Memorable Christmas

Needless to say, Christmas day was memorable in Mobile, Alabama. A tornado hit mid-town Mobile.  This is the second time in a week that a tornado came through this portion of Mobile. The first one was an F1 and the second an F2. The second tornado a result of a weather system tied to crazy jet streams and it was named EUCLID. When did the weather channel start naming storms moving across the US? Hopefully, they will stop that nonsense quickly. Being in the insurance business, naming a storm on the Gulf Coast creates all kind of havoc. Hopefully, we are done with this type of  bad weather for awhile. Since I live in the outskirts of Mobile, no damage here. The mid-towners didn't fair as well. I hope they can get their repairs done and back to some sort of normalcy soon.

Other than weather, Christmas was great. Received some readables including crafting and knitting books. Also, got to spend the day with my family. What greater gift can there be.

If all goes well in 2013, I might be able to post more knitting projects. Have a few ideas and things in the wings that will make it to the blog.

Happy Holidays to everyone and I hope you have a blessed New Year!

Life Lesson

I wish I could say that I have learned a lot in my almost 57 years on this earth, but life lessons occur often. Today was another life lesson for me. This one was a tough pill to swallow. I worked for an individual for 11 years and knew a lot of this persons friends and family members some of whom were clients. We got together at company functions, birthday parties, etc. I left this individuals employe in 2005 for a better job opportunity. This person passed away last week and I went to the services. I was snubbed by this persons brother and a close friend. I talked to them daily if not each week for 11 years and saw them regularly. So imagine my surprise when they acted like they didn't even know my name. My leaving this persons employe caused this individual to take a nosedive? I don't think so. I could not stop this individual from the choices made. I forgive the individuals for their action. More importantly, I pray that God will give my former employer peace; peace not accomplished here on earth.

Family Tree - Needles in a Haystack

So I've spent some time lately with little sister shaking some family trees. Not the Northern family or even those on the East coast, it's the Southern line that we are working on diligently. I must say that I am not impressed with the documentation found so far and the skills of the enumerators. Their skills (spelling) have a lot to be desired. What you might find in one year may be totally different in the next ten year census (spelling). How can they be so far off? Not all are bad. In fact, I've found some that are really quite good. I was totally impressed with the information that the census-taker provided. But, for the most part, they are pitiful.

So with the complaining aside, I have managed to tap on some Southern walls and found quite a bit of information on my Grandfathers family. There are, however, some proverbial "needles in the haystack". I'm going to keep digging until I find my "needles".

Between myself and little sister, we have spent some hours researching, looking and ordering information. I hope that we can leave our family with enough information so that they will not question who were the leaves on their trees ever again.

I might need to pick up the knitting needles again and think of something else for a change. I'll get back to the tree soon though.

Snowbird

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July to all my friends and family. It is very hot in the Deep South. We will cook out later in the day with Angus burgers and brats on the menu. Potato salad is made (for little sister). Spaghetti salad is in the refrigerator (request of young nephew).  Rest of food provided by other family members -- Bunny, Baby and my little sister. Thinking about making some peach cobbler (my quick recipe). We'll wait and see.

Thank you to my grandfathers many generations back who fought in the Revolutionary War and now we can celebrate their victory with them.

I hope everyone has a safe and blessed holiday!

Happy Birthday Baby and Bunny

So I'm a little behind posting to the blog. I hope my nieces, Baby and Bunny will forgive me for not wishing them a Happy Birthday online. They are two wonderful young women whom I have had the pleasure to watch grow up since they were itty bitty. I love them dearly.

Love you both!

Aunt Snowbird

Light Reading

Since January 1st, I have put in more time reading and less time knitting to spare the use of right arm. It seems to be working.  Less constant pain, but it's still there. The following is a list of the books read from January to present:

1) The Quilter's Apprentice (Jennifer Chiaverini)
2) The Violets of March (Sarah Jio)
3) Friendship Bread (Darien Gee)
4) Ice Run: An Alex McKnight Novel (Steve Hamilton)
5) A Cold Day In Paradise: An Alex McKnight Novel (Steve Hamilton)
6) Winter of the Wolf Moon: An Alex McKnight Novel (Steve Hamilton)
7) The Hunting Wind: An Alex McKnight Novel (Steve Hamilton)
8) North of Nowhere: An Alex McKnight Novel (Steve Hamilton)
9) Book Is the Sky: An Alex McKnight Novel (Steve Hamilton)
10) A Stolen Season: An Alex McKnight Novel (Steve Hamilton)
11) Misery Bay: An Alex McKnight Novel (Steve Hamilton)
12) The Forgotten Garden (Kate Morton)

As you can tell, I've become a fan of the Alex McKnight series by Steve Hamilton. Another will be released in the next couple of months. Definitely will read. Thanks to Stitches of Violet for posting this author on her blog. They have been great reads. I especially wanted to read Steve Hamiltons' novels as his story lines take place in the UP of Michigan.

I have started another book by Kate Morton. Her books are large reads, but enjoyable. Others are on the Kindle to be read. Some are classics.

To my reading, I've added scriptural from the Bible. I've read the gospel account of St. John and almost finished with St. Matthew. It is my goal to read all of the New Testament by years end.

More later.....

Snowbird

Spun Sugar - Baby Sweater

So I was asked a few months ago to knit a pink sweater for a friends granddaughter that made her appearance in January. Just a little late posting this, but better late than never.  I was in a quandry as what to knit as I did not want to do my traditional quick sweater. So I took in a few patterns and my friend liked the one with buttons best. So did I. This is the outcome of my knitting project with the pattern taken from the July 2005 Creative Knitting magazine:

 

Not the best picture, but taken with a cell phone at work after I gifted the sweater. I enjoyed making this sweater and gifting it for the new little girl. The grandmother cried.

Snowbird

Big Boo and the Rainbow Bridge

I thought I should post something about the passing of my best four-legged friend for over 18 years, Big Boo. He was the first present I ever received from my Hubby. Hubby did not like me being alone when he was not around. So Big Boo entered my life. He was a freebie. The first yellow kitten I picked-up, I kept -- Big Boo. He has been very sick over the last four months. So on February 16th at about 9:30 PM, Big Boo said goodbye to me and Hubby. He has made his way to the Rainbow Bridge as I was told by Big Boo's doctor -- Dr. Chris. Thank you Dr. Chris for taking such good care of Big Boo these last few months. I knew when I got up on the 16th that it was going to be a hard day for my little furry friend. I came home and he could hardly walk without falling over. I held him for a couple of hours while he slept. He woke up in convulsions. Hubby and I called Dr. Chris and made the trip to his office.  We stayed with Big Boo to the end and brought him home to lay him to rest. I am going to get two yellow roses to plant near Big Boo in his memory. I will always miss you Big Boo!!!

Phoebe's Sweater

Sorry that I have not posted a lot lately, but it's been a busy three or four months here. I did, however, manage to work in some knitting. My goal was to make my great niece, Phoebe, a sweater/coat. I chose the sweater/coat in the book Phoebe's Sweater. What else could I make for a great-niece with the same name as the book.

Here are some pictures of the sweater/coat in the blocking stage. It was gifted to Phoebe for Christmas.

Thanks to my nephew for helping with the pictures. I had to select a place to block the sweater/coat and my coffee table, with some improvised blocking materials, helped. Here are more pictures.

And another picture including the buttons and hood:

Another picture of a close-up of the hood and sleeve. Almost can see stitch definition:

And another picture with a close-up of the buttons:

And another shot of the buttons, hood and sleeve:

AND, FINALLY, PHOEBE SPORTING HER CHRISTMAS SWEATER/COAT FROM AUNT SNOWBIRD:

I made this a size 6 so she would have a couple of good years of use. Phoebe is four and 1/2 years old.

I hope Phoebe enjoys the sweater/coat and her book.

LOVE,

AUNT SNOWBIRD

Happy Birthday Little Sister!

Happy Birthday to my little sister on this your special day -- January 7, 2012. I hope you have a blessed and wonderful day my best friend!