I Was Knit Together In My Mother's Womb

Thanksgiving has past, but I will continue to give thanks. That's right, I will.  Did your house even look a smidgen like this?

and then like this?   

We cooked, we laughed, we ate and ate some more. I had Rolaids later that night.

Welcome a new knitter to the fold.....my cousin Annette!

  I put my mom right on that task, and look!

SHE DID IT!!!! Before Annette left for home, we chose some lovely locally grown and spun alpaca so she could surprise her husband with a yummy scarf in a k3p3 rib. I'm very proud of her! I also advised her to stop by Knit Happens, since she lives in Alexandria, very near Old Town. I loved the store when I visited in the spring, and I'm sure Annette can get all the inspiration and help she needs there.

Sometimes, don't you just long for an old friend?  I picked up

 

This beautiful Jo Sharp scarf, "Thandi" from the book "Gathering" done in the most lovely shades of her Rare Comfort Infusion Kid Mohair. It is a delightful lace pattern, which I started this summer. I'm ready to finish her off so I can wear it!

I also turned the heel on my Fluted Bannisters. I can't wait to do that trial fit! Just to see how that sock will feel on my foot.....

And, of course, the holiday decorating has begun....A little preview....

and of course, knitting related decorating, using some wonderful antique baby mittens and stockings!

And last thought for the day....

My Rowan Felted Tweed came in the mail! Oh, it is just the most lovely yarn. Conker. That's the color. I can't wait to start it!

happy thanksgiving!!!!

The googlesters were a busy bunch the past twenty four hours! But how appropriate, that of all the "thankfulness" searches, one led them directly to me..."Funny Things to be Thankful for."  I do have alot of funny things to be thankful for....And since it is  a day to remember our blessings.......

This is truly an exercise in gratitude for me. Thanksgiving has come at the perfect time this year. I need to remember what it is to be grateful. In the midst of some personal struggles, it takes a week like this one to bring to mind all that I have. As I sat around my table today, the prospect of being without a job wasn't so overwhelming. I learned that my mom does jello shots with her friends! My cousin is visiting, whose husband just lost his dad last night. My aunt is here from Vero Beach, spending the week because she so needed to get away from the hurricane devastation. My children and husband were at my table. We ate until we couldn't eat another bite, and sang tv theme songs, and remembered the Thanksgiving years ago when my sister forgot to put the sugar in the pies.

Last week, I did a contest...and being the teacher-type that I am, I asked you to dig a little deeper than the typical "I am thankful for my family, friends, health and home" type of answer. I was overwhelmed by the sharing in posts, and in personal emails.  Behind these bloggers are real lives! There are real blessings and difficulties, real personalities and challenges. We have illness and unemplyment, problems with our kids and relationships. Hiding behind our politics and our jokes and our knitting are real people, each with a story to tell. We haven't gotten it perfect, we have checkered pasts and uncertain futures. We have surgeries and kids that are a mess. We have sore thumbs, we are alone, we are having financial difficulties and may be on the verge of divorce. Our parents are ill,  our children are facing surgery,  our grandparents die, we have struggles with drugs and alcohol in our families. We wonder if our kids will come home or if our husband will come home. We are depressed or angry or lonely and crying and yet.....and yet...... we find the things for which to be thankful.   It's easy to get lost in our woes, and yet the human spirit resounds with the challenge to find what's good and to be grateful, and to admit our mistakes and move on.

I loved reading every post and email. We have so much....we have so much to give.

Most of us are women of moderate means, but immeasurable influence...in our families, with our friends, in our communities, our churches and in our work. That is how I feel most blessed. That no matter where I live or what I have, I can still be a light in the world. I can learn  to be content in all circumstances...in plenty and in want, whether well-fed or hungry.

No matter where I am, or what I have or have not....If I never buy another skein of yarn, I know I can be content!  And for that I am most thankful.

A BLESSED THANKSGIVING  to all of you turkey/ham/tofurky-eatin'-stuffed-full-of-pie-knitters!

is it monday again?

 

 

I love books...especially gardening and decorating books. In every room of the house, you'll find stacks of books...every room. And now  that I'm knitting, I love knitting books. So, check out this website, if you are disciplined enough to just buy the required number to meet your "obligation", it's a pretty good deal! I got a few Christmas gifts for others (and myself) and I'll be expecting my delivery soon. Thanks for the tip, Lisa!

Isn't it hard to blog about knitting  at this time of year?  With so much of our knitting being done as gifts, you can't even really brag about it! But, I will show you my stack of gifts so far:

Now, I wonder which of my children will be checking out this pile, wondering which one is theirs....I'll save you the guessing, girls....NONE OF THEM!!!!!

And, my slow weekend progress on the Fluted Bannisters:

(thank heavens for cropping... it's been awhile since my last pedicure....eewww.)

I am cooking for Thanksgiving. And my cousin from Alexandria, VA will be visiting. SO , yesterday my son and I pulled some of the stuff out of the attic for my indoor Christmas decorating.

  I always do this the day after Thanksgiving, while many of you are out there shopping, fighting crowds, getting overheated and stresses. I stay at home, put on the music, and begin to transform my home. I can't wait to show you pictures!!!! I look forward to the trimming every year.

Speaking of Christmas Trimming...check out what we snagged at the auction Friday night!

Now isn't he a right jolly old elf?

My Rowan Felted Tweed, in "Conker" should be here today or tomorrow!!!!!!! And then my scarf kits, and then my Peace Fleece, and then, like all good dieters do, I will make a resolution on New Year's Day to go on a yarn diet. and a food diet. Yeah, right. I wonder how long that will last.

if you haven't planned your holiday feast yet...

TOFURKEY JURKY WISHSTICKS??????

who could it be???????

And the winner of the Thanksgiving Surprise is.......................................................................

Drumroll please!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

**************************************************************************

is...........................................................................

Vicki! Of Knitorius!   And I see that she has been in a contest winning mood these days!

Vanna, what will she receive?

Three Beautiful  Skeins of Blue Sky Alpaca Worsted yarn!  A lovely blend of Peruvian Alpaca and Merino, dyed to a soft baby blue.  It's new, it's polished, it's cool.

Congratulations Vicki.. In the mail today if you email me your address!

More thoughts later on the wonderful comments left ...you all deserve a prize.

Just a reminder about the THANKSGIVING CONTEST....Ends tonight at midnight (however, I am not waiting up for it to end....) SO, here it is again,

"So, I mentioned contest a few days back....Here it is. Thanksgiving is around the corner...what are you thankful for? I know that we are all thankful for health, home, family, friends, nation, faith, etc. Be specific in your comment, and I'll do a random drawing  on Thursday, November 18. A cool gift will be in the mail by next weekend."

And what to my wondering eyes did appear? (oops, wrong holiday) It was an RAOK in my mailbox! I kept looking for fudge or candy of some kind, because the moment I opened the mailbox, I could smell the vanilla body lotion! This is a very cute, color-coordinated package of goodies ( which I especially appreciate!).... also included  a cute booklet and tablet of paper, and a great little notions box! I will use them in a project bag, Amanda, from Louisiana. Thank you so much for a great  RAOK.

The very last of the gardens were cut back today.  My world has suddenly changed.

This morning, on GMA, our Pastor Al and his wife, Janie renewed their vows for all the world to see. And then were given an 11 day cruise!  Oh, I was so excited for them. It was such a romantic episode, and they got lots of camera time, which was so cool. I am such a schmoopy. There was also one much older couple that was interviewed, and she, looking dreamily into his weathered face, said, "I just don't know where he ends and I begin." I guess that happens after 50 years. Isn't that the most wonderful thing?

I don't normally watch GMA, so while I was sitting there, I worked on my sock, The Fluted Bannister. This is such a fun sock!

And, I started the back of the famous Big Sack.

