Weekend Coffee Share; A Week before Christmas!

On December 19, 2020December 19, 2020 By DianaIn Living life, weekend coffee share29 Comments

*Welcome to my weekend coffee share where we share what’s been happening in our lives with old friends and new!*

I am enjoying a nice hot cup of coffee with my favorite creamer, sweet Italian cream. Would you like coffee or a cup of tea? Maybe ice tea for those enjoying summer right now? I can’t believe in less than a week it is Christmas! WOW! This month is flying by at record speed. I am in a happy place getting most of my shopping done and I even managed to mail out some Christmas cards. I only receive a handful these days and they are fun to receive. I have some nice cards I was gifted from my daughter (ones she bought and never mailed) that I used. I enjoyed sending the cards, fun to write a little something and send on their way. I have friends/family that do the photo’s as Christmas cards which are so special and I love to receive each year. Maybe one of these years I’ll do the photo cards!

I was hoping to get more fingerless mittens made and I already have given a few away as gifts. I have a lot of yarn so I can make a bunch of them and I think will sell at the local craft fair. Or, I can really get my act together, keep stitching and have them all ready to mail out to family next Christmas. I will share what I have completed so far.

*Here are the four colors of yarn I bought. Now you can see the blue gloves are really blue!*

*One more burgundy to stitch up and I’ll have four complete sets. I have already sent one set to my daughter-in-law. I hope she likes them!*

*I think lighting is everything as this photo I’ve shared before and that is the blue glove from above! BUT it totally looks grey! I took this photo at night with just a lamp on nearby. Crazy!*

I forgot to offer you something to go along with your coffee? I have some fresh bananas, just thinking healthy as I am planning on baking cookies next weekend. I can’t bring cookies or baked items to work as they don’t want any food sharing. Understandable, so I thought I would wait and bake with my daughter when she arrives for Christmas. I really want to bake sugar cookies, maybe some different flavored ones and get creative. I’ve been watching a lot of baking challenge shows and one of them is the Christmas Cookie Challenges and they make cookies that have all that elaborate icing. I have a bunch of horse cookie cutters and I thought it would be fun to decorate them and then hand them out to the ladies at the stables. I am a complete neophyte to Christmas decorating on this scale. I watch them as they make a border, then flood the cookies, then decorate wet on wet. Just some of the terms I see them do as I watch some amazing decorating!

It looks like great fun and I thought what better way to practice but on horse sugar cookies! Maybe I will make some lemon sugar cookies or cinnamon (like snickerdoodles) pecan sounds good too. I could make chocolate cookies for the darker shades for the horses. Oh I have so many ideas! Haha, I am getting excited to bake!! I can’t think of a good segue into my next subject which I am so passionate about and I have some new photos (I have so many photos on my phone, it’s just crazy!) but I feel like documenting these beautiful horses as they age and fill my days with so much joy and pleasure. I don’t have many photos of them in the small pasture they have at the barn. They enjoy being out together so I thought I would share! 😀

*This is a small pasture that we are not allowed to work them in, they are just out there to eat or run around on their own!*

Zack is in need of a new haircut. He is already growing in his coat and so I plan on clipping it again. You can see the lines where I leave the hair along the top of his back and his legs. Its called a trace clip.

Today was farrier day, they needed their hoofs trimmed. At one time they both wore horse shoes, but not any more. With their age and arthritis issues there is no need to have horse shoes. Instead of shoes, Zack has trail boots I put on if needed. Chloe’s leg issues are so bad that the farrier can’t pick up her right back leg. She has an old injury (broken stifle, it is a hairline fracture that is healed and lots of scar tissue has formed). It truly is amazing Chloe gets around as well as she does. She is lucky to be alive, as there is no way she would survive surgery on that huge joint as she is a big girl. (The stifle of a horse is equivalent to our knees, so this is her knee joint. A devastating injury, but she protects that leg and is thriving.) Anyways, it was a great day at the stables, beautiful sunny warm day! Here is a few more photos!

*Miss Chloe is such a sweetheart. She is chewing as I gave her a treat!*

*Goofy Zack is so inquisitive and l* LOVE *how he expresses himself! Do you have a treat for me? Haha!*

*Usually the grass is very green, but it dies off a bit in the winter months. It will green up when spring arrives.*

My horses, which I love to call “my ponies” live up in the barn. These were the only open stalls and I am actually really liking them because I know they are sheltered from the wind and rain. Some of the horses at this stables are nervous being up in the pasture because it is away from the paddocks. I’m so thankful Zack and Chloe do really well up in the small pasture since their stalls are nearby. My horses live across from each other way up where the aisle starts on this pretty red barn! My ponies are out in the pasture when I took the photo. You can make out a white horse Zack and Chloe is there but she is hard to see! She is standing at the gate if you click on photo and zoom in. Haha!

