Crocheting, World War II Books, Sunsets and More

 

Pastel Petals.  Pinks and purples, various sized squares and rectangles, but believe these pieces parts are closer in size than the previous afghan I made from donated squares.  

Ta Dah!  It's finished and laying here to dry/blocked.  I had enough of the light lilac color yarn in my stash that I didn't need to use multiple colors to edge and join, as I did with the previous "Little Boy Blue" afghan.

I don't typically do more than a basic straight edge for these afghans assembled from pieces parts, as most are colors that work for either a male or female; but this one is decitely female, and so I made a scalloped edge to finish it off.  You can see it in the picture with the whole afghan, but here's a close up.

We've had another dinner party, but not as large.  6 instead of 14 at our last one where I served chicken enchildas.  Which is not what is pictured here.  This is Chicken Marsala that I fixed for just hubby and I a few nights ago.

We enjoyed this Spanish wine so much we ended up ordering a few more bottles.  If you've not tried it, add it to your list.

We had a gorgeous sunset a few nights ago as I looked out the walk way making my way to take out the trash.  Was almos to late to get the picture.  Probably 5 minutes earlier was the best time.

Another beautiful bunch of flowers.  We've kept this, rather, hubby has kept this vase filled for me.  We've both enjoyed having flowers daily in the condo.  He brought these home to me ono Valentines Day.  I much prefer yellow roses over red, in case you're wondering.

This is the 3rd book of Louise Fein's I've read/listened to.  This is an historical fiction, but inspired by the authors fa,mily history with lots of addtional research done.  The book is extremely reviting, hard to put down.  There's what she knew as the daughter of a high ranking Nazi official vs what she begins to learn through her Jewish Friend, Walter.  Courage, love, danger and picking ones path are choices she makes during this difficult time.  I highly recommend this book folks.

Helmet for my Pillow is a personal narrative or Marine Corp Veteran, Robert Leckie.  You travel with him from basic training on Paris Island, South Caroline to the raging war in The Pacific Theater.  This book was published back in 1957.  He was inspired to write this book after seeing South Pacific on Broadway.  He thought it was important to let the public know, the war and all it's horror were NOT like a musical.  I thought I might not enjoy the book, since it seemed like it might be too masculine for me to enjoy; but I was totally enthralled with the book and highly recommend it.

Starts and Finishes With Knitting and The New Year

 

Another completed knitted project.  My Outlander scarf/shawl is done!  It's been soaked, and blocked and worn twice!  It's so soft, I love it.  Wonderful yarn to work with and to wear.  I love how the colors blended.  This yarn, as you might remember was a gift from my Darling Daughter.  She Rocks, by the way.

Pieces parts!  When I had my grassroots charity,. Bridge and Beyond (for 14 years), people would send me squares, rectangles and things they had left over.  As you can see these pieces are not the same size.  Sometimes when other charities folded they would send me things they had left.  Some are knitted, some are crocheted.  I would design, label, and bag.  I've always named the would be afghans and called this one Little Boy Blue.  I would use my stash to find yarn that would blend with these pieces parts and begin edging them to get them to flatten out better and to start getting them to be the same size so they could be joined.

While I closed the charity a year ago, I still have things to work on to donate.  Here's the start.

They're coming closer to being the same size, but.........I edge with 2 rows each, then see how much of the dark blue I have in my stash to determine if I have enough to continue using the dark blue to bring to size, or if I'll need to switch to the light blue you see in the upper left corner.  It's a process, a bit like putting a puzzle together.  But, it's coming along

Belated Happy New Year to you all.  I hope everyone had a safe and fun New Years and that 2023 brings us all closer to being done with Covid, and that the poor folks in Ukraine can improve their situation.

A very powerful book about the power of Harvey Weinstein and sexual misconduct.  How the Me Too Movement got started, and how long this sad situation insued.

Just a few of the women involved.  It was of course in the news, so many people know about it, but  reading/listening to the book tells you so much more than we knew.  Well worth the read or listen.  Incrediable journalism.

Another non WWII book I've listened to and highly recommend, The Story of Helen Keller.  She was far more accomplished than I knew.  Put it on your list, if you've not already read or listened to it.

I've not tabulated my numbers for December on my exercising.  Forgot to do that before we left for the winter, so will have to see if I still have my notes when I return home.  But, I'm getting a good start I think to the New Year.  I've rented a bike for the duration and know that will help me be more active.  Plus, the weather is nicer so getting out to take some walks will be easier as well.  We'll see how I fair here in January.

All ready for our dinner party.  We managed to fit 14 in for dinner last night.  We catch up with other folks who come for the winter or a big chunk of it.  It's fun to see the same folks each year.  We call ourselves the January Gang.

One of my friends brought me these beautiful yellow roses (yellow is a favorite for me), she said yellow means friendship.  Everyone enjoyed seeing the pretty flowers.

I prepared 4 pork tenderloins with a sauce that everyone always loves.  Syrup, garlic, rosemary, and ground mustand.

2 Large casserole dishes of red skins, and brussel sprouts.  I had to cook the sprouts a bit before I could add the butternut squash, as the squash was cut in smaller pieces than it typically is, also added cranraisins (I like cranberries, but couldn't get any).  Forgot to take a picture of the salad which was a mix of greens and caprese style tomatoes and fresh mozzarella in a small log almost to sit on top of the greens.  Drizzeled with balsamic glaze makes for a pretty and colorful salad.  Whew, slept in this am, we were a bit tired.

Need to get out and visit you all (everyone on my blog list), to catch up.  Been since Christmas since I've posted and done any blog walking.  See you all soon.