Getting Ready for Palm Sunday

Weaving palms, its been referred to as a dying art. The ladies at my church have been meeting daily (day and evening) for the past three weeks getting ready for Palm Sunday. I'm there a few nights a week. I joined this wonderful group of woman four years ago. Doing this only once a year, for me, it takes a bit of memory jogging to get back in the swing but finally I am weaving away again. These are a few samples of what we have done.





This beautiful rose was made by one of my dear friends (Diane's Doily is her namesake!)






Before working the palms they have to be cleaned, the rough edges are stripped off. The crosses you see here are made from the scraps produced from the cleaning. They are very rustic and beautiful.

I'll get a few more pictures next week of the finished work. They are very beautiful.

Two different braids here.

Very talented people I have learned from.

An Old Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind always be at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

and rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Latest Doily Project

My latest doily that I am working on is on the cover of this book of doilies, Delightful Doilies, by Patricia Kristoffersen.

I have only done two other patterns by her before but I think now I am hooked (pun intended!).

As pretty as the pictures are I don't think they give justice to how they really look.

I find her patterns are more intricate and dense and they are fun to make.

They are amazingly beautiful. I find her an incredible designer.

My doily color is bridal blue.

About half way done here. Already looking forward to doing another one.

Happy Crocheting!

The Freshness of Spring

Adding touches of spring here and there, cleaning along the way. Still a bit (a lot!) to do but makes for a happy contrast to the weather outside.


I was surprised this morning to some last bits of snow still outside.

Aren't the colors of this season magnificent? So fresh and beautiful. They just shout joy.



This little lady was my mother's. She had her for several years and I always admired her, one day I confiscated her (with motherly permission of course) and now her home for 10 plus years has been here.

Will show you later the doily I'm working on ... a Patricia Kristoffersen pattern, it so very pretty!

Have a blessed day colored by the Master's touch.

Monday Menu

Monday night menu, at least part of it, is pea soup. Have had a ham bone with a few chunks of ham in the freezer for a bit and with all this rain I'm craving soup so pea soup it is. Dug into the fridge for what was there, tossed together and simmered for most of the morning.


Easy peasy! Smells wonderful!


Pea Soup

1 bag dry split peas
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 bag baby carrots, sliced
3 stalks of celery, diced
2 cubes chicken bouillon
olive oil
10 cups water
ham bone with chunks of ham

Saute onion and garlic in olive oil while cutting up the carrots and celery.
Add water, peas, carrots, celery, ham bone, ham pieces and bouillon.
Bring to rapid boil, simmer for about 3 hours.

Mmmm, mmmm good!

Serve as a meal with a salad and muffins or bread, or add to dinner.

Crocheted Canvas update

Finished the little lamb. I had originally thought I would add hearts around the edge of the coverlet but I think I'm liking it better without. My next step will be to get either a baby fabric, fleece or satin and cover the back. Not sure what I'll be using, trip to the store to see.

This is such a simple project. I'm eyeing several Christmas cross stitch books and charts, I think I may have to do something for a Christmas baby!

Bringing In Spring

Not too much longer till we're officially SPRING ... however

we had a few days of sun this week and now rain continuing throughout the weekend ... I tend to get spoiled so easily ... I'm so missing sunshine.

Had started adding touches of spring to the house, think I may have to go all out today and bring out all the new season, light a few candles and make inside sunshine....hmmm, I like that.

Off to start spring!

May you feel a spring to your step,

love in your heart and

be graced with

blessings

and joy.

Crocheted Canvas Progress

This is what I selected to cross stitch on the newborn coverlet.


Plodding along here slowly but surely. Am hopeful that this may be completed this weekend ... maybe? Time is not in abundance at the moment.




The sheep and wagon still need to be done.



I'm trying to decide what to do to the back of this to cover the stitches. I may try crocheting a heart and sewing it on ... any ideas?

Good night and God bless.

Cupcakes Wanted

One of the things I did a few weeks ago during the snow storms was bake cupcakes. I'm not a baker, I don't bake well and haven't baked in years and don't know why I decided to bake cupcakes, but, well, now I'm adicted to crochet and cupcakes. I really never paid much attention to cupcakes, but right now they seem so perfect, they are a great size and they make a happy presentation.

Now that I think about it, this probably came about from a discussion I had with someone up at Michael's about their cake decorating classes, another thing I would like to try/learn. Until I do that I'm baking cupcakes!

Soooo, I'm on the hunt for some cupcake blogs, recipes, etc. If anyone has one or knows of them I would greatly appreciate a link.

Have a sweet day!

Crocheted Canvas ...cont'd

In between cleaning, cooking, laundry, (and crocheting), have started the cross stitch on my newborn coverlet. I have been so into crocheting that I forgot how much I do enjoy cross stitch. Looks likes cross stitching is another craft that may resurface soon too and will have to add a project of that as well. Anyway, this is a peek ...

I am using yarn and a tapestry needle.

Saturday Sunshine and Blessings.

A Crocheted Canvas

One of my latest projects is this newborn coverlet, 19 x 24 inches before the edging. A very simple, soft little blanket of single crochets to be "painted" in cross stitch.




Have to dig out my cross stitch patterns and decide upon a picture. Counted cross stitch is very easy to do on single crochet.






These are a few that I'm looking at so far. Still have books to go through.

The joys of the heart ...

My mother always said that if you had one good friend you had it all, you were rich. Well, this afternoon I will be spending time with two good friends, I am so very blessed.

Blessings to your day, may your heart be tied to the joy of true friendship.

God bless.

Sunshine Award

Jessa Irene from Holiday Haven
Holiday Haven gave me this award. Thank you so much for giving me some sunshine! You certainly brightened up my day.

A Four Letter Word

It's doing it again!

eighteen days to spring and counting!

Have a great day, keep warm and safe.