And Then She Found Me

The Rambling Rows baby blanket is finished, wrapped, and ready to deliver to my neighbors and their first child, a precious daughter. I decided to add a ruffle trim to soften the angles. Doing the final row in purple is a pleasing way to unify the bolder colors with the pastels.

I finished reading And Then She Found Me by Elinor Lipman and truly enjoyed it! There were surprising and unexpected turns in the story along with a good bit of humor. Delightful to read! The description on the back cover says, "April Epner teaches high school Latin, wears flannel jumpers, and is used to having her evenings free. Bernice Graverman brandishes designer labels, favors toad-sized earrings, and hosts her own tacky TV talk show: Bernice G! For 36 years Bernice has followed the life of the daughter she gave up for adoption. Now she's ready to be a mom. And she's hurtling straight for April's quiet little life..."

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Don’t ever become so busy that you fail to realize how very happy you are! ---Kathryn Hiller

Wordless Wednesday

The Columnist by Jeffrey Frank

The beautiful, but misleading Saturday sky pic also includes a biting, cold wind in 41-degree temperatures! Love my fireplace!

In answer to Zonda about the yarn posted yesterday, I plan to gift it to my Secret Pal 9.

I finished reading The Columnist by Jeffrey Frank. It is a satirical account of a pompous journalist who becomes a Washington columnist and "talking head" on cable news channels. He is a composite of several self-important journalists that often pop up on cable news. Written in the voice of the lead character as he pens his memoirs, the name dropping and anecdotes are self-serving, witty, and pathetic. A quick read, this book left me feeling very sad for the lonely character of Brandon Sladder.

Weeping may endure for a night, but Joy comes in the morning. ---Psalm 30:5

Yarnographic Friday

Today's yarn is 1100 yards of Rick Rack by Interlacements, hand-dyed, and 100% nylon. Their web site is https://interlacementsyarns.com/

It has a particular shine to it that catches light that brings out shades of color. It feels amazingly soft and silky and would make a very nice throw.

Here's Rick Rack after spending some time with Miss Swift and Mr. Winder.

Each decision we make, each action we take, is born out of an intention. --Sharon Salzberg

Wordless Wednesday

Hats! The Bad Behavior of Belle Cantrell

Yesterday was a knitless day. Instead of knitting, I was Red Hatting! Our chapter went out to eat at a fab-fab Mexican Restaurant, El Noa Noa, where I savored a carnita sopapilla with a side of guacamole. There are no words! You just have to taste it! Then, we went to the play "Hats!", a musical about----can you guess?---the Red Hat Society and the joys of being 50 and over. It's going to be at Harrah's in New Orleans in January, so if you're in that part of the country you might want to see it there. A charter bus from Nebraska brought 118 Red Hatters to see the play in Denver yesterday. Fun-fun day!

Meanwhile, my poor sweet Max was recuperating after being stung by a swarm of wasps. He didn't whimper, moan, or make a peep---er--- sound, but he was miserable. He had been stung near his right eye, which was swollen shut, his front paws, and back. He's doing much better today, but I felt just awful for him. I had moved the wooden steps to our hot tub, not knowing there was a hive in there. So while I was standing on the top step to hang wind chimes at the end of the pergola, sweet Max was being attacked by the tunnel wasps. Poor baby.

Wondering what the glue-like substance is? (It'll stick to your ribs---har-har!) It is simmering on the cook top as I type. It's a quickie recipe that I will share with you below. Just how brave are you, hmmm?

Quickie Italian Chicken and Rice Soup(ready in approximately 10 minutes)

• 1 quart plus 2 cups chicken stock (I use Swanson's)
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 1 thinly sliced zucchini--or not
• 1# can Great Northern beans, undrained
• 1-1/2 cups quick cooking rice
• 2 cans of Hormel chicken chunks
• basil and parsley to taste
• grated Parmesan or Romano cheese to be put on top when serving

Bring stock and carrots to boil over high heat.
Stir in the remaining ingredients EXCEPT the grated cheese.
Cook about 5-7 minutes until rice is done and veggies are tender.
Serve with cheese sprinkled (liberally in our house) on top.
Serve with a fresh salad and enjoy! :)

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I finally finished reading The Bad Behavior of Belle Cantrell by Loraine Despres. I don't really know why I slogged through it, but I did. No disrespect to the author, but this book struck me as one in the category of Harlequin romance with history thrown in to give it some respectability. Not my cup-o-tea. The story line is essentially a bodice-ripper with standard characters including the lovely, sexually starved widow, the too handsome but evil and highly sexual man, the married guy who truly loves her, the ambivalent mother-in-law...well, you get the idea. This may be a book you would truly enjoy. It just wasn't for me!
Read on!Knit on!
Eat on!And, stay away from wasps!!

