Time out!

...so I am knitting the beauteous Nature in Natural, a free pattern on the Lion Brand site, for a wedding gift. Here's the pic from Lion Brand. Pretty, yes?

Since I'm using Plymouth Encore worsted rather than chunky, I added stitches to make it large enough. Worked beautifully in the bottom panel since I worked the added stitches into the seed stitch panels--didn't throw off a thing--pattern is great. THEN I started on the row of leaves near the bottom in this pic. Its killing me!! I've knit and ripped and knit and tinked and even did some math. These leaves look great, then get all wonky and garter stitchy--not a good thing since there isn't garter stitch in this part of the pattern. Now, this pattern row has bloomed into a full-fledged mental block. Really!! How am I handling it, you may ask. Like this:


Time out. Absolutely. Time out for my knitting which has been on this chair, untouched, for a couple of hours now. Time to think about cooperation. Time to decide to let the stitches fall into place and become crisp leaves, to become a border effect, to become part of this lovely, lovely ghan.
 

Notice the stitches? The stitches that are not on a needle? The stitches that are setting there in Time Out? Soon I am going to approach my knitting to ask if it understands why it has been in time out, what it can do differently so that it can engage in the knitting process, why it is important to cooperate with both the knitter and the pattern. We know how much happier it will be when it returns to the needle, when it is held and worked into stitches. It is time to move forward.

It is time to realize that its not a good idea to mess with a retired teacher.

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But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble.

~ 1 Corinthians 8:9

Murder at Wrightsville Beach

Murder At Wrightsville Beach by Ellen Elizabeth Hunter
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
From the back cover: "Fish Food
It's a sweltering late August in North Carolina, and historic preservationist Ashley Wiles is ready to hit the beach -after a quick business stop at an uscale art gallery owned by friend Valentine Russo.
Inside the cool, eleant storefront, she finds Val dead at her desk. a bullet in her head, and the gallery walls bare of artwork.
Ther murderer follows Ashley to th ebeach house. Where assorted suspicious houseguests, a bizarre bonfire and late-night break-ins paint a picture of art thieves, bad blood and dark secrets. When the lifeless body of Ashley's prime suspect washes ashore, She realizes she has figured out enough to make a killer determined to send her packing, permanently."

It's an OK fluffy, relaxing story. I was drawn to it because of the setting, which didn't disappoint.

View all my reviews >>

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For we live by believing and not by seeing.  ~ 2 Cor. 5:7

Just for Fun!

Here are a couple of amusing knitting related sites.
What is your knitting personality? Find out here: http://www.knittingbrain.com/personality.php
And, for your knitterly entertainment:
http://ayarntale.com/2010/inspiration/animation-pringle/
Enjoy!

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And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering.  ~ Jude 1:22

Nature in Natural

Our oldest grandchild is engaged! He and his fiance are thinking about a wedding in the Summer of 2011. However, it may be sooner depending on DSIL's health, so I am working on a wedding ghan now. I want to have it made and ready and pray that it won't be gifted until 2011.

This is the "Nature in Natural" ghan from the Lion Brand web site, a free pattern available here http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/1276AD.html?noImages=

I am using Plymouth Encore worsted weight in cream and size 8 needles This is a fun pattern that I'm enjoying so much. The top picture is the left end. The pic above is the center section.

This is the right end of the ghan.  Each of the three main bands is divided by seed stitch panels--very pretty!



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I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.
~ Psalm 40:1

Too Much Money

Too Much Money: A Novel by Dominick Dunne

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Thus ends Gus Bailey. Written during the last months of author Dominick Dunne's life, TOO MUCH MONEY closes the life and times of his alter ego,Gus Bailey. The sense of gloom, melancholy, and sad realizations permeate this book. Though Wallis Simpson famously declared that one cannot be too rich or too thin, the inhabitants of Gus Bailey's New York high society found that too much money can lead to unimaginable challenges and sorrows reflected in the economic crisis of our world. Yet, the indicators in the story lead toward the continuation of shallow "friendships", emphasis on materialistic sensibilities, and the absence of reliable human connections when social and financial status is the primary focus of life.

