Peppermint and Ginger Tea

April 26 and it isn't over yet...
This month is so big it began in the last week of March and won't end until the first week of May. Seriously, so much has been happening I feel I've missed the whole month in a blur. The only thing saving my sanity this month has been a constant supply of free downloaded audio books from the public libraries. I have to say that the Susan Cooper series The Dark is Rising was the most excellent remedy for the sour taste the recent movie, The Seeker (supposedly based on at least one of those books), left behind.
Now I need to convince a reading-reluctant child that the Harry Potter movies are not the end-all, be-all of the experience. While those movies are decent representatives of the stories, in my opinion, no one could possibly fit everything into the movie that is in the book. The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings are other excellent examples of how much more the omnipresent narrator can tell you than a camera can. I will step off that soapbox for now. Said child does not read the blog so I'm scoring no points here.

2fer1: Make that May 26 and it isn't over yet!
I won't even try to pick up where I left off. I'm having a hard enough time picking up where I am. The title of this post is so appropriate because of the business and stress of the days I don't have time to write or just don't know where to start. The Peppermint and Ginger Tea is very soothing. I live in an area where the water definitely has a flavor I do not like so I look for ways I can stay hydrated and enjoy the drink. Peppermint tea is perfect for this purpose. I purchase bulk tea herbs from Starwest Botanicals and have been pleased with their service and their product. I steep peppermint and stevia (a non-caloric herbal sweetener) and it makes my water tolerable to my palate. The fresh ginger is especially nice when my stomach is upset for any reason. It has replaced remedies from Tums to Immodium for me.

On to the crafting front. I recently finished a program from Penn Foster Career College in Dressmaking and Design. I thought it was a good program. I have been sewing for many years and still learned some new tricks.
I have been working with a new-to-me charity group who make knit and crochet blankets in a log cabin style. I was intrigued by the idea of using yarn to mimic a traditionally quilted design. It is a round robin group so each person does a part of the blanket and they come out patchwork as a result. I liked the idea so much that I started to put together some blocks for one of our Stitch Ministry blankets that is so many odd blocks. They won't match each other unless the whole thing is made patchwork. The double strand horseshoe and trinity blanket isn't finished yet either. My hands tire quickly when working with large needles. I finished a pair of socks just in time for a graduation [Brown Sheep Wildfoote Luxury Sock, Master Grey]. To my dismay, changing to a slightly larger needle for the leg made more than a slight difference in the gauge (duh!) and they didn't stay up through the ceremony. Live and learn. Finished a pair of Mock Smock Socks - say that 5 times fast - [Plymouth Sockotta, Colorway 6669] with much better results and started a pair of Cross-Hatch Lace socks [Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock, Funky Stripe]. When I learn to count, the latest pair will be much more enjoyable to work on.

March's crochet projects were minimized considerably: I made 1 babushka [Patons Grace, 60903 Lavender]and started PH612 Tank Top by Oat Couture [RY Luxury Cotton DK]. For some reason, mulberry isn't shown, but my LYS had it. It has a bit of silk in it and a nice feel to it.

I am off now to get in some knitting or crocheting or goofing off on Ravelry.com
I hope to write again before 2 months have passed.