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Health, Happiness & Prosperity

Holiday Cables Throw

Its finished!  The Red Heart Holiday Cables Throw.  I did change it a bit as I didn't make the center panel as the pattern called for but did it to match the side panels and I put a different edging and all around it.

I loved making this.  I learned some new stitches that I had never done before ... cables, arrow ... and so easy to do.   Who would have thought!  Another aran in the future for sure.

Now to finish my wool eater ... and, ummmmm, I did start another afghan.  You know I just have to.   Its the blackberry salad striped blanket.  I've been eyeing this for quite a time.  Its going to be a nice change from my other projects.

The temperatures have significantly dropped, thankfully the roads were good despite the amount of snow.  Stay warm and safe. 

Merry Christmas

Blessings of

this most

joyous

 day.

During the holidays
we remember

our treasures with
fullness of heart

and we give thanks
for the infinite

wonder of love and the sweet

blessings of friendship.

Waiting

Its been a long time since Santa has come to the house.  The grandpumpkin has loved the tree and the lights, and even though he doesn't understand Santa yet, its exciting (for us!).  We're like kids again.

Blessings of the season ...

Crochet Galore

These are this year's kissing balls.  It was a truly delightful afternoon.  I didn't get a picture of our other friend's creation as she had to leave early and was gone before I thought about getting the camera out.
The burgandy bow is mine and right now is  hanging from the outdoor lamp post.  The other one is my friend at whose house we did these.  She prepared the most scrumptious lunch for us ... squash soup, bacon-cheese-tomato mini quiches, and apple cake.  Everything was absolutely delicious.  I think we're nominating her as the lifetime hostess for this annual decoration making event.

Yes, it was a wonderful day.  A good memory to look back on. 

I'm having some difficulty getting into the blogging scene, my thoughts and heart seem to center around the families in Connecticut.  I have seen there are some groups out there collecting crocheted squares, etc., to assemble blankets to send.  My current projects will stop for a bit and squares are being started.

Blessings,

Praying for Sandy Hook

I feel such deep sadness.  I cannot begin to imagine the pain.  I hugged my little grandson ... tightly.  My prayers are for all.

Thursday Thoughts

Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas

 if you stop opening presents and listen.

 

~Author unknown,

attributed to a 7-year-old named Bobby

What's Doing Wednesday

Looking forward to the afternoon ... its Christmas kissing ball making time.   Last year we made one for the first time ... our friend Ann was kind enough to show us how.  It not only produced such a wonderful decoration but was a lovely day spent among friends in this season of joy and therefore declared to be a tradition. 

Here's to new traditions and the Spirit of the Season.  

The weather outside

well, its not really frightful but it has become cold dropping below freezing and just the perfect time to be working on these exceptionally warm and cozy blankets.  They are coming along nicely and so enjoyable to do.  They now are big enough that they provide warmth while working on them.  Hook in hand, covered in progress of these ghans, a cup of tea, and a Christmas holiday movie on the tv and all is well.  

The wool eater is really taking shape.  This is the second one I have made and as I love mine so much I am very excited to get this finished as it is for a very special friend.  The Red Heart Holiday Cables Throw is really fun to work on.  It looks difficult but certainly not the case.  I'm on the last part now.  Its also a very warm blanket.  I am so glad that I attempted this.  There will certainly be other aran afghans to come.

Neither of the ghans are for Christmas so its an even better crochet as there's no deadline and no pressure.  Just pure crochet enjoyment!

And that's the news of this week in my corner of crocheting and of course, always on the lookout for new patterns.

Blessings and joy to your weekend.

Thursday Thoughts

The Son of God became a man to
enable men to become the sons of God.

-C.S.Lewis

Joy

That's what was waiting for me when I got home last night.  Joy.  There was a box leaning against the wall by the garage.  I had ordered some things for my grandson so I thought maybe one of them had arrived.  Not!  Much to my delight this is what was in the box (from my Sweet Sister Faith).  This beautiful angel, made by Faith herself.  She does such gorgeous work.  Made so perfectly.  Beautifully adorned with little roses.  I have name her Joy as that was what I have received.  And just take a look at this snowflake.  Is this just gorgeous?  Also made by Faith and which had adorned the wrapping. 
  Thank you Sweet Sister Faith for the Joy that you have given me.  What a way to begin this season.  I am blessed.

Welcome to December and the Holidays

Spent the afternoon yesterday with the grandpumpkin and his mommy at the mall doing a bit of stocking stuffer shopping.  What a grand time.  I have to say its been a long time since such excitement over the holidays has been felt.  This little guy brings such joy.  He was not at all impressed with Santa though.

Been such a busy week lately that there hasn't been much crochet time.  Hope to change that situation over the weekend.  The aran afghan is on the last repeat, will try and get a picture soon.  I'm excited to get this done now.  So many other projects I want to start!

