Wonderful Youth

In my humble opinion, youth get such a bad reputation due to their portrayal on modern media.

Well, that's not always real life! Our youth share amazing qualities. Part of the list of those qualities include: being volunteers, being thoughtful of others, following directions, participating with parents' requests to perform certain tasks that might not always be agreeable or fun (yes, some things are simply down right boring, yet our youth comply), going to school, going to church, and sharing their enthusiasm and talents with the generation ahead of them. They share with the little ones who are younger too.

Last night I was gifted with a priceless hand made card. I will digitize it to preserve it, and will treasure it forever. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, for sharing part of your life with me, and for gifting your talents to the generation ahead of you! Thank you Sara and Ama, Angel and Anjal, and Megan and Sabrina! You make me smile! You make me happy! You please me that you enjoy knitting and do it so well. I will miss you and pray that our life journey will cross paths again. Until I have an address, you can find me on ravelry!

Thoughtful Gifts

Gifts were totally unexpected last night but always appreciated. Since buying The Compound five years ago, complete with built in wet bar, Jeff and I became interested in wine for the first time in our lives. Whenever we flew to conferences, visiting wineries (and yes, local yarn shops!) became a priority.

Here are some of last nights gifts that we'll be sampling soon. And yes, Jose, Linda, and Rubina, we will PHONE you with a weather report in December!! (Jeff and I check weather.com all the time to see how family and friends are faring in their part of the world!)

Farewell Gathering at The Compound

Alas, no pictures. It was lovely and busy and I completely forgot to get out the camera!

We named the house in Corpus Christi, The Compound, and have wonderful memories from the five years we have lived here. The house has four bedrooms and three bathrooms; we fully expected to have Helen (Jeff's Mom, a widow) live in one bedroom but it never happened. The "spare" bedroom made a temporary home for many guests and even more visiting family members. It has been a GREAT home for us.

Last night many of our wonderful neighbors had time to join us as well as friends and co-workers and knitters. We are expecting our life to move quickly very soon and wanted to say decent good-byes to lovely people who blessed us by being part of our life in Corpus Christi. We will miss their kind and generous spirits and extend an open invitation to all who venture into Colorado where our next Compound will be. In advance, welcome one and all!

Knitters, you say? YES, lovely people whose lives crossed ours due to the interest in this age old craft. People who enjoy playing and creating with sticks and string are wonderfully different. These people find one another no matter where they go! I pray some of you, at least, will find me in Colorado at some point in the future. I realize that Jeff and I are more nomadic than most but knitters go on vacation too, don't they? In advance, welcome one and all!

My favorite little man, my toddler grandson, and his parents were unable to attend the farewell gathering. Thank you, baby Brooklyn; she is due in two weeks! It is so exciting for me and Jeff to be getting a granddaughter, but not fun to drive in a car from Houston, especially when a weighty near term baby is pressing on the bladder! Another important factor in the decision to miss the gathering: grandson prefers his "Namaa toy" so much that settling down to sleep is not a priority. I, Namaa, go off to bed but tired parents have to cope with the overly stimulated and very chatty toddler. So daughter, hubby, and grandson made a great choice to stay home. No problem there as Yohaira and I will go "hang" with them in August! Can't wait!

Thank you, neighbors, co-workers, and knitters for a lovely evening.

Second Pair of Sport Socks

Hubby has decided that he LOVES hand knit socks!! These are his second pair of short cuffed socks.

BIG Mitten

The doctor said, "now that's a big mitt!" His is done; maybe I'll knit Brooklyn's next. She's supposed to be born in just over two weeks!!

Free Yarn Stash

If you buy this house, the yarn stash (now in boxes galore in the garage) is yours to keep!!

Our New Home

Here is the answer.

Next Clue on Moving

Next News - Moving!

Hubby began applying for a new position, a big change, beginning this Spring. He's interviewed all over the US and finally accepted a new job. Yeah! Here's a clue as to the new location. Yes, I'm always knitting so the first clue is in knitted form. It's resting on Grandson's latest artwork that was mailed to us last week.

Family News on New Baby

We have lots of great news! Our newest family member is head down and will be arriving next month. Yes I, Gramma, get to go to hug this new grand daughter lots, and also help with the very active grandson. He turns two in October.

Christmas in July

Our Christmas stockings, made of red felt with appliques and lots of sequins, by me 37 years ago when we first married, are being swapped for a modern looking "stocking." Yes, they are definitely more a mitten and not a stocking at all! Here is half of the first one.

Progress of Socks

The sock is resting on Grandson's latest artwork.

