Episode 58: COVID-19 Sucks

Welcome viewers! Glad to have you all back.  Hello new viewers.  Don't forget to subscribe to be updated on new posts, and join our group on Ravelry.

I am DaniGirlCO on Instagram and Ravelry.  Come and follow along.
Here are the show notes for Episode 58:  

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - 
FO's:  
Summer Sanctuary is finished.  Ends woven, washed and blocked.

Charity Hat #2.  Child or small woman.

WIPs:
Swirl E. Socks for my niece.  Took the heel setup out and am just going to do an afterthought heel.
Blueberry Waffle socks for Brian.  Using Lollipop Yarn self-striping in Blue My Mind.  Love it, but wound in ball so can only knit one at a time.
Prayer Shawl #6 is on the hook.

Walk on the Moon started the third color.  Rows are getting looooong.

Stalking:  

Acquisitions - Hue Loco Fall 2018 colors.  Still looking for Moss.  Kit for a Bronco's hat, saving for the DCS Pigskin Party.

Spinning Projects -

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects -  One quilt guild holding meetings, the other one not.  
Block Heads 3 by Moda, a new block every week. 
Face masks for the family.  Trying different patterns.

Beading more stitch markers.  Fall tree, fruit.

In the Garden:  perennials from High Country Gardens were hit and miss, still have areas to fill in.  Reminding people that it's xeriscape, NOT xeriscape.  Didn't pick hops this year, but they did do well.  Planted strawberries and some herbs, and didn't get to harvest all the basil before the 1st freeze.  Yes, we had snow in mid September. Fires in Colorado have left smoky skies for the last month so it's hard to work in the yard right now.  I've been watching some online courses through the CSU Extension Master Gardeners program and really enjoyed it.

In the Beeyard - n/a

Off Topic:  
Watching/Listening: Brian's been riding his new bike almost every week.  After 3 years, I finally replaced my battery and got my bike running.  Love the feeling of accomplishment (capable) of doing the work myself.  Depression is a sneaky bitch though, because I cried on my first ride and can't believe I've let this go for so long.  Have enjoyed watching football again and of course I'm doing Fantasy Football.  Josh Allen is making me points.  Go WYO! 

Thanks for watching!

Episode 45: Back In The Saddle Again

Welcome viewers! Glad to have you all back.  Hello new viewers.  Don't forget to subscribe to be updated on new posts, and join our group on Ravelry.
I am DaniGirlCO on Instagram and Ravelry.  Come and follow along.
Here are the show notes for Episode 45:  

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - 
FO's:  
Lattice Socks out of Oh Loops in Pickett.  Have to find someone they fit.

Cecilliana "You're Healing My Heart" by Lisa Hannes.  LOVE IT.

Added heels in the blue Hedgehog yarn to A's wonder woman socks.

WIPs:
Runa by Gudrun Johnston.  Working Flying Wing stitch for upper body while doing decreases.

Prayer shawl for church.

Turning Vanilla socks into patterned socks.  Got bored.

Stalking:  

Acquisitions - sock yarn for some men's socks (maybe?)

Spinning Projects - n/a  

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - Prairie Woman Sewing Circle started new season, playing catchup already.
Hand quilting my pineapple block table runner.  Chalk isn't holding up well.

In the Garden: The yard work continues.  Hops were hit multiple times by hail so not really worth harvesting.  Weeds are the bane of my existence. Doing practical random acts of kindness by pulling my neighbors weeds.  They caught me.  No, I'm not the crazy neighbor lady.  Doing some planning for fall planting of perennials to fill in some of the gaps.  High Country Gardens is still online and shipping.

In the Beeyard - Both hives are alive, but I need to do some serious weed mitigation and throw on 2nd boxes.

Off Topic:  Summer KALs winding up, fall ones starting.  Football!!! Been tired a lot lately.  My LYS, Ewe and Me, changed locations and they have over twice the space now!
Watching/Listening:  SSK recaps from my fav podcasters.  Will 2019 be the year I go to Nashville in July?

Thanks for watching!

Episode 44: In The Heat Of The Night . . . er, Morning

Welcome viewers! Glad to have you all back.  Hello new viewers.  Don't forget to subscribe to be updated on new posts, and join our group on Ravelry.
I am DaniGirlCO on Instagram, Periscope and Ravelry.  Come and follow along.
Here are the show notes for Episode 44:  

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - 
FO's:  
Vanilla Supergirl socks for E.  Doing the toes and cuffs in Hedgehog Fibers Electric blue, body in Madtosh red. Finally!

WIPs:
Runa by Gudrun Johnston.  Loving the rhythm of the seed stitch.  Have done 2nd Vikkel braid and am beginning upper body.

Lattice Socks out of Oh Loops in Pickett.  Working on the cuffs.  Almost there, then have to find someone they fit.

Cecilliana "You're Healing My Heart" by Lisa Hannes.  Loving it. Nearly monogamous.

Prayer shawl for church.

Stalking:  Patterns with stacked increases, such as Turkish Garden and the Amimon Maritime Socks by Olya Amimono.

Acquisitions - n/a

Spinning Projects - n/a  Haven't been doing the Tour de Fleece this year.

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - hand quilting another table runner.

In the Garden: The yard work continues.  

In the Beeyard - 

Off Topic:  We have a new fence! Picking up tickets for Sky Sox game.
Watching/Listening:  

Thanks for watching!

Episode 43: Gradient Gone Wrong

Welcome viewers! Glad to have you all back.  Hello new viewers.  Don't forget to subscribe to be updated on new posts, and join our group on Ravelry.
I am DaniGirlCO on Instagram, Periscope and Ravelry.  Come and follow along.
Here are the show notes for Episode 43:  

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - 
FO's:  n/a

WIPs:
Vanilla Supergirl socks for E.  Doing the toes and cuffs in Hedgehog Fibers Electric blue, body in Madtosh red. How can these not be done yet?

Runa by Gudrun Johnston.  Loving the rhythm of the seed stitch.  Have done 2nd Vikkel braid and am beginning upper body.

Lattice Socks out of Oh Loops in Pickett.  Ended up ripping back AGAIN because I messed up the diamond pattern.

Cecilliana "You're Healing My Heart" by Lisa Hannes.  Deb came back from TNNA with some Three Irish Girls that jumped into my hands.  Bought needles and cast on right then at knit group.  Tres Chic and Hemlock.  Loving it.
 Stalking:  n/a

Acquisitions -  just a little MORE fabric, bought by the pound, Three Irish Girls yarn, fiber my MIL brought back from Ireland

Spinning Projects - n/a

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - Prairie Woman Sewing Circle, finished hand quilting and binding the bear claw table runner.

In the Garden: The yard work continues.  Weeds are all pulled except for the garden, sunburns continue because I apparently didn't learn the first time.

In the Beeyard - PPBA is doing a bee yard visit on Jun 30, which of course I'm busy for.  Slow going due to the dearth.

Off Topic:  Willow may be a good therapy dog after all. Hmmmmm . . . 
Watching/Listening:  Imagined Landscapes.  What's up with me loving all the Canadians right now?

Thanks for watching!

Episode 42: Catching Up With Life

Welcome viewers! Glad to have you all back.  Hello new viewers.  Don't forget to subscribe to be updated on new posts, and join our group on Ravelry.
I am DaniGirlCO on Instagram, Periscope and Ravelry.  Come and follow along.
Here are the show notes for Episode 42:  

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - 
FO's:  n/a

WIPs:
Vanilla Supergirl socks for E.  Doing the toes and cuffs in Hedgehog Fibers Electric blue, body in Madtosh red. How can these not be done yet?

Runa by Gudrun Johnston.  Loving the rhythm of the seed stitch.  Have finished with the body decreases and about to point where pattern continues for all sizes.

Mix #34 cowl (dragon scale cowl) with my Maiden Hair and Bambu 7 held together.  Ended up casting on 10 extra stitches (I think) because I cast on at porch knitting.  Not sure if I like the fabric with these yarns held together, so haven't put much time into it.  Frog it?

Lattice Socks out of Oh Loops in Pickett.  Ended up ripping back to where heel finished and picking up pattern again.  Doing the extra wraps this time.

Stalking:  n/a

Acquisitions -  just a little fabric, bought by the pound

Spinning Projects - hand dyed silk mawatas on a spindle made by my dad.  Really need to soften up my hands, but the gardening season is conspiring against me.  Supported spindle.

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - Prairie Woman Sewing Circle, 
Black and White Crazy Circle quilts, finished two tops while my mom was here.  Need to figure out how to make the first one into a king size quilt.  The fabric yardage isn't cooperating.  Then I pulled out another WIP and my mom and I started back up on it.  Remember why I loved it to begin with, and can't believe I've been hiding this fabric away for so many years.

In the Garden: The yard work commences.  Vines are trellised, perennials are trimmed up, weeds slowly being pulled.  Haven't planted the garden due to weeds.  

In the Beeyard - I've stuck with keeping the bees at Homestake Nursery, because when I went to pick up equipment I'd left there, they had made me a road right up to my bees between all the compost and dirt piles.  Change in that status.  I set up two hives, and my bee packages arrived in mid May.  I ordered Carniolan queens, and they were marked.  I left them for two days, then released the queens.  I can't describe the happiness I felt watching those pretty little queens marching down into the hive.  I did put some feeders on them, but haven't been consistent about refilling them.  I am slightly reassured by seeing honeybees on my catmint, but don't know if they are mine or not.  First batch of brood should hatch in about a week.  A definite difference between the two hives, and a bit spotty, but I saw both queens.

Off Topic:  The parents visited for almost two weeks.  I got my bed fixed!  Lots of quilting with my mom, and I took her to knit group with me.  Board games and cards.  Sequence is the new favorite, as I don't think we had enough attention the night we tried Anomia (recommended by Amy Beth).
Are you doing Stash Dash with the Knit Girllls?
Watching/Listening:  Midsomer Murders courtesy of my parents.  Thanks guys.  Spin Control by aJoyfulGirl.  Shilo has moved here to COS and has joined our knit group!  I've listened to her for several years off and on.  Her server crashed and she was down for awhile, so you might need to resubscribe to the RSS feed.

Thanks for watching!

Episode 25: It's Been a Long Time Gone

Thanks for coming back to watch My High Plains Life!  Welcome viewers! 
I am DaniGirlCO on Instagram, Periscope and Ravelry.
Here are the show notes for Episode 25:  

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - 
FO's: Blueberry waffle socks out of MadTosh Sock in Cobbler color way, toes are odd, hopefully blocking will help

WIPs: 

Celtic Myths shawl by Asita Krebs, picked up another skein.  About 65% done.
Linum Tee by Bristol Ivy, using Classic Elite Bella Lino yarn, sz 3 needles.  little more fisherman's rib on the back, then I connect the shoulders and it's done.
Blueberry waffle socks out of Opal in summer colors because I needed another pair to tote around. 

Stalking - Nothing, trying to stay faithful to current knitting

Acquisitions - fabrics, didn't show

Spinning Projects -

none

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - 
Lots of blocks for the Mystery Block of the Month. I'm now addicted to EPP hexis. 

In the Garden: Hail pretty much took it all out.  Flowers are recuperating but there won't be a hops harvest.

In the Beeyard - 
Looks like I had a hive on the porch in the honey supers I set out.  Then they disappeared.  Was it pesticides?

Off Topic:  
Watching: I skip this section this week.
Are you playing in any KALs?  What are they?
Spent 2 weeks in Phoenix enjoying my nieces, so didn't get a lot done knitting wise.  

Thanks for watching!

Episode 24: No More King Sized

Thanks for coming back to watch My High Plains Life!  Welcome viewers! 
I am DaniGirlCO on Instagram, Periscope and Ravelry.
Here are the show notes for Episode 24:  

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - 
FO's: n/a

WIPs: 

Celtic Myths shawl by Asita Krebs, ran out of yarn, waiting on another skein.  About 65% done.
Linum Tee by Bristol Ivy, using Classic Elite Bella Lino yarn, sz 3 needles.  Loving the fabric.
Blueberry waffle socks out of MadTosh Sock in Cobbler color way, little more length then on to the toe!
Blueberry waffle socks out of Opal in summer colors because I needed another pair to tote around.  Good for the Colors of the Season KAL, too.