Thanks for having coffee with me today and I will end with one last Christmas photo. The tree we bought has lights that change colors, so I took another photo with the colored lights! So pretty! I hope you all have a wonderful, beautiful Christmas! I know many, many zoom and video chats will be held to keep us as close as we can be with family! ❤ ❤ ❤

Enjoying the holidays, Cowgirl loving Grandma!

~Diana ❤

Thank you Eclecticalli for hosting our coffee share link up! Click here to visit!

My Weekly Smile; Nov. 19, 2020

On November 19, 2020 By DianaIn blogging, weekly smile17 Comments

*Welcome to my weekly smile! Isn’t my grandson cute? Haha, this makes me giggle!*

I am enjoying this week and wanted to share a smile post. I thought this photo was so funny and couldn’t find a place to share and thought this smile post would be perfect! So silly, but how can you not smile! What makes you smile, are you having a good week? It’s almost the weekend, that should be something to smile about!

I am enjoying my second week at my new job. I am now on the swing shift schedule which is going well. My sleep is great which was the goal of making this change, but my eating patterns are all over the place. The way I ate working night shift was rather strange, so it is all I can do to figure out how much food I want to eat and at what time. May sound strange but I was use to eating only 2 meals a day, may not be the healthiest but my sleep and work hours makes 3 meals a day almost impossible before. I never ate at work, so that was part of the problem. Now, I am to take a 30 minute lunch on swing shift, so I have brought a sandwich with chips to just snacks. I’ll figure this all out eventually! I am happy and smiling at my new hours!

*I received baby Yoda as a good bye gift from one of my employees. He fits in with all my crochet Star Wars figures! I need to make more!*

I thanked yet again the young man that worked for me at my old job for the gift he got me as he knows I love Star Wars. I sent him this photo and I thought I would share as I just love my little community of Star Wars figures. I have given away many of my crochet figures and need to make more. I am currently making fingerless mittens and if I can make enough of them I wanted to send to family for Christmas. I am a little late getting them stitched together but they stitch up fast, so I’ll see what I can make. After that I will make more Star Wars figures. They are so fun to make! 😀

I really wanted to share a smile post this week and this is going to be fairly short. I say, short and sweet! I need to make a little lunch and then make a sandwich for dinner at work. Haha, here I go again trying to figure out food! I am really happy to be worrying about something like my diet and food instead of all the stress of my old job. Being the supervisor at my old job was really stressful, so much to worry about and 9 employees to deal with! I am a happy camper!

I’ll end by saying I am having enough time each morning to tend to my ponies. I am having to sleep later because I go to bed late but that’s to be expected. I am giving myself a break this week as I know everything will fall into place as the weeks go by. Sometimes it seems like weeks have gone by, and then I remember it’s only my second week! Crazy year!! I hope you have lots of smiles this week. Looking forward to the weekend. 😀

Smiling, crochet loving Grandma,

~Diana ❤

My Weekly Smile; Aug. 12, 2020

On August 12, 2020 By DianaIn Walking for Health and Well being, weekly smile12 Comments

*Welcome to my weekly smile! What made you smile this week?*

I was in a hurry when I took this sunrise photo as I was on my morning walk and stopped quickly to take the shot. I decided to use my app on my phone as I exercised. The app is always tracking my walks but I decided to click on the walk tab and have it start and track my walk. This is all new to me so it counted me down and start. Then when I stopped to take this photo, it said pause exercise. So I quickly snapped it and started moving again and it resumed. It told me when I was half way, and encouraged me when I was almost home! Haha, I did not walk alone this morning with my phone talking to me along the way. 😀

When I got home I got 6 awards from my app. I had bested my walks in many ways which was my goal when I set out. You see, I have been walking for a long time but when I was visiting my daughter last time some light bulbs went off as we jogged a little and then she was showing me how people power walk. I don’t like to jog, but have added a bit of this to my walks to raise my heart rate and I am walking much faster power walking up hills which also raises my heart rate. I guess in the past I was walking but not thinking how can I get in better shape? what can I do to get more out of my walks? I am doing this now!

