another original plain vest

After frogging the EZ bunting that has been on my needles for over a year, I found myself with a mountain of beautifully thick and thin 'ramen noodles'... you froggers out there know what I'm talking about.  The bunting was taking more yarn than I was wanting to spin (already over 1/2 a pound had been spun, plied, skeined and knit) and still I was only about half done with the project.

So, I made the decision to pull it apart and find another use for the yarn.  This free pattern is for a size 1 and calls for dk weight yarn and size 9 needles.  I've made it twice in the past, never using the recommended yarn and winding up with about a size 6 mo. and a size 1 respectively.  Using this bulky handspun and size 10 needles I have here a lovely 4ish?  I took these pictures the other day and it's actually blocking right now.  I just need to sew the buttons on (they are just laying there in the photo) and it's ready to wear.

I thought I'd mention a couple of thing that I did in addition to what the pattern called for.  I put in pockets according to the directions for EZ's Tomten as found in her book and I crocheted around the arm openings for a strong, tidy finish.  I'll submit pictures of it completely finished later this week.

I'm reading the Ragamuffin Gospel.  I was familiar with the title so when I found it at the local thrift I put it in my basket.  I'm only a couple of chapters in so the jury is still out.  Brennan Manning has made a few really good points but I'm not sure where he is headed yet.  Forward by Michael W. Smith and testimony by Rich Mullins is a good endorsement so I'm eager to get to the meat of the message. 

Joining Ginny's Yarn Along
Blessings, Debbie

every little bit helps

The Picture above is resurrected from our city's archives.  After being closed for decades the Pine Theater was purchased, renovated and reopened to a thankful public in 2007. Now the Hollywood film industry is doing away with the old way of showing films, everything will now be digital.  Converting to the $80,000 system may not be difficult for the large chains but seems almost impossible to our local small town owners.  It's been a financial struggle for them just to keep the theater open.  The community appreciates having this inexpensive and historic source of  entertainment and many are doing what they can to help.  There are many creative ways to donate, the most successful being the Walk of Fame.  Horseshoes engraved with the name of the donor are being sold for $400.00 each and will be cemented into the entry below the marquis.  That's a great idea but Erin had a good one of her own.   Enter the big guns.

    

 Check out this amazing campaign to save our beloved theater.

Yesterday I gave you our bad news.  Today I happily offer you the good news.  A handful of our home schooled littles with the help of some of our home schooled biggles raised $213.33! And all in just over two hours.  That's how it's done folks.  Just $40,000 more to go.  

Blessings, Debbie  

not the way it was supposed to end

Our weekend was rich with goodness but I'm kind of a bad news first kind of gal. Saturday was going to be busy and we needed to get an early start.  Erin was the first one up, eager to be organized (her sister and friend slept in a bit).  I was getting my coffee when she called me into the living room.  "Mom look at that cute crow just sitting in the middle of the lawn."  Hmmm.  "Honey, if it's just sitting there, you'd better go check it."  Her smile turned to concern as she approached it... and it let her.  It was a young crow, not yet a fledgeling. We figured that out by checking the internet and finding this site helpful.  It's wing was badly broken and raw.  It's parents were in the tree above it kicking up quite a ruckus. We called the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife and the person I talked to assured me that the parents would come feed it on the ground if we left it alone, but the parents wouldn't come down from the tree with so much going on.  Soon it became impossible to keep the cat away from it and we knew that shortly our front yard would be full of children.  We placed some kennel fencing around the crow and the bush that he was under.  Next we called a friend that has much experience in animal training and rehabilitation.  

She was out of town but would be back in a few hours.  Once back, she would call us out to her place where she would clean and tape the wing and show us how to care for it.  

Jodi was so helpful.  We left feeling confident that this little guy was going to make it.  We were also encouraged knowing that crows are so social and that even if rehab took a couple of weeks, the parents and extended family would be eager to welcome him back into the flock.

Driving home the sky was busy and beautiful... and we were hopeful.

We wanted him to suffer as little stress as possible but we were instructed that it was imperative that we get at least a half of a tablespoon of food in him before we went to bed.  His wing was so bad that we had to gently wrap him in a towel to keep him from walking on it and falling over.  He ate a bit and we put him back in the box with the cover on.  

Within an hour of getting home... he died.  It was just so sad.   It's probable that he had internal injuries.  Bad, bad news indeed.  

Blessings, Debbie

the home stretch

Alex, Hillary, Mollie

Our family is known for epic holidays...  The birthdays that go on for days, Christmas' that almost put the 'twelve days' to shame and of course the Independence days that take 3 days just to post.  We have so much family and such dear friends that gathering everyone at the same place at the same time is impossible, so it seems we are always celebrating and of course we have this wonderful something to celebrate right now.

Mollie's mom and I were friends in high school.  The girls have known each other their whole lives.  Alex came with the package... later.  We're so glad she did.  

This is a post to say how very thankful we are for our sweet hostesses and this past weekend's gracious (and fun) party!  Just 10 more days 'til the due date!!  I'm pacing... I'm singing... I'm dancing... I'm praying... I'm inviting your prayers...  :)

Blessings, Debbie  

the finished maile

There was only a bit of complaining (really) during the working of this pattern as I found certain assumptions were made with it's writing.  It was assumed that I would just 'know' things that perhaps I should have known but didn't.  Every project gives me more experience and with it comes more confidence. I'll make this again.  And this time Nikki Van De Car will be correct in assuming that I know... because now I do.  I LOVE it...

.... and more importantly, so does she!


Joining Ginny's Yarn Along
Blessings, Debbie

...where the heart is

A weekend with all of my girls, my mama, my son, my married in son and my son's girl who is fast becoming my girl too...  it was good.  Never let doubt or worry take hold, just go visit.  We're back home and I'm tired.  No matter that I'm feeling SO much better, still... I'm no spring chicken.  :)

Photos from Monte and Hillary's new home courtesy of Erin

Blessings, Debbie