Stalking - Bond Street by Kirsten Kapur, saw an example in person and it was gorgeous.  My LYS Ewe and Me has some great samples that make me want to knit it all.

Acquisitions - fabrics

Spinning Projects -

none

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - 
Nicole's wedding quilt top is all complete, borders and all, and off to the quilters.  Will get it back just in time to bind it before the wedding.

In the Garden: Perennials are blooming and growing.  Somehow I have a random corn stalk growing in my front yard.  Go figure.  Hops are about 10 ft tall now.

In the Beeyard - 
Looks like one of the swarms I caught was good.  I got the queen!  They've been coming and robbing out the frames left from the honey extraction.  REALLY need to add another honey super to them ASAP.

Off Topic:  
Watching: I've been sucked into Legacy Knitz podcast with Chelsea and Sue.  
Want to play in the Colors of the Season KAL? Started June 1, thru Aug 31.  Make something in the colors of the season that inspire you.  Are you playing in any other KALs?  What are they?
Mr. HPL did a 1000 mile in 24 hr motorcycle ride to earn his Iron Butt certification.  Crazy.

Thanks for watching!

Episode 23: It's a Sweet Life!

Thanks for coming back to watch My High Plains Life!  I'd like to welcome any new viewers we have. 
I am DaniGirlCO on Instagram and Ravelry.
Here are the show notes for Episode 23:  

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - 
FO's: n/a

WIPs: 

Celtic Myths shawl, doing the fingering weight pattern, finally on the border!  going to run out of yarn, had to order another skein.  Hope the color blends into the border well enough.  This is going to be an expensive shawl.

Stalking - things for the Colors of the Season KAL, swatching for the Linum tee, 

Acquisitions - 

Spinning Projects -

none

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - 
Nicole's wedding quilt, some new blocks, trying to get my rear in gear already.

In the Garden: we had yet another hail storm, and my rhubarb is still recovering.  Perennials are blooming and growing.  Hops are about 7-8 ft tall now.

In the Beeyard - Extraction party went great, if messy.  Everything got sticky.  Hubby used it as excuse to buy a power washer.  Rented extractor from the Pikes Peak Beekeeper's Association.

I've gone out on two swarm calls, but I only managed to get one, and not sure if I got the queen at that.  Installed in a hive.  Checked them yesterday and they were still there but didn't see any brood or eggs.  Not enough population to make it worthwhile to requeen.
Also did a hive extraction for a lady with bees in her house.

Off Topic:  
Watching: n/a
Want to play in the Colors of the Season KAL? Started June 1, thru Aug 31.  Make something in the colors of the season that inspire you.


Thanks for watching!

Episode 22: Cables and Colors

Thanks for coming back to watch My High Plains Life!  I'd like to welcome any new viewers we have. 
I am DaniGirlCO on Instagram and Ravelry.
Here are the show notes for Episode 22:  

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - 
FO's: vanilla socks, using Zitron Trekking XXL

WIPs: 

Celtic Myths shawl, doing the fingering weight pattern, finally on the border!  going to run out of yarn, had to order another skein.  Hope the color blends into the border well enough.  This is going to be an expensive shawl.

Stalking - things for the Colors of the Season KAL, swatching for the Linum tee, 

Acquisitions - 

Spinning Projects -

none

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - 
Nicole's wedding quilt, some new blocks, past half done point.
1st Thursday mystery block, second block finished

In the Garden: rabbits are eating my perennials.  Arrrrgggghhhh!
Rhubarb is picked again, hops are trellised, flowers are blooming.  Mint is taking over so I pulled what I could, but it's jumped the yard.  Garden is . . .not planted yet, and we just had quarter size hail which shredded a lot of my new plants

In the Beeyard - Remaining hive has swarmed.  Hosting an extraction party on June 11.  I'll be sure to take video and pictures.  Renting extractor from the Pikes Peak Beekeeper's Association.

