Monday, January 15, 2018

Home Again

Happy Monday!
I tried to do a post while I was gone, I really did.  But blogger wouldn't let me add pictures on my iPad and really, what kind of post would it be while visiting Piper without any pictures of her?  So I decided it would be better to spend my time playing with her instead.  Please be warned this is a photo heavy post!

I'm pleased to announce that we have a budding knitter on our hands.  She was so excited to learn to knit.  She actually knitted around 6-8 rows all by herself and then Grandma finished for her.  I'm excited about his development.

It took much concentration...
 but in the end there was a sweet scarf for Polly to wear outside in the frigid weather.  I was really surprised at how even her stitches were and how hard she worked at it without giving up.
Did I mention it was cold?  Most mornings were well below zero with the wind chill AND the air temperature.  One morning it was -42F with the wind chill.  Schools were cancelled so we stayed inside all day that day.

We had a nice visit with Marilyn and Dennis and I gave her the blanket I crocheted for her.  She seemed to like it and sent me a text later in the week that said she uses it every day.  Just what a knitter/crocheter likes to hear.
 Piper does the vacuuming now and does a great job of it.  Yes.  That's a huge t-shirt that she was wearing for her nightgown.  She likes it. :-)
 Tuesday morning the two of us made a cherry cheesecake for Papa and Mandy's birthday.  Please excuse the wet hair, I had just gotten out of the shower.
 Dennis' birthday was January 9th and Mandy's is the 20th.  Their favorite is cheesecake so Piper and I made one and we celebrated both birthdays at once.  It was a hit!  Mandy got two pairs of socks.
 Later in the week we were at Dennis' Mom's house and they all had socks on that I had knitted them.  This was NOT planned.  Later that night Alex face-timed from Japan and he also had socks on that I made for him.  Gosh, this warmed my heart!
 Here they are with their socks!  It's not easy to see, but Dennis' are full of tiny cables running up the socks.
 Piper diligently worked on thank you cards for Christmas gifts while we were there.  She's quite an artist.
 Our little princess.  A bit of a fake smile but I love it anyway. :-)
 She and Papa wrestled and played the week away.
 They had quite a lot of fun!  She loved having Papa there too.  Usually it's only Grandma!
 And then Belle made an appearance.
 Papa played the part of "The Beast" and they whirled and twirled around the living room while the movie played in the background.  It was a beautiful ball!  Papa needs a costume change though!
 We did have a day when it was nice enough to take a walk and Piper drove her police car complete with lights and siren.  They neighbor GAVE it to them last summer right after they moved in.  He's a police officer and his little girl had two of these cars.  It only needed a battery, but Brad replaced the stickers too and shined it up and it looks brand new.  Gosh that car goes fast and reverses too.  Piper is proving to be a pretty good driver too.  Look!  She has her mittens on that I made her last winter.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE seeing my knitted things being used as intended.  So often I give things away and never see if anyone actually uses them.  Mandy wore her wrist-warmers AND her mittens while we were there.  ***sigh***  happy Mama.
I put another row on the scrappy blanket last night while watching podcasts.
I finished the socks that Mandy is wearing in the picture above while flying to Omaha and then started these.  They were my airplane knitting on the way home.  I have both pairs just past the heels.  Alex saw the yarn while we were face-timing and called "dibs" on them just before Mandy said she wanted them!  They both want them.  Unfortunately Knit Picks doesn't have this colorway anymore.  I'll have to watch their website and hopefully they will restock it before we have a sibling war!
Oh my goodness, it was SO hard to leave our girls.  I practically ran in to the airport when we left Saturday night.  The tears were falling.  Piper did not need to see that.  We were able to see my sister just for a short visit, but not my brothers.  We did get to see Mom on three different occasions and Dennis' sister too, but the weather and only having a week made it difficult to see people.

I'm thinking of driving back in the spring so I will have a car and can stay a little longer without airline schedules to deal with.

Well, I think this is long enough for today.  Hopefully I'll be back before the end of the week to visit you all again.  I tried to keep up on commenting on your blogs but I think I missed some.  I hope you all have a wonderful week ahead.

"But  let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5:11

Blessings,
Betsy


18 comments:

  1. Oh, bless your grandma heart! The thought of you running into the airport to hide your tears is so familiar. I would have such a hard time leaving that little sweetheart too.

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  2. I just knew you'd have her knitting! She is so smart to be doing this at such an early age. So glad you got to visit with everyone. The socks you made looks so warm and cozy. Wishing you a most lovely day filled with much joy sweet friend. ((hugs)). Blessings always.

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  3. How wonderful to see Miss Piper knitting, such an amazing achievement. I do know how hard it is to leave your loved ones behind, I start to make plans for the next visit to make myself feel better. What a joy to see everyone wearing your knitting.

