Summer's here, I'm knitting socks, and there's a pattern here for a baby hat!

It is so hard to realize just how quickly time passes...that is, until I check my blog and see how long it's been since I last updated a post.  Yikes!  One might think that retirement would lend more time for keeping a blog post current, but oh no.  Not this "one" anyway!  Of course, I spend a lot of time being sedentary because my body betrays me, but my mind is as active as always!

One of the things that has kept me extremely busy for the past eight months is the injury of my parrot, Quillie.  He lost the toes from his right leg on November 13th, 2010, finally came home and then suffered a severe infection in his "good" leg about 12 weeks later.  This involved countless trips to the vet's office, which was 100 miles round-trip, sometimes for several consecutive days.  It was not only exhausting, but took its toll physically most of the time rendering me too tired to sit at the computer for the long period of time I need to adequately blog as I wish.  I am thrilled to report that Quillie has made a complete recovery and is fully back up to baseline.  He has adjusted beautifully to the loss of his little toes and is happy, healthy and well-adjusted.

Undoubtedly, summer is here with a vengeance!  The heat index at our house today was 105 degrees.  Yesterday, a trip to the grocery store at around three o'clock left me wilted into a puddle (and I NEVER sweat!) and totally exhausted.  There's something about this kind of heat and humidity, coupled with being in my 50's, that completely depletes whatever energy I might have left at that hour of any given day.

Whatever the summer heat steals from me is beautifully replenished by the loveliness of my garden and the birds of spring whose families are growing and showing new adult plumage daily.  Baby feathers are now replaced with the full regalia on the Cardinals, their big eyes now surrounded by brilliant red feathers and black masks.  There is a young family of four visiting our feeders every day, nearly all day.  So precious.  I even have a purple finch this year who is enjoying the syrup from the hummingbird feeder just as much as the hummers are!  They are so cute and sweet, and such a splended reminder of how good God is to me in the unexpected as well as the "norm."

This summer, I broke down and replaced a beloved Hibiscus I'd lost three summers ago with a new braided Hibiscus this year--a sort of tropicana color, rich in orange/red hues.  When it first landed in my garden, I thought my former misfortune would be repeated because the leaves began to turn yellow and dropped like confetti almost immediately.  I was apparently over-watering it.  So, I backed off with the watering and fed it Miracle Grow...it is gorgeous, having celebrated its beauty yesterday with four blooms at once!

It is full of budding promise and I am enjoying its beauty immensely! 

I always enjoy a hanging basket in the flower bed in front of our house and it's full of pink petunias and fuschia-colored verbena--so sweet and soft in its presentation.  Every day, I enjoy the process of dead-heading the petunias and other plants, affording me a piece of gardening in lieu of what I'd really love to spend hours doing if only my body would comply.  Any amount still brings me peace.

Each year, it seems the winter reduces my 15-year-old Peace Lily to a nub, so I routinely must attempt to resuscitate it in a new pot with new potting soil with great results.  This year was no exception, but the difference is that I covered the "nubs" of peace lily with Vinca and Celosia....beautiful!  I fight to keep the Peace Lily alive because it was given to me by a dear friend when my grandfather transitioned into Heaven and I do cherish it so.  The Peace Lily is alive under the flowers you see below.

I also have a Bleeding Heart (cuttings from my friend, Faye) that are on the south side of my house (no photo).  My trusty front porch planter maintains its spot with Vinca and Marigolds.

I haven't been spending ALL of my time on a sofa.  I've found a wonderful lady, Carol,  a sister in Christ who knits, quilts, sews and crochets.  She is teaching me to knit socks, and it's so exciting to think that I could possibly learn such a feat (no pun intended, regardless of the spelling).  This project has been on my "bucket list" for years.   Thus far, I have learned how to do a provisional cast on and knit the socks from the toe up on two circular needles (no DPN's), which affords me the opportunity of sizing the sock as I go.  This is especially helpful because of the swelling in one foot over the other.  I will soon have a pair of custom made socks by none other than myself.  Exciting...at least to me!  As the socks progress, I will post more photos and current updates.  If my friend, Carol, permits me to, I will post her pattern for you upon my completion of the socks.

I had a lot of graduates this year, so I made purses for the females.  I really enjoyed making these very simple yet cute little clutches!

The above, bluish-colored bag was made out of Raffia, flower and all.  I made the flowers so that they are detachable via a pin on the back of them.  This is easier for laundering and having the option of wearing the flower on a garment.  I lined the bags with 100% cotton fabric and put a pocket in some of them.  It was a lot of fun, and I will definitely keep that pattern near my sewing table!

I have dear friends in Lake Junaluska, NC and his mother broke her hip recently.  She just now was able to return home, so I made a walker caddy for her to tie to her walker for the convenience of carrying her things wherever she goes.  This was made with denim fabric and lined with a nice floral print, and the flowers were made from Raffia with pins on the back for easy removal and laundering.