Off Topic:  
Watching: Teahouse Knits with Tina.  Knitting and educational info about tea varietals.  Want to play in the Colors of the Season KAL? Starts June 1, thru Aug 31.  Make something in the colors of the season that inspire you.
Playing with my meds.  I think it's helping some.
May 30th was ONE YEAR of podcasting!

Thanks for watching!

Episode 21: Quick, Quick, Slow

Thanks for coming back to watch My High Plains Life!  I'd like to welcome any new viewers we have. 
I am DaniGirlCO on Instagram and Ravelry.
Here are the show notes for Episode 21:  

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - 
FO's: nada

WIPs: 
vanilla socks, using Zitron Trekking XXL

Celtic Myths shawl, doing the fingering weight pattern and turning out much better on the edging.

Stalking - nothing, trying to finish up WIPS

Acquisitions - quilting ruler, quilters have gadgets too!

Spinning Projects -

none

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - 
Nicole's wedding quilt, some new blocks, past half done point.
1st Thursday mystery block, one of two block finished

In the Garden: landscaper finished and the sod looks great.  Still need more perennials.
Rhubarb is picked, hops are vining already.

In the Beeyard - And the bees are . . . one of the two hives has died out.  Low populations probably couldn't keep brood warm?  Saw queen in the second hive, but also several swarm/supercedure cells.  They haven't swarmed yet, but . . . I reversed the hive boxes (top to bottom) so we'll see if that helps.  Suffered a bit of heat exhaustion doing hive inspection, so it's a good thing Jason and Sarah were there.  Jason ended up hauling everything out that needed it.  Thanks Jason and Sarah!

Off Topic:  
Watching: Suburban Stitcher with Dianne Brown.  Want to play in the Around Your Neck KAL? 
May is flying by so fast, yet I feel like I'm getting nothing done.  The rhubarb needs pulled again, the weeds need pulled already, and the hop needs trellised.  Garden needs planted this weekend.  Where does the time go?
We celebrated the Kentucky Derby with friends and family, and lots of mint juleps.
Been sleeping A LOT.

Thanks for watching!

Episode 9: Hops for Everyone!

Thanks for coming back to watch My High Plains Life!
Here are the show notes for Episode 9:  

In the Mug: n/a

On The Road: planning a September ride with the gang

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - starting at 
FO's: none

WIPs: 
Atlantic Current Socks, working up the leg, increased.
Vanilla socks in Zitron Trekking XXL color way 156
Tivoli Eileen Tee by Coralie Meslin of Tahki Stacy Charles, had to do math based on my gauge swatch.  Using Tahki yarns Sedona, 90/10 wool/silk, in the Kiwi color way.

I have caked up all the yarn in prep for cast-ons for the DCS Pigskin Party 2015!

Spinning Projects -
WIP: some unknown white fiber, lots of neps but VERY bouncy

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - starting at 
Currently sewing my kaleidoscope quilt borders, set on point with sashing is done

Gone to the Dogs: n/a

In the Garden: starting at 
Harvested my Centennial hops! Dried and bagged.

In the Beeyard - starting at 
How I got into beekeeping.

Off Topic:  My yarn acquisitions.  Yarn along the Rockies 2015.  
Thanks to everyone who introduced themselves in the Ravelry group!

Thanks for watching!

Episode 7: Some Summer Knitting

Here are the show notes for Episode 7:  

In the Mug: n/a

On The Road: An out and back to Pine for lunch, got caught in a little rain. Pack your rain gear!

On the Needles: 
Knitting Projects - starting at 6:45
FO's: My Crossover Top by Patons, using Universal Yarn Inc. Cotton Supreme Splash in Calm Waters'; I've sewn the front together, sleeves, seamed the sides and wove in ends.

WIPs: 
Atlantic Current Socks, I'm still turning the heel
Vanilla socks in Zitron Trekking XXL color way 156
I want to cast on all the shawls!
Starting Aug 1 the Brooklyn Tweed KAL for the My Sister's Knitter KAL group
Knit any pattern from the Wool People, BT or Jared Flood pattern lines 
I will be working on my Seraphine shawl

Spinning Projects -
FO: chain plyed my Loop bump for Tour de Fleece
WIP: 
spinning thick/thin on my drop spindle for Tour de Fleece 2015, team spindlers!

