Life is crazy busy as always, but I have managed to finish a few projects because I carried them along with me.
First is this prayer shawl that I’m making for the hospital. I am using a Caron Skinny Cake in the colorway “Baked Alaska.” I’m really enjoying using this yarn as it’s nice and soft to work with and hasn’t been splitting at all. I’m crocheting with a size H, 5.0 mm hook. The pattern is just called “crochet triangle shawl.” It’s a free pattern I’ve had laying around for a while but I don’t remember where I got it.
I also decided to show you the tea towels that I embroidered for a Christmas present. They haven’t been washed or ironed yet so they’re still pretty wrinkled. I really enjoyed working on these as I could slip one in my purse easily and put in a few stitches when I had time. I haven’t done embroidery for a while, and it was fun to practice the stitches again.
This is the garter squish blanket by Steven West. It will be for Dennis’s Mom for Christmas. The puppies really like it. 😂 You use a size 15 needle and worsted weight yarn held double. It is very thick and squishy! I still have to wash it and sew in a few ends too. The edges finished nicely with a knitted I-cord edging. I’ve never done that before and it was surprisingly easy.
Miss Lizzie is having a slumber party with Zoey tonight because Piper is having her birthday party with some school friends tomorrow afternoon. We thought it would be easier without a puppy around. The grandparents will go over tomorrow night and we’ll have dinner and have our family party for her. It’s the first party she’s had in two years because of that lovely virus that’s been going around. It’s nice to have things getting somewhat back to normal for kids these days. Meanwhile, these girls are thrilled to be together again.
Thursday was Miss Piper‘s 10th birthday! Can you believe that? They didn’t have school because of parent teacher conferences Thursday and today, so on Wednesday her other grandma, Marilyn and I took lunch to her and ate with her at school. It was lots of fun. I also had to take Mom to a doctors appointment that afternoon anyway, so everything was done in the same part of town!
I don’t remember if it was Monday or Tuesday that Dennis and I went to the zoo. The goal was for us to walk around the entire old loop of the zoo where the big animals are without my back protesting. We didn’t go into any of the newer fancy places like the aquarium, the jungle, the aviary, the butterfly house or any of those other places. We just walked the loop with the big animals and had a lot of fun. I made it all the way around, but boy, my back was not happy with me that night.
Thursday was Miss Piper‘s 10th birthday! Can you believe that? They didn’t have school because of parent teacher conferences Thursday and today, so on Wednesday her other grandma, Marilyn and I took lunch to her and ate with her at school. It was lots of fun. I also had to take Mom to a doctors appointment that afternoon anyway, so everything was done in the same part of town!
I don’t remember if it was Monday or Tuesday that Dennis and I went to the zoo. The goal was for us to walk around the entire old loop of the zoo where the big animals are without my back protesting. We didn’t go into any of the newer fancy places like the aquarium, the jungle, the aviary, the butterfly house or any of those other places. We just walked the loop with the big animals and had a lot of fun. I made it all the way around, but boy, my back was not happy with me that night.
I thought I got a picture of the baby elephant but I guess not. This is one of the Mama’s. There were two new babies born this year.
We had fun watching this elephant eat out of the basket hanging from the tree. It’s amazing all of the things they use their trunk for.
The giraffes were all out wandering around too. I enjoyed watching this one eat from the ground. He would spread his front legs wide apart so he could reach the ground with that long neck.
These two were just picking on each other the entire time. The one on the left would go over and literally slap the one sitting on the right across the face and back until he started chasing him around. I don’t know what that was all about. 🤷♀️
That’s about it. I have been reading your blogs just not always able to comment. If I could use my phone to comment with Blogger it would be great, but I have to use my laptop and I’m on the go so much I don’t have it with me most of the time. We’re planning to take a short 2 to 3 night camping trip next week at the Lewis and Clark State Park in Iowa. It sounds like it’ll be a lot of fun. We’re going with Dennis’s cousin Curt and his wife Barb. We’re thinking it will most likely be our last chance to get out this year. It’s only about an hour from home so we can get back quickly if we need to.
We had fun watching this elephant eat out of the basket hanging from the tree. It’s amazing all of the things they use their trunk for.
