Monday, March 17, 2014

Special Delivery

Good Morning my friends out there in blogland!  We have an absolutely beautiful, beautiful day here in Spokane.  The sky is blue as blue can be.  The wind is blowing quite hard, but that's just fine.  There is no snow involved so I'm okay with it. :-)  We still don't have much green outside yet but hopefully that will arrive before long.  

I made a special delivery to our local hospital this morning.  Barbara, from way out east in New Hampshire periodically sends hats to me to take to the babies.  This is a delivery she sent last week.  Six absolutely beautiful hand loom knit hats and two recieving blankets.
I finished the green knit blanket last night after running out of yarn less than three inches of it being done.  I tried to buy more yarn Saturday, but neither JoAnn's or Michaels had any so I had to frog it back over halfway.  I did finish it though, and although it's a bit smaller than normal, it will still be fine for a little boy or girl don't you think?
This is a crocheted blanket I finished a couple of days ago.  I made lots of different size squares and used the "join as you go method" with a simple double crochet and picot border.  I love the join as you go way of making crochet blankets because I detest sewing squares together at the end.  This blanket is about 36 inches square.
All together I took 56 baby hats, 5 knitted blankets, 1 crocheted blanket, 2 receiving blankets and 4 burial buntings to the hospital this morning.  The nurses were so happy!  It's hard to put into writing the emotion they showed when I gave them the big bag of goodies.  They oohed over everything and then took me on a tour of the new maternity wing that was just finished.  I asked them if I could please reserve a room for a night?  Each room is completely self contained.  The baby or mom never has to leave the room except for c-sections.  There is a jetted whirlpool tub in each room!  That was MY favorite feature.  :-)  Beautiful rooms and they have 16 of them.  All brand new.

Then I went to Costco to pick up a few things and on my way home stopped about 2 blocks from our house and took these pictures.
This is all really only two blocks away from us!

I know it's still all brown, but within a few weeks the grass should start greening up and it will be beautiful.  I still have to pinch myself sometimes to realize that I live in such a beautiful part of the world.  Hubby and I love the Pacific Northwest.  We can be up in the mountains within a fifteen drive.   Since we're from Nebraska where there are NO mountains for hundreds of miles we really appreciate where we are now.

I have been looking forward to this week for over a month now.  Hubby and I are going to see Miss Piper this weekend and I get to have lunch with Gracie, Teresa and Taci on Friday.  We have a new person joining us.  Becky, who is a blogger and also lives in the Portland area, is coming to meet us all.  The more, the merrier.  I wish each one of you could be there too.  Can't you just see us all, jabbering away and sharing our latest projects with each other?  Anyway, I'm going to give Teresa her doily on Friday and then I will be able to share a picture of it with all of you.

"I lift my eyes up to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth."  Psalm 121:1  

This was my Mom's favorite verse and she often said it out loud when I was younger.  She passed away when I was only 29, a horrible age to lose your Mom.  I know there is never a good time, but my children were young and I really wanted and needed her advice and help in raising them.  I remember this Bible verse and always think of my Mom when I see or hear it.  

Our dear friend and fellow blogger Meredith has just lost her much loved mother-in-law  and her brother-in-law in the past two week and her Mom isn't well either.  Her family is on my thoughts very often these days and I keep thinking of this verse when I think of Meredith.  If you've never visited Mere, her blog is on my sidebar and I know you would immediately fall in love with her and her family.  I know I did.

Happy Monday everyone!

Blessings,
Betsy

29 comments:

  1. THe baby blankets and hats are WONDERFUl. As a Nicu nurse I can tell you those knit ups are very much treasured by moms and dads and grans

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    1. Thank you Kathy. That means a lot! It's wonderful to know that they're really used and appreciated.
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  2. Coming to you from Judy's blog.... I'm another BETSY --so just wanted to stop by and say HELLO. I'm the Outdoor Betsy --and don't have any talents like you and Judy have in the stitching area... I love hiking and gardening (flowers)--and love my backyard birds.... Visit me if you can.. We are retired and right now are doing a lot of traveling and staying busy...

    Hugs,
    Betsy from Tennessee (are you an Elizabeth too?)

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    1. Welcome Betsy!! How fun! I'm actually a Mary Beth, named after TWO Aunt Elizabeth's. So glad you visited and please come back.
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  3. Hello Betsy, I am sure the nurses loved receiving all those wee precious outfits for the wee babies that you and others so kindly made. Lovely seeing the Mts. The snow is just about gone.. I wish you a wonderful visit with your family and your friends. Tell everyone I said, HI. Hugs Judy

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    1. Hi Judy! So glad you stopped by today. :-). I love making baby things, especially for wee ones who don't have much.
      Blessings etsy

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  4. Oh such a sweet heart gift you and Barbara have given to those sweet babies and their parents. :)

    I think your baby blanket is adorable and it will surround a little one with love and warmth.

