the waiting game

 

June 30th.  We know all about due dates, yet we still couldn't help but be excited when the day came... then went.  We looked forward to the fourth of July.  It came... it went.  The girls and I have been here for a week now and although it's been nice spending this time with Hillary and Monte, we thought (hoped) that we would be spending it with Hillary, Monte and Charlotte.

There is a story in here about being induced (obviously she wasn't, hurray!) but I won't tell that one today.  Nope.  This baby will come in it's time as babies do.

While we are waiting I'm enjoying the knitting.  We took a field trip to a cute little historical district yesterday and it just happened to have a cute little yarn shop.  Hillary picked a beautiful hand painted superwash for the EZ Baby Surprise Jacket that I cast on this morning.  I chose a yummy, soft, merino~angora blend (Hill picked the color) for the Peurperium that is now half finished.  The Plain Vest was started and finished a few days after we arrived.  

I'm really not reading anything since I have all of this wonderful company and my absorbing projects.  :)

So, since you've decided to bless me with a visit today, once again I ask for your prayers for a safe delivery and if you don't mind... add a rush order?  Grandma has to go home Sunday!

  

Joining Ginny's Yarn Along

Blessings, Debbie

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

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

almost finished before you start

Cory ~ "No way.  Does that really only take 2 hours to make?"
Me ~ "Nope.  Less."



Joining Ginny's Yarn Along
Blessings, Debbie

the finished tomten

Many months ago I finished knitting the Tomten by Elizabeth Zimmerman.  I loved the entire process, even when I had to remove and remake an arm.  The real glitch came after basting in the zipper.  I had never done a zipper in a knit before and I was so pleased to find that following the instructions on this Youtube video it was a cinch.  The zipper was snug and perfectly basted and I was about halfway through some small invisible securing stitches when I decided that it would be easier to continue if I opened the sweater up...  Uh oh. "Eegads, why won't it come apart?"  I had taken the measurements along with a snippet of yarn to the fabric store (which is 50 miles away) and chosen a nice heavy duty zipper.  I thought that I was being so careful because I knew I couldn't just zip (like the pun?) back and exchange it.  What I hadn't considered was that there are 2 types of zippers, those that come apart at the bottom and those that don't.  Fifty fifty chance. You've already guessed which one I had just spent hours fiddling with.  

Here comes the happy part of the story.  I decided to run to the thrift store yesterday to see if I could find some little pink buttons for the Maile (which I did) and there was a box of used zippers for .25 cents apiece. Can you believe that I found the exact same zipper... with one important difference.  Ah, you are so quick! Yes, this one opened at the bottom.  I wasn't positive about the length but for a quarter I brought it home and it was... perfect.  It has a bend to it in the center where it had been folded but I'll work on that or it will just work itself out.  Yea!  

Since I'm still reading the same books as last week I thought I'd share the other little something that came home with me.  Look at how our fore-mothers re-purposed knits in 1945.  This actually gave me the confidence to try some things I've been afraid to try before.  There are hints on keeping the seams from being too bulky and encouragements to reinforce with grosgrain... fun, fun stuff! 

Joining Ginny's Yarn Along

Blessings, Debbie

something pink

I've cast on a little something pink for an upcoming baby shower (close your eyes Hillary, don't follow the link!).  This pattern has been living in my knitting notebook for over a year now just waiting for the right moment to jump to attention.  It's supposed to fit a 3 month old and I am hopeful since Charlotte will be 3 months in September/October, just about the time a little something is needed when the evenings begin to cool.  I am using more of the same thrifted Dreamincolor yarn that I used to make this dress. 

Still poking my way through George Muller of Bristol by Arthur Pierson.  I can only take it in very small doses because after only a paragraph or two I'm jotting in my notebook, then praying, then closing the book because I want to spend the day meditating on what I've read.

Home-making by J.R. Miller (available on Kindle) is another such read that is getting my attention right now. While originally published in 1882 it is filled with timeless truths that also have me reading small snippets and then closing the book for the day, that I may ponder.  As I write about these two old books and the goodness within I am reminded of Jeremiah 6:16 ~ This is what the Lord says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls...

Joining Ginny's Yarn Along

Blessings, Debbie

a rainy day post

What was I thinking waiting to take pictures of my current knit.  The sun has been either full faced or at least peeking for days.. up until today.  It's nasty out there.  I thought, "hmmm, terrible lighting.  Perhaps the interest of outside will help."  I positioned everything as best I could (seams are not sewn and buttons are still unattached) where we would stay dry beneath the giant fir tree.  

The sweater is no further along than it was in this post.  I detoured to make the hat (from Last Minute Knitted Gifts) and to choose buttons, reminding myself that this set was indeed going to be feminine before the tedium of seam stitching.  The color in these photos (or should I say lack of color) is atrocious, I think that the deep olive shows better in the link.  This is going to look just beautiful with the shoes that Erin made.  I'll convince her to let me post them soon since she hasn't posted in months.  I also have in mind a block print t-shirt using one of the stamps I carved last year paired with a simple skirt pattern I've been waiting to try...  oh yes, this is just as much fun as I knew it would be.  Praise for grands!

I'm sharing 2 books today.  Rudyard Kipling is our current author study and Kim was the suggested title.  It's not an easy read aloud for the funky English that is spoken and the book is mostly dialogue.  I was worried that I wouldn't be able to do it justice but the girls don't seem to have any trouble following.  They do in fact beg me to keep going when I think I'm finished.  Is this a recommend?  If I were just reading it myself I would say, "eh" but the girls are really enjoying it.  There you go.

The other book is one that I've read before and am re-reading.  Passionate Housewives Desperate For God by Staci McDonald and Jenny Chancey is a politically incorrect book about the joy of being a supportive wife who values her place in her home and in the life of her husband.  Sometimes the message of the world gets loud and I need to close my ears and curl up with a like-minded author.  That's what this book is for me.  A reminder that the message of Truth drowns out the deception of worldly thinking.

Joining Ginny's Yarn Along

Blessings, Debbie

where we belong

Yesterday I prepared this wonderful quiche for lunch along with a sea salt, pepper and herb blend.  The only change that I made to the quiche recipe was to substitute whole milk for the heavy cream.  It was fun cooking something delicious and colorful for our midday meal because it meant I could photograph it.  I'd share more recipes and pictures of food but I'm a lousy photographer (if I can't get the shot on manual setting I don't take the shot) and all of my night time food pics turn out terrible.. Admittedly, these aren't the best either but they are much better than the evening ones.. trust me.

I've been knitting away at this simple little sweater from More Last Minute Knitted Gifts.  I know it's not pink but I picked up the beautiful Olive colored Debbie Bliss cotton at a yard sale last summer and was waiting to know the sex of the baby before using it.  I've also cast on for the hat from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, the set is a size six to nine month and should fit next  late winter/early spring.

Me knitting, Larry working on antler mounts, the piano and the guitar making a joyful noise in the hands of these musicians...  We all have hobbies and interests that bring us pleasure and satisfaction after the schoolwork/work is done for the day.

We picked up my parents at the airport last night when they returned from 2 weeks on the Mediterranean. Hillary welcomed her husband home this morning after a month working in Alaska.  I'm breathing easier knowing that everyone is home safe and sound.  I think I'm beginning to paint a clear picture of my belief that everyone belongs at home.  It makes me squirmy when people aren't where they belong.

Last weekend we got Cory settled into his new apartment (still in the valley... not where he belongs)!  ;)

Blessings, Debbie  

heart in hand

I made a heart to keep and 6 to send away using this free pattern.  Each took me about an hour to knit and stuff so there's plenty of time for you to get a few done for Valentine's Day. The mitts are finished and I've started another pair using this free pattern.  What do people who don't knit do in the winter... I can't imagine such a thing!  :)

I've read about George Muller in the past and was so very moved that I was quite excited to find this book at the thrift store a few months ago.  Each chapter begins with a selection from Muller's own autobiography. The back reads:

  As a teenager, he was a liar, a gambler, an alcoholic, and a thief.  As a young adult, he was a skeptic, a seeker, and finally a believer in the God who changes lives.  As a man, he was a visionary, a prayer warrior, and a caregiver to more than ten thousand orphans who needed to know the love of Jesus Christ.

  George Muller's service to the people of Bristol, England, in the 1800's and his devout personal prayer life reflect the joy of believing in God's faithfulness.  Perhaps the most powerful part of his story is what it teaches us in practical ways about depending on God to meet every need we have.

This Valentine's Day Erin and Audrey will be on the other side of the mountain visiting their sister and brother; a week with Hillary since Monte is working in Alaska for a month and a long weekend with Cory.  So, who is going to decorate our Vday breakfast table?  Who is going to bake the Vday coffee cake?  Who will delight over my Vday heart shaped pizzas?  Who?  The house is relatively quiet and while I was eager for this little 'staycation', a week is too long.  I miss all of my kiddos terribly and look forward to Friday when Larry and I will join them for a few days and then bring Erin and Audrey home (where they belong :).

