Happy New Year a Day Late

Happy New Year to you all.  We had a very quiet day here at home yesterday  We didn't even go to our party at church for New Year's Eve.  I have had back issues off and on for a couple of years.  This past month has not been good and the past week the worst yet.  I ended up going to the doctor on the 31.  He gave me medication, sent me to the hospital for some xrays and I start physical therapy on Monday.  Goody, goody.   The pain has eased with the medication.  Yesteday we watched HGTV all day and I crocheted lots of little squares you'll see later in the post.  

This morning we met friends for breakfast and then came home so Dennis could clean off the driveway and sidewalks again.  Yep.  We got more snow last night and this morning with more predicted for Sunday.  He won't let me lift a shovel so far this year.  He takes such good care of me.  :-)

I posted this photo below on facebook and the general opinion is that I'm cheap!  That could be true.  We have used this exact same tinsel on all of our trees since the first Christmas we married, 36 years ago. The two unopened packages say $.66 on them!  I don't know if you can even buy it anymore.   The first few years it was a money saving thing.  We were poor!  But then it became tradition to just reuse the tinsel over and over.  The paper bag is even old!

A better picture.

Mt. Spokane on Friday from our back deck.  It looks like someone sprinkled powder all over it.

On Wednesday I stopped in at Paradise Fibers.  Oh my!  I just wandered around for an hour or two and visited with a couple of ladies I used to be in a knitting group with.

This store is amazing and just goes on and on.  I wander around petting the yarn.  :-)  You would be proud of me.  I didn't buy any yarn, just a set of stitch markers for a gift.  The vast majority of their business is one online.  If you haven't checked it out, you should.  They have everything from accessories to yarn to spinning wheels, looms and fiber.

When I got home I was determined to start organizing my patterns.  I used to have them under control but lately it seems like I print out a pattern, use it and then just add it to the pile on my sewing machine.  Here are a few pattern books for cross stitch and crochet.

Just SOME of the hundreds of patterns I have.  I always put the printed patterns in a sheet protector. See the pile of three ring binders on the floor.  My plan was to put shawls in one, socks in another, baby items in another, etc.  Then I want to subdivide them in the actual binder as to items, i.e. baby socks, hats, sweaters etc.  Well, I did get them all into the binders but not subdivided.  By then I was in so much pain with my back from bending, and sitting in these straight chairs that I gave up.  But...they are all into the binders now.  Next week I will tackle the rest, so there is progress being made.

As I mentioned before, yesterday I sat and watched HGTV all day and crocheted 72 of these little squares for the baby blanket corners.  All of these became......

......these. 

This afternoon I'll attach them to the blankets and hopefully finish them.  I was asked about this pattern by a blog reader and it's one I've made hundreds of blankets with.  It's called the "Rainbow Set" which includes a blanket, jacket and booties.  I just make the blankets.  I believe it was put out by Leisure Arts but I don't know if it's still in print or not.  I think I've been making them for over 30 years.  When they're done I'll post a picture.  Two of them are already accounted for and I'll have one in reserve.

One of our adopted daughters in Japan is due with a baby girl on my birthday, February 1!  I'm so excited.  One of these blankets will be going to her and I need to make a sweater set too.  I plan to do some shopping very soon and sending a box of goodies to our newest granddaughter to be.  She has a big brother, Harutaro who is 4 and a little doll.  Harumi, (the Mommy), wants me to come over for the due date but I don't think that will happen.  I managed to arrive in Tokyo the day after Harutaro was born and was the first of the grandparents to get to hold him.  That was very, very special.

We got more of this last night and this morning and a big snow is predicted for Sunday.  You can see where our tracks are after we came home from breakfast.  Dennis had shoveled before we left and it sowed just a bit after we left home.  Okay.  I'm ready for spring.  I'm tired of this stuff.

I hope you are all having a nice quiet and restful weekend.  May the new year be full of happiness and joy and lots of wonderful crafty goodness in your life.  I consider myself very fortunate to have each of you as a part of my life.  Thank you for your wonderful comments.

"Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Hebrews 4:16

Blessings always my sweet friends,

Betsy