The Present

That's today. It's a gift. Church this morning, singing praises to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Lunch at the Melting Pot, then home for birthday cake and family. What more could a girl want or ask for. Thank you to all my friends who sent wishes of birthday happiness my way on facebook, through the mail, on the phone and in person. I love you all!

The Past

So tomorrow I turn 42. I'm really excited about this. Am I the only person who gets excited about getting older? I'm thankful that the Lord blessed me with another year to live; to hang out with and enjoy all the people I love and to meet some new ones, too. He's also helped me accomplish things this last year that I thought I'd never do, though I always wanted to. I sang a solo in front of alot of people and didn't pass out! I began run/walking with Kim routinely and haven't passed out yet,(I think I'm afraid of passing out) and I started this wonderful blog. Had the thrill of catching some beautiful bass in the spring, (if you don't fish, you won't understand). My daughter and I have kept her A1C level below 7. She has Type I diabetes and this is a huge deal. Congratulated her when she caught her first rainbow trout. Helped teach my son to drive and celebrated when he got his license. Helped (and I use this term loosely here) my husband lay flooring for the living room and bedroom and plant a bountiful garden (that's pictured above). Enjoyed fixing 36 meals for shut-ins once a month. Oh, knitted my FIRST sweater AND wore it to church!

It's been a GREAT year! Thank you, Lord.

Christmas?

Ok, I know it's nowhere near Christmas, but I had this really good idea that I wanted to do for the holiday and didn't get around to it....until now. My daughter bought these frames for me last summer at a garage sale. I think she paid a dollar for two of them:

I decided to paint them with this:

to get this:

I know it's a little dark. Trust me, it's very pretty; silver. Now I absolutely love the site Sublime Stitching and how graphic their embroidery is. I decided that I could stitch the simple shape of an ornament and I did (see below)

To achieve this, Ta Da....

Aren't they pretty? And they'll go great with my turquoise and silver decorations next year. Try it yourself.

Booties

Ok. I'm giving you a sneak peak at one booty, not quite finished. A few days ago, I wondered what I could make for some expectant moms at my church. SaartjeKnits has a cute pattern that I've wanted to try out for awhile now. I don't know why I'm drawn to the color brown, though. Everything I own is brown...or black...or white. They're not even my favorite colors, but with the little pink flower on the brown booty, I believe it would suit a little girl. Now, if I can make one just like it, I'll have a pair. These are just a prototype. Maybe I should pick a color more befitting a baby? Let me know what you think....

Tuesday

Well, I made my reservations for the Melting Pot. We'll be going this Sunday to celebrate my 42nd birthday. Thank you Kim for the gift card! I'm really excited. I've wanted to go since Kim told me about it last year, but it's one of those places that you only go to for special occasions, I think. She brought me a menu with the card and everything sounds so yummy. Can't wait!

Made this recipe for Bulgur-corn-shrimp risotto, but substituted scallops for the shrimp. The hubby and I quite liked it; the kids, not so much.

Debunking

Does she only knit washcloths? Yawn....Perish the thought! Actually, I finished my first EVER knitted sweater earlier this year. I chose the pattern because it reminds me of something a ballerina would wear. The sleeves are looong with beautiful lacey ends and the front suplice is shaped to enhance my...um...modest figure. Plus, it has this wrap around tie thingy that hides some of my mistakes, (hee,hee). That's me wearing it up top. The picture's kinda small, sorry. The pattern is from the spring/summer issue of Knit1. It's pattern number 23, lace hem wrap.

Going running again today, although it's rather wet outside. I hope I don't have a heart attack. No, really. Last week, I got a pounding headache, chest pains and was dizzy if I looked off in the distance. I'm planning on doing better today. Don't wanna make my friend have to drag me home!

SUN!!!!

Yay, yay, yay.....the sun came out today. What an appropriate time to post pictures of the project I completed two days ago:



That's right; they're dishcloths in the yummiest colors. Exactly what I needed in the dead of winter!
I also ran farther than I EVER have; without dying or having a heart attack. Thanks to my coach, Kim. I couldn't do it without her. I know, because I've tried...and failed. Anyway...whoot,whoot!

A Poem

Snow Flakes

Out of the bosom of the Air,
Out of the cloud-folds of her garments shaken,
Over the woodlands brown and bare
Over the harvest fields forsaken,
Silent, and soft, and slow
Descends the snow.

Longfellow

Don't ask. It just seems to fit today. I will not be sad to see it go.

