(Caron Yarn) Cakes, anyone?

Michael's had a sale on yarn cakes last week.  I had a great idea to get two as identical as possible (for some double-stranded slippers I want to knit).
In the middle of the night it occurred to me that yes, the strands would "color out" about the same; but each slipper would be different and wouldn't look like a matched pair.

I laughed at that one and don't really know how to remedy it. Sigh.  The perils of the imagination....

 





Around the corner

It's really hard to believe that 2017 is around the corner. If I didn't know that God wastes NOTHING, I would bid 2016 good riddance.

However, I also have seen His faithfulness, especially in some periods this year where I felt very alone and afraid.

How marvelous to face the new year with anticipation (winter can't last forever, right??) and goals!  Only attainable ones, at that...

I had a lovely Christmas with Faith.  Below is the gift I received from a dear staff member at the Cancer Center.  With the very rough beginning of 2016 the sentiment in the mug has very special meaning to me.

 

 

    Many things to do before next week.....some holiday packages did not get sent due to severe temps and icy roads.  Cleaning is in order.  I'd like to embrace the KondoMari method of purging (my abode).  Sigh, all the wonderful possibilities of 2017!

 

A very blessed and fruitful new year to you and all of yours.  :)

 

 

My best to you, Dear Daughter----may this year bring everything good and fine and lovely to you.  love, Mom



Only in Indiana? Maybe not...

I had a really odd encounter today.  Faith and I went out to spread some goodwill. Actually, I was just the driver; Faith does all the spreading.

We had to visit the local Credit Union because the ladies that are tellers adore Faith.
Even the manager loves it when I bring Faith in; she begs to see her.  So even though banking was unnecessary, we went in and she got passed from one teller to another.  Faith is so patient, bless her.

Then we went to the local gas station where I tend to get LARGE unsweetened iced teas.  I haven't had one in weeks due to the weather but wanted one today.  I'd stopped in earlier and Erica said, "Where is that dog?"  So I went back home and got her.
I love living a mile from any place I need to be! (Except the Cancer Center, of course.)

I was waiting for Erica to be finished waiting on customers.  I noticed a man at the ATM.  He had a fiberglass prosthetic arm.  I went up to him and said, "Excuse me sir, but is that supposed to be camo (as in hunting camouflage)?"  He answered that it was but that he'd had it only for a short time and it was fading.
The prostheses went from above the elbow; he had no hand.  He had a claw for picking up things.  I told him it looked like camo to me.
At this time he reached up, took the "arm" off, and then pushed it into Erica's face and said, "Look!  My tissue is bleeding into this thing!  That shouldn't be happening."

All I could do was pray he didn't thrust it into my face; I don't think I would have handled it well.  I assume Erica has seen worse things, working at a gas station???

He then said, "My previous one lasted 10 years----you'd think this one would be good at $17,000!" to which I commented that things aren't made as well now as they used to be.
He then said, "Look, if you'd just bought a car for $17,000 and drove two blocks down the street and it started leaking, you wouldn't be happy, would you??" to which I responded "Certainly not!"
He then turned to the Pepsi guy (who drives the Pepsi truck and delivers to the gas station) and asked the same thing.  The Pepsi Guy didn't miss a beat and said, "Of course not."
The Camo Man then went merrily on his way.  Erica and I looked at each other and shook our heads in amazement.

I tell this story because of the aftermath.  I mentioned it on the phone to a friend in California and she said "Oh, I would have just walked away, and not talked to the man."
I told her it was ME that started the conversation!!  Besides, he seemed like he needed to talk....and Hoosiers (though he had to be from southern Indiana, or from the south) are FRIENDLY folk. 
Daily encounters like this are what make up the spice of life in the Midwest, you know?

Brave on my birthday

My good friend Loretta and I went out on my birthday to celebrate both our birthdays.....and braved a blowing advisory......isn't it a cold looking day?

Fortunately, the weather held off.  I was able to run into the Cancer Care Center as well and saw some of my favorite people.  Even got a birthday card from my doctor!

Now that's public service! (Just kidding, Nikki----I loved the sentiments and did so appreciate the card.)

