Easter, Brickyard, Be Responsible, Stay Home and Stay Safe

My Dad got a visit 2 days ago from The Easter Bunny.  Dad is 94 and is living in an assisted living center.  Despite being on lock down during the Covid period, the staff has really gone out of their way to bridge the gap for residents and their families who can't get together for visits.  Loved the teeth on her mask.

So you can see her full costume.  Pretty cute, don't ya think!  They passed out puzzles, coloring pages, and some Easter Candy.  I'm sure most of the residents got a nice lift from seeing the bunny.  I happened to be doing a video chat with my Dad on Facetime when she happened into the room, so I got to see.  Then nabbed these pictures from their FB page.  Despite being busy, the staff is willing to set up video chats for families who can't visit.  My Dad doesn't have a phone in his room.  Having a phone earlier caused him great confusion, so we removed it.  The video chat is initiated by the staff on a cell phone or ipad.  

Did you know how the Easter Bunny came to be a part of Easter?  In the 1700's German immigrants to Pennsylvania brought their tradition with them.  An egg laying hare called "Osterhase" or Oschter Haws visited nests that children in the various villages made and left eggs.

In the 19th century it was common that rabbits gave birth to litters of kittens, (baby rabbits) thought to be a symbol of new life.  The eggs they laid were also symbolic of new life and thus the tradition of bunnies, and eggs, and Easter.

Brickyard is completed.  It's laid out here drying and being blocked, after being laundered.  It will soon be donated through my charity, Bridge and Beyond.

Haven't yet decided which project to work on next.  Took some time earlier today to watch some video's of a possible knit stitch I might like to use as well as a crocheted one; but.........I also still have many project bags with pieces parts and yarn to join, sooooooooo we'll see what I feel like when I get this up and folded after it dries.

I liked this chalk art, but blocked out the face of the artist, as she's a teen and I don't know her to know how she would feel about her picture being out there.  Please stay at home as the orders indicate for everyone's safety.  Only leave for essential grocery shopping etc.  AND make sure your trip is in fact, essential.  Minimize your time away, wear a mask, and wash your hands.

This is NOT the way to wear a mask.  Wearing one correctly is imperative.  If you're not familiar, please google or search u-tube video's.  If you're not wearing correctly, you're not protecting yourself or anyone else.

PLEASE!! Don't be self absorbed and think the rules are for everyone but you.  PLEASE stay home, you put yourself, your friends, your neighbors, and your family's at risk when you ignore the rules/laws/orders.  AND then you shop for groceries and put all those in the store also at risk.  

Busy Hands are Happy Hands!

OMG!  Spotted this the other day on Facebook and just had to share it with you all.  It's been YEARS since I've gone camping...pup tent, sleeping bag etc.  My card is fully punched on that with no desire to do it again; but this.....what can I say!

 Finished my potato chip scarf yesterday.  Love the colors and the way the yarn drapes, but not the way it looks on me...even if the picture weren't blurry and I knew how to take a decent selfie, which I don't.  The color is more accurate in the first picture, not the one with me wearing it.

Believe this is going to be donated to Bridge and Beyond, think a teen might enjoy it.

Finished another afghan.  This one is called Pippy Longstocking.  It too will be donated through my charity, Bridge and Beyond.  It was assembled from strips that were donated.  Had to do a fair amount of over stitching...as the person who donated it did the dreaded cut the yarn right after the knot and left no tail.  I shored the edges up as best as I could, but you can see in some places it's not super straight...due to the over stitching and extra stitches to fortify it.  But...I put it in the wash with fingers crossed.  Here it is being blocked....it made it fine through the wash, so I think all is well.  I named it Pippy Longstocking because it's so mixed, wild, un-tamed...a mish mosh.  When I designed it, looking through lots of different colored strips, thought it would be fun and funky.

LOL!  Anyone relate?  I've been doing a 5 minute plank routine, a 6 minute full body stretch, and a 7 minute work out daily here at home, so haven't actually made it to the gym....but what can I say.  Actually I had tried out several different apps, but din't find one that fit my need as a senior.  Did you know you can exercise with Alexa?  If you have an Echo Dot, or other Alexa model check it out.  In the menu area find skills.  I really like it and am finding it motivating.  

