles and howls at fits;
Over earth and ocean, with gentle motion,
         This pilot is guiding me,
Lured by the love of the genii that move
         In the depths of the purple sea;
Over the rills, and the crags, and the hills,
         Over the lakes and the plains,
Wherever he dream, under mountain or stream,
         The Spirit he loves remains;
And I all the while bask in Heaven's blue smile,
         Whilst he is dissolving in rains.
   The sanguine Sunrise, with his meteor eyes,
         And his burning plumes outspread,
Leaps on the back of my sailing rack,
         When the morning star shines dead;
As on the jag of a mountain crag,
         Which an earthquake rocks and swings,
An eagle alit one moment may sit
         In the light of its golden wings.
And when Sunset may breathe, from the lit sea beneath,
         Its ardours of rest and of love,
And the crimson pall of eve may fall
         From the depth of Heaven above,
With wings folded I rest, on mine aëry nest,
         As still as a brooding dove.
   That orbèd maiden with white fire laden,
         Whom mortals call the Moon,
Glides glimmering o'er my fleece-like floor,
         By the midnight breezes strewn;
And wherever the beat of her unseen feet,
         Which only the angels hear,
May have broken the woof of my tent's thin roof,
         The stars peep behind her and peer;
And I laugh to see them whirl and flee,
         Like a swarm of golden bees,
When I widen the rent in my wind-built tent,
         Till calm the rivers, lakes, and seas,
Like strips of the sky fallen through me on high,
         Are each paved with the moon and these.
   I bind the Sun's throne with a burning zone,
         And the Moon's with a girdle of pearl;
The volcanoes are dim, and the stars reel and swim,
         When the whirlwinds my banner unfurl.
From cape to cape, with a bridge-like shape,
         Over a torrent sea,
Sunbeam-proof, I hang like a roof,
         The mountains its columns be.
The triumphal arch through which I march
         With hurricane, fire, and snow,
When the Powers of the air are chained to my chair,
         Is the million-coloured bow;
The sphere-fire above its soft colours wove,
         While the moist Earth was laughing below.
   I am the daughter of Earth and Water,
         And the nursling of the Sky;
I pass through the pores of the ocean and shores;
         I change, but I cannot die.
For after the rain when with never a stain
         The pavilion of Heaven is bare,
And the winds and sunbeams with their convex gleams
         Build up the blue dome of air,
I silently laugh at my own cenotaph,
         And out of the caverns of rain,
Like a child from the womb, like a ghost from the tomb,
         I arise and unbuild it again.

Grandma Snyder

©2013-2015 twosnydergirls

Knitting the Sky

   October 2014

That orbèd maiden with white fire laden,

         Whom mortals call the Moon,

Glides glimmering o'er my fleece-like floor,

         By the midnight breezes strewn;

And wherever the beat of her unseen feet,

         Which only the angels hear,

May have broken the woof of my tent's thin roof,

         The stars peep behind her and peer;

And I laugh to see them whirl and flee,

         Like a swarm of golden bees,

When I widen the rent in my wind-built tent,

         Till calm the rivers, lakes, and seas,

Like strips of the sky fallen through me on high,

         Are each paved with the moon and these.

Excerpt from The Cloud by Percy Bysshe Shelley

October provided what felt like equal amounts of sun and cloud, yet in most of the pictures that I took show cloud cover and the knitting would also support a very cloudy month.

Knitting the Sky is the creative genius of Leafcutter Designs.

Click here to visit this website

The Yarn used is from Docknits in Port Elgin Ontario

Click here to visit this website

As we come to the last few months of 2014 if you are thinking about knitting the sky in 2015 all you need to do purchase your yarn, look up and pick up your knitting needles.

Grandma Snyder

©2013-2014 twosnydergirls