Finished the trip by going to Staples and buying a computer chair; it has all the bells and whistles and sure has improved the arthritis in my knees.  Thanks, Sis!

 

 

 

 

Speaking of which-----my sister asked for the recipe for the holiday bread we grew up with. (She was driving down to our mom's in FL and wanted to surprise her with the ingredients and make it with her.)

 I distinctly remember having to knead this bread, which is very stiff and dense----my brother David and I were often "blessed" with the job...

It is not really very sweet; in fact I'm not that fond of it but oh, when you cut it into 1/4" slices and slather it with butter, the memories it evokes!

I think I'll do some tomorrow.  The smell will be superb....

 

 

The Seven Cow Wife

In a small, rural town in Africa, a young man decided to get married. It was the custom in that area that when a young man sought a woman in marriage, he would pay the bride’s parents a dowry in cows. If a woman was of average appearance and ability, the dowry might be two or three cows. If less than average, fewer cows. And if a particular young lady was extremely beautiful and talented, a young man might pay as high as four cows. In rare situations, he’d offer as many as five.

How many cows a man was willing to pay for his wife became a bragging point for the women. As the story goes, George found a young lady who struck his fancy but who was rather plain and ordinary. George approached her father and offered to pay him seven cows for her hand in marriage. Seven cows! No one could ever remember anyone paying that much for a wife. The whole town mocked George for being so foolish. Well, the wedding day was set, and everyone in the town was there. The bride’s father put on quite a party, but the conversations all day revolved around how foolish everyone thought George was for having paid seven cows for such an ordinary and plain wife.

Several years later, a traveling missionary came to town and began hearing all the stories about George and his seven-cow wife — how this young man had paid so much for such an ordinary woman and how the whole town had mocked them to the point they had moved away. The traveling missionary decided he must see for himself how this story had played out. When he knocked on the door of George’s house that first evening, he was impressed with the appearance of the entryway. George’s face lit up when the missionary introduced himself at the door and quickly invited the visitor into his home. He introduced the missionary to his four young children. All handsome young boys, and very well behaved, thought the missionary. He was also impressed with the cleanliness and order in the home. After entering the living room, George’s wife carried in a drink from the kitchen, where she was preparing dinner. The missionary was taken aback at her beauty, poise and grace. He thought to himself that George must have gotten another wife, as this woman was anything but plain and ordinary.

George invited the missionary to stay for dinner. After a lovely meal, the two men retired to some chairs on the front porch. The missionary complimented George on his beautiful wife, great family and immaculate house. “But what happened to the woman you had paid seven cows for?” George replied that this was the same woman.

The missionary marveled and said that he had heard the stories from the other village about the plain, ordinary wife George had married. “What changed?” he asked. George replied that he had always wanted a seven-cow wife, that she knew he considered her a seven-cow wife, and that she had risen to the bride price. She believed in her worth.

"The value we put on other people greatly affects the way they value themselves."

Pendants

These pendants are made of copper and antiqued. 
Left-click once on each picture to get a close-up view.

 



Volunteer work ideas.....

     I have been kicking around some ideas for volunteer work at the hospital.
I plan to make patterns then work up the donatable items.  Here are a few things...

Three inch crocheted amigurumi ball

 

Three inch crocheted amigurumi owls

 

Woodsmen Gnomes, made from branches

 

 

Hehehehehehehehehe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk1uT8lwq4w

She sure has some good ones-----You Don't Know Garth Brooks is great as well....

Winter, anyone?

This. Is. Brutal.

We are having a cold spell (which means windchill of 2 at the moment)...I grew up in the Midwest so this shouldn't bother me.

Oh, but it bothers me.

Since my surgery in June I have not been able to warm up. 
Really.

When visiting my Mum in Florida, I was amazed to find I was warm for the first time in five months----then saw the reason why.  Her thermostat was set to 82 degrees.

I used to not function with temps above 70 indoors......nor below 70 in the winter.

I just can't seem to get warm.  If I go to bed fully bundled up, I awake a few hours later and have to discard much of the bundle.