I thought I would share one of my rewards as it makes me Smile! 😀

My daughter has used these kinds of apps and she was saying they are good but when you run or get out there and can’t perform like you normally do or you do not get better like you thought you would, it can also be disappointing to see the numbers on your app. I get that, there is always good things and bad things when tracking what you do but for me as I get moving to improve my walking it is fun to see the progress! I will continue to use it for awhile. 😀

I am smiling from ear to ear because I can get this pretty baby blanket in the mail. It is nice and pink for the baby girl of a dear friend. She has two boys and is so excited for her baby daughter due in September. I have one more baby blanket to make and am not sure what I am going to do, still thinking about that. They are super FUN to create and all my crafting helps keep me sane and relaxed. It really is a stress reliever!

Thank you for visiting my smile post this week. I want to continue my walking and if I can pick up my pace, my next step is to add miles. I am really motivated and hope I can reach my goals. Have a great rest of your week. 😀

Smiling, exercising Gal –

~Diana ❤

My Weekly Smile; June 30, 2020

On June 30, 2020 By DianaIn blogging, weekly smile15 Comments

I can’t believe three weeks have passed and in my head it seems like maybe just a week maybe two at the most have gone by as I’ve been meaning to get my smile post written. I did take a bit of a blogging break, just needed to clear my head and before my eyes the weeks slip by. I mentioned I injured my knee in another post and I now know that it is most likely from riding my horses. I am having to take a break from riding the next few weeks as it heals, so I am working a lot on my crochet project. I am smiling as I see some good improvement on my knee. I think its just a ligament sprain.

I am also wanting to thank you all so very much for liking and following my blog! I received this the other day, I thought a rather random number but since I don’t look or track these things on my blog it was a nice surprise! 😀

This is the first time I have received this congratulations and again, it is ALL OF YOU that made this possible. I just think it’s a funny number! Why not wait until I hit 1,500 Likes? or give me a congrats at 1,000 Likes? BUT This put a HUGE SMILE on my face. Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Ya’ll made my day! 😀 😀 😀

I am more than half way through this baby quilt. I thought I would share as it makes me smile. I think it looks pretty in pink for a sweet baby girl due in September. It is so fun to create these projects and I can do them pretty fast.

*These are long gone, missing my roses blooming! They will bloom again one day!*

These are very small tea roses. I have two tea rose bushes and this one finally bloomed like crazy this year. Its a much more vibrant pink than the other tea rose which is a lighter gentler pink. I do not have any more blooms, kind of missing my roses. I am waiting for my tomatoes to ripen. I will go check on them after I finish this post. I think they are just starting to turn red. I read that I can pick them before they are totally red and they will finish ripening on my counter. I don’t want a bunch of bugs to get them before I can pick them. I just have one tomato plant and I think I can manage eating all the tomatoes it provides! I am smiling all the way to my bounty of salads I will be eating in the near future! Haha, does that even make sense? 😀 What makes you smile? Thank you so much for visiting my smile post this week!

Feeling good about sharing and smiling!

~Diana ❤

Weekend Coffee Share; Summer is Here!

On June 20, 2020 By DianaIn Living life, weekend coffee share14 Comments

**Weekend Coffee share is a time for us to take a break out of our busy lives and enjoy some time catching up with friends (old and new). Please grab a cup of coffee or tea and share with us!**

She is clothed with strength and dignity
and laughs without fear of the future
                                                    ❤ Proverbs 31:25

I am sitting here enjoying my cup of coffee reflecting back to all the summers that have come and gone. Boy, has there been a lot of summers. Haha, I am getting old (but feel young) and don’t really want to count them all but I will say I usually have really fun summers. We live where in the summer it gets a bit hot but honestly, you can’t beat the weather here in Southern California. There is no humidity and we are close enough to the ocean that the nights cool off really well. There is a lot to do in the summer if you have the time. I am not retired, so I have to take vacation days to enjoy any extra days off to explore or enjoy weekend retreats. 😀

As I am finishing my coffee, may I get you something as we sit outside enjoying the cool morning? We are still in June and so we usually get a lot of marine layer that rolls in and keeps us cool. Us locals call June “June gloom” Haha, it is very welcoming as it is the last of the cool weather as we approach July. I am feeling more confident each day I see all the tomatoes growing in my container. I am watching a lot of Youtube videos learning lots about tomato gardening. I didn’t realize there is so much to this to get the best out of your plant and fruit! I have grown before, but my plants were tiny with barely any tomatoes. I am learning a lot this year!