Continuing to work on this jewel toned scarf, it's grown a couple of inches, but is slow going with this very thin yarn.  My needles were a 4 wooden knit pics, but they kept coming apart, so I switched to my turbo's which are a 5, doesn't seem much different to me size wise.  But, it's easier to see without the green cord and dark needles.  The silver needles is an improvement.

Slow Stitching on Sunday, Progress, Watching Charles Dickens and More

It's growing! Jeweled Lines is growing.  This photo was taken a few days (when I thought I would sit down and write a blog post), it was just a hair short of 52 inches at the time, with one row of the turquoise section started.  Got it stretched out as well as I can without having stitches fall off the needles, so it doesn't look very even in the picture, but truly it is.  Mine concern at this point is whether or not I have enough turquoise to finish the current section and complete the last section....It's going to be close I fear.  Once again the problem with quesstimation and no pattern, but when working with yarn you have on hand and or yarn that's been donated...........well.  You play through and hope for the best.  This ghan will be donated through my charity blog, Bridge and Beyond.
Join us for Slow Stitching Sunday

For my blog friends who cross stitch, a project from long ago.  So long ago, this was a photograph, not a digital picture, lol.  Two quilted placemates basically sewn together to make an apron with a cross stitch area.  This was a Christmas Gift for my Mom.  Over the years the picture has faded...tried to brighten it after scanning, but it's still not a good photo.  Wish I had done more of design.  With today's eyes, it's rather plain.  I wonder whether or not my Dad still has this somewhere in the house.  I should ask him.

This was posted on Facebook as a teaser a few weeks ago when my friends across the pond were anxiously awaiting the next session.  We here in the US...are still waiting.  Just thought it was comical, so thought I'd share.

LOVED this yarn.  Sooooooo soft.  When my Darling Daughter was home for a visit, we naturally went yarn shopping.  She purchased 5 different types of yarn, all at 50% off.  I wasn't as lucky.  This is one of two hanks I purchased, mine were only 15% off.  This is 400 yards of hand dyed fingering weight.  It suggest a needle size of 1............what was I thinking!!!  Loved the colors, and softness, but now am in search of something to make with it that maybe I can use a size 3 for.  

This is yet another of my English viewing while knitting and icing my foot.  This was a very short mini series.  Little Dorrit is a Charles Dickens story that takes place between 1855-1857.  The story of being born and raised in Marshalsea Prison, a debtors prison.  As many of Dickens theme, it's full of many emotions;  but shows a good deal of the dark side......the hard times that people endured.  Central figure is the same as Queen Elizabeth in The Crown, Claire Foy...who was also in Upstairs Downstairs, as the very colorful and not very nice sister.  I do recommend this short series.

I don't often post political things on this blog, but felt this was very appropriate given current events.  This Holocaust Memorial by Marie Uchytilova remembers 82 children who were taken from Lidice to Cheimno, an Extermination Camp in July of 1942.  The fact there are large number of people led by extreme groups who say The Holocaust is fake news, never happened.......makes me sick to my stomach.
**Longer than normal post, catching up since it's been a bit since my last post.

Knitting and Watching and trying to eat Light

Jeweled Lines has grown to about double the size from when you last saw it last with the addition of the green and now back to the amethyst.  Thanks for the input on the names between this blog and my charity blog, Bridge and Beyond.  I like the suggested name of Jeweled Lines, better than the flip of it, which is what I had initially.  I'm still not quite sure if this will be enough yarn with adding the green; but as yet.........still can't get to the basement to look further at my stash, so will play through and see what happens.  Though I did do some steps today for the first time at therapy...so might be able to soon.

Watched this show, Tulip Fever on Netflix recently.  I can't say I would recommend it.  It was dark...dark in the way it was filmed (somewhat on purpose I suppose 1634 in Amsterdam), but also a bit dark in it's storyline.  It wasn't at all believeable, though the write ups discussed how this was a long awaited film from Harvey Weinstein.  That in fact, it took 17 years to come to the screen.  First it was released in Germany from what I read in 2017.  The right up portrayed how this was a historic event and was expected to be much bigger than it was...........but, doing a bit more research I see The Smithsonian says the primary story about Tulip Fever is in fact NOT true.  If you watch it, I'll be interested in hearing if you liked it.  Not all reviews were bad.  This wasn't a series, it was a movie.  So, you can watch it without committing much to do so.