My above-mentioned friend, Carol, recently began a knitting and crocheting group called "Chicks with Sticks," and we gather together every Tuesday night for the sole purpose of making items for charities.  We are making hats, scarves, and fingerless gloves and mittens for the local homeless shelter in Kingsland with plans to reach out to other organizations in the future.  On July 5th, Carol shared a precious knitted baby hat which she was given from a lady at her church.  It was so sweet and yet simple, and left such an impression on me.  My mission for last weekend was to learn how she did this, so with the collaboration of other patterns on line, I figured out how to knit the hat.  Now, don't faint, but I am including the pattern (finally after over a year of promises) for the hat.  I truly hope you enjoy making it and, if you have questions don't hesitate to contact me.

Straight needle baby hat with garter stitch cuff

Size: 10” circumference

Materials:

Sport Weight (or baby) yarn, ¾ oz.

Size 8 knitting needles (or size required for gauge)

Darning needle to sew seam

Gauge: 20 sts = 4” in Stockinette St

Instructions:

Cuff: Cast on 48 stitches. Work one inch in garter stitch.

Crown:

Row 1 (right side): Knit

Row 2 (wrong side): Purl

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 5” from cast on edge, ending with a wrong side (purl) row.

To Shape Top:

Row 1: *K2tog, K2; rep from * across: 36 stitches

Row 2: Purl

Row 3: *K2tog, K2; rep from * across: 27 stitches

Row 4: Purl

Row 5: *K2tog, K1; rep from * across: 18 stitches

Row 6: Purl

Row 7: K2tog across: 9 stitches.

Finishing: Cut yarn leaving long end.  Thread yarn into darning needle and draw through remaining stitches on needle at top of hat. Draw up tightly and fasten off securely, tucking in ends.  Sew side seam of hat. Turn up cuff if desired.

I know I've shared health issues in the past, but I don't enjoy dwelling on that subject.  However, I feel it important that you know I am having foot and ankle surgery on July 21st and may be incapacitated for a while.  A complete recovery takes 18 months and I must be non-weight bearing and in a cast for a minimum of four months.  I know the Lord will see me through this and I look forward to feeling better at the end of the recovery and able to do more things in my daily life and ministry for Jesus.

Until next time, be blessed and to God be the glory!

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.  I Thessalonians 4:11-12

Happy Mother's Day!!!

GOD said, "Build A Better World"

And I said, "How?

The world is such a cold, dark place,

And so complicated now,

And I so old and useless.

There's nothing I can do."

But GOD in all of his wisdom said,

"Just build a better you!"

I was going through a little basket which belonged to my mother.  It was on her dresser, but most of the contents used to be on her desk years earlier, before she retired.  She'd see a poem, quote or story and clip it out and put it with her little basket.  I am going to be speaking tomorrow morning at church in honor of Mother's Day.  Since my mother went to Heaven, I have desperately wanted to honor her before my friends and family.  Tomorrow is my opportunity to honor the woman who loved me so much that she sacrificed so that I could have the things I wanted.  Based on what I wrote, which is about three and one-half pages, I should be at the podium for five minutes or so.  It seems like such a short tribute to this larger-than-life woman.  Nevertheless, I think she would be proud for what is being said about her and how much she is truly loved and missed.

I am including a little craft project I completed several months ago.  I saw this on another blog in a photograph.  There were no instructions for the project, so I copied it as best I could from the photo.  It turned out very well, all things considered!  ...Certainly well enough for me to complete a mouse!

This is my Knitting Kitty!

The original project was a mouse, which I made, but did not wish to publish out of respect for the artist.  The knitting needles were made from fancy toothpicks (fun!) and then I attached yarn and cast on a few stitches and knitted a row so that the Kitty would truly be a "Knitting Kitty."

I have a photo of the two side by side, and the comparisons are cute!  The reason I made a kitty was because all I could think of was "Cat & Mouse."  I figured the little mouse needed a companion and I didn't want him to be lonely.  Ergo, the Knitting Kitty.

I met a very kind and Godly woman on line.  Her name is Marie.  She has a blog and I am going to include her url on my blog so that you can visit her.  She is amazing and has lots of beautiful yarn and wonderful prices.  Let's support this very special woman of God! 

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My beautiful daughter, Dessi, sent me a bouquet of roses last Thursday that are simply elegant and refined.  Their colors are white, deep red, mauve and pink.  I know most people wouldn't think those colors would work, but when you use the rose as its' medium...LOOKOUT!

Arent' these heavenly?  I have enjoyed their beauty immensely!

A friend of mine from high school stopped by Friday on his way home to Florida.  We hadn't seen one another in five years!  He is like a baby brother to me, only he is several feet taller than I am at this point!

Doug is on your right-hand side.  His friend, Cary, is on the left.  They had made a business run up to our nation's capital and stopped by our house on the way home!  It was such fun to see Doug, as he hadn't been to our home before.  He is so complimentary, kind, loving and committed to me.  Friendships like that are few and far between.  Thanks, Dougie, for coming by and adding to the special events of my week!

