retired

This is what I found upstairs at Bonnie's.  Just look at her...

The rich color of the old wood.  The aged patina.  The workmanship.  The elegant turnings.  The obvious wont of plastic.  The sturdy grace....

The history (she's a family heirloom).  The date.

Isn't she beautiful.  

The Memory of the Working Wheel

Debbie Penington 
September 7, 2011

The memory of fingers deft

Plays ever through her mind

She'll not forget the daily spin

Or Lady fair and kind

How she did hum and often sing

While roundy roundy sounds did ring

From out the gentle working frame

As fibers they did bind.

A working team of two were they

Creating by the light of day

While only during sleeping hours

Would respite ere they find

Goodnight, goodnight to lady fair

Goodnight, I say to thee

Goodnight she bids to working wheel

Goodnight she bids to me.

summerantics

A generous spirit.  That's what we got to experience this day.  Bonnie has been offering a play day at her pool to my mother and her grands all summer.  We happened to get in on the fun.. along with Mom and her youngest grandkids.  It was HOT.  The pool was COOL.  Everyone had FUN!

After the first round of swimming everybody trotted off to the kitty shed.  Bonnie does foster care for the Humane Society.  She loves on kittens until they are old enough to be given homes.  What a fine little nursery she has for these babies.  It's clean and cool.  More than humane...

Now everyone was hungry.  So...

Bonnie built a fire in the shade where the hungry crew roasted hot dogs and marshmallows.  Her grand daughter Lacey and little neighbor boy were there to play too.  Lacey had tinsel in her hair which made the girls comment that they had been wanting a feather.  Lo and behold... Bonnie had just purchased the special feathers and had them in the craft room with the crimp beads.  So the girls brushed through their wet hair and 5 minutes later they sported their stylish new accessory.   

Thanks to a lovely lady for a lovely day...

I spent more than a few photos on a wonderful little something upstairs in the living room.  I'll play show and tell tomorrow!  'Til then.


Blessings, Debbie

a christmas gift!

Elizabeth and I are making a hat.  I've made hats before.  I've done stripes and cables, but this is my first time patterning.  Liz and I (I'm the only one she let's call her Liz) spent the afternoon chatting and knitting... If you've never had the opportunity to sit in on one of her lessons you are really missing out.  She is wonderfully entertaining.  Her accent is at once delightful and tactfully intimidating.  In fact, you wouldn't dare not follow her advice.  She may give you permission to do whatever you like but, "you will not receive my blessing"  to quote Elizabeth.  (I call her Elizabeth when she is being stern).

Elizabeth Zimmerman's Knitting Workshop is a treasure.  My daughters love to sit with me for a bit and alternate between watching closely (enthralled), and giggling at her wit and idioms.  

I was so proud of myself while patterning.  I kept calling people in to watch.  Of course, they were duly impressed!  I don't think they were faking it.  Me juggling my two balls of yarn, one moment throwing the right hand yarn, the next snagging the left hand yarn continental style.  If I do say so myself it is quite impressive.  This little hat is a wool mohair blend.  The pink is a soft cotton with a bit of sparkle.  My 3 year old niece will receive it for Christmas.  

Yes, I've officially started my Christmas projects.  One more reason to be pleased with myself!

Blessings, Debbie  

backdoor friends are best

Now that we are backdoor friends I thought I'd welcome you through the back door...  Now that we're back door friends I can trust you not to judge the mess on my countertop.  I'm thankful that you are willing to overlook the cabinetry that is unfinished around the dishwasher, because you are just happy for me that I finally have a dishwasher!  You sigh and smile at the pile of pine branches near the steps waiting to be carried down to the basement.  You think it's precious that they've been sitting there waiting for over a week.  You dear, dear friends...  That's why I love you!


Blessings, Debbie

Thanks to lovely Lisa!  I am touched.  :)

Sharing the love with~

Thinking About Home

Little Bit of Life

Pumpkin Sunrise

Creekside Cottage

Whatever is Lovely

You copy your award here, and find definition and instructions by hitting Lisa's name at the top!

I found this honor yesterday and I am eager to acknowledge it.  Busy, busy, busy getting ready for church...  But not too busy (I got up early on purpose) to thank Lisa of Happy in Dole Valley and say that this blog stuff is FUN!  I am so amazed at the talented, Spirit filled friends to be made out there.  These 5 (6 counting Lisa of course) are a wonderful sampling of the inspiration I find each morning.  I have to say it is in no way exhaustive!  I could have listed 20 (or more)... easily!!

Blessings, Debbie  

she's an airhead

Besides a bit of knittery today, (that was for you Meg!) I did a bit of blockery, um, blocking.  We had some balloons left from Audrey's birthday party.  I saw one of them laying next to the basket holding the wood nymph bonnet and thought, "hmm... time for a bit of blockery."

Kinda fun huh?

Kitschy.  But wait...

That's better.  At least we can have a conversation now.  I hate talking to faceless balloons!


Joining Linda for Creative Friday
Blessings, Debbie

today it's jam

Berries!

Debbie Penington 
August 31, 2011

Berries in the berry patch

Berries in the bowl

Berries by the spoonful

I love to eat 'em whole

Berries by the riverbank 

Where pickin' 'em is hard

Berries by the picket fence 

In someone else's yard

I pick 'em in the morning

And I pick 'em after noon

(whispered) 

I pick 'em from my neighbor's 

Only underneath the moon

If berries are your favorite 

And they grow beside the gate

Be sure they are on your side

Or be sure and pick 'em late!

Blessings, Debbie