Thursday, December 29, 2016

The "In Between" Days

Hello Everyone!

Here we are in what I like to call the "In Between" days.  These are the days between the hustle and bustle of preparing and celebrating Christmas and the hope and promise of a brand new year.  I find myself becoming a lot more introspective during these days as I grow older. 

It's quieter in the stores this week.  Oh my goodness is it quieter!  I went to Walmart yesterday to buy Dennis' some socks and mouthwash and a few other staples and I got the first parking spot next to the store.  At 10:00 in the morning!  There were about 20 people inside the store!  I loved it!  The older I get the less I like crowds and find myself feeling a bit claustrophobic.

It's been a quiet week here.  Lots more snow with even more forecast tonight and Saturday.  Brad requested a pair of socks so of course I wound some into a ball using my swift from Paradise Fibers that Dennis got me for Mother's Day last year.  I love this swift.  It collapses in about 10 seconds to put into a nice bag that it came in.
Pretty yarn!  This is Knit Picks, Tiger Eye Hand painted fingering weight sock yarn.
This is my progress as of about an hour ago.  One sock done and the other about 3/4 done.  The color in the above picture is what it looks like.  I don't know why the bottom one is so washed out.
We've had lots and lots of snow over the past few weeks.
See how nice and clean the driveway looks here on the far right in the picture below?  Please ignore the trash cans...it was garbage pickup day when I took this photo on Tuesday.  Well, that night, just as Dennis was climbing into bed about 9:30 the snow plows came through and put a 3 1/2 foot berm of snow and ice across the driveway.  We've  learned from past experience not to let it sit overnight because it freezes rock solid and you can't get out of the driveway or break the ice up.  So, we got dressed and outside we went to break through the  ice tower.  After we did ours, we also cleaned two single ladies driveways and two men that we know get off work around midnight and wouldn't be able to park their cars when they got home.  So, five 3 foot berms, double driveways worth of ice and snow later, we headed inside around 11:15 and went to bed.  Dennis wouldn't let me do much, but I shoveled just a little and cheered him on! :-)  And this my friends, is why I detest snow.  It's pretty to look at and play in, but NOT fun to shovel at bedtime just so you can get to work the next day.  Our entire neighborhood would rather they just didn't plow our streets because we're one of the last neighborhoods to be plowed since we're fairly level with no hills.  The snow is packed down very well by traffic by the time the plows come through, then they just leave a nasty layer of ice behind.  Okay.  Enough complaining.
Looky, looky, looky what Mandy got for me!!!!!  A skein of Muffin's yarn!  Muffin is an award winning sheep from last years Maryland Sheep and Wool festival and that is her picture on the card.  She bought the last skein they had available of the award winning yarn for me.  I'm trying to decide what to make with it.  There are 73 grams in the skein.  I also have two little 25 gram skeins of a lighter weight leichester wool that was sent to me last year by Helen in the UK.  I would love to make a pair of mittens for myself, but I'm not sure there is enough yarn.  Any ideas?
Gracie (One Saylor's Log), sent me this sweet knitted cloth and two wonderful bars of soap.  One is lavender and one is oatmeal.  How sweet and they smell yummy. :-)
This is how we spent much of Christmas Eve, Christmas and the days since then.  Dennis has rigged up several DVD players, a VHS player and our bedroom television to transfer our family movies from VHS to DVD.  It's taking forever because they have to tape in "real time".  I can't watch them right now because I start crying from missing my babies.  I catch a peek though once in a while.  Last night I walked in just as 5 year old Alex was saying, "I love you Mommy!" and I lost it.  Tears ran forth.  Why can't they stay small and at home?

After we, (and by we I mean Dennis), gets them all transferred to DVD, we're hoping he can duplicate them much quicker.  We want to give each of the kids a set and various friends who are on church videos.
Here is a photo I found of our beautiful city of Spokane at Christmas.  This is a photo of Riverfront Park in downtown Spokane.  It really is a beautiful place to live.
I have succumbed to the Gilmore Girls frenzy.  Debra (As I See It Now), sent me the first season which I am almost halfway through watching.  I have fallen in love with Stars Hollow, the fictional town it is set in.  Everyone knows everyone and watches over each other.  I grew up in a very small town in Iowa with just 2000 residents.  We all knew each other and if you misbehaved, your Mother knew before you got home!  So, with Dennis' permission, I just went to Amazon and purchased seasons 1-7 for my birthday present.  That will take me awhile to watch won't it?