And finally, I leave you with a photo of my Amaryllis that was given to me in 2008.  This is its second year blooming from my garden.  I truly enjoy it and am prepared to separate blubs soon, as i it is beginning to multiply.

I wish you all a wonderful Mother's Day!  I thank you so much for your support and understanding when it comes to my blog.  It is something that I am experimenting with and enjoying completely!

Wishing you blessings!!!!

An Exciting New Web Site!

Today is the birthday of my very dear childhood friends, Robin Stahura.  Those of you in the S.E. U.S. area may not know her, as she lives in Virginia.  Portsmouth to be exact, which is the town where I was born.  She is an amazingly creative woman who makes jewelry that is unique, one-of-a-kind and very beautiful pieces!  I have included her web address for you to refer to on my blog.  For quick reference, it is http:\\relicsbyrobin.com.  Be sure that you visit her web site.  It is still in the early construction phase, so please bear with her and know that it will be worth the wait!  Robin is one of the hardest-working women I have ever known and her ambition is matchless.  She has a beautifully creative style and mind.  I haven't seen a match for it yet, and I have lived 53 years!  Be sure you let her know what you think of her gorgeous creations.

Not much going on in my world except trotting to doctors and knitting and crocheting when I have a chance.  I love doing both, so it is a joy when I must travel to Jacksonville for a medical appointment.  Tom usually drives and I get to work on my current projects.  I always take a bag along with me that is equipped with yarn and needles, and a current project, on which to spend time working.

I hope your week is going well and you are creating things....beautiful things...with your hands.  Remember to send me photos of your recent projects, as I am inspired by the work that others do.

God bless you!

Surprise, Surprise!

I know it's been a while since I posted anything, but I'm a little under the weather.  I discovered last week that I have a blood clot in my left leg.  There's been a lot of swelling and pain in that leg, and my orthopedic surgeon who will hopefully perform the total knee joint replacement in May referred me to a vascular surgeon.  I had some testing last Thursday and lo and behold there was a little friend hiding in my popliteal vein!  Since I have a bevy of diagnoses, they did not know exactly how to handle this.  Protocol is hospitalization (yuk!) and blood thinners.  The jury is still out on what they will do with me, as I have to see the vascular doctor Tuesday.  He happened not to be in the office last Thursday, and I received the news from his physician's assistant.  Needless to say, I am on bed rest and compression, which I have basically been doing and which likely has attributed to the fact that this clot didn't throw (that, and Jesus being on my side!).  I am sharing this with you because the new posts will be sporadic for the next few weeks.  I ask your forgiveness and patience with me.  I know that the blog is not getting a lot of hits now, but the few I recieve I appreciate greatly!  You are all such warm, friendly people.  I am so pleased with the comments that have been left by you all.  I have always said that crafters are the nicest people in the world, and you all are living proof!

In my current situation, I haven't let knitting or crocheting pass me by.  I am not finished with Georgia's (slip stitch) scarf, but I would say about 1/3 of the way through...yay!!!  I have almost finished the scarf for Gabby that I mentioned in an earlier post.  I offered to put pom-poms on her scarf as an embellishment, and she liked the idea.  I am going to have lots of fun making those while I'm resting...thanks, Gabby!!!  I will begin her brother, Jon's scarf and work on that as soon as her scarf is finished, and I promise photos.  Here's a photo of Georgia's scarf in progress:

The following photo is the public and wrong sides of the scarf. 

The colors in this yarn are amazing, and it's such fun to keep knitting to see what unfolds!

I have lots of new ideas running around in my head for patterns that I hope to post before my surgery in May..so hold on...I promise to give you more than just updates, photos and links.  I don't want to lose the followers I have because of boredom!  I've actually got a list of things I want to create and finish so that I can post the patterns here, many of them I will store up for after the knee surgery.  I promise to have something in the coming weeks, though.

I have one more photo of my Yorkie to share with you, and I know you've seen him before, but I love looking at him.  His beauty and sweet company never cease to amaze me.  Thanks for indulging me.

And, we cannot forget Sammy's little friend, Rajah, who stays with us quite often.

It's hard to believe that March is on our heels, but indeed it is.  When I married my husband, I learned that his mother was a wonderful crafter.  She had a thimble collection, many of which my husband purchased for her during his travels.  Last year, I found a shelf for the thimbles, and was then able to clean them and display them with great pride.  I would like to share them with you in the coming months.  This month, I am going to show you the St. Patrick's Thimble.  It's ceramic.  I have no idea the age of the thimbles, nor their worth, but I know they are priceless to my husband and me.

My sister, Kimberly, will arrive this week from New Jersey, and I think she'll be glad for the respite from all of the snow (15 inches last Thursday and Friday).  She's coming to stay with me while my husband travels to Italy, and to help me recover from surgery.  She will stay through the end of June, as my husband will be traveling to Diego Garcia again for most of that month.  I have no idea when I'll be back to post new information, but I will definitely try to be back soon.  Thanks for all of your kindness, prayers, and loyalty to me!