I think it is fun to learn about gardening. I think container gardening is a great way to start, plus I don’t have to worry about gophers and I do not have any other critters that climb into my containers. My girlfriend who lives in a different area, about 15 miles from where I live planted veggies in a couple of containers last year and once the plants started to sprout up (she started with seedlings) something jumped into her containers and ate everything that she tried to grow! Maybe ground squirrels? She never saw the critters but needless to say she gave up after several attempts. She ended up giving me her containers. She is having better luck with fruit trees! How is your coffee? or can I get you something else? The sun is still not out, very overcast today.

*A combo photo, place mats are complete and started another baby blanket that is pink!*

I loved crocheting these pretty pastel placemats for my daughter. They are like doilies all connected only not as tiny as real doilies. They will be cute on her table in her apartment. I also am starting another sweet dreams baby blanket and this time it is for a girl! I just love this pattern and it stitches together quickly and I LOVE seeing how it comes together in a different color. So many babies this year!! This really eases my stress being able to create and make all my crochet fun creations. I thought I would share my latest projects.

I must say as we sit and chat enjoying this cool morning that my emotions and thoughts are all over the place. We are trying to figure out the best way to move to Arizona and oh my goodness, this is not going to be an easy thing to do at all. I find myself feeling anxious because this all takes time, and I feel like a little kid wanting answers and decisions right NOW! But that’s not how this is going to work, we need to take it one day at a time. SO I waffle back and forth with, screw this idea, this is HARD – to I can’t wait to move to where cost of living will be better and I will be close to family and friends in AZ and feeling excited. Holy Smokes! I need to think about our future as we age! Shoot…. I find the process frustrating. And that’s all I will share about this subject right now. Thought it would make me feel better sharing, haha, its just tough to know what will be best for us and our future. On to what I know makes me smile and keeps me sane! 😀

*Little patches of grass are delicious! Haha!*

Chloe and Zack running lose in the arena for exercise! Pretty ponies!

Oh my goodness! This day is so exciting! I FINALLY figured out how to upload a video! I am so silly. I have been trying and trying and finally found on the editor I am using the video icon. I take a lot of videos so ya’ll beware! You might being seeing a lot more of these. I have trail rides to share too. I get so EXCITED over silly things but I have been wanting to share videos of my horses for a very long time. (I am embarrassed to say how long, haha, I’m so happy I finally figured it out). I hope it plays correctly when I publish for everyone. All I can do is try and see if this works!! YAY!

Thanks for joining me for coffee this weekend. I showed you my tiny garden and enjoyed sharing my craft projects. We then chatted about the future, what is in your future plans? And finally we drove just over a mile to the stables as I turned out the ponies! I had so much fun with ya’ll!

Have a wonderful weekend!

~Diana ❤

Weekend Coffee Share; Keeping Busy!

On April 20, 2020 By DianaIn Barn stories, Living life, weekend coffee share15 Comments

This last weekend came and went like a whirlwind for me and I so wanted to participate in the Weekend Coffee Share and decided to call this the weekend wrap up. At this point it may be a little late to offer you coffee and for me it is lunch here. Can I get you some Ice Tea? or maybe some lemonade? I am a tea drinker and prefer tea over lemonade, or maybe we can mix it and make it an Arnold Palmer!! I ate breakfast so it will have to be lunch, sandwich with potato salad for me, can I make you the same? Sounds yummy. 😀

I wanted to share some photos as I always do and I also am going to just go through my weekend and the fun I had as you know I am always mixing it up with my crafting and horse back riding. The first photo is of a project I am working on for my sister. I am thinking of making a bunch of these as gifts as they stitch together easily and I am so happy I finished one! On to the second one, after I tie up and stitch in the ends! They come in a pair! SO FUN! 😀

*Finger-less mittens. I know it’s Spring now, but they will come in handy this next winter!*

I also finished another baby blanket for my nephew and his wife. Their baby is due in May. Here is a photo, look familiar? I made the same one for my grandson, only I chose a different blue so no two are alike, that’s how I roll! I have to personalize them. This baby blanket stitches up fast. So fast I may make more in different colors and sell them at the local craft fair!