Otherwise, I'm just staying inside and warm, knitting socks and mittens and watching podcasts.  I'm so enjoying them.  I just found a sweet lady who I think lives in Ohio.   It's called "Naturally Kim's Knitting" and I've been watching past episodes and catching up.  She is such a sweet, sweet soul and loves her family and her grandkids.  The episodes are usually around half an hour so don't take a huge time commitment.  If you like podcasts, I highly recommend hers.

And now I need to do some vacuuming.  Chloe is shedding something terrible right now.  It must be that she's growing a heavier coat for the cold weather.  I hope you all have a wonderful day and a safe and warm New Year.

My favorite verse was the verse on my devotion this morning so I thought I would share it with you.

"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31

Blessings,
Betsy

21 comments:

  1. You and Dennis are so precious! I totally understand why you hate having to shovel snow and chip away ice. When we lived in upstate NY for nearly 20 years, it was so disheartening when the snowplow came by our house and gifted us with a wall of ice and snow to shovel out of the driveway that we had just cleared...again...and again, but it was a blessing to have the roads cleared. The socks you are knitting are handsome! How about making yourself a little buttoned cowl with the yarn you were given? The photo of Spokane is lovely! Good for Dennis in transferring the family movies to CDs because I am sure your kids and friends will appreciate your efforts. Betsy, you are welcome for the little gift I sent. You deserve grander gifts than I can send, but the small gift I sent to you to remind you that you are regularly in my thoughts with admiration and love, and appreciation for your generosity and friendship. xx

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  2. Not a flake here so far so I am envious of your winter wonderland.
    I have just restarted watching the Gilmore Girls again because they are like comfort food for the soul. I am in LOVE with your Muffin yarn. I really like how so many shepherds are putting info about the sheep in their fleece and yarn preps. It makes it even more fun when I can call a project by its name.

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  3. I'm dealing with a pile of snow in front of my house that a helpful neighbor left there after he bladed the street with his four-wheeler. The city doesn't plow or blade neighborhoods, so it can be difficult to maneuver on the side streets. I'm thankful the gentleman bladed the street but wish he hadn't left deep ruts of snow in front of my house. Sigh. . . Seems trivial to dwell on it, but it does make me a bit cranky.

    Several years ago, I transferred family movies to DVDs and made copies for my nieces and nephews. Lots of fun to see the old films.

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  4. Oh my gosh, going out in the night to plow just sounds awful! What a nice thing you did though, to removes snow from your neighbors driveways too.
    Your socks looks so great! I need to place a Knit Pick order, and I think I will try that yarn out.
    I could not sit and watch those old family movies!!! I get sooo weepy!! Just like you!
    I really haven't been out since Christmas, but I am with you on the crowds! I detest them! I would do just fine in a small town like Stars Hollow! But, I am afraid I am not a big fan of Gilmore Girls. I used to watch it some. But I got so tired of their overly forced banter. I thought it was so unnatural! Just not my bag I guess.
    I am going to go watch the podcast you mentioned though. I do love my podcasts!!!
    Stay warm Betsy.
    XO Kris

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  5. You sure do get the snow there! But your story of shoveling in the middle of the night sounds so cold, how nice of you both. I am amazed at how fast you can knit a pair of socks! It takes me like a year.. lol! I'm suffering from a bad cold which of course went into bronchitis... dang. Glad I don't have to go anywhere. I'm with you on needing this week to recuperate and get ready for a new year. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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      *H*A*P*P*Y* *N*E*W* *Y*E*A*R*!*
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  6. Oh goodness Betsy, as much as I'd love to experience the snow I would tire of snow scraping real quick! I feel your pain! and can you believe this, right now I am watching Gilmore girls....I lost interest years ago....too much fast talking, but I watched the new episode on Netflix and decided to start from the beginning and give it another go! so far I'm enjoying it...which is more than I can say for my sock knitting...😬 Stay warm and yes, avoid those crowds!!