I know I am griping. I'm sorry------visions of spring are now dancing in my head; I will be the happiest of all when the thaw starts.

Ha, the freeze is just beginning!

Spring will just be all the sweeter, no?

Comfy in the Snowstorm

Faith does not realize that it was a winter snowstorm over the weekend....though she very much was interested in watching it.  What can you do with a face like this?

Pinch her cheeks????

She's my little bear.

 

Very rare to be able to get her eyes to show up in a photo.....

 

 

Her dental chew toy----she goes through one a month!

I must keep her molars tartar-free if I want to keep her few remaining teeth....

 

She worries that toy to death!  Sometimes I imagine I see her

fling it off the daybed just to be able to retrieve it! ha ha

 

 

Front side of her chew.  It is "bacon flavored" filled and she is nuts for it.

The best thing is that she will push it back to her back molars to chew on it.

It's about 3" long and is from the local grocery store.

 

 

 

 



Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, Dear Daughter....
Many happy returns of the day.
I wish you well!
Love,
Mom

I raise a glass of sparkling white grape juice in toast to you!

All Things Relative

I had the best time the other day in the Cancer Center.  I brought in all of the scarves, miscellaneous, and bath bombs for the staff who has watched closely over me the past 7 months.

The scarves were a huge hit-----and arrived at the Center the day before our first coldfront.  Before I left, after my examination, the staff who got scarves were already sporting them.

This was my Christmas.  Faith and I will have each other on Christmas Day, but to the best of my knowledge we won't be with anyone else.  I have worked on the scarves and various projects for much of the year as time and money would allow.  I was committed to make this a Christmas that I would remember fondly.  I am not disappointed by the fruit of my efforts.

No matter what Christmas brings this year, I am blessed by the joy of giving, which is my love language. 

Maybe Faith and I will just stay in bed----me nursing hot chocolate with Faith curled up beside me. 

Not bad, that.

Hi---I am.....

Maybe because my surgeon is from Poland; I love this....

http://www.popsugar.com/moms/Allegro-Christmas-Ad-Make-You-Cry-42815653

Hey Nikki---you payin' attention? ha ha ha ha ha----from your wildest patient....  :)

Out of the Box

This is over the edge, even for me-----but I have wanted to do some knitting for the Cancer Center and this need keeps arising.

The pattern for these prostheses if from Knitted Knockers. I'm not sure if the item itself or the name makes me blush more....ahem.

In the U.S., silicone prostheses breasts can cost upwards of $500 and insurance doesn't always cover the cost.  These knitted ones are provided free to anyone who needs them.

All they need do is contact knittedknockers.org and they can get in touch with the people who will send them what they need.

Mine are being made in conjunction with a local yarn shop for the Center for Cancer Care.

I signed up today as a volunteer knitter with the Hospital.  I hope my arthritis cooperates so I can have many opportunities to make needed items, from these prostheses to knitted toys for children who enter the ER.

The pair at the bottom are size A.  The one on top is a size D.  They are given to the patient without being fully closed in the back so she can add or remove stuffing for a fit to her liking.  They are knitted out of cotton yarn for comfort against tender and scarring skin.

working on pendants

JoAnns provides the nicest large beads on sale!

 

 

Still having fun with copper wire...this is 20 gauge.

This and That

While in Florida visiting my Mum, I went to a thrift shop and found this little guy:

 

He's about 2.5" tall.

I looked under the price tag at the bottom and saw "Goebels, West Germany". 

To the best of my knowledge that means he is a Hummel.

By the way, the price tag was 25 cents.

Needless to say he is here with me!

 

 

 

Faith likes to boldly steal balls of yarn from me as I crochet or knit from them. I decided to crochet a few small stuffed balls for her.  I was amazed to find that she loves to play fetch!  She will fetch about 10 times in a row and only stops when she has exhausted herself.   Here are a few of her 2" balls:

 

They were supposed to be Christmas gifts for her but she keeps rolling them under furniture that makes them hard for me to retrieve.  Ha ha, I'll just have to keep crocheting them.  If I ever move I reckon we will find a dozen or more balls?