*I used a baby blue for baby Teddy (my grandson). I Love this too! Lots of boys this year adding to the family tree!*

I stitch at home in the afternoons before I have to sleep. Since I work night shift I need to have some down time so I crochet while I watch some TV. Usually I am watching recorded cooking shows, I am really into them and like the competition shows the best. I feel like an old lady saying that, but oh well, I’m probably an old lady! HAHA! I watch other shows too…. some news but that gets old after awhile and there’s other recorded drama shows my hubby and I watch together. Holy smokes, how did I get on that subject! So silly. On to my weekend, and I really wanted to share a few photos from my trail ride. 😀

*My best friend on Gracie, the chestnut and I am riding Miss Chloe and ponying Zack!*

We were heading back to the barn when another best friend was heading out and saw us and stopped and took a couple of photos of us coming in and I am so thankful for these photos as I am terrible about asking someone to take them of me riding! AND we have our masks on too, so it will be our photos to look back on during a pandemic! CRAZY DAYS! Our friends at the stables call each other pony sister’s, so Thank You Jane, my pony sister for these wonderful photos. ❤

*Zack looks like he’s thinking, are we done now? We went for a longer ride so I think he is tired!*

*I gave Chloe a bath after my ride this weekend! She is SO SWEET!!*

After our ride I cleaned up Zack and put him away and then gave Miss Chloe a bath. I really need to give Zack a bath and am waiting until it warms up this week. By Thursday it will be in the 90’s (32 Celsius) so I will give him a bath then as he takes longer to dry. His coat isn’t as short as Chloe’s and I would like it to be nice and warm for him since he is a bit older.

As I wrap this up I have all these thoughts running through my head. I usually try hard to write my blog with a theme, whether it be my horses, or my family or sometimes just my crafting. I think I’ve mixed my crafting and horses often as I do take the most photos of these two things. I am finding that my mind is kind of all over the place, probably because our every day lives are a bit tenuous, and that is probably an understatement. I want to stay positive and keep this post about the weekend, I think you all won’t mind. 😀

These two brothers are just amazing to me. How can you not say – AWWW! Sending my hugs like these two kitties, from my house to yours!

Happy thoughts, Happy Loving Cowgirl,

~Diana

My Weekly Smile; Rain and Crochet!

On March 10, 2020 By DianaIn blogging, Living life, Projects, weekly smile15 Comments

Rain, lots and lots of rain! It is pouring outside right now and I am enjoying the sound of the rain as it comes down on the roof. BUT rain and my outdoor activities do not mix that well. My horses don’t mind but I mind the muddy mess that happens when it rains non-stop. We need rain. Here in California they have been saying we are now in a drought. We were out of drought after last years deluge of massive amounts of rain. But it doesn’t last long when you have a dry winter. I guess winter is coming late! I can’t complain too much, I have a love/hate relationship with rain. What do you do when it rains? or when you have inclement weather? I catch up with things around the house which includes my crochet projects. Oh yes, my smile this week is for the rain! After all, who wants to be in drought status?

*9 days of rain! Wow, I wonder if it will rain all these days? We see the forecast change daily as I’m sure many places do. I had to post this before it changed!*

The other reason I’m smiling for the rain is even though I have a personal love/hate relationship which directly involves my horses, outside of the horses I just absolutely LOVE the rain and all that it brings. It will bring beautiful spring flowers, maybe we will see some California poppies bloom again this year. Last year was a record bloom all over our hills. It was absolutely beautiful and we do not see these huge blooms every year. I know we really need the rain, so I wonder if the weather report will hold true? We will see! 😀

I also wanted to share on this smile my projects that I have been working on since I am spending more time indoors because of the weather. So I have two things to smile about this week, why not! It is fun to share what I am working on and a few things I have completed.

*I am making another baby blanket only I’m using a teal blue. Something a little different than the blanket I made for baby Teddy.*

*I just made the Jawa, the other Star Wars characters welcomed him to the group!* 😀

My nephew and wife are due a baby boy in May so I have time to make another Sweet Dreams blanket. I thought I would use a slightly different blue so it would be unique and be a little different for me when working on it. This pattern is really fun to make and goes together really quickly. I’m thinking of making more with different colors, like pink and lavender. I was thinking I could sell them at our local craft fair that we have in town. I have already sold these Star Wars characters there, so I will have to make more of them as well. They stitch up quickly too, especially once I have made them and I have made many of some characters. I’ve lost track of all the Yoda’s I have made. Haha, he is popular!

*We make a BIG DEAL of weather here where I live. Love all the clouds!!*

Thanks for visiting my smile this week. What makes you smile? Anything happening in your world this week. I really enjoy sharing and I am going to get busy with my crochet and will be visiting my horses even in the rain and make sure they have a dry spot under their shelters. I will buy some shavings which help soak up any wet areas and helps keep a dry area for them. They don’t care, but I care and us crazy horse people have to do what we can. I hope you all have a great week!

Smiling in the Rain,

~Diana ❤

My Weekly Smile; Jan 15, 2020

On January 15, 2020 By DianaIn Family is important, Living life, weekly smile27 Comments

*What makes you smile? I so enjoy sharing and I have to thank Trent who hosts the Weekly Smile!*

I woke up this morning to very thick fog. There is a storm moving in and 70% chance of rain Thursday night with fog and clouds all day today. A gloomy day and am hoping this fog will lift a bit so I can get a trail ride in today. I do love a change in weather and am enjoying a hot bowl of oatmeal with my coffee as I cozy up to work on my crochet blanket. Oh wait, this isn’t a weekend coffee share, it’s my weekly smile! I am smiling because I have mostly finished my baby blanket for my new grandson coming soon!

*A VERY foggy morning. It is so thick and usually burns off pretty early. I took this at 9am and as I write this it is still very thick and am hoping it will burn off by noon!*

I had to share a photo of the fog. It usually does not hang around much once the sun comes up and I know there is plenty of fog around for all in most areas of the country. It just makes it feel more like winter here since we do not see much variance in weather changes where I live. Haha, I find little things fascinating, as I go on so about the fog. I suppose it is giving me a good excuse to be lazy and just cozy up here in my warm home!

*I am all done and this is the back of my blanket. I have to sew in all those yarn tails! Once sewn in to hide them and snip them off so nothing comes undone – then I will crochet a border!*

*This is the almost completed blanket. After I tie off all the ends in the back I will crochet a border! This is my SMILE for this week!* 😀

I know I am not completely done but am so excited to be finished with the main piece. I just have to figure out the border. I could leave it like it is but I think it would be just a little bit bigger and look more finished with a nice crochet border! I am so happy with how it turned out. It is soft and very warm and will be a nice baby blanket for my grandson due in a couple months. I am so excited and am smiling with the work I have been able to complete! YAY! 😀

Thank you for visiting my smile this week. I think these smiles are so WONDERFUL! What makes you smile? I think it is fun as I head into each week to think about what makes me smile. Sometimes its just the sunshine on my face, or a pet or hug on any one of my many animals. Maybe its a kitty who now snuggles or wants kitty scratches under the chin. Maybe a smile is a completed craft, or a nice walk, or the exercise that keeps you fit! I was suppose to walk this morning, but will walk this afternoon instead, trying to keep myself motivated! I hope you all have wonderful week.

Smiling, crafting Grandma,

~Diana ❤

Weekend Coffee Share; Walking, Crochet and Horse Fun

On January 11, 2020 By DianaIn Living life, Projects, Walking for Health and Well being, weekend coffee share12 Comments

This is sunrise just coming up over the hills across the street as I walk this morning. It was a brisk 37 degrees and I can’t tell you how good it felt to get outside and walk. I am the hugest procrastinator and I do not really make New year resolutions, but I told myself it is a new year so get out and WALK! I may not exactly be fit but fit enough to walk and am in good health and want to walk miles. I really do, but to fit the time in to walk into my busy schedule is where I struggle the most! I am tired of my excuses, it helps that I share because it makes me feel more accountable even though it is to myself! Crazy, but it works!

*My walk ended here and there was slushy ice on the cars windshields in our driveway!*

On my walk this morning I checked the temps and have to say was taken aback. I thought brrr, that’s cold. I have made crochet caps and haven’t used any of them yet and thought PERFECT! It was great to wear and kept my head and ears very warm. I love to walk with a walking stick, which I brought with me and my fingers were getting a bit cold. I should have worn gloves but my walk wasn’t that long and the cold bearable. I thought I would share the hats I have made with a few scarfs. I have over the years made dozens of scarfs and given away many. These two are really different and one is an infinity scarf or circle scarf where you can twist it around and go around your neck several times. I probably could have worn one this morning but didn’t think about it as I headed out the door. Can I freshen your coffee or tea? I thought I’d share a photo or two of my crafts! 😀

These are 4 caps I’ve crocheted and 2 scarfs. The 1 red cap is a different pattern and came out huge! Lol, I should find a guy with a big head for that one. The other 3 are all the same pattern but with different types of yarn Interesting how different they look! *The light blue scarf is the infinity scarf, it was fun to make! They were all fun to make! ❤*

*Christmas presents from my daughter and with a gift card I received! Crochet FUN for years!!!*

Oh my, I have so many things I want to crochet! I have enough books and patterns to crochet for years and years!! I just love creating all these cool things. I can’t wait to make those cute crochet horses! And my daughter who bought me the box with the horses also bought the cacti crochet. She said she wants some cactus for her book shelves!! So creative and FUN!!

