My Dogs on Thursday (and Every Day)

Max: Over-the-shoulder pose

Although Max is too big and strong to be coy, this pic is as close as he can get to it! He recently "celebrated" a birthday and is now 11 years old. My big, cuddly boy!

Lailah: Lookin' for trouble? Look right in my face!

Li'l Lailah is as cute and active as ever! A bundle of energy, she bounces and prances and is happy about everything. We frequently laugh her various antics as she romps, plays and, oh yes, sometimes manages to get into trouble. Love her to pieces!

I'm feeling sad that I have to board them for about a week. I'll miss them. Although I don't like to board them, sometimes there's just no choice. DH is going to have hip replacement surgery tomorrow at an out of town hospital He's scheduled to have the second hip replaced at the end of December. So, the doggies will be boarded while we are gone and for a few days after he returns home. They are always in the middle of everything and would assuredly be in the way. Max is large and immovable. There are times when he simply won't budge which is problematic for DH using crutches or a walker. So, I'll kiss the babies and send them off with the attendant at the kennel. You know, I can't even email or text them while we're gone!!

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Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again…
~ Psalm 42:11

Scarf Roll

Roll out the scarf! Consisting of three balls of Bolicene, this scarf is a long, warm neck hugger!

The true colors are shades of tan/beige/brown and powder blue. The yarn is a souvenir of our travels last June after our Delta Queen cruise. It will soon be on its merry way to Scarves from the Heart to warm a cancer patient receiving chemo. www.scarvesfromtheheart.com Maybe you'll send a scarf their way too?

A dear friend and I are getting together for a knitting afternoon today. Chat-n-knit...what a wonderful way to spend the afternoon! I'm going to start a scarf for almost-5-yr-old DGD after her request for "anunner scarf". How could I resist that particular request! I have a ball of Nashua "Sassafras" in aqua with flecks of pink and yellow. The colors are so soft and pretty, perfect for a sweet little girl.

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Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre; make music for him on the ten-stringed harp. Sing a new song of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy. ~ Psalm 33:2-3

She's A Monkey!

Another Christmas present is done! Yaaay! Monkey Head is now complete and waiting for DGD to love her. I had read Ravelry notes about using dry beans in the joints, feet, hands and seat. The pattern (available in a previous post) called for plastic beads. The beans sounded like a good idea, but after I popped some into a foot I realized -- maybe not! I made the monkey with cotton yarn so it can be tossed in the washing machine which wouldn't be the place for dry beans! I then decided not to purchase plastic beads and went with a different suggestion I had read on Ravelry. I didn't stuff the arms, legs, and tail so that the monkey is poseable. I do prefer its appearance to the ones with the stuffed appendages.

I've decided that I don't really care for Cascade Bollicine Revolution yarn. I bought three balls of it on sale at a LYS while DH and I were traveling in June. Although it is 90% merino and 10% polyamid, it does not have a pleasant hand. I am using it to make a One Row Scarf http://yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2006/10/12/one_row_handspun_scarf.html

Its a simple pattern for mindless knitting that yields a beautiful scarf! The FO appears much more complex that the pattern actually is!

What are YOU knitting?

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No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead ... ~ Philippians 3:13

Of Dogs and Monkey Parts

Do you ever feel like you're being watched.? Often, when I'm online--which in itself is often!--I look to my left to see Max. Watching.

Lailah peeks around the corner of the computer desk for a quick hello and "Look! I'm not in trouble!"

Feeling eyes burning in my back, I turn around to see body-less Monkey Head staring at me. Monkey Head is slightly miffed because production has slowed considerably. Between clicking the mouse and wielding a crochet hook, my right wrist is a painful owie! I am now converting to gripping the Hook as a knife rather than a pencil. It does help, along with slowing my pace a bit. Monkey Head now has a body with the beginning of a pink shirt and blue shorts and one leg. Soon, complete monkey-ness!

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Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.

~ Matthew 6:20

Monkey Head!

So...4-yr-old DGD lost her monkey that she'd had since infancy. (It was later found in Other Son's back yard having been thoroughly worked to bits by the family dog. We didn't tell DGD. She says "Daddy lost my monkey." Smile.) She'll receive its replacement for Christmas. The head turned out so cute!

See the wooden mini-crochet hook? Oh! Guess the hook isn't showing very well! It is the most useful tool for finishing! It really helps with working the yarn through the stitches for a good, smooth look. Someone sent it to me in a swap and I continue to thank her in my heart.

Monkey Head is made of 2 strands of brown Butterfly Mercerized Cotton, beige Berroco Comfort, bits of black cotton, and an F crochet hook. I already had these yarns to use with the free online monkey pattern so it fit together nicely! The pattern is available at http://quesera.ojaru.jp/

Now, to crochet the body! Onward!

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They will declare, "The Lord is just! He is my rock! There is no evil in him! ~ Psalm 92:15

Able Assistants

Many times when I'm climbing around on the interweb, Max and Lailah are right beside me wanting attention. Max is now 11 years old and such a good old boy. Lailah keeps him active and often tires him. They are with me all the time---I'd be lost without the rough-housing, snorts, and big heavy paws of my doggies!

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It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. --- Deut 13: 4

Blazing Glory

The vines on our garage are exceptionally colorful this year.

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In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe. ~ Psalm 4:8

The Final Package Has Arrived

Thanks to my SP12, Heather, at http://theknittycrafter.blogspot.com/ for my box of yarn and other treats! The Gedifra colors are so pretty together! Love that shade of blue!

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I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ~~Matthew 18:3

Snuggle? Cozy?

When you yawn and stretch, do you think of cuddling up to the base of a chair or a wooden cabinet? Apparently, Max and Lailah do!

Its a dog's life!
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The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. ~ Psalm 37:23