The giraffes were all out wandering around too. I enjoyed watching this one eat from the ground. He would spread his front legs wide apart so he could reach the ground with that long neck.
These two were just picking on each other the entire time. The one on the left would go over and literally slap the one sitting on the right across the face and back until he started chasing him around. I don’t know what that was all about. 🤷♀️
That’s about it. I have been reading your blogs just not always able to comment. If I could use my phone to comment with Blogger it would be great, but I have to use my laptop and I’m on the go so much I don’t have it with me most of the time. We’re planning to take a short 2 to 3 night camping trip next week at the Lewis and Clark State Park in Iowa. It sounds like it’ll be a lot of fun. We’re going with Dennis’s cousin Curt and his wife Barb. We’re thinking it will most likely be our last chance to get out this year. It’s only about an hour from home so we can get back quickly if we need to.
Take care, all of you.🍁🍂🍁
Much love and many blessings,
Betsy
I learned a long time ago that monkeys/gorillas/etc. play their animal version of "slug-bug!" all the time. A trainer had overheard people complaining that the zoo shouldn't let them "pick on each other" and the trainer set them straight about it. It's just like two human teenagers who yell "Slug-bug, you're it!" (sometimes slapping one another rather hard lol) and chasing each other around. Just normal play. // Happy belated 10th birthday to Miss Piper!! God bless her reeeeeeal good!!
ReplyDeleteThose tea towels are just precious! So cute! Glad to hear you get to go camping again before winter. I was lucky enough to be invited to the grandparent breakfast at two different elementary schools. The tablemates were wonderful, but I can't say as much for the food! I bet Piper's party will be so much fun, they do grow so quickly. What a wonderful day at the zoo.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog! thanks Betsy!
ReplyDeleteThose tea towels bring back such memories. My great grandmother embroidered everything she could get her hands on. Our pillowcases, handkerchiefs and tea towels all looked just like that. I was fascinated by it all as a child and whenever I see anything like it I feel all warm and cozy. Her cooking, her quilts, everything she did was remarkable. I've spent my life trying to emulate her.
ReplyDeleteNice job on your finished projects! Happy Belated Birthday to Piper: it’s great fun to watch her grow. Isn’t it great that zoos are getting creative and providing the animals some challenging and engaging activities. I think it’s much better than watching animals pacing in the enclosures.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how far you walked when you went around the zoo but I'm quite sure it was a long way. You did great ( even if you suffered for it later). The embroidered tea towels reminded me of my dear Mother. She embroidered her white cotton tea towels and even after years of use they were stain free. Now it seems that Tide has been stripped of whatever made it so effective and I struggle to keep my whites sparkling white.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to get away even for a few days. May the sun shine for you!!
The towels are nice. Good job Betsy! I like the dogs with blanket you crocheted. Adorable Piper ❤️ I remember being in Iowa when I had a friend come get me from there and gave me a shirt 👕 from Woodbine. We'd known each other for school in Oregon. Nice state even though it was raining that day. Her sister in law took me back to house I was staying at with a friend from USAF. Enjoy your trip. Hugs and blessings to you and family.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to Piper! How wonderful to have Two Grandmas to make you feel special! That shawl is a beauty, a very pretty pattern! Your dish towels look great! I tend to save mine for "good" and don't use them like I should!
ReplyDeleteI have been so busy with the yard work, gardening, harvesting and canning lately that I've missed visiting some of my favorite blogs. I love seeing all of your projects and you are always doing such beautiful work. Those dish towels are so pretty. Whoever is gifted those at Christmas is going to be thrilled.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Piper!
Sounds like the trip will do you a ton of good! The shawl is so pretty--and look at you go with the embroidery!
ReplyDeleteAmén. Regine
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
Hello Betsy, Sounds like you've had fun and been productive, too. A good use of time if you ask me! Blessings from Harvest Lane Cottage, Laura
ReplyDeletesorry no link to the shawl pattern, would love to make it
ReplyDeleteWow, I can't believe Little Miss Piper is now 10 years old! That is just unbelievable. I know you love living near her and spending so many precious moments with her! I remember how much you missed her when you lived so far apart. God is so good!
ReplyDelete