I could go on and on about my crafting fun. I also want to make more Star Wars figures. There are so many people at my work who Love Star Wars and I know they would love those crochet figures. I need to finish the baby blanket first for the new grandson coming in a few months. I am almost done with it and want it completed before I start any new projects. Luckily it is coming together fairly quickly so the end is in sight! I will share a photo of it when I get it completed. It is REALLY CUTE, nice and soft and warm!!

*I can’t believe this selfie turned out as it is difficult to do with her big head! ❤*

I’ve enjoyed having coffee with you this morning. I am off to the stables to ride my horses and enjoy my morning with my horsey girlfriends! I will then come home run a test with my new Instant Pot I got with the gift card I received from my work. I need to learn how to use it and I am sure it isn’t difficult but there are a lot of buttons to learn and I need to wash it and get it ready so I can cook with it soon. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Thank you for stopping by as I enjoyed sharing with you all!

Keep walking, crocheting, riding, cowgirl,

~Diana

My Weekly Smile; Nov. 12, 2019

On November 12, 2019November 12, 2019 By DianaIn Barn stories, Living life, Smiles, weekly smile13 Comments

*What makes you smile? This is my weekly smile hosted by my blogging friend Trent! Thank you Trent as I just Love to share and to see everyone’s Smile!*

I am finally able to share a weekly smile! I am excited because I have been wanting to share and for one reason or another it just wasn’t possible to share my smiles for the last few weeks. I actually have 2 smiles I would like to share. I’ve been saving one of these smiles as I have completed what I am going to share a few weeks back and I am making progress on the new project. You will see here what I am talking about. Have I perked your interest? I am enjoying my projects immensely, I hope you enjoy!

I have completed my granny square blanket! I am smiling ear to ear as I am SO HAPPY with the way it has turned out. Other than the pattern for the squares which I followed – the color scheme was all my own. I wanted it to look very colorful, I think I accomplished that!

*On to my new project which is making me smile too! I have a lot more done as I took this photo last week. I included in the photo the pattern I am doing. For grand baby number 2!* ❤

Any one who follows me knows I can’t help myself when it comes to my blog posts. I love to share my craft projects which at this point in time is only crochet projects and I would share other crafts if only I had time to do them. It’s all I can do working full-time fitting in crochet and my horses. Nice flow into the subject of horses, haha, see how slick I am? Because that is my second smile this week! I am SMILING big because my horses have rescued me from a stressful few nights at work. I come home very stressed as my instruments gave me trouble and I had to call service. I get it all done but to have the ability to go to the stables and unwind and escape is beyond words. It is my stress reliever!! Thank you Ponies! 😀 😀 😀

*This is where I want to be, looking between the ears of my mighty steed!! Thank you Chloe and Zack for a wonderful trail ride! My other smile for this week!*

As I rode today around the corner of the block I was on I didn’t need to look down to far when I noticed an amazing shadow of Zack being led next to Chloe and I. I feel like a little kid, but what a PERFECT SHADOW! I have written and shared before shadows that I have taken while riding. I suppose since I am sitting up so high and if I am out with the sun at the perfect place in the sky (this was taken around 11:45am) the shadows are just so cool. I know it’s silly, I am clearly easily entertained. My shadow and me, my shadow and Chloe and Zack! I just think it is really cool and it made me SMILE!! What makes you smile? it can be something really simple – like a shadow! Thank you again to Trent who hosts the Weekly Smile and I will stop by and read your smile. I hope you join in if you haven’t, I think it is fun to share! https://trentsworldblog.wordpress.com/the-weekly-smile-weeklysmile/ (Here is the link to the smiles!)

Happy smiling, crochet and horse crazy gal!

~Diana

My Weekly Smile; Oct. 1, 2019

On October 1, 2019 By DianaIn blogging, Living life, Love being Grandma, weekly smile10 Comments

*What makes you smile? This is my weekly smile hosted by my blogging friend Trent! Thank you Trent as I just Love everyone’s Smile!*

Can you believe it is October? These weeks just fly by and it is time for a weekly smile. This week I am making great progress on my granny square quilt or blanket. I will share a photo of all the squares I made, and then the next photo will be 6 rows completed or stitched together. I have six more rows to go for a total of 12 rows. Then I will crochet a nice border, still deciding on what to stitch around the border. This just makes me smile the progress I am making! 😀 😀 😀

*I have shared this photo before, but I thought it would be fun to see the before and after!*

*I’m Loving how this is coming together! I am so excited!*

Huge smiles from me as I stitch away to get this completed! I will share one more photo of what I want to make for grand baby number 2 coming in March! I can’t wait to get stitching! 😀

Yes, the sweet dreams is what I will make and I like the cute sheep too. All the patterns in the book are great. I am not sure what all I will make as I can make booties and a little hat or cap. I have 2 nieces that are having babies next year and they are due around the same time so if this blanket stitches together quickly then maybe I will make them all one for their babies! We will see.