I'm still waiting on my Rowan Felted Tweed delivery, and yesterday, I ordered the yarn for two exciting projects from the Pam Allen Scarf Book.( I'm telling you, I just can' t get enough of that book!)  I was finally able to get the yarn for these two

 

A girl can never have enough scarves....which makes me wonder, just how many knitted items are appropriate to wear or carry at the same time?

it was no "stitches east"....

It was the New York State Turfgrass Association annual tradeshow!!!!! After avoiding it for many, many years, on Monday my sweet landscaper husband said'

"Honey, why don't you try to get the day off tomorrow and come with me. I'd love it if we could spend the day together, and you can meet my fellow board members and NYSTA guys while you help me set up the NYSTA booth!"  (my husband has volunteered for this job for many, many years)

"Well," I said, "I guess I could. If you really want me to. Where is it again?"

"Rochester Convention Center."

"The one downtown? How far is it from Midtown Plaza?"  (oh my mind is churning and my excitement builds!"

"It's right down the street! You could walk there!"

"Sooooooo, while you're doing what you have to do, I could take a little time and go to VILLAGE YARN SHOP?"

And so that's how I spent my Tuesday. I did help my husband:

                  

              See JR Frown, See Lynne Smile                                                                

I did go to Village Yarn, where I leisurely paged through books, looked at every skein of yarn, visited with the ladies, and filled a bag with this:

I hope you can see the increcible colors in the Tahki Shannon Wool. I don't know what I"ll do with it, but it is just the prettiest stuff I've ever seen! And the Noro Iro, a most luscious wool/silk blend. I saw a great hat and scarf pattern in the Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton Book 1. However, I just couldn't justify spending $16 for a book that I would use just once. If anyone would like to swap with me....I'd love to hear from you!

The Opal Magic sock yarn was an inspiration from Margene, who very kindly lead me to the SixSocks Knit-A-Long where I found the pattern for the sock she did in the Opal Magic. The Fluted Bannister. And, even though I have enough on the needles already, I started a pair. Instead, I am using  Lorna's Laces in Bittersweet.  This is what I've done so far...

This is one of my favorite sock yarns. And, I think you always have to have a pair of socks going, don't you? While at Village Yarn, I picked up some Brittany DPNs, which are very short. I LOVE them! All of my socks will be knitted with these shorties from now on.

So, you wonder what my husband and I did at the Turf Grass Show? Well, we looked at golf green stuff, tractors, hoses, drainage systems, lawnmowers, chemicals and pesticides....ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. And we did set up the NYSTA "Lounge Area." It needed a feminine touch, so I reported for duty.

 

He reports today that it is being well used.

As we drove home, we were treated to the prettiest sky.

And while  I snuggled into my favorite chair last night, excited about starting my new socks, I couldn't help but think, "I am a lucky girl, indeed."

CONTEST    CONTEST       CONTEST       CONTEST       CONTEST       CONTEST      

"So, I mentioned contest a few days back....Here it is. Thanksgiving is around the corner...what are you thankful for? I know that we are all thankful for health, home, family, friends, nation, faith, etc. Be specific in your comment, and I'll do a random drawing  on Thursday, November 18. A cool gift will be in the mail by next weekend."

So I leave you with this entry from my daughter Kate:

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
and your pies take the prize,
and may your Thanksgiving dinner
stay off your thighs!

Good Morning!!!!!!!!!

I'm counting down the days until  Thursday next, when I get to select a contest winner! A Thanksgiving Contest Winner.... each day I post , I'm going to encourage you all to enter...

What will the prize be? Hmmmmm...maybe a new car, a gift certificate to an online yarn source...wonderful skeins of yummy yarn....a new knitting book? I promise it will be wonderful...( my ebay auctions are doing well!)

JUST  in case you didn't read yesterday, here are the guidelines, directly quoted from yesterday's post:

"So, I mentioned contest a few days back....Here it is. Thanksgiving is around the corner...what are you thankful for? I know that we are all thankful for health, home, family, friends, nation, faith, etc. Be specific in your comment, and I'll do a random drawing  on Thursday, November 18. A cool gift will be in the mail by next weekend."

My fan suggested I needed to post.... it's been awhile since my last one. Isn't it just the strangest thing how you have a few days off, thinking you will have time to relax, kick back, do a little knitting, get the house cleaned, do some laundry, take an extra walk or two...

Instead, I  have :

* been to our knit knite at Lisa's house , which was a blast as we discussed ad nauseum my mother's big bootie (a slipper she knitted)..........now just imagine the conversation of many grown women with a little too much coffee on that subject! We finally helped her understand that since she was felting, she didn't have to worry about the size of her bootie.

* been selling off my vintage lace collection on Ebay

*  seen "Ray"

*  been RAOK'd by Elizabeth, of knitting blogger cookbook fame!

*watched the TCM version of "Fargo" and "Ocean's 11" ..I didn't know there were so many substitutions for the "F-word" (I have to say I'd love to see a few more of those used!)

* read this

*and this

* substituted  morning knit time with JonJ and Augie snuggle time.

*gone to the auction where my husband gifted me with this lovely old cake stand:

*done several make-overs

*started knitting this

*and  this

*finished this

*watched "Supersize Me" and had to admit I am a fast food junkie.

*taken JonJ to McDonalds, ordered a salad, then ate his left-over fries.

*watched the best Christmas movie ever on the IMAX in 3-D. Lisa, Meghan and I agreed that the hobo had some fabulous fingerless gloves!

And so with all of the movie watching, reading, knitting and lack of walking or cleaning, I am worried about the size of my bootie these days, too, Mom!

So, I mentioned contest a few days back....Here it is. Thanksgiving is around the corner...what are you thankful for? I know that we are all thankful for health, home, family, friends, nation, faith, etc. Be specific in your comment, and I'll do a random drawing  on Thursday, November 18. A cool gift will be in the mail by next weekend!

This morning, I heard the words "LAKE EFFECT SNOW" on the radio. Don't I still have geraniums in pots on the porch? There was excitement all over the area last night, as our first snow arrived...and oh, what a pretty snow.

We love the change of seasons. When you live where we live, that first snow is so cool.   Kids are making , as my friend Lisa said, "mud and leaf-men!"( Like in the book "To Kill A Mockingbird" when Jem and Scout made their mudman when it snowed in Alabama) That's how we get here, though. It doesn't matter how many times you've seen it,  every year, it gets you up out of the house to have a look. The dogs and cats look in wonder. Kids get out the sleds. We drive very, very slowly. It's time to wear winter accessories, and we'll still be wearing them tomorrow when it goes up to 50 degrees! Yet, next Spring, when the mercury climbs to 50 degrees, our locals will be in their tank tops and shorts. Go figure.

Yesterday, I was RAOK'd

by Wendy. Stop by to visit her site...she has some very nice projects going on. I'm sure I'll be checking in with her again. Thank you very much Wendy. Oh, and she's from Alabama, which I just realized I referenced earlier! I was in Alabama once. I had my first fried catfish at an out of the way back roads restaurant there...I cannot describe how satisfying that meal was.

I forgot to mention last week that at our local Knit Nite, I got the prize! Kathy put together an awesome gift of the Irish Hiking Scarf pattern, two skeins of Galway wool, a cable needle and some bamboo needles, and a few other treats. I wonder if Kathy knew I intended to actually do that scarf, joined the knit-a-long and then didn't start it...

This week I have a three day week....I love to work, but I love those days off even more! I feel like I haven't gotten in any knitting time, really, so no interesting projects to share other than the ones I've been doing... My Big Sack, the lace scarf, and a Christmas project for someone in my family.  I just want to get that sweater done. I am so over that blue gray period now...I need some color.

Is there a way with Typepad to directly email back to people who leave comments?

Getting ready for work...  we study Ancient Civilizations of Greece and Rome today...which means, I can knit while we watch the documentary that I have included in the lesson!

I'm thinking of a contest............. stay tuned!