A Bit of Everything

Another week has gone by and I’m not sure where it went! Doesn’t the time seem to be flying these days? I did manage to get all of the Christmas presents wrapped on Friday. I would wrap a few and then sit in my recliner for 20 minutes or so, then wrap again. It took me all day, but I got everything done. Sunday after church, I ensconced myself in my recliner and proceeded to spend nine hours addressing and signing Christmas cards. I think I am officially finished preparing for Christmas. It’s a good thing, because Alex and family will be here next Monday and we will celebrate our Christmas with them the day after Thanksgiving.  Although it makes me have everything ready fairly early, I like it this way because then I can enjoy December. I love every minute, from the Christmas songs to church services and Bible readings. I try to focus my thoughts on the real reason we’re celebrating the holiday. By doing this and getting all the busyness taken care of earlier in the year, it’s easier to be calm in spirit. 

Last Friday Dennis and I took mom out to lunch at Village Inn. She loves their biscuits and gravy. Afterwards, I took her to get her haircut. She loved it. It’s a real treat to have someone else wash your hair for you isn’t it? Although, we did pay for the excursion over the weekend. Whenever we take her out of her familiar surroundings, the next few days she’s very confused. We had lots of phone calls and lots of emergency trips to her apartment to reassure her that everything was fine and she was right where she was supposed to be. 

My orchid is getting ready to bloom again I think it was late last spring when the last bloom fell off this one and my other orchid plant completely died. This one however, still showed signs of life so I kept watering it and put it in a sunny window with diffused lighting. It must have liked it, because it’s doing pretty well. I expect the buds to open in the next few days.

The other night we had a fairly chilly evening. We had had the balcony door open all day and then all of the sudden it turned very cool. I think the condo was down to about 62° so we decided to turn the fireplace on for a little while. It was so cozy. Unfortunately, I cut off Zoey’s face. 😯

I finished Baby J’s cardigan yesterday. Can you see the huge mistake I made? I forgot a button hole. I’m so irritated with myself, but I wasn’t about to rip out half of the sweater when I didn’t have much time to re-knit it. I’m consoling myself with the thought that a two year old doesn’t stand still long enough for people to notice buttonholes! 🤣 At least I hope that’s the case. See my toes peeping out of the bottom? I should have edited those out, but I just saw them! Yes, I go barefoot all year long inside.

I started this blanket yesterday afternoon and it’s coming along fairly quickly. The pattern is the Baby Shower Blanket by The Crochet Crowd and it’s free on Ravelry. The yarn is big twist from Joannes in the color ivory. I have been making it for a lady at the over 55 building where we used to live. She’s expecting her 10th great grandchild! Daisy is a war bride from World War II. Her husband met her in France where she was part of the resistance. She asked me if I could make a blanket for the baby, and said she didn’t think she would be finding out if it was a boy or a girl until after it was born so wanted me to make a plain color. Well today she told me that they informed her yesterday that it’s a girl! I gave her the choice of this one or I could make her a pink blanket. She prefers a pink one. I may keep this one for myself in case we have a baby at church or I may donate it to the Mission. I haven’t decided yet. 

I think I told you a while back that I was thinking of trying English Paper Piecing or EPP as it’s called. I have gotten this far in getting organized, but I’ve had so many projects going on that I haven’t had a chance to do anymore. See my one hexie there in the box? I still have a sweater to knit for Piper and the other baby blanket to make so I guess this will be put on hold for a while again.

That’s about it. My sister found a 22 pound turkey for me last week while she was out shopping. It’s not quite as big as I would have liked, but will have to do. I paid her back for it so now I think I’m pretty much set for Thanksgiving, except for produce. We will probably pick that up Tuesday or Wednesday. I can’t believe it’s time for Thanksgiving, even though I know it’s late this year. And then the next Sunday is December already! Craziness! I haven’t even gotten used to writing 2024 and now I’m going to have to switch to 2025. Does anyone else have a hard time dealing with that?

I hope you’ve all had a wonderful week so far. Take care of yourselves in the midst of all of the world’s uncertainty. Remember, there is someone who you can always turn to and is ready to listen and be there for you. His name is Jesus, and all you need to do is ask Him. He’s waiting just for you. 💜

Blessings and love,

Betsy

This Is My Fathers World

1 This is my Father’s world,
and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world;
I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
his hand the wonders wrought.

2 This is my Father’s world;
the birds their carols raise;
the morning light, the lily white,
declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world;
he shines in all that’s fair.
In the rustling grass I hear him pass;
he speaks to me everywhere.

3 This is my Father’s world;
oh, let me not forget
that, though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world;
why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King, let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad.