Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Starts and Finishes...some of both.

Hello!  I can't believe it's been a week since I last posted.  I've been busy, busy, busy.  I've put five blankets together for charity with mostly donated squares.  Some of the squares were made by me but not many.

The first two were taken to the Veteran's Home this morning along with two other crocheted afghans donated by Barbara in Oregon.
The last three were made with squares that Nita crochete and I took those to the local children's emergency shelter.
I haven't worked much on this because the blankets took awhile, but I did mange to get a few rows put onto it.  I don't know why it keeps photographing as brown as it is actually shades of gray.
Last night I began a sweater for Hubby at his request.  It's also gray at his request.  I'm not using expensive yarn for it as it's kind of an experiment with the pattern.  Once I know he likes the shape, I may splurge on something nicer than Hobby Lobby yarn although he would have an absolute fit if he knew how much yarn can cost in the nicer yarn stores and wouldn't let me make anything for him with it.  :-)
I think I've shown you my book holders before.  I have one for larger paperbacks or hardback books and a smaller one for paperbacks.  As you can see there is a clear band that holds the book open and you can read through it.  The back has a spring that folds up to turn the page and then flat so you can read it hands free.
This is the cover closed.  There is a built in ribbon bookmark.
With these covers I've read these books this week while putting the blankets together.  The TV hasn't been on at all this week.  Actually, Dennis read the book about Dallas and I read the murder mysteries by Maggie Sefton based around a yarn shop, Lambspun in Ft. Collins, CO.  I've read six books by her this week and have one more to go.  They're pretty good.
We've had more of this over the weekend but it is finally beginning to melt.
I made a pot full of beef barley stew on Friday.  And, as usual, I forgot to take pictures of the finished product.  Oh. My. Goodness.  It was really, really good.  I am not a huge fan of vegetable soups normally but this was amazing.  Yum.  We ate it for dinner three days in a row and I didn't get tired of it at all.  Highly unusual.  It must have been good.
I am planning to sit and knit on Hubby's sweater this afternoon while reading my next book.  I'm telling you, those book holders were the best things I've ever found at a craft show.  I just lay them on my lap and crochet or knit away.

I have to tell you a cute story from Piper before I say goodbye.  It's snowing in Maryland this morning and Piper doesn't like it.  She says the snow is NOT pretty.  She wants rain!  Mandy says, "you can take the girl out of Oregon but you can't take Oregon out of the girl!"  She has always liked rain, even as a little baby.   She is a Portland girl for sure.  :-)

I hope you all have a lovely afternoon!

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:13

Blessings,

Betsy

15 comments:

  1. The blankets looks so nice and I know they will warm not only the bodies but the hearts of those who receive them as well. Yum on the soup. Boo on the snow...I am with Miss Piper...rain over snow anyway! The sweater is looking great and the poncho, too. I am still knitting away...2015, the year of knitting...well, for me any who. :) Blessings always sweet friend.

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  2. Wow! You can really read! Good for you. I very, very rarely watch TV.
    You are accomplishing so much.

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  3. You are doing a wonderful job stitching and crochet blankets for amazing causes they look delightful. I too am with Piper I would rather have rain than snow. The poncho is really coming on and looks lovely. Take care.

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  4. I would take some warm "ish" rain right about now too! I'm with Piper!

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  5. You have such a good and giving heart to make all those blankets for people in need. I look forward to seeing how Dennis' sweater comes along. I'm home from swimming with Gracie. We chat as we swim back and forth and catch up on news with each other. Wish you lived nearby! Miss you! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  6. Gosh, you've been busy knitting and reading and crocheting all those blankets together! You put me to shame! I haven't done a thing today except a little work earlier in the day. I've just been thinking about doing things. LOL. I do have my sheets in the washer now. Does that count? Hubby will be here any minute. I better get my arse in gear and get some food together for him. Love the snow!

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  7. Good job on assembling the afghans. Where did you get the book holders? You are so full of time with knitting. I am still working on figuring out slippers. Thanks for your help. I have a whole chicken in the crockpot today. Need to go get potatoes peeled. Take care!! Hugs!!!

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  8. Love the book holders. And my how busy you have been on those blankets. I usually watch TV while I crochet or cross stitch but the TV hasn't been on much this week. I challenged myself to read books this year and I'm moving right along. I think Dennis will love his sweater. You are such a kind, generous person. Hugs to you, Betsy.

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  9. Hi Betsy, lovely work on all those rugs just wonderful blessing. :)
    Love your new poncho too.... And smiled at the Piper story. Thanks for popping over!
    Shaz in Oz.x

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  10. Your beef barley stew sounds great! I've been wanting to use my crockpot but found a tiny chip in the glaze so haven't. LOL about Piper and rain:)
    Blessings, Aimee

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  11. How funny that Piper prefers rain. That's really sweet. Your charity blankets all came out so nicely and the poncho is really coming along. I'm planning a beef stew in the crockpot for next week, I think. I hope you have a great weekend, Betsy.

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  12. You can tell Piper I like rain, too. My favorite kind of day is when I can stay in and it rains. You are the nicest person alive making all those blankets. I think you are an angel on Earth Betsy.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  13. Great progress on all your projects, Betsy!!! I think that it is amazing that you can read while stitching. I read one of those CO novels years ago and enjoyed it. Has Piper made a snowman or ridden on a sled yet? [I'm glad she likes the rain : ) ] I love and miss you! xx

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  14. Hi, Cute story from Piper.... She likes rain, huh???? I'm a snow lover myself --especially since we don't get much here.

    Those blankets were made by many --with LOVE... How special is that!!!!

    And your book covers are wonderful....Thanks for sharing all!!!
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  15. Betsy - thank you so so much for your lovely gift which arrived with me yesterday - such a sweet surprise!! You really are a sweetheart. I shall be wearing my lovely brooch tomorrow.

    Your blankets are lovely, and just the thing for this time of the year.

    Bless Piper! In this country it is the city of Manchester which has the reputation for having a lot of rain - I visit there quite often, and it often rains!!

    Have a lovely Sunday, Helenxx

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