Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to my family and friends. May you enjoy many blessings during this holiday season!

Knitting Patterns

I've spent my time off working on knitting projects. One project, in particular, is for my great niece -- a sweater/coat. It's a design I've wanted to make for a while.  Needless to say, the pattern could have been written better. The sweater/coat part going up both front sides needed to carry the design going around the bottom of the sweater/coat.  If the design had been carried up the fronts, the stockinette stitching probably would not have had the tendency to curl on itself and less blocking would be needed. Otherwise, it is a quick knit and will be gifted. My right hand, arm and shoulder are doing okay with this project, but definitely feel the pain from the repetitive motion.

Besides knitting, I've been cleaning parts of my house. Let's say, I gave it a good try. I only do so much and have to stop. I tried doing more than I should and could hardly walk for two days. Lesson learned about the metal parts and pieces now in my lower back. So, from now on, I will do things in increments.

Thanksgiving was wonderful. I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday. It was a time to reflect on all our blessings. I never want to take my blessings for granted.

So happy for the Christmas season. It is one of my favorite times of year. I especially enjoy Christmas Eve church services. It puts everything in order for me. All else is accessory.

Snowbird

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and family! I hope you have had a blessed day!

Snowbird

Vacation

Finally, have taken some time off from work -- this week and the week of Thanksgiving. A much needed rest. I have some  little projects around my house including knitting to finish. I got up this morning and almost felt lost not having to do the 8 - 4:30 work thing. It's raining outside, so all the little projects will have to be done inside. On Wednesday, going to a knitting club meeting. That should be fun. I need to get little sister over here to work on my computer so I can post some pictures. I've been depending on Bunny to help me whenever I need to post. Right arm still hurts, but I've put off having anything major done to it until after the first of the year. Well, what to do first?

Snowbird

Time Goes By

Today is one of those days that makes stop and think about everything that has gone by in my life and whatever may happen today and then the surprise of all my tomorrows. Sometimes I think too much on a reflective type day.  I do, however, count my blessings and thank God for always being there for me. I pray that God will help you reflect on all that is good and find peace in your reflective moments too.

Snowbird

Happy Birthday America

In memory of a grandfather many generations ago

who helped make us a nation.

Johann Adam Anspach

Revolutionary War Veteran 1st Sergeant

Capt. Michael Forrer's Company

Berks County (PA) Militia.

Crossword in Cross Stitch

I picked this out of a magazine recently and my young niece, Bunny, stitched this design for me. It is absolutely beautiful and has great meaning. Crosswords are one of my favorite word games along with Scrabble. The flowers remind me of certain family members -- Grandmother, Dad, Mom, sister and niece. The old fashioned flowers remind me of my Grandmother. My Mom was forever planting flowers when she was able and little sister has picked up the mantle and continues in Mom's footsteps. I am hoping that Baby, another young niece, will continue in her Mom's footsteps as she too likes flowers. My Dad's favorite flower was the Iris. The biggest decision, however, will be the choice of frame and where to hang this in my house.

Thank you Bunny for stitching this beautiful piece for me.

Snowbird

Catching Up - Glass Bowl, Knitting and Mother's Day

I have been so negligent about posting on my blog. Letting other things get in the way. What has Snowbird been doing with her time? For one, I took a glass bowl making class. The bowls are either square or round and made with strips of glass laid one on another. The bowl turned out great for my first attempt. The picture does not do the colors justice. It looks almost like tartan plaid. I chose Christmas colors and will sit this on my coffee table filled with gold glass balls during the holidays. It is my goal to take the class again in the future. Might try a round bowl the next time. Signing up for a wrapped glass jewelry making class in July if all works out. Should be lots of fun.

Have not had the knitting needles working too much lately. Trying to let my right arm rest as I have a torn rotator cuff. Tore it last year when I fell in the shower. It can be pretty painful when I throw my yarn. Yep I'm a thrower. Never did learn the continental way of knitting. It's all in how you learned to knit. Have had a few injections to help alleviate the pain, but am going to have it repaired in the next couple of months.

Thought I would mention that I received some nice presents on Mothers Day from my nieces. Got a knitting book "A Knitter's Home Companion" and cook book "Southern Pies" from Bunny. I read the knitting book the very next day from front to back. Really enjoyed it a lot. The Southern Pie book is great. It seems our family is not really big on cake, so this will give me a host of recipes to try. Baby got me and her mother Kindle's. What a surprise. I have put on some free books from Amazon and also added a Bible. A great way to carry a lot of books without all the weight. An artist at the Centre for Living Arts in Mobile, Alabama makes book covers and created a cover for our Kindle's. The cover is great. You would think it was just another book, but it contains my Kindle. I think Baby had a great idea getting her mother and me Kindle's. Not much space left in the two houses for too many more books.

It is extremely hot in the Deep South. I don't spend any time outside. This is the time of year I dislike the most about living in the South. There is a lot to be said about the winters though.....

Until next time, have a wonderful weekend!

Snowbird

Palm Sunday

I hope everyone has a blessed Palm Sunday. A day of reflection. The beginning of a very special week.

Baby Blanket

This blanket is for a good friend who now has her second grandchild. I have known her since I moved to the Deep South (34 years this July). I use to knit and crochet for her daughter all kinds of niceties years ago. Now I have the opportunity to knit blankets for both of her grandsons. Time sure does fly by. The blanket is an easy knit from the book Simple123 Knitting. I added one more pattern repeat as I didn't like the length. I will probably make this one again for gift giving in the future.

Helmet Liners

Finally! I have taken the time to post about the helmet liners I knit before Christmas for our guys in uniform. It took me more time than I care to admit, but I finished them so that they could be sent off. The ladies at our church made over 40 helmet liners. My contribution is shown above. My hope is that they will keep our soldiers warm. God bless and keep all our troops safe!