~Blue Ribbed Socks~

I've been trying to do some stash busting, so I pulled out some navy sock yarn that I purchased quite a while ago. I didn't want to make just a plain sock, but since the yarn is so dark, I didn't want to do something with too much of a pattern either.

I finally decided on "Oak Ribbed Sock" in Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks. I am pleased with the result. I knitted them up in just 11 days.



Ravelry link here.

~Quick and Easy Italian Veggie Beef Soup~

Tonight I made dinner (which may seem ordinary to you, but it certainly isn't to me! This is only the second time I have made dinner in the last 9 weeks or so!)

So what did I make for this momentous occasion? One of my favorite soups!

I got this recipe from my Fix it and Forget it cookbook, but I think I've only made it in the crock pot once or twice. The rest of the time I make it on the stove top.

1 lb. ground beef, or turkey, browned and drained
3 carrots, sliced
4 pototoes, peeled and cubed
1 small onion, diced
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
15-oz. can diced tomatoes, or 2 fresh tomatoes, chopped
6-oz. can Italian-flavored tomato paste
4 1/2 cups water
1 quart beef broth

1. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker.
2. Cover. Cook on High 6-8 hours, or until potatoes and carrots are tender.

This makes a lot - delicious for leftovers! I add a can of green beans.

The weather today was perfect for soup! Cool and rainy!

~Finished~

Finished last week, the knitted baby blanket (Ravelry details here):





and a knitted teddy bear:



I actually finished knitting the teddy bear over four months ago. It was supposed to go with a gift, but I obviously didn't finish it in time. So I seamed it last week, and I'm somewhat satisfied with it. For all the knitting I've done, this is only the second project that has needed seaming - I need some more practice in this area!

~Rain~

Lighted Candles and Brick Wall

Today was a perfectly wonderful day weatherwise. It was dark, cool, and rainy all day long. I love rainy weather! I lit candles in the living and dining room and enjoyed the gloom. :-)

I have always loved rainy weather. Growing up in California, during a drought, it was especially nice to get rain. Rain usually falls in the winter in California, so it has taken me a while to get used to rain in the summer here in Michigan.

Today was the perfect day to finish my baby blanket. However, it wasn't the perfect day to photograph it! Hopefully tomorrow...

~Storm Drain~

ETA: All is well with me and baby! This is just a picture I took the other day when I was playing with my camera! Thanks for the concern though. :)