Hard to believe that December is here tomorrow.  Seems like Fall had just started.  Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

A Hush All Around

All day today.  The snow started early this morning.  A very fine snow and continued all day till early evening.  There wasn't any accumulation on the roads (thankfully) but the trees were outlined in white, by this afternoon the grass was covered ... it was very pretty.  And there it was ... the hush and that too continued throughout the day.  There's something almost magical about a hush after a fallen snow.  The silence is so profound and you can almost feel it as well.  Like being wrapped in a soft, comfortable blanket (crocheted of course).   In the business of the day there was a peace, it was the presence of the hush.

Black Friday and for us its Turkey Soup Day.  Had the pot simmering last night and finished it this morning for my favorite part of the Thanksgiving leftover ... turkey soup.  I'm ok with turkey but the soup ... mmmm, I love it!

Down sized a lot this year as far as the Christmas decorating goes.  No big tree this year, just a four foot in each of the bay windows, a new gift of angels and a few sprigs of this and a few sprigs of that here and there and just enough.  Must be the older age (lol).  Years past it was Christmas overload for sure.  I'm quite content this year with the less is more.

Didn't even think about venturing out to any store today, but we did go to see Santa and his elves arriving at a local tree farm.  They parchuted in.  It was quite fun although the grandpumpkin got a bit scared with all the cheering as each touched down.  It was quite impressive.

Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.  Have a lovely weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving

What's Doing Wednesday

Thanksgiving just a day away.  This week kicking off the holiday season.  The turkey is thawing and the weather has been cold and crisp with the fresh scent of winter.  Brings to mind Christmas carols, peppermint moca coffee and twinkling lights.  The bird feeder has been filled.  A note on my shopping list for another feeder, a replacement to the one that broke.  The holiday puzzle arrived today.  Thursday evening will find us laying out the perimeter of the puzzle.  The one we chose this year is called Gingerbread House.   Darling houses wih lots of activity surrounding them.

The Aran Afghans to Crochet book also arrived.   Such beautiful patterns.  I'm sure this book will be well used in the future.   This book is the one which has the pattern for the aran afghan which Heather (The Good Life) just finished.  I have to have one.


The aran that I am currently working on is a bit more then half way done.  This is such a fun project. 
My wool eater is also coming along nicely.  Twenty six rows almost completed now and this too about half done.  Both of these are heavy weight afghans and so cozy and comforting, perfect cold weather companions.  Both to be given as gifts.

Full day work today then looking forward to tomorrow and the smell of turkey cooking, the sound of March of The Wooden Soldiers from the TV and moments of just settling in with my little family.

Blessings

New Traditions

 











In between at the moment and stopping quickly just to check in.  Following a few days of spring like weather we are now getting a tad bit crisper fitting the season.  Hard to believe that Thanksgiving is next week.

Seems as we grow older (who me ???? ... yes, another birthday just passed.  How old you say?  Ok, I'll give ... 62!) so many changes to how we used to celebrate the holidays.  Family and friends that have gone on before us and so the world is different.   But, the excitement is returning with the grandpumpkin around.  Fourteen, almost fifteen months now and a barrel of fun and love.

Last year the DIL and I (and the hubby) did some Christmas puzzles and had a blast.  I think this is now a new tradition.  A puzzle has been ordered and should be here in a few days and we all can't wait.  I look forward to Thanksgiving night, the lights twinkling from the tree which is being readied now, a peppermint moca coffee and diving into the puzzle box looking for the edge pieces to start.  Yes, new traditions in the making.  Its all good.

Blessings to you.     

Adding to my pattern collection.

I hear we are supposed to have lots of snow this winter (and I'm hoping they are wrong) but in the interest of being cozy and warm I think there will be a few more afghans being made this winter.  Having seen the aran ghans that Heather (The Good Life) has made and the one she is making now ... is this magnificent ... gave me the courage to try the Holiday Cable throw that Red Heart has.  I have found it to be a fun work and so much easier then I anticipated.   So, I ordered the Arans Afghans to Crochet, a treat to myself and yes, I will have to make one in a color, just like Heather.

Thoughts of today ...

As we return to standard time, gaining an hour ... fall behind.  Loving that hour.  Got up an hour earlier having lost no hour of sleep, prayer time an hour earlier.  Prayers for those affected by Sandy, for the upcoming election, for our soldiers, for our families and friends.  For all of you.

A bit more of time to prepare for the day.  To enter into it through a longer period of quiet.  Can we do this again tomorrow?

Blessings,

Halloween

Happy to report that all is well in our neck of the woods following Sandy's visit.  There are still some without power in the surrounding area but the work is being done to restore.  We were more fortunate then those in NYC.  Prayers for all.

Happy Halloween to all those little goblins out there.  Treat early and be safe.