Cold!

Happy Tuesday morning to all of you, my friends in blogland. It's been cold the past couple of days here in Spokane, but the sun has shone and that makes all the difference in the world. I had intended to write a nice long post yesterday, but I had a "to do" list a mile long and it was at the end of the list. It was the only thing not completed on my list though, so I feel pretty good about that! I'm watching a 6 month old little guy all this week and most Saturdays when I'm in town. He's been with Grandpa & Grandma but they went home to Texas last week and the daycare didn't have a spot until next week, so Grandma Betsy volunteered to keep him. He keeps me on my toes, that's for sure. I don't see a lot of crocheting or knitting getting accomplished this week! We had a lovely, lovely Thanksgiving with Brad, Mandy & Piper. They arrived late Wednesday evening and stayed until after church on Sunday. Lots of baby cuddling, turkey eating and relaxing was done and I think we all had a great time. Brad and hubby replaced a ceiling fan in our bedroom that was "out of whack". It wobbled every time we turned it on. Hubby has tried and tried to balance the blades ever since we got it. Come to find out, it was a factory issue, but it's too late to get a replacement so we just got a new one. It's really nice and quiet now. I did get a few ornaments done before Thanksgiving. I'll be giving them as gifts to the people in our Bible study group.

I like the ones with the flower buttons! As I said in my last post, I got this pattern from Lucy at Attic 24. I want to make sure she gets credit for it. She sometimes adds little bells on each of the star points but I have been unable to find them.

A few pictures of little Piper to tide you over till next time. :-) She had a fun bath time in the kitchen sink, hung out with Grandpa and modeled the hat and blanket Grandma made for her. Yesterday I was able to cut out and sew a dress for myself. In record time for me too. It only took me about 4 hours from start to finish. Obviously it's a very simple pattern, but I think it will become my "go to" pattern. It has sleeves for winter but can be adapted to a sleeveless sundress for summer. We have lots of babies being born at our church right now. It's a veritable baby boom! I arrange meals to be taken to people after surgeries, babies are born, etc. Whenever there is a need, the ladies, (and some men), take food to the families so it's one less thing to worry about. Just yesterday I had two new babies born! So I spent several hours on the phone, scheduling people to help out. It can be a big job, but we are blessed to have willing hands to help others. I was also able to get Alex's birthday gift and my Christmas cards to Japan mailed yesterday morning. That takes a lot of pressure off. You never know how long it will take the mail to arrive there. His birthday is Pearl Harbor day-how ironic! The boy who loves Japan with all of his heart was born on Pearl Harbor day. Well, I'll leave you with a picture of the blanket that's my project to work on when I'm brain dead. I think I've finally figured out who it will go to, but I can't tell you yet because she may see this and the surprise will be ruined! Have a wonderful day my friends and please remember as the hustle and bustle of the next month begins, the reason we celebrate this Christmas season. The birth of Jesus. God's only son. Blessings, Betsy

Thanksgiving Already?

The year has just flown by for me. Hubby and I were talking on the way to church last night and I told him it becomes increasingly hard each year for me to get excited about the holidays. I'm not sure why that is. Have any of you experienced this? Maybe it's because our children are all so far away. I'm happy Mandy, Brad and Piper will be with us this Thanksgiving, but I'm missing my boys too. I miss our big family holidays. My goodness, I'm maudlin this morning! Anyway, it is what it is and I miss my family all being together. I know life is all about change and I wouldn't want to make any of them feel guilty for the choices they have to make. So I'm putting on my "happy face" and trying to be thankful for the MANY blessings that God has given to me. I've been busy making hats for a charity called "Blessings Under the Bridge". It's a group that feeds and clothes the homeless here in Spokane. They have asked for warm clothing, so last week I knitted five hats for them.

oops! One is missing! I took them to church last night so I can't retake the photo. The other hat was like the orange one only a dark green color. I hope they'll warm some heads this winter. I also finished crocheting 22 dishcloths for my basket by the door. I'll still need to make a few more, but it's good to have a good start on them. Now I'm working on ornaments to give everyone at our Bible study as a small gift. We'll have our Christmas party on December 20th so I still have more time. I've made five so far, (another one late last night after this picture was taken.) I think they still need something so I'm planning to add some colorful buttons after I get to Michaels or Hobby Lobby today. I got the pattern from Lucy at Attic 24 and I love how it's using us my little bits of scrap yarn. The points on them aren't eactly even, but I kind of like that. What do you think?

I'm dithering about what to make after I've finished the ornaments. I bought some yarn to make a granny patchword blanket but I'm not finding any enthusiasm for it and the last thing I need is another knitted/crocheted blanket. The postage to mail a completed blanket to a charity is rather prohibitive too. I'm thinking of making some child size blankets to take to the crisis nursery. Do you all have any suggestions? I'm feeling majorly "burnt out" and just want to curl up in front of the fireplace with a good book these days. I have my 20 lb. turkey thawing in the refrigerator and I'm trying to plan a menu for Thursday. Because Mandy still can't have any dairy or soy products I'm tring to adapt some of the normal Thanksgiving foods so she can eat with us. Instead of mashed potatoes I think I'll make white rice. A jello salad should be fine. Plain green beans instead of the normal casserole. Any other suggestions? She can't have rolls, pie, sweet potatoes etc. I would also like to ask for prayers for my blog friend Henya, her family and all of the people of Israel right now. I just can't imagine having to worry about bombs and missiles flying at my home and my children. I wish people would just realize that deep down, we're all the same. We want a better life for our children and safety and happiness for them. We truly need to count our blessings here in the United States. If you do live here I hope you have a wonderful holiday this weekend and enjoy your family and friends. I know I'm blessed by many wonderful friends both here and all around the world. Many, many blessings to you and yours, Betsy P.S. I write my blog posts with paragraphs, etc. but when it publishes it everything runs together. Any advice? :-)

Snow!?

Well, I drove home Wednesday through some beautiful fall weather. No coat, just flip flops for shoes. And look what I woke up to today!

We're expected to receive another inch or two. That's better than where our son lives in Montana. They already have 12 inches and another 7-10 are forecast. Winter HAS arrived. It was so hard to leave little Piper and her Mama. I just happen to have a picture of her for you.

Grandpa drove down last weekend and took up some of my valuable Piper cuddling time! That wasn't very nice now was it? :-) I have been busy knitting since I came home. Two more baby bonnets for the girls at church that are expecting to deliver girls within the next week. I'm also sewing them "Spit up cloths or burp cloths", whatever you want to call them. I've cut them out this morning and will sew them today. I'll take a picture for you when I finish them. Mandy got three as a gift from a lady at our campground. I've never felt anything so soft for the babys little face to rest on. Much better than any store bought cloths. And they wash really well. I should know, I've been washing them for a month now! I also made a pair of socks last night for Piper to match her new bonnet. Mandy knitted her a pair of little mittens to match so she'll have a complete set. On my "to do" list are the dishcloths for my basket by the door. I only have 8 finished so I have to get busy. As most of you know, I keep a basket of hand knitted/crocheted dishcloths by the front door in December. Anyone who visits gets to take a dishcloth home if they want one. It's my little gift to my friends. I'm waaaay behind this year in making them though. I'm also sewing myself a new dress today. I'm so disappointed in the fashtions I see in the stores and I desperately need some new clothes. I don't sew for myself much, so I'm not sure how this will turn out. If it's okay I'll take a picture for you, but don't hold your breath!!! A few dishcloths made so far using Teresa's pattern.

Also pictures of the bonnets, including on my baby doll that I keep here for children to play with when they visit. It shows the lace pattern better that way than laying on the table. My fall decor looks a little odd with the snow falling outside. I'm so tempted to get out a few winter things, but Thanksgiving is still two weeks away! Have a wonderful weekend my friends and I hope you have many, many blessings in your lives. Betsy

Still in Portland

Happy Tuesday my friends. I'm still in Portland but planning to drive back to Spokane tomorrow. Little Piper is still having some problems and may have to see a GI specialist if not better by next week. Mommy is "hanging in there" but exhausted.

We have had beautiful weather here for several days but it's much cooler and cloudy today. Mandy and I have even been wearing flip flops. In November! Crazy but nice!

Here are few pictures for you.
The happy family. Piper all ready for church on Sunday. My knitting-which is another bonnet like the one Piper is wearing. We have two baby girls expected at church in the next few weeks so I'm making a couple more since they're so fast. I found the pattern on Friday and made it in just a few hours.

Finally, Polly and my Chloe. They have been together for almost 7 weeks and will be lost without each other when I go home tomorrow. Thankfully, the plan is for the kids to visit us for Thanksgiving and the two of them will be together again.

Have a wonderful day.
Blessings,
Betsy

Piper Again!

I'm back in Portland enjoying my time with Piper and her parents. Grandpa is driving down tomorrow so he can do his share of spoiling her. He says I'm getting all the fun.

I'm attaching pictures of her in her Halloween costume. I passed out the candy here at the kids house and we had well over 200 trick or treaters based on the candy we gave out.

The tree in the photograph is right outside their front door and I think it's beautiful! So red!

I also started knitting Piper a bonnet this afternoon. I'm hoping to finish it tonight and I'll get a picture of her modeling it soon.

Have a wonderful day my friends.

Blessings,
Betsy