Another Friday

Hello my friends!  Another week has gone by.  Another week of sitting in my chair and crocheting/knitting.  I've been enjoying podcasts from crafters all over the world.  It's been a snowy, icy, windy, cold week here, so it has been good to be cozy at home.  My back is still very painful.  I'm not sure that's normal at this point so if there is no change over the weekend, Hubby is wanting me to call the doctor on Monday.  Would you please pray for a huge improvement over the weekend?

I have been busy though.  My hot pads were in a terrible, disgusting shape.  Stained and burnt.  (Don't ask!)  This week I thought, this is crazy.  I've made tons of these to give away, I need to make some for us.  So I chose my brightest cotton yarn that makes me happy and crocheted away.  Within a couple of  hours I had these.  They are SO easy and are a free pattern on Ravelry.  Just look up double thick crochet hot pads and they'll pop up.  The ones I had before I made over 20 years ago, so they last a long, long time and are completely machine washable/dryable.

I finished the "Wonderful Girl" socks.  Another free Ravelry pattern.  I did change the pattern a bit and put one cable up the outside of each sock.  I love these.  Knit Picks Tweed Fingering weight yarn.

I also finished the "Lala's Simple Shawl" and will be donating it to the local Veterans Home for the ladies there.  People seem to forget there are ladies in the VA Homes, and these are perfect around their shoulders.  I have donated many of these shawls and they are always received with gratitude.

The bottom photo shows the stitch pattern a bit closer.  These photos were before it was blocked since I'm not physically able to do that right now.

Another pair of socks have begun.  These are the "Petty Harbour" pattern again, which is fast becoming a favorite of mine.  Knit Picks "Gemstone" hand painted yarn. This photo was from last night.

Here they are this morning.  One heel turned and I'm working on the second.  I have a big sock yarn order that is supposed to arrive tomorrow.  It will have enough yarn to keep me busy all year. Possibly Christmas presents????

Two more pairs of mittens are done.

And four more baby hats.

I bought the pattern below on Ravelry yesterday.  I've only purchased two patterns online and both were from this lady.  She is amazing and a really nice lady too. Her "real" job is a physical therapist and she's been messaging me hints about my back ever since I hurt it.

This pattern uses up the ends of sock yarn skeins since you don't use an entire skein for a pair of socks.  I've started two blankets with my "mini" sock yarn skeins, but don't like either of them very much.  So I thought I would give this a try.  My colors are going to be different than hers because of my particular leftover colors, but the pattern itself is lovely.

Here's my view most of the time.  In my recliner knitting and watching podcasts. You can see a little of Chloe there on her bed on the floor.  She's never far away from me.  I love my Chloe girl!

For a change of pace.  Here's our youngest son Alex in the building he's rented for his business.  It's in Tawada, Aomori, Japan.  This room originally had 6 classrooms in it.  This week the construction guys tore out all of the walls. Yesterday we got a picture showing the green floor is all gone too!  His office will be in this building, (he lives in an apartment behind the building.)  The local museum is renting part of this space for display and a library.  Another young business person has rented office space from him too.  That's good, because he still has an apartment in Tokyo.  He spends about two weeks each month at each location since he still has several clients in Tokyo.  His heart is in northern Japan though, and he has many friends there.  He has lived there since he graduated with his Masters Degree at 19 and spent his summers teaching English in Aomori since he was 13.

Isn't he a good looking guy?  He's my baby, even if he is 28 years old now!  He's accomplished much in his young life.  He translates fluently in Japanese and Chinese and also teaches often.  We sure miss him.  He still finds time to FaceTime with us several times a week.

Here he is clearing a path from the business end of the building to the living quarters.  Did you think Japan is tropical?  They get more snow in Aomori on average than we do in Spokane!

And here's his Dad clearing our steps on the same day, only here in Spokane!  It has begun to warm up into the 30's this week though, so we're hoping for some melting.  Yesterday we had an ice storm that shut down most schools.  They don't close schools often here.  Yesterday was our first snow day in Spokane this school year and we have over 4 foot of snow in our yard!  That gives you some idea of how bad the roads were yesterday.  Hubby went to work though.  Nothing stops him.

I'm going to go back to my chair now.  I hope things are going well for you all.  I'm trying to read all of your blogs and stay up with all of your news.  Have a lovely week everyone!

"Rejoice in the LORD always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"  Philippians 4:4

Blessings,

Betsy