Baking Bread

I endeavor to do many things. I don't, however, continue to do things that I'm no good at. That's not to say that I give up easily. On the contrary, if I feel that I'm right on the edge of a breakthrough, I'll double my efforts to succeed. Bread making is NOT my gift. I've tried numerous times only to end in failure with each attempt. I've tried measuring and weighing the ingredients, testing the water temperature and I've also tried throwing caution to the wind and just using my senses to get the right "feel" to the dough to no avail. No, I am not a bread baker. Lucky for me, my husband is. Not only does he make good bread, but he seems to actually enjoy doing it. He says it's necessary to make a "mess" when you make bread. This is usually when I leave the kitchen. I return later to clean said "mess"; and to sink my teeth into a warm, crusty slice of this beautiful baked goodness. I'd say it's a win, win situation!

More Snow?!!

Seriously? It started last night.....which made me have to have a cup of tea:



It continued this morning.....which made me have to have a cup of coffee and do some knitting:


They're dishcloths. I got the pattern from HERE.

Guess what? There are three young ladies who are expecting at my church and I know all of them fairly well. I want to knit something for each one, so I'm on the lookout for some cute/sweet baby knits. Have any ideas?

Alicia Paulson

Where I go DAILY.

I don't remember what publication I first read about Alicia in, but the article had her website listed which I immediately looked up and fell in deep apreciation for. From her website, I visited ALL of her favorite links which opened up the wonderful world of blogging to me. I couldn't believe there were SO many talented and creative people in the world. For my friends who are new to blogland, if you click on the word "DAILY" above, it will take you to her site.

I now have my own favorite sites that I will link up a little at a time, but hers will always be my favorite. Besides being crazy creative, she's sweet and gracious and an excellent photographer. Ok, enough said. I don't want to seem like some weird stalker!

Fishing

My husband and daughter went fishing today. Yes, it is February, and yes, the temperature never got above 34 degrees and there was a blistering wind, but did that deter them.....NO. Guess what....my daughter caught her very first rainbow trout! Now, I'm not a good photographer, so the flash makes it look all silvery, like a sardine, but it truly WAS a lovely rainbow color. So, in addition to the lamb chops I was cooking for dinner, Sav allowed ME to have the fish as well. She said it was for my birthday, (which is coming up). I cooked trout almandine with butter and lemon juice....I didn't have any white wine, but it was DELICIOUS none the less.

Handmade

Thought I'd share this VERY simple idea for a candle stand. Actually, I was going to use these display pieces for little cookies or pastries, but the candles look so sparkly and pretty, I decided they could use them for awile. They cost .49 cents for the candle stick, (that's the base) and .99 for the little glass dessert plate. I got them from Goodwill, but have seen similar in ALL the thrift shops I've been in. I glued them using Amazing Goop, but E6000 would work also. Not bad for $1.48, eh? Enjoy.

My son earned his license yesterday, whoot! whoot! The person grading him on his driving test said he was the best driver he tested all day. Matthew scored a 100%, and his Father and I couldn't be more proud. Love you, Mattie.

Got my new running shoes last night and am iching to go running. Alas, it's raining outside. Oh how I wish I had a treadmill! Maybe it'll clear up once the sun comes up, (we're early risers). I can always hope, right? Bye for now.

EMS

Flashing red lights are generally NOT a good thing. I don't know what happened across the street, but it was enough for 3 firetrucks, an ambulance and some other emergency vehicle. I hope everyone is o.k.

Back to my knitted socks. I used a Lion Brand pattern and Wool-Ease yarn for the socks. I always try to use less expensive materials for my prototypes. Once I know I like a pattern or technique, I'll invest in much finer materials. The Wool-Ease is O.K., a little scratchy and the pattern wasn't quite right. Overall, these socks make me think of lighthouses, fishing nets, lobster crates and barnicles. Very New England"y". Utilitarian. Maybe, I'll try a finer gauge and some cashmere next.

Although these were my first SOCKS, they were not my first knitted item. Coming soon, I'll show you the lovely sweater knit in dark charcoal Caron Country, (again, not an expensive yarn)......

Melting

Waiting for the big thaw. I couldn't live where I had to deal with snow ALL the time. Thank goodness, it only comes every now and again in this part of the country. Hopefully the sun will break through this afternoon, and will warm us up into the 40's. Certainly, that should remove this white blanket we're under....

Well, I think the snow melted quite nicely. However, the school superintendent must not agree, as they have called off school AGAIN tomorrow. This in no way affects our family since we homeschool, but I have friends who are eager to have their children back in class.

I had my hair done today by the phenomenal Stephanie Derricks of CHRYSTAL'S in PleasantView. Thanks, Stephanie. You're terrific. This photo does NOT do it justice. I get SO many compliments.


I just finished knitting my FIRST ever pair of socks! I'm more than a little proud.