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  7. oh goodness you have alot of snow. We just have chilly weather. Threats of snow are in the forecast but not sure if it will happen. I pulled some plants into the garage this evening once I got off work. Temps well below freezing are coming. I don't want to buy certain plants I adore having in the spring so hopefully they will survive. Old family movies sound fun but we don't have any. Just photos. Nice wool yarn that Mandy sent you. Stay warm and safe and don't knit yourself into a corner. Happy New Year my friend! Hugs and blessings! O*OxO*O

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  8. Wow, lots of snow and how well I remember the hours of work keeping up with it just to function! (central NY with 200+inches every winter!)
    I can appreciate the beauty of the blanket of snow, though!
    That yarn is scrumptious! I have made several pairs of socks from that KNitPicks yarn-great line of sock yarn! (I get to see 1 son and 2 grands today...it's a joy!)

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  9. Oh man! I can't believe y'all were shoveling snow at that time of night. Bless you. I don't do crowds or noise anymore. When I have to go shopping, I make sure I go early and get in and out before everyone else starts showing up. I have so many old videos from our camcorder; I don't even know what's on them. One day I'll have to figure out how to transfer them to something watchable. That is a gorgeous picture of Spokane. You knit socks at lightning speed. Warm wishes, Tammy

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  10. Blessings to you sweet friend. I am trying to catch up on all my past blog reading. sending you hugs and wishing you and your sweet family a Happy New Year. :)

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  11. Oh, I know what you mean! Every time my husband wants to watch videos of when our dear boy was a baby, I just bawl and bawl. I can't handle it. Life goes by way too fast, and they grow up so quickly...it breaks my heart. Oh, those socks look so warm! And, I can't believe you had to clean off that snow that late at night! Your neighbors must love you and your husband dearly for being so kind. I can't imagine how grateful those two men had to be when they got home and saw what you did. Take care of yourself, dear friend, and have a happy new year! Oh, by the way, I got your sweet card, and it just moved me so deeply. I was so touched by your kind words...thank you ever so much! Sending you love and hugs. :)

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  12. We had our first experience with snow on Christmas Eve due to a winter storm. It was a lot of it too and we took pictures and put them on my blog. Those socks are cute and look toasty warm!

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  13. Happy New Year to you! We're going to enjoy a nice, quiet evening here at home to ring in the new year. Love the yarn colors you used for those socks!

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  14. That's my favorite verse, too! Do you know the hymn "On Eagle's Wings"? That's a favorite also. Love those socks and the snowy pictures of Spokane. Oh, wow, you can actually shop at Paradise Fibers! You lucky duck! Happy New Year, Betsy, I hope this one brings you health and happiness in abundance!

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  15. I love your very special sheep skein from Mandy. I love the socks you are knitting. Thank you for the naturally Kims podcast information. I am tired of watching news and such. I will watch a kim podcast today. Happy New Year. Healthy to you my friend. a very healthy New Year to you.

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  16. I get misty eyed every time I see a photo of my boys when they were little. I miss hugging their little bodies so much. I am glad they still let me hug their big bodies when they are home. Right now both big boys have been home a week and a half and even if they are messy I love having them here. Your Christmas sounds wonderful Betsy, I am sending you a New Year Hug.

    May 2017 find you to be very healthy and happy my friend.

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  17. How amazing that you are making DVDs for your family and friends, such a wonderful gift. I sometimes shed a tear of memories of my girls when they were small, but then I am reminded of the great job they do now raising another generation which warms my heart. Wishing you and your family a wonderful 2017, praying for good health for you so that you can visit your family. Take care.

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  18. Love the snow pictures! We haven't had much of a winter so far, and I'm missing it.

    You shared one of my favorite Bible verses. We used to have it on our wall in our Missouri home.

    Blessings~

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  19. Happy New Year, Betsy! I hope 2017 is a good year for you and your family. I love seeing your projects, as always. We were also watching old family videos over the holidays because we wanted to move them onto a more permanent storage format. Most of them were from when our son was a baby/toddler. I took fewer videos later on but many more photos. I don't know why I changed over to photos but I am glad we have some videos too. It's so much fun to watch them but I agree, kind of emotional too. I hope you're feeling well and that the snow isn't getting you down. Take care.

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  20. Mm seems to me Betsy it's not the snow that's the issue but it's the way they snowplough the road and block all your driveways!! Not wise.. amd most annoying. I commend you and Dennis fir getting out and sifting it for yourselves and others. I'm glad I don't live in snowy climes.
    Your wool is really delicious, the lot that Mandy bought for you, how wonderful ... and the other goodies sent your way.
    Thanks for sharing and for popping.
    Shaz in Oz.x

    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

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