Wishing you all the love you deserve (or don't deserve as the case may be ;).  Remember there is one who loves you like no other and He delights in your acceptance of His unconditional love.  If you don't know Him, request a meeting.  It's as simple as asking.. He'll answer.

Joining Ginny's Yarn Along

Blessings, Debbie        

reading mitts and my current read

On my needles ~ Susie's Reading Mitts.  I'll finish the thumbs, hem top and bottom for picot edging then block.  The yarn is the alpaca, pygora, merino blend that was spun up before Christmas.. Love!

I am almost finished reading Emily Climbs which is book 2 in the Emily Of New Moon series.  I am a tremendous fan of the Anne books so was excited to delve into these.  L.M. Montgomery is such an amazing writer.  Every sentence is colorful and telling.  I will say being the prudish, conservative that I am, there are a couple of things that I have issue with especially seeing that these books were written with the younger reader in mind.  I'll see how it all plays out in the end but I get a bit squirmy as I read.  Shall I tell or would that be a spoiler?  O.K.... SPOILER ALERT!  There is much interspersing of pagan dieties and rituals.  There is a recurring plot-line regarding psychic and spirit activity.  And anytime 'Jarback' Priest (his name not his calling) is in the picture what is supposed to be (I think) beautiful goes in a wrong direction.  So, why do I continue?  Interesting characters and sensory descriptive settings.  Rich vocabulary...  The stories are wonderful aside from these lingering Victorian fad inclusions.  So, if I just keep it in its proper historical perspective the writing has me wooed.  I preferred the first book to the second and wonder how the third will compare.

"In my walk I went and said good-evening to the Disappointed House.  I am always so sorry for it- it is a house that has never lived- that has not fulfilled its destiny.  Its blind windows seem peering wistfully from its face as if seeking vainly for what they cannot find.  No homelight has ever gleamed through them in summer dusk or winter darkness.  And yet I feel, sometime it will come true.

      I wish I owned it.

      I dandered around all my old haunts tonight- Lofty John's bush- Emily's Bower- the old orchard-the pond graveyard- the Today road- I love that little road.  It's like a personal friend to me.

      I think 'dandering' is a lovely word of its kind- not in itself exactly, like some words, but because it is so perfectly expressive of its own meaning.  Even if you'd never heard it before you'd know exactly what it meant- dandering could mean only dandering. 

     The discovery of beautiful and interesting words always gives me joy.  When I find a new, charming word I exult as a jewel-seeker and am unhappy until I've set it in a sentence." 

Joining Ginny's Yarn Along

Blessings, Debbie

dishcloth with a twist

Next week I'll have a picture of this shawl that I knit for Erin for Christmas.  Today I have a picture of Audrey in the first thing I made that wasn't a dishcloth.. years ago.  It's a.. ginormous half a dish cloth! Funny thing is, when I saw the pattern for Erin's shawl in November I excitedly printed it and ordered the yarn. Fast forward 2 months and Audrey has dug this gal out of the dress up box to wear while doing her schoolwork. Hmm.  Cozy drape.  Extra large.  Plenty of length to wrap around, tying the ends behind her back..  Just sayin'.

Here's the simple dishcloth pattern that when knit (only the first half) with bulky yarn on say, size 11-13 or so needles becomes this version of the Christmas shawl.

*********************************

co 4

k 1 row

k2, yo, k to end of row

repeat previous row until you have 42 stitches (more for shawl, just keep going until it's as wide as you like)

bo (for shawl)

(if you're making the dishcloth do not bind off and continue)
k1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k to end of row
repeat previous row until you have 4 stitches
bo      

**********************************

Last week I mentioned that my nose has been in cookbooks.  One of the recipes that has been landing on our table often is soft pretzels.  I've actually toyed with the idea of making a Youtube video on making these (they're that easy and that much fun!) which is just crazy since I HATE to be the other side of a camera.  But today as I was expertly twirling the dough I just felt.. well.. expertish.  :)

Yes, I know.  I should have had some finished pictures.  They really are impressive.  It's just that once out of the oven, Audrey can't keep her hands off of them and before I can think to grab the camera she's polished 'em off!  She'd better be careful or pretty soon that extra large shawl isn't going to fit around her anymore. You're thinking that she has some help aren't you?  ;)  

Joining Ginny's Yarn Along
Blessings, Debbie