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Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly the number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michaelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson and Albert Einstien. ---H. Jackson Brown

Saturday Sky @ the Park

Fall weather is not very colorful here. There are a few trees that go to yellow, but not for long. Most trees go from green to drab. However that is offset by the beautiful blue sky.

I truly-truly appreciate the supportive comments regarding the baby blanket for the neighbor baby who is getting older by the minute! My posting about the number of patches was incorrect--darn! The total for the baby blanket is 55 not 46! I do want to emphasize that this pattern is really fun to knit. The pattern is in The Rambling Rows Afghan booklet by Cottage Creations.

I knew you before you were born. I knit you together in your mother’s womb. You were written in My book before you were even made. ---Psalm 139: 13-16

Noro Kureyon

This Noro Kureyon is coyly posing in a pottery piece.

Shades of green are cuddled among the gorgeous jewel tones of blues and purples.

Accompanied by two other hanks of Kureyon, this will be sent to my SP9 later this month. I hope she'll enjoy these rich colors.

The Word of the Lord did not come to pass. It came to stay. ---Unknown

Doo-WAH!

Why settle for a solo when you can have trio? Although these happy little ghosts sing a cute version of "I want candy!", they could use some help with their choreography! Fun Halloween gifts, they are!

Maybe we don't put our young people in situations often enough where they're allowed to fail. When you fail you gain experience, and with enough experience, you don't fail as often. ---Colin Powell

Wordless Wednesday

Saturday Sky @ 6 PM

Driving down the highway at 70 MPH, I picked up my camera, stuck my arm out of the car window while praying that I wouldn't drop the camera, and snapped a few pics. This is the best of them. When I was a child, my Nonna told me the rays are blessings coming from the hand of God. I praise and thank Him for tonight's beautiful show in the sky.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ---Hebrews 11:1

Yarnographic Friday

This Italian yarn has lived with us for four years and has become part of the family! Although I'm the only one aware of it. I love the dark red color with touches of other color strands running through it.

From the Mosaic collection, this Charles yarn is 83% extra fine merino, 15% acrylic, and 2% nylon for size 5 or 6 needles. With 99 yards per ball, you know I have mountains of the elegant yarn!

This is the sweater that I am making---making? I did about 25-30 rows four years ago. Does that count as making??
The twisted stitch adds a beautiful finishing touch to the cuffs and the bottom edge.

Now for some natural beauty living on the fence in our backyard. I never tire of seeing this view from our deck.

There are few nudities so objectionable as the naked truth.--Agnes Repplier

Rambling Rows

Skulking along our side of the fence in the back yard, hiding among the vines draping our pergola, I am avoiding my neighbors! Most especially, I am avoiding their newborn, precious daughter. I feel awful! Here is the reason for my nefarious actions:



It's the blanket I am making for the baby! It is preventing me from cuddling their first born! Did I mention that she is about 5-6 weeks old? No? Well, she is!

Does anyone else do this? I mean the I-can't-visit-the-baby-until-I-finish-the blanket thing. I mean, they live right. next. door. I've thought of visiting them and telling them I'm making something for the baby that is not quite finished yet. Then I think no, I want to have a gift with me when I see her for the first time. You can see, given world events, just exactly how Earth shaking this is! Now I'm thinking--knit faster!!

And then, there's the other problem I have as I close-in on completing an item: I find something that I dislike about it. Ev-er-y time! My original idea about the color for this was to use the girlie-pink as the main color along with the other pastels, add a couple stronger colors for visual stimulation, and there's my baby blanket!! Although I like the lime and purple, I am now thinking--oh my! Those are bright!
This Rambling Rows ghan is fun to knit-- just wishing I were completing it a little faster! I am working on patch #36 of 46 total patches. Darn! I can see in these pics that some of the slanted lines are at the wrong angle! There was a time I would have ripped and redone, however that time is not now!
The Caron "Simply Soft" is nice to work with and good for tossing in the washer and dryer. So, instead of typing-typing, I'd best start knitting-knitting with my size 8s.

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. --- Proverbs 15:30

Wordless Wednesday --- Teeth!

SP9 Questionnaire

Sp9 is coming soon!! Here are my questionnaire responses for my yet-to-be-named SP. Let's have fun!

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I enjoy using different types of fibers and yarns. Would prefer not to have the "fun fur" type of yarn.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Needles—in a hand-thrown pottery pitcher/Hooks—in a case that I received in a swap.

