Progress blooms

Projects are budding inside and out. After finishing a cornucopia of knits for my Etsy shop recently, I started anew and kept working on a few more.

Inside
The sparkly sock is coming along. This amazing loom is quite a conversation-starter wherever I go. I can go pretty fast on it except for those k2tog/YO [1] rows. I think I'll be switching to just stockinette for the foot so I can whip through these.

After starting my market bag a few or 10 times, I have some real stretchy progress to show.

The snake hat is all done so it's time for another fun hat knit. So here comes Yoshi times two for our friends' Halloween costumes. Their lil one is going to be baby Mario and if you've played a few Nintendo games, you should know why this all works out.

Lastly for the knits, do you remember that pink pink pink children's knit machine? Until it just wasn't any fun anymore, I cranked out a big pile of girly, furry scarves. They're all set for this fall's craft fair and the toy is tucked away into the closet.

Outside
A friend (and former co-worker) from our local newspaper recently blogged about how indoor housekeeping takes a backseat to prettying up the outdoors during the summer. As I look around right now at our dingy floors, mail piles and laundry — I know what she's talking about.

I know my garden holds no ground on hers but I am enjoying popping flowers and budding veggies right now. Mr Plate and I even weeded and trimmed our stone-y garden areas last night. The clover has been conquered in the front and our sprawling dogwood was given a buzz cut. I should have taken before/after photos but I didn't so you'll have to do with the following photos instead.

The Topsy Turvy containers have been moved from the wobbly shepherd's hooks to sturdy hooks drilled onto the deck. I have to say they are my strongest plants right now.

My favorite pot on the patio holds the lilies and coleus plants. I am beyond thrilled that they bloomed this year. I love the burst of orange surrounded by the pretty reds and greens.

The onions have taken over in a different container. You might not see it but I promise there's a pepper plant in there somewhere, too. I hope those onions are going strong down in the dirt.

And here is a pretty pic to say adieu. Berries are forming on our young Hawthorne tree.

Endnote
[1] Knit 2 stitches together and yarn over. I need to move 1 loop
to an adjacent peg, knit 2 loops over 1, and then wrap the yarn
around the empty peg.