More Sport Socks

He LOVES his wool socks with the very short cuff. He doesn't want a tan line! To avoid having to wash them every day (yes, he has worn them daily since they came off the needles), I cast on another pair yesterday. They're quick; I turned the heel while watching a movie tonight! And yes, I have a huge stash of sock yarn.

He Likes Opposite Socks

Actually, he didn't even notice that the stripes aren't the same.

Opposite Socks

It happens sometimes................ I bought two skeins, same dyelot and everything, pulled from the center from each skein, and guess what? The skeins are wound opposite! The striping will be opposite. I do not frog, ever. If he even notices, he can just deal with it.

Well Received

He likes it!! The package arrived at bedtime and Mom let him delay sleep just a bit. Go Mom! He will remember things like this!!

His Wool Scarf Update

The picture says it all!! I used the entire 100 grams with a 12 inch tail left after binding off. Next, we relocate to a cooler climate!!

Before Mailing

Chick played in the garden this morning; he gets mailed very soon.

Four Whole Days

Hubby flew out of state on Tuesday and returns tomorrow. YEAH! During his absence, I tend to do even more flitting from project to project than is my "normal."

Today I crocheted a toy for Grandson and then knit on Hubby's scarf, now 28 inches in length. It's really pretty!

Field Trip

Hubby is in North Canton today and sent this lovely view via his cell phone.

Texture Style Knitting

I don't know how she does it! I've watched this little girl knit and while her competent hands move like other hands, the fabric she turns out has a wonderful texture somehow. It's as if she were using wool with varying thicknesses! The picture from my phone does not do the work justice. Here is a closeup. The person who gets to wear this beautiful hat is lucky indeed!

Knitting Makes Ya Happy

I so wish I had a picture of the man who designed and knit himself a necktie while his two young daughters knit themselves scarves. Too bad........... However, I did capture a knitter's face tonight that is equally as pleased as was the face of Mr. Necktie Designer.

Knitting, Chatting, Knitting While Chatting

More Knitters

Knitters filled up the far end of the library!

Super Young Knitters

I found this photo of Little Bit in the archives of my picasa pics.

Thursday Night Knitters

Knitters of all ages and all levels of experience gathered at the Garcia Library tonight. Check out the faces and decide Who is enjoying their time the MOST!

July Knitting Update

The baby sweater set (posted yesterday), the doll mittens, the dishcloth, and one of the doll sweaters are done. I have time to knit a bit on the second doll sweater tonight.

Nathaniel's Sweater and Hat

Done! Baby is due sometime in September 2010.

Messy Skein

I can sure wreck a skein of yarn!

July Knitting

There are two doll cardigans, doll mittens, one dishcloth, and a baby sweater in this pile. All knit up quickly!

His Wool Scarf

Weather.com predicts nice weather in Colorado and Ohio next week where the Dr. will be visiting. His scarf is growing slowly and I like the texture!! My plan is to keep knitting until I run out of this skein of wool!

Picot Edge Cuffs

We did lots of errands yesterday so I knit as a passenger in the car, and then at Sears while the Dr. tried on sports coats. Knitting on the go is the best way to get lots of knitting done!

Since I don't have the little foot handy, I did a picot bind off and then was certain the cuffs wouldn't be too tight. The seven year old recipient is such a fine knitter that if she doesn't like it, she can rip and redo using her preferred style.

Thank You for Your Patience

Last night, Little Bit graciously tried on the partial pink sock, not once, not twice, but FOUR times. I knit the heel and turned it while at the Library and am certain the fit will be comfy. Thanks, Little Bit! And yes, this little person does have a real name which is lovely. Due to our crazy world, the true name will remain private.

Christmas in July

This is completely done, with all stray pieces of yarn woven in. One Christmas present is done............. many more are on the needles!

Not Enough Time

Today was not a knitting day but this scarf is so narrow, a mere 26 stitches, so it appears that yes, I got a lot done. He likes it!! I was thinking I might inherit it but alas, no such luck.

Jeff's Wool Scarf

I started this, one inch worth, back on April 13th but then tucked it into my sewing basket. When it's so hot, a wool scarf doesn't seem much of a priority. I found it today and will just finish it! He says he needs a wider scarf. I say he's going to need TWO, one narrow and one wider, depending on the weather.

The pattern is k2, k1 tbl, p1, k2, k1 tbl, p1, etc., found on the net on the Yarn Harlot's blog. The yarn is colorway "dark gray mix."

Jeffrey's New Toy

It's reversible and oh so cute! This is for you, John Jeffrey!!

Dampa and I had to play with it!