Pirose - review

I like reviewing books and educational materials, because reading and teaching are important to me, but every now and then I get to review a product just for fun, and just for me! The Pirose scarf falls in that category. (Disclosure: This is a Mama Buzz review. The product was provided by Reno Rose for this review.)

When I saw how many different ways there were to wear this scarf, I knew I wanted to try it. It also comes in a wide variety of fabric prints (as well as solid black, white, or brown). I didn't have a choice of which one I was sent. I received the one in the picture, and I love it! I really does go with quite a few things in my wardrobe.

I have enjoyed wearing it this winter scrunched up and looped around my neck for warmth. In the summer, I'll enjoy it as a light-weight shawl. It came with a little drawstring bag for storage to make it handy to keep in my totebag. In Idaho, even summer evenings can be cool, so it would be nice to have something like this handy. One thing I especially like about it is how it could add modesty worn over a sleeveless top or dress. It's just really a nice accessory. I wouldn't mind having a few more of them.

Thinking Outside the Box

After I posted about the nice pickup topper we got a couple of weeks ago, I tried driving with the thing on. It was dark and rainy the first time, and with droplets of water on the back window I couldn't see to back up. Driving the truck without the topper makes me nervous enough, because it just feels so big to me, so it really scared me to not be able to see what was behind me. I decided it would probably be okay in the daylight, though, especially if it wasn't raining. Well... not so much if the roads are muddy... and the next day I had to drive on muddy roads which obliterated the back window even worse.

I asked Lyle if it would be possible to leave the topper off except for trips when we needed the cargo space. The only problem with that suggestion was where to store the topper. We supposedly have a "two-car" garage, but that just means that there's room to walk beside the truck when it's parked in there. I can't imagine how you could ever get two real vehicles in at once, but in any case, we have shelves along one wall and a workbench along the other, so not a lot of room for extra storage.

Lyle suggested we could hang the topper from the rafters. I laughed at him. But turns out-- he was serious! He researched how to do it (online, of course), went to Lowe's for a few things, then spent last Saturday "putzing" in the garage again... and voila!

I'm just so impressed with how clever he is!

Not Complainin'

It's a blizzardy morning in my neighborhood today. The view out my kitchen window is rather bleak. It's cold and blustery. We haven't really had much snow to speak of since Christmas time, and the ground has been mostly bare for at least a month, so I had hoped perhaps we would get an early spring. I should have known better.

But I won't complain.

The girls and I have been reading The Lost Art of True Beauty by Leslie Ludy, and she talks about learning to not complain. So instead of whining about a late-season blizzard, I will be grateful that we have enjoyed a relatively mild winter and spring really is right around the corner.

I also won't complain about having a cold, even though it's my second one this winter. Instead, I'll be grateful that it is just a cold, and that in general, I enjoy good health.

I won't complain about not having time to blog as much as I would like, realizing that the other things that have priority right now won't last forever. Especially homeschooling my children. I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to sit down with them every day for learning and conversation.

I do have some catch-up posts lined up for this weekend, so hopefully I'll be back soon! In the meantime, what are you not complaining about today?

Might be spicy!

People are funny sometimes. Not that they mean to be. They just are.

I picked up a bag of the new "Artisan" chips from Tostitos at the grocery store earlier this week. Black bean and garlic flavored, as I recall.

As I was checking out, the cashier commented on them. "Have you had these before? They look good!"

I admitted I had not had them before, but I thought they looked good as well.

She said, "I've been meaning to get some, but by the time I get off work I forget about them. But they sure look good! Does that 'artisan' mean they're spicy?"

After gulping back a chuckle, as politely as I could I said, "Um, well, actually, I think that means they are hand-made or something like that."

"Oh," she said. "Well, they sure look good!"

But who knows? Maybe "artisan" is a new spice I hadn't heard of before!

Busy Hands

I have this need to have something for my hands to do any time I'm "just sitting"... whether it's visiting with my husband, or watching a movie with him, or riding along in the car. Here some projects I currently have going...

I'm making slow progress on the curtain I'm crocheting for my bedroom. I changed patterns from the one I originally had picked out. This one is worked up in squares (like a bedspread or tablecloth pattern) but I think the "blocky" pattern will coordinate nicely with my Irish Chain quilt/bedspread.

I also have a pair of socks going. I really enjoy knitting socks, especially since I discovered the two-at-a-time method on a circular needle.

The above project may not look like much, but I am very pleased with my efforts. I have been attempting to catch on to the knack of tatting for a very long time. When I finally figured out the "trick" it was just so time-consuming and fiddly that I wasn't sure I wanted to pursue it any further... but I love the way it looks, and I like how portable it is. This little strip of lace isn't very consistent or smooth, but... yay! I'm learning! Also, I'm getting faster with practice, which makes me happy.

In case you think I never finish anything, just because I have 3 projects going at once... nope. That's just the way I work. I like having variety to swap off with. I do finish (most) projects I start.  Some just take longer than others.

This is a pair of sweet little baby booties I finished as a gift a couple weeks ago.

What are you working on these days?