Crochet Flowers

I know how to crochet a little bit.  Single and double crochet, that is.  I am learning how to knit.  Washcloths are still my specialty!  I love handwork.  I have always wanted to learn to do more with crochet, but I can't seem to read a pattern to save my soul.  I discovered some beautiful blogs that feature crochet in colors of yarn I have never seen before.  The color combos stopped me in my tracks!  The choices today for yarns, and colors.....well, let's just say that crochet today is not your Grandmother's Granny Square Afghan in orange and yellow anymore!!!! 
Go see my friend at this beautiful blog.  The Garden Bell 
And when you are done drooling over her beautiful handiwork,  check out her gorgeous gardens.  Then, go over to this blog and check out her amazing crochet work.  

By Elizabeth Cat
The colors that both of these ladies use just made me want to get my needle out and learn something new.  I have been wanting to learn how to make crochet flowers in particular.  So, I got on the web, and started checking out youtube tutorials.  I sat down with a some pink yarn I had laying around and watched a tute on roses, over and over again, until I made one!

 I am sure there are a few missed stitches here and there, but I did it!  And if I had some of those great colors to use, I would have been even happier with it.  I think I will be going to the yarn shop this weekend.

 Last night I worked in my garden a bit.

 My tomatoes sure didn't do well this year.  Funny how some things are going like gangbusters, and others are not.  I am wishing I had planted watermelon again.  But this year I did cantaloupe instead. They are not ripe, but there are lots of them.  And several nice looking cukes.  Next year I will be doubling my garden boxes and planting more variety.  My poor neighbors can't take too much more squash!  Erika gave The Fireman a bunch of squash yesterday to cook up at the firehouse.  He said they liked them.  So the next batch is going there again.

My herbs are doing well.  This is how I store them in the house after clipping them in the garden.  I keep them in the kitchen in water to use while cooking.

 When cilantro goes to seed, it has the prettiest lacy green foliage, with delicate purple flowers.  I love to let some go to seed.

 I use the fresh basil in just about everything!  Love to use mint too.  Sometimes just to garnish.  Rosemary is great for roasting potatoes.   I could use a whole garden box just for basil!

This morning Mr. G had his follow up appointment with his neurologist to go over the MRI he had last week.  I can't decide if it is good news or bad news.  At this point, I almost think having been told the pain is from a problem with his back, that they could FIX would be better news.  The back did show a fair amount of arthritis and a bulging disc.  However, not damaging enough to be causing the pain he is experiencing now.  So it does appear that the shot in Mexico was the defining thing to have caused this.  Unfortunately, the only thing to do is manage the pain with meds, and hope that time will heal him.  He is going to also begin acupuncture as well.   One concern is taking a narcotic long term.  So that will have to be watched closely.  He was feeling well enough last night to hang up my new shades for the patio.  Drew's buddy Brian stopped by and gave him a hand.

 We are getting ready for our 4th of July celebrations coming up this weekend.  We have the boat parade and BBQ at Mom's place on Saturday.  And then on Sunday we will be staying here at the house for a swim day with all the kids and grands, and we will be doing Grilled Shrimp Tacos,  and Hot Dogs of course for the kiddos.  Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream with Fresh Berries for dessert.  And we will put our chairs on the sport court to watch the fireworks at night.  What are all of you doing to celebrate?