A Couple of Dillydally Finishes

Early Monday morning we were warned ...

... a large coastal storm was about to hit our remote corner of the planet.

It would last a few days, so I grabbed Kysa ...

... and we hurried to get a walk in before the rain and wind hit!

As the storm blew outside ... I enjoyed a "Let's finish it up" dillydally storm of my own!  Mr. DD gave me this knitting book last Christmas.

Long time readers may remember that I knit Matthew's Vest ...

... for Brother DD in January.  Such a fun project that didn't take too long!

Five months later ... it is definitely past time for the finish ... so Monday I blocked it!  With supervision of course!

Flicka loves wool and any time we leave a piece of wool clothing out, she claims it!

She was confused when she found the wool wet!  Hee-hee!  She really didn't like the way it felt, so attempted to make herself as small as possible!  She lasted for about 10 minutes then finally gave up ... convinced that it was a cruel joke of some kind!  Such a hoot!

All done and ready to be gifted!  Cannot wait to see brother wearing it!

After I finished the vest this winter, I purchased some linen at our LYS!

I used the red linen to knit "Rachel's Table Runner"!  Past time to block this as well!

Flicka decided that if she had to be on a wet surface, she preferred linen!  Good to know, little wing nut kitty!

I am thrilled with the results!

This is the first time I have knit something for the table.  The designer Joanna Johnson suggests that this pattern could easily be made any length ... longer for large tables or shorter for placemats!  Great idea!

This was also the first time I had ever knit with linen ... I really like it and will do more.

This morning the weather calmed down ... Kysa and I immediately went for our walk ... it was a wet one!

I love being outside after a storm ... and dillydally finishes!  Such fun channeling my Anne Shirley and Marilla Cuthbert!

Do what you love.  Celebrate finishes!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Papa DillyDally

1997 - Ely, Minnesota

Family IS everything ... parenting IS an adventure ... am so blessed to travel this journey with Mr. DillyDally!

1985 - Cordova, Alaska

Our daughter's first love ... her Popsy-Wopsy!

1998 - Cordova, Alaska

Our son's first hero ... his Pop.

" A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society."   Billy Graham

Happy Father's Day!

Do what you love!  Honor the fathers in your life.  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Slow Speed

I have been spending a good portion of every day trying to catch up ... especially in the housekeeping department.  It feels good to accomplish some things that I have had to put off ... even though they are mundane chores (like washing down the bathroom walls ... how boring is that!) ... it is empowering to cross things off the list and see progress.

There is so much to do ... yep, the chore list is very long ... overwhelming is an understatement!  Then it hit me ... I don't have a timeline ... there is no need to hurry ... it all doesn't have to get done at once!  I changed my approach and tackle just a few tasks every day!  One step at a time ... eventually it will all get done!

Meanwhile ... there are dillydally marathons in my near future.  ;-)  I have prepared by downloading The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy audiobooks!  I have not read them since adolescence and am looking forward to reliving the magic while my hands are busy!

I've also organized my summer reading program!  Gladys Taber was an unknown author to me until a blogger I follow wrote a post about how she enjoyed her books.  They are all out of print ... my local public library didn't have them either ... but was able to locate them through an instate library loan program.  I finished my first one two weeks ago ... fell in love ... and immediately requested three more!  Am so grateful for a wonderful public library!

I have been squeaking in some knitting ...

... yep, it is June ...

... and yep ... I am making mittens!  Believe me ... there is a method to my madness!  More on that soon.

The weather has been mostly cooperative ... so Kysa and I have been able to take a stroll nearly every day!

Yep ... progress on the housekeeping list can be accomplished at a slow pace ... I'm ok with that!

Do what you love.  Slow down.  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

The DillyDally Stroll

 Some long time readers might remember the knee trouble I've had the past few years ... so "power walking" is not a possibility for me ...

... here in DillyDallydom we've created an alternative ... the DillyDally Stroll!  Let me explain ... there are a few rules.

1.  Don't pay any attention to distance ... it is not about how far we walk, it's more about enjoying the journey.

2.  Neither do we measure the amount of time we walk.  Strolling is not conducive to any sort of timeline.

3.  Stop often to soak up the view.

4.  Search for treasure along the way.

5.  Leave the path often.

 6.  Accept those things you can't control ... like the weather.  It's ok to get wet.

 7.  Bring snacks and beverages.  Dog treats for Kysa and coffee for me!

8.  Succumb to all whims.  Go wading if you feel like it!

9.  Take deep breaths ... often.

10.  Take a best friend and be happy!

Do what you love.  Take a stroll!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Friendship!

Celebrate friendship!

QBee Sam had a birthday this week!  This chocolate caramel pecan cake was as delicious as it looks! It was made by QBee Valerie ... the recipe came from a cookbook that Sam had given her as a gift.  Proof that the time we invest in our friendships are efforts well spent!  Love it!

Our birthday gatherings are not only an opportunity to have cake, but a time to catch up with one another.  An opportunity to encourage each other in all areas of our lives.  We find ourselves at different stages ... facing unique challenges ... and enjoying a variety of successes.  We learn from ... we lean on ... and we cheer for one another!  That is what friends do.

Yesterday's gathering included a bonus ... we received puppy kisses from a new furry friend, Hank.  He is completely irresistible!  Our furry friends are such fun!

We live in a world filled with difficulties ... a gesture of kindness from a friend ... allow us to keep those complications in perspective.  

I love fresh herbs ... I love blueberries ... I love handmade everything!  A friend hand painted this planter and then filled it with two varieties of thyme.  She retired from teaching a few years ago and dropped this by on my last day with students.  A thoughtful gift ... just because ... can calm any internal storm!  A friend's thoughtfulness ... such a blessing!

Photo from Roseann Meehan Kermes - White Bear Lake, MN

Friends from afar ... another blessing!  Roseann was at a stop light when this van drove up into the left turn lane!  The back of the van reads, "Have a dilly dally day!"  She immediately thought of me, took a quick photo, and shared it with me via Facebook!  I love how the side view mirror captured her taking the photo with her phone!  What fun ... such thoughtfulness!

When I began to develop this dillydally lifestyle, I made some "life changing" decisions about the kind of friendships I wanted to involve in my life.  I am grateful for my friends and humbly attempt to be the same kind of friend to them.  Just like the cake Valerie made for Sam ... what goes around, comes back around again!  ;-) 

Do what you love.  Celebrate friendship!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Potluck Season

Potluck season is in full swing here in DillyDallydom!  Three potlucks in three days!  Great food shared with friends.  Wonderful!

  I love having my home filled with friends … here in my remote corner of the planet, friends become family!

And of course the food is fantastic!  Here a close friend shared a moose prime rib … it was delicious!

Remember these?  In between two casseroles, a couple of salads, two dozen hamburgers, a pan of bars, and a german chocolate cake … I would occasionally pick up my crochet hook.

A few minutes here and there … results in a table runner!

I immediately put it to use on my buffet.  It is another adaptation of Sherri Falls' pattern, Spring Bliss.

These little units of fun are addicting.  Once the table runner was complete, I began making single units to use as coasters!  Seriously … I cannot stop!  ;-)

6.4.2014 -  6:15 am

Another beautiful day … I plan to hang up my apron, leave the kitchen and go play outdoors!

Do what you love.  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally