Happy Tuesday my friends. It must be a new year because I've been busy finishing up projects and beginning new ones. Before I start showing you all of my projects I just want to say that I hope you are all keeping warm today. I know it's bitterly cold over much of the U.S. today. We're at a balmy 22F right now which is a veritable heat wave compared to many of you. I have a fire happily burning in the wood stove and I'm cozy in my home for the day.
And now let me show you finished projects!
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Projects, Projects, Projects!
The first picture is of the lovely pincushion that Taci made for the three of us girls at our bloggers luncheon. I've been so busy getting the mittens done that I haven't worked on anything else. Taci had the crocheted part done and included everything we needed to just stitch up the fabric interior, stuff it and then crochet around the edge. She even included the sweet little heart pins. Isn't it cute?
The next pictures show my little Chloe modeling the scarf that I FINALLY finished from the yarn Gracie gifted me with last summer. Isn't it beautiful? Chloe is a rather shy model. She always acts like she's in trouble. I just love this scarf/shawl. I wore it yesterday for the first time and it's so soft and comfy. Thank you so, so much Gracie! You are a blessing to me.
I'm also starting a quilt for a friend of Mandy's. She bought some of the material and I went last night and bought more fabric and the batting and thread. Here it is all stacked up. My goal today is to iron it all and cut the pieces. I washed and dried it all last night. Quilting is NOT my favorite activity but it will be worth it to bring a smile to her face.
Lastly is the crocheted blanket I started on Sunday. It's made of all cotton and in neutral colors. I'm loving it but I'm not sure what I'll do with it when it's done. We really don't need anymore afghans around here. I'm sure I'll find someone who needs it. :-)
If I want to get anything done, I better get off the computer and get busy. I wasted almost an hour trying to get these pictures to load.
I hope you have a wonderfully warm and happy week.
Blessings,
Betsy
Friday, January 3, 2014
A New Year And Done With Mittens!
Hello my friends! It's a new year and a new start for many of us. The only resolutions I've made this year is to read the Bible through at least once and to try to lose some weight, (on the list every year.) The first I do most every year but the second never seems to see much progress! Oh well, at least I'm conscious of the need to watch what I eat.
It's been a busy few weeks and I haven't posted much. We've been home since Sunday but I've been busy finishing up the mittens. Yes. I'm finished. For now anyway. I have another 51 pair to deliver to Lindsey on Sunday and one of the ladies at knitting is giving me at least 10 more pair today so I think the little ones will have warm hands for this winter anyway. Here's a picture of the mittens finished this week. I do have more yarn left and I'll save it for another project for children since Teresa and Dayle so generously donated it for this project.
Last night was the last big hurrah for the season. Our Bible study group decided several years ago that instead of trying to fit one more event in before Christmas we would wait until the first Thursday in January to have our annual potluck white elephant exchange. We had a wonderful time with lots of good food, I forgot to get a picture of the food for you, and lots of fun choosing and opening gifts. We think we set a new record this year. No one stole a gift. Everyone was happy with what they opened. I ended up with a beautiful mobile for outside. I'll try to get a picture when the weather is more cooperative. We had a wonderful time of food, fellowship and prayer-a great way to begin a new year.
Mark brought his Russian Crème dessert that he brings every year. There are raspberries in the bowl to put on top. Oh. My. Goodness. If you've never had this dessert you are missing something amazing. I don't know how he makes it but it is delicious. We also had a few different kinds of fudge. When I saw them I realized I had not had one piece of fudge all season! Amazing for me.
This morning when Hubby left for work I began putting away Christmas for the season. Since we didn't have a tree up there wasn't a lot to do. However, by the time I wandered around the house picking things up and putting them on the dining table, I realized the table was completely covered. I had more things out than I realized. The only thing that didn't get put away was the nativity that Teresa gave me at our bloggers lunch. That will go out to the trailer and be on display all year. My feeling is that it never hurts to remember why that baby in the manger came to earth. He came to save each and every one of us, so it will be out where I can see it all summer and be reminded.
Here are a few photos that were on my regular camera from our trip to Portland. I had to wait to get home and put them on the desktop to share with you.
This first one is Mt. Hood. This is the same mountain in Gracie & Teresa's backyards but from almost 160 miles away! It was a beautiful day and I took this photo as we drove down Interstate 84 near Boardman, OR on the eastern edge of the state! Can you believe how beautiful it is and how close it looks?
Daddy got Miss Piper the Polar Express train set for under the tree. She loves it and can even operate the remote control. It whistles and says "All aboard. Tickets please" in Tom Hanks voice. It even has steam coming from the engine and little silouettes of the children in the cars. It was a highlight of Christmas for sure.
Christmas morning and Miss Piper was opening her stocking while sitting at the table we got her for Christmas. I made her stocking and it turned out pretty well I think.
Hubby and I have been informed we need new stockings. Mandy tried to put things into them for us and they don't work very well. They're store bought stockings and have lots of strings inside. So I have another project before next year. Stockings for Hubby and me. I've made them for the rest of the family and I've been informed that we need them too.
This is Piper and her doggie, Polly. Polly is a golden lab and the most patient loving dog you could want. Wherever Piper is, Polly is. She adores her little girl and you can tell by this picture that the feeling is mutual. The next picture is Piper carrying around her little bunny that Uncle Alex sent her from Japan. That was by far her favorite gift. She carried that bunny everywhere, wrapped in one of Mandy's tea towels that I embroidered for her when she got her first apartment. Bunny sleeps with Piper and is never far from her side.
And one last picture of what makes this blog worthwhile to write. The wonderful friends I've made though blogging. I just love Gracie, Taci and Teresa and I wish everyone of you could join us when we get together. I never would have met these ladies if it weren't for blogging. Isn't it grand?
Now I'm off to fold my last load of laundry and go to knitting. Please pray for me as I've been fighting off a bug for a few days now. So much illness going around and I have too much to do to get sick! We're planning a date night tonight with our good friends Neal & Jenny. We're going to have dinner somewhere and go see a movie. Something about "Mr. Banks". I think it's about the writer of Mary Poppins or something. We haven't been to an actual movie theater in years so it's quite an event for us!
Have a lovely weekend my friends and Happy New Year!
Blessings,
Betsy
It's been a busy few weeks and I haven't posted much. We've been home since Sunday but I've been busy finishing up the mittens. Yes. I'm finished. For now anyway. I have another 51 pair to deliver to Lindsey on Sunday and one of the ladies at knitting is giving me at least 10 more pair today so I think the little ones will have warm hands for this winter anyway. Here's a picture of the mittens finished this week. I do have more yarn left and I'll save it for another project for children since Teresa and Dayle so generously donated it for this project.
Last night was the last big hurrah for the season. Our Bible study group decided several years ago that instead of trying to fit one more event in before Christmas we would wait until the first Thursday in January to have our annual potluck white elephant exchange. We had a wonderful time with lots of good food, I forgot to get a picture of the food for you, and lots of fun choosing and opening gifts. We think we set a new record this year. No one stole a gift. Everyone was happy with what they opened. I ended up with a beautiful mobile for outside. I'll try to get a picture when the weather is more cooperative. We had a wonderful time of food, fellowship and prayer-a great way to begin a new year.
Mark brought his Russian Crème dessert that he brings every year. There are raspberries in the bowl to put on top. Oh. My. Goodness. If you've never had this dessert you are missing something amazing. I don't know how he makes it but it is delicious. We also had a few different kinds of fudge. When I saw them I realized I had not had one piece of fudge all season! Amazing for me.
This morning when Hubby left for work I began putting away Christmas for the season. Since we didn't have a tree up there wasn't a lot to do. However, by the time I wandered around the house picking things up and putting them on the dining table, I realized the table was completely covered. I had more things out than I realized. The only thing that didn't get put away was the nativity that Teresa gave me at our bloggers lunch. That will go out to the trailer and be on display all year. My feeling is that it never hurts to remember why that baby in the manger came to earth. He came to save each and every one of us, so it will be out where I can see it all summer and be reminded.
Here are a few photos that were on my regular camera from our trip to Portland. I had to wait to get home and put them on the desktop to share with you.
This first one is Mt. Hood. This is the same mountain in Gracie & Teresa's backyards but from almost 160 miles away! It was a beautiful day and I took this photo as we drove down Interstate 84 near Boardman, OR on the eastern edge of the state! Can you believe how beautiful it is and how close it looks?