I read this book because I am a fan of the author. This book is weak compared to his body of work and not one that I recommend to anyone except Dominick Dunne fans like me, who feel compelled to read his final work.

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Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. ~~ Matthew 5:9

Madame de Stael by Francine Gray

Madame de Stael by Francine Gray


My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Larger than life, Madame Germaine de Staël was a lightening rod figure in Swiss/French/German political, social, and literary circles. She stood her ground as she spread her opinions while holding court in her magnificent salons and publishing her work under threat from Napoleon. Men adored her, were challenged by her, and drawn to this woman of imposing intellect and strength. Her scope of influence extended well into the 20th century as a result of her mentoring at a time when women were not esteemed for their intellect and wit. Boldly taking many lovers who resided at her family estate in Coppet, Switzerland, Germaine secretly bore children, saw some die, spirited others elsewhere to be raised, and kept some in her household and at private schools. She met the physical challenges of being female with the strength and resilience that characterized her life in all spheres of endeavor.

This is an empowering read of a boldly modern woman and her role in shaping history. I read it in daily free email installments via DailyLit.com and highly recommend this astounding nonfiction work.

A favorite line:
"With resentful dignity, Mme Necker retreated from her daughter’s life."

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For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

Romans 8:15–16

Haitian Relief

God bless the people of Haiti and the workers who are there to bring relief and assistance. I felt led to donate to Doctors Without Borders. Perhaps you are inclined to do the same. Just click on the button below.

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Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

---Romans 13:10

Diagonal Dish Cloth

Here's another little knit-in-a-day project as respite from my bigger projects. The basic diagonally knit dish cloth is a fun, fast project knit in Peaches 'n' Creme. My pattern is an old one from http://www.geocities.com/nicolethegeek/knitting  It is available at http://barbarabradford.blogspot.com/2009/04/moms-diagonal-knit-dishcloth.html

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Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone.

2 Peter 1:7

Pinwheel Beanie

Time for a quick knit! Since I have a baby blanket and an afghan in progress, I wanted to finish a project to in a day. This fast and fun baby hat is for charity. The wonderful pattern is from "Just Jussi" at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/just-jussi-pinwheel-beanie and http://castadrift.blogspot.com/2007/05/pinwheel-beanie.html . I knitted a garter head band instead of ribbing. The next hat will have ribbing since it yields a cute, rounded shape. This hat is sized for 0-6 months. The pattern includes directions for a 12 months size as well. I used size 4 needles and unlabeled DK stash yarn. Maybe someone will recognize this inexpensive, self-striping yarn. I pray that this little hat will bless a child with warmth and love.

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He has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts -- 2 Corinthians 1:22

Friday Fill-In #158

http://fridayfillins.blogspot.com/

And...here we go! Tip of the hat to The Beatles this week :-) However, I'm not going to use their words.

1. There are places in my heart just for me.

2. Your smile will blow those clouds away.
3. Standing in the morning sun, watching the tide roll away.
4. Boy oh boy.
5. He went out tiger hunting and returned with a sad story of infidelity

6. Taking notes keeps my mind from wandering .

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Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others. ~ Proverbs 12:15

 
 
 
 

Wordless Wednesday: Our Front Yard Snow-scape

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“For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.” Luke 22:27

The Party's Over

Happy 2010!!

Partying with a 4 and 6-year-old is a grand way to welcome the new year---even if its 8:30 PM!! The poppers, the horns, the streamers and hats were all the more sparkly and noisy and fun because of giggles and laughs of wide-eyed little ones. They are now on their way home to Texas with Daddy. God bless us all in this bright new year.

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Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” ~~~John 14:6

Notes on Christmas 2009

Christmas was snow globe place cards for the grands

and holiday post-its for the adultson a festive table, candle lit and beaded

with stockings and a wreath at the hearth

and presents and love around a small, snowflake Christmas tree.

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Let them praise your great and awesome name. Your name is holy!  ~ Psalm 99:3

Deck the Doggie!

The house and yard are decorated. Its Christmas week and time to decorate the doggie! She wasn't immediately ammenable to the idea of wearing the colorful bandana. Max wore it as a tie, but I opened it to tie as a bandana for little Lailah.