    Love your pictures of the mountain....soon the green will be everywhere...of course last night we got a dusting of snow...but I am gonna say that was the last of the snow for us this winter....yep, I refuse to deal with anymore! :)

    Oh I am so looking forward to hearing all about your meet up with your blog friends...and now a new member...what fun! :)

    Wishing you a day filled with many blessings sweet friend.

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    1. Hi Vicki! It IS really nice of Barbara to think of babies so far away isn't it? Sorry you got more snow. I'm starting to think this winter will. Ever end.
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  5. Have a wonderful time with the ladies, Betsy. It is so generous and kind of you to take these things to the babies. You have a beautiful heart.

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    1. Jennifer, we ladies ALWAYS have a great time and the time we have together goes way too fast. I envy Gracie and Teresa who get to swim together several times a week.
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  6. Hi Betsy.. so much stitchery to love in this post! I adore the pastel rainbows of the little hats. Your blankets are amazing. I am also very excited that we get to be together this friday.. a special day. You know how excited I am to see the piano doily! Woohoo! See you soon-- ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. I'm so excited! I look forward to our lunches very much! I hope the doily is big enough for you. I need to find out what kind of yarn Barbara uses. I like that rainbow effect too.
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  7. Oh how wonderful of you to take such a lovely parcel to the maternity unit. There will be so many thankful parents. When our baby was a few days old we had to go to hospital with him and stay over Christmas, the gifts that the hospital gave us which was all donated made us so happy and made the experience so much easier. God bless you xx

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    1. I'm so glad you were able receive gifts from the hospital. I love to hear of people who actually are the recipients of these little goodies that are made. I hope it makes a difference to them.
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  8. What a sweet bag of goodies for those precious little babies! Just amazing. :) And have a wonderful time getting together with everyone! What a treat!!! *hugs*

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    1. Thank you! I enjoy making the little things! I'm so looking forward to Friday.
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  9. Those are some sweet items for the babes!

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  10. Ohhh, I am so happy that the Spring like weather finally made it's way to you....I know you are enjoying it and the "green" grass will come. My yard is full of green clovers and those little white bumble bee flowers....it's so nice to see!
    Wonderful news to hear about another blogging sister joining in all the fun! I know she is just going to love you all!!!
    xx Shari

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  11. Yes, I'm really happy for the warmer weather. It means lake time is near. :-). It will be nice to meet Becky on Friday. I just wish all of you could come too.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  12. aimee has left a new comment on your post "Special Delivery":

    Happy St. Patrick's Day Betsy! I am so happy that you will soon again be on your way to see Miss Piper and your blogging friends (plus a new one)! The forecast is a LOT better than last time:)
    Blessings,
    Aimee
    PS: Psalm 121 has been my favorite Bible chapter since I was in my early teens. Your mom chose well:)

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    1. Thanks Aimee! You should join us sometime!
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  13. Not only will you get to enjoy Miss Piper, but you will get a good dose of early Spring in Portland to tide you over until Spring more fully blossoms in Spokane, Betsy :) I admire so much your skill and speed and generosity in stitching for others. You inspire me! xx

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    1. Goodness Gracie. YOU inspire me!!! I love your sweet, gentle spirit and love for everyone. See you Friday.
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  14. Betsy those hats, and blankets are just precious! What a wonderful thing to do.
    When you see the girls on Friday, please give them each a hug from me! I would so love to be with all of you!
    I awe so sorry to read that you lost your dear Mom at 29. I am so close to my Mom, and have had such a wonderful relationship with her for all of my life. Her surgery is tomorrow morning. I thank you for your prayers.
    Meredith has been very much in my thoughts and prayers too.
    Love Kris

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  15. I will most definitely be praying for your Mom. Thank you for your kind words.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  16. Oh Betsy, you have me all teared up. First all those gorgeous gifts for those precious babies and then the lovely mention of what we are going through here. You are amazing, a blessing to me and so many others.

    Thank you Betsy for your lovely words. Have a wonderful trip to see darling Piper and all the ladies.
    Meredith

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  17. Meredith, you are the inspiration to all of us. Thank you for your sweet words.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  18. My dear friend Betsy I'm so excited that I'll be seeing you again soon. I love the little blankets and hats... It's going to make some mom soo happy!
    I have been making some more hats to send to Brazil an d I will show upon all of them when we meet for lunch ! ! Lots of love sweet friend :)

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