Daddy got Miss Piper the Polar Express train set for under the tree. She loves it and can even operate the remote control. It whistles and says "All aboard. Tickets please" in Tom Hanks voice. It even has steam coming from the engine and little silouettes of the children in the cars. It was a highlight of Christmas for sure.
Hubby and I have been informed we need new stockings. Mandy tried to put things into them for us and they don't work very well. They're store bought stockings and have lots of strings inside. So I have another project before next year. Stockings for Hubby and me. I've made them for the rest of the family and I've been informed that we need them too.
This is Piper and her doggie, Polly. Polly is a golden lab and the most patient loving dog you could want. Wherever Piper is, Polly is. She adores her little girl and you can tell by this picture that the feeling is mutual. The next picture is Piper carrying around her little bunny that Uncle Alex sent her from Japan. That was by far her favorite gift. She carried that bunny everywhere, wrapped in one of Mandy's tea towels that I embroidered for her when she got her first apartment. Bunny sleeps with Piper and is never far from her side.
And one last picture of what makes this blog worthwhile to write. The wonderful friends I've made though blogging. I just love Gracie, Taci and Teresa and I wish everyone of you could join us when we get together. I never would have met these ladies if it weren't for blogging. Isn't it grand?
Now I'm off to fold my last load of laundry and go to knitting. Please pray for me as I've been fighting off a bug for a few days now. So much illness going around and I have too much to do to get sick! We're planning a date night tonight with our good friends Neal & Jenny. We're going to have dinner somewhere and go see a movie. Something about "Mr. Banks". I think it's about the writer of Mary Poppins or something. We haven't been to an actual movie theater in years so it's quite an event for us!
Have a lovely weekend my friends and Happy New Year!
Blessings,
Betsy
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Merry Week of Christmas!
Our week in Portland is swiftly coming to a close. Where did the time go?
We left Spokane right on the end of a snowstorm that made the first 100 miles or so of the drive very treacherous. By the time we stopped for lunch in Hood River, Oregon we were treated to this beautiful rainbow. What a blessing on our journey.
Most of my pictures are on my real camera and I have no way to post with them without my home computer. These were taken with my iphone and althoughsome are blurry, I hope the joy in each moment shows.
Precious Piper was the highlight of Grandpa's and my week of course. It's the longest stretch of time Grandpa has been able to be with her and oh my goodness! She adores her Grandpa. It's going to be very difficult to leave her behind when we go home . She definitely has her very own personality.
Another BIG highlight was our bloggers lunch with Gracie, Taci and Teresa on Monday. We exchanged gifts with each other and these ladies have so much creativity. Lovely Meredith from Florida sent us each an ornament with yarn and tiny knitting needles she made. Gracie made us another little ball of yarnand needles ornament and a crocheted wreath. Taci made a pincushion kit in a glass jar complete with heart ended pins. Teresa made us beautiful snow globe nativities. All of these lovely ladies have blogs on my sidebar and have much better pictures than I do.
Teresa and Dayle made salmon for us. Taci brought yummy breads from a French bakery, I brought broccoli salad and Gracie brought chocolate cheesecake for dessert. A veritable feast. Teresa also provided Christmas crackers and after we pulled them we wore the crowns that were inside for the afternoon. The table was set and decorated beautifully for us too! Dayle & Teresa are great hosts!!!
On Friday we all met again at Gracies for a time of knitting together. We also got to hold her precious Grandbaby Rose. There is nothing like cuddling with a precious baby is there?
I am so thankful for these lovely ladies who have entered my life through this world of blogging and now are "real life" friends.
We had a wonderful Christmas here at Mandy and Brad's too. It was very quiet and we had a great time playing with Piper and her new toys.
Tomorrow we'll make the trip home and it will seem very quiet when we get there. I don't even want to think of leaving. We've offered to take Piper home with us, but Daddy & Mommy aren't very receptive to that idea. :-)
My prayer us that you had a wonderful holiday week whetever you may be. I am so thankful for the best gift I've ever been given. My Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
I'll see you all again soon.
Blessings,
Betsy
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