It's Cold!

Hello Everyone!  It's cold here in the northwest!  Tuesday and Wednesday mornings were in the upper teens and today was 22 on our back deck.  The weatherman said it was warmer than that, but we always seem to get colder temps and more snow in our area.

A friend dropped off 2 boxes and a bag full of old, old, old knitting magazines.  I picked through and chose about 8 to keep.  She has someone else that wants to look at them too.  It was so much fun to look at the patterns from the 70's and 80's.  And the hair!!!  Oh my!  What were we thinking?  I imagine that will be what people say in 20 years when they look at pictures we're taking now.

This is what I did this morning.

We have Bible Study at our house tonight and although we usually don't have snacks, just coffee and tea, I decided that the cold weather dictated some yummy muffins.  Then I realized that it's Cheryl's birthday today, so it is very appropriate to have baked goodies.  Right?  These are chocolate/peanut butter chip muffins.  The filling is chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, cream cheese and sugar. In other words, no calories at all! :-)

I finished this set on Tuesday evening.  I think I've made 6 or so of these sets this year.  I like the flower on the hat.  Every flower I put on the girls hats are different because I can't remember what I did before!  It is chocolate brown and pink, made from Caron's Simply Soft yarn.

And this, this is my dear friend "V".  I visit her a couple of times a week and I love her to pieces.  I used to help care for her and her husband who has now passed away.  She calls me her "knitting angel" because she has Alzheimers and can't remember names.  She knows who I am though and I love her like a mother.  My Mom died when I was 29 years old. "V" is within 2 weeks of the age my own Mom would have been had she lived.  Maybe that's why I care so much for her.  One of the aides took this picture for me on Tuesday.

Now I'm working on a hat and scarf for myself.  Now that's a shocker.  I hardly every keep anything for myself but decided to make some cold weather things for myself.  I'll post pictures when I can.

Alex has recieved yet another box of hats, baby items and mittens for the people in Japan.  Thank you all for the support you have shown this project.  He apologizes for not distributing the last 3 boxes he's recieved.  He's been very ill with a flu-like illness and has not been able to get out. He's much better now and will get the items to their new owners as soon as possible.

Here's a verse from a song that's been repeating itself over and over in my head all week long.  It's from the song "Hosanna" by Hillsong. I hope it means something to you too.

Heal my heart and make it clean.
Open up my eyes to the things unseen.
Show me how to love like You have loved  me.
Break my heart for what breaks Yours,
Everthing I am for Your Kingdoms cause,
As I walk from earth into eternity.

I do want my heart to break for what breaks my Lords' heart and I want to be His hands and feet while I walk on this earth.  Let me know your thoughts on this if you would like to share.

Have a wonderful day everyone.

Blesssings,

Betsy

Busy Monday

It's been a busy day today.  I got up bright and early this morning and painted the bathroom off of our bedroom.  I painted the bedrooom itself about a year ago and just kept putting off the bathroom.  I have no idea why.  It only took about 3 1/2 hours for the entire job and looks pretty good if I do say so myself! :-)

I had painted the sink area and closet when I did the bedroom, but just never did the shower/toilet area.  I have no excuse, I just didn't do it.  But I sure like it now.  The color is a dark vanilla but looks pretty light in the pictures.

This sweater/hat/sockie set was my weekend project.  I need to get my gift closet stocked back up.  So far I've got three rainbow blankets done, this sweater set and I have the booties done on a girly set, with the matching hat on the needles.

I thought I should take some pictures of my geraniums today since the next 3 days are supposed to be below 20 degrees outside.  I'm sure that will be the kiss of death to them and they're looking so beautiful these days.  I really detest winter and I just keep thanking God for every day without snow.  We've had snow for Halloween many times and I just hope that doesn't happen this year.

I worked for about three hours today on my "talk" for the ladies retreat next month in Helena, MT.  It's supposed to be about the difference even one person can make and they want me to focus a lot on the Japan trip and the charity groups I'm involved with online.  Everyone has something they can do and it just takes some figuring out what you can do to help someone else.

It was a busy weekend here at the Queen household.  Saturday morning was "craft day".  A group of ladies come over and knit, crochet, latchhook and cross-stitch.  We visit and eat goodies and just have a great time.  Kind of like the "sewing circles" of the olden days.

Saturday afternoon was yard work and my wonderful husband let me go yarn shopping!  Michaels was having a wonderful sale on a lot of yarns I use and I also had a coupon for 25% off regular and sale priced items.  I ended up getting $156.00 worth of yarn for $85.00!!!!  What a deal.  I shouldn't have to buy yarn for a long time.

Yesterday was church in the morning and evening and lunch at Olive Garden with friends.  We also attended a memorial service in the afternoon for a wonderful lady from church.  She'll be missed by many but to know she's at peace with no pain now is a wonderful thing.

Now I need to think about dinner.  What sounds good to all of you?  Any of you have some good fall recipes to share?   See you soon!

Blessings,

Betsy

A bit of this and that!

Good Morning!  It's Thursday and a sunny sometimes and cloudy sometimes sort of day here in Washington.  Beginning the Oct. 31 my wonderful husband has volunteered me to babysit a newborn!  That wasn't said sarcastically at all, really and truly!  He saw a need and knows how I love babies and the logical conclusion was that I would love to babysit the dear baby.  And I am looking forward to it...however, I didn't realize how busy I have become until I started trying to figure out how to adjust that life for a baby.  I think the ladies at the nursing home will love to see a wee one but my Weight Watcher meetings will be probably be out of the question.  I'll keep you all posted!

I'm finishing up the third rainbow blanket today, (hopefully).  That will give me an extra for my gift closet.  I always like to have one on hand for a quick gift.  I also found a new scarf pattern on one my Ravelry charity groups this morning that I'm anxious to begin.

Tonight is Bible study here at our house, (every Thursday night is Bible study).  Right now we're watching the "Are you a Fan or a Follower" DVD series at church on Sunday nights and the various studies are discussing the videos during the week.  We're on video 4 this week and I'm learning a lot about myself and my goals in life.  Very illuminating and I highly recommend watching them if you get the opportunity.

Here are a few pictures for you.  The first is a box of knitted  items bound for the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.  I forgot to take pictures of the completed items, so here's the box!!!!  Inside are 12 hats, 3 cowls and 2 scarves.  There are also two large ziplock bags of trial size shampoos, soaps, lotions etc. and 10 toothbrushes.  Everything is appreciated on Pine Ridge Reservation.

This is a picture of my "craft closet".  My yarn stock is running very low.  Usually those shelves are completely full. The shelves below the yarn on the right are greeting cards.  I send a lot of card to people for various reasons.  Sickness, loneliness, babies, encouragement, etc. On the very bottom right shelf you can see a completed rainbow blanket, a shawl bound for Pine Ridge Reservation Elder program and dishcloths.  I always keep dishcloths on hand as quick gifts for almost everyone.  I'm sorry the picture is a little dark.  It looked fine on the camera.

These are the geranuims on my back deck.  Considering that we've dipped below freezing twice this week, they still look fairly good don't you think?

 This is the backyard as of 15 minutes ago.  Look at the trees!  Absolutely no fall color on ours, but on the tree behind the fence, just peeking over are beautiful golden leaves.  The yard is still looking really nice for the end of October thanks to my dear husband who takes such good care of it.

And that's it.  A peek into my Thursday world.  I've cleaned the bathrooms and kitchen and now I believe I'm going to sit down with my crochet hook and try to finish that blanket.  I'm going to meet my dear little new baby friend for the first time today.  I'll have to think of a name for her to use online.

See you all again soon.

Blessings,

Betsy