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? Since 1962/Advanced

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes, Amazon.

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) Fresh scents, nothing too sweet like vanilla or floral—I favor Yankee candles to put in my candle warmers.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? Milk chocolate!

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I crochet and do not spin.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) Contemporary Christian music/MP3--yes

9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand? It really depends on the item.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Family=dearest husband, three adult children and their spouses, seven grandchildren/ My sweet dog, Max, a Boxer

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Scarves

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? I like to make a variety of items and don't have a single favorite.

13. What are you knitting right now? Rambling Rows baby blanket, an intarsia afghan, two short sleeve sweaters, probably a couple other items, too!

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Circular bamboo

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Yes, swift and winder.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Ohmygosh!! 4 years!

18. I learned to knit in high school with a friend by reading books. A "yarn shop lady" helped with assembling my first project, a hooded long-sleeved sweater with a font placket. I wore it for many years!

19. What is your favorite holiday?4th of July

20. Is there anything that you collect? Dolls, hand-thrown pottery, owls

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? None at the moment. I decided not to renew them since there are so many resources online and in my files. :) I would like some beaded stitch markers. Maybe I won't lose them as easily as I lose my small plastic markers!

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Modular, entrelac

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I have made socks, but do not typically knit them. ---10 inches long, 3 ¾ inches wide

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) 02/26

Saturday Sky with Ghan

This is the ghan I assembled for HMB and sent to offer comfort and prayers to a lady whose dear Mother has passed away. The tags attached to each square provide information about the person who made it.

Another HMB member made a tote bag to send with the ghan.

Look at this glorious, sun-filled Saturday sky without a cloud! Praise God for the wonders of this world!

It is one thing to show a man that he is in error, and another to put him in possession of the truth.
---John Locke

Wordless Wednesday in Sienna, Italy

Saturday Sky in Gray

Today is a glowing fire in the fireplace, meatball soup simmering on the cook top, read a good book kind of day. Cozy. And, now it's time to munch on M-n-Ms and crochet.

A cheerful heart is good medicine. ---Proverbs 17:22

Crochet Squares

I've just begun edging and assembling squares to make a sympathy ghan for

Heartmade Blessings.

The rest of the squares for this ghan are arranged and need to be edged and assembled.



Meanwhile, a stack of white and purple squares wait to be assembled for an Operation Purple Heart ghan for HMB. They are setting on a very old doiley that was crocheted by my

Great Aunt Mary.



I received a package from my SP8 partner today. She sent an assortment of Mary Kay products and samples, a necklace and pin, a book, incense, a votive candle, and some pass-along crocheted squares that I can use in my charity ghans. Thank you, SP8!!

Insignificant events can take on monumental proportions when your head is full of practically nothing.

---Grace Slick

Alitalia

Single most memorable experience: the David—stunning in its enormity, its beauty is magnificent. To think that this amazing sculpture was created by the hands of man is awe inspiring. Excluding the pedestal on which he stands, the David is 13 feet 5 inches high! Walking around the David and viewing the three dimensional beauty of this piece now makes any picture of the sculpture a miserable second. Unfinished works by Michelangelo are also displayed in the amazing tromp l'oeil of a leg, part of a torso seeming to step out of the gigantic chunks of marble. How I would love to experience this day at the Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence again! Sheer beauty, grace, and power! Picture taking was not permitted, so I settled for my David bookmark from a gift shop. This website somewhat conveys the feeling of being in the gallery to view the sculpture. http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/micheldavid/david.html

Florence is graced with many magnificent sculptures. Below is a sculpture of Neptune with children.

Most surprising: That the "little Italy" in NE Ohio where my parents grew up was indeed a slice of the Tuscan hill towns—buildings, gardens, décor—so familiar from my childhood in Ohio yet so surprising to me as the norm in Italy. When my grandparents and other relatives emigrated through Ellis Island, they settled in NE Ohio for jobs. They set about building their new lives of freedom and promise in the familiar style of their homeland in the vicinity of Florence. In a word: quaint.

This is a garden at a winery in Montepulciano. Just love that enormous pots of tomatos and herbs!

Most over-used word (by me): "quaint" Italy is not super-sized. It is real. It is authentic. It showcases craftsmanship, style, and beauty. It dates back to medieval times and challenges me to actually grasp and hold and understand exactly what that means. The sense of time is over-powering when standing in the midst of the city gates, the rolling hills, and Etruscan artifacts.

Note the craftsmanship in the sidewalks in this residential area of Fiuggi, such as in the detail in the street lights. All of the sidewalks in this area have the shell design inlaid in the cobblestones. These are infinitely more eye appealing than comfortable for walking!

The view from our hotel balcony in Chianciano

Knitting: zip! zero! nada! Miss Feather and Fan did not fare well at all, poor dear. She lost her little, yellow sock stitch holder and dropped stitches which looked quite pathetic dangling off the circs. She was most embarrassed when her colors ran. She is hand painted after all! A bottle of water with a loose cap began to trickle on her in the new tote bag, a souvenir from Orvieto, a beautiful Italian town. Just imagine her chagrin as her colors stained a book in the tote bag, tissues---well, it was most unlady-like. By this time, she was wet and dangling from the needle! Fortunately, she was most pleased to spend the next two days arranged on the table on the balcony of our suite to allow her to dry. Well, I mean, she spent two nights out all night in Italy! Need I say more?

An Italian "snack bar"

The trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit. --Moliere

Wordless Wednesday

Saturday Sky...almost

Flying Among the Clouds over Rome

...I will fly on eagles' wings...take over, Oh my Lord.

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Rest in Peace, Betty.

Wordless Wednesday With Thanks to Bea

Suitcase Competition

::drum roll::
What will make it into my suitcase for the trip to Tuscany via Detroit and Amsterdam? ( Let's see what odd northern cities we can land at before we arrive in Rome!) So far I'm favoring capri pants--except for the day in Rome and visit to the Vatican--one evening outfit for night time in Florence, and two pairs of very comfortable walking shoes. Yes, travelers, I know about the cobblestones!

Pic is of some clothes waiting in a spare bedroom, nervously hoping they'll be added to Mr. Suitcase's bounty.

The hungry suitcase awaits! Is it me or is it shrinking by the hour? I mean, where am I going to pack all this stuff??

The traveling knit project has been clearly chosen for the carry-on bag. That would be the bordered feather and fan ghan made with Interlacements hand-dyed Rick Rack yarn. (https://interlacementsyarns.com/index.asp ) The hands-down favorite for this journey because

a- It's on circs.
b- It's light weight.
c- It's an easy, repetitive pattern.

However I do fear for Miss Feather-Fan's adaptation since she has never flown before. Additionally, she has not been man...er.....woman-handled for many, many months! Poor dear, she'll be fine and if she's smart, she'll remain untangled!

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Sent to me by my friend, Gayle.

Four jobs I have had in my life:
1) Kindergarten Teacher
2) First Grade Teacher
3) Fourth Grade Teacher
4) Community College Adjunct Faculty

Four movies I could watch over and over:
1) Chocolat
2) Most Johnny Depp movies
3) Something's Gotta Give
4) ??

Four places I have lived:
1) Newport, Oregon
2) LaCrosse, WI
3) Logan, UT
4) Leetown, WV

Four places I have been on vacation:
1) Ontario, Canada
2) Northern Mexico
3) Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
4) Inner Passage of Alaska


Four Websites I visit:
1) www.klove.com
2) www.cnn.com
3) www.paperbackswap.com
4) www.christianwomenonline.net

Four of my favorite foods:
1) shrimp scampi
2) pasta with butter and parsley
3) my homemade minestrone soup (from my Nonna's recipe)
4) caprese (tomato and soft mozzarella with olive oil)

Four places I'd rather be right now:
I'm happy right where I am.

I hope you will post your answers on your blog and leave me a comment telling me so! I think these short ones are fun to read!

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"Snippets from the Word" in the side bar led me to the beautiful Psalm 118 this morning. Reading this on my deck with the comfortable weather and gorgeous sky caused me to praise and thank God for the blessing of life and the knowledge of God's unchanging love. His great love endures for us forever...and ever. I love the beautiful song that reflects Psalm 118. Sing praise!

The Lord is with me

• to free me from anguish
• to protect me against any man
• to help me to triumph over spiritual enemies
• to offer refuge and trust.

The Lord has saved me from death and opened the way for salvation.
v.24 This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
v. 29b ...His love endures forever.

Jesus is the capstone of salvation--holding us together. Sing praise!

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In the end, what affects your life most deeply are things too simple to talk about. ---Nell Blaine

September's First Saturday Sky

September is here so it's time to pack for my trip to Italy! It's time to get suitcases out for departure on Thursday. My sister and I are going to stay at two spas in Tuscany--not simultaneously, of course! Along with a few excursions and lots of fun and laughter, we'll have a wonderful time! Now, where is that Italian phrase book? Hmmmm!

The cheerful heart has a continual feast. ---Proverbs 15:15