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - starting at 18:40
Waves of Glory quilt back done
tablerunner to match placemats finished
working on my scrappy Chain of Friendship quilt by Sally Schneider

Gone to the Dogs: n/a

In the Garden: starting at 23:00
What's blooming - catmint, hops, anise hyssop, blue blazes

In the Beeyard - starting at 25:40

Queen Fiona's hive is doing ?
S&J hive is good.  
Got stung twice, once on each hand, and they swelled so much I couldn't knit (GASP!)

Off Topic: Tea House Knits talked about dealing with depression also in her latest episode
We have a Ravelry group!  Come join us at My High Plains Life Podcast group!

Thanks for watching!

Episode 4: Hot Enough to Melt Wax

Here are the show notes for Episode 4:

In the Glass: Coffee with creamer for that hit of caffeine I need.

On The Road:
Yamaha Silverado stock leather seat for sale if anyone knows anybody

On the Needles:
Knitting Projects - starting at 2:42
FO - The Vanilla Ornament socks
WIP - Atlantic Current socks
both in Gynx yarns

Spinning Projects -
FO - Lemon scones merino 2-ply
currently spinning singles from my Loop bump

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - nothing this week

In the Garden: starting at 11:50
Hops progress
What's blooming: catmint, May Night salvia, something else that's purple

In the Beeyard - starting at 13:02

Update on swarmed hive - no news
Friends delivered their hive to me as they were nervous beekeeping in their neighborhood after their hive swarmed.  So now I'm back up to two hives!  
Created a recycled item solar wax melter to filter and refine the lovely gold beeswax I've got in a bucket.

Off Topic:  
I participated in the neighborhood garage sale this weekend, so I'm a little behind schedule.  Trying to minimize the clutter and get the closet down to manageable levels.

Thanks for watching!

Episode 3: Not Much Knitting

Here are the show notes for Episode 3:

In the Mug: Tea, because it's been another rainy week.  Earl Grey with some of my own honey.

On the Needles:
Knitting Projects - starting at 1:50
FO - Drift by TinCanKnits, in Juniper Moon Farm Moonshine in color way 13 (teal).  LOVE the yarn.
The Crossover Top by Patons, using Universal Yarn Inc. Cotton Supreme Splash in Calm Waters

Spinning Projects -
currently still spinning singles from my Loop bump, but check out my cool 3D printed bobbin, free plan from Thingiverse

Under the Needle:
Sewing Projects - starting at 9:20
workshop on Waves of Glory by Annette Ornelas, Southwind Designs
another UFO, double wedding ring table runner by Carolyn McCormick

In the Garden: starting at 15:50
Trellising my Centennial hops along top of fence now, and Jackmanjii clematis is blooming.
Also blooming - Nepeta Walker Low catmint 

In the Beeyard - starting at 18:00

new Queen Fiona?  why swarming is bad for beekeepers, but good for nature
small (5 11/16"), medium (6 5/8"), deep (9 5/8") supers 
Thanks for watching!

Short Corn

The Farmer's Almanac axiom is that corn should be "knee-high by the Fourth of July."  Well, mine isn't.  This is what getting a late start leads to.  Short corn!  It's only about calf-high, and some are even shorter than that.  It just means instead of late July, it will be August before my sweet corn is ready to grill.  

Not quite there yet

My lettuce is going well, and I'll be starting to pick it this week.  The peas are going gangbusters, and I've begun to train them up the trellis.  The cucumbers are also ready to be trained up the trellis, they just need to reach a liiiittttle farther.  

Peas starting to climb the trellis along the back fence

Since none of the bush beans came up (yes, I did soak them overnight), we had an open space in the garden.  Mr. HPL decided he wanted to try tomatoes this year, so we could make salsa and marinara sauce, so we picked up a few and are going to give it a shot.  We also bought a watermelon plant, so that makes watermelons AND cantaloupes.  I'm going to try and trellis the melons too, so that they don't take over the entire garden.

Slanted trellis for cukes, setup to shade the lettuce beneath 

Oh yeah, I'm growing hops too.

Centennial.  There's Cascade and Hallertauer too.