Look at her crazy legs!! What a pose!














Her attempts to scratch the bandana off were for nought.















Although she has removed it once, she pretty much ignores her new accessory and looks like her cute little self chasing around the house.

I'm thinking I might replace it with another style after the holidays. She's just so glam!

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This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger . . . . So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  ~~Luke 2:12

Teaser Tuesdays

"Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers."

From Read My Pins by Madeleine Albright, p. 23:

"Because many of my predecessors had beards and none was known to wear a skirt, my use of pins to send a message was something new in American diplomacy. The role of jewelry in world affairs, however, began in ancient times."

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[Jesus], being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Philippians 2:6–7

Gift Book

Thanks to my Christmas Book Swap partner for this novel from my wish list. I'll be reading it soon! My partner emailed a while ago to tell me that a book would be arriving from a third party. Alas, I do not have the name/email/web site of my partner now, so I want to send out a Thank You! hoping that she'll see it!

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Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us'.  ~ Matt 1:23

A Little Bit Marley

I used the "Pastel Marley" pattern from Itty-Bitty Hats by Susan B. Anderson to make a size medium baby hat

with Caron Simply Soft yarn from stash

to donate to the Nurse-Family Partnership Program, a service project for our Red Hat chapter. Hope it will keep a little one warm for many years.

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Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ—the Son of the Father—will continue to be with us who live in truth and love.  ~ 2 John 1:3

Birds In A Christmas Tree

We have two small Christmas trees. The one on the window seat in my office has a bird theme. Here are a few of my Christmas tree birdies:

Some are knitted like this blue/green creation from the late 70s.

A few are "bell birds" like this cardinal.

Of course there is a wise old owl.

Love these gorgeous clip-on birds.

Another cardinal--this one in blown glass.

Don't they look like they're chirping?

The pinata is a little treasure from a trip to Cancun just days before Christmas, 2006. The cute little tree is a gift from a student in 1989. Each is a  favorite. Our living room tree has a theme of snowflakes and icicles. I'm hoping to snap some pix of it soon!

How did you decorate your tree?

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You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! ~ Isaiah 26:3

Echo House by Ward Just

Echo House by Ward S. Just



My rating: 5 of 5 stars

scud: (noun) 1. swift movement: a swift smooth movement

2. clouds driven by wind: low clouds that are driven swiftly by the wind

3. sudden shower or gust: a sudden shower of rain or gust of wind


cross the Rubicon:(noun) to do something that commits you to a particular course of action
[Early 17th century. After the stream in N Italy that Julius Caesar crossed illegally with his army in 49 BC, making civil war inevitable:]
point of no return: a point at which any action taken commits the person taking it to a further course of action that cannot be avoided


This story is splendid generational historical fiction about the unseen family of power players in Washington, DC. Fascinating insight comes to light as the reader begins in the the salon of Echo House with the family scion Senator Adolph Behl and his wife Constance, a demanding perfectionist. Beginning with the Wilson administration, the years unfold. Players and Presidents come and go, but the Behl family remains. The Behl men are the "Invisibles", the men who get things done, who take care of things, who avoid the spotlight. The evolution of the Behls and our nation kept me spellbound and sad to see the book end. Knowing that this novel reflects reality is mind-numbing and a bit scary. DC is a tough town.

View all my reviews >>

Invisible Dog

http://dogsonthursday.blogspot.com/

"When I hide here in my very secret place, no one can find me!"

Can YOU locate the missing dog?

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But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.   ~ Psalm 13:5-6

Three Stockings--Complete!

The third stocking is the snowman to finish the trio that Dear Friend asked me to make for her grandchildren. We'll all be at the church dinner tonight, so I'll give them to her after dinner.
I didn't make any purchases for these stockings and am happy that I could use the stash of Christmas yarns that have been on hand for several years.
I combined patterns from here and there, yarns from here and there using an H hook except for the smaller parts.
I am blessed that three little ones will have new stockings filled with treats.
Are you making Christmas stockings this year?

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And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.  

 ~ Colossians 3:17