Have been trying to eat light (this was lunch) since my level of activity is soooo much less than normal with the broken foot.  Though this past week, I've not done as well as above.  

Works in Progress - Project Bags

Some time back these stripes were donated to Bridge and Beyond.  They are crocheted and were intended as scarves.  However, they weren't really large enough to meet the needs of homeless that are served on Bridge and Beyond, so they were laid aside for awhile.  My daughter helped me design future afghans from these stripes.  As always, we name afghans that made from various peoples donations.  I like the blue, green and purple which made us think of mountains, and thus the name of Mountain Haze.  The stripes aren't all equal size, so will need some edging to make them all fit nicely together.  Then there will be a good size border to make the afghan a good size.

This  future afghan is called Orange Julius and comprised of both knitted and crocheted squares, and rectangles.  Like the stripes above in Mountain Haze, they are not the same size and will be fitted together after edged.  It too is resting in one of the project bags below with the necessary yarn and crochet hook.  I've packed these 3 projects bags in hopes of completing these 3 projects soon. 

How many projects and or projects bags do you keep at the ready?  The green and brown are more stripes which were intended to be scarves, but weren't large enough.  People mean well, but sometimes they donate items without reviewing the requirements and guidelines.  In order to be sure the donations get used, I try to be creative.  We've titled this one Rolling Hills. 

And below is an afghan I've started knitting after raiding my stash.  I found burgundy, gray, teal that you see below, but also have orange, lavender, and gold that are the same type and weight of yarn.  I'm calling this one Eclectic Afghan...unless someone can come up with a better name. 

My idea for the new year, 2018, is to have a project bag for each day of the week.  But, I've not yet gotten there.  I thought by having a bag a day (7 project bags), I could have both large and small projects, some knitted and some crocheted to constantly be making progress.  That might keep things moving along vs trying to work on a large project, then starting others and having too many things laying around without reasonable progress.  We'll see how it goes.  I hope with having small projects that be worked on without being home and larger items for home, we'll make progress.

A YEAR in Review

Today is January 1, 2018.  Happy New Year to you all.  We stayed in last night, had a good dinner, then popped the cork at 12 mn, watched a bit more tv as we were enjoying the bubbly and called it a night.  I hope if you were out and about you were safe and warm.

That's the last completed projected, emphasis on the word completed for the year 2017.  This knitted afghan wasn't yet laundered or blocked in this picture, thus it's not laying out super nicely.  Once blocked it will be added to the donations for the homeless through my blog, Bridge and Beyond.

This afghan was completed just prior to the one above.  Was pushing hard at the end of the year to get them done.  The center pink was a small square someone had donated to Bridge and Beyond, and I added to it, to make an afghan.  It too was laundered, blocked, and donated.

This was a cute ferry garden we saw while traveling in Ireland in the fall.  The trip truly being a highlight of the year.

You can talked about Ireland and Scotland without thinking about Castles!  WOW and then some.  I've posted some, and will continue to post about Ireland and Scotland on my travel blog, Traveling Suitcase.  Please enjoy traveling virtually with me.

In some respects this has been a good year, I traveled to Ireland and Scotland, as mentioned above.  I returned to a favorite spot, Hilton Head and Park City in Utah for vacations both with hubby, daughter, and girl friends on different trips.  I love to travel.  But, it's also been a difficult year.  I've lost a cousin rather suddenly that took me by shock.  Somehow we all think we have endless time and can do tomorrow, or call someone tomorrow.  Just isn't always the case.

Politically, I am extremely dishearten by the person occupying the White House when he's not playing golf at one of his private clubs and charging The American Public for it.  

I hope 2018 holds some improvements for people suffering from illness.

And tomorrow, will be another day, January 2, 2018

Hope you noticed a new badge I added to this blog to join a blog linky party that focuses on yarn!  Oh lovely yarn.  Check out the badge upper left, Ginx Craft.

Hummingbird Stain Glass

 Sharing a reminder of Spring, even as the snow is flying outside my window.  Took this picture the other day, when there was some light outside, though when and if we get a sunny day this cute little hummingbird's colors will be even prettier.

Hung it backwards in the first picture then realized it was the wrong side...dah!  This was gifted to me by a fellow Find A Grave Friend, Brian.  He does truly beautiful work.  Many thanks Brian, it brightens the gloom that is the normal winter day here in central Ohio.

Have continued to work on the ghans in the previous post (just scroll back for the pictures), and am itching to start a new project....some yarn is calling my name

Hope you're all safe and warm indoors, as the last several days have been brutally cold.  I think about those living out in the elements without a roof over their heads and hope they somehow are protected from the elements.  Am so grateful for all those who've sent donations in lately for Bridge and Beyond  and am working at catching up on writing and scheduling the blog posts.

Knitted Green Kimono Style Sweater

Saw this on Facebook and it made me chuckle, so while it's been a while since you probably had left overs from Thanksgiving, I thought I'd share this.  lol  Actually I think the best part of going to someone else's house for the feast is not having left overs to deal with.  I'm not much of a fan of left overs, and the meal itself really isn't one of my favorites.  What I like is having time with family.  I hope you all enjoyed your time with family and friends, with or without leftovers.

I'm doubling up today with this post, why?  Cause I'm several days late getting the post up for YOP, and today is Wednesday soooooooo .

**All badges are links, click and join us, link up and share some linky love along the way**

This green sweater has been a long time in the making.  I barely got started on it last year right after Christmas, as it was suppose to be a belated gift for my DD.  It kept getting put away.  Been trying to get back into it so have been working on it now for awhile...large piece is the back and the smaller piece (the one still on the needles is one of the fronts.  I'm wondering when the time comes if it's best to laundered, and block before stitching together or stitch together then launder and block.  Love some input.

Hope you're all busy and enjoying the projects you're working on from your list (YOP), as well as projects you're trying madly to get done in time for Christmas Gifts.

If you've got time, would you consider making something for Bridge and Beyond?  We're getting more requests this year.  Seems more are living out in the cold, and the weather turned colder then normal earlier then normal here.

If you're cold, got snow on the ground and want a warm thought..........please check out a post from a quest blogger on my Travel Blog, I promise you'll be glad you did.
Here, and or HERE.

I Belief it's Wednesday, Big Linky Day

Wednesday Work in Progress Time with Tami, What are you doing Wednesday with Susan
I am knitting the last section of this time consuming long time work in progress feather and fan style afghan.  The final dark gray edge.  Then will need to work in the edges...think about whether or not I want to crochet an edge around it?  I'm hopeful I won't run out of the gray.  The ball you see isn't very big and I have another one about the same size.  The final edge of course has additional rows the other sections don't have...so fingers crossed.  I love the look, love the way the colors came together even though the design changed several times based on what yarn I had.  It's called Sea and Sand and will be donated to Homeless Families Foundation through my charity, Bridge and Beyond.

AND today over at Paula's, June Blog Challenge, our prompt is to write about your beliefs.  Had to think about that, as we already wrote about religious beliefs, so this sorta seems like a repeat.  Perhaps this prompt is an attempt to be more general?

• I belief in people.  Despite all the negative things you see on tv and read on facebook, I belief most people are good and want to do good.  I belief the few extreme loud mouths get the news cover which sours everyone.
• I belief family is important.
• I belief people should slow down and smell the roses and quit making lists, like bucket lists, to do lists, things to accomplish or buy lists.  Live each day and be happy for the day, it's a gift.
• I belief people need to learn contentment.
• I belief people shouldn't expect everything to go 100% there way all time, and learn how to adjust and move forward.
• I belief everyone should do what they can for others, and not judge people who have trouble making it on their own.  I belief it's our Christian duty to care for others.
• I believe...I best get linked up and start visits or I'll never get done.........cause the list of I belief could go on and on.

INVITING YOU ALL, from all the linky's above to join me on Monday's for Memory Monday.  Click here to see what it's all about and be sure and mark your calendar to come join the fun.  It's a new linky, and we're just trying to get going...so please help out.  We all moan about Monday, let's put some life and fun into that day.
(JC6, S4, T13)

Box of Crayons Heading to Rochester not Sandy Hook

So many sad tragedies of late, it makes you not want to listen to or read the news.  Horribly sad, but especially so this time of the year.  In a previous post, I showed you this afghan, Box of Crayons when it was a work in progress.  The plan was to add green to the trim to pick up on the colors of Sandy Hook Elementary as part of a caring project in a group titled, Hands, Hearts, and Hugs.  However, that group came to a quick halt.  Sandy Hook has been given so much support and gifts, the community has asked that people please stop sending things.

I then posted an edit indicating this afghan would then go for it's original cause through Bridge and Beyond, Project Welcome Home.

In the next few days, Hands, Hearts, and Hugs has regrouped, and changed it's name to Hands, Hearts, and Hugs-Crocheting for a Cause on Facebook.  The plan is to do projects as needs arise.  Sadly, The brave volunteer Fireman, Lt. Mike Chiapperini, and Tomasz Kaczowka lost their lives while responding to a house and car fire in Webster, New York.  They leave behind many who cared.  In addition to these 2 lives lost, 7 neighboring families homes were burned to the ground.

While I will continue to assemble afghans from donated squares and strips through my charity, Bridge and Beyond; I knew the membership of kind and caring people in that group would want to help, and so this cherry brightly colored afghan will make it's way to Webster/Rochester to help comfort one of the families of those 2 firemen who lost their lives.

**I've been on the road and thus this Sunday post for Year of Projects is being posted late in the day.  Links in tab at the top of the blog.  Please join us.**


  This project and afghan does not change the goal or mission of on going support with hats, scarves, mittens, slippers, afghans, squares, etc for the cold homeless people of Central Ohio.  Bridge and Beyond will continue to collect squares.  Help for both of these charities is greatly appreciated.  The afghan is pictures here prior to being laundered and blocked.  Though, as I type it is infact being blocked...that picture turned out to dark, so you're seeing it before hand.

My Granny

If you've been to my blog before, you know I always name afghans I'm working on.  This afghan is being assembled from donated crocheted squares through Bridge and Beyond for project, "Welcome Home".  I've got it tied together and have started crocheting it together, then it will need a nice border.  Once completed it will be donated.

I'm still knitting Sea and Sand, and the Traveling Scarf, but no headway on the purple whatever scarf.  Purple whatever scarf gave me fits so is in time out and that's all there is to it.  I'll show it who's boss, lol...well probably not, yarn usually gets the upper hand, as no doubt you all know.

I've not gotten to participate in WIPW in quite awhile, things have been busy, so am pleased to be able to play with you all today.  All badged and links for the meme's in tab across the top of the blog.  Join us, the more the merrier.

**WOW just noticed, I'm creeping up on blog post #500, pretty cool.

Playing again in the Sandbox

A really quick picture.  Didn't even take time to smooth it out; but wanted to get my YOP post up actually on Sunday this week.  Geesh...I get getting way laid.  It's no longer tied together, it is now one piece and I'm working on the edge/border.  Currently I think I'll do a couple of rows of single crochet, then measure it and decide if it needs a few more inches, and or needs a special border.  Some afghans really look best simple to me, others need a little help with a special border.  Until all those ends are gone from crocheting everything together it's hard for me to decide.

This is the only project I've worked on this week, so not much change in my list for year of projects.  This is an afghan, like so many made from various sized donated squares through Bridge and Beyond.  It will be donated as a house warming gift for a homeless family moving from shelter living into their permanent housing situation.  It's used as a good luck for the future, congrats on what you've accomplished and a reminder many of us are pulling for them to make it. 

YOP badge and link in tab across the top of the blog, join us; it's a fun meme

progress pictures:
step 1.   Designed and barely started with edging the different sized squares
step 2.  Edged, all squares now the same size, tied and ready to join

It's Friday....here's Royalty

Blue, Gold, Purple crocheted granny squares joined by a very dark Forest Green. This afghan is a team work project. Cheryl donated the squares over on Bridge and Beyond. I edged the squares, and assembled the afghan. It measures a little over 50 x 64. The dark green yarn was also donated by Laurie over on Bridge and Beyond. I enjoy designing afghans to help the homeless from donated goodies from big hearted knitters and crocheters. Homeless Families Foundation helps homeless families with temporary housing for up to 3 months while they aid the family in seeking help they need to keep their family together, to help with the job search, to help care for the kids and get them to and from school, help with homework etc. It's a wonderful program. When they make the move from temporary housing to permanent housing they receive a "Welcome Home" pack to help them get started. One of the items they receive is the gift of a handmade afghan........a wonderful way to say, "Welcome Home."

This is my finished object Friday post, link/badge in the sidebar. Join in, it's fun. Hope you're all chipping away and finishing up items you need for Christmas Gifts, time's getting close.

**Throwing a challenge out there to all who read this post:
Are you from one of the following states:
Conn, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Miss., Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, or Utah?
No one from those states has donated over on Bridge and Beyond. You could represent your state....surely someone in those states knits/crochets and has a big heart.....nudge nudge**

Monday Monday

Having an ugly and very very dark dreary wet day here in Central Ohio. This however, brought a smile to my face. This is page 17 of Crochet Magazine. I say it's the December issue, but it actually says Winter 2011. Bendy Carter contacted me about a year ago and asked if she could highlight my blog, Bridge and Beyond.

They work well ahead. She wrote a pattern, and an article and has highlighted the charity that helps homeless. I'm thrilled and hope this helps spread the news and obtain more helping hands for the cause. It looks like an awesome pattern too folks. Check it out.

Happy Monday, one and all.

Green Grass of Home, Rainbow Bright and October Cloth

Pretty excited I have so much to share with you this Friday for Finished Object Friday. Firstly cause I've not been able to blog as much of late with many things going on in the family. Many of you know my Dad was in the hospital, and his sister, my elderly aunt (91) had been moved from to a nursing home here in town from assisted living and hospital stays in Urbana and Springfield. Life's been busy. So, I've missed some FOF, WIPW, and YOP Sunday. Above is a finished object, this bright colored ghan is titled, "Rainbow Bright". It's made from donated crocheted squares through Bridge and Beyond, (thank you Cheryl S), for Project "Welcome Home". I crocheted 2 rows around each of the squares, joined them, crocheted another row around each strip, joined them and crocheted several more rows around the whole ghan before adding the decorative border.


Thank you all for the good wishes for my Dad. I'm happy to say, he's back home and doing well. My Aunt settled in nicely at the nursing home and things were going well for awhile. Sadly, that didn't last and she ended up back in the hospital (at least it was here in town this time). After a weeks stay in the hospital, I can say she's no longer in pain; she is now at peace and for that........we are very Thankful. Am hopeful life will slow down a bit, and get back to "normal".

Above photo shows close up of the border.


Finished knitting this October cloth on a recent road trip to St. Louis to visit with DD., and therefore was able to give it to her. This is cloth 7 in the Cotton Cloth Calendar Challenge. Next up, need to work on November's cloth. **Editing to add name of pattern, and link for the October Cloth. Easy Squidge by Sasha. Click HERE

The Green Green Grass of home. You may remember seeing this scarf in the works. It's a scarf I started while spending time at the hospital with my Dad. It was donated to Bridge and Beyond.

Pastel Jewels Afghan

Afghan in the works. I'm having trouble coming up with a name for this one. Love some ideas. Some squares are pastels, others are jewel tones. Pastel Jewels seems a bit lame. Anyone have any ideas? Some squares are knitted, most are crocheted. There's a bit of size difference, but I believe with edging and a good blocking once done it will work out fine. I'm working with donated squares from Bridge and Beyond. The finished ghan will be donated for Project, "Welcome Home."
A start with some of the squares edged. Little note card shows my color arrangement so I don't have to rely on memory when I get ready to join. Though generally I look at my picture, this gives me the ability to join some away from home.

I'm also working on November Cloth, but haven't taken a photo.

Happy Work in Progress Wednesday to you all.