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  4. I love that you have photos of everyone wearing your knits! I agree it's very satisfying when the items are appreciated and worn.

    Miss Piper will continue to knit, as she's at the perfect age to learn. Glad you had a good time despite the cold weather.

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  5. Welcome home! And we've even had a bit of sunshine. Love those Piper photos; she's a cutie. How old is she? My GD is 4 and wanting to learn to knit but I think she's a bit young. Nice socks and so impressive that you did all those cables!

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    1. She just turned 5 and I think she did really well. Dennis’ socks we’re the first ones I made a few years ago. I can’t believe I did all of those cables on my first ones. I must have been crazy.
      Blessings,
      Betsy

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  6. What a sweet girl!!! Glad you had such a nice visit. And, isn't it great to see your knit things being loved and worn!!!

    I love that Felici that the siblings called dibs on. I see why they both want it. LOL

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  7. Sounds like a fun time and I liked the sox photo of everyone wearing sox you've made. Why wouldn't you want to show it off? I'm glad Piper decided she wanted to knit. Melody, my oldest granddaughter, actually knit a hat for a friend of hers and took it to his house. Her mom knits alot so it's in the blood! Years ago I made a sweater with many cables. Wish I could still wear it. I was in high school then. Good to hear from you again and made it home safely! Hugs!

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  8. I'm glad to hear that you had such a good visit with everyone.. and especially darling Piper. She does look happy having her grandpa there. How neat that you've made everyone hand-knit socks. Your family is very lucky to have such a talented knitter make things for them. I hope you find another skein of the yarn your two kids are vying over! I'm glad you're home and made the trip with no problems. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  9. Glad to hear you had a lovely visit. It's wonderful to know that everyone is enjoying and being kept warm with your wonderfully knitted socks. Equally heartwarming to see Piper is q quick learner. Perhaps she will be just as talented and giving as her grandma one day. I love that she made her own Christmas thank you cards. :)

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  10. Good Morning, I knew you had been visiting Piper since I saw the picture of her in her yellow dress on Facebook... She's such an adorable little gal --who is growing up much too fast!!!! So glad she is becoming a Knitter like her Grandmother....She can learn to help keeping all of the family attired in their warm socks and mittens... That's a big job --and I'm sure that Grams needs help.... GO PIPER!!!!

    Glad you had a wonderful visit. I hope you can go back in Spring and drive there --which would give you more flexibility. AND--you can stay longer...

    Have a great remainder of the week.... We are supposed to get a little snow here today. (I HOPE)... ha

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  11. That is awesome that little one is learning to knit. I taught one of mine, but as they grew up, and still grow up, they have no interest. What a fun time you had.

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  12. I tried to leave a comment from my phone for the first time. I dont see it here, so I guess it didnt work? I hope it will. Im having computer issues and can maneuver on the phone so much better. Piper, Oh Piper. No wonder we cry when we leave family. Big hugs to you. I LOVE that they all wore your socks !!!! unplanned

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  13. Oh, what a heart-warming post! It is SO wonderful to have you back and to know you are home safe! The precious memories you made must surely be a blessing to you now, being so far away from your dear loved ones. It hurts me to think of you having to run in to the airport to hide your tears. I know how heart-wrenching those "good-byes" are, and it just makes me wonder we can't always live near the ones we love. Life is so short, and the moments are so fleeting. I hope one day God makes a way for you be around your sweet family all the time and that He will keep all of you healthy and together as much as possible. May He comfort your dear heart each time you are missing them. I know it must have meant so much to you to see them all wearing your beautiful creations! I know one thing...I LOVE my dishcloths, and if you walked in to our kitchen, you would surely see the proof! LOL! Sending much love to you, sweet friend...posts from you always brighten my whole day!

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  14. One week with the family is just not enough, I do know and understand that! Just so wonderful to be there, but soo hard to say goodbye! Sweet Piper, what a precious child she is! Just love the fun moments you had together, and especially the knitting lessons she had! You can tell she just loves the time spent with you and Dennis! It is definitely warmer here than where you were! I appreciate your friendship so much, and hopefully come spring we will find a time to meet and visit :) Hugs to you dear friend!

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  15. Give each kid one of the socks...then make them a sock in a contrasting color. Matching socks are not in favor by high school and college students. Start a new trend.

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  16. What a wonderful time you must have had! How luck are those people wearing your knitted sox!! How adorable Piper it. I can see why it is so hard to say good by! We got snow today and are under a winter weather advisory. Thankful to be home snug in our house. Nancy

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  17. It looks like everyone had a wonderful visit. I love that your family wears their hand made items, mine not so much. I think people think I am a bit weaird when I give them a shawl or cowl. Anyways I know you are so sad to be back but I am thrilled your visit was so wonderful. Stay warm.

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