I am enjoying this week. Starting next week I have an employee out on vacation for 2 weeks. I will be working extra days to help cover so I am not sure how much free time I will have to not only crochet but write my blog posts. I am hoping to keep up, but if I skip a week here or there it will be because I am just too tired. Working night shift and then working 6 nights a week can really wear one down, so we will see how it goes.

I LOVE sharing my smile, it is a simple thing to do and I hope you enjoyed smiling with me. What made you smile this week? It can be something simple, maybe the sun shining on your face or the wind blowing through your hair? 😀 I know being outside when I am not working on my projects always makes me smile.

Enjoy your week!

~Diana 😀

My Weekly Coffee Share; Keep Smiling, Life and Horses

On September 27, 2019 By DianaIn Family is important, Living life, Love being Grandma, weekend coffee share15 Comments

I LOVE this photo of my daughter as we shared coffee a few months ago. I also took a photo of just my mug that I got served with the “D” on it, how appropriate and what’s the odds that the server at this restaurant happened to serve me a mug with the first letter of my name? Ironic, and fun. I could not help but take these photos as it put such a huge smile on my face! I am missing my daughter and thought what better way to share my weekend but with this cool photo. How is your coffee? or would you like some tea? Hot or cold, I don’t know which I love more, coffee or tea? and I was busy today making something that I wish I could share with you all! 😀

*With the cool fall weather I wanted to make ginger cookies. This is before the bake!*

*After the bake and oh my, so DELICIOUS!! I wish I could share with ya’ll!*

I’ll be honest, when I woke this morning I was feeling rather blue. I know this is normal as we can’t always be upbeat and happy day in and day out. What a melancholy morning and with the clouds and threat of rain it just seemed so gloomy and added to my gloomy feeling. I know you don’t need a reason to feel this way but I can’t help but ponder why and I got to thinking that I truly miss my family. My daughter who I mentioned and also my Son, his wife and my granddaughter. We are approaching here the longest time I have been away from my granddaughter and my heart aches to see her in person. I just miss them so much! I will survive and I know I will be visiting them in about a month or so. I was able to keep busy today and thought I would really like to share my thoughts here so that is why I want to KEEP SMILING! I read that smiling for just 30 seconds a few times a day can help you stay upbeat. I know smiling can boost your overall health as well. It is helping lift my mood and it always makes me happy when I share and write my blog. 😀

*Feeling a little frustrated with* my granny square blanket. I will have to take 3 rows apart as I don’t like how I’ve sewn it together. I have looked at many ways to put together and I decided I like the closer squares pictured which I chain stitched together. The back rows I will take apart, they are sewn together. That’s what happens when you work with these projects, trial and error! 😀

I shared a photo of all the granny squares in a previous post and I am loving how it is coming together. I am trying to get it completed because I want to start on a project for my new grand baby coming next year. I know I could just set this aside, but it really is more than half way done and I still will have time to work on the baby project once I complete this granny square blanket. I must say that part of why I want to complete this granny square blanket is because I’ve never made one and I want to see what it looks like completed. I will share once done so you all can see how it looks. I’m hoping really good. I love all the colors of it so its just a matter of making it look great all crocheted together! I can’t wait, I’m very motivated!!

*These next 3 photos are from about 4 years ago. I was going to share with a throwback post but just never did so I am going to share here as they just make me SMILE! I need to smile today!*

*This was from the same day, I should make prints of these pretty ponies! They did cheer me up earlier today, I go to the stables every single day. It is my second home I think!* ❤

*Just something about this photo! Another one I should print and frame to see it everyday!!*

I am enjoying sharing my coffee with you today. I forgot to ask if you needed a refill? I will say that this blog has really helped me as when I want to share it helps me sort out my thoughts. What do you do if you are feeling blue? I will say that my lower back has been a bit sore so I did some yoga this morning. I know I need to do more stretching and walking and it helped immensely so my blue feelings are pretty much gone now. Thank you for your support and I can’t wait for tomorrow to ride and work on my granny square blanket. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! You all help make me smile. 😀

Life is too short to be sad, so happy smiles help!

~Diana ❤

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Mylife-and-Horsestories

Tag: #crochetcrafts

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